Sparks and Standoffs

Kali Orsini's first day as QA tech team manager doesn't go unnoticed.

Eros Razin's gaze trails her across the conference room as she introduces herself to the team-posture poised, voice smooth like it was carved from calm thunder. He's seen ambitious types try to win him over before, but there's something about her quiet certainty that needles under his skin.

And he doesn't like being rattled.

After the meeting, Eros approaches her, his expression unreadable. "You didn't mention your... unorthodox methods in the interview."

His voice is cool, but edged. Watching her.

Kali glances up from her tablet, entirely unbothered. "Didn't think I had to. I figured results speak louder than routines."

"Results only matter if you can sustain them," he replies, stepping closer. There's a low rumble in his tone, tension crackling in the few inches between them.

She meets his stare head-on, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. "And control only matters if it doesn't choke progress, Eros," she counters, his name sliding from her tongue like a dare.

Silence coils between them for a beat. He wasn't expecting pushback-not this early, not like this-but it doesn't annoy him.

It intrigues him.

"Careful, Wildfire," he says finally, a flicker of amusement in his voice as he names her. "You might burn too fast in here."

Kali tilts her head, unfazed. "Then try not to get scorched, Razin."

He takes a step back, eyes lingering. She's not going to make this easy for him.
But maybe that's exactly what he wants.