Professionally Perfect

Chapter 2

Kimberly.

"What're your plans for today?

"Cole and I need to have a meeting. You can come with me or call Savannah." Savannah Santiago. My best friend. We had met when Robert introduced us and had only gotten closer. She was the type of person that could make a conversation out of any and everything.

While squinting my eyes at him I opened my mouth to speak again. "This is like the third meeting this week. What're you up to?" Robert was never very secretive, but when it came to him and Cole it was almost alarming how much stuff he kept to himself. I wouldn't be surprised if they were dating behind my back. I mean, I can hardly blame him. Cole is a pretty good-looking guy. Chiselled facial structure, a gorgeous smile and blonde hair. His pecs were almost as big as my tits if I'm being completely honest.

"Nothing that concerns your pretty little head." He shovelled more food into his mouth.

"Don't do that. You never hide things from me."

"Who said I was hiding anything from you?"

He was so sure of himself that it annoyed me. I've had my suspicions for months, I'm not stupid, nor am I blind, but the fact that my husband wouldn't tell me what on earth was going on was rather demeaning. It felt like he didn't trust me.

"Me. I'm saying it."

"Well stop saying it. There, problem solved." He took the last bite of his food and placed the plate on the side for the cleaner to sort out. "Now, go and get ready."

I copied his actions with my plate before heading towards the staircase once again. He was walking behind me. I could feel it. "I will find out. I always find out."

"Sure you do."

*****

"Good afternoon, Kim." Cole greeted Robert and I. Cole was a friendly man... Sometimes. He was very hit-or-miss for some people. He could be rather sadistic when he wanted to be, but once he warmed up to you he could be a very caring man. I have never met someone who loved their job as much as Cole. Of course, he didn't know I knew what he did, which he was partly right, but I wasn't stupid. I knew he wasn't head of security for a simple software company. Who on earth needs a right-hand man who's handy with a knife if they're completely innocent? Although Cole was a close friend of mine, there was more to him and I would soon find out.

"Hi, Cole." I smiled.

I was about to open my mouth again but I was cut off by a feminine voice. "Kim," It was Savannah. "Do you want to go get coffee? I am not sitting here in this smelly house while those two chat about business."

"I do not smell." Cole glared at Savannah. She was a tall girl who never cowered at Cole's words. She was the only woman I felt could be an equal match for him.

As she stared right back at him, her glare was so powerful that you'd barely even notice the five-inch difference in their height. "What's the matter? Do my words hurt you, Cole?" A sly smirk pulled at her lips. "Cute."

"Leave." He pointed at the door.

I couldn't help but giggle. "I can't, I need to get some work done." I patted the laptop bag that was hung over Robert's shoulder to emphasise my point.

"Even better. Let's go look cute and professional. I'll buy a book in the bookstore." She clapped her hands before reaching into Cole's trouser pocket. She pulled out a Light brown wallet, picking out two twenties. "Thanks."

"Get her out of my house. Now." Cole practically growled as he snatched his wallet out of the girl's hands. Are they a couple I hear you ask? No. Shocking right? I believe they'd make an adorable couple, but they seem to have an enemies to lovers type of vibe going for them.

"Going. Going." I held in a laugh. Turning towards Robert I lay a kiss on his cheek. "Don't get into any trouble."

He smiled. He didn't know I was being serious. "I could say the same to you."

Although he was trying to be playful I couldn't ignore the annoyance bubbling inside of me. "I'm not the one keeping secrets from their wife."

His shoulders tensed. I hit a nerve. Good. Soon his calm facade washed over him once again, a playful grin danced along his face. "You have a wife?"

I rolled my eyes. Usually, I would smile at his words, maybe crack a joke right back, but I didn't. All I felt was defeat. Why couldn't he just tell me? His shoulders slumped, clearly noticing my sadness. His lips softly locked with mine. "I love you," I whispered against his lips. I always reminded Robert of that when I was upset with him. Being annoyed at him didn't mean I loved him less.

He placed the laptop bag over my shoulder before he replied. "You know I love you." No matter how many times he said it, I loved to hear it.

I took a step back and offered Cole a small wave before exiting the home with Savannah on my tail. "Why are you upset with him?"

"Am I that easy to read?" I huffed.

"Easier than a children's book." Savannah always spoke the truth. I liked that about her. She never let me get away with my crap.

I hopped into the driver's seat and started up the car. "Don't you think Cole and Robert are hiding something?"

"Like?" She furrowed her brows. "It's probably just business stuff. Do you really want to know everything about the company?"

I took a moment to think. "No. Maybe. I don't know. I don't like it when Robert goes out of his way to hide something. That makes it seem like I wouldn't approve. And the company is half mine, don't I have a right to know?"

"What wouldn't you approve of? It's not like he's murdered a man." The Latina began to laugh. She looked to me to join in with the laughter but I didn't. "Right..?"

The look on my face said enough. "That's the thing. I think he has. And I'm almost sure Cole has too."

"What makes you say that?"

"Cole's big mouth. I've heard him talking to Scott, cracking jokes to Milo. He's mentioned Robert having a perfect shot. How would he know that? Why would the CEO of a software company need to know how to shoot a gun?" My words made perfect sense. I knew they did. I hadn't stopped thinking about them for the past few days when I saw Robert with bloody knuckles. Things slowly began to add up.

"So what? Are you scared to be with Robert now? Do you think he and Cole go out on killing sprees when you're gone? Are you going to tell the police?" She rattled out a million questions at once, overwhelming me even more.

I hesitated to respond. "That's the problem, I don't think I am. I truly believe Robert won't ever hurt me. And if he did... kill someone he'd have a reason for it. Robert isn't the type to murder for fun. It was probably self-defence."

"So you're okay with it?" Savannah just dived deeper and deeper into confusion.

"I'm going to seem so selfish saying this, but if it doesn't hurt me then... Look, Robert is the kindest man I've ever met, I am incredibly lucky to have him. Is it so selfish of me to stay with Robert even if he killed someone?" I know my words are coming out in an extremely messed up way, I do, and some may find me crazy, but I felt so conflicted that I felt best to get it off my chest.

Savannah was completely silent as she stared out of the window. Anxiety bubbled in my stomach. I scared my best friend. Wonderful. "It is kind of hot. The thought of a man killing for you."

"Savannah!" I turned my head so fast that I accidentally swerved into the wrong lane earning a few angry honks from passing cars.

"What?!"

"That stuff only happens in romance books and movies." We finally pulled up in front of our favourite coffee shop.

"Then live a fantasy life. Yes, it is extremely selfish that you don't care, but you can't change that. There's a villainous side to everyone, just some are more honest with themselves about it." That may have been the most sense Savannah has ever made in her entire life.