Chapter 45

The morning after dinner with Max started like any other.

Sort of.

I woke up to another message from him,

Max: “Good morning, sunshine. I dreamt of us.”

It was cute, charming and overbearing.

I didn’t reply.

I was starting to get used to the performance. Every sweet word felt like bait on a hook. I was still chewing on our dinner conversation from last night, especially how hard he pushed to know more about the launch. There was something calculated in the way he asked, like a man too eager to play support because he was after something bigger.

By the time I got to the office, my mind was already shifting gears. Back to work mode. Back to Drew.

I hadn’t seen him since I walked out of his office yesterday.

I wondered if he’d still be cold… or worse, indifferent.

I headed toward the top floor, clutching my coffee like a shield, trying not to rehearse the conversation in my head. But I quickly decided that if he brought it up again i.e Max, the dinner, whatever questions he might want to ask I would keep it short and professional.

But I didn’t even make it to the elevator before I saw her.

Kimberley.

Standing at the front desk like she owned the place.

Polished. Impeccable. Draped in an olive green pants suit that looked like it had walked straight off a Milan runway. Her makeup was flawless, lips painted in that same smug shade of rose I’d seen on her the day she walked off with Max.

She turned just as I was walking by and offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Lila,” she said like we were old friends who’d just bumped into each other at brunch. “Funny running into you here again.”

I kept my expression smooth. “Is it? I mean I work here.”

She tilted her head, amusement dancing behind her lashes. “Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you around, I thought your contract was over and you were already done. But it’s good, you know. Now we get to know each other a little better.”

I sipped my coffee slowly. “If that’s what you’re here for no problem.”

She laughed, a little too loud. “Oh no, I’m here on business. You know, Drew and I have some history and I wanted to check up on him also to propose some partnership deals that would help the launch. My father owns one of the largest marketing firms in the country and once he accepts my proposal everything else would move smoothly.”

Of course she was here to see Drew. I couldn't exactly wrap my head around her mission or who she wants between Drew and Max.

I raised an eyebrow, still calm. “Well, you’ll have to speak to Drew on that. If he thinks it's a good proposal then I'm sure he will accept it .”

“Oh, he will,” she said with a glint in her eye. “He can't say no to me. Never had, never will.”

There it was.

The subtle jab.

A quiet war waged behind lip glossed smiles.

I didn’t flinch. Just nodded slowly. “Right. Drew’s great like that but he's always professional and doesn’t let personal drama mess with business.”

Kimberley blinked once, slowly. “Of course.”

We stood there for a second, watching each other like two queens in a game neither of us fully understood yet but both willing to play.

Then she leaned in, voice dropping just enough to feel personal. “I couldn’t help but hear about your little dinner date last night. Small city, you know?”

I smiled faintly. “Really, I didn't know I had become so popular but I’m sure it was just a coincidence right.”

“Mm. Coincidence or not,” she continued, “you’re making bold choices, Lila. I admire that. Some women would’ve backed off by now.”

I tilted my head. “Backed off from what exactly?”

Kimberley gave a lazy shrug. “From things that don’t belong to them.”

Ah.

There it was.

The mask slipped just a bit.

I stepped a little closer, my smile never faltering. “I think we both know Max makes his own choices. He’s a grown man, not a possession.”

Her jaw twitched.

But I didn’t stop.

“Besides,” I added smoothly, “I’ve never been one to compete for anything. Especially not for attention that’s freely given.”

Kimberley’s eyes darkened for a split second.

Check.

I turned slightly. “Anyway, I’m sure you have a meeting to catch. Wouldn’t want to keep Drew waiting.”

“Of course,” she said through clenched teeth. “I’ll see you around.”

“I’m sure you will.”

With that, I walked away, letting the sound of my heels echo just enough to make a point.

But as soon as I turned the corner, I saw Drew standing a few steps away, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Kimberley couldn't see him though from where she was standing.

He had heard everything.

“Nice to see your claws still l work,” he said casually, but there was something else underneath. Something tighter.

I blinked. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“No,” he said. “Just passing by at the perfect moment.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed silent.

“She’s a snake,” Drew added after a beat. “Always has been. Just thought you should know.”

“I already figured,” I replied, keeping my tone light.

He stared at me for a long moment.

“Be careful, Lila.”

“Of her?”

“Of them,” he said, his voice dropping. “Max. Kimberley. Whatever game they’re playing, it’s bigger than what you think.”

I folded my arms. “Why does it sound like you know something I don’t?”

“I don't know anything, I just know that Kimberley is someone you can't trust and if she's doing business with Max then you need to be careful” he said and then turned away.

“Can you explain more,” I called after him.

But he didn’t look back.

He just kept walking.

And in that moment, I knew something had shifted again, something I hadn’t planned for.

This wasn’t just about Max anymore. Or even the launch.

Kimberley had drawn new battle lines.

And Drew?

He clearly stated that he didn't trust Kimberley so that means we are on the same side.

Whatever game Kimberley and Max was playing I am going to make sure I get to the root of it

One by one, I would get to the truth.

And this time, I wouldn’t just be playing the game.

I’d be flipping the whole board.