Three and a half years later.
"A friend is returning today from London. I think you might be interested in her," Samuel muttered, leaning forward, hands spread on the table before his boss.
Edward leaned back in his chair, his body relaxed yet exuding the commanding aura that clearly marked his dominance in the room.
"Tell me more about her," Edward said.
Samuel strolled over and sank into a seat, tilting his head back to gaze at the ceiling. "I was with her for a year in London. She trained personally under the best, a King's Counsel," he said, admiration lacing his voice.
Edward listened silently, a small, satisfied smile curving his lips at the mention of King's Counsel. King's Counsel… For years, he had wanted to align himself with one but had never had the right connection. Having someone with that caliber on his team was nothing short of a cheat code to achieving his ambitions.
"Is she really worth a shot?" Edward asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes. It wasn't her competence he questioned, but rather her connections.
Samuel huffed, shooting his boss a look that clearly said You have no idea what you're talking about. "She may not be the best I've seen," he admitted with a chuckle, "but I can assure you, when she sets her mind on something, she won't back down."
"I don't care about the history or the records," Edward interjected, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Just set up the meeting."
Samuel glanced at his wristwatch, a knowing expression crossing his face. Before Edward could ask, Samuel yanked himself off the couch, utterly stunned.
Edward raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What's wrong?"
"I'm late. I have to be at the airport right now," He blurted, making a beeline for the door and slamming it behind him.
_________
At the airport.
Kiara walked through the airport terminal, her suitcase rolling smoothly beside her, hand tightly clasped around the handle. Oversized shades shielded her eyes, and her long, wavy brown hair framed her petite figure, making her almost unrecognizable. The confidence she radiated carried an almost intimidating aura, compelling people in the bustling lobby to make way for her without question.
As she stepped outside, a jovial smile spread across her face. Being back home sent a thrill through her chest. She was returning to the place that had once broken her, but this time, she was stronger than the way she left.
"Happy to be back home," she sighed, taking in a deep breath. The crisp air filled her lungs, forcing its way up her nostrils, and she giggled at the simple joy of it.
Minutes passed as she wandered in her little world of fantasies, speaking softly to herself. Anyone watching might have mistaken her for an imbecile, but with her looks, no one would dare. Her daydreams were abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone. Digging it out of her handbag, she huffed at the caller ID before answering.
"If I knew you'd make me wait, I might as well have called one of my dad's men to pick me up," she said, frustration lacing her tone.
The voice on the other end didn't answer; he just laughed, as if the entire matter were a joke.
"I can't believe you're just laughing!" she fumed, anger surging through her veins.
"Look to your right," came a calm, measured voice.
Kiara slowly turned her head, eyes landing on a sleek black car. Inside, a man smiled from the driver's seat. "You joke too much," she said, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips.
She disconnected the call and sauntered toward the car. Samuel stepped out to meet her, and the two shared a friendly hug before he grabbed her luggage. He loaded it into the boot while she made herself comfortable in the passenger seat.
Samuel closed the boot and slid back into the driver's seat, eyes studying her profile. "Why the sudden return? Thought you'd be making a fortune in London," he murmured, his gaze portraying a hint of admiration.
"I missed the people back home, especially my sisters," she said nonchalantly, eyes closed as her thumb idly played with her nose. Samuel watched, intrigued by the small gesture. His admiration for her stirred something within him.
He smiled as she tilted her head in his direction and slowly opened her eyes. Their gazes met, and Kiara blinked, a hint of confusion in her expression. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me that way?" she muttered.
"I just can't get enough of your beauty," he said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"If you can't get enough of me, then I think you'll faint, or worse, die, when you meet my sisters, especially my little sister," she chuckled. "Her beauty is just unmatched," she added sincerely.
"Can't wait to meet the person whose beauty obliterates your own," he replied, grinning widely.
Kiara huffed, a smile forming on her lips. She leaned back, her head resting on the headrest, the evening sun casting a warm glow across her fair skin. The car navigated through the bustling streets, the silence stretching for a while until Samuel finally broke it.
"There's someone I want you to meet… my boss," he said, his focus fixed on the road, his words slicing through the silence.
"Why? I'm not interested," she muttered, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.
"Proud as always," he huffed. "I just want the two of you to meet. He might have a spot for you at the firm… You know it would be a pleasure to work with you. And… maybe even a future partnership."
Kiara glanced at his side profile, a small smile playing on her lips. She was lucky to have a friend like him, someone who'd always had her back. Memories of her arrival in London flickered in her mind; he had guided her, ensured she felt at home, and helped her navigate the unfamiliar city.
"I appreciate your concern," she said softly, her smile warm. "But I already have an appointment with someone who matches my energy."
"Then… fine, if you say so," he replied, his voice laced with frustration. "I'll..."
"Don't fret," she interrupted, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. The touch sent a subtle spark down his spine. "For your sake, I'll meet up with whoever they are."
"Alright… I'll let him know," he said, glancing away to hide the smile that threatened to escape.
The rest of the journey was silent. Kiara was buried in her phone, scrolling absentmindedly, completely unaware of the man beside her, who remained focused on the road, occasionally sneaking glances at her.
The car pulled up outside a café, SALLY CHICKEN CAFE. Samuel switched off the engine. "He'll meet us here," he muttered.
Thirty minutes later.
"Is he really coming? I'm tired of waiting," Kiara snapped, her impatience bubbling over.
Samuel gave her an apologetic look. He had no idea why his boss hadn't shown up yet, especially since he had informed him ahead of time. Just as he was pondering what to do next, his phone rang.
"Allow me to take this," he said, reaching for it.
Kiara shot him a look that screamed, Why do you need my permission? She huffed, ignoring him completely. Samuel walked to an empty table in the corner, picked up the call, and answered.
__________
Edward sauntered into the café, his usual commanding presence preceding him. The aroma of freshly fried chicken made him pause, sparking an unexpected craving. His eyes swept the room, scanning for Samuel, but then someone else caught his attention.
"Is it really her?" he murmured, utterly stunned. "She's changed… a great deal."
He approached the table where Kiara sat, chuckling deliberately to draw her attention. Her head snapped up from her phone, eyes narrowing as recognition and fury washed over her.
Why in the world was he the first person she was meeting here, aside from Samuel? Seeing him triggered memories of that night, replaying crystal clear in her mind as if it had just happened seconds ago.
"Well, well, well… my dear Kiara. It's been a long time," he said, his chuckle laced with mockery.
"I don't have any business with you," she muttered, her voice tight as she struggled to suppress the anger simmering deep within her.
"Come on, baby, that's not how you greet an old friend," Edward said, a sly grin spreading across his face, the same look she remembered from that night.
"I see you two have already met," a familiar voice interrupted. Samuel.
"What!!?" both Kiara and Edward exclaimed in unison, the realization hitting them like a jolt.
"Is she the one you talked about?" Edward asked, his confident smile fading for the first time.
"Yeah," Samuel replied innocently, completely oblivious to the electric tension between the two.
"Do you two know each other?" he continued, gesturing between them.
A forced laugh escaped Kiara's lips. She noticed the shock and slight discomfort on Edward's face, a feeling of satisfaction stirring within her. He loosened his tie, sweat dotting his forehead as if he'd stepped into a furnace.
"Kiara, I know we started off on the wrong footing, but… let's talk this out, please," Edward said, his tone wavering between regret and apology. He couldn't let this moment slip away. Had he known this day would come, he wouldn't have treated her the way he did back then.
"There's nothing to talk about," she snapped, her words dripping with disdain. Her tone was sharp, controlled, every syllable laced with contempt.
Samuel watched the two, his mind spinning, trying to piece together the scene before him. He had no clue where to start.
"I have to go home," Kiara excused herself, rising from her seat with a poise that commanded attention. She was no longer the timid girl from three years ago, the one tossed around and ordered like a workhorse. This was a new Kiara: confident, fearless, and untouchable.
Edward's eyes widened, disbelief written across his face. He couldn't reconcile this powerful woman with the memory of the girl he had once dismissed.
"Sam, let's leave. There's nothing more to talk about here," Kiara said firmly, her voice sharp as steel.
Samuel froze, torn. Loyalty battled with friendship in his mind. Should he stay with his boss or leave with the friend who had always been like a sister to him?
"Fear you might lose your job," Kiara muttered to Samuel, noting the confusion written across his face. "Don't worry. You're too good for him," she added, squeezing his hand gently, pulling him out of his hesitation.
Edward sat frozen, helpless and speechless, as the two walked out of the cafe. Anger and regret surged through his veins, coiling like fire. He clenched his fists tightly, pounding the table with a sharp thud that drew curious glances from everyone around. The sound echoed his frustration, a silent testament to the opportunity slipping through his fingers.
In the car.
Kiara rested her head on the headrest, a soft smile playing on her lips. The memory of him begging lingered vividly in her mind, making her heart skip with joy. She tried to stifle her laughter, but a series of giggles escaped anyway.
The expression on his face had stirred something inside her. He looked like he had lost everything. But that wasn't all; he'd just witnessed how strong she'd become. The real blow, she knew, was yet to come.
She turned to Samuel, who still stared at her, puzzled. "You know," she teased, "you look cute with that expression on your face." Samuel couldn't help but smile.
"Do you know each other?" he asked politely.
"Remember back in London when I told you why I went there? Does it ring a bell?"
Samuel's eyes widened. "Wait… the guy is Edward?" The realization hit him.
"How long have you been working with him?" Kiara asked.
"If I remember correctly, that's been two years, ever since I left England."
Kiara's mind raced. If Samuel had been working with Edward for two years, that meant he must have met Jessica. She leaned forward with excitement. "Do you happen to know someone called Jessica?"
"Jessica? Not really," Samuel replied. "I've never seen anyone called Jessica around."
Kiara's heart ached. It seemed Jessica had been just another victim, another pawn he'd played with, just like he had done with her. A wave of sorrow washed over her as she wondered how Jessica was doing now.
She had betrayed her, yes, but Kiara still loved her. She couldn't let that jerk of a man destroy the bond they once shared."I'm sorry, Jessie," she whispered to herself. "I'm sorry for leaving you behind, even after finding out how manipulative he is. I promise, I'll find you."
"Why do you ask? And who's Jessica?" Samuel's voice broke her thoughts.
"My best friend," Kiara replied casually.
Samuel scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You mean the one who betrayed you? She's a demon, Kiara. Come on, why are you such a saint?"
Kiara gave a faint, weary smile. "No, she isn't a demon… and I'm not a saint either." Her voice trembled, the anger and sadness intertwined. "I'm still mad at her for what she did, and it'll take me time to forgive her. But I'll never forgive myself if something happens to her. I shouldn't have left her behind."
A tear slipped down her cheek as her voice softened. "I saw it in her eyes back then. Even though she acted like she didn't care when she said those words, her eyes were screaming for me not to leave, for me to stay with her."
She exhaled a sad sigh. "She was a bad friend… but I was the worst one she ever had. When she said I was nothing without her, she wasn't really talking about me; she was talking about herself. She knew that if I left, she wouldn't survive without me. But I was too foolish to realize it."
There was a moment of silence between them as the car hummed down the street, city lights reflecting softly on the windshield.
"Should I drop you at home?" Samuel finally asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"Not really," Kiara replied, her tone calm but distant. "I'll go there tomorrow. Drop me here." She tilted her phone toward him, showing the glowing map on her screen.
About forty minutes later, they pulled up in front of a quiet apartment building. The night air was cool, brushing against her face as she stepped out. Samuel hurried to the trunk and grabbed her suitcase before she could protest.
"You don't need to come in with me," she said, taking the handle from him with a small smile.
He frowned, scratching the back of his neck. "But… what if you need my help? You've been away for years. It could be untidy in there." His tone carried a mix of concern and hesitation; he didn't seem ready to leave her just yet.
Kiara chuckled softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Don't worry," she said reassuringly. "I'll be sharing it with someone. Mum told me earlier she rented it out to someone named Debbie. I'm sure it's tidy."
Samuel blinked. "Debbie?" He raised a brow.
"Yeah," Kiara laughed lightly, tugging her suitcase behind her.