Lights, Camera, Orc-tion!

6: Play Along

"You know, instead of spending all this money on me, wouldn't it have gone to better use at the charity gala?" She knew it was useless to point this out, especially as they were exiting the store. Avicia still chafed at her boss's insistence on buying her such an expensive gift. With a sigh, she looked ahead, staring at the people milling about the walkways. The sun had begun its downward descent, but heat still baked the sidewalks. She was only given momentary reprieve as they walked by open doorways, the beckoning of air conditioning teasing over them.

"The charity is more of a tax write-off and it's pretty vague what the owners will even do with the donations." Kahdreg shrugged, unfazed by her pointed commentary. "I'd rather not put my money into the pockets of a conniving businessperson."

At that, Avicia's eyebrows raised. "But your investors...?"

"What they do with their money is their business." Another careless shrug, which made the bags he carried rattled. A crooked, roguish grin tilted at his lips as he added, "Especially if that means they'll fund my projects."

Avicia scoffed, on the verge of calling her boss an opportunistic ass right to his face. She stopped herself just in time, though. After all, wasn't that a similar mindset to her cam business? What her patrons did with their money was their business. Especially when it went into her pocket after a scandalous show.

Kahdreg's voice interrupted Avicia's inner contemplation. He was giving a critical look to his phone screen. "We took longer than I anticipated. Where's your place?"

"Over in Phoenix Falls." She braced herself for some snobby reaction. Though it wasn't one of the worst areas of the city, she doubted Kahdreg wanted to venture to it. He'd probably make some smarmy remark about his car getting targeted for 'being too nice' for the neighborhood.

"My place is closer. We'll both get ready there."

"Now, hold on!" Her heart jerked to her throat as she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, caught off-guard by this shift in direction. She'd been completely prepared to stand up for her area of the city. Not venture into his territory!

"It's logical, Ms. Thorn," Kahdreg sighed, turning to face her. One hand went to his hip, his expression sober and more akin to the appearance she was used to at work. Though, his voice was soft and reasonable. Not his usual surly bellowing of orders. "We won't have to go through the trouble of finding each other at the gala and the roads are going to be hellish anyway, so you might as well come with me in my arranged ride."

"But..." Avicia scrambled for an excuse, chewing on her bottom lip. Her brain filed through all the little details of getting ready. "I should shower and I don't have any of my make-up or anything!"

Again, Kahdreg didn't hesitate. "It might surprise you, but I do have a bathroom and make-up."

"You have make-up." Avicia raised an eyebrow skeptically, tone flat with disbelief.

His smile didn't budge as he nodded. "Yes, I have make-up."

"Why?"

"Why not?" He patted the side of his face with one hand, a teasing smile on his lips. "I need a bit of cover-up sometimes, too."

Avicia snorted at his reply, crossing her arms in a huff. "I don't think green foundation will suit my complexion, Mr. Kahdreg."

"I don't know. I think you'd look good with green," he chuckled, a smidge flirtatiously, but said no more as he led her to a parking garage. Avicia glared at his back, lips pursed and fighting the warmth crawling in her core. She didn't really have to tag along at his heels, she realized. She could push the argument further, absolutely refuse. But, she'd be lying if there wasn't a tickle of interest about his living space.