Chapter 1_ Douchebag

Arya’s Residence.

Arya opened the door to her younger brother’s room and the chaos she witnessed was overwhelming, “Alex, what is this mess?" She thundered as her eyes rummaged through the piles of dirty laundry sitting in every corner of the room and the floor littered with books and old computer parts. Alex was perched on his chair, soldering something on an electronic board. He doesn't look happy to be interrupted.

“What now? Can't you see I’m busy?" Alex said to her and Arya stared right back at him, putting her hands on her hips.

“I thought I told you to clean up your room last night?" She asked, her amber eyes glaring at him.

“I don't have time for nonsense like cleaning my room, Arya. I have got work to do. Anyway, who cares if it's a bit messy?” Alex responded as he took his eyes away from the computer and looked at Arya.

"I do.” Arya retorted sharply, shooting him a glare.

"Well…you are not Mom! Why don't you loosen up a bit? Maybe If you weren't such a controlling prude you would have a boyfriend to bother instead of me but no, you prefer those cheesy romantic novels, don't you? I hate you…I love you….I want you….I hate you again! Seriously, how can you put up with that crap?” Alex remarked and at his words, Arya gasped.

"Or maybe I would have a boyfriend If I didn't have to work two jobs to support you.” Arya fired back and Alex winced as an uncomfortable silence fell on the room until Alex’s gaze dropped to the floor and he apologized.

"I-I’m sorry, Arya…I-I didn't mean to…to." Alex trailed off, his expression saddened and Arya crossed the room, dodging all the stuff on the floor, and hugged him.

“It's okay, I’m sorry too. I'm just a little stressed out, but It's not your fault.” Arya said with a smile and Alex snorted with his nose and smiled back at her. “You know, One day things will be easier. Eventually, I will make a career to make all the money we need." Arya spoke in assurance.

“When?" Alex asked.

“I don't know, hopefully soon. But whatever happens, I won't have to work two jobs anymore. I will have more free time and you will be less worried." Arya remarked as she ruffled his blonde hair with her hands.

“Could I go to college then?" Alex asked hopefully.

“Of course, Any college you want but up until then, we need to hold it together, Do you understand?" Arya said, and Alex nodded at her.

“Yes…I just wish it wasn't so painful.” He murmured under his breath.

"I know me too. But it's through pain that people grow and get stronger. When purgatory is over and our real life finally begins, no one will ever be able to stop us.” Arya stated firmly.

"Yes.” Alex chimed and hugged Arya back. As Arya kept him close to her chest, her eyes darted to the picture of their parents on the wall and she muttered in her mind, ‘Things were so simple when you were alive but everything is going to be fine, Mom and Dad….I promise.’

=====

The next day, in the morning. Arya walked towards the large skyscraper of her company building, ‘Franko Enterprises.’ Her hands were full of five heavy binders stacked on top of the other.

‘The worst thing about bringing work home is that you have double the weight on the way back.’ Arya mused silently as she headed to the door, and wondered how she was going to get on the lift as the binders were heavy and she was struggling with it. “I don't even know how I’m going to open that damned heavy door.” She muttered under her breath but Luckily for Arya, she wasn't alone.

A tall handsome guy she had never seen before walks past her, opening the door of the building. “Excuse me, please! Could you hold the door for me?" Arya called out as she asked politely to the stranger and rushed for the entrance but the stranger noticed Arya, winked at her, let go of the handle and the door slammed into her shoulder.

The binders in her hands fly all over the hall, crashing onto the floor with a loud bang and the stranger burst into laughter and snorted at her plight, “Aren't you a clumsy one? I bet you were too busy checking me out to watch where you were going."

Arya was taken aback by his arrogance and said with a glare, "I wasn't clumsy, you didn't hold the door for me!”

He grinned at her and said, "Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see that mean ass of yours stopping the door with a swift move but you weren't fast enough. Or maybe you are just insecure.”

At his words, Arya forgot about the binders for a moment and pierced him with her flaming eyes, "Still better than a rude boor so in love with himself that manners are not his concern.”

The stranger looked at Arya with wide eyes and opened his mouth for a few seconds as if stunned by her words. It took him a while to find the energy to chuckle and say something, “Well, well ....look at that sharp tongue, I like girls that can talk back.”

Arya flashed him a smile, “Too bad for you, I don't like douchebags."

He chuckled at her words and said with a shrug, “Not even If this particular douchebag helps you pick up those binders?"

“No, thanks. I like to keep my binders clean." Arya responded, and with a few swift moves, she collected the binders from the floor, shot a superior gaze at the stranger, and walked away with her head held high.

The man looked at Arya with an amused smile shining in his eyes and muttered under his breath, “Interesting."