Chase watched the exchange between Kaia and Nash from the entrance of the company building. He'd been on his way to his office for a meeting with Nash, only to find him flirting with Kaia after almost running her over. His knuckles whitened as Kaia gave Nash a rare, beautiful smile. Fuck this. Sticking both hands in his pockets, Chase strode down to them. "Someone's not at her desk this morning," he drawled, stopping in front of them.
Kaia stiffened but quickly regained her composure, giving a stiff smile. She'd barely recovered from yesterday's dinner, and she didn't bargain on seeing Chase before her morning coffee. "Good morning, Mr. Ceemer."
Nash's warm laugh filtered in as he stretched out his hand. "Chase, I was just about to head to you before an angel flew my way," he said, directing his dimpled smile at Kaia.
Kaia blushed slightly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Nash shook Chase's hand absentmindedly, still staring at Kaia. Chase watched in annoyance, his jaw clenching.
Clearing her throat, Kaia gestured to Nash. "It was nice making your acquaintance, Mr. Krue—"
"Nash... call me Nash, please," he interrupted.
"Alright, Nash," she replied with a smile. Chase's tension rolled off his shoulders.
"And I'll be buying you that coffee back," Nash added as Kaia made to walk away. For a second, she paused, looking straight at Chase, her eyes colder than the North Sea. Then she smiled warmly, her gaze shifting to Anthony. "I look forward to it, Nash."
Turning, she disappeared into the building. Chase took a deep breath, turning to face Anthony. "I didn't peg you for a hook 'em down by the street kind of guy," he scoffed.
A slight frown marred Nash's forehead. "I wasn't hooking anything down by the street". The statement weirdly left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Besides, shouldn't you be more worried about the near accident your assistant just had? She is your assistant, right?" He asked, eyebrow raised in question.
"She'll be fine, and yes, she is." he replied with a wave of his hand.
Nash narrowed his eyes, then continued, "Well, accidents and beautiful assistants aside, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"Let's," Chase sneered.
Kaia made it to her desk, sinking into her chair. Her problems remained, right over the door she couldn't stop staring at. She'd taken the longer route to avoid meeting Chase and Mr. Kruel. She guessed they were discussing business in Chase's office, if the security waiting for him was any indication.
She mulled over the morning's events. Nash Kruel was the only son of Patrick Kruel, and he'd been the acting CEO of the central headquarters since his father fell ill last year. She'd read up on him and his company after going through the company packet. That's how she'd learned about the dealings and acquisitions between Ceemer Corporations and Kruel Pharmaceuticals, and how poor Kyran would be caught in the middle of what was to be a bloody merger.
If there was anything she'd learned from being the underdog for so long, it was to always have a trump card in her back pocket. And Nash Kruel just might be hers.
*****
Penni sat across her dresser table, staring into her reflection as it stared back at her. She tilted her face at different angles, scrutinizing every inch for the faintest sign of wrinkles.
Her last Botox session had been just a month ago, but the tiny line at the corner of her left eye was already irritating—unacceptably so. With a small frown, she picked up her phone to book another session with her specialist.
A notification popped up, Kyran's name flashing across the screen:
Pen, he just called me in for an "urgent" meeting. I think he's about to break the news. What the fuck am I supposed to do now?!!!
Ugh!
The acquisition Chase had so conveniently kept from them—especially from Kyran, considering it was his family company, his inheritance—had been spilled by that goody-two-shoes bitch, Kaia, at last week's disastrous reunion.
Penni had to admit, she hadn't thought Kaia had it in her. The girl had clearly grown a backbone since their high school days. But what pissed her off the most was the infuriating realization that Chase had somehow gotten worse—worse—with his obsession over Kaia.
Only now, it was refined, masked beneath a layer of stoic maturity. But Penni knew better. Deep down, he was still that same boy who burned too hot at the mere sight of Kaia, still unable to control it.
She seethed, the anger simmering just beneath the surface.
She'd liked Chase for years—long before high school. Their parents, along with Kyran's, had been business partners and members of the same elite clubs, so naturally, they had all grown up together. Chase had always been the boy who would do anything to make sure his friends were okay. Cold eyes or not, he cared—truly cared—and she had fallen for him far too quickly.
Telling him hadn't been an issue. She had the confidence of a bull—unyielding, relentless. Whatever Penni wanted, Penni got.
Or so she thought.
Until Chase.
He hadn't been cruel in his rejection. In fact, she had been content to remain by his side—as the only female friend he showed any real consideration for. Being part of his inner circle, having access to parts of him others didn't, had helped soothe the sting of his refusal.
Until Kaia.
"There's nothing great about her," she hissed, tracing her fingers over her features.
Penni had always been pretty—and she intended to stay that way. She had large, doll-like eyes framed by long, wispy lashes. Her cupid's bow was sharply defined, complementing her small mouth and giving it the illusion of a perfectly heart-shaped pout.
She maintained her appearance with ruthless precision. Whatever money could buy, Penni could have. Her skin was the clearest testament to that—smooth, luminous, almost porcelain in its perfection.
By all accounts, she was beautiful.
But none of it had mattered once Kaia entered the picture.
She had watched Chase—once cold and calculating—turn into an impulsive hothead whenever Kaia came within ten feet of him.
It made her sick.
She was supposed to be the one who made his blood run hot. She had been there the longest. She knew him better.
She was the heir to the Carrera dynasty, and on paper, she and Chase were perfect. All she had to do was make him see it…
…and get rid of Kaia.
But first, she had to save Kyran's ass. Because friends didn't stab each other in the back—and her circle would not crumble because of that bitch.
She picked up her phone again and pressed 1 on speed dial.
"Hello, Daddy. I need your help."