Chapter 5: Last Resort

KIANA

I went back inside, almost too stunned for words, and showed Mia the card.

She looked as perplexed as I felt. “Who would offer you this much money, and for what?!” she asked.

“I don’t know, but £50,000 is insane!” There had to be some hidden catch, likely one that was morally questionable considering the salary.

Logic began setting in, replacing shock. “No. It doesn’t matter who it’s from or why. The offer is for Jade. I don’t want it,” I replied curtly.

“Are you sure? This is a lot of money. You could do so much with it. It will cover your tuition for the next few years, and you could save the rest to put toward starting your own animal clinic after you graduate,” she suggested.

“Who knows what kind of ‘opportunity’ this is? I’d rather make it on my own,” I said, ripping the card in half and tossing it in the bin.

“Oh!” Mia squealed, darting over to the trash can and pulling the card out.

My eyes widened. “No,” I said firmly.

She grinned as she pushed the card into my hand.

“No freaking way, Mia!”

“Why are you so against it? You don’t even know what they’re proposing,” she said, exasperated.

“I refuse to be someone’s sugar puppet for gifts and money,” I retorted a bit too harshly.

“Whoa!” Mia exclaimed, looking hurt.

“I’m sorry. That’s not fair. I didn’t mean to snap,” I apologized, burying my face in my hands as I slipped onto the sofa.

“You know I’m not against what you do. If anything, I admire you for it. It’s just too much for me. All I want is to live a simple life where I go to school, study, and keep my part-time job slinging overroasted coffee and croissants.

“Besides, I don’t exactly have the necessary qualities to become a sugar baby. I’m not confident and self-assured like you.”

“Stop belittling yourself. You’re smart and beautiful—qualities a lot of people in my field lack.” Mia slipped into the seat beside me, taking my hand in a reassuring gesture.

“Look, for what it’s worth, I think you should at least listen to their offer. It might surprise you. Plus, I’ve heard of them. They’re a legitimate company,” she said, trying to reassure me.

I looked at her, realizing I was out of alternatives. Maybe I should give them a chance. “All right,” I conceded, sighing.

“It’s only five o’clock. You could get there in half an hour if you hurry.”

All it took was a hesitant nod, and Mia practically pushed me out the door.

She didn’t even give me time to change clothes. A part of me wanted to, but I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I was only going to listen. So, I headed out in my dark blue jeans, white tank top, and a cropped denim jacket.

When I arrived at Winters Security, I couldn’t believe how massive the building was.

A doorman held the door open for me. ~A doorman at a business building? That’s new.~

I walked in and immediately felt like a fish out of water. Everyone was wearing upscale designer outfits. They looked like they belonged, and their expressions conveyed that they knew I didn’t.

I was contemplating leaving when a woman approached me.

She was dressed in a knee-length black pencil skirt and a forest-green blouse. Her honey-colored hair was impeccably arranged in a neat bun, not a single strand out of place.

“Can I assist you?” she asked gently.

~She probably thinks I’m lost.~ “I’m here to see Chase,” I said quietly.

Her eyes widened, and a look of panic crossed her face. “Oh. Of course. You must be Miss Ailana,” she stammered. “Right this way!”

~What was that about?~

She led me to a private elevator at the end of the corridor. Once inside, she flashed me a brief, anxious smile—then pressed the button for the top floor.

I followed her out of the elevator and down a narrow, dimly lit hallway. Tasteful silver lampshades decorated the walls, casting soft shadows.

She hesitantly knocked on the door at the end of the hallway. Her forehead glistened with a thin sheen of sweat as she nervously wrung her hands.

“Enter,” a firm voice commanded from inside.

She held the door open and gestured me inside. I was so taken aback by the office’s interior that I didn’t notice her closing the door behind me with a soft click.

The office was stunning. Unlike the hallway outside, the room was spacious and brightly lit. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls provided a panoramic view of the city.

A large white oak desk sat in the middle of the room, commanding attention. Behind the desk was a plush white chair that looked incredibly inviting.

Next to one of the windows sat a roomy white sofa and a soft silver rug. A small glass table sat in front of the sofa, adding to the room’s sophistication. A massive TV hung on the opposite wall.

Despite the lavishness of the room, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of personal touches. Everything was spotless and well-kept, from the desk to the sofa to the TV. It was clear that the office’s owner valued cleanliness and organization.

Suddenly, I caught a whiff of a familiar spicy scent with a hint of woodiness. It made my knees feel weak and my chest tighten.

“Nice of you to show up,” said a low, gravelly voice.

I turned to see the daunting stranger emerging from behind a door. A restroom, perhaps?

Then it hit me…

He was the same man from the night before!

~What does he want from me?~

He was wearing a simple white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up and the top three buttons undone, revealing a peek of his muscular chest. His arms looked like they could rip through the fabric of his shirt, and the little bit of his chest that was visible was chiseled.

I swallowed hard.

Perhaps it was the natural light in the room, but he was even more attractive than I remembered.

His sandy-blond hair was tousled in a way that was effortlessly sexy, drawing attention. His Caribbean-blue eyes met mine as if he were trying to see beyond what was visible, searching for something deeper within me.

The room seemed to be getting hotter by the second. I nervously fiddled with the sleeves of my jacket as my mind swirled with more and more questions.

I decided to break the silence with the same words that had worked on the woman in the lobby: “I’m here to see Chase.”

“You found him,” he replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.