Kyle hadn't come home last night, Kiara thought as she got dressed. He had probably slept at Michael's, his secretary or driver, whatever. It was hard keeping track of who did what for Kyle at K&K since he gave those he trusted more than one responsibility. Perhaps she would ask him why he did that but for now, she had to concentrate on her assignment. R.J Powell.
R.J Powell's name was on everyone's lips, but Kiara had never been particularly interested. The company was a very big and famous one and she'd seen several magazines of it but had never really been interested. Perhaps you could say she was jealous or overprotective since her company and R.J Powell were into similar things.
After Kyle had rescued her six years ago, he'd asked her what she'd wanted to do. She had told him that she would work with him at K&K but Kyle had rephrased the question. He'd then asked her what she loved to do. She'd told him about her designs and her wish to own a company. Kyle, the loving brother he'd been, had helped her start
up Royal K & Q three years later. At first, they'd only produced designs of female clothes but with time and Vivian's help, they'd been able to do much more. They'd moved on to making the dresses, making and selling bags and other accessories. From watches to shoes, they sold them and in no time, it'd become popular. What wasn't popular, was the CEO. Vivian acted as the figure head and over saw most of the company but the true owner was Kiara.
Her disappearance made her want to keep her identity a secret and Vivian didn't mind. She loved the pay, the glory and the limelight; all the things that Kiara hated. Whether or not she thought it so, it was like Royal Kings & Queens was competing with R. J. Powell's. It didn't matter that R. J. Powell's had been opened, years before Royal K & Q.
With that in mind, Kiara wore a wine-coloured skirt suit with a black shirt underneath. Her curly golden brown hair was packed in a pony tail as usual with the one loose strand, curling by the side of her left eye. She wore a black smart watch, a wine hair band, a pearl necklace, dark shades and wine heels. Afterall, she was the CEO of a dressing company, so she had to look good. She quickly drank a cup of tea with two slices of bread before reapplying her pink lip gloss. She switched off the lights and punched in the pin before locking it with a key. She got outside and met her personal body guard and driver, Daniel waiting for her.
"Good morning, Daniel." she said as she slipped into the back seat.
Daniel bowed slightly. "Good morning ma'am." he replied before taking his place behind the wheel and driving them to R.J Powell's.
It was a thirty minute drive so Kiara used that time to go through her journal and call Kyle. When they got there, Daniel got out to open the door for her. She removed her shades to look at the gigantic building, on which was the huge letters that formed "R.J POWELL's". She replaced the shades and walked in with Daniel behind her.
As soon as she entered the building after being checked, a guard man in a black suit led them to an elevator and pressed the button to go to the first floor. It was a twenty-storey building and Kiara couldn't help but be impressed. When they got out of the elevator, they were led to an office and the plaque on the desk read "THE CEO".
As Kiara sat on one of the cushions, she scanned the room and actually liked what she saw. The office was painted in red, grey and white - an odd combination for someone who hadn't seen such before but it actually looked nice. It was very big and spacious and had a homey feel to it. Those three colours were splashed around as furnitures and stuff. It wasn't really surprising since the colours were the one's that made up the company's logo. The desk for example, was a dull shade of gray, while the chair was white. There were three sofas, each of the colours red. Kiara was just about wondering where the hell old men went to that made them take so long when the door opened.
Automatically, Kiara rose to her feet and Daniel hovered behind her. It took all of her will and power not to shout: What the hell?. But that was exactly what she wanted to say. The CEO was nothing compared to who she had dreamt of meeting.
He was a handsome, blue-eyed devil with jet black hair with some loose strands that covered his right eye partially. He was about six feet two judging by her calculations and was the epitome of beauty so to say.
"You're from K&K securities, Agent..." he trailed off, obviously expecting her to introduce herself.
"Kay.", Kiara completed as she took his warm and strong hand in hers.
"It's very nice to meet you, Agent K. I'm Jordan Powell", he said and signalled for her to sit on the visitor's chair at his desk.
When he passed by her to his seat, Kiara inhaled a wonderful cologne and it took most of her self-restraint not to follow him and inhale more. Jordan sat down and so did she.
"It's nice to meet you too, I guess", said Kiara
When he raised a brow, she added. "Well, everyone seems to know you and be in awe of you".
"But not you, right?", he asked in his rich masculine voice.
Kiara shrugged, "Not really. I was told you needed security".
"Something like that."
Kiara arched her brow, giving Daniel an eye signal to excuse them as she understood what Jordan meant.
"If you knew this was very important, why didn't you come over?", asked Kiara.
"And risk the press shadowing my every move? Thanks, but no thanks."
"Sorry. I'd forgotten that not all of us are celebrities", she said. Jordan couldn't help but smile.
He leaned forward. "Do you know Vera Griffin?"
"Vera? The twenty six year old movie star? The winner of last year's beauty queen contest? That Vera Griffin?", asked Kiara a bit surprised.
Jordan grinned. "Seems like you know your celebs".
"Oh, C'mon. The fact that I didn't know you doesn't mean that I don't know other celebrities".
Jordan smiled and nodded. "Ouch, I guess I'm not that popular."
"No. Actually, you're very popular. I just didn't know you. Plus, you've got billions of fans out there, what difference will I make? Please go on." urged Kiara.
"So, there's a party in four days time. It's the Oscars and we're in charge of dressing Vera. I mean every single thing, from the ribbon in her hair to the shoes on her feet. Now, Vera has ordered a diamond necklace from us but it will be coming from our UK branch," he explained.
"So you need a team to escort the necklace, right?"
"Exactly. The police will also be on it but it's too much a risk to rely on the police alone and our team. A friend of mine recommended you guys. Can I rely on you?" he asked.
"Well, it's a very important assignment and very risky which means it comes with high pay."
"I assure you that money is not a problem."
"I'm sure it isn't for someone like you. But I'd like if you can let me be in charge of its security because the intel on this transfer might have been leaked."
"Of course. Go ahead." he said
Kiara unlocked the tablet she brought with her and gave Jordan a light pen with which to sign.
Jordan read through and signed before returning it.
"Can I have the number of your head of security concerning the necklace?" asked Kiara.
"Sure." said Jordan as he collected Kiara's phone and saved the number. "Can I have your number?"
Kiara collected her phone and gave him her K&K Securities card. "If you need me, you'll get me with this number."
"This is the company's number."
"Yes. I don't give business associates my personal number. It's my protocol." said Kiara.
Jordan looked at her, rather intrigued by her.
"Really? So what does it take?"
"It's actually simple." she said casually. "All you have to do is cross out the 'business associate' part and we're good to go."
Jordan stood up from his seat and leaned on the desk in front of Kiara who remained calm.
"So what does it take to gain your friendship, Agent K?" he asked casually.
Kiara gave him a beautiful smile and stood up.
"Well, you're a very smart man, Mr. Powell. I'm sure you'll figure it out".
As she made her way to the door, Jordan followed her.
Before opening the door, she turned to him and put out her hand for a handshake.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you." she said formally.
Jordan smiled and took her hand in his and held it a little longer than usual. "The pleasure is all mine."
They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment before Kiara withdrew her hand and flashed him a smile.
She opened the door and followed Daniel and the man who'd brought them there without a backward glance.
Jordan closed the door and rested on it. He chuckled to himself and dialed Brian's number.
He couldn't wait to tell his best friend about his new and interesting "business associate".