Chapter 7 Chapter 7
Mia stared at her reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror, gripping the edges of the sink like her life depended on it. Her eyes looked tired as hell. She’d barely slept after that text from Kai last night, and now she had to go face his father? The universe really was kicking her while she was down.
“Idiot,” she muttered, yanking her blonde hair into a tight ponytail. “You absolute fucking idiot.”
She’d spent half the night replaying everything, signing that contract, Kai grabbing her chin like he owned her, the way he always flared up at the things she says to him. Every time she thought about it, fresh anger burned in her chest. She hated him and she hated herself more for being here and accepting that damn contract.
The black SUV picked her up at eight sharp. When she climbed in, Kai was already inside, slouched in the back seat wearing a dark button down that made his green eyes look even sharper. He didn’t even glance at her at first. The silence was thick enough to choke on.
Finally he spoke, voice low and clipped.
“My father is a no nonsense high profile man. Say as little as possible.”
Mia let out a bitter laugh. “Wow. Good morning to you too, asshole.”
His jaw flexed. “I’m not in the mood, Mia.”
“You’re never in the mood unless you’re throwing shit or threatening people.”
He turned then, green eyes locking onto hers with that dangerous glint she was starting to recognize too well. “You really want to start this right now?”
She shrugged, even though her heart was hammering. “Just calling it like I see it. You’ve got serious anger issues, you know that?”
Kai’s hand curled into a fist on his knee, but he didn’t answer. The rest of the ride was dead quiet except for the low hum of the engine. When they pulled up to the private lounge overlooking the track, Mia’s stomach twisted. She could already feel this was going to be a embarrassing. Kai’s father was waiting inside.
The man was intimidating, huge as hell, frowning like he had just gotten a blow to the face, wearing a suit that probably cost more than her entire apartment. His eyes scanned Mia like she was livestock being tamed for breeding.
“So this is the girl,” he said, not even bothering with hello. “Sit.”
They sat quickly, Victoria moved nervously in the background like she wanted to disappear into the wallpaper.
Mr. Reynolds didn’t waste time. “The scandal is embarrassing. The family name is taking hits we can’t afford. This relationship better be the real deal. I expect public displays, interviews, the whole thing. No slip-ups. And you” he pointed at Mia “will not embarrass my son. Understood?” He raised his voice slightly.
Mia’s mouth went dry, but she forced herself to nod. “Understood.”
Kai stayed quiet, but she could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. His father kept talking about image, legacy, how Kai had always been the face of the family’s racing empire. Every word seemed to Mia's blood boil harder.
Then his father dropped the bomb. “I’ve already spoken to the sponsors. They want proof this is serious. You two will move in together by the end of the week. Can’t have my son’s girlfriend living in some rundown student apartment.”
Mia’s head snapped up. “Wait, what?”
“You heard me.”
She looked at Kai, expecting him to say something. Anything. Instead he just stared straight ahead, jaw locked so hard she thought it might crack.
That’s when her temper snapped. “No. Absolutely not. I’m not playing that with him. This is already insane enough without…”
“Mia,” Kai warned, voice low.
But she was done. She turned on him. “This is your fault. All of it. You and your filthy rich problems. You drag me into this mess, threaten my entire life, and now I have to live with you? I hate you. I actually fucking hate you.” The words flew out before she could stop them.
Kai shot to his feet so fast the chair scraped loudly across the floor. “You think I want this either?” His voice rose, hot and angry. “You think I enjoy being stuck with some self righteous blogger who’s been trying to ruin me for months?”
Mr. Reynolds watched them with cold interest, like he was observing an experiment.
Victoria stepped forward. “Kai, calm down… ”
But he was already losing it. He slammed his hand on the table, hard enough that the glasses rattled. “I’ve got sponsors breathing down my neck, my rival laughing in my face, and now my own father wants me to move this..” , He stammers .”this pain in the ass into my place? Like some fucking happy couple reality tv show?”
He was breathing hard, that hot temper of his flaring bright and ugly. Mia stood too, refusing to back down even though her legs felt shaky.
“Yeah, well maybe if you weren’t such a spoiled, angry prick who throws tantrums every time someone questions your precious image, we wouldn’t be here!” she shot back.
For a second, pure rage flashed across Kai’s face. He stepped toward her, close enough that she could smell his cologne and feel the heat coming off him. His hand twitched like he wanted to grab her again, but this time Victoria and one of the assistants jumped in, physically pulling him back.
“Kai! Enough!” Victoria snapped.
He shook them off roughly, chest heaving, eyes still burning into Mia. “You push me one more time…”
His father cleared his throat, looking almost amused. “Interesting, at least it looks real. Keep that fire for the cameras. It sells.”
The meeting dragged on after that, but Mia barely heard the rest. All she could focus on was the sick feeling in her gut and the way Kai kept glaring at her like he wanted to throttle her.
When they finally left the lounge, Kai didn’t say a word to her in the hallway. But just before they reached the exit, he grabbed her wrist, not hard enough to bruise this time, but firm enough to stop her.
“We’re not done,” he said quietly, voice rough. “Tonight at the gala, you better sell it. Or I swear to God, Mia…” He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t have to.
Mia yanked her wrist free, heart racing, skin tingling where he’d touched her. She hated how aware she was of him. Hated the confusing rush of anger and something else she refused to name.
“Fuck you, Kai,” she whispered.
He gave her that sharp, dangerous smirk. “Same here, sweetheart.”
As she watched him stalk away toward the track, Mia realized with a sinking feeling that this nightmare was only getting started.
And wouldn't end anytime soon, not when she would be living in his house. The thoughts of being that close to him made her more angry.