The air felt heavy, saturated with the scent of seared steak and the stifling weight of history. Kaia stared into eyes that mirrored a frozen lake. She had forgotten just how icy blue Chase Ceemer's gaze could be. Her fingers curled into a fists as she fought the urge to bolt. Chase let his gaze linger on the spray of freckles across her nose before he looked away, his expression unreadable.
Was there a flicker of recognition there, or was it just the detached curiosity of a predator?
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, step-sister," he said.
The voice was a tectonic shift from the boy she remembered, deeper and vibrating with a resonance that made the hair on her arms stand up. His smile was a rigid, porcelain thing. His eyes remained blank, shuttered like a man guarding a dark secret.
In a heartbeat, the mask shifted. The coldness evaporated, replaced by a saccharine, practiced warmth. He held his hand out for a handshake but Kaia couldn't take it. She couldn't let him touch her. Not again.
Kaitleen and Mr. Cameron exchanged a glance of muted confusion. Kaia cleared her throat, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
"I'm not your sister."
Sitting down, she tucked her hands beneath the table, pressing them against her knees to stifle the visible tremor.
What we're the odds that her new step-brother would be her former nightmare?
The thought of him remembering her sent chills down her spine.
"You're not. You're my step-sister," he continued smoothly with a snide smirk.
She still couldn't tell if he had any recollection of their history or he was just being a jerk…as always.
"Chase, I was hoping you'd get to know each other a bit better," Kaitleen interjected, smoothing a napkin with forced cheer. "Kaia works in marketing, but she's currently in between jobs."
Kaia's head snapped toward her mother. "How did you kno—"
"Oh quit it Kaia, I've known about it since you landed. Melo told me."
The betrayal stung. She made a mental note to have a very long, very loud conversation with Melo later.
"It's not a big deal," Kaia said, her voice strained. "I already have a couple of offers lined up."
The lie tasted like copper in her mouth.
"Be that as it may, I've been thinking that it'd be better for all of us if you were closer to home," Kaitleen said.
"Home?" Kaia's brow furrowed. "My home is in Boston, Mom."
"I mean here. In New York. With me."
Mr. Cameron reached over, covering Kaitleen's hand with his own. "Your mother is worried about you, Kaia. She thinks it's best if you stay here and work in the company."
"I don't need that, Mom. Boston isn't far. I can visit anytime." Kaia's lips pursed, the familiar heat of annoyance rising in her chest.
"But you won't, will you?" Kaitleen sighed, a theatrical huff of disappointment. "This is a chance for you to get to know the family."
Chase had been silent, a shadow at the edge of the light. The only sign he was listening was a minute flicker in his eyes when her unemployment was mentioned. Now, he leaned forward.
"The company needs a marketing expert," he offered, that persistent smirk back in place. "Our head of marketing is stepping down due to some... issues. We could use a replacement."
Kaia's jaw locked. Suddenly, the posh restaurant vanished, replaced by a ghost of a sensation. A cold locker room wall. A mocking whisper. 'I love hearing you whimper, my little Katharos'
"You don't have to worry about me Mom, I'll be fine," Kaia said, fixing her gaze solely on her mother and blotting Chase out of her periphery. "Besides, the position isn't exactly open, anyway."
"You're right," Mr. Cameron said, slicing into his steak with clinical precision. "But the role for Secretary to the CEO is, right Chase?" He turned back to Kaia. "I know this is all very new and I understand your reluctance, but your mother would feel much better if you stayed. I just want to make her happy. I'm sure you do too?"
The guilt trip was a masterclass in manipulation. Kaia's eyes narrowed.
"I can't believe you're doing this, Mom," she muttered, a low whine escaping her. She thought of her bank account, the balance dropping like a stone. The silent phone. The rejection emails. In two months, she'd be begging for a loan. She bit her lip. Hard.
"Even if I wanted to consider it, I'd have to interview for the Secretary position first. There's no guarantee I'd get it."
"Oh there's no need for all of that dear," Mr. Cameron said, popping a piece of steak into his mouth. "You're family. I'm sure the CEO finds you much more than capable."
Kaia's heart hammered against her ribs. "What do you mean finds me capable? I haven't even met the ma—"
She stopped. Her gaze slid slowly, agonizingly, toward the man sitting across from her.
"YOU?"
"Yes Kaia, me," Chase said, his voice a silken trap. He turned to Kaitleen, his expression softening into something disturbingly kind.
"Kaia can start next week. Don't worry, Kaitleen. She'll be well taken care of."
He flashed that sick, knowing smirk one last time.
The battle had been lost before it began. Despite her protests, her mother remained unmoved. One week later, after a whirlwind trip to Boston to pack her life into boxes, she said goodbye to Melo and got on a business class flight back funded by Mr. Cameron, Kaia stood in a sleek Manhattan lobby.
The plan was a fortress of logic: Work for three months. Save every cent. Keep her head down. And above all, ensure Chase Ceemer never realized she was the same girl he had broken years ago.
Upstairs, Chase sat in the dim glow of his office, his eyes fixed on the CCTV monitor. He watched Kaia enter her new workspace. He never watched the feeds, but today was an exception.
She had changed. The frail, skinny girl with the oversized glasses was gone. In her place was a woman who had grown into herself, sharp and vibrant. Yet, the freckles remained. He watched her offer a small, genuine smile to the IT guy, Jake, and his jaw tightened.
He was different now. He told himself that every morning. The aggression of his youth was a shed skin. He had hurt her because he hadn't known what to do with the way she made him feel. Now, he had the power to fix it. He would make up for the pain.
The shrill ring of the intercom startled Kaia. She scowled at the plastic device before picking it up.
"Hello Mr. Cameron, what do you need?"
"I need you in my office. Now," the voice replied, followed by a sharp beep.
Kaia took a breath, centered herself, and stood. The walk was short, only a few paces to the heavy oak door. She raised her hand to knock.
"Come in," the voice called out before her knuckles could graze the wood a second time.
She entered, the door clicking shut with finality. "Ahem. Good morning, Mr. Camero—"
"That's my father," he interrupted, finally looking up from his screen. Those cold, alpine eyes locked onto hers. "Call me Chase."
"Chase," she corrected, matching his stare with a mask of professional indifference. "What do you need?"
"Cancel all my meetings for today. We're going out."
Kaia raised an eyebrow. "Where will that be, if I may ask?"
He let out a short, dry chuckle. "Lunch and shopping."
"I don't think you need me for those things, but I'll make sure your schedule is cleared. Will that be all?"
"You're my secretary," Chase said, his tone turning dismissive. "That means you go wherever I need you to go, Kaia."
"Look, Mr. Camero—"
"Chase. It's Chase."
He rose from his chair, a slow, predatory grace in his movement. He walked around the desk, closing the distance between them. Kaia took an instinctive step back, but he didn't stop until he was looming over her. The scent of mint and a faint, sugary hint of watermelon washed over her.
He leaned in, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in her very bones.
"You're still so stubborn, my little Katharos."
Kaia's breath hitched, her lungs suddenly refusing to work. Her eyes went wide, the world tilting on its axis.
He knew. He had always known.