-Maddox's POV-

Maddox's gaze lingered on the ring Blair gave him, he didn't understand how this little ring would help him overcome something that he's tried to bury for years, but he still gave Blair the benefit of the doubt because there was something about her that forced him to trust her. His eyes examined the amethyst stones embedded in the gold band, the colour awakened with a surge of fresh air that engulfed him, Maddox had only felt that type of thrill when he first met Blair.

She was entirely different than the usual types of women he has come across, he'd never met someone like her in his circles. Blair had a genuine smile that never lost its light, her ocean eyes were reliable and as clear as day, like they were the mirrors to her soul. Although, he could never understand her. She may be an eccentric woman but she was hiding something under that smile, it was like everyone was walking around blind and she was the only one who could see the truth.

Maddox twirled the ring on his finger and decided he wouldn't go to work today. He was too distracted by Blair and terribly bothered by that damned nightmare again.

"Good morning, sir," a voice spoke behind Maddox.

Maddox got out of his seat and was taken aback by Tony's sudden burst of vitality. "Er- good morning," he replied back to his secretary.

"I would like to inform you that you have a conference call at 12:00, and a few contractors are waiting for you to confirm some details for the resort," Tony addressed Maddox's schedule diligently.

Maddox forgot that he had a million things to do by the end of the day, usually he didn't mind but today was just not a good time for him. "I'll take the call from here, and just send the contractors reports as well," instructed Maddox.

"Where will you work?" asked Tony. "Your office is busy, and I thought you weren't allowed to see it until it was done."

"Blair told you?" The question slipped out of Maddox before he could stop it.

Tony clapped his hands together. "Yes, she did," he informed.

Maddox wanted to keep this wager between just the two of them. But who was he kidding, that woman will say anything to anyone. "Just bring everything here," requested Maddox. "I'm not in the mood to go to the office today."

"Of course," said Tony chirpily.

"Is everything alright?" asked Maddox.

Tony gave Maddox a blank expression. "Yes," answered Tony.

"You just seem different," said Maddox. "More alive."

Tony's smile broadened. "It was all Blair's doing," he revealed.

Maddox smirked. "Of course," he said under his breath.

Unexpectedly, Blair came out running through the hall with a box in her arms that probably weighed more than her, but she carried it with no problem. Both of their attention switched to her, she was a magnet that attracted everyone no matter where she went. Maddox didn't get it before, but that smile casted a spell on him and he didn't even realize when it happened.

"She's something else," stated Tony. "Her boyfriend's lucky."

Maddox almost spilled his drink. "She's dating someone?"

Tony chuckled. "No," he baited Maddox purposely. "She's single. You should ask her out."

Maddox choked again. "What the hell!"

Tony patted his back. "I know you like her," he said.

"I'm going to ignore you said that," said Maddox as he arranged himself on the couch.

"I'll bring the reports then," said Tony.

"Thanks, Tony," said Maddox.

"Of course, sir," Tony marched off out of the penthouse.

A couple of hours passed, Maddox rolled his stiff neck as he pulled his head out of the computer screen, his eyes burned and he was aching from every position. He pushed aside the papers he spent hours reading trying to revise and confirm. He got a handful of work completed like Tony instructed, but he would have finished all of it if Blair wasn't so distracting. 

This past hour, she would appear from the hall with those jean shorts that extenuated her long legs and the red flannel effortlessly hung on her body, her hair was in a pony but a few tendrils escaped and fell around her face and neck. He tried to ignore her, but when she'd wipe the sweat from her brow or moved the strand of her hair, it drove him wild. 

Never before has this happened in his private space that another voice bounced off these walls, his penthouse was alive with her voice and her presence, she freely stomped around his space and her voice imprinted in the walls.

Maddox stretched his limbs and went to the kitchen, when Blair appeared with a few of her workers.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said chirpily. "Don't forget to plant the flower like I said, alright Jasper."

The young man named Jasper turned to face Blair. "Thank you so much for the help," he smiled brightly.

Maddox predicted that she solved yet another conflict for someone, it was like her second job apart from a shop owner to be a knight in shining armour. Maddox grabbed a bottle of water and followed Blair the moment everyone left his penthouse.

"You shouldn't be here," said Blair.

Maddox froze. "Do you have eyes on the back of your head?"

"No one can sneak up on me easily," she said after she closed the door to his office.

Maddox knew he shouldn't even attempt to take a glimpse at the room, except he couldn't help but be curious. All the mystery was slowly killing his patience bit by bit. Maddox handed her a bottle of water after she nimbly took him away from the office doors.

"What did you help that guy Jasper with?" he asked curiously.

"The neighbourhood cat was bothering him," she said. "I just helped him get rid of the uninvited guest. Come, sit," she patted the spot next to her. Maddox chuckled and joined her on the couch.

"Were you working from here?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered her. "I didn't feel like going to the office today."

Blair's eyes focused on him like no one has ever before. "You'll be fine," she alleged abruptly.

Maddox was left bewildered. "Sure," he mumbled even though he didn't understand why Blair was so confident. It was like she knew what was going on in his mind, which didn't surprise him as much as it should.

"It's understandable that you're curious," she said. "You know, we can call off the bet and I can just show you the room."

Maddox's brow arched. "You think I can't handle a few more days?" Blair didn't answer and just drank the water, which gave the answer to his question. "I'll be fine," he remarked against her tease.

Blair laughed openly, which always caught him of guard. "Of course," she said sarcastically.

"Although, can you really blame me for being curious?" asked Maddox. "You didn't show me any templates or let alone ask me my favourite colour. What if I preferred blinds over curtains? Or leather over velvet?"

"You don't have a favourite colour," she stated. "And you prefer curtains over blinds and leather over velvet."

Maddox's mouth dropped open. "How the hell do you know that?"

"Do you need ask me that every time," said Blair. "Get it through your head, I'm not an ordinary person."

"I'm starting to grasp how far you are from ordinary," retorted Maddox.

Blair smirked and got up. "I'm going to head back into the office and work on the-" she closed her lips before something slipped out, she pointed at him- "you almost got me there," she chuckled and turned away.

Maddox was just about to leave himself to change into more comfortable attire, when he spotted something strange. The bottle in Blair's hand had chunks of ice swishing along with the water. He could be mistaken but he remembered that the water was only slightly chilled when he gave it to her. Maddox entered his room, and just like how the door closed behind him so did that thought.

-Blair's POV-

Blair entered the office that was nearly refurbished, the dark oak shelves that circled the room were finally put up today with the beautiful molding done by Jasper. She released a deep breath and was impressed with how well her designs worked out, she had a lot of help from Jones and she could clearly see his style in the office as well. But the design worked for this massive space, before it was bland and minimal with barely any style, now it was a room fit for someone like Maddox who was confident, strong and gave off a dominant aura.

Blair pulled on the tight band of her ponytail that squeezed her head, she released the heavy mass freely because she knew that her hair wouldn't get in the way of her job now. She sent everyone home a little earlier than usual so she could use her magic openly, she could finish the little details this room required for it to become more intimate for Maddox.

Blair opened the first batch of large boxes and they were full of books that had been shipped from Maddox's old home. She made sure that Tony got all of them delivered to this office on time for her.

There was no need for her to say the incantation, her hand waved around the box and gladly the books floated out of the boxes and followed her towards the shelves.

Blair got busy with her duties; she arranged the books, placed the leather chairs and lamps wherever she could find a place to put one. The curtain's rolled out in long sheets, she braced the pole at the top of the windows with the help of the ladder, and then, draped the silk cream fabric along the vast arched windows near the desk. 

Blair's last task was to arrange the beige rug that ran down the black staircase, but when she reached the top of the stairs she noticed the empty space. Jones had taken out the bed because she didn't like the idea of someone sleeping anywhere apart from their bedroom. She approached the lonely box on the side and wondered what was in it because she knew that Maddox barely had anything in this room when she came. She removed the tape and opened the box, she found a candle and a photo frame, which thankfully had a photo.

Blair smelt the dark cedar-wood candle and approved of the choice, she snapped her finger and the wick caught flame burning its scent for her, she took a seat in front of the candle and examined the photo. It was a family portrait that was probably done during Christmas or Thanksgiving; a lovely married couple stood proudly behind their kids. The young handsome boy had those burning amber eyes and she instantly knew it was Maddox, next to him stood a young girl with caramel hair that made her look elegantly graceful, she adored a sapphire gown that matched her mother.

Blair didn't know Maddox had a sister, which didn't surprise her at all, it only told her more about his character and how accurate she was about him.

Suddenly, a cold breeze carried through the room and killed the light of the candle. Blair knew that warning anywhere and braced herself for what was to come. She was forcefully shoved into a trance and taken to a celebration in a house far away from her own home. No one could see her or hear her, she entered the doors and faced the young man that grew up to be Maddox Steele.