Chapter 5_ Unprofessional
“Engaging in conversation with you is a surreal experience. It resembles conversing with a tedious older woman confined in the body of a swimsuit model. One's fantasy can easily be shattered in your presence." Kane countered Arya's remarks.
"Really? At least there is some subject matter to discuss when it comes to me. I've never heard a word about you." Arya retorted sharply.
"What?! That is preposterous, my name is on everyone's lips." Kane exclaimed in disbelief.
"I'm sure it is, but I am paid for my work, not for indulging in shallow gossip. So if you would kindly refrain from speaking, I have tasks to attend to." Arya spoke coldly before returning to her desk and focusing on her work. In the meantime, Kane muttered a few incoherent words, brimming with indignation.
The day flew by for Arya without any unpleasant incidents involving Mr. Douchebag, and she managed to accomplish a significant amount of work. As Arya placed her pen on her desk, it rolled over and stopped near Kane's workspace.
With a sigh, Arya thought, ‘I suppose Mr. Binders won't be of much assistance.’ Hence, she did not bother asking for Kane's help, instead she got up, leaned forward and retrieved her pen. As she straightened herself, she noticed Kane leering at her low neckline. Without getting flustered, Arya locked gazes with Kane, who was devouring her with his eyes.
Arya swiftly put an end to his lascivious gaze with a cold stare and remarked, "What? Have you been living alone on a deserted island for the past five years? Stop gawking at me."
Kane blinked at her words and after a pause, he chuckled and replied, "I wish I could, believe me... But you are one of the most attractive women I have ever seen." Kane's words were laden with sincerity, as if he was struggling with an internal battle.
"I couldn't care less. There is nothing here for you, pervert." Arya retorted bluntly.
"We will see about that... I am still trying to decipher the fire that burns within you. Perhaps it is a warm flame, or perhaps it has the power to reduce a man to ashes." Kane's eyes roamed over Arya, taking in her appearance from head to toe.
‘Oh! Mr. Douchebag is concerned about my inner fire?’ Arya thought sarcastically.
"I am eagerly anticipating the moment when you will request me to f**ck you, my dear," Kane remarked with a suggestive wink.
Arya, however, responded with a saccharine smile adorning her features. "That proposition will never come to fruition, so you should not hold your breath in anticipation," she retorted.
Kane moved closer, grasping Arya by the waist as their breath mingled. "Are you completely certain, Sunshine?" he murmured huskily into her ear.
Caught off guard by their proximity, Arya pushed him away with a growl. "Release me, you pervert! And don't bother building up false hopes, for your disappointment will be my joy."
With that Arya made her way to her desk to finish her tasks before clocking out of the office, she grabbed some files to put in her bag. However, the phone on her desk rang and she answered it to hear Franko's voice on the other end. "Arya, please come to my office."
"On my way, sir," Arya replied before hanging up and heading to Franko's office.
Once inside, Franko wasted no time in addressing the reason he had summoned Arya. "So, how was your first day working with Kane? Are you two getting along well?"
'Getting along? More like putting up with each other,' Arya thought to herself before answering politely, "Well, I believe we will need some time to get to know each other better."
"But what is your initial impression of him?" Franko pressed on.
'A self-absorbed jerk and a smug playboy,' Arya mused silently, before answering, "Uhm...he is quite spirited."
"Spirited?" Franko repeated, looking perplexed.
Arya nodded, and Franko went on to say, "Kane may not be the easiest person to work with, but behind his caustic facade lies a heart of gold and a sharp technical mind."
"I believe time and results will determine if Kane and I are a good match for each other," Arya responded, and Franko gave her a nod of agreement.
"You always possess a practical mindset. In the end, it will be the results that speak for themselves, but I believe the two of you can balance each other out," Franko concluded.
"Yes, may I be of further assistance, sir?" Arya inquired.
"Well... actually, there is one more thing... Kane, never mind. You can leave and rest. See you tomorrow."
"Thank you, sir." Arya exited his office and returned to hers to retrieve her bag. Kane was nowhere to be found and she let out a sigh as she clocked out for the day, wondering about Franko's unspoken message.
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The week flew by for Arya without any flirtatious advances from Kane and before she knew it, it was already Friday night. She left the office at 7 pm and headed to the bar to meet up with Chloe. It was their routine to catch up on weekends and blow off some steam over drinks.
They were at their usual table, sipping their drinks as Chloe laughed at something Arya had said.
"Oh my, Arya! Only you would be so careless as to give the whole package while picking up a pen from the floor."
"Come on, be nice. You know it's just my misfortune..." Arya said with a pitiful tone.
"I know, honey, I know... But it's too funny not to imagine." Chloe responded with a smirk.
"It wasn't funny for me though. You should have seen the douchebag attitude of Kane. He actually said he was waiting for me to ask him for sex!" Arya exclaimed with annoyance.
"Oh, I can only imagine. Maybe he has a crush on you." Chloe teased with a wink.
"A crush on me? I highly doubt it. He just wants to get into my pants, and on top of that, his attitude is terrible." Arya scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"You're thinking too much about the details. Remember, you said he's hot. Just enjoy what you can get." Chloe suggested with a grin, making Arya shake her head.
"I don't know... It doesn't seem like a good idea to go in that direction." Arya hesitated.
"Why not?" Chloe asked curiously.
"Because... I think he might be Franko's son. He was very cold towards him. Franko even called me into his office to ask about how things were going. It was unprofessional and strange." Arya confided.
"Maybe Franko is the unprofessional one." Chloe remarked.
“No, he’s not. And he's never done anything like this before. Plus, Kane is not a common name.” Arya said thoughtfully.
"If discovering the truth is of great significance, why don't you verify? Images of the racing Kane are all over the Internet. We can scrutinize if the King and the Douchebag are one and the same." Chloe suggested, retrieving her phone from her handbag.