As Tessa held the pepper spray defensively, her resolve was unwavering. She was prepared to use it if Blake made any sudden moves.
Blake, sensing the tension, raised his hands in surrender, taking a step back. He couldn't fathom why the woman was reacting so strongly. Had she somehow deciphered his true intentions? Regardless, he didn't want to escalate the situation any further.
But as he retreated, Tessa stumbled, her leg hitting a side table and causing her to lose her grip on the pepper spray. The bottle fell towards Blake, but his concern was solely on Tessa. Ignoring the potential threat, he rushed to her side to ensure she hadn't sustained any serious injuries.
Despite her glare, Blake squatted before her.
"Hey, are you alright?" Blake asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he approached Tessa cautiously. "Can I... Can I touch you to see how bad it is?"
Tessa hesitated, torn between her fear and the urgency of the situation.
Carefully, Blake reached out, his fingers hovering over the wound on Tessa's leg. "I won't hurt you," he assured her softly, his eyes locked on hers, seeking permission before gently touching her injured leg.
As Tessa watched Blake approach with cautious steps, her heart raced with fear, expecting the worst. However, what unfolded before her was a scene she hadn't anticipated.
The surprise flickered across her face as Blake, instead of advancing aggressively, asked for permission to inspect her wound. It was a moment of disbelief, the realization sinking in that perhaps he wasn't the threat she had initially perceived.
Her eyes widened in astonishment as Blake's gentle touch confirmed his intention to help rather than harm. As he assisted her up and guided her back to a nearby chair, Tessa couldn't shake off the shock of the unexpected turn of events.
"Did you really not do what they accused you of?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly with uncertainty. She arched her head, her posture tense as she awaited his response.
Tessa's question hung in the air, casting a shadow over the room as Blake froze in place. His mind raced, grappling with the implications of her words. How could she possibly know about his past? Was it just a lucky guess, or did she have some insider knowledge?
As Tessa arched her head, studying him intently, Blake felt a surge of unease. Did she recognize him? Was she aware of his infamous past, his fall from grace that had been splashed across the tabloids?
For a moment, Blake was at a loss for words, his mind racing as he tried to gauge her intentions. Was she friend or foe? Could he trust her with the truth, or would she use it against him?
Finally, he found his voice, his tone guarded as he replied, "What are you talking about? How do you know about that?"
As Blake's question hung in the air, Tessa's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. With a voice that betrayed a hint of uncertainty, she spoke his name, "Blake Shelton, secretary to billionaire CEO, Rose Shelly."
The mention of his name sent a shiver down Blake's spine, his heart pounding in his chest. How could she possibly know about his connection to Rose Shelly, let alone his role as her secretary?
As Tessa watched him intently, her gaze piercing through his defenses, Blake felt a surge of unease. It was clear that she knew more than she was letting on, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she held the key to unlocking the mysteries of his past.
Gathering his thoughts, Blake took a step forward, his voice steady as he addressed her. "How do you know about me?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "And what do you want?"
Tessa's expression remained unreadable, her eyes locked on his as she weighed her response. "I just... I heard rumors," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to pry, but... I had to ask."
As he searched Tessa's face for any sign of deceit, he couldn't shake the feeling that she knew more than she was letting on.