Cyrus meant well.
That was the annoying part.
He'd said it so calmly that morning "Stay home, Sienna." Like it was a simple thing to do. Like my brain didn't start working overtime the second he walked out the door.
But I couldn't just sit there and do nothing. Not when my company, my name, and possibly my life were being tangled in someone else's game.
So the moment I heard his car pull away, I threw the sheets off, got dressed, and grabbed my keys.
The rain had stopped, leaving the streets gleaming silver. By the time I reached the office, the sky was a hazy grey, the kind that made the city feel like it was holding its breath.
Inside, everything looked the same — sleek, organized, predictable. But it felt different now. Every corner, every file, every name could be hiding a secret, and I was done being in the dark.
"Good morning, Ma'am," Mitchell greeted, a little surprised to see me.
"Morning," I said, brushing past her. "Cancel my morning meetings."
She blinked. "All of them?"
"Yes. And..." I paused, halfway through the door to my office. "Call Kai Louis. Tell him I want to see him. Today."
She nodded quickly and picked up the phone.
ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ ʚ♡ɞ
I closed my office door behind me and exhaled. The silence hit harder here, my own voice echoing faintly in the glass walls.
Cyrus had told me Kai was dangerous. Calculated.
He'd found enough dirt on Blackwood to know this wasn't some random merger offer.
But I couldn't rely on half-truths and warnings. If I was going to protect what I had built, I needed to see Kai myself. Face to face.
I sat down at my desk, my fingers tapping against the wood. My reflection stared back at me from the glass tired but determined.
He wanted me cautious. I wanted answers.
When Mabel returned a few minutes later, her voice was tight. "He said he'll be here in an hour."
Of course he did.
I gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Mitchell. You can take your lunch early after that."
She nodded but didn't move right away. "Ma'am, if I may..."
I looked up.
"Mr. Blackwood contacted us back… he asked when you would like to meet."
I froze for a second, then sighed. "Of course he did."
"Tell him tomorrow " I said soft.
When she left, I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window as the city hummed below. Somewhere out there, Cyrus was probably realizing I didn't listen.
He'd be furious. And worried. And maybe a little impressed.
But this wasn't about trust.
So I waited. For Kai. For the next move.
And maybe, deep down, for the fallout I knew was coming.