Chapter One•

The rain poured down heavily from the sky upon the earth and Kylie could see from where she sat,the drops cascading down the windowpane.

She inhaled tirelessly as she rubbed her aching shoulder. She has been seated in her study for three hours sketching designs she hoped would be another massive hit this year since there was a new competitor on the block.

She fidgeted with the pencil in her hand and sighed again as a deep frown creased her perfectly carved brows.

She stared at the sheets in front of her wondering if she was really the one who sketched out the 'ugly' designs as she calls them.

She tossed the sheets into the waste basket as another sigh escaped her lips.

She definitely needed one of those long vacation to get off the stress and leave her employees alone to run the designs, but her stubbornness would not have her do so. 

She didn't want to take any risks that will jeopardize her company and tarnish the image forever.

She reached for her phone to call the pizza place. After a few minutes requesting for a pizza on the phone,she hung up and leaned back as she noticed the beating of the rain on the roof gradually stopped.

Now where was she? Yes,about her employees.

It wasn't like she didn't trust her employees,they were as far as she was concerned the best mindset she had the privilege to have in her company.

But she needed to supervise each designs personally.

The designs could also be emailed to her but, she sighed, she really didn't have an excuse to why she was always around in the office with no day off for her.

It is her nature. She is what Rex always called a 'workaholic'.

She smiled at the mere thought of Rex. Her prince charming,sweet and suave with the reputation of a bad boy.

He was everything she thought him to be. Everything she wanted in a man she saw in him. 

But her mother won't hear of it. Rex was bad news she keeps telling her but Kylie was as stubborn as her mother and would not listen.

Her phone beeping halted her thoughts. She reached for the phone and a message popped up. She smiled at it. Rex.

"Hey gorgeous."the message read.

If only he had an idea she was just thinking of him.

"Hey baby."she typed with emoji.

Another message came up.

"Still up I see." it says.

"uh uh. I have a few designs I'm working on."she typed.

"When are you coming back?"she typed again and pressed sent.

Rex had traveled to Mississippi for a business Kylie didn't  bother to know about. She trusted Rex with all her heart and could vouch for him anywhere.

"Someone is missing me already." he typed back with a grinning emoji.

"You wish."she typed teasing him.

When will the delivery guy get here?she wondered looking out the window.

"Lol. I'm always by your side baby."he replied.

Kylie read the message and colors rose to her cheeks. She was about responding to his text when the doorbell rang.

Definitely the delivery guy,she thought.

She left the study room and walked down the stairs. Her flip flops staccato with each step she took. 

"I'm coming." she said when the doorbell buzzed again. She opened the door and exclaimed. Her hands over her mouth in disbelief and excitement.

Rex stood in front of her grinning.

"Oh my God,Rex!" she yelled and wrapped her hands around him and he hugged her close.

"Told you I'm always by your side." he said placing a kiss on her ear and they pulled apart.

"You didn't tell me you'll be coming in today and oh my goodness,how long have you been standing here?" she asked still in surprise as she pulled him in and closed the door.

"Not for long. I came straight from the airport." he said taking off his jacket.

"And you stood in the drizzling rain texting me rather than informing me you were right on my doorstep?" she questioned.

He chuckled. "I'm full of surprises ain't I?"he said as he pulled her close to himself nibbling her neck. She chuckled and placed him at arm's length.

"I didn't hear the sound of a car." she said.

"Oh well,I didn't tell anyone I was coming in today,so I had a taxi drop me off here."

"That explains it." she said.

He was about saying something when the doorbell rang.

"Expecting anyone?" he asked with an uplifted brow.

She smirked. "Yes,my lover. The one who keeps me warm whenever you go on those long trips." she teased.

He chuckled. "No one can come three feet close to you,absolutely no one except they have a death wish." he said and his hold tightened on her.

She pulled away laughing as the doorbell buzzed once again. She walked towards the door.

"It's just the delivery guy Rex,I ordered pizza." she said looking through the peephole just to be sure it was the delivery guy.

She opened the door,got the pizza and paid for it. She closed the door and walked back to where he was.

"My pizza is here." she said smiling as she dropped it on the table.

"Well,I don't want pizza right now." he said pulling her into his arms again.

She giggled. "Well then,what do you want right now?" she asked saucily.

"You." he said.

She played with his collar. "Well,I want pizza and I also have to head upstairs and finish up some work." she said sheepishly.

"Workaholic." he groaned as he nibbled on her nose.

"Not like you uh?" she smiled. "Come share my pizza with me." she offered.

"Firstly, I'll need a shower and then I'll come downstairs to share your pizza." he said smiling.

She nodded and let go of his collar. He kissed her lips lightly and went up the stairs. She smiled. She won't be alone tonight.

.................

The atmosphere,filled with the loamy earth was still cold from the rain that fell the previous night. Kylie alighted from her car when the driver opened the door out for her.

Her flashy nude tailored suit matching with the watch made with ice around her wrist. Her chic style was immaculate. She looked elegant and sophisticated. Her hair falling over her shoulders in auburn curls.

Kylie walked into the company and her personal assistant came rushing up to her and taking from her the bag she held.

"How tight is my schedule today Becca?"she asked as they both stepped into the elevator.

"Not so tight today ma'am. Jenner White has requested for a new set of dresses for auctioning and the manager from the fabric house wants you to give him a list of the fabric needed for this year Broadway designs." Becca said handing over a file to Kylie as they stepped out of the elevator and into her office.

"Also you have a meeting with the designing team by exactly 1pm." she said.

Kylie scanned the pages of the file and with a satisfying smile nodded. Her employees were putting in more effort on making this year's Broadway designs epic than she thought.

"That's alright. Send in Thomas. I need to talk to him." Kylie said taking a sit behind the mahogany desk.

Becca nodded and walked out the door.

Kylie turned on her laptop scrolling across columns and rows when Thomas,the product designer walked in.

"Sit,Mr Thomas." she said and he nodded and got seated in front of her.

"I presume you have an idea already to improve the existing designs we have on ground." Kylie said typing fast on the keys of her laptop.

He nodded extending a file towards her. "I've drafted out a way to improve the designs and up on the market."

Kylie picked up the file nodding. "Yes,very good. I'm listening." she said taking a look at the file.

"After much analysis,I have discovered that other competitors who have this same designs have them at a very much higher price. I believe that if the designs,our designs are reformed and met on a lower price,we stand a chance of clearing them off and..."

Her intercom buzzed,interrupting the discussion. 

"Excuse me,Mr Thomas. I'll reel on your analysis and idea and get back to you." she said.

"Okay ma'am." he said and she gave him the go ahead to leave.

"Yes Becca?" Kylie said placing the phone in between her ear and shoulder.

"Your mother is on the line." she said.

"Alright,transfer the call." Kylie said.

Becca transferred the call and ended hers.

"Mom." Kylie said over the phone.

"Kylie sweetie, I've been trying to get hold of you for a long time. What happened to your phone?" Her mother asked in a worried tone. This was one thing about Carina Shell,she was always worried about Kylie.

"Nothing mom,it's probably a flux from the network." she said.

"Okay,I was so worried." Carina said. Kylie rolled her eyes,her mother was always so dramatic.

"Why did you call mom?I'm really busy." she said.

"Always busy Kylie. When will you have time for yourself uh? Listen dear.."

"Mom please." Kylie said avoiding one of her lectures.

"No Kylie,you will listen to me,"Carina said not backing off the discussion. Kylie sighed. "You need to take a break from work and think of other things." Carina said.

In other not to prolong the issue,Kylie accepted it.

 "Okay mom,now tell me, why you called during my busy time."

"Oh yes about that,I want you over for dinner tonight." she said. Kylie could feel her smiles despite her not there with her.

"I'll have to refuse that mom. I'll be busy. I have a few..."

"Here we go again," Carina said interrupting her."work,work,work that's all you talk about. Can't you just do this one thing for your mother?hmm Kylie sweetie?"

"Mom." Kylie tried her best not to roll her eyes.

"Don't say no to your mother sweetie. Please Kylie,just one dinner tonight."

Kylie groaned. "Fine mom,I'm not making promises but I'll try to be there."

"That's my girl." Carina said with glee and the call ended. 

Kylie had a feeling her mother was up to something.