Kiaria's Pov

I let out a sarcastic smile. "Leo Williams" I replied in a sarcastic tone.He smiled, trying to act familiar.

 "Kiaria, it's so great to see you again. You look... stunning."

Looking at him, I couldn't tell what my emotions were playing at. Was it anger, sadness, or something else entirely? All I knew was that I wasn't happy to see him but my heart was racing, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

"I said you look stunning," he repeated,this time around, his voice became softer like he really needed me to acknowledge his compliment.

"Oh of course, I know" I had to answer him that way to let him know I'm no longer the timid kiaria he used to know.

"Oh I see you guys have already met," Mark said with a surprised look.

Leo chipped in immediately, "Yes, she's my wife" moving closer to hold me asif I'm one of his possessions.

"Don't you dare come close to me."I said with a wide rage of anger in my eyes, staring at Leo. "Ex-wife," I said loud enough that everyone in the room heard me. The tension was so thick and I could feel everyone's eyes in our direction, but I just don't care. I had to put him where he belongs.

Mark was just gazing at us with a surprised look. His eyes went from one person to the other. He then broke the silence."Well,regardless of whatever relationship you both had,I'm sure we can be able to focus on the task at hand, which is why we are here,"he said, gesturing towards the proposal documents on the table.

Before Leo could say anything, the door to the conference room opened and Miriam strutted in, heels clicking against the tiled floor. The sound announced her arrival even before her presence did. She was dressed to impress as always and was wearing a self-satisfied smile that vanished the moment she laid eyes on me.

"You've got to be kidding me," Miriam sneered, glaring up at me. "What the hell is this thing doing here?"

I faced her with a cold smirk. "Slut like you don't speak when my presence is involved." Miriam tried to raise her hand up to slap me but I held it. "Don't ever dream of this act again, or else..." i dropped her hand forcefully, while Miriam is still foaming with rage.

"Well to answer your question," I continued, my voice steady and confident, "I'm here because the company recognizes talent when they see one. Something you wouldn't understand because you don't have it."

Miriam's face flushed red. "Mark, this woman is completely unprofessional! You can't possibly think she's the right person for this project!"

Mark chuckled and shook his head. "On the contrary, Miss Miriam, Kiara is the major person we want for this project. Her reputation speaks for itself."

Miriam glanced nervously at Leo whose jaw was tightening. The cracks in his composure were starting to show.

I stepped closer to Miriam, my voice low and firm. "You know Miriam, you have spent years trying to tear me down, but guess what? I'm still here and thriving. You can't stop me no matter how hard you try."

Miriam was already red and was about to rush me, when Leo grasped her wrist and said, "stop it Miriam, you are just embarrassing yourself." he hissed. "If you don't want to be here anymore, you go home. Besides, I can handle this without you."

Miriam froze immediately, her arms shaking in his grasp. Her mouth fell open as humiliation and shock was written all over her face. "Leo! You're supposed to be on my side!"

Leo sighed,pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is neither the time nor the place for dramas, Miriam." he said, sounding so frustrated.

I smirked, watching the drama between the two betrayals in front of me. "Trouble in paradise? So Leo does fight Miriam? Interesting" I just soliloquized to myself and smiled in satisfaction. 

Then I turned sharply to Mark and said, "I'll make this really clear, I'm not working with the Williams & Co. company. If this project involves him in any slightest way, I will have to decline."

The atmosphere grew quiet suddenly.

Mark broke the silence. "Oh no Miss Kiara," he began, "you are the lead designer here, we called you specifically for this project, you can't decline now." 

He turned to Leo immediately "Leo I thought your company was prepared to collaborate with the best?"

"Yes I...uh..we..." Leo stammered, he was clearly lost for words.

Mark continues " I don't think Miss Kiara wants to work with you, so this means that we won't be needing your company for this project anymore."

"No Mark, we can figure something out, " Leo said.

I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "You mean, you'll figure out how to step aside right? I said, my voice filled with disdain. "Because if you still think for one second that your involvement is going to remain the same, then this deal is off the table."

Leo's knuckles became white. He could hardly speak above a whisper, his fist clenched and the frustration he felt was written all over his face. "Very well then," he finally said. Let's have a deal."

I smiled, seeing the cold sweat on his brow. The tables had turned and for the first time in five years, I felt truly in control and I was just getting started.

Kiara's pov

I stood in the corner of the office, watching the whole drama with amusement. Miriam was clinging to Leo like her life depended on it, for whatever reason; she really did seem incapable of letting go.

"Leo, forget about Kiara," she purred with a sweet yet controlled voice. "I will come up with another project, I'll lead it myself and bring Williams & Co. back on its feet."

She fluttered her lashes as if to ply him with that, but it only darkened Leo's expression. He did not even attempt to mask his irritation.

"That's enough, Miriam," he commanded and brushed her off so forcefully that she stumbled backward.

I smirked at the sight of her faltering. Miriam, always acted like she was untouchable. How satisfying it felt seeing her caught off guard.

"You know what Miriam," I said with my arms folded. "Your designs are trash just like your ideas. If you worked more and schemed less, probably you wouldn't be making a fool of yourself this way."

Her face turned red and anger surfaced. "You!" she snapped, taking a closer step to me.

I raised an eyebrow, daring her to do something but Leo stopped her before she could even react.

"Leave," he said sharply, his voice cutting straight through the tension.

"But babe-"

"Don't," he cut off, this tone warning her not to test his patience any further. "Just leave. Now."

Miriam stood there for a second with her lips very thinly pressed, but she finally turned and stormed out of the room.

"Good riddance," I muttered under my breath before I could also make my exist as well, Leo's voice stopped me.

"Kiara."

I turned to him with my arms still crossed. "What now?"

"We need to talk, just the two of us," he said, softer now.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Look, Leo, I told you before; I am not going to change my mind. And there is nothing to discuss."

I was about to take another step but Leo grabbed my wrist. his grip wasn't harsh but It was strong enough to stop me.

"Leo, let go off me," I said, glaring at him.

But he didn't let go. instead he continued to pull me along with him.

"Leo, what are you doing?" I asked, stumbling slightly in an attempt to keep up with him.

Not a word came from his mouth. Before I knew it, we were in a small, empty room. He closed the door behind us and faces me with an inscrutable countenance.

"Let me go," I said with a yank to my arm.

"Kiara," he started in a low-yet-intense voice, "what are you doing? Are you trying to punish me for past mistakes?"

I laughed bitterly. "Punish you? Don't flatter yourself, Leo. You're no longer that important to me."

He flinched at my words,but he continued. "I've apologized a hundred times. I still want you...my wife."

I stiffened, my jaw tightening. "Don't you dare call me that," I hissed. "You're only saying this because of the project. Admit it."

"No kiara," he said, eyes locking into mine. "It's not just about the project. I still love you. I came back for you that day, but you were gone. I've been searching for you ever since."

"What am I doing with that information? ohhh am supposed to feel good that the Almighty Leo has been searching for me."

"And did I hear you mention Love?" I said, the word bitter on my tongue. "That word died long ago, Leo. Just like-"

Before I could finish, he closed the gap between us, kissing me passionately. For a moment, I stood frozen, caught off guard by the sheer suddenness of it. But then, reality set in, and I shoved him away with all my energy.

"Don't you dare," I spat, wiping my lips as if they'd been tainted by his touch.

"Kiara, I-"

"Let me go!" I commanded, my voice sharp and unwavering.

When he still didn't release me, I raised my knee and stroke him hard on his third leg.

He groaned with pain and stumbled back, clutching himself.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" I mocked him with a smirk on my lips.

"Kiara, what the hell is wrong with you? " he snapped, voice strained.

"What is wrong with me?" I shot at him. "And what's wrong with you? Pretending to want me when your mistress is just outside waiting for you?"

"Kiara, I--"

"Save it," I interrupted, raising my hand, i turned to leave but on reaching the door nob, he rushed to block my exit.

"Move," I said pushing him aside.

He stumbled but quickly grabbed my leg in a gesture of clear desperation.

"What is this?" I snapped, gazing at him in disbelief. "This pathetic, and I haven't even started yet."

"Please, Kiara," he begged, his voice low. "Don't give up on the project nor refuse to work with me. I'll do anything you want me to do-anything. Just don't walk away."

His touch still has an effect that it used to have over me back then but I quickly shook it off, kicking his hand off me.

"You think you have the right to ask for help from me?" I said, my voice filled with anger. "After everything you and your mistress put me through? Do you even know how close I came to dying five years ago "

His face paled and guilt clouded him. "Kiara, I... I'm so sorry. I never-"

"Save your apologies," I spat, shoving him aside. "I don't need them. I don't need you. Stay away from me."

I turned to leave but he stopped me with his next words.

"I'll do anything you want," he said again, voice trembling. "Anything at all. Just name it."

I stopped, a slow smile creeping on my face as I turned to face him "Anything?"

"Yes," he said; with a desperate-sounding voice: "Just don't make them remove me from the contract."

"Fine," I said, folding my arms. "If you're serious, you'll transfer to me 55% decision-making rights and shares in Williams & Co. for the duration of this project."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't be serious!"

I smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, I'm dead serious. Take it or leave it, Leo. Your choice."

Leo's pov

I could hear the door slamming after her, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. I was unable to move, her words playing inside my head. Fifty-five percent?

The next voice I heard,made my skin crawl.

"Isn't this pathetic ?"

Miriam.

I could bet my last buck that she was standing arms folded, her face twisted in a cruel smirk and the chuckling accompanied by that annoying drawl of her voice said, "Leo Williams," dragging it out like it was some kind of hilarious joke. "The mighty CEO, crawling on the floor for his ex-wife's approval. Gosh! I wish I had a camera."

I forced myself to stand, brushing off my pants as I turned to face her. "Miriam, not now."

"Oh not now?" she said, her voice rising in mock disbelief. "Not now? Leo, do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? Crawling to her after everything we've done to build this company?"

"Everything we've done ?" I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "You mean everything you've done to destroy her? Don't act innocent here."

She smiled and shakes her head for a moment and focused on me almost immediately. "Oh, please. Don't act like you're some saint. Were you not the one that was desperately looking for proof of her cheating so that you can send her packing,just because you are having an affair with her step sister? That was all you, Leo. Don't pin this mess on me."

"Enough!" I snapped. My patience was thin. "You are more evil than I thought Miriam and I regret ever leaving Kiara for you. but you see, this isn't about the past anymore. This right now concerns the future of Williams & Co. And unless you have some genius plan to fix this, I suggest you step aside and let me handle it."

Her eyes narrowed. "Fix it? By begging her for help? She is not going to forgive you, Leo. She has move on with her life, so she ain't coming back to you. Even if you give her the control and shares of your company she asked for, do you think that will change her mind? You must be delusional."

I took a step closer towards her and said, "yes I know I want her forgiveness but the main thing at stake right now is saving my company and If you can't see that, you may be the one that is delusional." 

She was about to talk back at me when the door to the conference room swung open.

it's Kiara.

She stood poised and composed, cutting through the tension with her gaze like a blade. 

"Wow,  What a touching scene."her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Should I come back later, or are you two done arguing?"

Miriam turned to her with a disgusted face and said, "Don't flatter yourself, Kiara. You're not as important as you think."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I am not? Then why is your loving husband Leo, on his knees, begging me to save his company? Face it, Miriam, You're irrelevant around here."

Miriam stepped forward, her face flushed red with rage. "You little..."

You guys should stop! I shouted, stepping between them. My voice echoed through the room, sharp and commanding. I turned to Miriam, pointing toward the door. "Get out. Now." 

"What?" she gasped, her voice trembling with anger. "You're sending me out? because of this bitch?" 

"I said you should leave," I growled, my tone leaving no room for argument, "this isn't about you, Miriam; it's about the company.Try to handle your emotions but if you can't then there's the door." I said pointing in the door direction.

She stood for a moment, looking at me with a stunned betrayal. Then with a sharp huff, she stomped out, slamming the door behind her. 

After she left, the silence was utterly deafening.

kiara leaned casually against the door frame, arms crossed as she studied me with an amused expression. "Well, that was dramatic." 

I ran a hand through my hair, heavy with a sigh. "Kiara, I-" 

"Save it," she interrupted in a clipped tone. "If you're about to plead again, save your breath. My offer still stands. " 

"Fifty-five percent?" I asked, disbelief flooding my voice. "Do you even know what you're asking for?"

Without breaking eye contact, she shrugged. "I know what I'm asking, and if it is too much of a burden for you, please leave."

"You're asking me to give up control and shares of my company," I said, stepping closer. "That's not leverage, Kiara. That's extortion."

She smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Call it whatever you want, Leo. The fact is, you need me more than I need you. So, are you in or out?"

Her words was like a slap to the face, but I wasn't able to back down also. Not when everything was on the line.

"You're doing this just to punish me," I said, my voice low, "Admit it." 

"Punish you?" she repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her mouth. "You think it is about a bloody revenge? Don't flatter yourself, Leo. You don't worth the stress." 

"Then Why?" I asked. "Why are you making everything so damn difficult?"

"Because I can," she said it so simple, her expression cold. "Because for once, I'm the one in control. And you? You just have to deal with that." 

I stared deeply at her, searching for the woman that once worshipped the foot I match on the floor.. the woman I shared memories with but all I saw was steel. 

"What do you want from me, Kiara?" I asked finally, my voice breaking.

for a moment I thought I saw something in her eyes. I must be hallucinating.

"I want what's mine," she finally said, firmly. "I want control. I want respect. And I want you to know that I don't need you. Not now, not ever." 

I must admit, her words hit harder than it should, but I wasn't going to back down. 

"Fine," I said, letting a deep breath out. "You win. Fifty-five percent is yours."

She blinked, clearly surprised by my sudden surrender. 

She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Smart choice," she said, turning toward the door.

"And oh, before I forget, I still need one more thing." she said staring at me to see my reaction.

"What could that be again Kiara?"