1/10

Roarke's anger was not in anyway sated because she wasn't remorseful and didn't see any errors in her way, his forehead ticked continuously, fuming with uncontrollably in anger, he stared at her face. Some strands of her hair were plastered on her chin due to the sweat on it. He watched how she brushed them behind her ears. Her sharp grey eyes pinned him to his seat, fury swirled in them and her chest rose and lowered intermittently.

Lost in her bright grey eyes which reminded him of a painting he hung at home, her plump heart shaped lips thinned in annoyance.

"If only I had signed the contract" she spoke slowly, "I would have reported you to the HR for sexual harassment, Mr. Roarke Stone", Vannesa scowled at Roarke, "because that look right there isn't a look of admiration but harassment!"

Roarke averted his eyes and snorted, "as if there's anything worth looking at on your face" , he lied, not liking the fact that she caught him starring at her face. "I'm not part of the men who drool over any pretty female they see like a senseless teenager" he scoffed.

"At least, you noticed I'm pretty" she retorted.

"Unfortunately! Don't let it get into your head though, I'm well versed with people like you" he sneered.

"And what exactly do you mean by people like me?" Her eyesbrows furrowed.

He ignored her question and shrugged.

He thought he heard her mumbled, "jerk", but he didn't react, wanting to get rid of Vanessa as soon as possible because she unnerved him, he cleared his throat and continued, "now that we know how you're going to handpick your team and there wouldn't be a case of sexual harassment" he looked directly into her eyes, placing emphasis on the last two words, "could you sign the contract and let's call it a day?" Wanting to get it over with as soon as possible.

He pointed at the contract with less enthusiasm. Roarke doesn't let his emotion come into play when dealing with people aside from family. He has always been known as the one who always keep his emotion in check , the rational one among his brothers but Vanessa's presence is making him act otherwise and he hated and blamed her for it.

His logical and reasonable mind knew Vanessa was the right person for the job, but he still has a reservation though. Let's see how she does tomorrow anyway.

Vannesa closed her eyes and thought, this is just the last time I would see this infuriating man, just think about the greater good!

She let out a breath of frustration, determined not to give him any reason to taunt her anymore, she signed and pushed it back to him.

"I expect a prompt weekly report from you to  know the progress of the project" he said curtly, "have a good day, Miss Sloan" he dismissed with a lazy movement of his head towards the door.

Vanessa had never been dismissed like that ever before, what a disrespectful man! She had never seen anyone who act as a jerk as much as Roark. It seems he knew the button to press to bring the worst out of her, dedicated to ruin his mood as he'd done hers, she took her time to get up, seeing the annoyed look on his face elevated her mood a little.

I'm so going to show you the stuff I'm made of. I'll infuriate the living hell out of you, just wait.

To further damage his mood for the day, she spoke, "usually when I admire men, I usually rate them based on their looks" she continued when Roarke raised his head from the screen he had been starring at, after dismissing her.

The anger that has been ebbing away, sipped back in suddenly, Vannesa flashed an evil smile when she saw the furry in his eyes, "but with your shitty character and personality" she shook her head with disapproval while clicking here tongue, "I'd say 1/10" she drawled and slammed the door shut with all the force she could muster.

The reverberation of the sound startled Roarke's assistant, who smiled at Vanessa, a look which can be interpreted to mean 'welcome to the club' was displayed on her face.

Vanessa let out a satisfied sigh, she needs to befriend his assistant to know everything that annoys him so as to use it against him. Roarke has poked the angry bear in her and he will bear the wrath!

Roarke was closed to pulling his hair out in frustration, never in his life had he met someone as annoying as Vanessa. He wanted to let out the burning fury he felt, he pushed her thoughts out of his mind, breathing in and out for a minute, he massaged his forehead and continued to work.