*Kane’s POV*

It was a cloudy Sunday morning in the city. My mood matched the gloominess of the outside world. As I drank my coffee, I tried to wrap my mind around the entirety of this week. I bumped into a lady on the street, who would turn out to be the marketing manager I needed to get my project on its feet. I took her to breakfast, allowed her to break my rules, and even showed her a part of me I hardly showed anyone. I thought about the things she said last night and the way we left things. I remembered her getting into a taxi and watching the tail lights fade in the distance. I considered briefly she might have been right about me.

It was possible that I was, in fact, the one acting like a brat. Granted, tricking everyone to get into her apartment to prove a point was definitely a brat move. I should have let her stay here last night, but again… probably another dick move making her leave when she hurt my feelings. I grabbed my phone and sent her a text asking if she was alright. I should have asked her last night, but I was so astounded she left me standing in the street. I was angry with her all night, but sleep always provides clarity. This morning, I knew I had probably royally fucked up what could have been at the very least a friendship.

A part of me wanted to stand by my choice to remain professional because honestly I didn’t know if I could simply be her friend. Within one week of knowing her, I already felt an emotional attachment developing. There was something captivating about her that made me want all of her all of the time. I have never been in a situation similar to this before. Ironically, I had very strict rules to not associate myself with employees. I didn’t even eat in the cafeteria in my building to avoid it at all costs, even on a friendly level.

Alias read my message, but didn’t respond. It wasn’t surprising considering everything. For once, I would let it slide. She was angry with me understandably so, but I decided for now this was best. At least until I could navigate my own emotions enough to be able to handle hers.

I spent the remainder of the day in my study working on the upcoming week’s reports. Though, I couldn’t get much work done as my mind kept going back to her. I so badly wanted to go to her apartment and tell her I was wrong, but I fought off the urge. A tall glass of whiskey will solve my problems- or so one would think.

I kicked my feet up on the coffee table as I sat on the sofa where she sat the night before. I sighed into my glass as I continued to attempt to convince myself I made the right choice. The more I drank, the less I felt like it was right. You shouldn’t have to convince yourself it’s better to be without someone, but I’d be damned before I admitted I needed her. I don’t need her, or anyone for that matter. But fuck, I wanted her. I wanted to know her. The real her.

Between the whiskey and sad thoughts, I dozed off to sleep, dreading the week ahead.

____________________________________

I woke to Damion literally screaming at me, which caused me to roll straight off the sofa onto the ground below. I groaned from the combination of hitting the floor and the hangover causing my head to pound.

“Damion, please, what is it?” I mumbled, still groaning.

“You haven’t passed out drunk in who knows how long. The fuck is wrong with you?” He lectured me.

“Rough night, please quiet down,” I pleaded as his voice rang through my ears.

He went over to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water and some aspirin. I graciously accepted as I stood up to stretch my tense muscles.

“I’ll fix myself breakfast while you get ready,” he motioned toward my room signaling me I should Shower. I probably reeked of whiskey. I nodded back at him before heading to the bathroom.

The Hot Shower brought me all the way back to reality where I realized I’d have to face Alias today. I wondered if she would come in or if she had already resigned. I hoped she wasn’t the type of woman to let something like this make her quit her job. Knowing Alias, she probably brought donuts for everyone just to spite me. I laughed slightly through the sadness knowing I would have to start treating her like the rest of my employees despite my feelings.

I threw on a navy blue suit and grabbed a granola bar as Damion and I made our way downstairs.

“What a balanced breakfast,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes as I hopped into the car. I typically did have a very balanced breakfast, but given the previous events, one granola bar was all I had time for today. We made our way to the office, and Damion dropped me off at the front doors per usual. I greeted my employees as I strolled through the lobby. I stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button to the top floor. I let out one last sigh of frustration before gathering my composure. I just had to put her out of my mind and go back to the monotony of my day to day life before her. The elevator doors opened, and I said hello to Silvia before my eyes landed on Alias sitting in one of the chairs outside of my office.

Fuck. How am I supposed to stop thinking about her? She was in a navy pantsuit herself, and I swallowed my words before I made a remark about how she matched me today. She looked beautiful as always, though she had a look of utter irritation across her face. I realized I had been staring for a moment too long and cleared my throat.

“Ms. Star, good morning. Follow me,” I said kindly, trying to be cordial. I waited for the ‘Yes, Sir’ that usually followed, but felt myself fill with disappointment when she simply nodded and entered my office behind me. I couldn’t be disappointed though, for once Alias was following my rules- I reminded myself as I took a seat.

“How can I help you?” I asked, attempting to maintain my composure.

“I locked myself out of my office,” she seemed angry to have to be here in my office. I was the only person in the entire building with a universal key to all doors, so she truly had no choice but to come to me.

“No problem, I’ll unlock it for you,” I smiled, but she wasn’t even looking at me. She had been staring at the floor the whole time. I desperately wanted her to look up at me, but I understand why she feels the way she does.

We made our way to the elevator, and it was probably the most tense elevator ride I have ever experienced. I wanted to ask her if she was alright, if she made it home alright. I knew she wouldn’t respond, so I didn’t ask. By the time I formulated an appropriate sentence, the doors opened revealing the marketing floor. To my surprise, I saw before me a sight I had never seen. Everyone was out of their cubicles, socializing. The office doors were all open and the top marketers were also out mingling with the entry levels. I raised and eyebrow, but she spoke before I could.

“Mr. Rhodes, we’ve found the best tactic for this team is to converse and share ideas. I hope that’s alright,” she stated as we made our way to her office.

“That’s… quite alright, Ms. Star,” I forced the words out. Truth is, I created the no talking, no socializing rule so the work we produced would be more efficient. However, seeing the joy on everyone’s face and the ambiance of sharing ideas was enough to remind me that people do need interaction to work more efficiently. We stopped at her door and I pulled the keys from my pocket. I unlocked the door and smiled at her as she stepped inside her office. I almost expected her to invite me inside, but instead she said a very quick “thanks” before slamming the door in my face. So much for cordial.

I tried to play off my dismay, but I’m sure at least a few people noticed. I smiled lightly and nodded hello to the employees as I passed, per usual they didn’t smile back. I ignored the slight sadness that tugged at my heart and climbed back onto the elevator. How the hell in one week had Alias completely changed the atmosphere in her department for the better? I was receiving some of the best work I ever received from marketing in her short time being here. I felt slightly jealous that she was more liked by my employees than I was, but maybe that was my own fault too.

I spent the rest of the day locked away in my office until darkness spread over the city, signaling me it was time to go home. Damion texted to let me know he was outside, so I gathered my belongings and headed out of the office.

Damion was waiting by the car as usual, and he seemed to notice my foul mood.

“Rough day, boss?” He questioned as I got in the car.

“Let’s go have some drinks,” I stated, ignoring his question entirely.

“Your wish is my command,” he joked as he pulled into traffic.

____________________________________

Damion and I had so many shots, I lost count. He always drank with me anytime I was feeling down, but we might have overdone it this time.

“We should probably call a taxi!” Damion yelled across the table through the loudness of the bar.

“You’re not driving?” I teased, “Let’s walk! It’s only a few blocks.”

“Rhodes! You are crazy as hell, but I like the way you think!” He stuck his arm out jokingly, “Shall we?”

“We shall,” I chuckled as we made our way out of the bar.

We stumbled down the sidewalk as we continued to banter with each other. No matter how rough things got, Damion was always there for me. He truly is my best friend. The alcohol reminded me of the sadness looming in my heart.

“Damion,” I spoke quietly.

“Kane,” he laughed, not realizing I was about to lay some deep shit on him.

“Do you think I’m a brat?” I asked quietly.

He chuckled briefly before realizing the seriousness in my voice. Concern swept across his face, and he immediately stopped dead in his tracks.

“Why do you think that?” He asked compassionately.

“I don’t know, Alias said I was,” I rolled my eyes at her name.

“Why does she think that?” He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Because she says when things don’t go my way, I react like a brat. She mentioned when I got into her apartment,” I started to explain.

“That probably was a bit much, wouldn’t you say?” He teased, but he was serious.

“I mean, I guess. I didn’t want to leave a voicemail,” I huffed in frustration.

“Yeah, most people just try to call back before breaking and entering,” He looked at me sternly, “I knew it wasn’t a good idea, but she still went with you Friday so she couldn’t have despised you too much, you know?”

“That’s the thing. She went with me, and she actually enjoyed it. I took her to show her why I have a rule about being called Sir, but she actually was interested in being a sub.”

“The whole Sir rule is sorta unnecessary,” he stated bluntly.

I rolled my eyes because he knew I rarely if ever changed any of my rules. He was making sense, but I didn’t want to hear it. I just wanted to complain.

“She turned her whole department against me,” I spilled.

“I highly doubt it,” he chuckled at my melodramatics.

“They were so happy to see her, they don’t even make eye contact with me,” I groaned in frustration, “She isn’t even happy to see me anymore.”

“Kane, you have to ask yourself why they think of you as unapproachable. I Love you for who you are man, but you really should reevaluate some things about yourself,” Damion said kindly, but assertively, “Sometimes what we see wrong with others is actually wrong with ourselves.”

“Okay, Ghandi. Preach to me,” I didn’t want to admit he might be right.

“I’m just saying. I know you don’t want to get hurt, but Alias doesn’t seem like the kind of girl to wait for you to know what you want. Obviously, she wanted to give you a chance or she wouldn’t have come back to talk to you in the first place,” Damion continued.

“I’ve probably ruined it now. I told her we should keep things professional,” I admitted.

“You dug a pretty good hole for yourself, but I think she’d hear you out if you put your pride to the side and tell her how you feel,” He winked at me.

“Because we all know I’m fantastic at that,” I rolled my eyes, “And who’s to say she feels the same?”

“Maybe she does, maybe she doesn’t. Either way, maybe she can tame the brat you are,” He burst out laughing to which I punched him in the arm.

“Fucker, I thought you were on my side,” I pretended to be angry with him. He definitely saw through my facade.

“Always, Rhodes,” He threw his arm over my shoulders as we stumbled down the last block to our building.

We made it- barely- and parted our separate ways as I headed up to the penthouse. The buzz had started to wear off at this point. My dark, empty, and oversized apartment wasn’t helping my mood at all. I flung myself onto the sofa and allowed my mind to race.

I really did want to loosen up at times. I’m intelligent enough to know I’ve created an uninviting workspace. I also know I’ve created rule after rule to prevent anyone from being able to get close to me. I guess perhaps I have made my own personal hell. My mind flickered back to the reasoning behind my rules, and my jaw clenched as the memories flooded in. I felt Hot tears on my cheeks as I tried to shove the anger and pain back down where it came from. Damion’s words replayed in my mind, “Sometimes what we see wrong with others is actually wrong with ourselves.”

Maybe I saw Alias as a brat because she didn’t conform to my demands like I wanted her too. I considered possibly not healing from my past caused me to have a screwed perception of the world. I couldn’t convince myself that all of my problems translated back to me, so I decided to call the one person who wouldn’t hold back her honesty.

*phone ringing*

“Hello?” her voice was raspy as if she had just woken up. I looked at the time to see it was 2 a.m. and I realized at that moment I probably shouldn’t have called her.

“Kane, hello?” She paused for my response, but I had lost all the words I wanted to say. I hung the phone up.

I’m such an idiot. I might be fucked up, but I refused to bring Alias down with me. She didn’t need the burden of convincing me I’m my own problem. Hell, I’m not her problem to fix anyway. I turned my phone on silent and closed my eyes. I have to fix my damn self. My thoughts carried me to sleep leaving me to simply dream of being a better man.