Page 1 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

Chapter 1

I tucked the sunny yellow sweater into my snug jeans. I felt the soft fabric against my skin. My sleek black hair cascaded down in thick waves. It framed my face with a touch of elegance and charm.

I grasped a bulky plastic bag filled with essentials in one hand and a morning ritual, a chocolate bar, in the other. Admittedly, this daily treat wasn't healthy. But, its rich flavor was a hard-won pleasure. My life was overwhelming. It left me little energy to pick healthy foods.

My plate was already full, weighed down by financial problems that threatened to crush me. The main stress was the looming bankruptcy of the small radio station where I worked. It was a key part of the local community and now on the brink of collapse. I was unsure about my job security. Losing steady income was a constant, gnawing worry. It dominated my thoughts.

I let out a frustrated sigh and slammed the grocery bag down. Its contents were bought with credit and were a bitter reminder of my money struggles.

I didn't like being in debt, but that morning, I felt hopeful. I believed my actions could improve my life. I pictured my bills gone and life back to normal. However, my peace was short-lived. Strong knocks echoed on the wooden door.

“Great...” I groaned. I turned to face the door. My powerful instinct was already making a wailing emergency sound. I wondered who would be at the door. And indeed, there stood my landlady who had been on my neck for weeks now regarding my overdue rent.

At the moment, I was obviously not ready for one of those unpleasant encounters. All I wanted to do was prepare for the job interview my friend, Lisa, had set me up with on the phone last weekend. It was a great opportunity. I had always dreamed of working for something so prestigious.

I took a final bite of my chocolate bar and then tossed the half-empty bag in the trash by the front door. My slippers slapped the floor. Their sound echoed through the house in a soothing rhythm. I reached to turn the handle when I heard a woman's voice through the door. She shouted, her words slicing through the silence like a knife, causing me to startle. "Where are you hiding?" I froze, my heart pounding, unsure of how to respond.

I sighed loudly. I pulled open the door with the most apologetic expression I could muster. I hoped it did convey the sincere message that I didn’t mean to worry the woman. "Morning, Miss Kiel…" I greeted quietly. My brown gaze was lowered to hide the slight irritation that lingered in my eyes. I had just heard my name yelled from beyond the door. “Sorry for the delay, I was--”

"Whatever you were doing is not my business, Miss Evans," the other woman cut in firmly. She effectively ended my apology with a stern expression. "My only business with tenants is the rent. Speaking of that, don't you think you should pay as much as you owe me?"

I let out a deep sigh. My shoulders slumped in defeat as I broke eye contact with Mrs. Kiel. Her piercing gaze made me feel like a guilty child caught red-handed. "I'm doing my best to repay every penny I owe you," I told Mrs. Kiel, frustrated.

This time, I received no immediate answer. The older woman just crossed her arms, clearly unsatisfied with my response. "Then, why haven't you paid yet?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusing.

"I know this is selfish, Mrs. Kiel, but can you please give me some more time?" I asked hopefully, gazing up at her with my brown eyes. They showed my sincere request.

My statement earned me a snort and an incredulous look from the older woman. "I've heard those words so many times, I even lost the count now," she answered dryly, giving me a pointed stare. "If you're unable to pay the rent within the next ten days, then your tenancy will be terminated."

I attempted to speak further, but words denied coming out. The truth of my landlady's words was undeniable. It was clear that relying solely on luck wouldn't be enough. I needed to secure the funds to sustain this place for another year, and I hoped my upcoming interview would help me do that. And considering my lack of luck thus far, it was evident that I needed a solid plan.

Tears welled up in my eyes as my lower lip quivered, and I struggled to form the words. The lump in my throat made it difficult to speak, causing my voice to sound hoarse and shaky. "I will make sure to pay you the full amount I owe you before the deadline," I managed to say, my voice filled with determination and regret. The older woman didn’t say more. She left with a quick click of her heels on the floor. The sound of her boots echoed in the empty house as she went to her car.

As I closed the heavy wooden door, a heavy feeling of sadness washed over me, making my bones feel heavy and my heart sink. Leaning against the cool surface, I could feel the weight of disappointment pressing down on me. With a heavy sigh, I tried to steady myself, feeling my body tremble with the effort to regain composure. It was a good thing that I had managed to convince my landlady to wait for another 10 days. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even have a roof on my head tonight.

As I struggled to find my way out of the suffocating fog of depression, a small but significant glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon. It was the imagining of myself working at SoundEase, a cherished dream I had clung to despite the odds. That fleeting thought brought a gentle, comforting smile to my face, a sensation that was as unexpected as it was welcome. It was as if the weight of my depression, which had been pressing down on me like a physical force, had momentarily lifted, allowing me to catch a glimpse of a brighter future.

And that was enough to shake off the dim emotions that had settled in my heart in a matter of seconds. With renewed hope, I resolved to proceed and finish getting ready for my job interview. If luck favored me, perhaps my dream would soon become a reality.

Chapter 2

"This sucks," I deadpanned, my voice a deep, gravelly tone that I reserved for my subordinates. The words hung in the air, heavy with the frustration I felt. I watched their reactions, their faces a mix of concern and uncertainty, knowing that my tone conveyed the seriousness of the situation.

I shoved my hands into my jeans pockets. I concentrated on the project, my admin specialist was presenting. I couldn't help but notice my employee’s sneaking glances through the windows. They clearly felt intimidated by the CEO's rare appearance across the hallway.

It's not like they don't know who I am. I'm the sole heir of the Woodrow family. I run California's largest company, which has an annual revenue of about $20 billion. Plus, I'm next in line for the CEO position since my father got disqualified from running the company. From my father, I inherited the responsibilities of running a multinational company. From my mother, I supposedly got her striking blue eyes.

"We are aware of that, Mr. Woodrow," Jake tried to stay silent. But he watched me nervously as I began pacing around the area wearing my signature scowl.

After a deliberately lengthy silence, I spoke again, my tone demanding. “When is the due date?”

“Four days,” Jake replied without missing a beat. I groaned. Not so much at him, but at the eager employees. They were huddled on the other side of the glass with their phones in the air. It was a well-timed reaction, though. It kept Jake wondering. Good. Let his anxiety yield results.

"Hey, what's my schedule for today?" I asked suddenly. I strode out of the glass-walled room, paying no attention to the onlookers. I smoothly made my way down the hallway with Jake following.

Jake looked at his clipboard. "You have to attend a job interview this morning at eight in the auditorium, sir."

I slowed to stop, turning to look down at the smaller man who had been struggling to keep up with my pace. "Was that scheduled for a later week?"”

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