*use your imagination for the title ^^* 

Rory made his way back home with new hope in his heart. After accepting Kei's offer, he did a quick online search and found that Kei Ink was indeed the CEO of Ink Publishing. His only fear was in telling Nix that he was quitting...

It was a stupid fear to have. What the fuck could she do anyway? Force him to work at the coffee shop for the rest of his life? 

Rory let out a snort just as the bus pulled up to the familiar station not too far from his current job. 

Letting out a sigh, he decided to hell with it and made his way towards what felt like impending doom. Nix was going to be a nightmare and a downright ass when it came right down to it. 

Shaking his head, Rory ignored the rumble of doom his stomach made and closed the distance between himself and the door to hell. 

"WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN, THOMPSON?" A shrill voice shrieked the moment the door swung shut. 

For once in his life, Rory felt a genuine smile grace his face. "I quit. I fucking quit, Nix." 

Nix's face turned beet red. "I'm not letting you quit." 

Rory glanced at the handful of customers looking at them with large, surprised eyes. "You don't own me, Nix. No one does. I received an amazing job offer at a fucking fantastic company. I'm going to make something of myself. Actually use my degree." 

"You're a piece of fucking shit, Rory." Nix spat at him. "After all I've done for you, this is how you repay me?" 

Rory raised a skeptical eyebrow. "What have you done for me other than offer me a job with shit hours? You barely give me any time off. I'm overworked yet perhaps the best damn worker you've had in years. And you're calling me a piece of fucking shit? I'm not sure you ever cared about me as an actual person. So long as I got the job done you were happy." 

Nix's nostrils flared in pure rage. "I don't know what the fuck crawled up your ass today but pull it right the fuck out, now. I expect you to be here tomorrow morning, six a.m. sharp." 

Rory let out a surprised and somewhat disbelieving laugh. "Are you fucking deaf? I just said I quit. I no longer work for you." 

Without waiting to hear her response, Rory stormed out of the shop and headed back home. He didn't think it would be wise to stay in his apartment seeing as how Nix was a force to be reckoned with. 

However, upon arriving home, he was not expecting to encounter another force so soon. There was a man standing outside his apartment door with perfect teeth, a natural tan, and brown hair. When the man turned around, their gazes met. Rory was faced with cold blue eyes. 

"Who the fuck are you?" Rory shouted up at the man. 

The man heaved an obvious sigh before making his way back down and coming to a stop about three feet away from Rory. "Jude Bex. I'm surprised you don't remember me. I would have thought that after our riveting night together I would at least be ingrained in your brain." 

Rory looked the man up and down, a frown on his face. "I'm sure I would have remembered a riveting night with you. I don't drink so that's not an idea that can be fabricated into my mind." 

Jude Bex let out an annoyed grunt. "Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I'm surprised he would give you up so soon." 

Rory raised an eyebrow and took a small step back when Jude kept getting closer. He didn't have to sweat for long before the man finally came to a stop, his nose wrinkled in disgust. 

Harsh blue eyes locked on him. "This is far from over, Rory." A sinister smile flashed across Jude's face before he turned and walked away. 

Rory watched him go with a frown. Whoever the fuck that man was, he had no intentions of seeing him again. 

                                                                  ***

Forty minutes later, Rory found himself situated in a relatively decent hotel not too far from his new job. He had just enough money in his savings account to last him at least two months in this hotel. He was hoping to have an apartment long before then. 

Heaving a weary sigh, Rory stripped off his clothes and jumped in the shower. Kei had said he could start his new job tomorrow if he wanted to. 

Rory being Rory, agreed. It would be from eight to five with an hour lunch break. 

It was honestly more than Rory was hoping for. 

Stability.