Ties That Bind

Prologue

Seoul International Hotel - 2016

Nirobi peeked out from the large ballroom door to locate her parents. They were looking for her but she wasn't about to get caught. Getting caught meant no more drinks and she was here to get drunk.

Plain and simple.

Once she clocked them in the foyer greeting guests with her godparents she pulled the door shut and walk purposely back over the bartender. Making sure her black classic full-length gown cling seductively in all the right places.

"Ma'am, you know this is your fifth drink. Maybe I should give you some water?" He suggested.

Nirobi paused for a second. Her big eyes scanned the array of liquor behind the bartender. Her gaze finally landed on his balding 40-year-old looking man's name tag.

"Billy. Your name is Billy, right? Look I'm in charge of the marketing department of this entire conglomerate. I'm the Senior Director. My fathers have been in business for eons...sorry decades...centuries," her words slurred as she leaned onto the bar. Her pre-game drinks in the black car had finally caught up.

"Doesn't matter look. I've had a really shitty day. I have been up for over 36 hours flying into Seoul. So all I want is my good friend Jack with a chase of coke. Can ya do it or do I have to fire you from this part-time gig right now?" She looked him dead in the eyes.

Even though she was already very VERY drunk Nirobi was also very VERY good at maintaining her composure. Standing at 5'8 with the grace and poise of a ballet dancer Nirobi prided herself on those talents. Having her mother's beauty, almond-shaped eyes that sat on an oval face with slightly dramatic features, and dignity she would never let anyone see her lose to a man.

Except for tonight.

She watched the bartender silently make her drink. Nirobi knew she was being over the top but she wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. She had just found out that her brother would be taking over the R&D department the in LA office. Meaning he was one step closer to taking over half of the company when her dad stepped down. Gaining respect was never easy even being the only female in the families foolish enough to join CaKi Corporation but she thought her father would at least acknowledge her abilities. She worked hard at every school she attended. She is the youngest graduate of Yale to have a double major in marketing and engineering. Not to mention she was the only black female in her master's program. They didn't throw money away on her. A hand grabbed her waist from behind.

"If mama and papa Carson catch you over here you're dead," Jun Woo annoyingly whispered in her ear. Nirobi rolled her eyes. She had no interest in being turned on and drunk at the moment.

Just drunk.

She turned to her handsome older godbrother. At 6'1 Jun Woo was a walking Korean sculpture. Effortless masculinity combined with slightly above average Korean male features. His style was similar to the Kpop idols their sister use to drag on about but he was never into looks and appearances. His usual wild hair was styled in the typical fold up in the front and slicked back on the sides. His gray and sliver suit fit his frame in a way that made Nirobi painfully distracted.

"And if you tell them I'm here you're never having kids," she whispered back facing him looking up. Being this close with her tongue so loose she couldn't stare in the face.

Get a hold of yourself, he's a no-no!

"Ouch, why is it you always go for my manhood. Ni, you never play fair," he said making an uncomfortable face. When the bartender came back with Nirobi's drink Jun Woo ordered a Hite.