Keagan woke up with an intense headache and the sun’s light burnt through the seams of his curtains.

He desperately rolled over to avoid the light, but then realized that the sun was up and he wasn’t at work.

He panicked, got up, took the worlds shortest shower, got dressed and dashed out of his apartment.

Thirty nervous minutes later, he was in the Lezzaro building lobby and Roy was where he always was during the day shift.

“Oi, what happened today? And what the hell happened to you? You look like crap.” Roy asked with a concerned look.

“I’ll explain it later!” Keagan said as he entered the elevator.

The time was nine thirty.

Keagan assumed that everyone would be too busy running data checks to be too upset with him.

He got off the elevator and entered the office with his head low. He then dashed towards his desk and sat down as quietly as possible while his colleagues had their faces on their monitors.

“The boss lady is looking for you." Keagan heard Tommy say.

“Who? Me?” Keagan asked softly.

“Who do you think, tsk,” Tommy said.

Keagan let out a defeated sigh and marched his way to Mercy’s office, but instead of an aura of despair, Mercy’s office was filled with light laughter.

Keagan nervously knocked on her door.

“Come in.” Mercy said.

Keagan slowly opened the door but was surprised when he saw Dan and Catalina sitting along with Mercy.

Keagan was confused.

“There he is! The future of Lezzaro!” Dan declared.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were so close with the director of operations, huh?” Mercy asked, intoxicated by the positive atmosphere.

Keagan on the other hand was already writing his resume in his head.

“Oh- uh- We only met just yesterday. I wouldn’t call us close, hehe.” Keagan said.

“Bah! No need to be so shy, you and I are as thick as thieves. Soon I’ll be retired and you be an icon.” Dan said.

“Hehe, yeah. Oh- Tommy said you were looking for me.” Keagan shifted the conversation in the worst possible direction.

“Ah, yes. Mr. Eagleton here would like you to present the CryoPod's at this year’s Tech conference in Cynosure.” Mercy announced.

Keagan’s heart sank.

“Please, Mercy. Call me Dan.”

The two bantered on while Keagan’s head spun.

“But- but the conference is in a month and we won’t even have a working prototype until early next year!” Keagan blurted out.

“Ah-ha! That’s why she’ll be joining you as project manager. I’ve already received the go-ahead for this and you’ll be given all the resources you need to push the CryoPod as our flagship product.” Dan said.

Keagan wondered how bad the other projects were.

Lezzaro had dozens of branches around the world, so Keagan wondered why his was the one to draw the shortest straw.

“Uh- um…” Keagan struggled to even speak as his nerves got to him. He turned his gaze to Catalina, who coldly stared into her phone.

“Wait a minute! Isn’t Catalina Also a director? Shouldn’t she be handling bigger business elsewhere?” Keagan spoke his mind in an attempt to escape from this situation.

“Actually, I made some calls and the board put this project on the highest level of priority,” Dan said with a bright smile.

“Are you unsatisfied with me?” Catalina asked as she glared at Keagan, who felt the coldest chill run up his spine.

“No! Not at all. It’s just… uh- never mind. It’s a pleasure working with you.” Keagan caved in.

“Good. Now, I have some paperwork to do, so I’ll leave you three to yourselves.” Dan said as he practically hopped out of the office.

Keagan wondered just how much Dan was betting on his plan.

Catalina stood up and followed him out.

“Wait, aren’t we going to discuss our plans? I mean, we do only have three or so weeks.” Mercy asked.

Catalina stopped for a moment.

“I know. That’s why I’m going to get my things. Have an office ready for me when I arrive.” She said as she left.

Keagan and Mercy blankly stared at each other for a moment before simultaneously letting out heavy sighs.

“What the hell did you do last night?” Mercy asked while leaning back as far as her chair allowed.

“Nothing! Dan just took me to Cynosure for some drinks then next thing you know, boom! I’m the company spokesperson.” Keagan said.

“Cynosure? I’ve only been there like twice.” Mercy said.

Keagan remained silent for a moment.

“So, should we drop everything else and double-check our CryoPod data?” Keagan asked.

“Yeah, you do that.” Mercy said and Keagan walked towards the door.

“Oh and don’t think I’ve forgotten about your tardiness.”

Crap! Keagan cursed as he walked out. He returned to his desk and started running simulations that put the CryoPod’s through various tests digitally so that they could prepare for any real-world problems.

Keagan also knew that all these calculations would prove useless in the sense that real-world use was too random and he couldn't guarantee buyers that the quality of materials would be of the highest level.

Keagan worked through the day.

Catalina arrived later with some men who moved some of her things into a vacant office where she would be working.

Fortunately for everyone, she was very distant and didn’t involve herself unless it was something necessary.

The working day finally came to an end and Keagan organized his desk, but as he prepared to leave,

Catalina walked up to his desk.

“Do you have anything planned for the evening?” She asked flatly.

Yes, I have a stream planned. Keagan said internally.

“No…” He awkwardly said.

“Good. Come with me. Dan said that I should prepare you for the presentation.” She said.

“Where are you taking me?” Keagan asked sceptically.

“Clothes shopping. Your current wardrobe is… unbecoming of a spokesperson.” Catalina said while intensely eyeing Keagan’s hoodie and sneakers.

“Oh- Ok.” He couldn’t argue, but he still didn’t want to spend any time with Catalina than was deemed necessary.

Keagan followed her out of the office building as his colleagues shot curious glances at the both of them.

Normally, Keagan preferred blending in with the crowd, but now he stood out simply because he was walking behind the tall, menacing yet beautiful Catalina Acosta.

Keagan followed her to the office parking space, where they entered Catalina’s car.

It was smaller than Dan’s car but no less luxurious. It was finely polished.

The two drove for what must have been thirty or so minutes before stopping.

Their destination was a nearby mall.

After finding some parking space, the two began their trek into the mall.

Their first stop was a barber.

Keagan looked at his semi curly hair which had almost grown to neck length.

“Oh- I don’t want to cut my hair.” Keagan protested.

“Oh? Dan said you’d resist. He did also say that he would compensate you fully for your efforts.” Catalina said as she sat at a nearby couch in the salon.

“What did he mean by compensate?” Keagan asked while caressing some of his long black hair.

“Think about it. For a brief moment, you’ll be the company’s face. That in itself will come with perks and if that doesn’t satisfy you, there are always monetary benefits.” Keagan knew exactly what she meant, he just didn’t like how Dan and Catalina weren’t even trying to hide the fact that they were using him.

Keagan sat on the chair and moments later, a neatly groomed man appeared with various tools.

A few minutes passed as the man worked on Keagan’s head.

The man’s work was quickly finished, revealing Keagan’s new look.

Moments earlier, he looked like an average guy with an average job, but he had been transformed into a slightly above average guy with great hair.

Keagan let out a deep sigh as he mourned his lost follicles. He dusted off the hair off his hoodie and walked up to Catalina who was lost in her phone.

“Hey, I’m done,” Keagan said, but his words fell on deaf ears.

“Hey!” He said slightly louder, snapping Catalina out of her phone-induced trance.

“Mmm… you look less… bad,” Catalina said with narrowed eyes.

“Thanks?”

Catalina got up and Keagan followed as the two left the salon.

“What now?” Keagan asked as random people shot curious glances in his direction.

“Clothes.”

“You’re going to buy me clothes?” Keagan asked sceptically.

“No. I’ll simply decide what you will wear from today onwards.”

“What? That’s unreasonable, no?” Keagan asked as they entered a high fashion store.

“No. What’s unreasonable is Dan picking an intern as the company’s spokesman. Your value is far less than you think. So, pick some things and I’ll choose which one’s you take home.” Catalina said.

Keagan’s chest felt tight for some reason.

He was frustrated, but Catalina was right and so he let out a deep sigh.

“Fine, but I probably can't afford even a pair of socks in here,” Keagan said.

In all honesty, Keagan did have some money saved up, but that was for his streaming setup and there was no way in hell he was going to blow it all on an overpriced belt.

Catalina dialled a certain number on her phone.

“Daniel, your pet says he can’t afford new clothes.”

Keagan frowned momentarily.

“Yes. Yes, but you owe me.” Catalina said before lowering her phone.

“Daniel said pick whatever you want, he’ll cover it.” She said reluctantly.

Keagan didn’t understand what had just happened, but free is free, so he went at it and picked three outfits.

“Done!” Keagan said as he walked towards the checkout counter.

“Done with what? I have to see you in them, lest you embarrass the company.” Catalina said coldly.

Keagan sighed as he walked into the changing room. He slipped into the first outfit and presented himself to Catalina.

It was a denim jacket, paired with true blue Jean’s.

“Well?”

“Terrible,” Catalina said promoting Keagan to crawl back into the changing room where he tried the second outfit.

This one was a medium-sized jacket paired with beige pants.

Keagan emerged and turned back as soon as he saw Catalina’s disapproving gaze. He tried the third and was shot down instantly, however, this time Catalina had an outfit of her own in hand.

“Here, try this.” She said as she handed Keagan the outfit. It was a faint blue shirt with smoke grey pants.

Keagan slipped into the outfit and emerged from the changing room to see Catalina, except this time one of her brows was slightly raised.

“Well?”

“Passable.”

Keagan groaned as she picked several outfits and shoes that match in style.

The two proceeded to the cashier and Catalina paid for everything, much to Keagan’s surprise.

They then left the store and made their way out of the mall.

They eventually made it back to Catalina’s car.

The sun had just set and Keagan was prepared for a long nights rest as the day was Friday.

Catalina drove out of the parking area and it took slightly under an hour for them to arrive at Keagan’s apartment.

“Where is the parking space?”

“Oh, it’s around the- wait a minute! Why do you want to park?” Keagan asked.

“We need to prepare your presentation. The board will meet in three days and Daniel wants you to present the CryoPod concept to them by then.” Catalina said calmly.

“Wait a minute, that’s Monday!”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m here to help you prepare for that.”

Keagan froze. His apartment was rather untidy and he also had a stream scheduled in an hour.

Crap. He cursed internally.

“Fine. But this is seriously uncool. Just how bad were the other projects and how bad is Mercy at public speaking?” Keagan complained as he directed Catalina into the parking area.

“The other divisions are just incompetent, that’s all. And as for Mercy’s terrible people skills, I’m sure it’s something that can be fixed, but we’re short on time.” Catalina said.

The two unpacked Keagan’s new clothes, but then Keagan saw Catalina pull out a separate suitcase.

“What’s that for?”

“My clothes and other personal items.”

“Wait, what? You’re staying the night?”

“Yes. Unless you want to learn how to address the board on your own.”

Keagan caved in and the two made their way upstairs.

Keagan did as best as he could to spruce up the place but Catalina always had the same disgusted expression.

Keagan’s apartment had an open plan layout, his bedroom seamlessly merged with his living room and to the farthest end, his kitchen. Nothing fancy, but it wasn’t as bad as Catalina’s expression made it seem.

Keagan sat patiently sat on his couch as Catalina changed into something more comfortable in the bathroom.

Keagan thought about the past two days. He had gone from an intern to a corporate tool in a single flies lifetime.

But then again, maybe he was always a cog in the machine.

“Ugh.” Keagan groaned loudly.

About five minutes later, Catalina emerged from the bathroom wearing sweatpants and an oversized shirt. Her long black hair carelessly hung behind her as she sat next to Keagan on the couch.

“What are you staring at?”

“Nothing. I was just wondering if you always spend the night with people you barely know.”

“Tell that to the paycheck waiting for me at the end of this,” Catalina said.

“I see… so what now?”

“I want you to present the CryoPod as the product the board should approve,” Catalina instructed.

“Ok… The CryoPod is a revolutionary-"

“More enthusiasm.” Catalina

“Ok. THE CRYOPOD IS A REVOL-"

“Too loud, idiot!” Catalina yelled.

The night went on like that.

Keagan apologized to the viewers on his channel and before he knew it, it was half-past three in the morning.

“Ok, now tell me again, what is the production cost of a single CryoPod?”

“Three thousand dollars per unit,” Keagan answered.

“Good. How about durability?” Catalina asked.

“Three to four years, depending on how it’s maintained.”

“Don’t say that. Just say four."

“Ok.”

Catalina let out a sigh as Keagan stretched his tired arms.

Keagan was about to get up when he heard the strangest sound.

It was a low growl.

Keagan looked down and realized that sound was not coming from him.

“Are you hungry, we’ve been at this for a while,” Keagan said while picking up his phone.

“I’m not that hungry.”

Another growl came from Catalina.

“Ha! I’ll order us something,” Keagan said and thirty minutes later, their order arrived.

Keagan had ordered some vegan pizza. He wasn’t sure what her tastes were and asking her looked like it would be tedious, so he just got pizza.

Keagan placed the pizza down and watched in horror as Catalina devoured half the pizza before he could even blink.

Keagan managed to get a few slices before Catalina finished the whole thing.

Satisfied with the meal, Keagan walked over to his bed and plopped straight into the fetal position.

“Where should I sleep?”

“The couch,” Keagan said as he welcomed sleeps warm embrace.

.

..

The next morning came quickly and after breakfast, Keagan and Catalina further prepared for the meeting which was forty eight hours away.

A few hours passed before Keagan heard a knock on the door.

Keagan walked up to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Yo, it’s me!” Roy yelled.

Keagan looked back at Catalina who was focusing on some paperwork. He wasn’t sure how Roy and Catalina would interact, but that was for fate to decide.

Keagan opened the door and Roy burst into the apartment.

Keagan chuckled internally as he wondered where Roy found the energy to be so energetic.

“Man, you’ve let me down twice now. My days are only complete when your soul is crushed on stream, ya know?” Roy said as he walked into the living area where he froze upon realizing that Keagan had a guest.

“Oh, I didn’t know you had company.”

“Yeah, she’s staying over for the weekend,” Keagan said as he downed a bottle of water.

“Oh, so it’s like that… allow me to introduce myself. My name's Roy Deacon.” Roy said while extending his hand.

Catalina ignored him so Roy turned to Keagan for answers, but Keagan shrugged it off.

“Ahem! What are you reading there?” Roy asked as he took the file in Catalina’s hand.

Crap! Keagan cursed internally.

“Um-“ Keagan tried reprimanding Roy, but it was too late.

“Mmm… schematics for CryoPod prototype… Wow, you’re actually interested in Keagan’s work? Well, that would explain a lot. He’s a nerd, so maybe you’re a girl nerd, Haha.” Roy said casually as he sat next to Catalina.

“Um- Roy… that’s Catalina Acosta. Lezzaro’s director of operations…” Keagan said as he watched the blood leave Roy’s face.

It took a moment, but Roy eventually realized who he was sitting next to.

“Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry.”

“Are you a friend of Keagan’s?” Catalina asked in her usual cold manner.

“Y- yes! Best friend actually, hehe.” Roy chuckled nervously.

Catalina looked at Keagan, who nodded in acknowledgement.

Catalina sighed.

“Then it’s fine. Besides, I’m the one who’s here unannounced. Can I have that back?”

Roy looked at the papers in his hands, then back at Catalina.

“Of course.”

Catalina went back to reading and Roy stood up and led Keagan outside.

“Oi! Why didn’t you tell me that you had an executive in your house? Also, why is there an executive in your house?” Roy asked with wide eyes and pale skin.

“Um- you see, it's kind of a long, but short story,” Keagan said while scratching his head.

“Break it down for me.”

“Ok, the company wants me to present a project in a month or so, at the annual tech conference in Cynosure. But I’m basically a nobody and so Catalina is here to coach me.” Keagan explained, but Roy was still perplexed.

“Ok, that makes sense. Kinda. So, when are you going to stream again, or should I start my own channel?”

“Tuesday, I think.”

“Ok.”

Roy said and the two re-entered Keagan’s apartment.

“Um- once again, I apologize for my rudeness earlier, ma’am.” Roy apologized again and Catalina gave him a slight nod.

“Well, I’ll have to go now, I got a thing to do. So yeah.”

Roy left, leaving the apartment with an eerie silence.

“You know, he wouldn’t have been rude to you if you didn’t ignore him.”

“I know.”

“So-"

“I’m hungry.” Catalina cut Keagan off.

“Yeah? What do you want-"

“I’m going out.” Catalina stood up and stormed into the bathroom.

Keagan sighed. He didn’t care about what she did and so he sat on the couch, took out his phone and scoured the internet.

Thirty minutes later, Catalina emerged wearing a gorgeous red dress and dark blue high heels.

Keagan wondered what she had packed into her suitcase, now he had an answer.

Keagan noticed a slit that ran up Catalina’s knee-high dress.

It had a bold, yet subtle appeal.

“What?” Catalina asked after noticing Keagan’s stare.

“Nothing much, just that dress… it’s nice.” Keagan admitted while rubbing his nose shyly.

“Mmm…” Catalina made a monotone sound and walked towards the door.

“I’ll be back later.” She said before leaving.

Keagan let out a sigh before heading to his “other room". One where non of the clutter and messiness of the rest it the apartment was present. He quietly entered his soundproofed room and closed its unusually heavy door.

He sighed again, before posting a certain message on various social media sites. He sat down on his custom chair, switched on his computer and started streaming a game of his choice.

Keagan enjoyed attempting record-breaking plays in various games and he had recently beaten the record for most kills in a certain game

Recently his routine had been disrupted by Dan and his schemes, but he finally found some free time

The time was half-past five in the afternoon and so he braced himself for a full afternoon of gaming.

.

..

Several hours later.

“Ok, this is getting tricky, back me up I’m going in.”

The match had reached its climax and there were only two teams left.

Keagan was low on health, but he had a solid plan to take out the last team. He just needed support.

Keagan sent his avatar charging forward and his two squadmates joined in on the assault. It didn’t take long for bullets to start flying everywhere.

[Their tank is low! His low!]

Keagan’s teammate yelled.

“Got it!”

Keagan’s avatar ran through the compound the opposing team was huddled up and found the Tank his teammate mentioned.

With half a health bar and a magazine full of bullets, Keagan let loose and shot the tank as they desperately tried to escape.

“Bro, this guy’s not as low as you said. Get over here now!”

Keagan’s avatar ended up being the bullet sponge as his opponent used his advantage as a character with high damage resistance and let out a volley of his own bullets at Keagan.

“Come on! Come on!”

Keagan’s pleas for help went unanswered as he desperately tried dodging his attacker.

Then suddenly he heard a clicking sound. He couldn’t turn away from the action on screen, so he decided to focus on the battle before him.

Keagan heard the muffled sound of footsteps over his headset, but he kept his attention on the screen. He had one bullet to go before his opponent was eliminated, then suddenly two hands covered his eye’s, preventing him from seeing the screen.