Mondays. The worst day of the week. It followed two days of freedom, signaling the start of a new work week.

The weekend went by way too fast. As it always has.

Kimbra spent hers by tidying up the apartment and catching up on the show she found herself currently obsessed over. She should have gone out for a walk or caught up with an old friend, but no, she preferred to stay home. Her father would be disappointed she wasn't out interacting with people.

He'd say, 'Kimbra, you're only wasting your life away. Make friends. Do something fun. Stop pouring all your time into your job. That's no way to live, sweetheart' .

But it was all she knew.

She often wondered if there was more to life than just her work. The thought of marriage or starting a family never crossed her mind. Babies grossed her out anyway, so that was certainly out of the question. She didn't have the time to keep up a romance, so all she had was friends and family (yet said relatives lived up north and she only saw them during holidays).

Over the years, Kimbra also learned that it's hard to maintain friendships. People she cherished either passed away, became tangled up in their own lives, or you have to cut them off for being toxic jerks. Which yes, that's how life is sometimes, but it still hurts. Truly she had only one friend in St. Canard (besides her co-workers, but they were just considered work friends, a whole other category), Trisha. The canine promised to meet her for a drink soon, but the project took up most of her time.

The one she should have been working on right now instead of wasting time at that pitiful water bottling company.

So yes, this morning, instead of driving to EcoTech, Kimbra went across the city to the industrial park. Bud asked if she could stop by his office for a meeting. She didn't want to, but he was the sponsor, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good of mankind.

It was less than ideal.

Kimbra stepped through the entrance of the Sparkling Flud Water building. The sound of a few employees and visitors echoed off the walls. It looked the same as before, boring yet clean. Bud's clerk sat at the reception desk. She appeared occupied with painting her nails a dark red color, being oblivious to the world around her. Kimbra couldn't blame her for being bored. Water bottling wasn't a very exciting business.

The white canine walked up to the desk and cleared her throat. "Um, excuse me?"

"May I help you?" Still kept her eyes focused on her nails.

"I'm here to talk to Mr. Flud."

The orange feline let out an irritated huff and turned to the computer, typing away on the keyboard. Her eyes quickly scanned across the monitor, and she looked back to Kimbra. "Take a seat, and he'll be with you in a moment."

Kimbra still stood there, in disbelief she'd have to wait. "So uh... he called me and told me to come see him about our project."

"Sorry sweet cakes, even the boss's girlfriend has to wait just like everyone else."

His… girlfriend? No… no no that's not what this was.

The idea of being Bud's girlfriend wasn't exactly a pleasant thought.

"Hey!" Kimbra spoke a little louder than she meant to. "I am not his girlfriend—"

"Just sit down," the clerk said, not wanting to deal with anyone today.

"But—"

"I'll let you know when Mr. Flud is ready for you."

Fine.

Kimbra glared at the feline before she took a seat in the lobby and patiently waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Half an hour went by, and Kimbra leaned forwards, trying to peek down the hallway that led to Bud's office. Empty. Her patience was wearing thin. He called her that morning to remind her to drop by. He was the one who asked her to come. What was taking him so long? She already flipped through all the complimentary newspapers and magazines lying around.

This is ridiculous.

She continued to wait for several more minutes, almost nearing the verge of leaving. The phone over at the reception desk suddenly started to ring. The clerk answered it, speaking for a minute before hanging up.

She called out to Kimbra as she began filing her nails. "Mr. Flud will see you now."

Finally.

The short walk down the hallway gave Kimbra time to think about how she'd chew Bud out for making her wait so long. Then she realized what the clerk had said earlier. Did people really think her and Bud were together? They shouldn't. All the two did was bicker and come at each other's throats. That's not dating, that's hostility. Who in their right mind would date him?

It was decided that she should clear up the confusion, she didn't want her reputation ruined. Her feet stopped in front of Bud's door, which was closed. Two sharp knocks to the door with her hand, and a small 'come in' was said from inside the office. She opened the door to Bud sitting at his desk, his face deep in paperwork and overlooking files.

He looked up. "Oh Kimbra, there you are! Come in!"

Yeah, I've been waiting here for almost an hour.

Kimbra had expected Bud's office to look tacky or more sinister. It actually appeared to be like any other office. A filing cabinet in the corner of the room, a few plants, and two chairs. A business degree from St. Canard University hung on the wall behind the desk.

The room was bright from the morning sun streaming in through the windows.

"Uh... your clerk out there called me your girlfriend." She pointed at the office door as she walked up to the desk and handed the budget folder to Bud.

He took the file, flipped it open, and waved off her words. "Don't pay her any mind, everyone thinks that."

Everyone? What does he mean, everyone? Like, his employees? EcoTech? The entirety of St. Canard?

"What?" Kimbra replied as she settled down in the chair that faced his desk.

"Might be because we spend so much time around each other." Bud nonchalantly said, flipping through the papers. "Does your team really need the turbines? They seem awfully costly."

"The turbines are literally the most important part, and we do not spend that much time together!"

It's for work. Strictly professional. Rule one: no attachments.

Bud's mood swing was immediate. He went from being in a good mood to becoming irritated. "I don't see why you're so upset over something so trivial."

"Because I don't want people thinking we're a couple!"

"Kimbra," he said, thinking this conversation was ridiculous. "It's not that big of an issue."

"Yes it is!"

"Are you that ashamed of me?"

Of course. You dress tacky and look like a used car salesman. Don't even get me started on your hair or that obnoxious personality of yours. Or the fact you're a scummy capitalist.

But she managed to hide those thoughts behind an eye roll. "Yes."

"Harsh."

"Tell her I'm not your girlfriend!"

"Kimbra we have more important matters at hand."

"I do not want people thinking I'm dating a con man."

Bud is so baffled by the statement, he tripped over his words a bit. "I—how am I a con man? I run an honest business!"

"Honest business, my ass. More like a sham," she said in a way that sounded purely bitter.

"You know what—" Bud began as he stood up from his chair.

Ah hell, he wants to go into a full-blown argument.

"I'm going back to the office, just look over the budget. Call me when you approve it or whatever." Kimbra cut him off before he could finish.

She had to get out of there. Arguing with the likes of Bud Flud was a waste of time. She could have been doing more useful things back at EcoTech. Instead, she was here, sitting around and arguing with a self-absorbed jerk. The CEO went from being slightly irritating to borderline unbearable.

She could feel him glaring daggers at her while she left his office and went down the hallway. "I'd rather be anywhere but here," she muttered under her breath. She managed to make it to the lobby, certain she had made it out of there without getting a mouthful from Bud.

Dr. Ainsley wouldn't like this one bit. He wanted the two of them to get along. He knew that Kimbra despised Bud from the beginning. Why did he insist on forcing them to work together? Was it all just some sick joke? Did he find it amusing? There had to be a reason he picked Bud other than 'oh I just find him delightful' or 'I just figured he's the best choice for you' .

Again, no attachments. Not that she'd ever find herself becoming fond of that man. Never in a million years.

The echo of a door closing in the distance alarmed her. It was Bud's office door.

Oh no.

She must have made Bud mad. Real mad.

The heavy fall of footsteps approached from behind her.

Kimbra bit the inside of her cheek, expecting the worst. At least if she was around his employees, Bud shouldn't go too hard on her. His expression was stern, his eyebrows furrowed as he walked down the hall and into the lobby area.

He stopped in front of her, his fists clenched at his sides. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" His voice could be heard loud and clear.

Never mind.

Kimbra quickly glanced around the room that had a few employees lingering around. "Bud, please, you're making a scene."

"You can't come into my office and throw around false allegations that I'm running a sham!"

"I'm not doing this with you right now," she held her hands up as she attempted to leave once more.

"Yes you are!"

"No, no I'm not."

The young clerk at the reception desk chimed in. "Honey, it ain't nice to call your boyfriend's business a sham." She was still filing her nails, not paying all that much attention to the conversation.

Kimbra looked in her direction, "He's not my boyfriend!"

Bud let out a snort. "Thank god for that."

"Hey!"

"Take what you said back."

"No, because it's the truth."

Bud had his hands on his hips as he stared down Kimbra. "I'm not a con man. I'm an honest businessman who's just trying to make a living."

"Honest? Really ?"

All you see is the lights and admiration. Fame and fortune. Honest is the last thing you'll ever be.

"Do you really think that little of me?" Bud asked, insecurity lingering in his eyes. What she said must have hit a nerve. She didn't think he valued her opinion of him.

Instead of answering his question, Kimbra simply made a small remark. "Not everything revolves around you."

"I never said it did!" Bud shook his head, disapproving everything the scientist was saying.

"You sure act like it! You change everyone else's schedule to suit your own life. You just use people, use me for your own benefit. Furthermore, you're egotistical, self-absorbed, and an uncaring man. I could just go on about what I think of you."

Bud frowned even more, feeling offended by the words that came out of her mouth. "You know you might be cute and all, but god you're so annoying."

Ew... there was no way he meant that. The cute part.

Kimbra opened her mouth to shoot back a comment, but she didn't. She closed it, took in a deep breath, and she left. She couldn't stand being in the same room with him any further.

She didn't have time for this. Today was really not her day.

The Flud Water employees who were still in the lobby stood there, watching in shock at the scene and wanting to see what their boss would do next.

Bud snapped at them. "Get back to work!" He stormed off to the hall that led to his office.

He heard the onlookers slowly disperse behind him. Their hush whispers told him they were gossiping about that temper of his again.

It wasn't his fault that someone had issues. That someone held a grudge and was judgmental instead of giving the other person a fair chance. Bud had hoped that Kimbra was warming up to him. Boy was he wrong. Alas, her treatment towards him was as icy as ever.

He tried to get along with her.

He had tried and tried to no avail. The only thing he succeeded in doing was making the purple-haired woman resent him even more.

On top of his company struggling, now he had yet another problem to deal with, Kimbra.

He had just about all he could take of her.

Only six more months.

And then C.O.R.E would be completed, and he'd never have to see her or that wreck of a tech company again. Anything could happen in the span of half a year. Bud didn't care what that may be. As long as he'd never have to see Kimbra Wulfe ever again.

Bud just wanted to get this over with, so he could suffer in peace. Yes, things would be much quieter around here, but it's what he's used to. Being alone. It's not that he's lonely or anything; after all, he's got his company. Hundreds of employees that listen to his every word.

He doesn't need Dr. Wulfe. He could manage without her.

Six more months.

"I am obviously not apologizing." The next morning, Kimbra put her foot down. As soon as she stepped into the doors of EcoTech, Dr. Ainsley had approached her and scolded her for what she said to Bud. The salesman must have mentioned the incident to him.

What a tattle tail. You're making my life so hard. Of all these poor saps in the city, why did you have to sponsor me? Why not anyone else? Why me?

Come to find out, Bud actually threatened to drop his company from the project if Kimbra kept up her rude attitude towards him. She was thrilled to hear that. They didn't need him or his money anyway. She could find another sponsor. One who actually cared about the environment. One who saw her more than just another stepping stone to their success.

Dr. Ainsley didn't agree. "Kimbra, he is your sponsor. Show some decency."

Please let's not discuss this in the lobby in front of everyone. I feel like a child being scolded by her father. It's embarrassing.

"Sir, he's such a pain. He goes against everything we stand for!" She groaned, sounding a tad childish.

"I know, but try to at least get along with him until this project is over."

"But—"

His dark eyes narrowed. "Either treat Bud with a bit of respect, or you're dropped from the project."

"What? No!"

"That's my final decision. Learn to play nice, or I'll have someone else take your place."

"Yes sir," Kimbra said, her words a promise.

"I'd also apologize to Mr. Flud for everything."

Ew, no.

She cringed slightly. "I think that's really unnecessary…"

"The best way to make this project go smoother is to get on better terms with him."

That's so not true.

"Better terms?"

"You know," the reptilian gestured with his hands as he tried to find the right wording. "Be friendlier with each other?"

"Sir—"

"I'm sure you two can find a way to ease the tension. Make amends."

Amends?

She didn't see what this had to do with her or their current situation. They didn't need to be all buddy with each other to finish the project. Avoiding one another could work. All they had to do was leave sticky notes for each other or even better, communicate through emails. Easy-peasy.

"Sir, I really rather not…" Kimbra made an attempt to get out of being nice to Bud.

He didn't deserve her kindness. What was there to do? Beg for forgiveness and say she didn't mean what all she said? Absolutely not.

"He has feelings, you know. I'd try to remember that next time you make an insensitive remark towards him." Dr. Ainsley quickly concluded with a twirl of his hand. Then he excused himself, as he had an important meeting to attend in the conference center. He hoped Kimbra would consider his words and try to make amends with Bud.

She really didn't want to.

You're in the right. Bud deserves to be ridiculed for his business practices. He's not an honest businessman. He scams people with faulty advertising. Not only that, but he's using you and EcoTech for his own gain.

She told herself that over and over, hoping guilt wouldn't settle in.

But it did.

Kimbra slowly realized how little she had really thought about Bud's feelings.

As much as she loathed to admit it, she had acted a bit insensitive towards him. That didn't mean she had to be pals with the man. No, maybe ease up on her harsh attitude towards him. That's all. As Dr. Ainsley said, Bud Flud was her sponsor. If being nicer to him sped up the project, then Kimbra could manage that. She wouldn't be too thrilled about it, but she could manage.

He felt like a thorn in her side, but at the same time she found herself pitying the man for some reason. People were quick to judge and ridicule her in the past. Now here she was, doing it to someone else.

She's never had such a complicated relationship with someone before. Kimbra resented him but at the same time she wanted to believe he was a decent person. Now he wasn't, but she could dream.

It was frustrating to say the least.

She let out a sigh, hating that Ainsley was right once again.

Kimbra had to make amends with that sleazy water salesman. She felt that she was going to be butting heads with him no matter what she tried.

But no personal attachments.