A Deal With Mr Kane

Mr Bipolar

Like hell, he was!

That was the only explanation for why he was acting like he was seeing me for the first time in his life.

To think I was just starting to like him.

"Enough about Mr Kane," Francis said, adjusting his suit. We're going to have lots of occasions to talk about him. Trust me."

Why did that sound like a threat?

"Come. I should show you around." He said and started moving.

"You're going to show me everywhere in Kane Capital?" I asked and he looked at me like I had completely lost my mind.

"We would take five hours doing that." He laughed. "Have you seen how big this building is? You'd be too tired to do anything by the time we return."

Great! Now I feel like an i***t.

"That's true," I say, my cheeks reddening from the embarrassment.

Francis leads the way, stopping by a few offices on the top floor since I would be spending most, if not all of my time on the top floor.

As we move around, I realize that he was right to show me just the top floor.

“This place is huge,” I muttered as we passed glass walls and departments that looked like they belonged in a movie, not real life. Francis gave a small amused smile without slowing down, like he had heard that exact sentence from every new employee who ever stepped inside Kane Capital.

“It gets easier,” he said simply, turning a corner. “Eventually you stop feeling like you’re trespassing.”

“That’s comforting,” I said dryly, even though I wasn’t entirely sure it was true for me since I wasn't going to be here for long anyway.

A few minutes later, we returned to the hallway near Mr Kane's office and he stopped in front of a door and gestured toward it like he was presenting something important. “This is your office,” he said, and I blinked at him for a second before stepping inside.

It wasn’t just an office. It was better than whatever I had envisioned my office to be something small with a door leading to the CEO's office.

But this?

This was something out of my dreams.

It was clean, elegant, and way too perfect for someone like me who still sometimes lost pens inside her own bag. The desk faced the city skyline, and everything felt expensive in a quiet, intimidating way that made me sit down carefully like I might break something just by existing too loudly.

“I get this?” I asked before I could stop myself, eyes widened in shock.

Francis nodded, smiling at my reaction. “It’s right next to Mr Kane’s office.”

Of course it was.

As if the universe wanted to remind me I was now permanently attached to a man who treated breathing like a scheduled activity, the intercom on my desk buzzed before I could even fully settle in.

My eyes flicked to it immediately.

“Miss Lopez,” Sebastian’s voice came through, calm and sharp at the same time.

“Yes, Mr Kane?” I answered, sitting straighter.

“I need you in my office in five minutes.”

My stomach tightened slightly. “Of course, Sir. Do you need something?” I asked and there was a brief pause on the line like he was wondering if the question deserved his energy.

After a while, he answers. “To brief me on Torres Resorts.” Then the line went dead.

I stared at the intercom for a second longer than necessary, then exhaled slowly and stood up. Francis was still nearby, and when he saw my face, he didn’t even need to ask.

“You’re already being summoned?” he asked.

“Apparently I have five minutes to impress my new boss,” I replied, grabbing the file I had spent hours going over

I was confident I was going to do well. What bothered me was Mr Kane. He didn't seem like the type to get satisfied.

Francis gave a small sympathetic smile. “I'm sure you'll do great.” he encourages and I sigh.

“Thank you,” I muttered, already walking out.

Sebastian’s office felt colder this time, or maybe it was just my imagination reacting to how nervous I was. I had barely been there for an hour and I was already giving reports.

Christ.

He didn't look up immediately when I entered, he just kept reading something on his tablet, acting like I was nothing but background noise.

“Sit,” he said simply.

I did.

For a moment, neither of us spoke, and I suddenly became very aware of how expensive everything in his space looked compared to how fast my life had changed in a week.

“Talk. What do you think we can use in our argument against Daniel Torres?” he added without looking at me.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my file and forced myself into work mode. “Torres Resorts is currently operating at a loss,” I began, watching his expression carefully as I spoke. “Not a small one either, it’s been declining steadily over the past few years.”

That got his attention. He paused for the first time since I entered the office and looked up.

I continued, flipping a page. “The issue isn’t lack of demand. It’s mismanagement, poor internal structure, and outdated investment decisions.”

Sebastian leaned back slightly, watching me with now instead of pretending I didn’t exist.

“There’s also a pattern,” I added, gaining a bit more confidence. “They keep injecting money into marketing, but the core operations are bleeding it out faster than they can recover it.”

I tapped a figure on the page. “If you’re looking at it purely financially, it’s a sinking asset. Which, ironically, is exactly why it’s valuable for acquisition. If they don't sell to us, they will end up losing the company without any profit”

As I finish my last sentence, I wonder why he was so bent on purchasing a business that was practically done for. Sure, Kane Capital was known for raising companies from the dead and making them into profitable businesses but this was different. This was different from the kind of companies he targeted.

It didn't make sense for him to want it.

Something told me there was more to this than he was letting on.

The office goes silent for a few minutes after I finish and I look up slowly, wondering if I had said something wrong.

Our eyes meet.

Mr Kane was staring at me, a little too intently for my comfort.

Then, he nodded. "That's good enough."

That was it?

No 'good job.' No 'well done.' After spending hours going through that material, all I get is that? Not even a reaction beyond that single nod!

Oh my goodness! This man was really hard to please.

I closed my file slowly, forcing myself not to react, even though a small part of me definitely wanted validation. I quickly remind myself that in the real world, most bosses don't give their employees a pat on the back after a job well done.

“Good,” he continued. “You’ve gone through everything properly." Then he leaned forward slightly. “You’re ready for the first meeting with Daniel Torres.”

That made my head lift immediately. “The meeting?” I repeated.

Why are things happening so quickly?

“Yes.”

I hesitated. “Already?”

Sebastian’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Do you need more time?”

“No,” I said quickly, then regretted how fast it came out.

He studied me for a second like he was measuring something I couldn’t see. Then he spoke again, calmer this time. “Your role is simple,” he said. “You keep Daniel Torres engaged. You make him believe the deal is worth considering.”

I nodded, understanding since I had already gone over everything in the contract. What I didn't understand was whether I was going to be doing the talking myself or if I was only going to be present while Mr Kane did the explanation.

As if sensing my turmoil, he answered my unasked question. "I will handle the pitch. All you have to do is be present. If there is a need for you to speak then you may."

"That is all?" I asked and he looked at me, slightly annoyed.

"I'm sure you saw this in the contract but if Daniel Torres flirts with you, it is your job to flirt back. Make him believe you...fancy him." He said the last part like he was being forced to.

“And if he tries to… I don’t know, push things further?” I asked carefully, watching his reaction and for the first time, something shifted in his expression.

"You don't have to worry about that." He said, relaxing his jaw after almost crushing his teeth with how tight he had clenched them.

Sebastian leaned back again, voice dropping slightly. “If he attempts anything inappropriate, you don’t handle it.”

My brows pulled together. “Then who does?”

“I do.”

I blinked. “You’re going to be there every time?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause I didn’t know what to do with. Then I said quietly, “You’re really confident I can’t handle myself.”

His eyes flicked up immediately. “That’s not what I said.”

I folded my arms. "That's what it sounded like," I said, keeping my voice low to avoid sounding disrespectful. "I can protect myself, Mr Kane."

His brows twitched. "I never said you can't. All I'm saying is you don't have to worry about him because I will protect you."

His eyes darkened before he added. "You work for me now so you are mine to protect."