Chapter 4. A Hundred Year Fight
Dinner was great. Dinner was awesome.
Kylo let Rey order what she wanted. And she ordered what she wanted. It was a sumptuous feast which they shared in comfortable silence, celebrating for a job well done with the Snoke situation.
It was civil. It was pleasant.
So why in the fuck's sake did they end up arguing again this time, in some restaurant parking lot?
It started with a statement. An order; a command. Maybe a plea? Rey can't remember.
"Join me." Kylo said. "In New York."
Rey politely declined.
She just said that she can't and she won't.
Kylo never needed to know the reason — that she was waiting for someone to return. To return on that busy street across her meager apartment, where her parents left her, and where Maz eventually found her.
But he is the kind of man who doesn't take no for an answer. Or the type of man who can't handle rejection. Either way, there was only one result — Rey's reply drew the rage of the richest man in the world.
Rey can remember very vividly how his face, not to mention his whole being expressed his anger.
His eyebrows crumpled altogether, his ears popping crimson. His large hands, curled to a fist, slamming his TieSilencer's hood.
It was raw, real and uncontrolled. His fury exploded like a live landmine; or a grenade, in which every shrapnel impaled everything within his close proximity.
But it's in his eyes — always in Kylo Ren's eyes — where you can find a solid and clear attestation of his fury. How it managed to blaze bright and burn in rage despite all the blackness of his orbs was still lost to Rey.
The event that unraveled before Rey's eyes on that dreaded parking lot was nothing compared to what she experienced during her interview. It would be an understatement to say that during the latter, he was not actually angry, but merely arguing or even explaining.
He really is, terrifying.
But before this argument turned into a rather tumultuous situation, they were calm, serene, almost as though they've known each other for like — forever.
They were talking about theories of their body exchange. Rey mentioned about a childish wish on a shooting star, which Kylo unexpectedly assented to. During that fateful night, he made one too.
It was the most ridiculous explanation they can come up with. Wishes and magic falling stars are not really congruent with real life. Yet, it was the only theory they had; their only connection with one another — on how they, for some reason, simultaneously wished on a dying star falling from the sky.
What Kylo wished for was never mentioned. Rey on the other hand was very expressive in her own childish desires. She was probably too comfortable, or too happy with all the food on the table. "I wished that I wouldn't struggle with my finances any longer." She remembered saying so casually to him.
He replied with just a vague smirk. Was he happy? Relieved? Curious? Or did he finally figure out why they exchanged bodies in the first place? Up until now, Rey couldn't decipher.
Also, whatever they did in each other's bodies was never mentioned, except for those that were blatantly obvious — like the tampon incident, or Hux being annoying, how Rey went to the board meeting.
Somehow, Rey felt relieved that she didn't have to mention that she actually checked out his dick, or how she managed to get turned on with his body doing a pull up; or even give him a hint on how physically attracted she was with him back then (until she found he was an asshole that is).
Kylo babbled about the lack of tie on his neck as well as the absence of boatloads of hair products on his hair when he returned to his body. Superficial stuff, which made Rey scowl. Compared to his concerns, Rey went on ranting about how the board members suddenly turned bat shit crazy on her.
"They suddenly became beasts, like readying to devour me any minute." Rey complained to Kylo.
Kylo wanted to laugh. It was as if she was a bullied child asking the assistance from an adult. "You're a push over. You won't get anywhere if you don't know how to assert yourself..." He mumbled, pausing for a moment.
It was a constructive criticism coming from the most arrogant man Rey knew. Or maybe he was actually lecturing her; or just plainly insulting her. She cannot quite place it, not when he's almost whispering. But Rey bobbed her head in agreement, disappointed at herself.
It's true, actually. She is sometimes a push over. Well, not sometimes — because it's most of the time.
"Move — push through. Just like how you asserted your arguments to me, fought me straight on without fear or —" Kylo snapped his lips shut. Shit, he's talking too much. He was comfortable, maybe too comfortable.
Rey glanced at him curiously, blinking several times just to make sure if she heard him correctly.
"Are you encouraging me?" Rey teased, almost squealing excitedly at what she heard.
A scoff, maybe a scowl, a snarl or all the sounds of expressing irritation came out of Kylo's mouth all at once just to hide his embarrassment at Rey teasing him. "No." He flatly said, crossing his arms.
"Whatever you say!" Rey grinned. She knew what he meant.
Anyway, things started to go in a different direction when they started to solve on how to return in their bodies. The first solution that came up with is that they will just have to wait for the comet to pass earth again, and wish that they return to normal.
Very logical, practical and obvious.
So, with searches over the internet, they found what they're looking for —
It was called The Force.
A weird name for a comet, Rey thought.
Not really much is written about it over the interwebs, just a description that it was an astronomical anomaly. Until now, scientists don't know what it is. They said it wasn't a comet, nor an asteroid nor a meteor. It was just appears — blazing in the sky, disguised as some space rock.
They said it probably came from a 'galaxy far, far away.' Which doesn't say much or really help, for that matter. It just shows that even the best and the brightest astronomers, or even State funded aerospace research facilities have zero idea as to what it was. Hell, NASA, the Russians, or even Chinese facilities have found over hundreds of other distant galaxies, or planets outside our own solar system. They found habitable planets millions of light years away; they found solar systems with two suns and whatnot; planets with over a hundred moons — but even with their aggregate capabilities, they still can't exactly pinpoint the origin of The Force.
The description made Rey gulp, glancing at Kylo nervously. She then stared blankly at his phone (because Rey does not have mobile data to search), clutching her chest anxiously.
The Force was a bizarre phenomenon. An anomaly — a mistake in the natural order of things. Considering the laws of nature, whatever the Force was, it wasn't supposed to be there.
The realization that they bared each of their heart's desires to an aberration in the sky terrified Rey. And as soon as Kylo scrolled down his screen to find out more information, her fears had somewhat became a reality.
There was no concrete timeline on when the Force will appear again. Unlike your typical space rocks, where they pretty much orbit the earth, and with science and modern technological instruments, astronomers can calculate the precise number of months or years where they would appear on the earth's atmosphere again, there was nothing like that when it comes to the Force. It just states that it appears, then disappears. Sightings were imprecise, intervals spanning from half a millennia. The shortest, was the exact same date when Kylo and Rey saw it, but a hundred years ago.
Rey swallowed mercilessly slow, the panic and fear eating her up almost instantly. They have no clear idea when the Force will return to illuminate the sky once again. The closest analysis that they could get is that it would probably return at the exact same date, after one hundred years.
A hundred years. A fucking century. Are they even alive by then?
Basically that would mean that they would be randomly exchanging bodies in a span of a century before they can get back to normal? She being Kylo Ren — Rey Kenobi invading his life and existence; living dual lives for a span of a century. And it's the same for him. When they exchange, Kylo Ren will be Rey Kenobi. He will have her life for the taking.
No. Impossible. There must be some other solution.
Out of fear, Rey subconsciously clutched Kylo's arm for comfort. Her small fingers gripping it tightly, although she knew very well that the man hated physical contact.
Surprisingly, Kylo did not protest with the sudden invasion of his personal space. Rey Kenobi was expressive, her emotions flailing out in the open. And a news this shocking would definitely send a reaction. Case in point, touching him so suddenly and without any regard, whatsoever.
He knew she was panicking and he was too (more than she can ever know). But unlike the girl, Kylo's not a very expressive type of man, with the exception of his anger of course.
He sighed deeply, which was the best reaction he could muster at the moment. The arm which Rey held inadvertedly flexed as he curled his fist in distress. His other hand reached for the bridge of his nose to pinch them.
He was frustrated. He knew he was feeling helpless. Even with all the money, glory and power in the world, which he literally has, have no use in their current situation.
Being powerless was a new emotion for him. And in some way to compensate for his lack of knowledge on the brewing emotion in his heart, his mind subconsciously searched for one that he knows all too well to express — anger.
It made him angry. The Force — whatever that was, his sheer frustration, the uselessness — everything about this whole stupid situation they are currently in made him want to burst in fury.
He had this urge to flip their dining table, or throw a fit or something. All just to blame the universe or this stupid Force for their current problem.
The only thing that managed to calm the untamed rage simmering in his chest was this girl who was latching onto his arm like a terrified child.
She, Rey is, in his perspective, was still a child — a teenager who is scared out of her wits. And for some reason, he didn't want to scare her further by throwing a stupid tantrum.
Kylo momentarily closed his eyes. He released himself from Rey's clutches, only to bring the girl close to his chest. Gently, he reached for her small shoulders, wrapping them tightly in his arm for a protective hug.
Rey froze as her cheek landed on Kylo's chest. She chewed her lip, nervous at their distance. She wasn't expecting him to do something like this. She was looking for comfort which she was relieved to obtain when Kylo allowed her to clutch his arm. But this, it was something else entirely.
It was a gesture, or a conversation — a type of silent talk wherein even in the absence of words, Rey knew that he was being the bigger guy, or taking the role of the adult in their current narrative.
That somehow, he was trying to calm her down; comforting her; consoling her; telling her that she's not alone — that they are in this together.
The feeling he brought into her heart was warm, gentle, protective — with him by her side, she is safe. Like he was her rock — an unbending source of strength; someone whom she can rely on, especially in these times of distress. It made her insides fuzzy. She never wanted him to let go of her.
The girl might have enjoyed Kylo's warmth too much that she did not notice that he was nervous and afraid as her, although his face never really showed it because he was sporting a resting arrogant-bastard-know-it-all kind of expression. But with Rey being this close to his chest, she could hear his heart thump frantically in utter terror. His breaths low, but faster than normal.
Her eyebrows creased for a moment as she contemplated. She treated Kylo as her support in all this lunacy. But what about him? Who will be his support? Who will watch over him? Who will serve as the rock of her rock?
Consciously, Rey extended her arms and let it wrap around Kylo's waist, burying her face on his chest. Of course the answer to her questions was very simple. It was her. She will be his rock because they are in this together.
Rey felt him tense, literally freezing at her gesture. Rey can't help but smirk to herself. She knew he's "allergic to people". But that did not stop her though, because he's the one who started this bodily contact in the first place. So she embraced him tightly more than ever, hoping to return the warmth and feeling of protection he had given her. "Don't worry, I got you too." She mumbled on his chest, her voice muffled and shy.
Kylo haughtily scoffed like the arrogant man that he is. Imagine, a nineteen year old — a teenager; a baby out in the real world, telling a twenty-nine year old — a grown man, a CEO with so much authority and power, that she somehow 'got him'.
But he appreciated it. It was her own way of saying that he's not alone; that they will solve this predicament — together. That's when he ultimately relaxed. His shoulders dropping down in comfort. All of his guard down leaving him vulnerable in the hands of this nineteen year old girl. He never replied anything though. He just kept a straight face.
And Rey knew that. She knew that Kylo would never acknowledge that somehow, her little gesture calmed him down. He can hide it all he wants, but his heart was saying otherwise. Rey could hear it. How its frantic thumps slowly returned to normal. It's melodious rhythmic beating were music in her ears, making her relax. It made her cling onto Kylo tighter; made her face bury itself deeper onto his chest.
She could stay like this forever, Rey thought.
They may have subconsciously spent a longer time wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying all that comfort and serenity, that they did not notice their waiter standing, clearing her throat to ask if they wanted their dessert to be served.
Rey jolted, immediately yanking herself away from Kylo's chest. The man merely cleared his throat before he awkwardly raised his arm to let Rey move. In a split second, they locked eyes, understanding each other's gazes. Without words, Rey understood that Kylo was asking her if she wanted dessert, because he didn't want one; actually losing his appetite after the heart sinking realization that they may never return back to normal.
Rey understood it. Maybe because she felt the same. She too, despite the enticing cakes and ice cream she ordered beforehand, has lost all of her will to eat.
The nineteen year old politely declined, asking for the bill instead. When Kylo was done paying, they silently went out of the restaurant heading towards the parking lot.
Rey chewed her lip, staring at Kylo's back as he went on ahead of her. She then started contemplating their other options, other solutions. And she knew he was doing the same thing, judging from the occasional sighs she was hearing from him.
There are still many questions to be solved. True, the Force may have been the cause of their body exchange the first time. But the next day, they returned normal. There must be something that they did, consciously or subconsciously together; simultaneously, that they reverted back to their bodies. Also, what about the Snoke situation? They also exchanged bodies there, then returned almost instantly after everything was done.
In all those instances, the Force wasn't seen in the skies. If they can only figure out the reason of their subsequent exchanges, then they can ultimately stop doing it altogether — to prevent them from exchanging — so they can return to normal.
"Kylo!" Rey gasped as she ran to follow him. She wanted to report her analysis; her new found theory.
He turned almost instantly as she called his name. His eyes glinted with a eureka moment, as if they have thought of the same thing.
No, they did not. They can't read each other's minds. They're not psychic.
The stint with the dessert and all that hugging and understanding each other was purely coincidental — isolated, in fact.
Then, there it was. That statement came out of his lips. Now that Rey's reminiscing the memory, it sounded more like a plea. Yes, it was. It was an emotional appeal.
The most arrogant person Rey knew pleading to her.
"Join me." Kylo pleaded. "In New York." He said it so unsurely, almost afraid that he was biting the insides of his mouth.
Again, she declined. Then Kylo threw that unruly tantrum, but that's not the whole story.
For some reason, his words angered her. She instantly thought of the consequences of his words. Leaving London would mean abandoning every hope; every chance; or even the mere coincidence or luck of her ever finding her parents.
What if they were actively looking for her? What if her parents return in same street where they abandoned her? The only way that she's certain that they will find her if she stays in the same place where they left her. Across the street of her apartment where they, maybe one day, just one day, would pass by it. To knock on strangers' doors and ask for a little girl whom they left alone.
"Do you realize how selfish you sound right now?" Rey raised her voice.
It was indeed selfish, inconsiderate. He was only thinking of himself.
Rey knew what Kylo was implying when he said those words. He wanted to keep her close to him, just in case they exchange again. He would keep her at arm's length, maybe as his secretary, a mechanic in New York or whatever — as long as she's inside that goddamn excessive, over the top skyscraper he calls his office. Just so he wouldn't be bothered with his functions as a fucking CEO!
It was all for his benefit. With all his busy schedule and everything, you can't expect him to fly to London every now and then.
It was the perfect plan. They can solve their problems if they are in one city, not divided by continents or even time differences. At the same time, he could continue his work.
It is the perfect plan. Except that it is only flawless on his perspective. Not hers.
What about her? What about her life?
"Do you expect me to just abandon my life here in London just for your fucking convenience?" She snarled. "Just so you can do your job without any hindrances?"
"Keeping me close, just so there won't be any chances of another fuck up in one of your board meetings?" Rey continued.
Kylo's eyes widened, one of his legs taking a step back. He looked confused for some reason, but shut his lips tight and never clarified the matter. Instead, he added some harsh words that fueled Rey's anger.
"You do not have a life in this city to begin with!" Kylo snarled.
Rey scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Who are you to tell me about my life? It's my fucking life and you do not know anything about it!" She snarled back.
"Why am I the one who has to leave my city? Why don't you do it?" Rey spat.
It was a stupid argument, really. She knows all too well what's at stake for Kylo if he decides to leave New York. Unlike her who's actually unemployed and definitely has nothing going on in her life, if she liked to leave... she can. It's just that she won't. No, not ever. Not until she finds her parents.
"Do you even know what you're asking of me?" He brushed his raven hair in frustration. "Why are you even being so stubborn? I will hire you as my secretary, or a personal assistant or you can be a mechanic — my consultant. Hell, the job description doesn't matter. I will compensate you fairly. I will find you an apartment in the city. I ne—"
Kylo deliberately cut his words. He can't say that he actually needs her, right? Not if he wanted to look pathetic and clingy in front of a nineteen year old girl.
But he does. He needs her by his side desperately, not because of his job.
They can exchange in another board meeting and Rey can probably handle it. She handled Snoke so Kylo's not doubting her capabilities. She just needs to learn more. She just needs a teacher.
So it's definitely not about his job.
It's because he's afraid. He might have not shown it but he is terrified. Too afraid of all of this whole switching bodies thing altogether.
And Rey... she made him calm down. She made him feel like everything is going to be okay.
He needs her because she understood their situation. She's the only one who can understand, and yet... she won't come with him.
Rey snarled. She guessed right. Kylo wanted to keep her close because of his fucking job!
"Compensation? Do you think you can convince me with all your money? You may give up your ranking in that Forbes' billion dollar list — give all your riches to me and I will never, as in never, come with you in New York!" She shouted.
Kylo made an exasperated raspberry. "Fine." He mumbled simply. He had enough of this conversation.
So, he grabbed his keys from his pocket and just literally drove away. The tires of his Empire TieSilencer screeching as he stomped on the gas pedal leaving Rey behind in that almost empty parking lot.
Rey crossed her arms in anger, stomping her feet in irritation. "Fine!" She shouted pathetically, just so she can have the last say in their argument, as if Kylo could hear her.
She made a sharp exhale, pouting in annoyance. "Great! I'm so proud of you for leaving me behind! What are we in some rom-com movie bullshit?" She kept shouting, still.
"What a fucking dramatic idiot!" She stomped her feet once more.
—
Kylo pressed the gas pedal deeper in fury. The engine of his Empire TieSilencer revving monstrously as if matching his rage.
He doesn't even know where he's going. He was just driving away, away from that restaurant and away from that annoying nineteen year old.
Kylo slammed his steering wheel several times, cathartically releasing all his anger until he was completely satisfied. He brushed his hair with his fingers soon after.
It was his fault. It was his stupidity that got him into this mess. He was a moron for completely letting his guard down around Rey. He did this with Maz too — when she asked him how he was. And he never learned. Just one spark of affection, comfort, some god damn compassion from Rey and he's back into this little child, afraid of being alone.
He became too trusting because of that hug. One simple fucking hug; thin arms wrapped around his body and he's suddenly dragged into some unspoken form of serenity and peace.
A fake case of serenity and peace if he thinks about it now.
Kylo gritted his teeth in anger. There was a sharp pain in his heart, like it was being physically constricted by some invisible hand. He equated the same with anger, but he knows all too well that it was so much more.
He's hurting. He felt betrayed — betrayed by a god damn teenager whom he placed his trust and hope. A hope where, even if the world's going to burn right here, right now; or if the ground would just suddenly split open and swallow everything whole in some form of apocalypse or rapture, everything will be alright because she's by his side.
A fucking exaggeration, of course. But isn't that what's going on in both of their lives right now?
And yet she left him alone. She left him to deal with their problem alone.
What the hell happened to her "I got you?" What happened to they're in this freaky shit "together?"
Kylo snarled at himself, slamming the steering wheel once more.
Tch. People are the same. They're liars. Every single one of them.
—
Rey took the bus home, without first cussing and cursing under her breath that the bus driver stared at her like she was some lunatic.
It was a good thing she still has her bus pass, because if not, she's completely fucked.
She slumped on her seat, crossing her arms. She hates him. She hates Kylo to her very core.
"Fuck." Rey mumbled to herself as she contemplated. So, what now? If they don't ultimately solve this, they would just spend the rest of their lifetimes fighting? A hundred year fight? Is that how it's going to be?
Well, yes. Basically, that's how it will all end. Even if they become old and wrinkly, they will just end up fighting each other; hating each other.
Rey chewed her lip as she tried to calm herself down.
But if you think about it, even with his wrong reasons, Kylo's proposition actually makes sense. It does benefit her, even if she tries to deny it. If Kylo takes her under his wing, she can learn several things about how corporations work. Being literally at arm's length from him, she will see him in the flesh on how he manages a billion dollar multinational company.
If it's all about cars and managing the business side of the industry, Kylo is the best mentor anyone can find. But if he doesn't want to teach her (because he's a dick), she can just observe how he does things and study from there. Still, it's a win-win situation for her.
She can learn so much; acquire different kinds of knowledge from him. And maybe, just maybe, when she earns enough from her secretary job and she learned enough from Kylo, alongside with her knowledge with mechanical engineering, she can start her own automotive company.
She will now be boss and hire Kylo as her consultant. Ha! Now the world will turn upside down and Kylo will be at her mercy.
Rey conjured a quiet menacing laugh. Her lips curling distortedly, trying her best not break out from laughing like a movie villain or a cruel Disney step-mom. Not inside the bus of course, and not when the bus driver is staring at her from the rear-view mirror, figuring out for himself if she really is some deranged woman. But she couldn't help it. Imagine her, Rey Kenobi ordering the Kylo Ren around? That would so much fun!
Then Rey snapped her lips shut. Whatever she's thinking, it might be a long shot. But is is plausible. With the exception of her ordering Kylo around of course. The man might literally eat her alive if she tries to pull those kinds of stuff on him.
She shuddered at the thought.
Still, it is a step closer in following her dreams. If she really wanted to prove herself and be better, the best way she could do it is by staying at Kylo Ren's side.
Not to mention, while she is busy following her dreams and Kylo doing his usual CEO stuff, they can solve their body switching problem on the side. At least they are in one city. At least they are together.
Together.
Solving their problem together.
"Shit!" Rey cussed out loud this time, drawing again, for the nth time the attention of the old, Santa Claus looking bus driver.
Is that what Kylo's expression meant when he looked so confused when she suddenly lashed out on him like that?
"Don't worry, I got you too." She remember herself say.
Maybe that's the reason for his unruly tantrum. He put his hopes on her, and she let him down.
Rey crossed her arms as she contemplated the thought. Well, it was his fault. He expected to much or he was just clearly overreacting.
Well, he does overreact. From that suspense-filled-chair-swivel stint in Tarkin's office to that man-child tantrum to literally driving off and leaving her. He is a drama queen.
Fuck.
Who is she kidding? No matter how she convinces herself that Kylo is overly dramatic, she lead him on too — gave him something to hope for, with all that comfort she gave him during that (surprisingly enjoyable) hug of theirs.
She is at fault too. She left him alone.
Great, she thought. Now she's feeling guilty. She shouldn't because... her parents.
Yes, she convinced herself once more, trying to brush off the sharp pang in her heart and the twisting sensation in her stomach because of her guilt.
Finding them is the most important thing for her now.
—
Saturday.
It was now the weekend and Rey paced back and forth in her small apartment staring at a small envelope that contained her delayed salary from her side job.
Actually, it was worth more than her usual one month salary. It contained a small bonus of several pounds, one that served as an apology from the owner for the delay, and at the same time, a form of performance bonus because she actually 'slayed' being a waitress. Employee of the month, so to speak.
Anyhow, Rey sat at the edge of her bed, taking the small envelope to count the money she earned.
She gasped, surprised. It was enough — enough to buy a one way ticket flight to New York.
Her sudden intake of oxygen released itself in some form of an exasperated sigh. Why is she still considering going to New York?
Rey scratched her head in frustration. She already said that she won't; that she would wait here, in London, for her parents to return.
Rey will wait. She's good at it. She has already waited for nineteen years. And she can keep waiting forever.
"Move." Kylo's voice reverberated in her head.
"Move — push through."
Fuck. She really hates him.
—
Monday. New York, United States.
Kylo was too early, very early actually for work, considering that he just arrived in the country just a few hours ago.
Yes, Rey and him fought on a Friday night. And after that bickering, he should have went straight to the airport and left London for good. But he didn't.
He stayed in London during Saturday, wallowing in his hotel room, convincing himself not to think about that girl.
Suddenly, it was already Sunday.
Fucking hell. He spent his whole weekend doing almost nothing, except to worry — worried for a teenager whom he left alone on some restaurant parking lot, which is ironic because he deliberately left her there.
Truthfully speaking, that was another one of his stupid excuses because he actually did something to check up on Rey. It was the first thing he did that Saturday morning. He ordered Tarkin's secretary to lurk around Rey's apartment (her address he got thanks to her resume). And when Tarkin's secretary reported that she had seen the teenager, it should have been an enough reason for Kylo to leave.
But no, he still stayed for another day — to wait. To wait for Rey, just in case she changes her mind. Finally, he was fed up with all the waiting and hopelessness that he had no other choice but to drag himself to his private plane and leave.
Now that he's back in New York, sitting in his office contemplating, he felt ridiculous. Why did he even think that Rey would change her mind when she was very explicit in saying no to him?
Kylo would have pondered about the thought longer, but he brushed it off. He should just think about work, he convinced himself.
He's a busy man, there is always something for him to do. Except that there's none.
Huh? What?
He chewed the insides of his mouth, paranoia setting in. One foreign trip and suddenly everything in the New York headquarters was calm. It was too good to be true. There must be something to fix, someone investor to meet, a board meeting, plant problems or whatever.
C'mon. There must be something! Kylo clicked open his laptop to check his day's schedule which his secretary e-mailed on his way back to New York.
He checked his morning schedule, eyes bawling out in shock with all his free time. There's nothing to do until 10 am? He squinted, rechecking if it was the correct file, if it was the correct date.
Unfortunately, it was.
Really? For the first time in five years, his day actually starts at 10am. Not 5, not 7, or even a continuation of the night before where he is forced to sleep inside his office or not sleep at all?
Damn. Kylo slouched on his chair, fidgeting. There must be something wrong with the Empire.
Shit, he cussed. He dreamt of this day a long, long time ago — a day where he can actually chill. Now that it's happening, it's freaking him out. He was itching for something to do because if not, he is so sure that he will spend all of that free time thinking about some annoying British teenager.
He checked his digital wall clock, chewing the insides of his lip again — 7:15am. Shit. Too early.
He swiveled his chair in pure distress. Maybe he should just head home first to get a well deserved rest? No, that would be a clear waste of his time. But what is he supposed to do? The lack of work is stressing him out.
He's so pathetic. He dreamt of being ordinary, normal. And now, somehow, his schedule was showing him some sense of normalcy, he's suddenly freaking out.
He checked the time again — 7:16
God! Just one minute?
Oh! He knows. He clasped his hands at the sudden eureka moment. Maybe he can work out. Do some push-ups or pull ups to pass the time. Just until, let's see, about 8:30, then shower in his office bathroom until 9:30, fix himself until 10, and boom. Ready for work again.
The perfect fucking plan. Except of course he doesn't have any gym clothes, not to mention an actual gym inside his office room.
Whatever, he can figure that out later.
—
Rey jogged, ran, fucking sprinted as fast as she could. 7:45am. Fuck. Seriously, she spent too much time walking.
When Rey saw the familiar building, she just entered it. Dodging the security guards one after the other. "I'll explain later!" She cried, waving at them over her shoulder, backpack straps latched onto it.
She pressed the elevator, but the guards went after her. So she bolted towards the fire escape. She'll just run up — up to the fucking thirty-second floor?
Is she insane? But no matter. She has to get there on time.
Rey huffed in exhaustion. She just managed to run straight to the tenth floor and she is so fucking tired already. But the guards were still running after her so she ran again to the next. When she reached the door, she just barged in
to the eleventh floor.
It was full of computers. What is this place, she thought. Anyway, there is no time. Immediately, she pressed the lift. Thank God it opened, so she dashed right in, pressing the close button in panic just so security couldn't catch her. Finally, the door closed and she was able to sigh in relief.
Calmly, she pressed the button with number thirty two on it. Rey checked her watch. 7:55.
"Shit! C'mon." She fidgeted, cussing at the lift for being too slow.
When she reached the 32nd floor, she dashed right out too. She came running straight to a very large door. That must be it, she thought.
"Miss!" Some random woman almost screamed in panic. "You're not allowed there!"
"I'll explain later!" Rey looked over her shoulder, before dodging some other employees in the way.
She glanced at her watch, exactly 8 am. She made it!
Rey forced opened the door outward. "Kylo! I... I mean sir!" She shouted, panting.
Rey blinked, dumbfounded. There's muscular legs greeting her. When she took her gaze up, there was a black boxer briefs... and a bulge?
Huh?
She gulped, clutching her chest in utter shock, before freezing in place.
What is he doing?
Like a gymnast or just some overly gorgeous primate, he swung away from the door frames, his bare feet landing on his carpeted office floor making a soft thud.
Then, he was suddenly marching forward, eyes glowering in anger.
Rey shuddered, taking a nervous step back. But Kylo kept marching towards her, so that one nervous step became several nervous steps and Rey almost tripped.
The nineteen year old almost yelped in fear. No matter how hard she tried to reverse-walk away from Kylo, the man just kept marching until they reached the center of the long hallway towards Kylo's office.
Finally Rey stopped, placing her hands on her face, cowering down in defense and sheer fright of Kylo charging towards her. "Please don't kill me!" Rey pleaded in a small squeal, shutting her eyes tight.
Kylo never answered her plea.
"The first rule is always knock on your boss' door!" He growled instead. His octave low voice reverberating on his whole office floor that his staff literally cowered down, placing their hands over their heads as if debris were falling from the ceiling.
Rey opened her eyes. She was confused. Is it her first day of work already?
She was expecting something else really, like a conversation on what her real job description is, or a seminar, training or whatever as an employee.
"Y..es, sir!" She managed to say, her eyes nervously scanning Kylo from head to foot.
He was almost naked, like literally just wearing his black boxer briefs. Sweat dripped from his forehead, his chest muscles inadvertently flexing as he heaved angry breaths. Beads of perspiration rolled on his shredded abdominal muscles, bouncing on every crevice until it trickled down to his belly button. With all that body water covering his whole body, it looked like he was glistening in the fluorescent office lighting, emphasizing every cut from his biceps all the way down to his chiseled torso. Not to mention, Rey found him clinging onto his office door frames — doing a pull up.
Is he working out? In his office? What?
Rey took a quick glance to the people around his office. His staff, twenty to thirty men and women were sporting the same expression — a "why is our boss naked?" type of face.
Rey glanced back at Kylo Ren, who was just there, standing in the middle of his office, half naked, glaring and crossing his arms in irritation because she did not knock on his door.
He was too preoccupied with annoyance that he did not even notice that he was almost butt naked in front of his employees.
"I will knock, sir! Especially when you're working out." Rey subtly teased, trying to point out how embarrassing his current situation is.
"Especially when I'm working out!" Kylo spat.
Rey's eyes widened, wanting to burst out laughing. He still doesn't get that he's half naked.
"Yes sir!" Rey made a salute. "Specifically in your boxer briefs." Rey grinned, taunting him openly now.
"Specifically when I'm in my —" Kylo cut his words upon the realization.
Shit, Kylo thought.