"So what..?" || Kevin Álvarez

||2|| Stop Staring.

    If tonight was a glimpse into what the rest of my life would be like, I would be willing to do absolutely everything to avoid it.

    It had been like two weeks since that stupid party and I kinda forgot most of it. It had no purpose so why would I waste my brain storage on it. I feel like I'll relive the same night at least a hundred more times in my life. Alejandro started demanding I was to one to cook him breakfast. Which was ridiculous for a variety of reasons, and the most obvious being that we literally had a house chef. The audacity.
    But right now I was on my way to my dad's company. He asked me to buy him Popeyes and take it to him because he didn't like the food they served there. It was his damn company, why didn't he make them serve food he liked. I was like his free personal door dash. Not all of it was bad though. I got to get time away from Alejandro.
    Finally walking into his company I made my way towards his office. I was glad I at-least knew where that was because the damn building was big. I turned the corner after stepping out of the elevator. Then open the door to his office, Popeyes bag in hand, and freeze when I see three other men sitting with him. My father's face sunk a bit as he realized I had the food he wanted, which was a whole lot of fried chicken that would blow his cover in-front of his fancy vegan business friends.
    "uhm, I brought the-" I began. I could feel the stares analyzing me. That's when I recognize one of the three men as Mr. Alvarez.
    He must have known about my father's weird vegan façade because he immediately interrupted. "My sons chicken! He's been waiting on it for a while."
    huh.
    "Right! Y/n you got the wrong office. His is at the opposite end of the hall." My dad added on, relieved. He gave me a look telling— no, more like urging me into following along.
    "okay.. my bad I'm sorry for interrupting" I nodded and I could see my dad was instantly more relaxed. I closed the door and stood there contemplating for a moment.
    I still have a whole bag full of Popeyes my dad wouldn't be happy about missing out on. He probably plans of getting the chicken back once the men leave. I don't get his thing with pretending to be a vegan.. well maybe it was unprofessional to have a big ass bag of Popeyes next to you while talking business. Shrug. The man from the party was there. I groaned. His son's office? Really? How am I going to explain that to his son. It was awkward enough at the party. I was also planning on hanging out with my dad as he ate his chicken so I wouldn't have to see Alejandro.
    I finally decided to just get it over with and leave the Popeyes in... what was his name again—Well, his office. Maybe he won't even be in there. It's okay he's probably at lunch or something. It is around that time. I reach the end of the hall and knock on the door.
    "come in"
    Ugh he was in there.
    I open the door slowly and I see him.
    "Y/n? Do you need anything?" He asks politely. Closing his computer and focusing on me.
Fuck, he remembered my name? Think. Think. Think. What was his?
    "Uh hi...Ken..?" Oh god my voice almost cracked.
    "Kevin" he corrected holding back a chuckle.
Ken?? What the hell am I on.
    "Kevin! Yes. I had to bring my dad's Popeyes to your room." It was embarrassing having to explain this.
    "Your father's Popeyes?" He questioned a bit confused.
    "Yeahs he has this thing pretending to be vegan for his business friends so he acted like this chicken was for you.." I felt like I was talking too much. Was I over explaining? "I think he'll come by later to pick it up." I added anyway.
    "Oh I get it." He chuckled.
    His teeth were perfect damn and his smile was charming. I stopped myself. I shouldn't be thinking that. It's weird.
    "Are you going to wait for your dad in here too?" He asked.
    I thought about it again. It was better than going straight back to Alejandro regardless of how awkward and out of place I felt.
    "If you don't mind— Only if it's not a bother." I stated but he quickly shook his head.
    "No, not at all, don't worry about it."
I smiled at him and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Now I just had to wait for dad to finish his little meeting. Kevin and I were silent for a while. I was glad he wasn't talking because I was not in the mood to put up with that right now. Well I guess he's not too bad. We're kind of alike if I think about it.
"Do you like Popeyes?"
I jerk up a bit, startled. "Uh, yeah- I don't eat it much though"
(T: Why not?)
"Porque no?" He asked.
I shrug not knowing why the hell he was talking about Popeyes right now or even at all. Shouldn't he be working or something. Quick. How do I avoid conversation.
"Y porqué no terminas tu trabajo?" My tone was a bit harsh. Oops.
(T: Oh sorry, i didnt know Popeyes was a sensitive topic)
Kevin chuckled. "Ai perdon, no sabía que Popeyes era un tema delicado" his voice hinted with sarcasm.
I roll my eyes and lean forward with my chin in my palm. I had a bored expression and just looked at Kevin. Maybe this'll tick him off just for funsies. He's nice but I'm bored so..
After a couple moments, Kevin looked up to me studying his face. My eyes following the contours of his face.
"Que?" He asks.
"Que??" I question back.
Okay I'm self aware enough to know I was probably being super annoying right now but I didn't have much to loose. I'm bored out of my mind and once my dad comes in for his Popeyes, I'll be able to just walk right out. After this I'll start saying no to being a personal door dash worker for my dad.
"Stop staring"
I pretend to think about it. "Nah"
Kevin decides to play along and keep his eyes locked with mine too. It started to feel like we were testing which one of us would look away first. It was not about to be me.
"I didn't know you were so childish," says Kevin while leaning more towards me.
Agreed, im not usually this obnoxious. "I don't act childish... plus you're the one whose following along with it."
"I Guess I am huh"
"Yup"
Neither of us look away. I was starting to worry my face would show how much this was actually stressing me. I usually hated eye contact because it made me feel vulnerable, exposed even. But something about his eyes just made me want to look into them. Was that weird?
"You have pretty lips." He said seemingly out of nowhere. My eyes widen and just as my lips part to reply, I heard the door open and I snap my head back. I saw it was my dad, then heard Kevin chuckle lightly.
"Y/n, sorry about that I should've remembered." He rubbed his nose bridge and held his hip with his other hand. "You know my little situation with-"
"It's- okay dad-" I began but got cut off.
"Mr. L/n, I'm sorry to ask so suddenly but have you found me an assistant yet?" Kevin interrupted. I snap my head again to look back at him and glare. He doesn't get to just weirdly compliment me and get away with it. I'll get back at him as soon as dad leaves. He keeps his gaze on my dad but I know he saw me glare by the way his damn smirk grew. What the hell was up with him? You don't just interrupt people like that. Maybe I'm overreacting.
      My dad paused as if suddenly remembering he still needed to do that. "Fuck. How soon do you need that assistant.."
       "As soon as possible. I have to start working on our next project but it will be insufficient if I don't have an assistant helping me." He looked more serious now and my dad groaned.
       "I'm sorry Kevin..." he begins as he makes his way over to his Popeyes bag. He turns to look at me and shakes his head. I then see the look on his face change. "Hey... how about you become his assistant."
        My eyes widen "me?!"
       "Well yes, Ofcourse, I mean, it'll be temporary until I actually find someone eligible.. but who better to fill in the position than you?" He goes on.
        "What?" Kevin and I say in union.
        The expressions on both Kevin and I are serious. I'm sure he didn't think it'd be a good idea for a random girl to work on the project. While I was not looking forward to spending time with him. What if he was even more annoying the better you know him.
        "What?" My dad questioned back. "It's a good Idea! Plus, Kevin needs to begin that project asap and we can't prolong it any longer." His voice is attempting to sound convincing.
        "Okay" Kevin agrees.
My head turns towards him then back to my dad.
"Okay, Y/n?" My dad looks to me, also taking a bite out of his chicken.
I pause. I had zero experience besides helping my mom in her job, but this would actually take up my time. That might not sound appealing but when I really think about it, the only time I had was being spent with Alejandro or dreading a wedding.
"Yeah, I'll do it." I smile and look at my dad. Through my peripheral vision I can see Kevin looking at me. He was probably expecting me to say no. Hell, even I was surprised I didn't put up more of a fight.
My dad explains the "duties" of having to be an assistant and how much I'll get payed. I bring up the fact Alejandro might not like me having this job but my father simply says he'll take care of it. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. It'll work to distract me for a couple months. He did mention it was temporary unless I decided I wanted to stay. Doubt it. It wasn't hard but I wasn't in the mood for spending so much time with someone. My dad finally leaves with his chicken and all thoughts of getting back at Kevin had flown out of my head.
"This is not how I was expecting my day to go" I groaned. "I was just supposed to deliver chickenn" I buried my face in my palms and could feel a head ache creeping up.
"You didn't have to agree" spoke up Kevin. I let my eyes focus on him and he was trying not to smile.
(T: So you think this is funny?)
"Tú crees que esto es chistoso?" I pouted and my eyebrows furrowed.
(T:i didn't say that) (I'm just a bit confused, I mean, you could have just said no if it makes you so upset)
"Yo no dije eso," he chuckles to himself and leans back in his fancy chair. "Nomas estoy un poco confundido, digo, pudiste haber dicho que no si te molesta tanto."
I shake my head. "Nah, as bothersome as it sounds, I'm sure I'd rather do this than mope around with ese estupido." It takes me a bit for me to realize I just called my fiancé stupid but when I do I look away quickly.
Kevin registers this and his eyes flash with intrigue, but he quickly hides it. "Estupido?" He repeats.
"Uh, yeah that's just what I call him as a pet name! He loves it haha!" I come up with a lame excuse. I sound over animated even to myself and can tell he isn't buying it.
"Ah, ok"
Thankgod. I was scared he'd start nagging.
"Yeah- so, what time do I got to be here Monday?" I ask hoping to change the subject.
"Well any time before 9 is okay; I wouldn't want to rush you." He replies.
I let a smile slip through. "Okay." Grabbing my bag and standing up to leave I can he his gaze following me.
"Okay" Kevin repeats.
"I'll see you then, bye Kevin." I try smiling because well damn. Now I got a job here. A job as his 'much needed' assistant.
"Bye, take care." Kevin said back in a lower than intended voice.
I shut the door behind me and start making my way through the building and back to my car. I'm trying to process what the hell just happened. I have a job now and it's with the dude from the party? Alejandro knows, so far, none of this. I Can feel my cheeks heat up a bit, a delayed reaction to Kevin's words just before my dad burst through the door. What the fuck was that?
I reached my car, got in, and began to drive.
What type of guy just casually says that to a practical stranger? I tried to stop thinking about it. My brows furrowed deep in thought and I unknowingly started to drive too fast. Maybe he's like that with everyone.. I doubt he meant it. I contemplated some more and decided he was just being a dick trying to tick me off. I also doubt he'll do it again; we're coworkers now? No.. I'm not sure what our work relationship is with me as his assistant. Shrug. Doesn't matter. I should be thinking about the fact I have a job now and not who I have that job with.
I finally make it home and make my way toward the front door. After opening it, I groan. Alejandro laid passed out on the couch. Wine bottle in hand.

——
Hi, have a cookie this time 🍪 I have absolutely no plan with this story other than some vague ideas for other chapters. I need to practice storytelling (which is why I'm even writing this anyway) ALSO MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅🏻🎅🏻

Again, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!! Anyways, love you, stay hydrated 💋💋