Condition

Lanie stared at Tyler for a moment before walking towards the door and opened it. Tyler quietly followed her, she knew he would do that so she didn't bother to say anything because when he saw walked a while ago, he looked like the owner of her house instead of her. That guy! She mentally thanked her friends for cleaning her apartment before they left because if not, she and Tyler will spend the night cleaning instead of talking. She went to the kitchen to get him a drink, there was some can of beer left yesterday. She knows that he prepares beer or any other alcohol rather than juice, though. Going back, she saw him standing up instead of sitting on the couch. She tilted her head, thinking what's with him. The way he looked at the sofa as if it made some sin to him made her curious. What's with this guy, now?

"Why are you not… sitting?" she asked innocently as she put his drink on the table in front of him. He only looked at her darkly and… is he angry? He sighed before sitting down like a kid who has a tantrum. Lanie looked at him, wondering why he was now acting like this. He looked annoyed now and a slight anger was visible to his face. Lanie raised her brow.

"So, uhm, what are we gonna talk about?" she asked, ignoring what Tyler was acting now.

"Who's that guy who answered the phone?" he asked instead of answering her. She frowned.

"Can't we just talk about what is important right now?" she asked, slightly annoyed. She crossed her arms to her chest and laid back on her seat. She stared at him. He stared back at her with so much intensity causing her to avoid his eyes and cleared her throat.

"We will talk about that after you answer my question. Now, who was that?" She sighed, claiming her defeat.

"It was Mark. He-" Lanie wasn't able to finish her sentence when Tyler spoke, furiously.

"He was in your room? What was he doing there? Why was he in your room?" He asked one after another. Lanie inhaled, calming herself.

"Why are you-" Tyler cut her off again causing her to close her eyes and brush her hair backwards. He was starting to annoy her with his questions and his reactions. Why was that such a big deal to him?!

"Okay, okay. Listen," she said, raising her right hand to stop him from reacting again before she finished what she wanted to say. This impatient man in front of him was near to annoy her. "We celebrated New Year here. Me, Mark, Althea and Penelope. After the small party, we slept on the couches. Mark moved me into my room so they can clean the apartment properly. Then, I think you called when he finished tucked me in bed." she explained. Tyler calmed down a little bit but annoyance was still visible on his snobbish face. "Now, can we move on to that and talk about the thing why you went here, instead?" Tyler licked his lower lip before nodding.

"Why did you choose both of them?" he asked, looking at her earnestly.

Lanie shrugged, "Why can't I? I just thought that if I chose you, helping me, I can still know you and vice versa." Tyler smirked at her answer. Smart. Lanie was not really sure what she decided, she has a hunch that what she chose has consequences but she will ignore it for now and deal with it after she solves the case and proves her innocence.

"Hmmm. Is that your final answer? Once you stick to that choice of yours, there's no turning back, Kitten." he said, amusement and challenge was visible in his eyes. As if he was encouraging her more to stand on her choice.

Lanie looked at him with confidence, "Yes, I am sure." he smirked and nodded, satisfied with her answer.

"Now, let me talk about the condition in this choice of yours." he said, smirking. Lanie was taken aback. Condition? What…?

"Wait! What? Condition?" she asked, confused. Tyler put his elbows on both of his thighs. He moved his palm together and put his chin on it.

"Yes. Conditions, Kitten. If you don't want to, then should we not continue what you choose, then?" He said. Playfulness was obvious in his tone. Of course, a man like him wouldn't agree to something without getting something in return. He agreed because he knew he could benefit from this agreement. He also knew that Lanie will not object to this because knowing her personality, if she wants something she will do anything to get it or to achieve it as soon as possible.

"Okay. What is it?" she asked. Tyler lip rose, he already predicted this but he was still amused at her bravery. She always agrees whenever it is about her plans… and mission. She will not let anything go her way just to solve it. He liked her affirmation.

"I only have three conditions. The first one is, you have to live with me." He said. Lanie looked at him slightly stunned and couldn't believe what she heard from this man. Before she said something, Tyler continued. "If you want to know me, you have to stick with me, right? Also, I can help you properly with your mission if you are just near me." he said, smirking. Lanie cleared her throat, trying to process what he said. He has a point. It is convenient… but she didn't expect that he would want her to move to his place. She expected him to say that they need to meet each other at least three times a week!

"You...want me to live with you? At your place?" she asked again, wanting to be sure what Tyler really meant by that. She let out a heavy breath when she saw him raise his right brow on her before nodding that confirmed what he wanted.

"You can say no-" she exaggeratedly shook her head. Him and his threat to cancel this!

"No! No! I mean, i-it's fine with me. I will move out, but let me go here sometimes. This apartment is already mine, such a waste if no one will live here." she said. He agreed.

"What's the other two conditions?" she asked. Tyler licked his lower lip and sat properly.

"Hmmm. About that. I still can't think nor decide on the other two conditions. That's it for now." He said casually that made her jaw drop. He is really… really…

"Pack your clothes and any other things you will need. I'll wait outside." he said before standing up and walking toward the door.

Lanie gasped when Tyler was gone. She put her palms on her face and then brushed her hair up. She stood up and put her hands on her waist.

"Okay, Lanie. There's no turning back like what he said." she whispered while nodding before heading to her room to pack her things.