It started innocently enough.

At first, nothing seemed amiss, at least to the average person, but a storm was brewing, had been for days already. Ever since her encounter with Cole Bradford, Jane hadn't made any attempt at mending things between them, to understand his point of view. She didn't see why she should. He hadn't apologized for his arrogance. It wouldn't stop her from remaining professional. She hadn't made it this far to let some spoiled jerk dampen her spirits.

With this in mind, she'd put on her brightest smile, even though it didn't exactly reach her eyes, and she'd greeted him when he'd come back the next day. The bored, cold nod she'd received in response had left her fuming. She hadn't expected any grand gesture of reconciliation, but she'd wondered if maybe the day he'd introduced himself had been a fluke. If maybe he'd eaten something past its expiration date and had done his best to keep a straight face.

I guess not, she'd thought bitterly.

She'd told herself to let it go. Damn it, but she had tried. But each time he'd walked by her workstation, he'd never missed an opportunity to let Jane know she had no skills whatsoever. If she'd thought him rude the first time she'd met him, nothing compared to his attitude the following days.

"Are you sure about those colors?" He'd asked, one eyebrow raised with skepticism.

"This is what you're going with?" He'd said, referencing a frame of animation that she'd been working on.

"That part doesn't seem really natural. But that's just me," he'd mentioned once with an annoying smirk on his lips. Though she did her best not to look at those. It was infuriating enough to have to work with this guy, if she spent too much time thinking about his good looks, well... No, she wouldn't allow herself to go there.

Cole didn't offer anything constructive, just plain criticism. After a day or two of this, Jane had enough. She'd confronted him at his new office, arms crossed. She could've pictured herself as a cartoon with all that smoke pouring from her ears.

"Ok, so I got that you don't like my work and that you seem to have a problem with me, but instead of just criticizing, would you mind giving me, I don't know, constructive comments? So that I know how to make it better since it hurts your eyes so much. If you don't tell me, I won't know how to fix my mistakes."

He had the audacity to shrug. "I mean, you've been an animator long enough. If I tell you something's wrong, then you should know how to fix it. I didn't know you needed me to hold your hand through the process."

She would've slapped him for that unnecessary comment, but she'd refrained. After all, she needed this job, no, she freaking loved this job. Just because Ryan didn't seem to be aware that hiring people with a complete lack of people skills didn't mean she should jeopardize it.

Fine, two can play that game, she'd thought then.

She wouldn't mention the problem to Ryan. She knew deep down that maybe she should, but she didn't want to bother him with her lack of affinity with the new employee. It didn't help that she had a feeling the two of them went way back. If she was right, complaining about Cole to her boss would make things even more awkward.

Instead, she texted Amy after three days of hell with Mr. Handsome and Insufferable.

Jane : I can't stand him.

Amy : Who?

Jane : New guy at work. He doesn't like me and it shows. He keeps complaining about my work.

Amy : Is it helpful?

Jane : If only. At least, I'd be learning something. But being told that you suck day after day is not helping at all.

Amy : You tried asking him about it? Or telling Ryan?

Jane : I did try to talk to him, but he's even more annoying up close.

She paused, about to write more, then decided against it. Amy didn't need to know that Cole had a horrible personality, but the looks of a model. She'd keep it to herself. What Amy didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

Jane : And Ryan? Well, the two of them are friends. That's just too messy for me to get into.

Amy : From what you've told me, Ryan seems fair and if his friend is a problem, I'm sure he'd intercede in your favor.

Jane : Yeah, but I'm not 100% sure, so let's just not go there.

Amy : Fine. How are you going to deal with this then?

Jane : I'm not sure yet... I thought that maybe talking to you would help me think clearer.

Amy : Ha! As if. If it were me, I'd just act petty and get my revenge as soon as possible.

Jane hesitated, then tapped a quick : Really?

Amy : Yeah, I guess. Give him a taste of his own medicine or something, see how he likes it.

Jane thought about Amy's idea for the rest of the evening. She couldn't keep herself focused on the anime she was watching on her laptop. She didn't like Cole, that was a fact. But it was one thing to have those feelings and to act on them.

The rest of the week didn't improve. As Cole left the studio on Friday night with one last cold look in her direction, she thought that maybe Amy's plan had merit.

                                                                    ***

When Monday rolled in with a radiant sun and comfortable weather, what anyone would call a beautiful day of spring, Cole couldn't muster the energy to feel happy about it. He'd wanted to start working somewhere else to make a name for himself, but it seemed his family's reputation stuck to him like a leech. People at Dragonart, Ryan's studio, only saw him as the spoiled son of an influential electronics CEO.

At his previous office, he'd had to slave away to get anyone to notice any potential in him. People tended to think he'd gotten there solely thanks to his family name, which had certainly helped, but if anyone knew Hugh Bradford, one thing was for sure : the man never let anyone work for him if they didn't meet his unattainable standards. It didn't matter that Cole was his son. If he'd doubted even for just a second that Cole could do the job, he would've downright refused to hire him.

But ever since Jane had questioned how competent he really was, no matter the fact that she hadn't meant for him to overhear, he'd reacted, well, with excessive childishness. Damn, but he'd wanted to be the bigger person in this situation. While the comments he'd thrown her way held some amount of truth, he knew he was in the wrong, that he was being petty. Jane had skills. It was likely her weaknesses were his strengths and vice versa. Together, they could probably make a good team. They could produce awesome games, but between feeling attracted to her and hurt by her words, he didn't have the slightest idea how to approach her.

So critical comments it was. Not that it made him proud, but he'd never advertised himself as a paragon of virtue.

"Hey Cole," a now familiar voice called after him after he'd made it to his desk. He dropped his bag and looked back at Jane. She stood before him, her hair windswept and her glasses catching the light. She wore a dark purple hoodie displaying the face of a cat caught in a ridiculous expression. With her sweet smile, she looked absolutely adorable. Which explained why he didn't trust his instincts and lowered his guard around her.

"Hey," Cole said, unsure about what she wanted to tell him.

Holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, she held it out to him, a peace offering. Cole couldn't fault her for that. If they could settle their issues with each other, he had nothing against it.

"Thanks," he said, still feeling a little unnerved by this sudden change of mind.

"You're welcome," Jane replied, sporting a blinding smile. Somehow, a voice deep down whispered to Cole that she didn't mean it, but he pushed that worry aside. She was making an effort to get along with him, right? "A gift from your fellow caffeine addict. Must've been rough, first week and all."

"It wasn't really," he said, but he knew he'd made yet another misstep. He certainly hadn't imagined the way her smile had slipped for just a second.

"Thank God, you're just that good, huh? Enjoy your coffee." She turned on her heel, leaving Cole more confused than before. Oh well. Maybe he shouldn't overthink the gesture and just enjoy it for what it was.

He took a sip, deep in thought, and almost spit it back out.

Oh God. It felt as if the liquid would come back up his throat at any moment now. How much sugar did she put in this? That stuff can't be drinkable.

It hit him then. The war had just begun. And Jane had won that round.

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

So I had a hard time writing this chapter. In fact, I think it was the hardest chapter I've ever had to write, not for lack of inspiration, but grieving will do that to you. And overwhelming sadness doesn't mix well with lighthearted romantic comedies...

Thankfully, I feel better now, but still.

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