Darren, confused but disinterested, shrugged it off. He had to drive Myra to the beauty salon later that evening for surgery and figured he might as well finish his meal before heading out. Kayla waited five minutes before the car pulled up in front of the entrance.
A bodyguard quickly stepped forward, opening the door and placing a hand just above her head to ensure she wouldn’t be hit as she got in.
Kayla rushed into the car, her face flushed with anger. The moment she saw it was Ruben behind the wheel, her frustration boiled over.
“Do you have a death wish or something?” she snapped. “You nearly killed me in that wreck last time, and now you have the nerve to keep me waiting? Do you really want to get fired that badly?”
Ruben, for once, didn’t adopt his usual deferential demeanor. Sitting straighter than usual, he responded flatly, “Where to?”
She froze, momentarily stunned by his audacity. She narrowed her eyes, scanning him as though seeing him for the first time.
Her lips curled into a cold, sharp smile. “You’ve got some nerve,” she responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Do you really think I wouldn’t fire you? Or did you figure having your wife beg me would make me change my mind?”
At the mention of his wife, Ruben’s face darkened. He straightened up and said firmly, “Kayla, Mina and I have always kept to ourselves. We’ve never done anything to provoke you.”
“Oh, really? Then, how about this? Apologize to me at this instant, or I’ll fire both of you. And this time, not even Mina on her knees will make me change my mind!”
It wasn’t an empty threat-Kayla was perfectly capable of executing it.
Ruben’s temper flared. “Are you saying you want my wife to get on her knees before you? Kayla, do you seriously think you’ve won?”
Kayla tilted her chin upward, the picture of smug arrogance. She kicked the back of the driver’s seat sharply and barked, “Enough with the talk. Just drive!”
Ruben’s jaw tightened, the veins on his neck visibly throbbing. For a split second, he considered throwing the memory card he had onto her lap and watching her panic when she realized her secrets were no longer safe. That would feel so good.
But what if Myra and Dexter decided to cover for her again?
In a fleeting moment of clarity, he decided to bide his time. Perhaps he could gather more leverage. When the time was right, he would ensure that Kayla could not talk her way out of the matter.
The engine roared to life, and the Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the night, heading toward the city’s most exclusive luxury shopping district.
Kayla spent the next half hour in a whirlwind of rage-fueled retail therapy, racking up over a million dollars on her credit card.
The sales assistants, all too familiar with her spending habits, treated her with the utmost courtesy.
After completing her purchases, one of them politely inquired, “Ms. Fuller, would you like us to have these delivered to your home? What time would it be convenient?”
“It’s fine.” Kayla snapped, pointing at Ruben. “My driver will carry them.”
Her intent to make things difficult for Ruben was obvious.
By the time she finished, Ruben’s arms were draped with shopping bags. Although the items were lightweight, they were numerous, ranging from shoes, bags, and jewelry… Having blown enough money to calm herself, Kayla returned to the car, her anger somewhat abated.
However, as soon as she sat down, her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, her lips curled into a scowl. It was Shawn calling.
Without a second thought, she hung up.
The phone buzzed again and again.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, Kayla noticed Ruben loading her purchases in the trunk. With an annoyed sigh, she finally answered.
“What do you want?” she barked. “Didn’t I tell you not to call me? I’ve already paid you the last time!”
Shawn’s voice was pitiful on the
other end. “Kayla, please. The
money’s already gone. You’ve got to help me out. I’m desperate-Lance’s looking for me everywhere. He’s already cut off three of my fingers. If he catches me again, I’m dead!”
“How’s that my problem?”
The thought of being biologically related to Shawn disgusted Kayla.
“Kayla, I killed Felicia for you! You can’t just leave me hanging now!”
At the mention of Felicia, Kayla’s temper reignited. “You’ve got some nerve bringing that up. She’s still alive, Shawn! She came back alive and well, without a scratch on Ker. And how dare you ask me for more money?”
“What?” His voice was laced with disbelief. “How did she survive? But I had her cornered! It must’ve been that man. He came out of nowhere and kicked me so hard I blacked out. He must’ve saved her!”
Kayla froze when Shawn mentioned the appearance of a man.