Chapter 10

KAEL

I don’t like being reminded that the world exists outside my walls.

Inside these walls, things made sense. When I was barely twelve years old, my parents’ death, assassination rather, taught me one thing. There was no joy in being in the public eye.

Letting the public decide everything for me, how I should behave, who I should marry. And so on. I was one of the richest men in my country but no one knew, not even Nyla.

She thought I was just a good business man that lives in a mansion. I wondered how she would react if I told her the house we were staying in was one of my good friends' places. I had bought it from him for twice the price because I didn't want to overwhelm Nyla about who I truly was.

Nyla’s presence, though unexpected as it was, had begun to fit into a rhythm I could understand. She moved through the house so gently, like someone who didn’t want to disturb anyone, and yet somehow she’d changed it anyway. For me, at least.

I was watching her from the kitchen doorway when my phone rang.

The sound cut through my calm thoughts like a blade.

I glanced at the screen and felt that familiar tightening in my chest. An old name, a friend. I considered ignoring it, letting it ring until it stopped, but I already knew that wouldn’t be the end of it.

I answered, eventually.

“You’re hard to reach these days,” he said, his tone easy, almost nostalgic.

“I like it that way,” I replied.

“I need to see you, let's meet somewhere private.”

I leaned against the counter, eyes still on Nyla as she arranged plates on the dining table, her movements were steady, like it was a muscle memory for her. She looked peaceful. I didn't want to bring any chaos to her life, she had been through enough already. She looked death in its eye and whooped it. That was badass, and I'll make sure to protect her from everything, including her haunting past.

“Send me the location,” I said finally. “I’ll come.”

When I hung up, I stayed where I was longer than necessary. Nyla looked up almost immediately, like she could feel the shift in my face.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“An old client, he's also a friend. He just wants to talk.”

She nodded, I walked her through the security again before I left—how the locks worked, what not to touch anything, which code to use if she felt unsafe. She listened closely, memorizing every word.

“I’ll be back soon,” I told her.

“I’ll be here,” she said.

The elevator ride down felt wrong. The drive was worse. My eyes stayed on the road, but my thoughts refused to follow. They kept drifting back to Nyla alone in my apartment, surrounded by walls she didn’t yet understand were built as much for protection as isolation.

The meeting spot was discreet, tucked away from the noise of the city. I spotted him immediately. He stood to greet me, smiling like no time had passed at all.

“You look younger every time I see you,” he said. “Still hiding from the world?”

“I prefer peace,” I replied, taking my seat “Is he trustworthy?”

“He knows to keep your real identity a secret. He signed the form.

He laughed and gestured to the man beside him. “This is my partner. He’s interested in working with you.”

The man leaned back, studying me openly. “You’re Mr Kael Arden? The Mr Kael Arden. Multi billionaire of the Arden companies.” His brow furrowed slightly. “You’re… younger than I expected.”

I didn’t answer. I was used to people signing my praises.

Silence has always been a more effective response.

“Don’t underestimate him,” he spoke up.

The man nodded slowly. “I’ll come by your office tomorrow. We’ll talk about the details.”

“Fine,” I said.

“Malcolm,” he added, extending his hand.

I shook it once and let go.

The drive home was too slow. That feeling I’d learned not to ignore crept in. The sense that Nyla might be in trouble.

When I pulled up to my building, I saw her immediately.

Mia stood at the gate, her posture stiff with fury. She slammed her hand against the access panel, putting a code that no longer worked. When she saw my car, her face twisted with relief and rage.

“Thank goodness you're here. I wonder why you bought this apartment, it's not as big as your house.”

“What are you doing here?” I cut her from speaking further.

“I am here to see you, so we could reconcile but it won’t open,” she snapped. “I used to know all your codes and everything about you. What went wrong?”

“I changed the codes. You shouldn’t be here.”

She laughed. “You think that’ll stop me?”

“Yes, now leave.”

Her eyes burned. “You chose her. Some random prostitute over me.”

“Watch your mouth.”

“I won’t stop,” she hissed, stepping closer. “Not until you leave that slut.”

The word snapped something in me. I closed the distance between us, my voice low and cold.

“Say that again and I’ll make sure you never come near this place again. Understand?”

She searched my face, looking for hesitation. It was high time she realized we were done for good.

“You can't just use me and dump me.” she said, backing away. “You’ll regret this.”

“Who used who? Think about it. Now leave before I say things you'll regret.”

She didn’t answer. I turned and went inside.

The moment I saw Nyla, the tension eased slightly. She was already done with setting the table, completely unaware of how close Mia had come to my door.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

“Nothing.” I said calmly.

“I made dinner, I wanted to surprise you after a long day.”

Dinner was short, we had mashed potatoes with ribs and sauce. I used to hate mashed potatoes drowned in sauce. The texture, the heaviness, everything about it annoyed me. Then she made it. Creamy, seasoned just right. I went back for seconds without thinking.

I watched her more than my plate, noting the way she relaxed as she talked, how she smiled politely. The urge to keep her close tightened inside me.

“I’ll be going to the office tomorrow,” I said. “Would you come with me?”

She looked surprised. “If you want me to.”

“I do,” I said honestly.

“Then yes.”

As we told each other goodnight that day. I couldn't help but remember the night I rescued her. I was cruising in my boat letting the water quiet my thoughts, before I sighted something pale.

At first I thought it was debris, then I saw her. She was floating, lifeless, skin drained of color, bruises dark against her body, blood thinning into the sea. I didn’t think. I hauled her aboard. At the hospital they said she might not survive, that she had suffered great injuries. She was barely alive. But I told the doctor to do everything possible to save her. I sat there helpless, and for the first time since my parents were murdered, I prayed. I promised silently that if she lived, I would always protect her.

And she lived.

************

The next morning, I kept her beside me the entire drive. No one knew I was the owner of Arden corporation and companies. Everyone thought I was a relative that played manager from time to time.

I felt the weight of attention immediately as I stepped into the office. Whispers followed us down the corridor, curiosity lingered in the hallways, it was normal, I guess. I have never been the one to bring a lady to the office.

She paused when we entered my office, eyes widening at the view, the glass walls, the city stretched out beneath us.

“This place is… beautiful,” she said.

“I guess so,” I replied. “I prefer my privacy.”

Before she could respond, the door opened.

Malcolm walked in without waiting, his attention sliding past me and locking onto Nyla. His smile was slow but widened with each passing second

“Well,” he said, “you didn’t mention you had company.”

Something hot and dangerous flared in my chest.

“Get out,” I said.

He laughed. “Relax. I was just—”

“You were just leaving,” I cut in, stepping forward. “Now.”

His smile tightened. “This isn’t over.”

I met his gaze without blinking. “It is if you value your future.”

Malcolm backed toward the door, eyes lingering on Nyla. “We’ll see.”