Chapter Nine: A War of Wills
Kimberley Monroe didn't believe in coincidences. People didn't just stumble into her world without a reason. And now Kelly Adeniyi was working under her roof? No. There was more to this than met the eye.
She sat at her desk, phone in hand, scrolling through Zuri's school records. The girl had sharp grades and a shy charm that even Kim had taken a liking to—reluctantly, of course. But the father? Too much fire. Too many sharp edges.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock.
"Enter," she snapped.
Kelly stepped in, dressed in the company's deep blue mechanic uniform. He didn't belong in it. He looked too proud, too clean. But it suited him. Annoyingly so.
"You called for me?" he asked flatly.
"You're late."
"It's three minutes past the hour."
"In my world, three minutes is an eternity."
He rolled his eyes but kept silent.
"The board wants a full diagnostic of the new vehicles. I want your report in by tomorrow. Accurate. Neat. Efficient."
"Got it. Anything else, Ice Queen?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Do not test me, Adeniyi. I can replace you with a snap."
He leaned forward slightly. "Then do it. But you and I both know you won't. Because I'm the best damn option you've got."
The tension between them crackled like static electricity. Neither backed down.
Finally, Kim waved a dismissive hand. "Get out."
He turned, pausing only to throw her a mocking smile. "Pleasure as always."
As the door closed behind him, Kim exhaled slowly. No man talked to her that way—not without consequences.
---
In the break room, Kelly met Coudine.
"You good, bro?" Coudine asked, biting into an apple.
"Define 'good'. My boss is a demon in heels."
Coudine laughed. "Told you she was tough. But hey, you're tougher. That's why I recommended you."
"Yeah, well, thanks for that."
"She'll come around. They always do."
"You don't know Kim."
Coudine tilted his head. "You mean... you and her?"
Kelly smirked. "It's a long, stupid story."
---
Later that evening, Kelly picked up Zuri from school. She ran into his arms with a smile that made every bad day worth it.
"Daddy! Did you know my principal met a lady with ice-colored nails today? She looked really pretty!"
Kelly froze. "Ice-colored nails?"
"Yeah. Long and shiny. She even smiled at me. Said I was brave."
Kim.
He swallowed the unease rising in his chest. Kim had gone to Zuri's school? Why?
"That's nice, baby. Get in the car."
---
Kim stood by her window, watching the city lights blink to life.
She held a folder in her hand. Inside was a name.
Kelly Adeniyi.
She didn't like him. She didn't trust him.
But he was hiding something.
And she intended to find out what.