4

LONDON

I knew the moment I saw Striker Cade he would replace Reed. I was torn between talking to my father to hire another bodyguard, but at the same time, I wanted to see him. 

He didn’t even change for the last two years. He looked the same, so handsome, or even looked more striking in a suit. It worked for him perfectly. 

My stupidity got the best of me—my infatuation with him. Who could I fool with? It was more than just a crush. It was foolish to feel something for someone who didn’t look at me the way I looked at him in the first place—who wasn’t around and had no idea about my feelings. I guessed I was emotionally disturbed and mentally deranged.

I’m damaged goods.

Last night, I chose to stay at home rather than have dinner with Magnus because I couldn’t get the thought out of my head that Striker could be the replacement.

I knew Dad was right about Magnus was not the right one and not good enough for me, but he was there, and that was what I wanted at that moment. 

For two years, I tried hard to forget about Striker Cade, but I was still obsessed with the fact that one day, I would still see him, even if I hated myself for keeping that hope up.

Now that he was in front of me, he was still out of my grasp. For God’s sake, I had a boyfriend, and Striker Cade was my driver and bodyguard. How would the people react to my insanity? They already called me a privileged bitch. 

Of all the people, why him? What was in him that I couldn’t find in Magnus? Or in the other guys? Is it some Knight in shining armor syndrome?

I shook that thought away.

Ignoring him opening the door for me, I passed by him as I entered the lobby of the Vanderford Tower. Security went to him to do his job.

“He’s with me. Give him visitor’s ID temporarily while I settle his keycard.”

“No problem, ma’am. Thank you.”

Striker took and pinned the ID on his well-tailored dark suit. If I was being honest, he looked too good in it than the people working in this building. He could pass as an actor or a model. I wondered what made him choose that job so dangerous.

I punched my card into the private elevator. When it slid open, he allowed me to enter first before he followed.

“I’m already safe here. You don’t have to come with me.”

“It’s my job—”

“If you call me ma’am one more time, I swear to God, I’m gonna knee you in your balls.”

He didn’t react to my threat. He knew it was probably empty. “Dully noted, Miss Vanderford.”

“You know, Reed calls me London. Oh, of course, you don’t.”

“Noted.”

I rolled my eyes. 

“I’ll be out of your hair once you enter your office. I have to familiarize the floor plan of your office, Vanderford.”

My brow arched. Vanderford, huh?

I went straight to my office. 

“What’s wrong with Reed?” Neke met me halfway, eyeing my new bodyguard.

“Dad took Reed with him.” Neke had no idea who Striker was, that he was one of those guys who saved my life. She didn’t have to know all the details, even though I trusted her with my life. “So I’m stuck with the new guy.”

“Well, he looks so—” she didn’t finish her words when she noticed me glaring at her. “Tall and straight.”

“Give him full access.” I dropped my bag onto the desk.

“Got it. And your meeting with the designers for the spring is in an hour.”

“When I’m gonna visit the warehouse?”

“If you finish early today, we can go after. That if you don’t have dinner with Mr. Tucker.”

I sighed as I leaned against my chair. “I canceled our dinner last night.”

“You can tell him you are still busy since the new collection is fast approaching.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because I’m a good assistant and a good friend.” Neke was already my friend before things fell apart. She was the only person who never left me. She was also the first person I approached when I started this clothing line. I wanted to give her a good position, but she chose to stay by my side. I realized there were still many things to be grateful for.

“Do you know something I don’t?”

“Don’t go there, London.”

“I want you to be honest with me.”

“I’m always honest with you. You know that?” 

“But?”

She shook his head. I always loved her curly hair. It suited her round face and dark skin. She looked fantastic. “No buts. Anyway, do your thing. Just let me settle the access card of your new hot driver.”

My eyes narrowed at her, but she just giggled before leaving my office.

I tried dialing Dad, but his number was out of reach. I focused on work instead. I grabbed my iPad and started sketching my new design. I had designers, but I also drew and shared my creations with them. 

After an hour, I was sitting in front of the designs for our spring collection.

“We’re running out of time.” We had setbacks since I chose to use recyclable fabrics this year. 

“We’re gonna make it. We have our winter collection ready. We can make it possible,” my head of designs said. His words always gave me hope and encouraged me to work hard. 

Everyone on my team knew I wasn’t just a privileged, spoiled brat kid, but I worked hard to get where my clothing line was today.

I still had the magazine of our winter campaign in my hand, and it was fabulous. I rose from my chair and put the magazine down. I started scanning through the designs on the rack. I scrolled over the copies two days ago. In my opinion, I still prefer to see them in pieces than in drawings. 

I grabbed them one by one, which caught my attention. “I love these colors. So vibrant, lively, exudes sexiness and femininity and pride.”

I went to the male collections. They were amazing. I stood before the sets of collections in the racks in awe. They were so colorful, making me prouder that these pieces were created with love.

“Wow.” My hands went over my mouth. They all applauded. “You guys are amazing.” I joined them, celebrating our success. “These are amazing.”

They thanked me with a smile on their faces.

“No. Thank you. As always, you impressed me. Thank you.”

I went to my office only to stop to the voice of Neke laughing on her desk. 

“So you like my outfit?” it was Striker who asked.

“Are you kidding me? You look like you just came out from a Tom Ford runway show. You know we have free clothes here, suits that you can wear. Once you’re done, you can return them anytime.”

“Am I getting paid to wear those?”

Neke laughed again. “No.”

“Huh. Free campaign and ads.” Striker sounded amused, and he was actually smiling at Neke. 

“And free clothes,” Neke added.

“Well, if I attend a party, I’ll make sure to give you a call.”

“Don’t,” I said shortly.

“Vanderford,” he addressed me. 

“You’re back. How’s the meeting?” Neke asked.

“Good.”

“Magnus just called,” she said, but her eyes were pinned on Striker.

“And?” 

“He’s coming over and taking you to lunch. I freed your schedule. You’re welcome.”

Striker cleared his throat. “Nice chatting with you, Neke.” He then turned to me. “Vanderford.”

Before he could turn on his heels, I called him. “In my office.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So you’ve met my assistant.” My tone came out harsh, making me inwardly cringe. I dropped the things I’d been carrying on my desk.

“She seemed reliable, friendly, and honest.”

“You figured that out in one meeting?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Her actions were genuine. She looked me in the eye. My guess is she’s more than just your assistant.”

“Did you find that out on her I*******m?”

“No.” Striker had a great posture, probably from his training, but he also looked authoritative and assertive, as if he meant to command. I wondered if he was bossy in bed. God, I should stop this obsession—this wasn’t healthy anymore. “She’s your friend. You trust her.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “She never left my side when everything fell apart. I can rely on her and trust her with my life.”

“Good.”

Before I could reply, the door swung open. Magnus entered with a huge grin on his face. “Babe.”

“Hi.” I smiled and went to him to kiss him on the cheek.

“Ready?”

“Ready?” Yeah, for lunch. Crap.

Striker was about to leave the office, but Magnus had to know that I had a new bodyguard.

“Magnus, my new driver, Striker Cade. Cade, this is my boyfriend, Magnus.”

“Mr. Tucker.” Striker held his hand out for a handshake.

“Yeah.” He barely looked at Striker. 

One thing I disliked about him was he didn’t give a crap about the people who worked for me. If I didn’t introduce Neke as my best friend, he would have treated her like crap. But when it came to my father, he treated him differently, like a king, like a god. 

Striker pulled his hand back, his jaw clenching. His mood changed. He wasn’t embarrassed, though. It was something else. 

I took my bag before I grabbed the hand Magnus offered. Striker walked past us to the main elevator. I guessed he knew the drill. 

He let us enter first before he joined and punched the lobby button. 

“So, you’re coming with me tonight?” Magnus started. I guessed I had to say yes. I had no more excuses. And for the last two months, we barely slept together.

“Sure.”

“Good.”

“Where are you taking me for lunch? I’d love some Gnocchi.” I’d been fasting intermittently for the last four months and lost a few pounds.

“No, babe.”

I pulled my hand from his grasp. 

“You’ll gain weight. You can have some salads. Then a red wine for tonight at my apartment.”

“That’s the purpose of intermittent. I can eat whatever I want if I’m not fasting.”

“I think she looks great in any shape.” I gasped at Striker’s words before us.

Magnus snorted. “What do you know about body shape, driver?”

“Magnus,” I warned him.

“What?” He turned to me. “Where’s Reed? What is this punk doing here?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “He’s not a punk.”

“So you’re defending him after what he just did. Isn’t he supposed to drive you safe and mind his fucking business?”

“Watch your words, Mr. Tucker.” Striker tried his best to calm his tone, but his harsh words made me feel like a damsel.

“Or what?” He poked Striker’s back.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I shut my eyes momentarily. “Magnus, please? I’m starving.”

When Striker turned to face Magnus, I held my breath. He was way taller than Magnus, not beefy, but I could swear it was pure muscle. He still looked calmer, though, which could provoke Magnus further.

“If you ever use another f-word to my boss, I will make sure you swallow your own tooth.”

“You can’t do that to me?” Magnus took a step forward, coldly stating at Striker.

While Striker blindly punched the stop button of the elevator, he smirked at Magnus. “And why is that? The last time I checked, I have sworn to protect my client alone, so if my client is mistreated, I won’t hesitate to eliminate the threat—”

“Okay. Stop. You two, stop.” I walked past them and punched the elevator on. “Jeez, the testosterone level in this room is making me sick. I’m eating alone.”