Chapter 2: An Unexpected Favor
1200 Words
Kiana barely had time to take off her heels before she heard her mother’s voice.
"You’re late again! Do you think you have all the time in the world to waste?"
Kiana sighed, closing the door behind her. She wasn’t in the mood for this tonight. "Mom, I just got home. Can we not start this now?"
Her mother, Linda Hayes, crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. "I set up another blind date for you. The man is rich, Kiana. You need to stop being so stubborn and think about your future."
Kiana let out a bitter laugh. "You mean your future. Because this isn’t about me, is it?"
Linda scoffed. "You’re my daughter! Everything I do is for you!"
Kiana shook her head. "No. It’s for Daniel."
At the mention of her younger brother, Linda’s expression hardened.
"You want me to marry some rich guy so you can take the dowry and use it to help Daniel find a wife, don’t you?"
Her mother didn’t even deny it.
"Daniel is the only son. It’s natural that we prioritize his future."
Kiana clenched her fists. "So I’m just supposed to be sold off like some business deal? I’m not a damn bargaining chip, Mom!"
Linda clicked her tongue, her voice turning sharp. "You’re almost twenty-six, Kiana. Who do you think will want you after a few more years? You should be grateful I’m trying to set you up before it’s too late!"
"Too late for what?!" Kiana snapped. "For me to live my own life? To have a career? To be something other than a wife for some man I don’t even know?"
Her mother waved her hand dismissively. "You’re just being difficult. You think a career will keep you warm at night?"
Kiana had enough. Without another word, she stormed into her bedroom, slamming the door shut.
Her hands were shaking as she sat at her desk, taking deep breaths.
No more.
She wasn’t going to let anyone control her life.
Shoving aside the frustration, she turned on her laptop and focused on finishing her design project. Tomorrow was the start of a new chapter in her career. She couldn’t afford distractions.
That night, Ethan was in his study, going over patient reports when he heard small footsteps approaching.
"Daddy?"
He looked up to see Lily standing in the doorway, clutching her stuffed bunny.
Ethan set his papers aside. "What is it, sweetheart?"
Lily walked over, pulling herself onto his lap. "I wanna ask you something."
Ethan smiled. "I’m listening."
She hesitated, fiddling with the bunny’s ears. "Can we invite Mommy to my school event?"
Ethan blinked. "Lily..."
"Not that mommy! My new mommy!" she corrected quickly, pouting.
Ethan sighed, rubbing his temple. "Lily, we can’t just force Miss Kiana into our lives."
"But she likes me! And I like her!" Lily insisted.
Ethan chuckled. "You barely know her."
"But she’s nice and pretty and she didn’t get mad when I called her Mommy. And she makes me feel… safe."
Ethan’s heart softened. It had been a long time since Lily had grown attached to anyone.
James' teasing voice suddenly echoed in his head: "Maybe it’s time to start dating again."
Ethan sighed. "I’ll ask her, okay?"
Lily grinned and kissed his cheek. "You’re the best, Daddy!"
The next morning, Kiana stood in front of the massive glass building, adjusting her blazer.
This was it.
Her first day at AVM Builders Corp. as the new Senior Design Director.
She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
From the moment she walked through the lobby, eyes followed her.
It was nothing new. Kiana was used to attracting attention, not just for her beauty but for her confidence. However, the atmosphere in this company felt… different.
Women eyed her with jealousy. Some men whispered among themselves.
Great. Another toxic workplace.
Pushing aside the stares, she made her way to her office and settled in, eager to start working.
A knock on her door made her look up.
Janna, her new assistant, stepped inside. "Ms. Hayes, the president, is calling for a board meeting. Everyone needs to be there."
Kiana nodded, grabbing her folder. "Alright. Let’s go."
She entered the boardroom confidently. "I’m so—"
Her voice caught in her throat.
Sitting at the head of the table, dressed in a crisp suit, was Ethan Alvarez.
Her eyes widened. What the hell is he doing here?
Ethan, on the other hand, was smirking.
Kiana quickly regained her composure and walked to her seat.
As she presented her design concepts, Ethan watched her closely.
She was brilliant. Focused. Passionate.
And completely unaware of the jealous glare coming from the far end of the room.
Lorina Walter—Head of Marketing—gritted her teeth.
She had been chasing Ethan’s attention for years, and now some nobody waltzes in and steals his focus?
Not on her watch.
After the meeting, Ethan called out to her.
"So… you’re the new Senior Design Director in my company. I never expected to see you again so soon."
Kiana crossed her arms. "Same here. I thought you were just a doctor. Turns out, you’re a businessman too?"
Ethan chuckled. "I wear many hats."
She tilted her head. "So, what do you need from me?"
He hesitated. "It’s about Lily."
Kiana raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow is her school’s family event. She wants you to be there."
Kiana blinked, caught off guard.
Ethan sighed. "Look, I know this is unexpected, but she’s really attached to you. It’s just one day."
Kiana thought about it. She had no reason to say yes… but for some reason, she couldn’t say no either.
"Alright," she said. "Just one day."
Kiana had just returned to her office when she heard a commotion outside.
"You little brat! Do you know how much this dress costs?!"
Kiana stepped out to see Janna yelling at a small child.
Lily.
The little girl’s eyes were wide with fear as Lorina loomed over her, her dress stained with spilled bubble tea.
"What’s going on here?" Kiana asked, her tone sharp.
One of the employees spoke up. "Ms. Lorina is upset because the little girl accidentally bumped into her and spilled tea on her dress."
Kiana turned to Lily, who looked like she was about to cry.
Before she could say anything, Lily spotted her and immediately ran into her arms. "Mommy!"
The room went silent.
Lorina scoffed. "So this brat is your child?"
Kiana’s expression darkened. "You don’t need to be so rude. I’ll pay for the dress."
But Lorina wasn’t done. "She should be punished for—"
"I said I’ll handle it," Kiana cut in coldly.
Without another word, she picked up Lily and walked back into her office, shutting the door.
Lily sniffled. "I’m sorry, Mommy."
Kiana smiled, wiping her tears. "It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t let people like that scare you."
After a few minutes, Lily brightened up. "Can you take me to Daddy’s office?"
Kiana sighed. "Alright. Let’s go."
As they walked through the halls, envious eyes followed them.
Rumors were already starting.
And somewhere in the shadows, Lorina watched with hatred in her eyes.
This wasn’t over.
- Writer
