(Arata)
I wondered who the woman was.
A jilted girlfriend?
A family member?
Karsten took her inside but didn't reprimand me for doing my job. A sign of a good leader. He was haughty, but he was fair, at least.
His office was soundproof so I had no clue what they spoke about. I returned to my office and the woman exited his office half an hour later.
I rushed out to ensure she wouldn't cause any more trouble. Giving me a death stare she mumbled a forced apology followed by a curse in Spanish.
She wasn't apologetic at all, it seemed like Karsten put her up to the apology.
I simply said. "You don't have to apologise if you don't mean it."
My directness made her eyes narrow; turning around, she headed for the elevator.
Seemed like Karsten didn't give her what she came seeking.
He didn't follow her out, maybe she pissed off Mr Ice some more.
Returning to my desk, I completed the chores putting the incident at the back of my mind. She was not my concern, I had plenty of my own.
Wrapping up the work, I had some time to spare as Karsten had still not called me for any more tasks.
To distract myself I picked up my phone. 'Twisted Rider' jotted into my thoughts and I was reminded that he would be posting the lucky draw winner. Maybe he already had. I quickly logged in and opened his page to check.
To my disappointment, he hadn't so far.
Soaking in despair, I decided to check one of his videos. The man was sinfully attractive and he made my legs clamp together.
He was the embodiment of NSFW.
Quickly closing the app I returned the phone to its place. My desk phone rang that very instant.
Picking it up I heard Karsten's strong voice.
"Miss Arata, come to my office." Without waiting for my reply he ended the call.
My heart did a flip in my chest cavity.
What if he was waiting and contemplating my course of action? Was he going to reproach me?
Dragging myself out of my seat, I approached Karsten's office. Perspiration broke out on my temples and my hands went cold as I pressed that blue flower.
"Come in!" His voice was solid but calm, not angry.
Relief like a mild breeze swept over me as I pushed open his door and entered. He was leaning against his window with his sinewy arms crossed over his well-defined chest.
His lean legs crossed at the ankles where his boats shone without a speck of dust. The light fell on him from behind, so his face was slightly obscured, for his office lights were too dim today.
Did he wish to brood in the dark?
I couldn't make out his facial expressions.
Was he angry? Sad? Upset? Furious? Enraged?
I had not the darndest clue, the man was like a statue with no emotions. I could bet even statues portrayed more emotions than he did.
"Sir! You called for me?" I asked, keeping my distance from his frigid body and mood.
"Where did you learn to do that?" He asked. Did I hear a pint of curiosity in his voice?
He was referring to how I held the woman who had come to meet him, unaware that my Baba and Uncle Kail had taught me tons of self-defence techniques. I could take care of myself against people, men or women and I could subdue and incapacitate them.
"My Baba and uncle taught me," I truthfully replied. This world was a dangerous place for women and everyday crimes against us were skyrocketing.
I made the fatal mistake of trusting a man and he betrayed me in the worst possible way. I could have kicked his ass but the real strength was to walk away from such shitholes without getting yourself dirty.
"I think I offered you the wrong post. You should be my bodyguard. Maybe I should fire Olphi?"
Was he being real or sceptical? I couldn't tell for his humour was always dry like dry ice.
"That responsibility will be taken seriously as well. Tons of jilted women I presume." I couldn't help but throw the jab.
Silence reigned supreme for a while as my eyes adjusted and I could finally see his face. The inky darkness seemed to have been sucked into his pupils as they watched me with guarded interest.
"Perhaps!" He unfolded his arms and took a step forward towards me. I remained in my spot, my spine straight.
"Urisa, the woman who came to see me was out of line and called you words. She was disrespectful. Our company is strictly against any kind of body shaming. If there is anything you need as compensation, let Miranda know when she returns tomorrow and it will be provided."
Was he trying to apologise on her behalf by offering me an incentive?
"She already apologised, Sir. I don't need anything," I was upfront with him, trying to repress a smile.
He wasn't a dick, at least, and didn't approve of body shaming others, unlike Andy.
Karsten took another step forward and halted right in front of me. His scent, a blend of rugged sophistication of leather and whisky, assaulted my senses.
I found myself greedily inhaling. His critical and steely gaze cut through me like a knife does through butter. Unsettling and demanding, the man warranted attention.
"I will be taking you to meet my family soon. Don't disappoint. I want you to be on your best behaviour for they will judge you." He meaningfully paused, his peepers wavering down to my body not in revulsion but in rattling undercurrents which made the hair on my back erect. "Be prepared."
This time, he purposely whispered, and the ten seconds of the caring boss I received disappeared with a poof.
But he successfully made me shiver, sending my thoughts spiralling.
Don't disappoint?
What was I? His favourite football team?
Infusing as much confidence as I could muster, I replied. "I never disappoint, Sir. If someone doesn't appreciate, it's their fault."
My words made him lean in and he comfortably invaded my personal space. I stayed where I was, not cowering and kept my gaze focused on his calculating one.
"Hence, why you were chosen. You can go now, and tomorrow make my coffee, so it's drinkable. It was bland today." And just like that he was back to his usual cold asshole self.
Damn coffee, it wasn't my fault he loved to drink it as black as the devil's soul and as bland as a bitter herbal concoction men used for their dysfunction.
I kept the thoughts which could land me in trouble to myself and said with a swift nod.
"Sir!"
Leaving his office I could finally breathe. The energy around him was cold and demanding and it wasn't for the faint of heart.
Heading to my office, I heard the ping on my phone. Picking it up I saw it was a message.
A message from 'Twisted Rider.'
Shivers of excitement engulfed my body and my hands shook as I opened his message and quickly read.