Chapter 1

As I was getting chewed out by my boss, Parker Williams, ready to accept that I'd be a corporate drone for the rest of my life, my bestie, Oaklee Warren, who'd been missing for three months, burst into the conference room, kicking the door open.

She pointed at me and announced to everyone, "From today on, Briella Newton is the owner's woman."

Before I could even feel touched, a weak voice came from the corner. "Hey, this is my dad's company."

*****

"Briella, are you brainless or what? How do you screw up such a basic report? Did I hire you to stuff your face?" Parker barked, spraying spit everywhere.

I bowed my head, fists clenched so tight that my nails were digging into my skin.

In my mind, I'd have him eating dirt ninety-nine times already.

But I didn't have the guts to really do that to him.

I needed this job, needed the paycheck to cover rent and keep myself fed.

In this massive city, I was another nobody. One gust of wind, and I'd disappear without a trace.

I took a deep breath and forced out a smile that was uglier than crying. "Sorry, Mr. Williams. I'll fix it right now."

"Fix it? What makes you think you even deserve to fix it? Get out of my sight. Don't let me catch you here again!" Parker threw the file right at my face, papers scattering everywhere, fluttering to the floor like broken butterflies.

I quietly crouched down and started picking them up.

My coworkers shot me looks, some with pity, others enjoying the show, each one stabbing at me like needles.

When I was steeling myself for another round of humiliation, a crash shook the whole room.

The ridiculously heavy conference room door got kicked open.

The door wobbled, looking like it might give up the ghost any second.

Everyone was stunned, including Parker, who'd been spitting fire seconds ago.

A woman rocking a fierce black suit and sunglasses marched in on four-inch heels, surrounded by a squad of bodyguards dressed head-to-toe in black.

Her presence was off the charts, like she owned the place.

I'd know that face anywhere, even if she turned into ashes.

Oaklee Warren, my bestie, disappeared for three months.

My mind went blank.

I wondered if she had spent the last three months robbing banks, or if aliens had abducted her and sent her back totally transformed.

Her look and the whole entrance were way more dramatic than those over-the-top CEOs I saw on TV shows.

She took off her shades, revealing those fierce, foxlike eyes. Her gaze swept the conference room, and then locked onto me with laser focus.

Then, she marched right over, her long legs carrying her straight to me.

Her heels tapped out a sharp rhythm on the floor. Each click felt like it was stomping right on my nerves.

I thought she was definitely here to chase me for that money.

I still owed her one hundred and fifty bucks from when she disappeared three months ago.

Instinctively, I covered my pocket.

Oaklee stopped right in front of me.

She looked down at me, her eyes flashing with something I couldn't quite figure out, maybe a hint of concern, but mostly that fierce, take-no-prisoners vibe.

"Who did this to you?" Her voice was cold as ice.

I was totally lost.

What did she say?

"I'm asking you. Who messed with you?" she pressed, her voice rising.

Then it clicked that she meant Parker.

Before I could even get a word out, Parker blew up. "Who the hell are you? Do you have any idea where this is? Security, get this lunatic out of here."

Oaklee didn't even spare him a glance. Her eyes stayed fixed on me. "Briella, tell me. Was it him?"

I looked at her, then at Parker, who was about to blow a fuse, my brain completely scrambled.

I had no idea what was going on right now.

"Why aren't you answering?" Oaklee frowned.

One of her bodyguards immediately stepped forward, looking menacing.

I jumped in fright and nodded quickly.

Yes, yes, it was him, alright?

Oaklee got my answer and quirked her lips in satisfaction.

She turned around to face Parker. "You're fired."

Her tone was nonchalant, like she was talking about the weather.