Running for Governor

"Kai, we don't need to close down the shop entirely. I can simply go shop elsewhere."

Kai's brow furrowed as he considered Kamila’s words. "But they've disrespected you, Kamila. I won't stand for that."

Just then, the snooty Nicole sashayed over, her nose upturned in disdain. "Mr Kai, did you just refer to this nobody Kamila as your sister? Pfft, the Smithson family has no daughter!" She shot Kamila a withering glare.

Kai gave Nicole a sharp look, his jaw set. "Who are you to even speak? Aren’t you the rebound of Mark Cadet? The second-place woman after Kamila?"

Nicole flushed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "That's not true! Mark and I are getting married soon!"

Kai scoffed, rolling his eyes. "May it last," he said dryly.

Without another word, Kai pulled out his phone and made a call, his tone clipped and authoritative. "Yes, I want the license for this establishment revoked immediately. And make sure every single assistant who's mocked my sister today is left jobless."

The manager's face went pale, and he rushed forward, hands outstretched. "Mr. Smithson, please! I'll do anything, just don't shut us down," he pleaded.

Kamila reached out and gently placed her hand on Kai's arm. "Kai, the manager wasn't mean to me. Please, don't punish them all," she pleaded softly.

Kai hesitated for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh. "Fine," he conceded. He turned to the manager, his expression stern. "Fire all the assistants who've hurt Kamila. Now."

The manager nodded frantically, rushing to carry out Kai's command.

Nicole stared in stunned disbelief as Kamila and Kai

walked out of the boutique. She rushed out of the shop herself and drove straight to Mark’s apartment.

"Mark, you're never going to believe what just happened!" she exclaimed the moment she stepped into the house.

Mark looked up from the document he was reviewing, a puzzled expression on his face. "What is it, Nicole? Slow down and tell me what's going on."

Nicole plopped down on the sofa, her eyes wide. "I just saw Kai Smithson, the most powerful man in the city, refer to Kamila as his sister! And he actually defended her against the other employees at the shop!"

Mark's brows shot up in surprise. "That's...weird. I actually had the Smithson brothers come to my place the other night, asking about Kamila's whereabouts."

Nicole's jaw fell open. "What? You did? But why would they be looking for her?"

Mark shrugged. "I honestly thought I was dreaming or just drunk at the time. I couldn't believe it was happening."

Just then, Mark's mother, Beth, swept into the room, carrying a tray of freshly squeezed juice.

"Relax, you two," she said in a huff. "Kamila is in no way connected to the Smithson family. There must be some kind of mix-up here."

She handed them each a glass of juice, her expression reassuring. "Now, Mark, my dear, you need to focus on getting ready for the big press conference tonight. That's what really matters. When that silly Kamila sees you win the governorship, she'll be the one bowing at your feet."

Mark gave a small nod, his gaze shifting to the juice in his hand. "You're right, Mother. I can't let this distract me from the most important thing."

"That's my boy," Beth said, beaming with pride. "Now, let's get you ready for the big event. The world is waiting for Mark Cadet, the future governor!"

*****

Kamila stood in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection in the stylish white suit.Her long, dark hair was tied back in a low sleek ponytail, and her light makeup made her emerald green eyes really shine.

Mark had always claimed to prefer her without the makeup, but the little witch Nicole, he was cheating on her with, always wore heavy makeup.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, and Kamila called out, "Come in!"

Kai walked in sporting a charcoal suit, white shirt and blue tie. Standing at a towering 6 feet, he had a lean, muscular build, his raven-black hair cropped short and his piercing green eyes, so similar to Kamila's own, scanning the room.

"Remind me never to wait for you to get ready again." He glanced down at his watch. "It's been exactly 55 minutes and 7 seconds since I knocked on your door the first time. Come on, get your ass downstairs."

Kamila shook her head in disbelief, an amused smile on her lips. "You were actually keeping count?"

She grabbed her purse and followed Kai out the door. She had decided to run for governor against Mark and couldn't wait to see the looks on everyone's faces.

The black limousine pulled up to the venue soon and Kamila emerged, surrounded by her three brothers.

As they approached, the paparazzi swarmed them, clicking cameras and shooting out numerous questions.

"Are any of the Smithson brothers running for governor?"

"Who is the woman with you?"

The brothers remained silent, their expressions impassive as they pushed through the crazy reporters and made their way into the hall.

Inside, all eyes turned towards the Smithson entourage as they took their seats. Mark Cadet's face paled as he spotted Kamila among the powerful siblings, and Nicole leaned in, her voice a harsh whisper.

"I told you she's somehow wormed her way into their lives," she said through gritted teeth.

Mark remained silent, his gaze fixed on Kamila, a thousand questions racing through his mind. Why were the Smithsons here? What was their connection to his ex-wife?

Soon, the event organizer introduced the various candidates who would be vying for the governorship. One by one, they stepped up to the microphone to give their speeches.

Mark's speech seemed to have the most thunderous applause. He was grinning from ear to ear, feeling proud of himself.

But just as the room was about to settle, the event organizer's voice boomed out, drawing everyone’s attention.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to someone special- Kamila Smithson!"

A hush fell over the audience as Kamila gracefully ascended the stage, looking confident.The cameras continued to flash, capturing her every move as she approached the podium.

Kamila greeted the crowd with a warm smile. "Good evening, everyone. My name is Kamila Smithson, and I will be running for the position of governor," she announced, her voice clear and strong.