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Chapter 6_ Seasoned Stalkers

Chloe extracted her mobile device and, within a matter of seconds, presented Arya with a depiction of Kane Maranello while asserting, "It's him, is it not?"

Arya simply nodded, uttering, "Indeed... And I am in a bind."

"Why is that?" Chloe inquired, tilting her head inquisitively.

"Because it is a peculiar predicament and I find myself in the thick of it," Arya divulged, retrieving her own phone as she and Chloe deftly commenced searching for information on Kane, like seasoned stalkers.

"Look, he and Franko are conspicuously absent from any photograph together. This is an anomaly for a father and son," Arya pondered aloud.

"It appears that they possess some personal vendetta against each other. Regardless, you should exercise caution. He is notorious for womanizing," Chloe warned.

"Oh, you need not worry about that. I have no desire to become one of his conquests," Arya assured, eliciting a smile from Chloe.

"Of course, my dear. But one must never say never when it comes to handsome men," Chloe teased.

"Please, do not start again, Chloe," Arya groaned.

"Fine, fine. Tonight, we are here to celebrate your promotion and the weekend. Let us hit the dance floor!" Chloe exclaimed excitedly.

"Absolutely, my sister! What a splendid idea," Arya beamed, finishing her drink in a single gulp.

"Wooooo! That's my girl," Chloe chimed, winking as they made their way to the dance floor, losing themselves in the music and the pulsating energy of the crowd. The rhythm, the lights, and the people surrounding Arya helped her let go of her worries as she danced the night away.

After some time, Arya was parched and decided to take a break from the dance floor, with Chloe trailing behind. Chloe ordered two more beers and Arya exclaimed, "Do you not think we have had enough for one evening?"

"Nowhere near enough! Sometimes you forget that there is more to life than just work," Chloe commented as Arya let out a small sigh.

"You know I cannot do whatever I please," Arya added, earning an eye roll from Chloe.

"I know, but you can't keep working this much. I bet you took some work home for the weekend," she asserted confidently.

Arya hesitated before responding, "Well...I did take some papers with me, but I seem to have misplaced them. Let me just check my bag." As she rummaged through her bag, her thoughts raced, 'I could have sworn I brought them with me. Where could they be?' But despite her thorough searching, the papers were nowhere to be found. Arya let out a frustrated sigh, "Dammit! I was sure I took those papers with me."

"What happened?" Chloe's curiosity was piqued.

"I have to go back to the office," Arya announced, much to Chloe's annoyance.

"You've got to be kidding me," Chloe scoffed.

Arya shook her head, "No, I really need those papers and I have to get them." She looked at Chloe apologetically, "I'm sorry, Chloe. I'll make it up to you. You can drink my beer."

Chloe snorted, "You're impossible, Arya. Seriously." As Arya gathered her bag and made her way back to the office, Chloe called out in a loud voice, "Well, I'm sorry for you, but double fun for me. Have fun being responsible." Arya waved goodbye, a small smile on her face.

====

As Arya strode into the dimly-lit office building, she couldn't help but think about the countless times she had entered the desolate space on weekends for work. However, tonight was different.

The fluorescent lights of her new office were still illuminated, indicating someone's presence inside. ‘Who could it be?’ Arya pondered as she pushed the door open, her curiosity piqued.

To her surprise, Kane sat nonchalantly at his desk, engrossed in something on his computer screen. ‘What is he still doing here?’ Arya thought to herself, refusing to acknowledge his presence as she went about her business. Searching through drawers and cabinets, she scoured every nook and cranny of the office, determined to find the files she needed.

As she rummaged through everywhere, frustration mounting, Kane's voice suddenly cut through the silence. "Looking for this?" he drawled lazily, holding up the missing file in his hands.

"How did you get that?" Arya demanded, perplexed as to how the file ended up in his possession.

"I took it from your purse." Kane replied with a smirk, nonchalantly making Arya furious.

"Thanks for ruining my night with your stupid pranks," Arya huffed, snatching the file from him.

"I had to do something to get you back here, away from everyone else," Kane explained, his tone turning husky as he took a step towards Arya, his intoxicating scent filling her senses.

"And why is that?" Arya couldn't hide her annoyance, glaring at him with her piercing amber eyes.

"Isn't it obvious? Because I want you, Sunshine," Kane breathed, his intensity palpable as he closed the distance between them.

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