Rory took a long look at the towering black building and immaculate garden and let out a content sigh before crossing the street and making his way to the entrance. 

It was amazing how just the sight of the building calmed his unsettled mind. 

Taking a deep breath, he carefully maneuvered his way around the crowded entrance and pushed his way inside Ink Publishing. Shiny black marble floors and pristine black walls greeted Rory when he finally made it to the spacious lobby. 

He wasn't surprised that everything was in tip-top shape. 

He made his way over to the large receptionist desk and said hello to a woman with sleek blonde hair and sharp brown eyes. 

"How may I help you?" Her voice was crisp and to the point. 

"I want to apply for a position here." Rory stated, doing his best to sound confident. 

The woman raised a skeptic eyebrow, looking him over. "Is that so?"

"Yes." Rory tried hard to mask his irritation at her appraisal. 

"I'm sorry, but we currently don't have any positions available. Perhaps you can come back next year." The smile she offered was cold. 

Rory nodded. "Perhaps you should get a different job. You aren't exactly 'selling' the company to me." 

The woman let out a snort. "We don't hire imbeciles. Get lost." 

Rory's temper flared but he forced himself to take a deep breath before turning on his heel and striding over to the lobby area and taking a seat on one of the plush, black couches. 

He ignored the daggers he could feel on the back of his head. Fuck being civil. 

Before he could lose his determination and say to hell with it, he took out a thick stack of papers and started reading through them, only slightly disappointed that he hadn't touched the story in ages. 

But honestly. What was he even thinking, coming to a renowned company and expecting to get hired on the spot? 

Heaving a sigh, Rory stacked his papers neatly and rose to his feet. He wasn't in the mood to face Nix so he might as well enjoy his unexpected day off. 

Just as he turned to leave, he accidentally bumped into someone causing their nearly piping hot coffee to spill all down his front. 

"Mother fuck!" Rory gasped as he dropped his papers and pulled his shirt away, hoping to ease the burning sensation. 

"I'm so terribly sorry," came a smooth, rich voice. 

Rory looked up and met the most stunning blue eyes he had ever seen. It was a moment before he could think. Nervously clearing his throat, he said, "It's okay. I wasn't paying attention either." 

Those eyes looked so familiar... 

The man was tall—taller than Rory and had the darkest black hair he had ever seen on someone. His skin was pale but somehow lacked the sickly complexion that usually accompanied it.  

"Let me at least get you a new shirt." The man was earnest in his offer. 

"Thank you but it's okay. I was actually planning to head home so it'll be fine." Rory replied in what he hoped was a civil voice. 

The man let out a chuckle and bend to pick up the stack of papers Rory had dropped. "Please, I insist." 

Something about the man was very appealing to Rory. If it had been anybody else, he would have gone off on them already. Instead, he nodded and followed the man to a bank of elevators. 

It didn't take long for the doors to ping open. Rory was only slightly grateful there wasn't anyone else in the elevator as they got on. The man hit the button for the top floor before shuffling through the papers Rory had dropped. 

Rory noticed and made to grab them but stopped when the man raised them high above his head. 

"Tell me the reason you came here." 

Rory refrained from sighing and crossed his arms. "I was hoping to see if there were any positions available so that I could quit my dead beat job and actually make something of myself." 

"Where do you work now?" 

Rory was surprised at the man's interest. Was small talk like this normal? "Izzy's. It's a small café about forty minutes away from downtown." 

The man's eyes flashed in something like acknowledgement but Rory wasn't quite sure if he was reading him correctly or not. 

Shortly after, the elevator doors pinged open and they entered the top floor of Ink Publishing. It was mostly an open space. There was a small reception desk with a short hallway that lead to an extremely large office. Rory noted that the desk was empty. 

The man placed the stack of Rory's papers on the desk and motioned for him to follow. 

Curiosity overtook Rory as he followed him to what seemed to be the CEO's office. It was very spacious and was adorned with a large desk, a coffee table, and a small filing system. The back wall was made entirely of glass and overlooked the city. 

It was a beautiful sight. 

The man cleared his throat causing Rory to turn his attention back to him. He held out a deep blue silk button-up. "Don't worry about returning it." 

Rory took the shirt with a frown on his face. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to change here or go somewhere else. 

As if reading his mind, the man said, "You can change here."

A bit reluctant, Rory complied and quickly changed shirts, not really understanding why he was embarrassed. 

"Uh...I don't mean to be rude, but what's your name?" Rory asked after he finished changing. The shirt fit him perfectly. 

The man let out a warm laugh. "My name is Kei Ink." 

Rory raised an inquiring brow. 

"I know, I know. It's a strange name but makes for a wonderful marketing campaign." 

Rory didn't try to hide his laugh. "My name is Rory Thompson. It's nice to meet you."

Kei smiled and the two shook hands. 

Rory tried to ignore how warm his hand felt and offered a smile in return. "I should probably get going now."

Kei raised an eyebrow. "Don't you want a job?"

Rory paused in his effort to leave. "Yeah, but the receptionist downstairs told me there weren't any positions available." 

Kei rolled his eyes. "She always says that. How would you like to be my receptionist?" 

Rory felt his mouth drop open and did his best to close it. "I would love to, sir."

"Call me Kei." Kei replied with a laugh. "I can help you find a closer apartment later down the road if you find you like working here." 

Rory's eyes widened ever so slightly. He couldn't believe his luck. Should he question this turn of events or take it as a sign?