The words "Lord Christian's assistant is here to talk to you" echoed in Kimberly Hayes's head like a haunting bell. She blinked, trying to process what Natasha had just said.
"What did you just say?" she asked, lowering her voice but not her intensity.
"I said," Natasha repeated, her black American accent slipping out again, "Lord Christian's assistant is here to talk to you. Like, in person. Girl, that man's people don't visit anyone without a reason."
Kimberly straightened her posture immediately, tugging the scarf around her neck a little tighter. Her heart began to race. Lord Christian wasn't just any businessman he was a shadow, a whispered name in corridors of power. The man who controlled empires without ever being seen. People said even presidents bowed to him, and yet, no one could ever confirm his face.
"What does he want with me?" Kimberly muttered under her breath as the elevator dinged open.
"Maybe he wants to invest in your company," Natasha said with a grin, nudging her cousin. "Or maybe—"
"Don't even start, Natasha," Kimberly cut her off, adjusting her sunglasses as they stepped into the top floor of Hayes Corporation.
The air was different up here crisp, tense, filled with the quiet power of luxury. Her father, Mr. Hayes, stood by the panoramic window, his hands clasped behind his back. Sitting across the glass table was a tall man dressed entirely in black — a black suit, black shirt, black tie. His presence was commanding, his face calm yet unreadable.
"Kimberly," her father said, turning around with a serious expression. "Meet Mr. Lewis Lord Christian's personal assistant."
The man stood up. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to study everything and reveal nothing. "Miss Hayes," he said with a slight nod, his voice deep and smooth like velvet. "It's an honor to finally meet you."
Kimberly hesitated, forcing a polite smile. "The honor's mine, Mr. Lewis. To what do I owe this… unexpected visit?"
Mr. Lewis smiled faintly the kind of smile that never reached his eyes. "Lord Christian sends his regards. He has been keeping an eye on Hayes Corporation for a while now. Your recent projects in the oil sector caught his attention."
"Lord Christian is interested in investing?" asked Mr. Hayes, stepping forward eagerly.
Mr. Lewis turned slightly toward him. "Something like that. But more specifically, Lord Christian wants to partner directly with your daughter."
The room went silent. Even Natasha's jaw dropped.
"Excuse me?" Kimberly said, her tone sharp. "With me? Why?"
Mr. Lewis clasped his hands behind his back. "Lord Christian admires boldness. He believes women like you—young, ambitious, unafraid—should be at the forefront of global leadership. He sees potential in you, Miss Hayes. Potential that shouldn't be wasted on… trivial entanglements."
Kimberly frowned slightly. "Trivial entanglements?"
"Kelvin Reid," Mr. Lewis said simply, his eyes cutting into her like glass. "Lord Christian believes that alliance will destroy your future before it even begins."
Her father shifted uncomfortably. "With all due respect, this is a family matter. My daughter's engagement is not for outsiders to meddle in."
"Lord Christian doesn't meddle," Lewis replied calmly. "He intervenes when he sees promise about to be buried by mediocrity."
Kimberly didn't know whether to be flattered or terrified. Lord Christian, a man she had never met, somehow knew about her, her company, and her personal life.
"What exactly does he want from me?" she asked carefully.
"Dinner," Mr. Lewis replied simply. "Tomorrow night. A private dinner. Just you and him."
"What?" Natasha blurted out. "Hold on—you mean the Lord Christian? The ghost billionaire? The one who never shows his face?"
Mr. Lewis's lips curved slightly. "The same one. You'll meet him at his estate by 8 PM. A car will come to pick you up."
"I haven't even agreed to this," Kimberly said, raising a brow.
Mr. Lewis met her eyes. "Miss Hayes, people don't agree to meet Lord Christian. They are invited."
That sent a chill down her spine.
Before she could respond, Mr. Lewis turned toward her father, handed him a sleek black card, and bowed slightly. "It was a pleasure, Mr. Hayes. Miss Hayes." He nodded briefly to Natasha and walked out, leaving behind an air of mystery so thick, the silence almost felt heavy.
As soon as the door closed, Kimberly exhaled loudly and sank into a chair. "Dad, what just happened?"
Mr. Hayes looked at her with a conflicted expression. "If Lord Christian himself is calling you, you don't turn him down, Kimberly. This could change everything for us—for the company."
"Everything for us," she repeated bitterly. "Not for me."
Her father ignored her tone. "Be ready tomorrow night. Don't embarrass me."
He left the office without another word.
Natasha waited until the door clicked shut, then practically exploded. "Girl! Did you hear that?! LORD. CHRISTIAN. HIMSELF! You're about to have dinner with the most powerful man in the world!"
Kimberly slumped back in her chair. "I don't even know what he looks like, Tasha. What if it's a trap? What if he's worse than Kelvin?"
Natasha gasped dramatically. "Worse than Kelvin Reid? Please, the devil himself would have to work hard to reach that level."
Despite herself, Kimberly chuckled softly. "You're insane."
"Damn right I am," Natasha said, tossing her hair. "But if I were you, I'd go. You can't say no to that kind of power, cousin. Not when the world's most feared man just requested a dinner."
Kimberly sighed deeply, resting her head in her hands. "I need a drink."
---
That evening, back at the mansion, the sun dipped behind the city skyline as Kimberly sat quietly on her balcony, the wind teasing strands of her hair. She replayed the day in her mind — Lord Christian, his assistant, the way Roy had looked at her that morning when she almost fell.
Everything felt so complicated. Her father wanted her to marry a man she despised, another powerful man wanted to meet her for reasons she didn't understand, and her heart… her heart kept whispering Roy.
As if summoned by her thoughts, she heard a knock on the balcony door. She turned — it was Roy. He stood there, freshly showered, wearing a black shirt that hugged his frame perfectly.
"Mr. Hayes asked me to drive you to your dinner tomorrow," he said.
Kimberly smiled faintly. "Of course he did. My life just keeps getting better."
Roy stepped closer, his eyes scanning her face carefully. "You look… tired."
"I am tired," she admitted, her voice softening. "Tired of pretending to be strong. Tired of doing what everyone expects. Tired of being perfect."
Roy's eyes softened. "You don't have to be perfect, Kimb. You just have to be real."
For a moment, the air between them thickened with unspoken tension. She wanted to tell him everything — how scared she was, how much she thought about him, how his touch last night still haunted her. But she didn't. Instead, she whispered, "Thank you… for being here."
Roy gave a small nod, then turned to leave. "Goodnight, Kimberly."
"Goodnight, Roy."
As he disappeared down the hallway, Kimberly leaned back against the railing, her heart pounding. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring — but one thing was certain.
Meeting Lord Christian might change everything.
And somewhere deep down, she had a strange feeling that her bodyguard, Roy, knew more about this mysterious man than he was letting on.