The lobby of Hayes Global glittered like a palace of glass and steel. Employees in crisp suits and polished shoes hurried about, but the moment Kimberly stepped through the revolving doors, the atmosphere shifted.
"Good morning, Miss Hayes," voices echoed in unison as workers straightened, bowing their heads respectfully. Kimberly nodded once, her heels clicking sharply across the marble floor. She radiated confidence—untouchable, majestic.
But today, the whispers weren't just about her.
Trailing a few steps behind was Roy. Tall, broad-shouldered, every movement precise as he matched her pace. His aura was magnetic, commanding attention without effort. Secret glances followed him, lips moving in hushed tones.
"Who is he?"
"Her new driver, I think…"
"Too fine to be just a driver."
"Look at those eyes. Dangerous."
Roy ignored them all, his expression unreadable, but the energy in the lobby pulsed differently because of him.
Just then, a flash of red hair and energy bounded through the crowd. Natasha Hayes—Kimberly's cousin—sashayed toward them, her designer heels clicking like drumbeats.
"Whoa, sis, who do we have here?" Natasha's American accent rolled off her tongue, exaggerated, playful. She circled Roy like a cat sizing up prey. "Mmm, look at those abs. Lord have mercy."
Kimberly groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Natasha, the only reason you're walking beside me and talking with that ridiculous accent is because you're my cousin."
"Whoa, chill your white ass down," Natasha teased, smirking. "He's so cute. Can't I admire what the Almighty created?"
Before Kimberly could reply, Natasha pressed a daring hand against Roy's chest. "Oh my God. Solid as a rock. Look at how strong his chest is."
Roy didn't move an inch, his gaze forward, as though Natasha didn't exist. Kimberly's patience snapped. She smacked Natasha's hand away.
"Ouch!" Natasha yelped dramatically, rubbing her wrist. Then her eyes widened mischievously. "Ohhh… don't tell me you're jealous, cous."
"Don't be ridiculous." Kimberly's tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing.
Natasha grinned wider. "Well, I'll say this—you did a damn good job picking a driver this time."
"He isn't just my driver," Kimberly muttered, her voice clipped. "He's also my bodyguard. Can you imagine?"
Natasha blinked. "Body… what?"
"You heard me." Kimberly's jaw clenched.
"Girl, what happened this time? What did you do?" Natasha pressed.
"What do you mean, what I did? I went out for a jog—like I normally do—when a group of armed men tried to attack me." Kimberly's eyes flickered to Roy briefly. "Then boom, he came out of nowhere and fought them all. He saved me. Like Jesus saving lost souls."
Natasha gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Wow. That's amazing! Girl, you are one lucky bitch." She laughed, glancing at Roy. "Look, I wouldn't just keep him as a bodyguard or driver. If it were me, I'd marry him. Then when I got into any trouble, he'd come running to rescue me."
Kimberly shot her a glare. "Yeah, laugh it up. It's funny to you because your father wasn't a mafia boss."
Natasha sobered for a moment. "But he was my father's brother," she said softly.
The elevator chimed, breaking the tension. The doors slid open, and the three stepped inside. Natasha hummed to herself, clearly amused, while Kimberly stood stiff, her thoughts far away. Roy, silent as ever, was a looming presence behind them.
The ride was short. When the doors slid open on the executive floor, Kimberly stepped out, her heels clicking against the polished tiles. But the moment she entered her office, her confident stride faltered.
Her eyes narrowed instantly. Someone was already there.
"Who let him in?" Kimberly's voice dripped with ice.
Natasha, wide-eyed, raised her brows. "I don't know… who let your fiancé in?"
Kimberly's head snapped toward her cousin, fury flashing. "Bitch, say that one more time."
The room went still, the tension sharp enough to slice through glass.