"So what's this I hear about having a new employee?" Jane asked as soon as she stepped into Ryan's office.

"Hello to you too, Jane," he replied dryly.

Two years or so older than her, Ryan had everything going for him (at least, in Jane's humble opinion) : a flourishing business, good looks, recently engaged to his high school sweetheart... ok, maybe not everything after all. Working full-time in their field meant their social life was sorely lacking, but still. Future Mrs. Banks sure was one lucky gal.

Not that Jane had ever felt interested in Ryan that way; he was her boss after all, but it would be difficult not to notice, on an objective level of course, how handsome he looked with his sandy hair and deep brown eyes.

She crossed her arms as she stood in front of his gleaming, carefully organized desk. "When did you intend to tell me? Or any of us?"

"I told you," he said. He shrugged, not even a little apologetic. "It was meant to be a surprise."

"Why?" She narrowed her eyes and readjusted her glasses. They kept sliding down her nose lately and she'd need to see an optometrist soon to take care of that. "Why was it necessary to keep it all under wraps?"

"I had a good reason for that, believe me. We may not always understand each other, but you know me by now, Jane. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think it was necessary."

For someone who worked in such a creative environment, Ryan had always remained the most level-headed one on their team, always reasoning with numbers and facts. He had to; any businessman learned that early on.

Jane sat down in the cushioned chair facing Ryan's desk and waited for his answer to her unspoken question. When she raised her eyebrows, he sighed in defeat.

"It's just that..." He ran a hand through his short hair, making the ends stand up. "It's not that I don't trust you or the rest of the team."

And that was the heart of the issue. They always discussed everything together. Ryan had the final word, but he always consulted with the team first to know their opinion. He'd asked them in the past about what they'd thought of someone he'd just interviewed and whether they thought they'd fit well in the team. Hell, had an interview even occurred and if it had, then when?

"Look, I'm not questioning your decision-making skills," she assured him, hands up in a placating gesture. "I just... you just surprised me earlier. I thought your meeting had something to do with one of the games we're currently working on. I had no idea you had hired someone new."

"That's the thing... It's not someone new. I offered him a job in the past. It just happens that he's now ready to accept it and he's starting today."

"You mean that he's turned you down before?" She asked, scrunching her eyebrows, unsure if that was supposed to be a good thing.

"He had his reasons," Ryan said in a tone that brooked no argument. He looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. "I thought he'd never say yes, to be honest with you." He shrugged. "I'm just happy he did. I'm not someone with that big of an ego that I'd say no to him for something as petty as that."

"So he's good?"

He chuckled. "Good? He's spent his life immersed in computers and video games. While other kids tried their hand at riding a bicycle, he was learning how to program on his own. And he pretty much knows anyone influential in our line of work."

"Oh," Jane said, for a lack of a better word. That was a lot to take in. If he was as good as Ryan made him out to be... Ryan had always been fair in his praise and criticism. If he liked something, he mentioned it, but if something else seemed off, he tried to soften the blow by turning it into an opportunity to learn and get better. If Ryan admired the guy, then he might as well be a rare and precious gem.

"You realize what this means," he continued, flattening one hand on his desk, his eyes intent on Jane. "With his experience, knowledge and connections? It wouldn't take too long for our studio to develop into one of the major players in video game design. Of course, that wouldn't mean any of you would get to slack off either, but... let's just say he'll be a great help. And we do need help."

Jane bit her bottom lip, lost in thought. He was right, damn it. They were crumbling under the pressure these days. Not enough to send any of them into burnout, but still... They didn't have enough employees; hell, reliable ones were damn hard to find. They simply couldn't refuse such an opportunity.

Her mind made up, she met Ryan's gaze. "When is he supposed to get here?"

That made her boss smile, his eyes brimming with approval. "In just a few minutes. He shouldn't be long now, he texted me to say he was getting himself a coffee."

She laughed. "You sure you need another caffeine addict in here?"

"Oh, nobody's as bad as you, don't worry."

"Right. You're one to talk."

"Yeah, yeah, get back to work, would you?" He retorted with a smartass smile on his lips.

                                                                 ***

The new guy didn't take all that long to make himself known, just as Ryan had promised Jane. She tried to stay focused on her task, this one consisting in animating the main character from one of their video games in development. She had to make sure that his expressions seemed as natural as possible. Yet she kept glancing at the door, wondering when their supposed savior would make an appearance. She didn't know exactly what to expect. Despite Ryan's praise and approval, she remained doubtful, convinced that someone like this sounded too good to be true.

And if he was such a miracle in Ryan's eyes... then maybe her hopes of getting promoted to the title of game designer would remain a pipe dream.

She could've slapped himself as she realized where her thoughts were going. Was she seriously getting jealous over someone she had yet to meet? She was better than that.

Regaining her concentration, she worked some more on the model of the character's face. After a moment, she slid away from her screen in her swivel chair. Tilting her head, she tried to determine what felt off about it. If she could just pinpoint the problem...

"It's the eyes," a deep voice said from behind her. "They say they're the mirror of the soul for a reason. If they look wrong, then the rest won't look right either."

The live commentary reflecting her thoughts took her by surprise and made her jump in her seat. She spun around in her chair, curious to see the man to whom belonged that strangely familiar voice.

She would've fallen off her chair if she hadn't been gripping one of its arms so tightly. Here stood Mr. Handsome in all his glory. She wanted to speak, but her brain kept coming up blank.

Judging by the way the man's eyes widened at the sight of her, he hadn't recognized her at first either. Ryan, standing by his side, glanced back and forth between them. Then, he cleared his throat, the sound awkward, but effective in breaking their staring contest.

"Um, I gather you two have met already?" He asked and Jane had no idea why, but somehow, his smile seemed a little too knowing for her taste and she wondered what the hell he was thinking.

The other man took a sip of his coffee and nodded, looking just as uncomfortable. "Yeah, something like that."

Ryan crossed his arms and his grin grew wider. "Well, who would've thought... It is a small world after all."

"Ryan," Jane hissed, not in the mood for his typical "dad jokes".

"Fine," Ryan said, rolling his eyes. "How'd you two meet?"

"This morning," they said at the same time and Jane felt heat crawl up the back of her neck.

"Really?" Ryan asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "I thought..." The other man frowned at him, seemingly confused, and Ryan shook his head. "Never mind. Jane, this is Cole Bradford, the new employee I told you about. Cole, this is Jane Pearson, our lead animator here."

"Lead animator?" Cole asked and damn if Jane didn't pick up on that small, bewildered note in his tone. It made her bristle.

"Yes," she confirmed, displaying her most polite smile. "Is there a problem?"

"No, but..." That didn't sound good. She already knew she wouldn't like what he'd say next, but she couldn't stop herself from pushing the issue.

"But?"

"How is it you're struggling with something so simple if you're the lead animator?"

Jane felt as if he'd sucker punched her. How could he just go and say that without an ounce of embarrassment or self-consciousness? Hadn't he learned tact, like, years ago?

"Is that a question or a thinly veiled insult?" She asked, smiling as if she'd die if she dared stop for a second. She would not let him see that his words had affected her, even the tiniest bit.

He looked away, not with shyness, but with something akin to boredom. "I mean, it's the basics."

"It's also one of the hardest things to draw and animate, my friend. Anyone will tell you that."

"That doesn't mean you should slack off," he retorted with a shrug.

If she'd been a cat, Jane imagined she'd have picked that moment to bare her claws and make him eat his words. But she wasn't and they were in a public place after all, so everyone would witness her act of madness.

"You talk big for a new employee," she said. Where had gone the charming, flirty guy from that morning? Had he only been part of her imagination? An illusion? Maybe this was one of those times when the perfect guy came along and an evil twin or doppelganger made their appearance to screw it all up.

He ignored her remark. "How long have you been here?"

"Shouldn't I be the one questioning you, new guy?" She asked right before Ryan inserted himself in between them, effectively blocking their view of each other.

"Look, Cole, there are other members of the team that I'd like for you to meet and I also wanted to show you the rest of our studio. That ok with you?"

Cole shrugged and Jane gathered that what he had seen so far had not impressed him. She wanted to slap her past self from this morning. She wanted to knock some sense into her and say, look! Look, this guy is obviously arrogant and condescending, don't let his good looks fool you! It's a trap!

Then, something clicked in her mind. Cole Bradford... The name didn't just sound familiar. She'd heard it more than once and combined with Ryan's description of him earlier... Hell no. Oh hell no.

Ryan just had to hire a rich know-it-all to help them do their job. This was going to suck. Hard.

                                            ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Let the bickering begin! 🍿

If you've enjoyed this chapter, please like and/or leave a comment, it would mean the world to me!