29

29

Roi was now in Imani’s office, his suit jacket had been taken away to clean it properly. He was in his white shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, sitting like he owned her office. His badge — IMANI TECH - HEAD OF RESEARCH - ROI MORGAN — sat on her desk.

Imani stood by the window, arms crossed, looking at him.

Now she understood why the new Head Researcher’s name sounds so familiar.

“Are you Killian’s brother?” Imani asked directly. No hello, no welcome.

Roi smiled. That same Morgan smile, but colder than Killian’s. “Took you long enough. I was wondering when you’d notice. We are alike, aren’t we?”

“We are not—” Imani stopped herself. They were. Same jawline. Same height. Same dark hair. But Killian’s eyes were always tired, always carrying something. Roi’s eyes were empty and amused.

“What brings you to my company? I checked your résumé and I saw your great works which made me wonder why you left them and came here?,” Imani said quietly

Roi touched the back of his head unconsciously. “Ah, yes. I like you…your company,” he grin.

“Hmm, I see. So, what do you like about the company?” Imani asked and Roi robbed his lips.

“Do I have to tell? Your company has a lot of greatness..if not, Killan won’t stick around,” He answered and that made sense to Imani.

“True. Mr. Roi,” she said, her CEO voice on, “I wanted to say, don’t be annoyed by my assistant. Emily is... clumsy sometimes. She’s young but She’s an hardworking lady and trust me, she didn’t mean to spill the matcha on you.”

Roi leaned back, amused. “That lady? That was your assistant? I thought it was just some random poor girl.”

Imani was disgusted by his rude words, she almost lashed out on him.

“She sprained her ankle when she slipped on the tea after you yank your hand away,” Imani continued, her voice firm. “She fell. So you may have to pay for her medical bills. Facilities is taking her to urgent care now. I’ll send you the invoice.”

Roi’s smile dropped a little. “You’re charging me? She caused it!”

“I’m telling you,” Imani said. “You’re Head of Research. You now represent Imani Tech. You don’t get to roll your eyes and walk away when someone is hurt because of you. We have a code of conduct.”

Roi stared at her, then started smirking. “Wow. Killian was right. You are a pain in the ass. A hot pain in the ass.”

Imani ignored that. “Your office is on the 24th floor. Lab 3. I will send someone to bring you a new jacket. Welcome to Imani Tech, Mr. Morgan.”

---

Time went by quickly. Too quickly. The day was a hectic one for Imani. Tryin hee best to make sure her next project works out.

By 7:30 PM, the office was emptying, her staffs had already left. Emily couldn’t assist her much since she sprain her ankle due to the incident in the morning.

Imani headed home, her bag over her shoulder, her heels clicking fast in the parking garage. She wanted to get home, get a nice bath, cuddle around her son and let the day pass by till morning.

She clicked her car open — a black Tesla Model, when Roi appeared behind her.

He had changed into a black T-shirt someone from HR gave him. His hair was a little messy now. He smelled like Killian’s cologne.

“Leaving so early, boss?” he said, obviously flirting, his voice low. He stepped closer, blocking her car door. “Let me take you for a drink. One drink. As a welcome. You look like you need it.”

Imani didn’t step back. She looked up at him, tired, unimpressed.

“What are you doing Mr Roi?” She asked, her voice stern.

“I’m trying to make you like me.” Roi confessed.

Her face displayed every bit of disgust possible, “Mr. Roi,” she said firmly, “don’t ever flirt with me.”

Roi grinned, leaning an arm on her car roof, caging her in. “Why? Because you have a boyfriend? Luke? Or because—”

“Because I said so,” Imani cut him off.

Roi’s smile turned sharp. “Is it because I’m not Killian?”

Imani didn’t answer. She just stared at him, her hand tight on her car handle.

Roi leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper meant to sting.

“Killian is not who you think he is, Imani. He’s worse than you can think. Much worse. You think he’s the brooding hero who needs saving? Ask him what happened to our mother—”

He was so close she could see his dangerous face.

Imani should have been scared. Any other girl would have been.

Instead, she simply smiled. A small, cold, knowing smile.

“At least he’s not as dumb as you,” she said quietly. “He knows when to stop. Don’t cross the line, Mr. Roi.”

Roi blinked, taken aback.

Imani shoved her car door open — he had to step back or get hit by her sudden outburst. She got in, slammed it, and drove away afterwards, tires squealing slightly in the garage, leaving Roi standing there in a cloud of exhaust and amusement.

“Come out of your hiding…Already,” Roi instructed.

That was when Killan came out behind the concrete pole where he stood.

He had come to pull his brother away from work before he does anything stupid. He’d been standing there for ten minutes, hidden, watching, his fists clenched, ready to jump in if Roi touched her.

He was about to step out when he heard it. When he heard Imani defend him.

At least he’s not as dumb as you. He knows when to stop.

No one had ever defended him like that. All his life he has lived in guilt.

“Are you happy, huh?” Roi asked him, he’s still pissed that Imani ignored and berated him.

Killan subconsciously nod, “Yes. She did what you and Dad can’t do.”