Chapter 16_ Richie Rich

As Arya emerged from the office building, she immediately noticed Kane trailing behind her. Pausing her footsteps, she turned to him with a questioning look. "I'm heading home. Why are you still behind me?" she asked.

"I'm coming home with you," Kane stated matter-of-factly. Arya frowned at him, clearly not pleased with his statement.

"No, you are not," she retorted.

"No? You manage my free time as well. How can you do that if we are not together?" Kane persisted, causing Arya's brows to furrow in frustration.

"This is insane, Kane. You can't just live with me," Arya stubbornly stated.

Kane simply shrugged, unfazed by her resistance. "Well, if that's the case, maybe I should report to my father that you are neglecting your duties," he threatened.

‘Damn it, he's got me,’ Arya thought silently, knowing that she had no choice but to allow Kane to accompany her home. Throwing a glinting glare his way, she grudgingly conceded, "Fine, come with me."

As they made their way towards Arya's neighborhood, she couldn't help but feel a strange sensation being in Kane's car. She had never imagined being in such a situation before.

"What the hell is wrong with the parking spots on these streets?" Kane exclaimed, bringing Arya back to reality.

"People here have their own garages, Kane. There's no need for a lot of parking spots on the streets," Arya explained.

"Do you have your own garage?" Kane inquired, scanning the area for a spot to park his car.

"No," Arya replied curtly.

"Ah, a parking spot," Kane exclaimed when he finally found a tiny space in front.

Arya looked at the space and turned to Kane, asking, “Can you fit your car in there?"

"I can fit my baby on the head of a pin," Kane boasted. With a few precise maneuvers, he effortlessly parked the car. As they got out and walked towards Arya's apartment, which was just a short distance away, Kane took in his surroundings and couldn't help but comment, "I'm really impressed by your neighborhood, tigress. I've never seen a better place for a dumping ground in my life. I bet a sexy rodent like you loves to live here."

"Well, a dumping ground would explain how you ended up here, discarded with the rest of the garbage," Arya retorted, immediately shutting down Kane's attempt at flirtation. But before he could reply, Piston emerged from a nearby alley and headed straight towards them.

"And who is this clown bold enough to walk with you on my streets? Your boyfriend?" Piston inquired, narrowing his eyes at Kane.

Kane observed him before placing his hands around Arya's waist, asserting his claim on her. "Yes," he replied confidently.

Hearing this, Piston's neck swelled with anger and his muscles tensed. He turned to Arya. "Is Richie Rich telling the truth?"

"My personal life is none of your concern, Piston," Arya remarked, meeting his intimidating glare with steel eyes.

"You better watch your back, Richie Rich. You are not welcome here," Piston warned, spitting on the curb before walking away slowly.

Kane watched him leave with a smirk before turning to Arya. "So, who was that? Your ex-boyfriend? Your current one? Either way, I must say, I'm not impressed with your taste in men."

Arya rolled her eyes, unfazed by his comment. "That was Piston, a childhood suitor who turned into a jealous, obsessed stalker."

"I don't like him and I don't want him anywhere near you, Kitten," Kane declared possessively. Arya gazed at him for a moment, taking in his dominating presence.

"He's just like you, but poor," she remarked, meeting his gaze with determination.

Kane feigned hurt, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch, that was a low blow. But you know what? I can relate to him in some ways, but I definitely don't resemble that rat hole."

"Is that so?" Arya raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"If I had grown up in this shithole, I would still pursue you as my queen with the same fierce determination," Kane confessed with a charming grin on his handsome face.

"In that case, let me just say, if being a 'Shithole Queen' is your best compliment, you're going to have even less success than he did," Arya countered, as they continued walking towards her apartment.

After a period of silence, Arya broke it by stating, "Piston is someone to watch out for, he is a dangerous individual."

"Is this your concern for me, tigress?" Kane inquired, his grin still in place.

"I am being entirely serious," she responded.

"Well, perhaps you should have considered that before becoming the object of every drug dealer's fantasies in the neighborhood," Kane retorted.

"Just try to avoid getting yourself killed under my supervision. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news to your father," Arya quipped, and the smile fade from Kane's face.

"I am not the one who should be worried about their well-being. I am concerned for you. That man looked unhinged. Who knows what he is capable of," Kane spoke in a somber tone.

Arya brushed off his concerns and replied, "You have nothing to worry about. I have been handling Piston for two decades, I can continue to do so."

"I sincerely hope you are right, tigress," Kane remarked as they arrived at her apartment and made their way inside.

=====

After giving Kane a tour of her dwelling, they settled into the living room, with Kane gazing around in awe before stating, "I have never seen people living in such a confined space. It's like a mouse hole."

"Well, you can say what you want, but it's more than enough for us," Arya responded.

"What's the next size down, a broom closet?" Kane jested.

"Feel free to laugh all you want, Rich boy. But if people were more mindful of their resources, our world would be a better place. Now, stop being a jerk for just five minutes so I can properly introduce you to my brother."

Arya knocked on Alex's door and he appeared a minute later, taken aback at the sight of Kane beside his sister. He stared at him curiously before turning to Arya.

"You are an impressive hacker, young man. Kudos to you," Kane complimented, causing Alex to narrow his eyes at him.

"And you are that king of douchebag, what brings you here?" he asked with a scowl.

"He will be staying here as our guest for a while," Arya declared, and Alex blinked in surprise.

"Why?" he inquired.

Arya let out a sigh, "Mostly because I receive a handsome payment for tolerating him."

"I see. Well then, I suppose it's acceptable," added Alex, causing a scowl to appear on Kane's face as he glanced at both siblings.

"Isn't that adorable? A family of mercenaries," he made a sarcastic remark, but received no response from them. Undeterred, he continued, "So, where exactly will I be residing?"

Arya flashed him a smile and retorted, "In the attic, alongside the rest of the junk."

"Hey, that's not junk! It's my assortment of vintage technology," Alex interjected, his tone firm. Then, he turned to Kane and added, "And let me make this clear, if you happen to damage or steal anything, I will cut your hands.”

Kane looked at Arya and quipped, "I'm not sure if it's worth risking my hands. Can't I just occupy your room, Tigress?"

"That would mean I have to do more than just harm your hands," Arya responded with a sly grin.

At her words, Kane chuckled, amusement glinting in his eyes as he observed the fiery nature of the siblings. It seemed that a fiery spirit ran in the family, and in that moment, he found himself looking forward to residing with them and seeing his tigress on a daily basis. This time, his father had made the right decision by having Arya babysit and take charge of his life, as Kane found himself enjoying their company even more than he had anticipated. Thoughts swirled in his mind as a small smile danced on his lips.