MasukNATHAN POV
Did I like tea? I hate it, never drank it for years, not after what happened with my mother. I took coffee or nothing else but did I like seeing Kiki walk into my office several times, bending over to drop the tea and then pick it up, yes? This was part of the test to see if she could handle pressure in a workplace. This was her interview but she didn't know it. Harry never really spoke about his sister, the last time he did, she was schooling outside the city. Suddenly he called me on a random night that he wanted me to employ her in my company. For Harry I would do anything, he was the one that kept me sane after the incident four years ago, he was like the only family I had even if I still had family members alive, they were all dead to me. We just happen to bear the same last name, unfortunately. I took out a clean white shirt from my mini wardrobe section in the office and threw it on, and buttoned up. All my time working, it was the first time my shirt got stained. I hate tea, it brought back memories but I wanted to test Harry’s sister because her friend had told her to spill the tea over the phone. Now she literally spilled the tea on my shirt. I knotted my tie, putting my mind off the way Kiki’s blazers revealed just a little of her boobs, it brought back fresh memories of that night. If she didn't want me to see them she would not have worn them right? I thought she was trying to seduce me but now I know that night was only just a coincidence and even so her voice from outside my office proved it. “Seduce the CEO?” Kiki scoffed “Why are you acting all up? You throw yourself at him don’t you?” Kiki’s voice held humour that I found offsetting. “Don’t turn this around, you are just new to the office now you are holding his shirt?” Stacy responded “Relax, I am not even interested in him as much as you are,” Kiki replied “I know you are lying, but let me make one thing clear to you again, Mr Nathan Montgomery doesn’t do love, he doesn’t care about your feelings so don’t fall baby girl,” Stacy added “I wouldn’t fall for a man like him anyways” Kiki said “You can have the mean boss, all to yourself,” her heels clicked as she walked down the hallway. That was what she thought about me, our night together was really no strings attached. One of the reasons I always faked my identity was because I didn’t want to feel tangled after sex. Not the man to kiss and tell or kissed and fell. I wouldn’t force a girl into it too, we would both agree, have a good night and move on with our lives. For years, I have managed to stay away from scandals by living a double life. My office door creaked open and Stacy walked in holding her tablet, “Good day boss,” I nodded, while fixing the cufflinks on my shirt before looking up at her. Stacy smiled broadly at me, she must think I hadn’t heard the conversation that went on outside my office door seconds ago. “I wanted to remind you of your appointment, dinner with your family,” Stacy was my secretary and she worked closely with me for months, she knew my schedule in and out. “I wouldn't make it, I still have work to get done,” “Uhm, sir it’s your father. He said it’s important for you to be at the family dinner for your mother’s birthday,” How did I forget such an important day? I took out a black card from my suit pocket and slid it on the desk “Get whatever it is women like and have it delivered to my mother,” “Yes sir,” Stacy nodded, taking the card before exiting my office. *** “Let’s make a toast, of course to the celebrant,” my father announced, slightly hitting the glass with a spoon while he beamed his self righteous smile. Everyone raised their glasses to the air before clicking it in a toast. I set my glass down, clearly uninterested about the whole happy family dinner when I knew better. I knew my mother was still married to my father just to keep their public profile, despite everything she had been through, God, she still chose my father. “What is it Nathan?” My mother asked, squeezing my hands on the table just a little. “Nothing, I am fine,” I lied, giving her a smile that didn’t touch my eyes. “How is the company, son?” My father spoke slicing the steak on his plate Son? Was I really that to him after everything I had to go through alone? “Great,” I responded, one thing I wouldn’t do and they know damn well, is fake a smile. I ate a spoonful of rice on my plate, that was when I saw the camera at one corner of the room. “Why are you filming this?” I asked dropping my spoon, so much so that it made a loud noise on the plate. “Oh darling, we are keeping memories of your beautiful mother and my amazing wife’s birthday,” my father forced his smile, trying to keep composure for the camera. That was crap, they were filming for the public. “If only they know half of what is going on in this home,” I said between clenched teeth. “Nathan, keep it down,” my mom tried to calm me so I wouldn't start up an argument with my father again. I picked up my spoon, it was my mother’s birthday and the least I could do was be on my best behavior for her. I continued eating, wishing I would be somewhere else when my phone beeped with a text message. It was a text from Harry : Kiki is out late, are you hosting some kind of welcome party at Grove Club? Since when did I become a babysitter to his sister? I typed a reply. : No. I’m at dinner… my folks home. “Nathan, we are talking to you,” my mother snapped me out of my thoughts. I put my phone into my pocket returning to dinner, I clearly was lost on what they were saying. My father cleared his throat to repeat what I didn’t hear him say before “I was saying, since you don’t want to get married—” “I am done eating,” I stood to my feet then leaned down to kiss my mother’s cheek “Happy Birthday mom,” “Thank you,” she mouthed gracefully “Nathan, we are still having a conversation,” my father's hands tightened around his cutlery. He was trying so hard to be composed “We will have it some other time,” I didn’t smile “Goodnight mom,” I said, intentionally not saying the same to my father or even sparing him a glance. I walked out of the dining room to the front door. If I had that conversation it would lead to an argument with my father and I would eventually make my mother cry on her birthday. My chest tightened at the thought of my mother crying, shit I needed alcohol at least that was what helped me forget about my family. True, Harry texted me about Kiki being out in Grove club. Without thinking about it, I got into my car. *** When I got into the club, I pulled out one of my fake IDs. Tonight I was Jeremy Rochas. I took a seat at the bar section because obviously I was there for the alcohol. The bartender took my order and went to get my order. While I was waiting my eyes scanned the club, not because I was looking for Harry’s sister, because I wanted to view my environment. But when my eyes caught her, I didn’t look away. There were other clubs in the city but I chose this? I knew she was here, this was not a coincidence this time around. Kiki’s hands were up in the air and she didn’t give two flying fuck about her arm size, the way she move her waist, was tempting, just like that night. I shouldn’t be thinking about it. Kiki slide her hands slowly over her chest to thigh while still rocking her waist… The bartender returned with my drink, had I been staring at Kiki for that long? Oh well, she was my best friend's sister and I was only observing. A man danced closer to Kiki, holding two glasses in his hands, she turned around and they laughed at something. I took a sip from my glass, no longer entertained with another guy hovering around Kiki while she danced. The guy managed to hold down the two glasses in one hand then slide his hand onto his pocket, maybe to take out his phone I didn’t care I took another sip, if I had drunk enough alcohol I could swear I was not seeing right when the guy quickly took out a paper and poured a powdered substance into one of the glasses. So quick that no one could have noticed. All smiling he stopped Kiki from dancing, handing her the spiked glass.KIKI POV “Shit. Kiki your eyes are swollen. Why are you crying?” Harry eyes fixed on. I swallowed hard. Hell, I couldn’t tell him it was because of Nathan. “It’s Jordan…” The lie tasted like ash in my mouth. “That son of a bitch,” my brother cursed. “What did he do to you?” “We… we broke up,” I sobbed, cleaning my tears. “That is great news, Kiki.” My brother brushed his hand against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you never liked Jordan, but… I should have listened to you. He cheated on me.” I cried harder despite the fact it was old hurt, one I had moved past months ago. “So Jordan cheated?” I watched my brother clench his teeth. “No wonder he came to my office saying lies about you and Nathan. Now that you two are not together, you can meet other cool guys.” My brother’s lips kicked up. I tried to smile too, but all I managed was a nod. “I am glad Nathan is getting married. At least I don’t have to worry that what Jordan said was true.” Harry’s words hurt
KIKI POV “Shit. Kiki your eyes are swollen. Why are you crying?” Harry eyes fixed on. I swallowed hard. Hell, I couldn’t tell him it was because of Nathan. “It’s Jordan…” The lie tasted like ash in my mouth. “That son of a bitch,” my brother cursed. “What did he do to you?” “We… we broke up,” I sobbed, cleaning my tears. “That is great news, Kiki.” My brother brushed his hand against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you never liked Jordan, but… I should have listened to you. He cheated on me.” I cried harder despite the fact it was old hurt, one I had moved past months ago. “So Jordan cheated?” I watched my brother clench his teeth. “No wonder he came to my office saying lies about you and Nathan. Now that you two are not together, you can meet other cool guys.” My brother’s lips kicked up. I tried to smile too, but all I managed was a nod. “I am glad Nathan is getting married. At least I don’t have to worry that what Jordan said was true.” Harry’s words hurt
KIKI POV “Shit. Kiki your eyes are swollen. Why are you crying?” Harry eyes fixed on. I swallowed hard. Hell, I couldn’t tell him it was because of Nathan. “It’s Jordan…” The lie tasted like ash in my mouth. “That son of a bitch,” my brother cursed. “What did he do to you?” “We… we broke up,” I sobbed, cleaning my tears. “That is great news, Kiki.” My brother brushed his hand against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you never liked Jordan, but… I should have listened to you. He cheated on me.” I cried harder despite the fact it was old hurt, one I had moved past months ago. “So Jordan cheated?” I watched my brother clench his teeth. “No wonder he came to my office saying lies about you and Nathan. Now that you two are not together, you can meet other cool guys.” My brother’s lips kicked up. I tried to smile too, but all I managed was a nod. “I am glad Nathan is getting married. At least I don’t have to worry that what Jordan said was true.” Harry’s words hurt
KIKI POV “Shit. Kiki your eyes are swollen. Why are you crying?” Harry eyes fixed on. I swallowed hard. Hell, I couldn’t tell him it was because of Nathan. “It’s Jordan…” The lie tasted like ash in my mouth. “That son of a bitch,” my brother cursed. “What did he do to you?” “We… we broke up,” I sobbed, cleaning my tears. “That is great news, Kiki.” My brother brushed his hand against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you never liked Jordan, but… I should have listened to you. He cheated on me.” I cried harder despite the fact it was old hurt, one I had moved past months ago. “So Jordan cheated?” I watched my brother clench his teeth. “No wonder he came to my office saying lies about you and Nathan. Now that you two are not together, you can meet other cool guys.” My brother’s lips kicked up. I tried to smile too, but all I managed was a nod. “I am glad Nathan is getting married. At least I don’t have to worry that what Jordan said was true.” Harry’s words hurt
KIKI POV “Shit. Kiki your eyes are swollen. Why are you crying?” Harry eyes fixed on. I swallowed hard. Hell, I couldn’t tell him it was because of Nathan. “It’s Jordan…” The lie tasted like ash in my mouth. “That son of a bitch,” my brother cursed. “What did he do to you?” “We… we broke up,” I sobbed, cleaning my tears. “That is great news, Kiki.” My brother brushed his hand against mine, trying to comfort me. “I know you never liked Jordan, but… I should have listened to you. He cheated on me.” I cried harder despite the fact it was old hurt, one I had moved past months ago. “So Jordan cheated?” I watched my brother clench his teeth. “No wonder he came to my office saying lies about you and Nathan. Now that you two are not together, you can meet other cool guys.” My brother’s lips kicked up. I tried to smile too, but all I managed was a nod. “I am glad Nathan is getting married. At least I don’t have to worry that what Jordan said was true.” Harry’s words hurt
NATHAN POV“Pink means stop, Nathan.”I gulped down my fifth glass of the evening, Kiki’s voice echoing in my mind.So life could really be unpredictable. Years at Stanford studying economics had trained me to predict numbers and how to run a business. But not only was my business going bankrupt, it was also at the mercy of the Sherlocks.Years of hating my parents’ marriage had made me believe I was incapable of loving a woman. I swear I hadn’t seen Kiki Oliver coming. I hadn’t expected her to make me feel things that I shouldn’t.I gulped down the eighth glass. I should have been at the club, but for weeks, being with Kiki had made going to the club seem pointless.On my desk were copies of the Sherlock contract, scattered everywhere.I had gone through them over and over again. I needed to find something that could get me out of the marriage with Fiona, but nothing.There had to be fucking something.“Fuck!” I picked up my glass and threw it against the wall. It shattered into piec







