Chapter 3: The Girl and the Boy

It has been three days, England time, since she returned to her own body.

When she reverted to herself, she was lying on Maz' lap, crying and wailing for some reason. She had no idea why, but as soon as her womanly parts started to hurt like hell, she figured that she was having a bad case of dysmenorrhea.

But unlike the person who inhabited her body who was actually crying through the pain like a wimp, she was ecstatic.

Crying over dysmenorrhea? Seriously, how dramatic can that person be? Anyway, she didn't bother to contemplate. Because she is back! And this! This gut wrenching, once a month womanly discomfort is something she missed so badly. If you come and think of it, it's a good kind of pain. The type of agony she would rather experience rather than getting sucker punched in the ballsack because, fuck. That is on a whole other level.

Rey grinned at Maz like an idiot, hugging her tightly, saying that she missed her so much.

It was a feat which the old woman found odd. Just a while ago, she was whimpering but now, she was back to being the bubbly Rey that Maz knew. When Maz was satisfied with Rey's condition, she finally left her be. Of course, without first saying reminders that she is always there for her.

Rey smiled at the kind gesture, hugging her tightly once again. She was thankful for the old woman. She was more than a neighbor to her — she is family. Her only family.

But as soon as she was alone, Rey's excitement disappeared. Questions came pouring out towards her mind. If she's back to her body, then Kylo Ren must be back in his? Also, does this surreal, magical, and out of this world body exchange only happens between the two of them?

It was a question that can be answered if he just asks Kylo. She knows his name. She knows where he works — hell, she's even attended one of his company's board meetings. And c'mon, he's the richest man in the world and the CEO of the largest car manufacturer in the United States. How difficult is it to actually find his contact?

Difficult. So fucking difficult. Rey should have known that any personal information about Kylo Ren would not be lurking over the internet. She took the risk of connecting her mobile phone using her data, hoping that she has a couple of minutes left free because she hasn't paid her phone bill yet.

She searched on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and even Instagram, which made Rey scowl to herself. Seriously, Kylo doesn't seem to be the type of man who would waste his time to create an Instagram account but she checked anyway.

There was nothing — except for posers and trolls, not one verified account of Kylo Ren was in the interwebs.

An email, perhaps? Rey thought. But there was nothing too. She found several e-mails of middle management personnel. But the top brass of the Empire Ltd.? Nope. Not even that annoying Hux' e-mail address can be seen anywhere.

Rey tried to relentlessly search some more but she was abruptly cut. Even the mere search engine was not loading anymore. She sighed. She wasted the last minutes of her cellphone plan's mobile data finding out nothing.

She cursed, letting herself fall on her bed. Of course she couldn't go to New York. Not with the remaining 10 pounds in her wallet. Maybe she can go back to that coffeeshop and connect to their free WiFi again?

The nineteen year old squirmed in distress. Oh God, she is hopelessly broke.

Or maybe... just maybe, Kylo will be the one to find her. With his resources and everything, maybe he will. He'd better. Because Rey wants answers.

Fast forward three days later, and there's nothing from Kylo Ren. Rey had the guts to connect with the coffeeshop's wifi, lurking outside of the vicinity, far enough not to be noticed but near enough to get a signal from their routers.

There was nothing. Not in any of her social media accounts nor in her email. Hell, she even checked her school registered e-mail address. But there was nothing.

She frowned in frustration. Doesn't Kylo Ren want to know what in the world just happened to them? Judging from his lack of interest to contact her, Rey guessed that he doesn't care.

I guess for him, life just goes on. And she must move on too. Well, fuck, she's definitely moving on because an e-mail prompt just notified her.

An interview! Rey immediately clicked the message, scanning its contents:

Ms. Kenobi,

We have read the resume and application letter you sent. In line with the same, I would like to ask for an interview tomorrow, 9 am. Come in your business attire and don't be late.

The Empire does not tolerate tardiness.

Thank you.

Elizabeth McCarthy

HR Department

Empire Ltd., London Headquarters

Rey gasped. Empire? Oh yeah, she almost forgot that she sent an application letter with the Empire too.

Suddenly, her stomach churned violently at the realization. Kylo Ren's company is inviting her for an interview?

The Empire.

Kylo Ren's company.

Kylo fucking Ren!

Her heart began to thump violently in her chest. Are they going to finally see each other?

She's supposed to be excited. She's supposed to feel relieved. The questions she was itching to ask Kylo, she is this close to getting answers. But she can't help but feel nervous, chewing her lip in her franticness.

Of course, Empire Ltd., is a multinational company — like almost all automotive companies in the world. Why didn't she think of that? Because for one, she did not care at first, not really. All she thought of before knowing about Kylo's existence is getting a job as a mechanic. The hell with corporate structures and whatnot.

But now...

Wait, would Kylo do the interview? That would be impossible. She's just applying as a mechanic, not some white collared worker. She will be definitely be interviewed by the head engineer or something. Not the boss. I mean, c'mon, they're busy people. He's not going to fly all the way from New York to interview a lowly mechanic.

Yet she was being paranoid, almost neurotic. The thought of seeing Kylo Ren in the flesh was making her lose her wits.

She hasn't really thought about what to actually feel when she sees him or talk to him — The man whose body she inhabited; the man who was too gorgeous for his own good; the person whose penis she deliberately (and pervertedly) took a good look at.

"Holy fucking shit!" Rey's jaw dropped in shock before she covered it with her palm. She tried to compose herself, clutching her cellphone tightly in her hands.

No. There's no way. Rey convinced herself. He's in New York. In New York for Christ's sake — a thousand miles away from London. He's CEO there, not here.

That's how multinational companies work, right? Empire's home base is in New York. Technically, Kylo's the overall CEO and he has little minions of CEOs in every country where they expanded.

Right?

Rey checked over the internet just to make sure, not minding the typos her fingers made because she was shaking. 'Empoiree Lodon Headquarters CEo' she typed.

Good thing Google was smart enough to decipher her typos because she got the answer she was looking for:

did you mean: Empire Ltd., London Headquarters, CEO?

Below it read,

Wilhuff Tarkin, CEO, Empire Ltd., London Headquarters.

See also: Kylo Ren, CEO, Empire Ltd., New York

"Thank goodness!" Rey sighed in relief. The thought of seeing him made her heart stop for a bit. Screw answers, she is clearly not ready to meet up with him.

At least she wouldn't worry about it anymore. There's no way he's coming to London.

Good. This is good.

Don't think about it anymore, Rey. She told herself. Life goes on. Just prepare for your interview tomorrow.

Life went on for Kylo Ren. Three days after he magically returned to his own body, he casually went back to work.

Thank heavens, because he probably wouldn't survive another day inside a woman's body. With the exception of having lovingly been caressed by Maz, the rest of his experience sucked.

Just the thought of remembering how he barely kept his wits together when he tried inserting that tampon made him cringe in disgust. Not to mention, that pain. Damn, he would exchange a punch in the ballsack if it meant that he will never experience that kind of agony again.

Kylo was supposed to find her — that British student, Rey Kenobi. He was hell bent on wasting his time and resources just for that girl. He needed answers, and if there's anyone in this world who actually has an idea of what was going on, it would be her.

But the girl was trouble. One moment of body exchange and she somehow managed to send his company in utter chaos. How did he know it was Rey? From fucking Hux of course. The ginger head wouldn't shut up at the fact that he sounded so overly British over the phone — it was a long shot but it was a solid theory, and his only theory.

She is the one inside his body and made some bad decisions that endangered his authority over the board members. When he returned to his body, there was no one left in the boardroom except him and Hux. And his fucking CFO was handing him some sarcastic congratulatory messages on how he managed to piss every single board member off.

Still, he can't help but be amazed with her spunk. A student with so much spunk and courage — although one that's very misplaced and uncalled for. To think that she called the DeathStar proposal garbage. Yup, he knows that too. It was forever immortalized in the minutes of the board meeting.

Anyway, Kylo's initial amazement with the girl can only go so far because he's flying to their London Headquarters to meet with the company's Chairman — to fucking fix the mess she made. And boy, he is in so much trouble.

Why did she even make a decision on a thing she has zero idea about? Does she even know how to manage a billion dollar multinational company? Of course, she doesn't. She's a student. Technically a baby out in the real world.

Damn it, Kylo cussed to himself. To think that he's stressing himself out because of some girl. He would rather not find her now because she's irritating him to the bone.

She's trouble, he convinced himself again. That unfounded recklessness of hers, it would not do him any good. And if their paths never converge ever again, the better. Not to mention, it has been three days since their magical encounter. It's over. It will never happen again. So there would be no reason to look for her anymore.

The next day, Kylo was sitting in Wilhuff Tarkin's office. Literally usurping his physical office and metaphorically his position in the London Headquarters.

Tarkin could only meekly protest, offering instead a room reserved for him just in case he visits their headquarters. But Kylo's not having any of it. He is CEO of the Empire and that includes their London Headquarters, so Tarkin better scoot his ass outside his own office because he's taking over. Just for the day at least, or until he meets with Chairman Snoke.

Does he really need Tarkin's room? No, it was just a display of authority. But whatever, he needs the room so he can clearly think what to say to Snoke, not to mention a slight take over would make him able to check what's actually going on with the London Headquarters. More of the former, really, because he's completely fucked.

Rey Kenobi made a mess, one that's going to cost the company millions. The partnership with the First Order is already a done deal. It had been settled that they will design a vehicle under the name of the Empire. But Rey called their proposal garbage, and the proposal was left unsigned, so the Empire deviated from their contractual undertakings — and deviation means a law suit. Law suit means damages, and damages means millions of company funds wasted.

He should have just called the board again and signed the proposal in front of them. And then what? Tag it as a cruel joke from their CEO? Then, next thing he knows they're already voting for his removal. And he did not spend five miserable years raising this company from the ashes just so he could lose control and management over it.

Fuck! He doesn't know what's worse of a consequence. All of them are bad in themselves. Not to mention, he has some loads of explaining to do with Chairman Snoke. He maybe is the CEO of the Empire in its entirety, but he still answers to the Chairman.

Kylo turned Tarkin's big swivel chair to look out the glass window. He sighed as he saw the dark clouds hovering over the city. London weather is always so gloomy and it's making him grumpier than usual.

He better not have a glimpse of Rey Kenobi because he will tear her apart. Really, just the thought of that girl is making him furious that he feels like he's going to explode.

"Sir." Tarkin's secretary entered the room. "Mr. Tarkin is supposed to do an interview for one of our vacant mechanic I position." She reported.

Kylo sighed, he almost forgot that he chose to be CEO of the London Headquarters for a day. "What did the head engineer say about the applicant?" He mumbled, still not turning his chair from the window to look at Tarkin's secretary.

It was easy for him to deny an interview altogether — just basing his judgment on the opinions of the interviewers that came before him. After all, he has the last say. And he's not going to waste his time interviewing applicants whom his engineers wouldn't bother considering.

A scuffle of papers. "Sir, according to the interview sheet, Engineer Ackbar stated that, and I quote, 'a fresh graduate with a lot of spunk. Not much work experience but knows a lot about vehicles. Can definitely learn with little supervision.'" Tarkin's secretary reported.

Kylo contemplated for a moment. A fresh graduate with a lot of spunk. Yet with minimal work experience. "How many years of work experience do we require for a Mechanic I?" A rhetorical question, because he knows it's two to three years.

"Two to three years, sir." The secretary answered politely. "Should I tell her that we'll call her instead?"

The obvious answer to Tarkin's secretary's question is an explicit and blatant yes. The Empire has no room for inexperienced fresh graduates. Why do you think they'd been so great in the last five years? Because they hire only the best, if not, the ones who had plenty of experiences. Not to mention, why place a standard on work experience if they're not going to use it?

"No. Send the applicant in." Kylo mumbled instead as he finally thought of how he can cathartically release his anger at Rey to that spunky applicant.

Rey gulped nervously, tugging her skirt towards her knees and fixing her almost discolored white long sleeves. She underestimated the Empire's hiring process. She had been talking to four interviewers in the past two hours, the last one being the head Engineer of the London Headquarters, Engineer Ackbar.

She thought she was done. But nope, the CEO, Mr. Wilhuff Tarkin, would actually be interviewing her too. Seriously, she's just applying as a mechanic, why a personal interview with the head of the company?

A question that was left unanswered because the CEO's secretary called for her to enter Mr. Tarkin's office.

Rey exhaled nervously. It's just the last step. She managed to impress all other four interviewers, so she will and should definitely impress Mr. Tarkin. So, bring it!

With her game face on, Rey decided to enter the room.

She was greeted by no one, to her surprise. Just an immense black cushioned chair, the back rest was overly large like it wasn't fit for a CEO but more for the Queen, like a throne or something. It was facing the windows apparently.

Rey furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She was sure she heard Mr. Tarkin's secretary say that he was there inside his office.

A clearing of a throat made Rey jump in surprise. So Mr. Tarkin is there, she thought. Just behind that overly large chair. How fucking dramatic.

Rey brushed the thought off, fidgeting in place instead. Calling her future boss dramatic would not get her anywhere. Also, she has no idea what to do. Should she just take a seat? Or wait for him to order her to take a seat?

A sigh coming from Mr. Tarkin. "Please have a seat." He said lazily, like he is never interested.

Slowly, Rey reached for the chair that was in front of the table. So, Mr. Tarkin is American? She thought.

As quiet as a mouse, Rey took a seat. Since Mr. Tarkin was not talking (yet), she took the time to observe his office, puckering and chewing her lips to pass the time, not to mention to calm her nerves down. She glanced at Mr. Tarkin's name plate, which, for some reason, was placed in a downward position.

She bit her lip, trying to stop her urge to place it upright. It felt so wrong to her, so she slowly reached for the brass name plate to fix it. But she yanked her hands immediately when she heard the joints of the swivel chair creak.

Rey settled herself, placing her palms on her thighs. Mr. Tarkin is about to turn his chair, and it was making her nervous.

Well, that's the thing. He's dramatic. So he would definitely scare her with all the tension and the suspense. Rey made a microsecond eye roll, telling herself that this scaring tactics wouldn't work on her.

So, she curled her fist, readying to face Mr. Tarkin. She would stare directly to his eyes, to show him her conviction. She's not scared. She's not nervous, because she needs this job. It's now or never!

The chair swiveled, the CEO of the London Headquarters finally showing his face.

Her mind suddenly went blank. Her jaws dropped in such slow motion that she thought time had stop. She can only stare dumbfoundedly at the man before her.

She recognizes that face — that nose, that black eyes, that plump lips, those dumbo ears hiding behind that well conditioned, soft, 90's emo punk, raven hair.

She knows that face. She'd been inside that body — that super gorgeous face!

It's Kylo Ren. It's Kylo-fucking-Ren!

All Rey could do was exhale nervously. But she wanted to disappear, somehow melt in her chair because snippets of memories came flashing right before her eyes — one that includes a lavish New York apartment, some shredded abs, beautiful pectorals, gorgeous cuts, not to mention that literal sexy back and Kylo's perfect — no! Fuck no!

Rey yelped, yanking herself backward because of the shock. Her chair tilted with her backward, her feet lifting from the ground because of the inertia. She squealed in distress, her hands flailing up in the air trying to find something to hold onto. But there was nothing to grip to. So she shut her eyes tight and waited for the fall.

Her chair crashed to the floor, it's metallic handles clanking softly as it hit the carpeted flooring. Rey waited for the pain but there was none. If there's something, there was a force strong, but weirdly gentle enough, that pulled her arm.

She opened one of her eyes to check, Kylo Ren was now standing, his upper body leaning over the table.

Kylo opened his mouth to talk, but there was nothing that came out of his lips. They locked eyes for a second. She was staring at him with her shocked hazel orbs, but his gaze on her, it was worried and almost gentle.

But it was quick to pass, after he pulled her into safety, Rey saw how his expression changed almost instantly. His eyes now blazing with anger. He was furious, she could tell. He's not even trying to hide it from her.

She doesn't even know why he's angry with her.

And that made her panic further. As soon as she regained her balance, she yanked her arm away from Kylo. The next thing she knew she was bolting towards the door. Fuck, she cussed to herself. Why is Kylo Ren here? It should have been Mr. Tarkin.

She said she wasn't ready to meet him. Because it will lead exactly to this — her panicking and not knowing what to do. She reached for the door, but was somehow having trouble opening it.

Rey cussed to herself in frustration. She couldn't even make her motor functions to operate properly because of the panic.

"Rey Kenobi." Kylo called, his low voice sending shivers down her spine.

The sound of his voice is different from the way she spoke his words... back when she was inside his body. She knew he has a distinct low voice, an octave lower.

But this, it's different. Manly? Of course he's a man for crying out loud. No, there's something in the tone. It was too stern, commanding, too powerful — too terrifying.

Shit! He knows her. He recognizes her. With just that, it's confirmed. He's the one inside her body after all.

Rey stopped futility tinkering the door knob which she still failed to open. She stood frozen. He just called out her name and she was already cringing in fear, already wanting to bend to his will.

Kylo cleared his throat. "Sit down." He ordered her.

Rey made a swift glance towards Kylo. She found him sitting back to his chair, his hands clasped together which he placed under his pointy nose.

She chewed on her lip frantically. The door is just inches away. She should just head out. But she needs this job badly. So which was it? She was leaning for the quick way out. Rey remembered the valet attendant's words. He's a monster. She thought it was just an exaggerated description. But now she has seen it for herself. It was just his voice, but he's already scaring her to her wits end.

"I don't like repeating myself, Ms. Kenobi." Ren said with a sharper tone. It was almost like he's a carnivore, readying to pounce on his prey. The prey being her.

"Sit. Down." He growled lowly.

Suddenly, Rey found herself obeying his command. She was shaking as she walked, wondering how in the world he was able to instill fear with littlest amount of words.

Rey took the fallen chair and fixed it upright. She then sat quietly, and is, in no circumstances staring at Kylo's face directly. She was scared of him, yet she was blushing like an idiot. Because hell, at some point, she keeps remembering how his body looked like. Rey stared at the ceiling, convincing herself that he was clothed. Fully clothed. Covered.

Rey gulped nervously. What are they supposed to talk about? She doesn't know. But she is sure as hell that their out of this world body switching experience will be brought up. So she waited patiently, hoping that Kylo would make the first move because she doesn't know what to say.

But he stayed silent in his seat. Even without her gaze towards him, she could feel Kylo's eyes burn through her whole existence, examining her intently like she was a science subject or a prey to be eaten. It was more of the later. He was definitely going to eat her alive and it made her palms sweat, her heart thumping on her chest like crazy because of the anxiety.

"Tell me about yourself, Ms. Kenobi." He casually leaned on the back rest, before placing his hands on his chin.

Rey blinked. He knows her name, so that means he's knows that he'd been inside her body. Yet he so casual and calm? She argued inside her mind.

Oh yeah, she's in an interview for Christ's sake.

Rey exhaled through the mouth to calm herself down. No matter their personal circumstances, he is still her interviewer, and she needs this job. She can do this, she told herself.

"My name is Rey Kenobi." She started, "I graduated from East London University with a degree of —"

"East London University." Kylo immediately cut her off. "That's not a very good school." He continued as he opened her file, skipping her resume all together and heading to the page of her transcript of records.

Kylo massaged his chin with his forefinger, pretending to contemplate. "A mechanical engineer with barely passing marks, from a so-so school."

He clicked his tongue. "There must be something wrong with this headquarter's hiring process." He paused. "After all, we live in a world of standards. And for the Empire to hire a fresh graduate, your grades matter. But, this... your grades, not to mention your GPA, is garbage." He slammed Rey's file to a close.

Rey furrowed her eyebrows. Is he mocking her?

"But since you're already here, tell me, why should the Empire hire you?" Kylo leaned again over the table. An amused smirk etched his lips, which he covered with his interlocked fingers as he placed them back below his nose.

Judging from the way Rey Kenobi reacted a while ago, his theory is true. She was the one inside his body.

He scoffed to himself. In all honesty, what are the odds that they would actually see each other? London is a big city still. Even if they are in the same city, the probability of being at the same place at the same time is almost zero.

Kylo can't help but be amazed at the irony of it all. He explicitly stated that he has no intention to find her. Yet, here she is — currently at his mercy.

His goal was to make Rey Kenobi look like an incompetent idiot, which she is, by the way, judging from the way that she (almost) destabilized the company. And Kylo was there making sure that she realizes it. He would enjoy gloriously tearing her apart. Or make her cry even.

He gazed at her through his eyelashes, waiting for her to answer. She still wasn't looking at him. Rey kept her head down most of the time, but Kylo could see how she played with her thumbs in utter nervousness. Several strands of hazel hair fell on her face, which she did not bother to fix.

Just like his initial thought about her when he was inside her body, the girl does not know how to fix herself. Both physically and how she carries herself.

Imagine going to an interview wearing a discolored white long sleeves, her black blazer was filled with lint on its creases, which made the coat look off-white. Not to mention, why is she wearing a gray pencil skirt? Color coordinated, true. But isn't it basic that the skirt and your blazer be the same color? What happened to first impressions last?

Despite her lack of decorum and the proper dress code, not to mention, she didn't even try to conceal the bags under her eyes nor the freckles on her face. Now that Kylo can see her from his own point of view. He realized that she's not ordinary looking. In fact, she's beautiful. Simple, true. Yet that simplicity made her features pop out more.

Kylo cleared his throat. This is not the time to appreciate her, he told himself. Where was he anyway? Oh yeah, making her look like an idiot.

"I'm diligent. I'm hardworking —" She finally answered his question.

A dry sarcastic chuckle escaped Kylo's lips, cutting her mid sentence again. "Hardworking? Is that why you only have ten pounds in your wallet?"

Rey glared at Kylo, looking at him straight in his black orbs. She gritted her teeth in anger. Kylo Ren is mocking her. She thought that this will be just a simple job interview. But it is about something else— it's about them switching bodies. And he was angry with her because of that. To the point of bringing up some personal information that supposed to be private, considering the professional setting.

Rey thought that they can go through this without anyone mentioning what they've been through. But he was agitated to see her. Like she did something wrong to his body. Hell, for what it's worth, he's the one who did something bad to her body. That tampon he placed, it took her around fifteen minutes to take it off because it was shoved too deeply inside her fucking vagina, the string was almost missing.

She thought she had to go to the fucking hospital to have it removed, but she's not blaming him for it, is she now?

What a fucking idiot, this Kylo Ren.

Rey snapped. If he wants to criticize her life, a thing which he had zero idea about, then she'll criticize him back.

"Really, attacking my social standing?" She crossed her arms, "Is that the best you've got?" Rey snarled. He's starting a war — a blame game, so he better bring it. Because she has ammunitions about his life too.

"Oh, you're misunderstanding things, Ms. Kenobi. I'm not attacking your social standing." Kylo gritted his teeth, but trying his best not to snap. Not yet. She does have spunk. A very irritating spunk. "This is part of the interview process. As far as I am concerned, hard work is directly proportional with income. The more you work, the more money you earn. So how am I supposed to believe that you're a hard worker when you don't have enough money to prove it?"

Rey scowled. This man is delusional. Surrounded and showered by privilege that he doesn't understand how life works. Hard work is directly proportional with income? It's easy for him to say because he's rich to begin with. All he has to do is work, and the money comes naturally. That in itself is his privilege. He was (probably) born rich so he doesn't understand. He probably has parents who provided for him. He doesn't need to think about anything else like rent money, everyday expenses, bills, or whatever because it's provided for him. All he has to do is study, have a job, be the best CEO that there is and it's done.

He doesn't understand that there are certain factors in life that you cannot fight — personal circumstances like race, social standing of your parents, or how you don't have parents to begin with.

Kylo Ren has no idea of the feeling when you only have yourself and hard work to rely on. Strip him off his god damn status and his privilege and he will definitely cry like a baby.

Everything people said about him is true. At first she didn't want to believe it, after all they were hearsay, and she's not a judgmental person. But this — a first hand experience of his arrogance is something else.

Rey hates him. She hates his guts; how he thinks he's superior than others, actually mansplaining things that he doesn't have any idea about. He lived her life for one day, not really enough to make him understand because he was crying over a god damn dysmenorrhea for Christ's sake!

He's an asshole. Fuck, to think that she thought he was the perfect guy for one second. When Rey was in his body she was looking for a flaw. Well, here it is. He's an asshole. I guess you can't have it all.

"You're delusional." Rey finally said what she was thinking a while ago. "And a load of bullshit. I guess that's the reason why your employees actually hate you." She spat.

Kylo squinted, slamming his fists on the table. Delusional? He's just stating facts — econometric studies, actual basis for comparison.

Also, he knows that his employees hate him. He's the boss. Not everyone is going to like how you run things. But that fear and spite of his employees made the Empire survive. So he knows that he's doing the right thing. Yet, Rey pointing that out was like rubbing salt in an open wound.

It made him furious, what does she know about his life anyway? Shit. He's the one who started brining out their personal circumstances — and yet he's losing to her.

He hates her. He fucking hates her to his very existence. To think that he thought she was beautiful? Well, she's not. And she will never be.

"Am I the one who's delusional?" Kylo snapped. His angry roar reverberating inside the four corners of Tarkin's office. "When you're the who thinks you can run a billion dollar company?"

Kylo Ren suddenly pulled out the DeathStar proposal out of nowhere, slamming it on Tarkin's desk. The things on the table of London Headquarter's CEO shook, his brass name plate falling on the carpeted floor near Rey's feet.

Rey stayed silent this time, staring at the large black binder before her. The cover reading a very familiar "DeathStar v1.0".

The nineteen year old managed to calm herself down. She looked at Kylo, then back to the binder, figuring out for herself why he was angry in the first place.

It was about the proposal. But she wasn't trying to run the company, that wasn't her intention. She was just trying to prove herself. Was she wrong to do that? Seeing how Kylo's anger is unconsolable, Rey guessed she was wrong.

She is wrong. It wasn't her life to begin with. She did meddle with some things she didn't understand. But... the design with the engine was wrong to begin with, if at all, she was trying to save potential drivers from accidents. She was just trying to do the right thing. Is that wrong too?

"Wait..." She mumbled, trying to force a time out from their word war. He was mad at her for that, but she'll explain. She'll make him understand. "I wasn't trying to run your company..." She whispered meekly, hoping that her tone would calm him down.

But he was too angry, not backing down for a second. "Am I supposed to believe that?" He growled at her. "You, of all people? An incapable fresh graduate with no achievements; nothing to be proud of, do you think you can just meddle with corporate affairs like it's some sort of game?"

"You can't even pay for the costs of the possible damages you might bring this company even if you tried paying with your life! Not to mention, you almost ruined my career, my reputation. My fucking authority —"

"Ms. Kenobi." Ren huffed for air, brushing his hair in frustration. "If you thought you can be something just because we exchanged bodies, then let me spell it out to you. You're wrong. Because you're nothing. You have no place in this story — in this narrative — in my fucking company."

"And you will always be nothing. So I suggest that you crawl back to that disgusting hole that you call an apartment because I never want to see your face ever again."

Kylo managed a sharp exhale, glancing at Rey for a second. She was not moving, frozen in her seat. She kept her head down, which made Kylo roll his eyes.

Pity tactics won't work on him. "Which part of I never want to see your face again do you not understand?" He hissed.

"Leave." He ordered with a sharp tone.

Rey inhaled hard, mustering her courage. She convinced herself that Kylo's hurtful words were not enough to make her cry. Her life was tough as it it. And she is tougher. She's a strong girl.

That does it. This asshole's going to get it.

"Are you done berating me?" She snapped at him, using the same tone he used on her. This time, Rey cocked her head. She's not going to allow herself to be bullied by the likes of him. She grabbed the large binder on the table instead, flipping through the pages angrily.

Kylo could see how her hands were shaking uncontrollably. She's still fighting even though she clearly just lost — such irritating tenacity, Kylo thought.

When she found what she was looking for, she slammed the binder back to the table, spinning the same so Kylo could read its contents.

She stood up, leaning over the table before grabbing Kylo by his collar. "Let this incapable fresh graduate school your privileged stupid ass." She hissed, her face just inches away from him.

Rey remembered that Kylo dislikes physical contact. So she made it a point that their noses were almost touching, just so to taunt him.

But he stood up, Tarkin's chair rolling towards the full length windows. He grabbed her arm, pulling Rey close. He knew she was taunting him, and he was up for the challenge. "You? Actually school me?" He mocked her.

It was a wrong move for Rey, underestimating the fact that "he's allergic to people". His deep black eyes latched onto her eyes, eating her whole existence, as if hypnotizing her to do his bidding. She could smell his ocean breeze shampoo and a new fragrance — his perfume smells good. It actually suits him.

His amazing scent is making her blush. Fuck, Rey! She scolded herself. There's no time to appreciate him at a time where they are actually waging war against each other. "I sure am, you fucking bastard. Because if you approve of this, then it only shows that the CEO of the largest car manufacturer of the United States does not know two shits about cars." She hissed instead, before pushing him away to grab the binder and shove it near his face to prove her argument.

Rey pointed at the opened page of the binder. "This engine design can work but not with this kind of exterior. It may look sophisticated, but it doesn't have an outlet for air when the engine this large is revving. Consequently, not having an outlet for air means they are easy to overheat."

Rey turned the page. "Also, your fucking majesty," she snarled sarcastically. "Do you see those parts over there?" She said as she made circles on the engine. "They are not used anymore. It doesn't complement any modern engine let alone a modern car. So go ahead, if you're really smart as you think you are, continue that million dollar proposal that I ruined for you, and let the DeathStar blow into pieces once it overheats or there's engine trouble." She continued, her tone too mockingly childish before slamming the large binder towards Kylo's chest.

"I may not be as intelligent as you are and did not study in some prestigious school or whatever. But you know where I learned that stuff I just told you? Not in school, but on the streets — because of my damn hard work. I have fixed over a hundred fucking cars just to survive. I have two to three jobs just so I could earn that ten fucking pounds you had the guts to insult. You've never felt how to live in circumstances where hard work is all you've got, and yet it's never enough. So I won't have your spoiled rich ass lecture me about hard work because you do not know anything about it!" Rey shouted, her freckled face fuming in crimson. She was panting hard, inhaling and exhaling through the mouth just to calm herself down with all her rage.

Rey wasn't expecting a full blown rant. She just wanted to explain the DeathStar situation, but the word vomit just came out naturally because well, Kylo was pushing all of her buttons in the wrong way.

Rey blinked fast enough when she realized Kylo was silent. He was standing, on the defensive; his huge arms hugging the DeathStar proposal to his chest. His eyes were wide, wider than usual but Rey could not decipher his expression. It was as if he's mad, shocked or amazed all at once; his lips, parting halfway.

Good, Rey thought. She finally made that mean beautiful mouth of his to shut up.

"In short. Thank you for your time, your oh so mighty Mr. Ren." She rolled her eyes with so much sarcasm once more. "Please don't bother considering me as an employee because I don't want to work for an idiot boss who doesn't have the slightest idea how cars work." Rey roared before storming out and slamming the door.

Oh fuck. Oh shit. Oh fuck. Rey ran as fast she could, away from Mr. Tarkin's office, away from the halls of the Empire's London Headquarters, and most especially, away from Kylo Ren.

She didn't even bother to use and wait for the lift to pick her up. When her eyes laid on the fire exit, she bolted right away.

This is the first time she actually shouted like that. She's not the type of girl who expresses her anger easily. Sure, there are things or situations that draws her rage, like for example, her own helplessness in her life situation. But it was not enough to make her go on a rampage. Usually, she just smiles through all that anger and pain — a bubbly personality to compensate and hide all the rage.

But a conversation with Kylo Ren made her morph suddenly into something else. Like all the repressed anger she tried to hide all her life just exploded. It's target — Kylo Ren.

She doesn't even know that she was capable of getting angry like that. Maybe because she knew of her deplorable life situation, she was just denying it altogether; hiding it in a distorted form of optimism and positivity. And hearing it from a stranger made her realize that everything Kylo said is true. His brutal honesty, not even sugarcoating his words for one bit.

It hurt her. It hurts because everything he said about her is true.

She's incapable. She has no achievements. She's poor.

She is nothing.

Rey gripped the hand railings of the fire exit's steps. She scowled in frustration at the tears that brimmed on her eyes. She was just so tough a while ago. But now that her anger had momentarily simmered down, and now that she's realizing her own incompetence and hopelessness, she's seconds away from breaking down.

"Fuck!" Rey cussed to herself as the tears rolled on her cheek.

How can she be so stupid? Why did she have to fight Kylo — her potential boss, her potential employer. She was so close to finally getting a job and yet she wasted it with some misplaced ego and pride.

She should have just swallowed his harsh comments whole; let it bounce from one ear to another because in reality, she is literally at his mercy. She can't afford to be picky. No matter how blatant the inequality of their circumstances is, she just have to live with it. Because no matter how hard she tries, Kylo and her will never be equal. They're worlds apart; each at the opposite end of the social strata spectrum. But no, she just had to challenge him, placing her own dreams in jeopardy.

Rey cussed once again. If only they didn't experience that fucking body exchange, they will be strangers. Even if he appeared before her, they will never know any information about one another because they didn't live inside each other's bodies; they will have no reason to spite each other, just the usual antagonizing interview process, which, if you think of it, would be as normal as it could be. That interview might have gone better, in a different direction where she's hired and not currently wallowing in regret.

The nineteen year old brushed her tears away, biting her lip. There's no room for regrets. What happened already happened. He already said mean stuff about her life, and she returned the same. There's no choice but to move on; to send out boatloads of application letters to other companies (some more), or work in a small autoshop where she can garner actual experience.

Hard work, right. She just have to work hard. Harder than ever.

Rey walked towards the steps, scowling. Why didn't she bother to take the lift again? She wanted to laugh at herself. Seriously, she should learn not to panic so much because she's making some ridiculous decisions.

Anyway, she continued to walk when she suddenly lost her balance. There is a shot of pain in her heart that made her wince and clutch her chest.

She began to sweat, gripping the railings tightly. She's not having a heart attack, is she? No, the feeling is different, like she was being pushed from the inside. It's nauseating.

It's familiar.

"Mother fucker!" Rey cursed at the top of her lungs. Her voice, sounding like Kylo's again.

She smacked her head, only to feel Kylo Ren's soft raven hair on his fingers.

She's inside his body again.

Inside Tarkin's office, where the proposal of the DeathStar is sprawled on the table, along side with several mechanical engineering books.

Rey took her gaze on the table. At least he has the guts to learn. But never mind that because how in the fuck is this actually happening again?

Well, she doesn't know. Because Kylo and her spent their time berating and insulting each other. No questions or answers about their body exchange came out of their mouths. If there was something, it was just the realization that they hate each other's guts.

Rey chewed Kylo's lip frantically, hoping to peel away some skin. But there wasn't any. She rolled her (his) eyes. Kylo's lips are too moisturized for her own satisfaction. Damn it, she cursed in her head.

Anyway, there's no time. She has to find Kylo — her. Kylo in her body. Fuck, still so confusing.

Rey stood up, bolting towards the door. Thank God for Kylo's long strides because she reached the door in a matter of seconds. She (he) ran, heading towards the fire exit until she (he) was stopped by Mr. Tarkin's secretary.

"Sir." She reported. "Chairman Snoke is already in his office. He's waiting for you."

Rey awkwardly composed herself, tugging her skirt, which by now is clearly non-existent. She placed Kylo's hands on his sides instead, playing with the hem of his coat jacket. "I.. I'll be there in a minute." She said so unsurely that Mr. Tarkin's secretary looked at him dumbfoundedly.

"Sir?" She inquired. "The Chairman doesn't like to wait." She mumbled like a discreet mouse, unsure if she's supposed to lecture Kylo Ren — the Kylo Ren.

Rey cleared her throat. "I know what I said." She barked. Just like how Kylo barked at her. "Now, will you please excuse me." She said before running towards the fire exit.

Rey ran, skipping two steps at a time. Not minding how convenient it was to have long legs just like Kylo. She focused on finding him, because shit fuck, she's meeting with the Empire's Chairman and she doesn't want anything to do with Kylo's company ever again.

And yet, they had to exchange bodies again.

She huffed, feeling a little bit tired. Rey remembered that Kylo's is a smoker. And his damn lungs sure can't keep up.

Rey momentarily took a break, exhaling through Kylo's mouth. She peeked on the ledges of the stairs, her eyes bawling in shock as she saw it. She saw herself, panting and running back up.

"Kylo!" Rey squealed, waving at him. But coming from Kylo's voice box, it sounded like he's a boy breaking out from puberty.

"Ms. Kenobi!" Kylo huffed. "Fuck you have short legs!" He shouted at her.

Rey rolled Kylo's eyes. "I'm not that small! Tch! Are we going to talk about that now?" She shouted back. Apparently, they are still bickering.

When Kylo reached where Rey was, both of them huffing and puffing like idiots, they finally had a chance to stare at each other face to face.

Both of their eyes widening more than ever. It's surreal. Looking at your face from a stranger's perspective. They would have stared at each other a bit longer but there are more pressing concerns to deal with.

Rey gasped, grabbing her own hand. Which she found weird, but ultimately was able to brush of. "Chairman Snoke or something." She gazed at her own face with Kylo's petrified eyes. "He wants to see you!"

Rey's lips parted because of Kylo's shock. "Fuck." Kylo cursed, brushing Rey's unconditioned brown hair, thinking of their possible options at the current moment.

"We don't have much of a choice. You go." Kylo muttered.

Rey placed Kylo's hands on his hair, pulling his soft black locks in panic. "Are you fucking insane? And tell him what exactly?"

"Tell him why you rejected the DeathStar proposal. You can do it." Kylo said so casually, offering some words of encouragement.

"No! No fucking way. I don't want anything to do with your company. I'm not helping you!" She snarled. But Rey didn't mean that. She's not that evil. It's just that she's terrified, unsure. Her self-esteem buried six feet under the ground, spitted and stomped by the man (currently the woman) before her.

"I... I don't know anything. You... you said it yourself. I'm incompetent and shit." Rey mumbled stuttering, her honesty and fear about the whole situation made her insecurities show itself. She played with Kylo's thumbs anxiously.

Then she just snapped, tears started brimming over Kylo's eyes. "How are you still so calm about this? Why am I the only one panicking? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Kylo wanted to laugh as he watched himself wanting to cry. Damn, he definitely looks like a big child throwing a tantrum — which he does actually, on a regular basis. Now that he's seen it from another person's eyes, it looks stupid.

Anyway, there's no time for mind opening realizations, because Rey Kenobi is freaking out; filled with insecurities and doubt because he managed to plant some negative seedlings on her brain. Literally doing something the actors would do in that Inception film.

And he wouldn't even realize that he's wrong in doing that if they stayed in their own bodies. Fuck, he was actually already moving on and studying the DeathStar proposal once again, and not giving any shit about her.

A gentle smirk appeared on Rey's lips. "I'm not calm. I am panicking. And something's definitely wrong with me." Kylo consoled her, answering her questions one by one. His words still blatant and honest. "But if we panic together then it will be a carnival. We can't lose both our shits at the same time."

Kylo bit his (her) lip. Wow, that was some mature shit right there. One that he isn't sure he was capable of doing. For what it's worth, he should be scolding Rey Kenobi for not actually knowing how to get her shit together. But can he really blame her? When it was his fault for doing some inception-like shit on her brain. Maybe she knows she's mediocre. Maybe she knows she's incompetent. But he doesn't have to rub it in like the fucking asshole that he is.

Rey glanced at him. His words offering a sense of serenity. Kylo has a point.

"What do I say to him?" She finally said.

Kylo grabbed his own shoulders. Fuck, he's too tall and Kenobi is several inches below him. "Tell him that he can suck it."

Rey rolled Kylo's eyes once more. "Really?" She couldn't help but laugh, Kylo's octave low voice filling the silence of the fire exit.

Kylo grinned. Rey's pearly whites showing. "Kidding." He inhaled. "But I'm glad it made you laugh." He took Rey's finger and embarrassingly scratched Rey's cheek.

He was blushing. Rey could tell because her face was red.

"The DeathStar proposal is left unsigned because of the First Order's incompetence and lack of knowledge." Kylo said. He was back to business.

"And unless they change their engine design, as CEO of the Empire, I am not jeopardizing the reputation of this institution to some new player in the industry." Kylo paused. He could see his own head bobbing up and down as Rey listened attentively.

"Wait!" Rey suddenly said. "If I remember correctly, your Chairman was the one who commissioned the First Order. What if he says shit like 'how dare you defy my orders' or stuff like that. Now can I tell him to suck it?" Rey inquired, Kylo's black eyes glinting in curiosity and anticipation.

This time, Kylo laughed. And he hasn't genuinely laughed in years. The sound of Rey's chuckle was like a melody on his ears. If only he could hear that using his own body.

"You can, but do it politely." Kylo placed his (her) fingers on his (her) chin.

Rey frowned. "How do I do that?"

"Hmm," Kylo contemplated for a moment. "With all due respect, Chairman..." He started again. "I know that you believe that the First Order is competent enough to have it earn your trust. However, this error in the design is too enormous to go unnoticed. It puts out companies reputation at risk, not to mention the safety of our drivers. And unless I see any improvement with the Order's capacity in designing a vehicle it is within my authority to put a —"

"You're saying too much." Rey cut Kylo off as she showed him his phone, which was ringing furiously inside his coat pocket — Tarkin's secretary has been calling him already.

Rey glanced at Kylo worriedly, which he returned with a confident and gentle gaze. "You can do this. 32nd floor." Kylo whispered.

Rey huffed once more, Kylo's chest heaving some oxygen. "Okay." She mumbled, turning her back away from him to go back to the floor where he originated.

"Just..." Rey mumbled weakly. "Will you be there after all of this?" She asked nervously.

"I'll be there. You're not alone." Kylo consoled once again.

Rey smiled. Kylo's crooked teeth showing. "Neither are you."

Kylo watched Rey head towards Tarkin's floor. Her strides, well, his strides definitely more confident after their pep talk.

"I'll be in my car. The Empire TieSilencer. It's not hard to miss!" Kylo shouted.

"Thanks!" Rey shouted back. She rustled Kylo's coat pocket, grabbing his car keys and throwing it at him.

Kylo smirked as he casually caught his keys.

"Keep the car warm for me." Rey teased.

"Yeah right." He mumbled, this time, his smirk still plastered on Rey's face. "Good luck!" He shouted again.

Rey did not answer because she was huffing again. "Quit smoking!" She shouted at him as soon as she reached for the door. "Your lungs can't keep up with the cardio!"

Kylo this time smiled in awe.

Kylo made an impatient raspberry. He, well, her body, had been sitting in his car for almost an hour now and Rey's still not done with her meeting with Snoke.

He tried to pass time by listening to the radio, but after a good two minutes, he turned the noisy thing off. He tried to check Rey's phone, mostly for the time but was ultimately curious what's inside it. Well, he's not checking her messages or any personal information or anything because that would be a complete violation of her privacy, even though he's currently inside her body.

He's just curious. Maybe there are some games he can play or something. She's young, so there's definitely something on her phone. To his surprise, there weren't.

Just different apps on how to save money; a journal app, which in no circumstances he dared to click, and some of the usual factory apps. Of course, social media apps are there — Facebook, Twitter, and SnapChat, what not, the typical youngin applications.

Then there's her Instagram. Kylo bit his (her) lip. Instagram means pictures. Pictures obviously meant (probably) photos of her face — a face he found cute, if not for all the bickering and hating each other.

For a while he contemplated whether or not an Instagram account is a private matter. Basing on his personal judgment, it wasn't. Or maybe he was just to curious and too biased at the fact that he wanted to see Rey's self-portrait. God, a selfie. He corrected himself. Man, he's not that old but he definitely sounds like a grandpa.

So, without further ado, Kylo clicked Rey's Instagram account, skipping her feed on her the people she's following and went straight to her profile. It didn't have much, to his surprise. Just probably like ten to fifteen photos — and most of them are cars.

The hell?

If he could remember correctly, she's nineteen. The age where most people in the same demographic would fill their profiles with loads of selfies, food, or places that they visited. But not her. Just cars, some taken over the internet. But the others were older — one that she managed to fix perhaps?

Kylo scrolled over the thumbnails lazily. Cars are like his everyday life too, so it's boring. Yet Rey's small thumb landed on a particular photo — a photo of her.

Excitedly, Kylo clicked it. She was a mess. Her brown hair tied loosely at the base of her neck. She was holding a large wrench on her small hands, clutching it excitedly. Her freckled face had smudges of grease all over it — her cheeks especially. Yet it seemed like she didn't mind the dirt or the grime, her lips etching a very wide and happy smile.

Kylo could not help but be contaminated by that contagious smile of hers. He found himself smiling like an idiot.

"Cute..." The words escaped his (her) lips before he could even think.

But he suddenly jolted in shock, dropping Rey's cellphone near the pedals of his car. Rey finally entered, her (or his) face red as an overripe tomato.

Kylo tried to casually reach for Rey's phone. But the girl's extremities are short and he actually have to bend further. Good thing Rey was too preoccupied fanning herself with his large hands.

"Rey Kenobi, reporting!" She smiled after she calmed down. "The production of the DeathStar is put on halt altogether. And Snoke said he will fix it. Like seriously, I said that we should cancel the contract with the Order altogether. But he was persistent, saying stuff like the Order should do it. I dunno, but to me it sounded like your Chairman has ulterior motives. If you want a small time manufacturer to partner with, there are several others — like Republic, Inc. or Resistance Group of Companies. They are fairly small but good altogether. I suggested that but was blatantly denied. What's so good with the First Order anyway? I worked there once, but just part time, actually, just a reliever for an absent mechanic. And shit, it's the worse. Like they really don't know anything."

"I'm impressed." Kylo cocked Rey's head to look at her.

Rey gasped at the compliment, Kylo's face burning crimson again. "I.. I was just following what you said." She stuttered.

"I didn't mention any cancellation of contract. Nor suggested any small time manufacturers." Kylo followed up. "That was you."

Kylo lay silent for a while. The Chairman having ulterior motives, he glanced at Rey. "Ulterior motives..." Ren subconsciously whispered what was going on in his head.

And Rey caught it almost instantly, shaking Kylo's hands unsurely. "T..that.. I didn't mean that." She whispered, almost afraid of Kylo's wrath.

"No," He suddenly cut her off. Rey's own hazel orbs, stared at her through Kylo's eyes. It's the same deep stare Kylo's capable of doing, Rey thought. One that's determined, burning, almost blazing.

"It's a different perspective." Kylo mumbled, as Rey's fingers reached for her chin. "One that's not obstructed by blinded trust or authority."

"I'll keep that in mind." He mumbled.

Then, there it was again. That tug in their hearts. Suddenly, they were back again in their own bodies.

Rey managed to cover her mouth. The feeling is always so nauseating.

"What the fuck happened?" Rey shouted. Suddenly she was in the driver's seat, glancing at Kylo who had the same dumbfounded expression.

"How is this exactly happening to us?" Kylo replied at Rey's question with another question. "This is so fucking ridiculous!" Kylo added his frustration.

"I know. And I have no idea. I was about to ask you the same thing." Rey crossed her arms.

"We'll figure this out later." He suddenly said. "I'm fucking hungry." He glanced at Rey, smiling.

Rey froze, blinded. It was so different. She already saw him smile, but that was when he's inside her body. And it was normal because after all, it's her face. But not like this. Not when when he's doing it in his own body.

Rey cleared his throat. Hands down, Kylo Ren is really the most handsome asshole in the world. "As long as it's your treat." She grinned, brushing the thought away.