Taming a Brat

*Kane's POV*

I woke up two hours early this morning to make sure everything was all set for Alias's first day at Rhodes Inc. I had her office prepared the night before, similar to the one in her own building. Abstract art, inspirational quotes, files laid neatly in stacks on her desk. Oh, and I got sparkly pens for the hell of it. I wanted her to be comfortable, I run a tight ship at the office. I didn't want her to leave, but I will always be the same boss- authoritative and demanding. It's all in good faith, though. I only want the best for my company and those who work for me.

I had forgotten to get her cellphone number on my way out of her office yesterday. It was unlike me, but I shrugged it off and called her assistant to get her number.

*Phone Ringing*

"Hello, Sarah Richards of Star Marketing, how can I help you?"

"Sarah, it's Kane Rhodes."

"Hello, Mr. Rhodes! How are you?"

"I'm well, I forgot to grab Alias's number on my way out yesterday, can you send that over to me?"

"Absolutely! Sending it now!"

"Thanks, and I was supposed to pick her up for breakfast this morning. I didn't get her address either. I'm so sorry!"

"No problem, Mr. Rhodes. I sent you all her info! Good luck today, I know she will be amazing!"

"I hope so, Sarah. I think she will be perfect for the job."

"You'll see! Goodbye Mr. Rhodes!"

I definitely will see, Sarah. "Goodbye!"

*Call Hangs Up*

I booked the restaurant La Bistro located at the top floor of one of the finest hotels around the city. Honestly, I felt bad for running into her and causing her to break her phone. Plus, I wanted a chance to talk with her before she sees me like everyone else does- some billionaire prick who has too many rules. I jumped in the backseat of the car.

"Here's the address, Damion," I showed him the text from Sarah with Alias's apartment information.

"That's only about 15 minutes with traffic, boss," he replied as he pulled off into the busy morning city traffic. I dialed the number Sarah sent me to let Alias know I would be escorting her to breakfast.

*Phone Ringing*

"Hi, you've reached Alias Star. I can't come the the phone right now, but leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can! Thanks, bye!"

*beep*

She didn't answer me. "Alias, this is Kane. I'm trying to catch you before you head to the office. Call me back as soon as you get this message. Talk to you soon." I hated to go to voicemail.

"Does she know we're headed to her apartment?" Damion questioned.

"Not a clue," I replied with a smirk.

As we arrived to her apartment building, I considered that the concierge wouldn't just allow me into her apartment without knowing who I was. In that same moment, I had a brilliant idea.

"Hi, I'm Alias Star's.. boyfriend. I left my keys in her purse last night and she isn't answering the phone. Is there anyway you could let me in?" I asked the lady at the desk innocently.

She hesitated and looked at me questioningly. "Alias Star has never had a man in this building," she replied matter-of-factly.

Really now? Alias has never brought a man home with her. Interesting...

"She comes to my place usually, she drove me home last night and forgot to leave my keys. I'm going to be late for work, you'd really be doing me a favor," I pleaded with her.

"Okay, I will let you in," she hesitantly decided.

"Thank you so much!" I beamed as she made her way around the counter toward the elevator. I followed behind her as we made our way the 12th floor of the building. I wonder what Alias was doing, why she hadn't answered my call.

Once we made it to her door, the kind lady let me inside the apartment and I thanked her graciously. Loud music echoed through the walls of the apartment and I could hear the shower running in the background. Faintly, I heard Alias's voice singing along to every word of the upbeat song. She sings in the shower, how adorable.

I looked around her apartment while I waited. Similar to her office, no personal photos except a few scattered around the living room. Her mom, I assumed. Some pictures with friends hung on the walls. Abstract art took up most of the wall space. Everything was neat and organized minus a coffee cup sitting on the island in the kitchen. Her apartment was very minimalist, yet cozy and welcoming.

I heard the shower turn off and the outrageously loud music turn down a bit, Alias's voice still singing along quietly. I was studying one of the pictures on an end table when I heard her shout behind me.

"What the fuck!"

I tried to stifle my laugh, and nearly chocked on my own spit when I turned to look at her. Dripping wet hair stuck to her face and shoulders, falling down her arms and back. A small white towel covered just the right places and hugged her curves beautifully. Beads of water were still running down her body from being freshly out of the shower.

Goddamn it. Keep it together. I suppressed my thoughts and quickly changed the subject.

"Ignoring my calls on the first day?" I said to her, trying to be serious.

"What?" she replied back dumbfounded. "How did you get in here?"

"I called you and left a voicemail a half an hour ago. You never called back. I told the woman at the desk that I was your boyfriend and I needed to get my car keys from you, but you weren't answering your phone."

Her jaw dropped in shock, such a sexy look on her innocent face. "You did WHAT?" She asked, almost yelling. "What gives you the right?"

I could tell she was angry with me, but she just looked so damn cute. Such a tiny lady with so much attitude. Truly a brat.

"You did, when you agreed to work with me," I reminded her of the rules she agreed too.

"I definitely didn't agree to you breaking in my fucking apartment, Kane!"

How cute, Kane Rhodes does not break into places.

"I didn't break in, and I wouldn't be here if you had answered your phone, which you did agree too." I winked to let her know I was totally amused by her anger.

"How do you even know where my apartment is?" She asked me, hints of attitude still lingered in her voice.

"I called Sarah, your assistant. She's lovely, by the way," I smirked at my own cleverness.

"Damn, Sarah sold me out and didn't even warn me," She shook her head.

"I might have tricked her a little into giving it to me, so don't hold it against her," I replied softly. Hopefully, she would blame me instead of Sarah.

"I'm not going to hold it against her, but you are a totally different story," she smiled and rolled her eyes, "What did you want to talk to me about anyway?"

I could tell she was in a better mood now, so I told her my reason for the visit. "I wanted to see if you wanted breakfast before you start your first day."

"Do you do this for all of your employees?" She smirked as she asked me. Mm, Alias, don't look at me like that.

"Only the ones who's phones I've broken," I joked trying to shake away my thoughts.

"I suppose breakfast sounds nice," she said thoughtfully.

"I'll wait here while you finish getting dressed," I replied as I looked her body up and down one last time. I tried to seem unbothered by the breathtaking view in front of me.

She quickly looked down and wrapped her arms around herself, hiding from me. I could see her cheeks turn crimson red underneath her hair as it hid her face while she stared at the floor.

"Oh my god! I can't believe I've just been here naked this whole time!" she cried out.

"You aren't naked." I resisted the urge to lick my lips and replaced it with a sly smile.

"Because a towel counts for so much," she said, not looking up from the floor.

I don't know why she was covering her body. She was beautiful without a doubt. She was sculpted like a goddess with an hourglass figure. She has no reason to be self-conscious. It bothered me to know someone made her feel as if she should hide her body.

"No need to cover up your body, Alias," I said softly hoping she would take my hint.

"There definitely is a need," she said coldly as she spun on her heels and ran into her room.

I sighed and leaned against the island while I scrolled through emails and waited for Alias to emerge back out of the shadows. Never good emails, always problems. It seems like I can never catch a break, always diverting one crisis after another. I was deep in thought when I heard her heels clicking across the marble floor. I had to clench my jaw to prevent it from dropping when I saw her in her dainty, baby blue skirt suit. Damn, everything she wears hugs her curves just right. She looks breathtaking.

"Alias, you l- Ready to go?" I smiled, cursing my brain quietly for almost allowing my mouth to speak my thoughts aloud.

"Now I am," she laughed nervously and headed towards the door, waiting for me to follow behind her.

Once we were outside, I called Damion to come around and pick us up.

"Alias, this is Damion, he is my closest friend and the best driver I know," I introduced her to him.

"Nice to meet you, Alias," he replied, "You own Star Marketing?"

"Likewise, Damion, and yes I do. I started it from the ground up," she replied with a proud smile.

"That's extremely impressive, especially in the short time since you've opened. Kane here could use someone as inspirational as you at Rhodes Inc."

I blushed a bit at the comment. "He must have put you up to buttering me up since he broke my phone and all," she continued.

"He broke your phone, ah, you're the lady in the street?" Damion asked, knowingly.

She laughed wholeheartedly, "Kane must have mentioned me already."

"Only good things, Alias, cross my heart," Damion replied.

"Enough, enough," I said, covering my nerves with a laugh, "Alias, since you have a new phone save my number so we don't have to repeat today's events."

She rolled my eyes and pulled out her phone. We arrived at the hotel, and I looked over to see Alias glinting at the top of the building.

"Have you ever been here, Alias?" I asked.

"No, but I've heard it has a beautiful view," she replied.

"Indeed, it does. Let's go inside." I placed my hand on the small of her back as I ushered her into the building. It was instinct, truthfully. I felt protective of her for some unknown reason. When the elevator dinged, signaling we had arrived, I looked over to see disappointment cross Alias's face.

"Are they closed?" she looked up at me with sadness in her eyes.

"Mr. Rhodes, welcome! Please come this way. We have everything ready for you!" A young hostess appeared from the kitchen and led the way to our table. "I will be right back with your drinks!"

"You rented the restaurant?" she asked me, clearly surprised. She didn't know me well. I never came here without renting the restaurant.

"Absolutely, you can't have the best view in the city with people surrounding you," I replied to her.

"I'd have to agree with you there, it's breathtaking. Thank you. You didn't have to do all of this."

"I wanted too, it's the least I could do considering. I hope we have a good partnership together," I meant that honestly.

"I believe we will. Can I ask something off the record?" She caught me off guard by this, but I didn't mind.

"Go ahead."

"Do you make rules for everyone you work with?"

"I do."

"What happens when someone breaks a rule?"

"They get punished."

I saw her flinch. "Punished how?"

I thought carefully before answering. She wouldn't get it. "It's different for everyone, depending on the rule, most times I just cut ties and never do business with them again."

"That's a little harsh, don't you think?"

"No, I don't think so at all, Alias. Are you going to break my rules?" I asked, hoping she would say no.

"No, sir! I don't plan on it anyway."

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Sir. She doesn't know better. I was about to tell her to avoid that particular word when the waitress came with mimosas and fresh pancakes piled high with steam rolling off them.

"Oh my god, it's my dream breakfast!" She yelled out with joy plastered across her face.

"You can't go wrong with pancakes and mimosas," I laughed at her goofiness.

We ate our meal and had small talk throughout, allowing me to learn a little about Alias Star. She was no ordinary girl, unfazed by the things most women worry with constantly. She doesn't date, hasn't in years. I believe there's an interesting story behind that, but I'll save that for another day. We watched the sunrise through the glass walls before deciding to go back down to the car and head into the office.

I placed my hand on her back again, ensuring her safety all the way to the car. Damion started driving towards Rhodes Inc. as we continued to talk.

"Did you enjoy it, Alias?"

"Absolutely, consider us even on the phone ordeal."

"And from now on, you'll return my calls," I said jokingly, yet seriously.

"I will return your calls from now on," she smiled a genuine smile.

As we approached the office, I told Damion to drop Alias off at the door, then make a block and drop me off. I wanted her to get a chance to go in and find her way around. Any employees would never respect her for coming in with me on her first day. I refused to allow them to see her as arm candy.

"Don't want to be seen with me, huh?" she joked. I think she took slight offense to my request.

"I'm giving you a head start, the game changes when I step into the office. You listen to me, what I say goes, and we aren't friends," I said coldly. I don't want her to think she will be treated differently. That would be putting a target on her back. Only the strong survive here, Alias.

She scrunched up her face at me and I knew I had hurt her feelings, but it was for the best. She glanced back at me over her shoulder, clearly nervous. I smirked back at her, confident she would do exceptional here in time.

"Hope you can make it here, Alias," I yelled to her as she exited the car. I truly meant that. I wouldn't mind seeing her everyday.

"A bit harsh, aye boss?" Damion said to me, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"It's for her own good, Damion. As you say, the right one will take me for me," I sighed hoping she wouldn't quit after one day like most of my new hires.

We arrived back at the entrance of my building and I tried my best to put Alias out of my mind. She's your business partner, Kane, that's it and that's all it will be.