CHAPTER 017
1745 Words
*DO WE HAVE A DEAL?*
Flora's POV
“You came to pick me up… in a helicopter?” The words flew out of my mouth in a squeak that would have embarrassed Lucille if she had been there.
I stood on the rooftop, wind whipping my hair like I was the tragic heroine in a bad rom-com, staring at the sleek black machine. Because, of course, Tyler Sinclair wouldn’t just drive a normal car like a normal human. Nooo. He had to roll up with a whole helicopter like some billionaire hockey prince who moonlights as a dramatic entrance specialist.
Tyler remained unfazed. “Yes.”
I blinked rapidly, trying to reboot my brain. “Do you always do this? Show up with flying machines when you want to take a girl somewhere?”
“Only for special occasions,” he replied, his voice low and annoyingly calm.
My brain short-circuited for a glorious second. “Wait...what? So you mean I’m special?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Oh God, Flora, shut up. You sound like a lovesick teenager who just got noticed by the quarterback.
Tyler just squinted at me, those sharp eyes narrowing slightly, but he said nothing. The silence stretched, making me feel even more ridiculous standing there in my leggings and cropped sweater.
Great.
Now I sound desperate again.
Before I could dig my hole any deeper, Tyler stepped forward, hands sliding casually into his pockets like he had all the time in the world. I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to… I don’t know, offer a hand or something remotely gentlemanly.
“Help?” I asked, gesturing toward the helicopter steps.
In one smooth, infuriating motion, he bent down, scooped me up, and threw me over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes. A very dramatic, indignant, squealing sack of potatoes.
“Hey!” I yelped, my voice muffled against his back as the world turned upside down. “You can’t just sweep me off my feet whenever you like! I’m not a toy, Tyler Sinclair! Put me down this instant, you oversized ice caveman!”
He scoffed and moved as if I weighed nothing and my protests were background music. He lifted me up the steps and into the helicopter, depositing me into the seat with surprising gentleness before settling into his own across from me.
He leaned back, pulled out his AirPods, plugged them in, and closed his eyes like I wasn’t even there.
I sat there for three full seconds, mouth open in disbelief.
Did this man just… ignore me?
After literally kidnapping me via helicopter?
“Hello?” I said loudly, waving a hand in front of his face. “Didn’t you hear me, Mr. Stone Cold? I was making a very valid point about not being manhandled like luggage!”
No response. He just relaxed deeper into the seat.
That was it.
I leaned forward, snatched both AirPods out of his ears in one swift motion, and held them hostage in my fist, trying my hardest to look intimidating. “Excuse me. I was speaking.”
Tyler opened one eye, then the other. For a second, something almost like amusement flickered across his face. Then he sighed, reached out, and plucked the back from my hand with zero effort.
“Sorry,” he said in the most unapologetic tone I had ever heard in my life.
He popped them back into his ears, leaned back again, and closed his eyes once more.
I stared at him, utterly speechless for a moment. “Wow. Great apology. Really heartfelt.”
He didn’t respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
The helicopter rotors started spinning, the noise growing louder as we lifted off. I gripped the seat, heart racing from a mix of adrenaline, annoyance, and the very confusing memory of that kiss from last night.
Focus, Flora.
I crossed my arms and glared at him the entire flight. “You know, most people use cars. Or, I don’t know, walk. But no, not Tyler Sinclair. He has to make everything extra. What’s next? Private jet for coffee?”
Still no reply. I huffed dramatically and looked out the window as the city sprawled beneath us. The view was stunning, but my mind kept replaying everything. The way he had shown up out of nowhere and kissed me.
I shook my head. Don’t go there, Flora.
Moments later, we landed smoothly on a private helipad. I looked out the window and my eyes widened. The compound was utterly beautiful—sprawling modern architecture with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, perfectly manicured gardens, a massive pool that seemed to blend into the skyline, and soft lighting that made the whole place look like it belonged in a luxury magazine. It screamed money, taste, and power.
I was genuinely taken aback.
Tyler got down first and stretched out his hand to me. I scoffed but took it anyway. As I stepped out, my eyes kept scanning the breathtaking property.
“Wow,” I exclaimed, unable to hide my awe. “This house is really beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Tyler said casually. “It’s one of my many houses.”
I muttered under my breath, “Spoiled prick.”
“What did you say?” Tyler looked back, eyebrows raising.
“Nothing.” I flashed him an innocent smile.
We walked inside, down a long elegant hallway, until Tyler stopped in front of a large door. He pushed it open and my eyes widened again. It was like a mini paradise embedded in a large paradise.
Dark wood shelves lined with books and trophies, a massive desk, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the compound, and soft ambient lighting that made everything feel both luxurious and intimate.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” Tyler said. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“There’s nothing humble about you or this abode,” I said, chuckling as I sat on the plush couch.
“Fair… fair,” he responded, going to a sleek cupboard-like fridge. He pulled out two drinks and offered me one.
I took it and we sat in awkward silence for a long moment. Tyler was behind his desk, fidgeting with a Rubik’s cube.
Who would have thought the big bad Devil on Ice owned something like that?
“Why did you change your mind about the fake date?” I asked finally, my gaze focused on him.
He dropped the cube and leaned forward, facing me directly. “I found out about you and Sean.”
My stomach dropped instantly. “What do you mean you found out about me and Sean?” My eyes widened in realization as I nodded. “So this is what it is.”
“What are you talking about?” Tyler asked.
“You came back because you pitied me.”
“No… no, that’s not it,” Tyler said, but I wasn’t really listening anymore.
“Almighty Tyler swoops in out of pity to save the day.” My voice cracked with pain. “That’s what all this was.”
“Relax, Flora,” Tyler said firmly. "My parents were already making arrangements, and the last person I wanted showing up on my arm was Allie. I still needed someone willing to play the role."
He paused, standing up from his desk and walking toward me. “And besides, I figured out that you might want revenge.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“This person made you lose everything,” Tyler said. “Meanwhile, he's publicly showing off my sister and acting like he won.”
He tilted his head. “I thought you might want to prove him wrong".
Silence stretched between us.
“Why are you willing to help me get revenge on him? He's dating your sister.”
Tyler shrugged. “I've always had mixed feelings about Sean.”
“Because he cheated?”
“I dislike men who cheat,” he said flatly. “Especially when they do it with my sister.”
I replayed the whole situation in my head again.
“How did you even know about me and Sean in the first place?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “The news?”
“What news?” Tyler raised an eyebrow. “I rarely use social media.”
“Then how did you know about my ex?”
“I keep track of what I need to know,” Tyler said with an effortless bravado that made me want to smack him. “Just the same way I know about you being blacklisted.”
“H—How.” My mouth ripped open in shock. “What are you? The FBI?
Tyler laughed, shoving off the comment.
“What exactly am I going to do? Look convincing in your arms? I rolled my eyes at him.
“Leave that to me,” Tyler said. He stepped away from his desk and walked toward the couch, stopping right in front of me.
He leaned down, placing his hands on the backrest on either side of my shoulders, trapping me in his space. His voice dropped to a low, commanding murmur. "All you have to do is play along, follow my lead, and also, look pretty when we walk into that dinner."
I stiffened, my heart hammering against my ribs from his sudden closeness. I pushed against his chest, forcing him back a step so I could breathe. “Don’t talk to me like I'm your girl, Tyler,” I warned, my voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Tyler didn't back down. He just stared down into my eyes, a slow, devious smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “That’s exactly what makes this work,” Tyler continued. “You’re not interested in me, I’m not interested in you. This… whatever it is… is purely transactional.” He paused, staring me dead in the eye. “And once we’ve both achieved our objective, you can go back to whatever life you were living before and I can go back to mine too.”
The space between us was charged. He leaned forward, still looking into my eyes. “Do we have a deal?”
The room went dead silent for a second.
Tyler’s phone rang, breaking off the silence.
I took a quick peek as he pulled it out of his pocket.
The screen flashed.
Megan.
- Writer
