Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Both Tobias and Russell snapped their heads toward her.
“You know about it?” Tobias asked, one eyebrow cocked.
“Yup.” Kaia said with a quick nod.
13 55 vouchers
This morning, the head honcho at the institute had shot her a message, saying they’d locked in the
28th.
He even asked if the date worked for her, ready to switch it up if it didn’t.
“How’d you get the scoop?” Tobias leaned in, eyes narrowing.
Kaia hesitated, her brow furrowing. “Can’t spill the beans, but I’m telling you, it’s set for the 28th.”
Russell tugged Tobias aside, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Dude, she’s driving me up the wall. If she wasn’t hot, I’d lose it. I’ve met braggers, but she’s on another level.”
Tobias stroked his chin, sizing Kaia up.
He had a killer instinct for spotting lies, but her face? Her tone? Not a single red flag.
“Hey, Tobias,” Russell piped up, “my dad says all of Morganburg–no, all of Wustriland–is losing it over this. Every big–shot corporation’s itching to team up with Dr. Bennett’s institute for those nanomaterial rights.
“Your family’s sitting this out, right? This tech’s a cash cow! Whoever gets it is set for life.”
Russell was practically vibrating with excitement.
“We’re in the game,” Tobias said, cool as ever. “But we’re playing it smart. Yeah, Our family’s got deep pockets in Morganburg, but this nanomaterial’s got every major player in Wustriland scrapping. No guarantee we’ll win.”
Kaia’s gaze flicked to Tobias. “You really want that deal?”
Tobias met her eyes, pausing for a second. “What, you got some kind of hookup?”
Kaia nodded, “Mr. Moreno saved my skin once. If you’re serious about the deal, I can make it happen.
“Oh, come on!” Russell threw his hands up, his polite act crumbling. “Kaia, I’m speaking for Tobias here–thanks, but no thanks. He’s got
this.”
“No biggie,” Kaia said with a shrug, “One phone call, and it’s done.”
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Russell shot up, voice spiking. “Are you kidding me? I’m only holding back ‘cause you’re a lady, but you gotta quit while you’re ahead!”
“Chill, man,” Tobias said, standing up.
“But she’s just-” Russell sputtered.
“Look, this engagement’s just Grandpa’s dumb idea. One month, and we’re done. Total strangers. Why get worked up over her?”
Even with Tobias’s logic, Russell was still steaming.
Kaia could tell they thought she was full of it. No surprise there–her own parents never believed her either.
Whatever. No use arguing,‘ she told herself.
“I keep my word,” she said calmly. “For Mr. Moreno’s sake, come the 28th, the institute’s gonna announce the Moreno Group as their partner.”
With that, Kaia didn’t hang around. She stood and walked out.
“I’m over it,” Russell groaned, slumping back down. “Tobias, I feel for you, man. A month with her? Torture. She’s all talk. This is gonna be the biggest stain on your rep.”
Tobias’s eyes lingered on Kaia’s retreating figure before he switched topics. “Forget her. You lock in that meeting with Queen K?”
Russell sipped his tea, cooling off. “Yeah, it’s set. They said we’ll meet up after the nanomaterial reveal for a showdown.”
“Why wait till after?” Tobias frowned.
Russell thought for a sec. “What if Queen K’s at the reveal? Or, like, maybe they’re gunning for the nanomaterial rights too?”
Tobias nodded. ‘Makes sense. If that’s the case, we might bump into them at the event.
A few days later, Russell barreled into Tobias’s office like his hair was on fire.
“Dude! Holy crap, Tobias! This is huge!” he exclaimed.
Tobias glanced up from his desk, shoving his papers aside. “The launch, huh?”
“You heard?” Russell’s eyes were practically popping out. He gulped, then barreled on. “It’s freaking wild, man! The 28th! It’s really the 28th!”
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This morning, while scarfing down breakfast, Russell had overheard his parents talking about the nanomaterial launch date being set in stone. Not a day early or late–bam, the 28th.
“Kaia… she totally called it!” Russell said, still shook.
Tobias leaned back, fingers laced, thinking back to Kaia’s words at the villa a few days ago. His gut said she wasn’t blufling and damn, she’d nailed it.
“How the hell did she know before us?” Russell said, scratching his head, totally lost.
“Maybe Grandpa got the scoop early and tipped her off,” Tobias said with a shrug.
Russell slapped the desk, like he’d just solved a mystery. “Bingo! No way Kaia, that total flake, figured this out solo. Bet Mr. Moreno fed her the deets to make her look good for you. Probably wants you to think she’s a big deal, using his insane connections.”
Tobias nodded. That made sense.
“Did Mr. Moreno say you gotta take her to the launch?” Russell asked, leaning in. “Cause, dude, don’t. She’s all hot air. You bring her to a room full of heavy hitters, and she spouts some dumb crap? You’re done for. Total embarrassment.”
Russell winced at the thought.
“Grandpa hasn’t said squat about it,” Tobias replied.
“Thank God,” Russell said, wiping fake sweat off his brow. “But if he pushes you to bring her, lose her on the way, man. I’m not kidding.”
“Achoo!” Kaia sneezed as she walked home from school.
Who’s yapping about me now?‘ she wondered.
Just then, a ridiculous sports car roared up, its trunk stuffed with tacky red roses.
It screeched to a stop, and Philip, the driver, leaned out with a huge bouquet, grinning like he was
hot stuff.
Hey, Kaia, grab dinner with me?” he said, slicking back his hair like a cheap movie star.
Kaia eyed the roses, then him, her voice flat. “You hitting on me or what?”
Philip smirked. “Smart girl. I like that.”
“You’re Casey’s boyfriend, right?” she shot back.
“Yeah, Casey’s my girl,” he said, all smug. “But say the word, and I’ll ditch her.”
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He was clearly betting his charm and fat wallet would have Kaia falling all over him.
Kaia’s eyes narrowed, her tone ice–cold. “You dumping her ain’t my business, dude.
“And, no shade, but your face? Not making me hungry. You think flashing some cash makes every girl swoon?”
Philip’s little fortune didn’t mean jack to Kaia. Money? She had more than she could spend.
In that moment, Philip’s mind flashed to the guy who’d rolled up to the school gate in that sleek, limited–edition Maybach to pick Kaia up.
His smirk faded, and he leaned closer, all cocky. “Oh, please, Kaia. That guy who picked you up at school? Hired to make you look cool, right?
“And that Maybach? Nice touch. What’d you do to score it? Flash a little… charm?”
Before he could finish, Philip let out a squeal like a stuck pig. “Ah!”
AD
