KAYA

Men were so easy to manipulate.

I couldn't believe how easily things had worked out for me so far. In fact, I was suspicious of how smoothly things were going. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but Erex had simply walked himself into a trap I hadn't even begun setting. He set the stage himself and decorated it with a need to prove himself.

Men and their egos. Their pesky pride.

Or perhaps his mama raised him right.

That's what it seemed like when he apologised to me earnestly time and again. But to think that good people and good men exist was a hard concept to acknowledge in my world.

My eyes lifted, spotting him in the distance. He bit a chunk off an energy bar, one hand flipping pages of a file while his Caribbean blue eyes scanned the pages with hyper-focus.

Until suddenly they rose and met my eyes straight away like he'd been aware of my gaze. He tipped his head in a form of acknowledgement and I looked away without responding.

People in general did not like to be dismissed.

But factor in the fact that the gender is male and apparently your superior, well then it irks them even more.

My dismissals and acts of feeling entirely disinterested weren't fake. They were probably the only parts of my actual black-cat like unfeeling personality that I could show without any consequences right now.

Every move I made was calculated. And every nudge in this flirtatious game that I gave to Erex that would seem natural was well-thought out.

And Erex Castillo liked challenges.

Imagine a woman who seemed in control disregarding him in a skillfully playful way and voila. It may not have been as much a matter of pride for him but earning my forgiveness was like a mission for him now, a push and pull that I'd be fueling so his interest in me would spike. I could've, of course, forgiven him but then that would have been plain foolish of me.

An opportunity like this wouldn't present itself to me again. Initially, I'd thought I'd have to act like a total sunshine character and pester Erex until he'd open up. Not too forward, of course but subtly inserting myself into his life thanks to my not-so-naturally sunny deposition.

My looks wouldn't have been enough to intrigue him but after the confrontation at Emilie's where I showed my other brainy skillset and now that I was also his well-qualified co-worker? I could only presume that he was mildly interested in figuring me out if only to put himself at ease.

I cracked my knuckles, twisting my neck after so many hours of staring at the digital pictures and entering data from the files into the databases.

I hadn't come across any information that would be useful for Marcello so far but it was my first day after all.

I exhaled and then stood up, deciding I needed to pay a visit to the ladies washroom here

Waving and smiling at Zeke and Finn as I passed them, I made sure to look at the pixie-like blond woman who hadn't seemed too welcoming of me. Callie gave me a small smile but i knew she didn't like me much at the moment.

She felt threatened.

There weren't too many women here anyways and I didn't blame Callie for the way she was guarded against me as both an Agent and a woman. She obviously had eyes for Finn and didn't make much of a secret about that and when it comes to looks, I was no doubt prettier.

I was well-versed in jealousy and hatred from fellow females because the fact was that my beauty was my curse but it was also what gave me my value. And I wasn't about to act like I was ashamed of the thing that was my sole reason for surviving till today.

Although, fitting into this new team and getting them to include me would be another task. I had to cultivate relationships and every day counted.

As I followed the written directions and turned away from the main room, I subtly looked around like a curious new subordinate.

I catalogued the various workspaces, keeping my eyes and ears open for any piece of useful information and looking at all the cameras installed.

I hadn't bought any bugs with me today because the security was tight and sneaking in bugs- even if Marcello claimed they wouldn't be detected- was a risk I wasn't willing to take on the first day. It was better to familiarise myself with my surroundings before taking any steps.

Once I was done with my business and touched up my morph red lipstick, I walked back to my seat and prepared myself to see more gruesome and bloody pictures.

Despite the fact that I came here for nefarious reasons, I was doing something god for a short while and that...

That made me feel like my life had some meaning for once.

—🎭—

"I'll drop you home."

The scent of bergamot and the surprising words forced me to turn my head and raise a brow as Erex came to stand next to me.

I stood by the entrance to the office, watching as everyone clocked out and the rain turned to a drizzle. Waiting while I scrolled aimlessly on my phone. Waiting for this exact moment and this exact offer.

And when things went according to my plans, I felt like a Cheshire cat.

He met my multi-colored eyes, hands in pockets like usual, exuding confidence. "We're neighbours. We should save gas and help the environment." Then he snapped his fingers, "Also save money and cultivate a healthy neighbourly relationship."

I narrowed my eyes at him, not saying a word as I let him think that there was a chance I'd give in.

His lips curved upwards, "What do you say, Miss Skeats? Don't I make a good argument?"

"Indeed, you must be truly talented in arguing." I acknowledged, "That makes sense."

While giving a quick and curt answer would be the smart choice if you were actually avoiding your neighbour, I had no such reasons. I was going to reel him in and answer in roundabout ways, increasingly so as time would pass so that it felt like a natural transition.

He exhaled dramatically, "Alright. I get the point." Then he ran a hand through his soft-looking raven hair, a slight stubble ever present. "Let's be practical though."

We both waved at Zeke as he walked out with Finn and a few other men trailing behind him. I wondered if Erex planned on making it common knowledge at the office that we were neighbours. Not that it went against any code of conduct but it'd lead to rumours and gossip.

And more unwanted attention on me.

I sighed as if in defeat. "For the environment. And the money." Shooting him a sharp look, "Don't think this changes anything."

"Not at all." He smoothly drawled out, an amused lilt to his tone as he brought out his keys and a black SUV unlocked in the distance.

"Ladies first." He splayed out his hand in front of him in a mockery.

The raindrops met my skin as I headed towards the car, my heels clicking against the tiles.

I rolled my eyes. "Pretending to be a gentleman must get tiring, it's better to drop the charade."

"I'm not so sure about whether you'll be able to handle my non-gentlemanly version though." His deep voice dropped while the corner of his lips stretched upwards, his words as devious as any would presume them to be.

"Then maybe you should try and confirm for yourself." I sassed back.

I did pride myself in my seduction techniques to be honest. Well, no I don't know how pride feels but I'm sure that statement fits here.

He paused, head slightly tilted before he walked on with a slight chuckle, choosing not to address my response.

I didn't react either, because that felt like the right emotion to display at the moment and watched as he opened the side door for me and remarked, "Since we've established I'm good at this gentleman charade, I should do it justice."

"Faux chivalry, how nice." I imbued my words with sarcasm.

"Chivalry is still chivalry, Miss Skeats."

I slid onto the seat and the raven haired man looked down at me with his caribbean blue eyes twinkling right before closing the door. Reminiscent of how he closed the door on my face the last time.

The sleek car smelled like a mix of leather and a fresh smell I couldn't place, probably an air freshener. Clean and plush, the SUV complimented Erex's meticulous persona.

Once he was behind the wheel and the car started, I chose to wield the weapon of silence after our flirtatious banter.

I looked out of the window to witness the yellow hues and dark blue skies, dropping my mask of all emotions as I stared at the city of Chicago passing me by slowly.

I could feel his gaze on me once in a while like a physical caress but I refused to indulge him and he didn't break the silence either.

It was good though that I didn't have to fake too many smiles and make coincidental run-ins happen. With this car-pooling idea, I'd be spending even more time with him and that would make seducing him easier.

Because now Erex sought me out on his own. To earn my forgiveness was just a cover-up and we both knew it.

While he genuinely probably did want to clear the air, Erex Castillo would not have previously been as forthcoming or talkative or willing to take up playful challenges with someone he'd consider a blip on his radar. Our first meeting had told me as much.

He didn't like to waste his time and he didn't like to beat around the bush.

Erex turned on the music and Dear Society by Madison Beer came on. It played in the background while his fingers taped to the beat on the steering wheel. His presence wasn't imposing and he wasn't forcing a conversation.

I leaned back in my seat and took a deep breath. Actions that most people deduced as relaxing. I was still on high alert though, unable to let my guard down. But appearances mattered.

The smell of fresh leather and bergamot filled my senses as I resumed looking out of the window. The silence between us didn't seem like it was wrought with tension or hatred or anxiety.

And in that moment while I sat next to one of the most dangerous men I'd ever crossed paths with, I recalled a phrase I often read and heard about and wondered if this was what they referred to.

I was wound tight even as I seemed to be relaxing, my mind working at the speed of a cheetah and yet the phrase rattled around in my head, forcing me to acknowledge it.

It was reminiscent of the rare moments when my mother would hug me to her chest and sing me some song before rocking me to sleep, a tiny bundle in her arms who'd grow up to be nothing like her.

The silence felt.....or so I think.....

Comfortable.

So of course, the bubble had to burst.

My phone vibrated in my pants pocket and I slid it out, checking to see the new message.

Apartment Plumbing: Miss, I'll be there on Thursday to fix your issues.

So in other words, under the guise of a plumber, someone sent by Marcello would come to update me about things and the other mission I'm supposed to carry out come Thursday.

I wonder what it will be.

—🎭—

A/N

Opinions on Kaya's way of thinking? Especially about men?

And do we like the natural flow of things between Erex and Kaya? Don't forget to vote and comment yo let me know!

Thank you so much or reading and I'm sorry for updating one da late but my wi fi wasn't working and sadly I couldn't upload for some weird reason. Anyways, that's in the past.

I had my college freshers yesterday lol.

Well, any theories on who will meet her and what it'll be about? The new mission?

Think upon those things and till next time then! Take care and Don forget to add the book to your library, follow me and share this book if you haven't already. Thank you for 800+ views tho😭🫂can't wait for 1k!

~Skyler