The soft glow of the exquisite living room sconces gave Lila Grant a golden halo as she stood on the massive staircase in Kelvin Prescott's luxurious penthouse— A residence that reflects his immense wealth, calculated lifestyle and untouchable status.Her silhouette was framed by the city lights, the hem of her satin robe barely brushing the middle of her thighs. The fabric shimmered against her skin like moonlight over water, and her loose curls fell in elegant waves over one shoulder.
She had timed it perfectly…..
She would remind him that she wasn't just his secretary. She wasn't just another woman working under him. She was the one who had been with him in late-night meetings, the one who knew how he took his coffee, the one who had watched him crack just a little on the days the world got too heavy. She had seen him tired. Bitter. Alone. She had seen the man behind the king.
And she was tired of being invisible to him.
Lila turned slowly, catching his eye with a smirk.
Lila: You're back late!! ~ she purred, walking toward him with deliberate slowness.
Lila: Daren must have been good company.
Kelvin said nothing, only tossing his keys onto the nearby console table with a loud clink. He glanced at her, and something unreadable flickered in his eyes. Disapproval? Intrigue?
Lila stepped closer, now close enough to breathe in the scent of his expensive cologne; deep, smoky, like aged bourbon and restrained violence. Her fingers ghosted over the edge of his chest as she spoke, her voice soft and teasing.
Lila: You know, I waited up for you.
Kelvin raised an eyebrow.
Kelvin: That wasn't necessary.
Lila: But I wanted to. ~she whispered, pressing her hand flat against his chest.
"You've been so… tense lately. Maybe I can help you relax."
~ Her fingers slid downward, slow, testing, her nails grazing his stomach.
Kelvin's hand shot up—fast, firm, gripping her wrist with precision. His gaze darkened like a brewing storm.
Kelvin: LILA!!, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Lila blinked, but her smile remained intact.
Lila: Only what I assumed you needed. Don't act surprised,You had to know this was coming.
She reached the landing and nudged his chest again, gently but deliberately. The back of his shoulder blades brushed against his door. She stood between him and the exit, the air between them humming with tension.
Lila: I've waited long enough, Kelvin, i know what I want.
~ And it was him.
Her tone was sensual, confident, like a woman who wasn't afraid to go after her desire. Her satin robe clung to her curves, the slit revealing a glimpse of bare thigh. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders in soft, deliberate waves. She looked like temptation wrapped in silk and shadows.
Kelvin laughed, but there was no humor in it. It was sharp, scathing.
Kelvin: Are you drunk?
Lila: Not even close.
He exhaled, a slow, heavy breath.
Kelvin: Lila… Is that what you think of yourself? A toy I use when I'm bored?
Her smile wavered.
Lila: I thought… we had something.
Kelvin: You thought wrong.
His voice had turned venomous, each word a slap.
Kelvin: You're my secretary. You work for me. That's all you've ever been. Don't flatter yourself with fantasies.
She took a step back, wounded pride clashing with fragile hope.
Lila: Kelvin, I didn't mean to offend—
Kelvin: Oh, save it. ~ he spat, running a hand through his hair.
"Do you think wearing that pathetic little robe and batting your lashes would make me forget who you are? You're not her. You'll never be her."
Lila froze.
He hadn't meant to say that last part. Not aloud. Not with so much venom.
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Her eyes shimmered—not with seduction now, but hurt. Real, tangible hurt. She wanted the earth to swallow her whole and save her from this predicament…..
Kelvin: LILA!!!
His voice boomed like a thunderclap.
Lila blinked—hard.
Kelvin's figure was still standing right in front of her on the staircase, exactly where he'd been moments ago. But his brows were furrowed now, not in lust or disdain, but confusion. Maybe even slight irritation.
Kelvin: Are you okay? ~ he asked, glancing at her with an edge of concern.
She opened her mouth, then shut it. Her tongue felt heavy in her throat.
Wait. What just happened?
She was still on the staircase. Still standing beside him. Her hands weren't on his chest. She hadn't leaned in. He hadn't insulted her. There'd been no grab, no cruel laughter, no rejection that cut like glass.
He was still holding the key to his room. Still paused, as if waiting for her to move so he could pass. The light overhead flickered softly, illuminating the stunned expression now blooming across her face.
Lila's heart thudded wildly against her ribs.
It hadn't happened.
None of it had.
The seductive push to the wall. The fall of her robe. The way he'd shoved her away and torn her down with words that left her raw and bleeding inside; it had all been a vivid, torturous, fantasy.
A hallucination born of tension and longing.
God.
Lila: I— ~she faltered, swallowing the knot in her throat.
Lila: Sorry. I thought you said something else.
Kelvin's eyes narrowed.
Kelvin: You were just… staring at me.
Lila: I—didn't mean to, Long day. Maybe I need some air….and besides you also have a big day tomorrow, you should rest.
Kelvin: Okay but….
Lila: Good night Mr. Prescott.
Kelvin stared at her a second longer, as if trying to read the truth in her face. He exhaled slowly and rolled his neck, trying to shake it off. But instead of letting it go, his mind wandered—back to something Daren had said a few hours ago over a late glass of bourbon:
" Darren: You're blind, you know that? (smirking)
Kelvin: Actually I can see that you're pretty crazy though
Darren: Lila. Come on. How long have you known her? You really can't see it?
Kelvin: See what? She's my assistant, Darren. She's professional.
Darren: (chuckling) Yeah, professional… but also head over heels for you.
KELVIN: (rolling his eyes) This again? I told you before, there's nothing going on between us. She's been around forever, but she knows where the line is.
Darren: (sitting up, more serious now) You're not that dense. I've seen how she looks at you, how she stands a little closer when she talks to you, how she doesn't let anyone else take your calls. Hell, the way she snapped at you earlier, like she was protecting her turf? You don't think that's anything?
Kelvin: ~ Scoffing. You're reading too much into this. She's just doing her job. I don't need you playing matchmaker, Darren
Darren: You really think she's just doing her job? I've been watching her for years now, and if that's "just doing her job," then she's got a hell of a way of hiding it. Trust me, she likes you. More than you think.
Kelvin: Stop it. You don't know what you're talking about. Lila's not like that. She's been my assistant for years, and she's never given me a reason to think otherwise.
Darren: And you haven't given her a reason to think otherwise either. You're so damn arrogant that you can't even see someone who actually cares about you—beyond what you can give them.
Kelvin:You're delusional. She's got her life, and I've got mine. There's nothing else to it.
Darren: (sighing, leaning back in his seat) You really are the most stubborn man I know. But whatever, keep pretending. You won't notice it until she's gone, and then you'll be left with nothing but regrets.
Kelvin:I'm not in the mood for this Darren drop it.
Darren: Fine, fine. But mark my words: one day, you'll see it. And by then, it might be too late.
kelvin: I don't need your advice."
~ Kelvin had scoffed at the time. Laughed it off like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd heard all week and now… here he was, standing in the hallway of his own damn home, unable to shake the way she'd looked at him earlier.
Frozen. Breathless. Like she was having a moment. Like something had just played out in her head that had nothing to do with the conversation they weren't even having.
He turned away from the stairs and walked further into the suite, undoing the last button of his shirt as the city lights spilled across the marble floor.
He didn't do complications. He didn't entertain fantasies, his or anyone else's. Lila was his secretary. His employee. A damn good one. Sharp, composed, organized, and calm. The last person he expected to act unprofessionally.
And yet…
There was something different tonight. Her stillness. The way her lips had parted as if she was about to say something, but didn't.
He poured himself a glass of water from the decanter near the minibar and leaned against the countertop, staring out the massive floor-to-ceiling window.
Kelvin: Could Daren have been right? Does she like me?
The thought felt dangerous. Invasive. And frankly, absurd.
Kelvin chuckled once—dry and humorless.
Kelvin: Not happening.
He downed the water in one gulp and set the glass aside with a quiet thud.
Whatever Daren thought he saw, and whatever was going on in Lila's head tonight, it wasn't his problem. He wasn't about to feed into drama or misread glances. He had enough to deal with already, especially with the upcoming trip back to the royal city looming on the horizon like a dark storm cloud.
There was no space for emotional entanglements. Not with her. Not with anyone.
...….
Lila shut the door behind her and leaned against it like it was the only thing holding her up. The soft click of it closing was the final punctuation to her humiliation. She stared blankly at the room—pristine, cold, and too quiet. Everything felt too still. Too real. Her heart was pounding as if she had just run a mile barefoot, but it wasn't from exertion.
It was from shame.
Lila: God, what the hell is wrong with me? ~ she muttered under her breath as she pushed off the door and stormed toward the vanity table. Her heels clicked angrily against the hardwood floor, echoing in the silence. She threw herself down in the chair and stared at her reflection. Big mistake; Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes wide, glassy. Lips parted slightly like she'd just come down from a high she was never supposed to touch. She looked like someone who had just imagined the worst kind of fantasy.
Lila: You didn't touch him! ~ she whispered to herself, shaking her head.
" You didn't even speak. It was all in your stupid, delusional head."
A bitter laugh escaped her.
Lila: You really thought you could seduce Kelvin Prescott? ~ she said to the mirror.
Lila: You thought you could push him up against a door and he'd just… what? Fall for you? Touch you back? Tear your robe off?
She stood suddenly, fists clenched.
Lila: You're losing it.
Then she slapped herself—hard. Right across the cheek. The sting was sharp and real. It snapped her out of the spiral. She blinked back sudden tears, refusing to let them fall.
Lila: Get a grip, Lila! ~ she hissed.
Lila: You're not some lovesick teenager. You're a professional. His secretary. You manage his schedule, not his emotions. Not his body. Not his heart.
She took a few shaky breaths, pacing now. The room spun in slow circles around her as the reality settled in deeper.
Lila: He doesn't see you, ~ she said, as if admitting it would help. "He never has. And he never will."
And the worst part? She'd known that all along. So why did her heart ache like she'd just been broken up with? Why did it feel like she'd just walked out of a relationship that never existed? Because the fantasy had felt so real. His eyes on her. Her hands on his chest. The tension. The cruel rejection. Even the pain, every part of it had been too vivid. It had scratched at a place deep inside her that she didn't let anyone touch. A place that still believed, foolishly, in the idea that maybe—just maybe—Kelvin could want her the way she wanted him. But she wasn't the type of woman men like Kelvin Prescott chose.
No. He chose power. Elegance. Status. Untouchable beauty. And Lila? She was reliable. Efficient. Background. A fixture in his world, but never the center of it.
She grabbed a towel and splashed cold water on her face, trying to wash away the heat, the longing, the absolute idiocy that had possessed her earlier. By the time she looked back in the mirror, her expression was blank. Cold. Composed.
Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Even if none of it had happened in reality, it felt as real as skin and breath and pain.
Lila: You imagined all of it…
Her knees wobbled slightly, and she sat down on the top stair, letting her arms rest on her thighs as she stared into space. The seductive confidence she had felt only minutes ago had dissolved completely, replaced by something colder. How had her mind gone there so easily? How had her desperation twisted itself into such a brutal hallucination?
Maybe she'd wanted it too badly.
Maybe she'd let herself believe there was more behind his glances, his brief moments of softness, his presence in her world.
But clearly—clearly—whatever she thought she saw… was just smoke and longing.
There was no 'them.'
And there never would be. It was all in her head.
All of it.
She exhaled, slow and shaky, pressing her fingertips to her temples. "God, what is wrong with me?"
...…
The sun had barely begun its ascent when the Prescott estate loomed into view. Its grand façade, a testament to generations of affluence and power, stood as imposing as ever. Kelvin Prescott sat in the backseat of his sleek black Bentley, his gaze fixed on the sprawling mansion ahead. The journey here had been silent, save for the rhythmic hum of the engine and the distant chirping of birds heralding the dawn.
Beside him, his secretary, Lila Grant, sat with an air of composed professionalism. Yet, beneath her calm exterior, a storm brewed. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind—the way Kelvin had dismissed her, choosing instead the company of another woman. The sting of rejection was sharp, and the weight of unspoken emotions pressed heavily on her chest.
As the car approached the estate's grand entrance, Lila broke the silence.
Lila: Mr. Prescott…. ~ she began, her voice measured but tinged with an undercurrent of restraint,
Lila: I trust you'll manage the meeting without any issues. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave.
Kelvin turned to face her, noting the subtle tension in her posture, the tightness around her lips.
Kelvin: Lila, he started, a hint of concern in his tone, "is everything alright?
She met his gaze, her eyes a stormy sea of conflicted emotions.
Lila: Everything is fine, sir, i just have some personal matters to attend to.
Kelvin: Very well.
Lila offered a curt nod in return, stepping out of the vehicle with practiced grace. As she walked away, her heels clicking against the cobblestone driveway, she felt the weight of Kelvin's gaze on her back. But she didn't turn around. Not this time.
As soon as the door to the car shut behind Lila, the silence in the vehicle was broken only by the hum of the engine. James, Kelvin Prescott personal Driver who had been focused on the road as he drove away from the drop-off point, felt the weight of the call he knew was coming. His phone buzzed.
He picked it up immediately, answering with the practiced calm that had become second nature.
James: Yes?
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line, and then a few muffled sounds.
James nodded as he listens to the distant voice on the phone…
James: Understood, sir.
Kelvin: What is it?
James; Sir there's been a road block on the major road to the airport, we'd have to take another route which is longer and congested sir.
Kelvin: Ugh!! What sort of road block are we talking about here?
James: Well, according to the information passed, a tanker carrying diesel seems to have fallen hence the blockage of the road and I think it's a good thing because if not contained? There could be a high tendency for an explosion to happen and I don't even want to think what would happen to...
Kelvin: inform the kids driver. ~ Kelvin interrupts abruptly not interested in the empathies of James.
James: Right—-Of course, — right away Mr. Prescott, ~ James confirmed, already shifting his focus back to the road.
James: I'll inform Adrian right away.
Kelvin ended the call, and James dialed Adrian's number without hesitation.
The phone rang for a few moments before Adrian's familiar voice answered, the sound of his engine humming in the background.
Adrian: James? Everything okay?
James: Adrian, there's been a change in plans. Head directly to the secondary airstrip instead of the main airport. Mr. Prescott and I will be waiting there, and we need to ensure the kids are ready for the flight on time. No stops, understood?
Adrian's voice was quick and sharp, always on the ball.
Adrian: Understood. I'll reroute immediately.
Adrian, the driver who's tasked with carrying Kelvin's twins to the destination, is a young, strikingly handsome man with an aura of resilience and Willingness to work that goes far beyond his driving duties. His story is one of quiet determination and hidden depths.
Standing at just over six feet tall, Adrian's broad shoulders and lean frame make him stand out, even in the busiest of crowds. His sharp jawline and deep-set eyes give him a serious look, but when he smiles, it's clear that there's a warmth beneath his cool exterior. His dark brown hair is always neatly styled, and there's a calm confidence in his stride that comes from years of mastering not only the wheel but also the world around him.
But Adrian isn't just the driver for the Prescott family. His job with Kelvin goes beyond merely being behind the wheel of luxury vehicles, ferrying the family from one high-profile event to the next. He's a multi-talented individual who's had to adapt to various roles, each requiring a different set of skills, all of which he's mastered with quiet precision.
In his teenage years, Adrian had already built a reputation within the Prescott household, trusted not only for his impeccable driving but for his reliability in other critical tasks. He'd often be called upon to act as a personal assistant during family events, managing logistics and keeping everything running smoothly. He was also a key player during the family's security operations, known for his ability to handle high-pressure situations with a cool head. Whether it was coordinating security detail for a gala or picking up on the smallest details in a room, Adrian could do it all. After his mother's passing when he was younger, he took on responsibilities quickly, becoming the protector of his younger siblings. That experience shaped his calm yet authoritative nature. He was always someone others could depend on, which naturally led him to the position he held with the Prescott family. Despite his relatively young age, Adrian had become a central figure in the daily workings of the Prescott estate, often the one to bridge the gap between the family's personal needs and their more public endeavors.
The twins, who had grown up with Adrian as a constant presence, were used to his stern yet kind demeanor. They knew he was the kind of person who would never let anything go wrong, no matter how chaotic things became. Whether it was school events, spontaneous family trips, or simply running errands for Kelvin, Adrian was the one to make sure everything went according to plan.
His bond with the family, particularly with the twins, is one built on mutual respect. While they might be children of privilege, they recognized Adrian's strength and integrity, and they trusted him implicitly. He wasn't just the driver—they viewed him as a protector, a reliable constant in a world that could often feel like it was spinning out of control. His presence gave them a sense of stability, knowing that wherever they went, Adrian would be there to make sure they were safe, on time, and well taken care of.
Despite all of his success and responsibilities, Adrian never sought the limelight. He kept to the background, rarely drawing attention to himself. He knew his role, and he played it to perfection; whether he was chauffeuring Kelvin and the twins to a family gathering or handling behind-the-scenes logistics. However, his skills and undeniable charm were impossible to overlook. His sharp mind and cool composure in the face of challenges made him someone others couldn't help but admire.
Yet, despite his calm exterior, Adrian had a private side—one that not even the Prescott family fully understood. His personal life remained a mystery to most, with only the closest of friends knowing the full extent of his struggles and ambitions. He had dreams of his own, of carving a life outside the world of high society, but for now, his loyalty to the Prescott family kept him firmly in place, ensuring their needs were always met.
As Adrian navigated the streets with the twins in the back seat, the weight of the day's upcoming events didn't escape him. While he appeared as though he had it all under control, there was a slight tension in his jaw, the same quiet determination that marked every decision he made. The Prescott family had always come first, but that didn't mean Adrian had forgotten the bigger picture, he had his own path to follow, even if that path was currently intertwined with theirs.
In the end, Adrian's true value lay not only in his driving or his ability to manage the unexpected but in his resilience and versatility. He was a man who could seamlessly juggle the responsibilities of a high-powered family while silently harboring his own hopes and dreams. His story wasn't one of flashy success, but of quiet determination and reliability, the kind of man who would go to any lengths to ensure those he cared about were safe, comfortable, and cared for even if that meant putting his own ambitions on hold.
.....
The air inside the black SUV was filled with the soft hum of the engine, low music playing from the speakers as the vehicle cruised through the early morning streets. The sun had just started rising, casting golden streaks of light through the tinted windows.
In the back seat, Elena and Aiden, Kelvin Prescott's twins, were mid-conversation about some silly argument they were having over who could had a crush in the royal town. Elena was winning, naturally, which annoyed Aiden to no end.
That was when Adrian leaned slightly toward the rear view mirror, grinning as he turned down the music just a bit and called out in his usual laid-back, charming tone.
Adrian: What's up, party people?
Both twins instantly looked up, their faces lighting up the way they always did when Adrian spoke to them. He was more than their driver, he was their unofficial big brother, their secret-keeper, their go-to "cool adult."
Elena: Heyyyy, A-dree-an….. Did you just call us party people?
Adrian: I don't see any boring folks in this car, replied, Unless… Aiden is secretly thirty-five and pretending to be a kid. That would explain the grumpy face.
Aiden: I am not grumpy! .
Adrian: Alright, alright, Truce. No sibling wars before sunset. You'll make me call the Sibling Peacekeeping Patrol.
The twins laughed, and the brief tension between them faded as easily as it had come. But then Adrian's expression shifted ever so slightly, growing a bit more serious as he kept his eyes on the road.
Adrian: Hey, got a quick update for you guys.
~ Aiden and Elena leaned forward, picking up on the change in his tone.
Adrian: There's been a slight change of plan…. We're not going to the airport you were told about earlier. Your dad switched things up, last minute, of course.
Aiden made a face.
Aiden: What? Why? We were supposed to get cinnamon rolls at the airport lounge!
Adrian laughed.
Adrian: Woah woah, you'll still get your cinnamon rolls, I'm only taking a different route, and trust me, I am looking forward to that coffee too.
Elena: but what happened?
Adrian: A tanker carrying diesel fell and if not contained can most likely cause an explosion and we don't want that now do We?
Aiden: It's always something with this routes…..
Elena folded her arms.
Elena: Is Lila coming?
Adrian: She has been dropped off by James
Elena: Sigh!!, why can't she come with us ~ she said in a defeat tone
As they turned onto a new road leading toward the more private airstrip Adrian had requested, the twins settled back in their seats. Adrian drove on with a quiet smile, proud of the little family he had become part of, and more determined than ever to make sure the day ran smoothly, no matter what curveballs came next.
....
By the time both black vehicles, Kelvin's sleek Range Rover and the black SUV carrying the twins pulled up near the private airstrip, the sun was already at its peak. The heat shimmered off the asphalt, casting a golden haze over the tarmac and streaking the clouds with streaks of white light. The area was quiet, elite, heavily secured with sleek glass terminals reserved for private jet owners, CEOs, celebrities, and royals like Kelvin Prescott.
But this wasn't how the morning was supposed to unfold.
They were supposed to be in the air by 10 a.m. sharp, but now, as the dashboard clock blinked 1:02 p.m., the reality sank in. Traffic had been brutal; first a major blockage in the main city avenue, then an unexpected road closure due to some political convoy passing through. Even with Kelvin's level of power, there were some delays no amount of influence could speed up.
Kelvin stepped out of the car first, one hand adjusting his suit jacket as his sunglasses caught the sunlight. His jaw was set, not in anger, but in firm disappointment. He didn't say anything immediately, he never did when he was quietly fuming. He simply looked ahead at the sleek black and silver private jet parked across the strip, his initials K.P. discreetly marked near the tail.
Adrian pulled up moments later with the twins, stepping out to help unload their bags. He gave Kelvin a nod that silently said "I did my best". The twins were mostly unbothered, chattering about cinnamon rolls and who got the window seat.
Kelvin's phone buzzed again, another missed call. Another message. He barely glanced at it. His mind was already preoccupied, not just with the delay but with what waited for him in the royal town. Meetings. Royal councils. His father. The press. He was growing tired of the political chessboard everyone expected him to play.
James approached with a clipboard, confirming final clearance for takeoff. Adrian spoke briefly with the co-pilot, checking that everything was set for the twins. Everything moved like clockwork again, until the moment just before Kelvin climbed the steps of the jet.
That was when he saw her….
She stood near the terminal's edge, some feet away from the gate, half-shielded by a rolling luggage cart and the bustle of ground staff. She wasn't dressed lavishly, not trying to be seen. She wore a flowing cream dress, sunglasses perched low on her nose, and her hair was in a loose ponytail that danced lightly in the breeze.
At first, she looked like just another passenger. But something about her made Kelvin pause mid-step.
His eyes locked on her, heartbeat hitching ever so slightly.
There was something hauntingly familiar about her.
The way she stood. The tilt of her head. The curve of her lips, even though they weren't smiling. He narrowed his eyes behind his glasses, trying to place her in his memory like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
A dream? A party?
Years ago? Or recently?
He couldn't tell. But he knew that face didn't belong to a stranger. She turned for a second, just a brief glance in his direction. Not long enough to hold his gaze. Not long enough to speak.But long enough for his gut to twist.
Kelvin's brow furrowed deeply, a strange chill slipping down his spine despite the heat of the day. For a man who rarely forgot a face, this unsettled him.
James: Sir?" ~ James called from below the stairs, snapping him out of his daze.
Kelvin blinked, looking back at the spot. She was gone.
Vanished into the crowd. He took the final steps into the plane, but his mind was no longer focused on the journey ahead.It was on her. That face. Why did it feel like she held a piece of his past? And why did it feel like fate had just placed her back on his path… just before he returned to the very heart of his royal life?