:-(
Arthur Reed stared outside the window of his massive building as he watched the traffic below him. It was after 6 PM and everyone was rushing back home while he stood with a glass of whiskey in his hand. The ice cubes clicked against each other as he swirled the glass and swallowed the rest of the burning liquid with the hope that the burn would help quench the fire in his heart but it did nothing. “What the fuck was I supposed to say?” He asked himself as he felt the strong urge to punch into the huge glass before him. A sudden knock interrupted his deep thoughts making him turn his head slightly to the side and turn back to watch the traffic. Ignoring Tim completely. “There has been no board meeting yet sir..” Tim updated Arthur who sat back in his office chair and stared at the financial report he was about to use against his enemy. “Why?” Arthur raised his brow at Tim who stood and shifted uncomfortably not knowing how to answer the question. “We are not sure sir. But Mr.
“Huh! I owe you? I don’t owe you shit, Mr. Reed.” Kiana snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. She recalled the hurtful words he had said to his grandfather and a glint of coldness flashed through her eyes. ‘All men are the same!’ “I’d be careful with my choice of words, Angel,” Arthur growled as he leaned in closer while placing both his hands on Kiana’s armchairs facing her dangerously close. Kiana’s mind spun for a few seconds before she pushed Arthur back making a smirk stretch his perfect face like he was enjoying the little game, which only made Kiana even angrier. “Do I look like I have time for games?” She snapped. “Yes,” Arthur responded with a shrug as he placed his hands back in his pockets. Kiana scoffed as she attempted to press her security button but thought twice about it when she saw the look of playfulness in Arthur’s eyes as if he was daring her to do it. With an internal groan, she stood up and walked to the door, and held it open. “Please get the hell ou
“What did Annabel say to you that you changed your mind so easily and isn’t Annabel part of Clear Cosmetics? Why would what she’s said make you change your mind?” Kiana asked. James chucked as if Kiana had just told a joke before he responded, “The CEO position is still vacant, and as long as that will is not read, anyone can take the position by majority vote, but you know that already.” “Annabel wants the CEO position?” Kiana asked “Who doesn’t? Even my dumb nephew wants it.” James responded. “I see, so everyone wants it and they convinced you with words?” Kiana crossed her legs and straightened her back as she stared at James. “Well, I guess that’s why I’m here. I need to know if it’s true you and Danny are having problems and might break up.” James insisted which earned him a dry laugh from Kiana. Her eyes were serious as she looked back at him, “Danny is your nephew, Mr. Williams, why don’t you go talk to him? As for the company, words don’t mean anything until one can deli
“No, Something came up. I’ll have to meet you later.” Daniel answered as he looked down at his pants and lucky for him, they were black so he walked out quickly and rushed straight to the car. “Daniel, don’t tell me she shed a few tears and made you soft,” Annabel spoke on the other end but Daniel cut the line without saying anything else which made Annabel even angrier. Annabel had organized a get-together at one of the hotels using the clear cosmetics bill but made Daniel sign the authorization. The party was in full swing and she drank her wine while she waited for Daniel to update him on how Kiana was in tears and begging for them to spare her but when that didn’t happen, Annabel started to wonder if she celebrated too early. “This is great Annie!” Chelsea said. One of their former high school friends whom she had invited. “Yeah, you do have a great eye. No wonder that useless company has stood so long. It’s been all you, Annie.” Christabel agreed. “You ladies are too kind. B
“Annabel, honey, you don’t look too well. Is everything okay?” Kiana asked with a voice filled with mocking concern. “I’m fine,” Annabel responded flatly. “Good. Because you of all people shouldn’t miss this surprise.” Kiana smiled as they waited for the door to open. Daniel walked in looking confident with a smile on his face, until he saw what was around him that his brows met. So much anger filled his eyes when he realized that, he had been played. “What the hell is this Kia?” “Well it’s a reunion, what do you think a reunion looks like?” Kiana asked as she stepped away from the girls so she could meet Daniel eye to eye. “Well... I thought... You meant.” Daniel stuttered when he noticed the music had stopped and everyone around them had turned to listen in to their conversation. [FLASHBACK TO EARLIER] “We have a huge problem!” Juliana busted into Kiana’s office with four files in her hand as she closed the door. When she turned, she bent over with one hand in the air trying
“What was that about?” Arthur asked in a calm but dangerous tone. Kiana, however only felt anger when she saw him. She raised her brow as if confused by his question, “What was what about Mr. Reed?” “Drop the games, Kiana,” Arthur warned but it only made Kiana want to push his buttons even more. “Does this look like monopoly to you Mr. Reed?” Kiana asked but she didn’t wait for his response before she added, “Excuse me.” For the first time in his life, Arthur was rendered speachless but something in his chest grew and it was pride. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he watched Kiana walk away. “I never thought I’d see the day when Arthur Reed smiled at such a response.” Caspian Adams commented. “It seems this love is one-sided.” Nikolai laughed. Arthur turned and glared at his best friends, “You both need to shut the fuck up.” Nikolai Cooper and Caspian Adams were Arthur’s childhood friends before he met Hayden and the five of them grew up together. Nikolai was a famou
“What happened?” Cade’s voice rang out when Kiana had hidden behind a tree right outside the hotel. After what Arthur had said, she was losing her mind but she knew better than to run right into the media with tears on her face. “Nothing. I thought you went to the station.” Kiana responded as she wiped her tears. She was shocked to meet him so soon but said nothing about it. Kiana didn't expect to find anyone at the back door, worse off Cade. She felt so drained that it was no use hiding her ears. 'He's already seen me anyway!' The thought crossed her as she tried to put up a smile but failed miserably. Cade reached into his pocket and pulled out a hanky for her to wipe her face. “I did, but then I came back to check if you’re okay. I know betrayal hurts more than anything.” “You’ve been betrayed before?” Kiana sniffed into the hanky as she looked up at him with red puffy eyes. “You can say that, but hey, that’s not important. Let’s get you home.” Cade flashed Kiana a smile. F
“So what you mean to tell me is, you let another man take my girl home?” Arthur snarled. Joane swallowed as she faced down not knowing what to say. It was the second time she had made a mistake. ‘I should really be focused before I get fired and we get thrown back on the streets.’ Joane thought. “I’m really sorry sir.” Joane apologized but what they didn’t know was that Nikolai was standing in the door frame with his hands crossed over his chest. “I told you women are not good at shit, and yet you decided to hire one for security reasons.” He mocked. Arthur threw him a glare making him raise his hands in surrender. “Shut the fuck up.” He growled. Even though he was angry, Arthur hated people who looked down on women because he knew that given the same opportunities and resources, they would equally be as good. “Just saying man, but whatever,” Nikolai whined as he walked back to the kitchen. Joane’s chest was boiling from the comment Nikolai had passed but she had to keep her head