There are two kinds of women in the world. The ones who feel like superheroes and those who feel like, well, what's a nice word for crap? Yeah, that. I've always seen myself as somewhat of a hero, minus the super of course. Think about it for a second…we freaking bleed for 7 days without dying-like freaks of nature or something- walk in five inch heels like they are a part of us, mend ourselves up after cruel breakups, put up with misogynistic douchebags who think communicating in catcalls and ass-grabbing is the right way to live and even when our hormones and every part of us is pushing us, egging us to scream like an insane banshee and kick a jerk's head off, we control ourselves. We're civilized, every-day heroes, right? As a sex, we've surely come a long way. At least, I'd like to think so.

I'll tell you this though; working for Uchiha Itachi makes one feel like a crappy superhero…minus the superhero part. So, basically you just feel like crap. The man is a perfectionist and when Temari warned me about him being a slave driver, she had understated it. He was far worse. I'd only been working for three hours and already I thought I was going to collapse on my butt.

In the four hours since I'd arrived that Monday, I'd found out quite a lot about my boss. I admit I'd been wrong about him. His father had nothing to do with Itachi's success. I found out the guy was an actual genius, and I'm talking if-he-ventured-into-science-he-would-give-Einstein-a-run-for-his-brain genius. He'd graduated top of his class and the award to prove it hang proudly in his office. I was gobsmacked.

I'd also found out that he was quite the ladies' man. I'd received calls from no less than 6 women requesting that I put them through. Of course after the first one I put through, he'd simply walked out of his office, a hand in his pocket and asked me if I loved my job. My response was a definite yes. To which he'd told me that I'd better act like it and not be so goddam naïve as to let stalkers get in contact with him. My job was to make sure his job ran smoothly and that meant avoiding distractions from psycho women who pretended to know him. Yeah, I'd learnt my lesson. No more calls from strange women would be put through to his line. Lesson 1: learned.

"Miss Haruno, are you even listening to me?" he was standing behind his desk and his eyes bore into me. The pure white button down shirt he was wearing made his black hair and eyes stand out even more.

"Yes, yes. Contact Mr. Yamato's assistant to tell him of the progress in the forest fire case." Yamato Corp was a leading producer of timber and lumber in the country. There was a forest fire three months ago and two people died. All signs pointed to it being foul play, most likely from a competitor. The company, however, was being sued for negligence and endangerment of lives. It wasn't Mr. Uchiha's biggest case but from how he talked about it, it was one he felt compelled not to lose. I suspected Mr. Yamato was a colleague of his. "I also have to make travel arrangements for your trip to Suna in two days and organize appropriate accommodation." I got it, I wasn't deaf. I was in desperate need of some caffeine but I got him loud and clear.

He arched his brow, "Our trip, Miss Haruno, our trip."

Say what? "Oh yes, our trip." I masked my initial shock well. No need to tell him I thought he would be going alone. Time to book one more room. Obviously I didn't think I'd be going with him.

"That's all for now. I have an old colleague coming in later. I want you in for the meeting." He'd settled back into his seat. His jacket was hanging at the back of his huge comfortable seat.

"Yes, Mr. Uchiha." I grabbed the tablet he'd given to me earlier and started walking out. Was it weird that when he was all business-like and serious, my boss wasn't really bad on the eyes? Like under different circumstances, if we didn't meet how we did and I wasn't his employee, I wouldn't mind admitting it to everyone that he was a very attractive man. When he was in his office and talking business, it was hard to believe he was the same condescending and overly-confident jerk from the hotdog stand.

So, I'd met two attractive men in a period of just two days and I couldn't be with either one of them. Why was I not surprised?

"Oh, miss Haruno." He called me back, snapping me out of my inappropriate thoughts.

"Yes."

"I like keeping things strictly professional but we're going to be working closely together, you can call me Itachi." Okay, that was going to take some getting used to. Like major getting used to but if he insisted. "One more thing, how's your first day going? You know, working for a…dick…and all." He smirked at me and I knew he was making reference to the first time we met. Would we ever get past that? From the glimmer in his eyes and the amusement on his face, I thought not.

"It's going great." I smiled at him and walked out. I could still feel his eyes on me as I opened the door and made it to my desk.

Taking over from Temari was going to be challenging. I had some big shoes to fill. She'd told me and explained all the workings and what was expected from me. She even confided in me as to why she was stopping work at such a lucrative law firm. Her brother needed her help back in her home town and though it made her sad leaving her boyfriend of three years for a while, she decided her brother's need was greater. I wasn't a relationship expert-you know, because I'd dated like two guys in all my life and it wasn't even serious- but even I knew long distance relationships weren't easy. Poor girl, I'd only talked to her for a while but I kind of liked her.

~xoxo~

It was way past lunch time and my stomach was well on its way to start rumbling. I think I had an energy bar in my purse. My mouth salivated thinking about it. The colleague we were expecting was running late and Mr. Uchiha or like he wanted me to call him, Itachi, was taking it out on me for some reason.

"Have you tried calling him?" he was peeping and asking from his open glass door. He looked upset as he looked at his wristwatch. My bet…a Rolex.

"Yes." Like a million times. Whoever this guy was really didn't know anything about time management. But to humour my impatient boss, I picked up the phone again and dialed the number, "I'll try him again."

"Let me know once you're through."

"Yes, Mr. Uchi-" he raised his brow, "Itachi." He walked back into his office. I found it weird how someone who was so professional and serious-when he wasn't a mustard smearing creep- insisted on being called by his first name. I highly doubted we were anywhere close to being first-name basis kind of workers. But then again, not that many people get to say I raised my middle finger to my boss before he hired me.

I was just about to try the line again when my eyes widened and my jaw almost dropped to the ground. Walking towards my desk and dressed in a tailored black suit, looking even more handsome and eye-catching in broad day light was none other than silver-hair from my night out in the club. He looked good. I slowly placed the phone down and stared as he neared. His hands were in his pocket and he appeared to be whistling. He looked so laidback with the hair falling back on his face while the back was spiky.

Had he finally decided he wanted my number and had actually tracked me down? I couldn't hide the smile that was slowly creeping up on my face. This was going to be an amazing day after all. As he approached the desk and his eyes finally rested on me, he removed his hands from his pocket and leaned towards my desk. I was still smiling.

"Small world, huh?" he said. His voice was just as smooth and as remarkable as I remembered. Was he flirting?

"Small indeed." I'd somehow picked up a pen and was biting on it like a love-struck, absent minded teen in a boring class. "Are you stalking me?"

"I don't know, Red. Am I?" the corner of his lips curved slightly. Yeah, he was definitely flirting with me. He'd actually tracked me down. I couldn't hide it, I was beyond flattered.

"You t-"

"Goddammit Kakashi…how is this 11am?" Itachi's voice came from behind me. "You'll be late for your own funeral if you don't change." He wasn't even hiding his irritation.

"Still as uptight as ever, huh?" Sexy, white-haired man laughed and walked around my desk and headed towards Itachi's office. "The day I arrive early for something is the day the earth stands still, mate." The two hugged each other and my smile dropped.

Wait…they knew each other? Of course they did. This was not happening. He was the colleague we were waiting for after all. I looked at them confused and felt like such a fool. I'd actually assumed that white-hair was here for me. I'd used the word 'stalking'. Sweet mother. Effects of thinking Ino's red dress could perform miracles.

"Miss Haruno?" Itachi called out as they walked into his office. How come I get to call him Itachi and I still remain 'Miss Haruno'? Did I really want him to call me by my first name? "Two cups of espresso, please."

I just nodded. Too shocked to say anything else. White-hair or as Itachi called him, Kakashi gave me one last look before he went through the door too.

~xoxo~

Once I was done with the figuring out the espresso machine without burning myself, I made two cups and put them on a tray with a small plate of biscuits. The good part was I'd recovered from my initial shock. For the love of fairness, I'd been looking forward to telling my best friend about it. It's not every day that one is tracked down by a goddamn hottie. Oh well, at least, I hadn't run into his arms and moaned 'take me white-haired stranger, take me like a horny cave man." That would have been beyond embarrassing. Even for me.

I carried the hot beverage in the office. I found the two seated on one of the white couches in the office each. They were placed near the window, with the view of the city just behind. A fully stocked book shelf rested near the wall next to the white couches. A small table was placed in front and that was where I set down the tray. White-hair had unbuttoned his jacket and was seated with arms stretched out on the back of the seat and his legs crossed. Itachi was actually laughing as the two talked about what I assumed was the good old days. His anger from earlier completely gone. I decided to give them a moment.

"Miss Haruno?" my boss called.

"Yes." I turned back. The late comer looked at me like he hadn't eaten in days and I was a piece of steak. I shouldn't have but I kind of liked it.

"Where are you going?" Itachi asked.

"I was just-" I didn't even know what I wanted to say. I just started walking back. Since Itachi was the one on the three sitter couch, that's where I walked to. White-hair sat opposite us.

"Mr. Hatake is-"

"Really? Mr? What's with the formality Itachi?" he turned his gaze to me and said in his calm voice, "It's Kakashi."

"Do you ever take anything seriously?" Itachi shook his head.

"Yeah…" Mr. Hatake's eye was on me as he said it "somethings." this earned me a strange look from Itachi as he looked at me and then at his friend.

Itachi cleared his throat, "Anyway, this unserious, glorified playboy-"

"Was that really necessary?" Kakashi asked.

"-owns some clubs all around the country." Itachi continued like he hadn't been interrupted, "He plans to open another one but-" Kakashi gave Itachi a look I didn't understand and Itachi sighed "because of its…nature…some legal issues have risen that he hopes we can help him with."

Kakashi switched his sight on me again and I felt hot under his gaze. I remembered the club and I got flustered.

"Are you with me, Miss Haruno?" Itachi asked. I knew what that meant. He was asking me if I had what it took to pull off the job. That meant late nights, early mornings, preparing documents, calling dozens of people and just basically not having any time for myself. It was a good thing I kept my nails short, because I knew there was so much typing about to follow.

The meeting went on and I found out about all of Kakashi's competitors and why the need to open a different club had come up. Through it all, they never once mentioned just how different the club would be. As long as it didn't get in the way of how I would do my job I really didn't mind the obvious secrecy. I got the feeling there would be more of these meetings and if Kakashi kept looking at me like he was every couple of times, I wasn't sure if I wouldn't melt down into a puddle. His gaze was both piercing and scotching. If I wasn't careful, a huge part of me knew I would undoubtedly get burnt.

~xoxo~

A time came when my part in the meeting came to an end and I eventually walked out leaving them to chat about more private things. I immediately got out my phone once I was at my desk and sent Ino a quick text.

Life's a bitch. You'll never believe who's friends with my boss. The hot guy from the club. Small world.

I'd told Ino about my adventure from two days ago as soon as she'd returned from her date out with her boyfriend. She laughed at me and called me a prude for not jumping white-hair's bones and going at it like bunnies right there in his private office. Part of me had regrets but a bigger part was looking for something more seriously and meaningful that a onetime lay. No matter how much of an attractive specimen of man he was.

A few minutes later I got Ino's reply.

*Squeals* This is your second chance. Don't let him go this time and if you do, at least start a forbidden affair with your smexy AF boss. lol

So, I'd told her everything once she was back. As soon as I'd told her about my interview and who my boss was, she'd done the smart thing and actually googled him. I should have done the same before my interview, maybe then I wouldn't have that sidewalk memory etched in my brain. She'd laughed her butt off once I'd narrated everything to her. Let me just say, the two days after that unfortunate day had been a laugh-fest for Ino. I won't lie, I would have laughed too…if it hadn't all happened to me.

You slut, you have a boyfriend. Remember?

I quickly glanced behind me and pressed 'send'. Last thing I wanted was to be caught texting and gossiping about my boss. She had a point though. Yes, Itachi was…yeah. But he was my boss. That was a line I shouldn't be thinking of crossing. Ever.

My phone buzzed again.

I love Sai, he's my better half, but love doesn't suddenly make me blind, Forehead. If I were you I'd be on his table right this second with his head between my legs. lol

That was Ino for you. Like I'd said, I wasn't anything like that blonde nympho. Her stupid text forced that visual in my mind and I couldn't deny the temptation. I was going to blame my two year dry spell for that. How else could I justify thinking of my boss in that way without coming off as a total ho-bag? Blame the lack of…um…action.

"Try being on time next time…" I heard Itachi's voice and I almost jumped out of my seat. I quickly and guiltily stuffed my phone in a desk drawer and pretended to be staring at the computer screen. I would make a terrible spy. My poker face sucked some major saggy boobs. Gross analogy. I know.

"We should have a drink one of these days." Itachi finally said.

"You know where I'm found." Kakashi shook my black-haired boss' hand and then put it in his pocket as he prepared to leave. Itachi looked at me and gave me a subtle we-need-to-talk look before he walked back into his office.

I looked at Kakashi and started walking towards the office. There're just some people you never keep waiting.

"Do you have a minute?" Kakashi asked in a whisper. He removed his ands from his pocket once he started talking to me. "So, I know this will come off as cheesy as a double deluxe pizza but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that night." He's been thinking about me? I saw his lips move and I heard the sound but still I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. I couldn't even say anything back. "Do you want to have dinner with me sometime? Preferable soon." His eye was fixed on me and I froze for a second. This was what I wanted, right? A smile formed on my face.

"Sure, why not?" I said it like my heart wasn't beating like crazy or like inner me wasn't doing backflips and dancing like a retard. A date? I hadn't been on one in a while. I was excited.

"Your number?" he asked.

I walked to my desk and quickly wrote it down on a piece of paper before handing it to him. Thankfully my hands weren't shaking. I was impressed with myself.

"Miss Haruno?" I heard Itachi's voice and knew I had to move my ass to the office.

"Gotta go." I told Kakashi. I didn't even dare sneak a quick glance back. I was on a roll, looking back might just turn sour.

"Sure thing, Red." He said to me as I rushed to the office.

What a strange turn of events.

~xoxo~

"What was that earlier?" Itachi asked once I was in his office and had the door closed. He didn't even wait for me to take a seat.

'I don't understand?" I told him truthfully. I really didn't know what he was asking.

"Really?" his brow rose, "I'm talking about you flirting with my clients." Oh boy. Had he heard when Kakashi asked me out for dinner? "That was a business meeting and the two of you were looking at each other like you wanted to strip down and fuck right here in my office. It was disgusting to watch." I flinched at his use of the f-word. I didn't see that coming. Unknown to him, there hasn't been much fucking in my days of late and I hadn't been flirting earlier. I was listening to him talk.

"I don't believe I did anything that calls for that kind of talk sir." Okay, so maybe that wasn't entirely true. Fine, it wasn't true at all. I had been staring back at Kakashi more than I should have been.

"Bullshit." He said, "I have high hopes for you Miss Haruno, I don't expect that kind of conduct from you. Next time Kakashi comes by, I want you acting professional and not like a gaga-teen fawning over a sparkling and brooding vampire. Are we clear?"

"Crystal…sir." Of course I wasn't going to tell him about my dinner plans now. I wasn't suicidal.

"Good, Kakashi is my friend and I know him better than anyone. He is…" he stopped himself then sighed, "Whatever it is you thought you could have with him can never happen. It'll just complicate business. And I love this company too much to let lust be its downfall. Nothing good ever comes out of mixing pleasure with business. Always remember that, Miss Haruno." He was wearing his serious lawyer face as he spoke and a chill coursed through my body.

Kakashi was what? What had he planned on saying? It made him intriguing.

"That's all." He said and for a second I just lingered on the seat. Too weak to get up. Had he just warned me off of dating the one guy who'd woken up my frozen body? Was I willing to let that go so easily? "Oh, and please prepare your mind for the trip in two days. Last thing I need in a jetlagged assistant in Suna. This is a very important trip."

Oh crap. I'd completely forgotten about that. I had a room to book. Last thing I wanted was to be left stranded without a place to sleep in a town I've never been. I nodded when he kept his eyes on me.

"Good, I've got a deposition to prepare for now." He looked at his watch," Can you get in contact with Shikamaru Nara. Arrange a meeting for tomorrow. I know its short notice but he'll understand."

"I'm on it." I told him as I got up.

So my first day of work was more eventful than I would've ever imagined. My shoes were pinching and I couldn't wait to get home and just soak myself in a warm bubble bath. Ino was going to have to work extra hard to help me out once I got home that day. I needed some major advice.

If your attractive boss (who is responsible for paying you so you can afford medical and dental) asks you to stay away from his attractive friend (who you feel can melt the ice from your in-need-of-some-loving body), what would you do? Ino would surely help me make the right decision.

~xoxo~

Author's Note: Happy Holidays reader.

Thanks to everyone who followed and reviewed after my last chapter. Continue to do so, it really helps me write more and the constructive criticism helps me improve. If you have written a story, you know how important feedback is. So review some more okay (your holiday present to me ).

I'm typing this past midnight and my eyes are heavy, so if you see typos, spelling mistakes and all, let me know. Will edit once I get the chance. I feel like if I don't put this up now, it's gonna come in 2015 and I promised you an update before the year end. (I can be nice too) plus everything I know about Law I got from Boston Legal and Suits. So, don't kill me if I'm just lying. You can tell me where I stray.

If you read SasuSaku fics check out my other story 'Shades of Jade and Stygian', you won't regret.

Tell me your thoughts on this.

Leave me a review.

-xo