chapter 1

Renee

As I stood in front of the Walker Cooperative branch office, I couldn't help the smile that spread on my face.

I am so proud of him. My friend, My Godfather, and the object of my desire at night, morning, and afternoon.

My parents were giving flirtatious comments to each other as we waited for the doorman to confirm our invitation. I was in my small world when I heard my dad whisper. “Honey, Ivor has done an excellent job. Hasn't he?”

My mom sent a flying kiss to him making me gag as my face scrunched in disgust. “Yes baby, if it had been you now. I would have given you a mini Renee today.” She smiled cheekily at him.

The doorman verified our invitation, his eyes scanning through the list before he nodded to his colleague to open the door.

We entered the grand foyer of the company and I couldn't help but gasp. The spacious hall spread out before us, it was amazing. The ceiling was high, with beautiful lights hanging down. People were talking and laughing.

My gaze swept across the hall, taking in the elegant decoration as music played softly in the background. The air smelled like expensive perfume and wine.

My eyes searched across the room, scanning every nook and cranny until they landed on him.

Ivor Davin Walker. He was dressed in a well-tailored black suit that reflected his personality, making him stand out amidst the crowds.

You see, Ivor and my dad have been friends since I can remember. They met in high school because my dad took some classes with him and they started hanging out. Their friendship went on to the university as they decided to attend the university even though my dad majored in architecture and Ivor went on to major in business administration.

Ivor doesn't talk about his family that much and for all I know, he was orphaned at the age of six.

As if he senses me because his eyes shoot up from his conversation with a business partner, I think. His eyes gaze at mine with so much intensity making me mushy as butterflies fly in my stomach.

He smiled at me, his pearly white teeth on full display before saying a quick goodbye to the man he was talking to and heading in our direction.

Mom and Dad were making small talk as they sipped their wine.

He came over, smiling as he and my dad did the manly hug and he congratulated him and my mom did the same before his attention came back to me. He kissed my forehead, “Petals, you look exceptionally beautiful today.” he said, offering his arms.

I blushed, my inside twisting and turning in happiness. “thanks, Uncle Ivor.”

He turned to my dad, “Hey best friend. Let me take my goddaughter on a tour.”

My dad just nodded as he was engrossed in whatever my mom was saying.

As we walked through the crowd, he introduced me to his associates and I exchanged polite hello and smiled at them as we made small talk, my eyes occasionally meeting Ivor's.

The hair on my neck stood up as goosebumps rose on my skin, I felt the intense stare trying to dig a hole in my head.

My eyes glanced across the hall, searching for the source of my uneasiness before someone bumped into me, making me stagger as an inaudible gasp left my lips.

Thinking I was going to fall, my eyes closed, waiting for impact, but it never came as instead of the cold concrete floor, I felt myself pressed against a hard soft surface.

I opened my eyes, peeking around to see everyone's eyes on me before I realized that the hard soft surface was someone's chest. That someone being Uncle Ivor. His eyes remained in mine, drinking me and doing unimaginable things to my inside, the vigor of his stare traveling down my core. What I would give to stay like this forever.

But our little stare-off was interrupted by her annoying screech as she feigned ignorance. “Oh my God. Renee, I didn't see you. I was looking for Mr. Walker. I am so sorry.” her sweet sickly voice that could easily fool anyone and they would fall for it resonated around.

I have always hated her with passion since the day Ivor hired her. I have always known she is up to no good especially when she's always at his house in the name of working but she ends up sleeping over and always wearing revealing clothes around the house and commanding the staff rudely.

I have tried to make him see the reason why she is not good but he always brushes me off with the phrase. “Renee, stop worrying. She is just here for work.” and he would make fun of me. “Are you jealous that she would take me away from you?" he joked, but those words gave me anxiety more than I could imagine.

Ivor helped me up, checking me over, “are you okay? Are you injured?” he rushed out.

A smile tugged at my lips as I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine. I fake limp. “ouch, my knee hurts." I cried out.

And as I expected, Ivor went into panic-protective mode, barking orders. “Get me an ice pack, now.” his deep bass voice boomed across the room.

He lifted me and rushed to the door opposite the event hall. It turned out to be a lounge, he gently set me down on the sofa. “There you go, baby girl. Where does it hurt?” he asked, inspecting my ankle.

His palm was like molten lava, spreading across my body making a moan slip out. He thought I was in so much pain, “stay here. Let me get the ice, I don't know what's taking so long.”

“no.” I wanted to protest but it died in my throat as he left the room. How long can I nurse my feelings?

There and then, I decided to confess my feelings when he got back. I know he might reject me but it's worth giving it a try and I will never back down even if he rejects me.

Few minutes passed and he was nowhere to be found. I am already tired of staying still, maybe I'll just wait a little bit more. If he doesn't show up then I'll go look for him.

My eyes were fixated on the entrance as I waited for him to appear but nobody came, not even the people he had instructed to go get ice.

I got up from the chair and fixed my dress and topped up my makeup with lipstick and concealer powder before walking out of the quiet lounge to the busy hall.

To think I didn't hear all the clattering and chattering in there. It was as if everyone had left.

People were still around chatting, some were eating, and others were dancing to the slow-burn music playing now.

My eyes scanned the entire hall and I couldn't find him. Where could he have gone? ‘Calm down Renee, he might have had an emergency.’ a little voice in my head said.

My parents were nowhere in sight also so I stood in one place with the glass of drink I took from the serving tray, just observing.

“Excuse me, have you seen Ivor… I mean Mr. Walker. I can't seem to find him anywhere.” I stopped a server who was walking by with a handful of serving trays and taking any empty ones along the way with him.

“Uhm, I don't know but I think I saw him heading over to the kitchen area so you might want to check there.” He replied in a sassy feminine tone and started moving again when I stopped him.

“Please where is the kitchen area?” he groaned before turning to look at me one more time.

He just pointed his fingers in the direction and left without any words. What a dork.

I headed in the direction he pointed, passing a few beige walls until I stopped by a door, where it's boldly written KITCHEN.

My hand went to knock but halted midway as a crazy idea filled my head. How about I scared him, just like the old days when he used to have sleepovers at our house.

With that in mind, I bolted in like a flash and froze instantly as the scene in front of me played like those bad nightmares I used to have.

My legs felt cold as I stood rooted in place with wide eyes, staring at them.