Sydney

I was still smiling as I moved towards the bar. A hand stopped me, and I whipped around to face Mike. "Gosh, you scared me!" I spoke.

He inquired, "Where were you?"

I explained, "I was just out for some fresh air."

"What happened earlier? That man. You know who he was?" Mike asked.

I nodded, "Aiden Rainer, the CEO of the Reiner group."

"How do you know him?"

"He took my interview, and I refused the offer," I sighed.

Mike's eyes swelled to the size of saucers.

"Why?"

"Because he is an arrogant man who believes he can have any damn woman because of his looks and his absurd bank balance. He has a lot of delusions about himself. He believes he is charming and that ladies will fall at his feet begging him to take them, but he is mistaken. The only ladies he can ever hope to attract are those feather-headed, goose-brained, clingy knuckleheads. I don't want to see him again because he is a shallow man."

"Ah, I see."

"Thank God, you see," I murmured, and then it dawned on me. Mike hadn't spoken in a long time, and the last words didn't come from him; they came from someone behind him. As I cautiously turned to face the man I had just lauded, my heart slammed. His blue eyes were on fire, and he towered over me. I couldn't tell if it was rage or anything else, but whatever it was, it was intense enough to burn me right there.

"Do you think I'm arrogant?" he inquired.

I shifted my gaze away from him and said, "I did not lie. I meant every word that I said."

'Shit!' I gripped my palms just a smidgeon tighter. 'How did he get here?' Leah had just joined us at that point and was as perplexed by the situation.

"If that's the case, I'm afraid I've just lost our wager. Our kiss had the least effect on you, "he stated 'Why did he have to mention it before, Mike! Now I will never hear the end of it.' I looked up and found Mike looking shocked, his eyes were looking questioningly at me.

"As you have just made it clear that we don't have any connection. I would request you to join my firm as our new 2D artist and manager," he said.

I looked back at him in disbelief. 'Is this guy for real? I had slapped him and called him all sorts of things and yet here he is offering me a job.' I thought.

I said, "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested." Declining was the best way out of this situation.

"Really? I thought you were interested when you came to my office and gave the interview. I was under the impression that there was something between us, but you have proven me wrong. Now, since you are so confident that I can never be your man, and deserve only those feather-headed, goose-brained, clingy women. I do not see any reason why you should not accept the job offer?" He spoke.

There was a glint in his eyes and his face was grim. It was one of those expressions when someone is controlling a lot of emotions inside, but the mind is working in overdrive. I knew the moment he said those words I was in deep trouble.

"You are not afraid, are you? After that remarkable speech about my shallow personality, you should not be worried about me affecting you in any way," he said.

In my throat, a peculiar lump formed. How did it get to this point? All I wanted to do was a pleasant evening, but I had to run into this obnoxious man, who seemed to have made a vow to continue making my life a misery. Why couldn't he just go away and leave me alone? I wasn't interested; was it too difficult to comprehend? It had always worked in the past. My icy and obnoxious demeanour was enough to deflect unwelcome attention. But it didn't appear to work on a brawny guy like Aiden Reiner.

"I am not afraid of anything. I just lost interest in working." I stated.

"Under me?" he added, and his firm lips curved into an arrogant smile.

"Look, Mr Reiner, I don't know what happened between the two of you. But you are making my friend upset. Please leave her alone. " Jake interjected.

Aiden cocked his head and gave him a cold stare.

"And who are you?"



"Jake Scott, Sydney is my friend. She came here with me. And now we are leaving." Jake stated, his gaze fixed on Aiden.

"Well, a friend of Sydney, it's none of your business!"

Aiden said, seething in anger. I could sense things were about to blow up.
Why the hell was this man so damn arrogant? I seethed with fury.

"Oh! Shut up both of you," I instantly shouted.

There was a loud silence after my outburst. Leah gasped and Mike looked like he would blow up any moment. Only Aiden remained cool and calm. With that annoying smile pasted on his face. I shook my head to clear the anger which rolled inside me. I wanted to wipe off that stupid smile. "You are a liar, Miss Sydney, you are affected by me. Unlike what you said just a while back, my shallow personality does affect you and if you want to prove yourself right, then you will accept my job offer. I do not mix business with pleasure, but maybe you are afraid that you might," he whispered so low that only I could hear it.

I couldn't breathe. He was still inches away from me, we weren't even touching. But his proximity affected me. 'HE DOES NOT AFFECT ME!' I shouted internally.

"I will prove you wrong again, Mr Rainer. I accept your offer. There is no 'us'. I will prove you wrong," I said defiantly.

"Very well, see you on Monday Ms Sydney," he said with a smirk. I knew I had walked right into a trap, but I had no choice.

********

Saying yes to Aiden was a bad idea. The mood at our home was tense. Mike was pacing back and forth while Leah sat near me. I had just narrated everything to them.

" Why didn't you tell me about this man earlier in Sydney? I think he took a fancy to you, and you even accepted his job offer. What were you thinking?" Said Mike.

"I didn't know what else to do. Besides, this job is good," I mumbled.

"Is that why you kissed him?" Mike asked questioningly. He was terribly angry; I could see that. I had no idea why.

"Mike? Is that what you think of me?" I was already infuriated; I didn't need judgemental comments from my friends.

"That man is a playboy, and he is stinking rich! He will throw you away like a ragdoll once he is done with you. Have you thought about that?" Mike warned me.

"I know, that is why I am not interested, I am just going to do my job. I doubt I would even see him every day. He would eventually lose interest. Maybe he will even fire me once he realizes that I won't fall for his antics. But the experience of working at Reiner groups would give me the required edge to find a better opportunity. It's going to be challenging and I am ready for it," I replied.



Mike was about to say something, but Leah interrupted him.

"I think it's not an unwise decision, Sydney," she said.

"What do you mean, Leah?" Mike asked.

"Look, let's be practical, I don't know much about computer jobs, but I do know that the Reiner group has a reputation. The pay was extravagant, and besides, he offered her a manager role. I don't think Sydney should let go of this opportunity."

"Yeah, add to it that he wants to get in her pants. He wasn't even hiding it. His intentions are pretty clear." Mike snapped, and I felt another wave of anger hit me.

"I don't think you have any right to talk like that, Mike. It's her life, she is free to make her own decisions, including sleeping with Aiden Reiner if she wishes! As her friend, we must support her."

Mike sighed in frustration and ran his hand through his hair. I couldn't understand his sudden possessiveness. He had never shown any romantic inclination towards me. He always treated me like he treated Leah, like a sister or a friend.

"Aiden is a narcissistic psycho, you are going into the lion's den. You have no idea what you are dealing with," Mike insisted.

"I am aware of that, Mike; I would quit the moment I feel threatened. But, for now, I cannot run away, Mike." I said with finality.