More than a deal

A busy downtown street. Pedestrians weave between cars, the hum of traffic and distant music fills the air. Lena, sketchbook under her arm, walks distractedly, humming. She collides with Kael, who’s walking briskly, eyes on his phone. LENA: Whoa! Sorry! Kael glances up, expression cold, unreadable. KAEL: Watch it. LENA: I did! I promise. (tilts her head) New around here? KAEL: I’m not. LENA: Then just… broody? KAEL: Neither. Lena grins. LENA: I’m Lena. Nice to meet a stranger who looks like he might bite. Kael doesn’t respond. Keeps walking. LENA: You’re not gonna talk to me? Fine, I’ll do it for both of us. She steps closer. LENA: I like making friends. You look like you could use… one. KAEL: I don’t. LENA: (smiling) Everyone needs friends. Even broody strangers. Kael keeps walking. Lena jogs to keep up. LENA: Come on… one small attempt! I won’t bite. Probably. Kael sighs, mutters under his breath, keeps moving. Lena frowns, then smirks mischievously. Suddenly, a masked figure lunges at Lena, grabbing her arm. LENA: (screaming) Hey! Let go! Kael reacts instantly. He grabs the attacker, moving with precision, disarming them and pinning him against a wall. KAEL: You picked the wrong person. The attacker flees. Kael steadies Lena, holding her by the waist. LENA: (breathless, teasing) Wow… you’re… strong. And cold… but strong. Kael releases her, expression unreadable. KAEL: You okay? LENA: (grinning, clutching his arm lightly) Better now that you saved me. Not that I was worried. Much. (beat) Okay, maybe a little. Kael exhales, glancing around. KAEL: You’re reckless. LENA: (smiling) I get that a lot. She fumbles in her bag, pulling out her phone, and also snatches Kael’s own from his hand. LENA: Here… just in case you ever need to contact me. She types her number into his phone, saves it as Wonderful Lena, and hands it back. LENA: Consider it… a thank-you and a challenge rolled into one. Kael stiffens, staring at her, then pockets his phone silently. KAEL: Persistent is… dangerous. LENA: (smiling brightly) Perfect. Dangerous is my specialty. Kael starts walking away. Lena watches him disappear, grinning and bouncing lightly on her toes. LENA: (to herself) Cold, brood and mysterious…But somehow, I’m hooked already.