He looked at those beautiful doe eyes, unblinking, though her eyelids twitched with barely contained frustration. Her fist clenched by her side, small but trembling with anger.
He took in her expression, letting it settle in his mind for only a second before he straightened, his face impassive.
"I don't owe you an explanation," he said, his voice cold and flat, as if dismissing something trivial.
Kiara didn't move, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to retort, but she held back.
People in the office had already started to gather, curious eyes watching the tension build between them.
Jason turned on his heel, his long strides carrying him out without another glance back.
He didn't care for the murmurs or the looks exchanged behind him. He had more important things to deal with.
By the time he reached the parking lot, his driver already had the car ready, the sleek black sedan waiting like a coiled panther. Jason stepped in, slamming the door shut as if he could block out the lingering frustration that tugged at his thoughts.
Vincent, slid into the seat beside him with his usual composed expression. For a second, neither said a word, the hum of the engine filling the silence as they pulled away from the building.
Then Vincent spoke up.
"Sir, I don't mean to intrude, but why did you ask for those flowers to be thrown away?"
Jason shot him a cold look, eyes narrowing. "You're being a busybody again, Vincent."
Vincent raised his hands in mock surrender but didn't drop the subject. "I'm just saying, they were nice flowers."
Jason turned his gaze back to the road ahead, his jaw tightening. "Get out."
Vincent blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"You heard me. Get. Out." Jason's tone was harsh, leaving no room for argument.
Even the driver up front stiffened, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter, unsure of what to do. Jason leaned forward, his voice sharp. "No questions. No comments. Just make sure those flowers are thrown away."
Vincent, though surprised, quickly adjusted his tie and muttered, "Understood, sir." He opened the door the moment the car came to a stop at the corner. Jason watched him exit without a word, then leaned back into his seat, frowning as the car sped off.
His thoughts drifted back to Kiara. Those eyes...
****
Kiara's POV
I was pissed.
The nerve of him. Jason fucking Cole thinking he could just walk in, command the entire room, and dictate what happens in my life. Who gave him the right to act all hot and ready next to act like a cold confuse sociopath!
I clenched my jaw, watching the security guards awkwardly hover around the massive bouquet, clearly unsure of what to do now that the almighty CEO had walked off.
The flowers were beautiful, delicate even.
Roses, peonies, a mix of colors so vibrant it made the cold office feel warmer for a second.
And here this overgrown child thought he could just get rid of them without so much as an explanation.
"I'll throw them away myself," I snapped at the guards, my voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Their relief was almost comical as they stepped back.
Cowards.
With the flowers in my arms, I headed out of the building, each step fueled by my irritation.
It was lunchtime anyway.
Might as well enjoy the fresh air, cool my temper, and figure out what the hell I was going to do. I glanced down at the arrangement again, inhaling the sweet scent.
Why should I even listen to him?
He's not my boss when I'm off the clock, I thought, a small smirk tugging at my lips. I could easily keep them, no harm done. I just had to check them for cameras. Trim them and keep them. They would create a nice fragrance at home.
Thanks secret admirer. Though, that doesn't make me less curious. I know for sure it wasn't Gabriel, dude doesn't have any romantic bone in his body.
But seriously though, who throws away roses like these?
As I made my way toward the exit, mentally plotting where I could stash them, I nearly collided with someone standing right outside the door.
I jerked back, catching the familiar sight of a smiling Vincent.
Great.
Just what I needed.
"Hello, Ms. Williams," he greeted, his voice way too cheerful for my liking. His smile was wide, bordering on creepy, like he was already plotting something.
I raised an eyebrow, my mood darkening further.
"Vincent," I said flatly, hugging the flowers closer to my chest. "Shouldn't you be somewhere pestering your boss instead of stalking me?"
He chuckled, unaffected by my tone. "Oh, trust me, Ms. Williams, pestering my boss is a full-time job. But today, it seems I'm here on floral duty."
I rolled my eyes. "Right. Let me guess. He sent you to make sure the flowers are destroyed because he has some kind of complex about roses?"
Vincent's smile wavered for just a split second, his eyes flickering down to the flowers in my arms.
He was hiding something, and whatever it was, he wasn't good at it. My eyes trailed over to the name card sticking out between the roses, the letter L catching my attention. Vincent noticed it too. His face stiffened.
"Who's L, Vincent?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.
He blinked, clearly trying to cover his tracks. "Oh, just a mistake, I'm sure. Some florist typo, nothing to worry about."
I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "Bullshit. You know something."
Vincent gulped, clearly uncomfortable under my stare. "I… I don't know what you're talking about, Ms. Williams."
I let out a cold laugh, leaning in. "If you don't tell me right now, I'll make sure your boss knows just how much of a busybody you are. I know you are gossiping about him with the other managers. And trust me, he'll fire you just to get me off his back."
His eyes darted around like a trapped animal, but he didn't crack. Instead, he did something I didn't expect—he reached out, grabbed the bouquet from my hands, and bolted.
Literally bolted.
I blinked, frozen in shock for a moment before reality hit. "What the hell?"
The bastard ran off with my flowers.
"Vincent!" I shouted after him, but he was already disappearing around the corner, the bouquet bouncing in his arms.
I stood there, fuming. First Jason, now this idiot.
Today just wasn't my day.