Kai's POV
I almost bumped into father when I attempted to leave the kitchen. He was walking with his cane, and his forehead creased when he saw me trying to leave.
"Where are you going? We will be eating breakfast."
"I'm not hungry, dad—"
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Kai. How will you work peacefully if you're hungry?"
Of course, he's worried about my responsibilities.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Zane looking at me with ridiculed eyes. My teeth almost dug in my lip as I bit it—walking back to the chair I left.
"Good morning, Mr. Montclair."
"Good morning, Zane. And please call me father. You'll be marrying my child next year."
I was silent as the maid started preparing our breakfast. My teeth still buried in my bottom lip—insulted.
"Let's have our breakfast without Kei. That girl needs to rest."
"I figured, father. She's tired from the travel." Zane's voice was cold, but it sounded respectful when he's talking to my father.
"Oh, I remember!" Dad stopped eating, and looked at Zane again. "You want to experience managing a business, right?"
My forehead creased as I glanced at Zane. Him? A businessman? Is he trying to steal my position?
Zane nodded. "Yes, father. Soon, I'll open my own law firm."
"That's a good plan. And we have Kai here who can teach you to manage business."
I lifted my face, and looked at dad—ignoring Zane's eyes that are now fixed on me. "Dad, a law firm is different from marketing."
"You'll be teaching him only the basics, Kai. Besides, he can be a consultant. It's a win-win situation for the both of you."
"Dad…"
"It's the benefits we're talking about, Kai. Are you disobeying me now?"
I swallowed hard, and sucked my breath. Of course, I can't disobey him. "N-No… I'm sorry, father…"
"It's settled then. Since you said last night that you want to start as soon as possible, you can go with Kai today." Dad turned to me. "Kai, give him the empty office next to yours."
I nodded. "Yes, father…" There's no point in arguing when, in the end, I would lose.
Not only a housemate, but an office mate. What nice thing could be gained?
"Don't you have your own car?" I asked when he slipped himself in the passenger seat without my permission.
He smirked. "Haven't bought one. My cars are in the U.S."
I sucked my breath, and just started the engine. Being in the same space with him suffocates me. I admit that I'm not really over him. He still visits my dream sometimes, and I just don't understand why my heart still wants him.
I was driving silently when he turned the radio on. The music was loud, heavy bass—hurting my ears, but he was already vibing to it.
"Turn it off." My jaw tensed.
He looked at me with his brow shot up. "Guess your taste in music is boring. Like romantic, classic songs? Oldies' choice."
"Just turn it off, Blackwood! It's hurting my ears!"
His laughter sparked amusement—low and deep, but annoyingly sexy. "I think you hate everything about me, huh?"
"What's there to like about you, anyway?" I threw him a sharp glare.
"I don't know…" He was like he's enjoying my annoyance. "You tell me. You liked me."
Swallowing hard, I balled my fists on the steering wheel. "Shut up! That was ages ago, Blackwood."
"You've become my hater." He chuckled. "I told you I want things to be simple, organized, and not complicated. That includes my relationship with you, Montclair."
I let out a sarcastic laugh. "I can't see the reason for us to get along that well, Blackwood. It's not like we'll live together forever. Besides, your presence disgusts me."
"I don't wanna live with you forever either, Montclair. And it's your presence that's disgusting." His voice became poisonous again—gone the playfulness.
Pressing my lips together, I entered the basement parking—ignoring his spiteful words. He did not even bother waiting for me when I parked the car. He immediately stepped out, and walked towards the elevator as if I offended him in some way.
"I can't believe this…" I whispered as I tailed him—a few meters distance between us.
He stood in front of the elevator, waiting for it to open, and when it did, I was already beside him.
I entered the elevator without glancing at him. We're silent until we reached the top floor. I don't have any intention to befriend him, anyway.
"Good morning, Mr. Montclair."
Like the usual—I just nodded coldly at the employees greeting me. Zane was also walking—stiff and cold—beside me. An unkind expression on his face.
"Melissa, come to the office." I entered my office, and Zane followed me with clenched jaws.
I sat on my swivel chair as I slowly turned to Zane. I caught his icy stares, but I didn't look away. What's the point?
"Sir, do you want your schedule now?"
I shook my head as I turned to Melissa. "Later. You go and introduce Mr. Zane Blackwood to the employees. He'll work here as our consultant."
When I looked at Zane, his eyes were sharper, as if what he heard offended him more.
"Lend me your iPad, Melissa. I'll check my schedule myself."
"Here, sir…" I fixed my eyes on Melissa's iPad on my table, but my stubborn eyes still shifted back to Zane.
Melissa immediately obliged, and before Zane followed her, he glanced at me once again with a sharp gaze.
When I was left alone in my office, I rested my back on the swivel chair—biting down my bottom lip as I let go of the breath I held in earlier when he glanced at me before leaving.
Swallowing hard, I looked up at the ceiling. Zane's presence affects me. It sounded so crazy because we don't even have a good history. The only thing I remember between us was the time I confessed my feelings, and he turned me down cold-heartedly—with the same ridiculed eyes he showed me earlier.
"Cut the crap…" I whispered to myself. "He's straight as fuck, and he's your sister's fiancee, Kai. He's not for you. Forget him. Forget him…"