Renleigh Kensington

The launch of the new line was crazy. The rush that came with the process was something that I have terribly missed. The attention and success that Kensington and Co. gained was everything I hoped it would bring. From the launch party to the fashion show, it all worked out perfectly and not only gave me what I wanted but it also managed to do its bits for Zayn Malik. It all seemed to be going too good for someone like me. I knew there was going to be something that will make it all go wrong. If it wasn't going to affect my work directly, then it was going to fuck with me and I wasn't sure if I was prepared for either.

It was a week into the new year but that didn't mean any less work to get done. If anything, it meant more. Which was why I hadn't left my chair since seven am and it was now around two pm.

"Miss Kensington," my PA made an appearance in my office as I sent off the email I read over twice.

"Liam, please, have a seat," I sighed as I leaned back in my chair and took my bottle of water with me.

"Thank you," he said. "I'm here to let you know the invitations for the charity event have been sent out and they should be with the individuals by tomorrow. Furthermore, Vogue and GQ are still waiting on the approval of the interview date they sent, they would like to know by tomorrow if you are able to do it."

"Fabulous for the invitations and hold out on the final answer for the interviews," I said. "What time do they need to know it by?"

"Ten am, Miss."

"Send the confirmation from any time after half nine."

"I would advise a little earlier... in case something went wrong?" he suggested and I looked at him with my eyebrows raised. "With all due respect, Miss Kensington, I think it would be best if you confirmed it now."

"Why is that?" I asked him, interested in what he had to say. I liked challenging my employees, I got the best out of them this way. They worked for me because they knew I pushed their buttons to be the best of themselves. There were incidents where some left because they couldn't handle the pressure but that number was low.

"I just believe it is best if these things are confirmed in time."

"You see, Liam, I like to keep my clients waiting," I told him. "It makes them want it more. The thought of them fearing that I might back out last minute with some lame excuse, perhaps not take their offer at all, brings me the power and confidence I need to know I have a place in this industry, you know? Knowing that they want to work with me for the right reasons – not just to brag about me agreeing to give them an interview to other colleagues or companies – is all that matters to me. I don't associate with success climbers, braggers... you name it, they are out there."

"That makes sense," he nodded. Sometimes, our little chats got a bit casual, which I didn't exactly mind but Liam was smart. He always bounced back quickly. He reminded me a lot of Danielle. Although, that could have been due to the fact that I trained Danielle myself, straight out of university. "On the other hand, not work related, although it does include Mr Malik – you had been invited to his birthday party on Saturday."

"Are you and Miss Jones on the guestlist?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"Great. Count me in," I let him know. "Is there a specific theme?"

"I'm assuming it's going to be a high-profile event. After all, he is in your circle of people."

"Way to make it sound snobby, Mr Payne," I laughed at him and he chuckled. "Alright. I'll have a suit ready for you and a dress ready for Miss Jones. Your size shouldn't have changed, right?"

"Is it visible that I have been going to the gym more recently?" he asked with playfulness in his eyes. It made me smirk. He clearly had it out for Danielle but the woman was as hard to please when it came to men as I was. She truly did become my clone.

"You know, Liam," I laughed as I got up from my chair and buckled up my blazer. I grabbed my phone and slipped it in my pocket as I walked towards the door. He followed me and waited as I gathered my thoughts. "Don't get me wrong, looks are great, but unless you can make a woman laugh, it doesn't really matter, you know?" I talked to him like an old nanny as we made our way to the lift that took us straight to the ground floor. Also known as my lift.

"Let's not talk as a PA to his boss. Let's talk like... you are my wingman- woman."

"That's not really professional but sure, we can role play," I joked and right after that, I realised how wrong that sounded. I couldn't believe the words that left my mouth, extremely unprofessional and just wrong. I closed my eyes for a few short seconds as we stepped in the lift then did as I should have. "I apologise for that, it was completely unprofessional."

"Apology accepted, Miss Kensington," he smiled and I nodded as I intertwined my fingers in front of my body. "But I do need some advice when it comes to Miss- women."

"Well, let's take Miss Jones and use her as an example," I said because I knew he liked her and clearly, he needed help with her and not women in general. "She is very much focused on her work and not many people can get in her way or get her attention, unless it is, of course, me. I am her boss, after all," I smirked and a low chuckle escaped my lips.

"How is that helping me with women... in general?" he asked as he tried to cover it up. It was admirable, really. "I'm sorry, it's just... discussing my colleague as a hypothetical date is not quite... right."

"Oh, Liam," I chuckled. "Nothing is ever right with rich people. It's time you learn all about it. Mr Malik's party should do the trick."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"You will see," I patted his shoulder. We stepped out of the lift and I spotted Miss Jones right away. "As for how to work around women who are work focused: never try to get between them and their job. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to take care of."

That was true. I did have things to take care of. Like picking up my new car from the shop.

"Danielle."

"Miss Kensington, the car is outside and ready for us," she smiled at me as she handed me over my bag and my iced coffee.

"Let's go," I sighed after I took a sip through the straw. "Mhm, by the way, you are invited to Zayn Malik's birthday party on Saturday. I'll have a dress ready for you to pick up tomorrow – unless you want a two piece?"

"Whatever it is, I am sure I will like it," she smiled as we got in the back of the car. "To H.R. Owen, please," she told the driver.

"Any news on the New York people?" I questioned as we sat in the back. She had an iPad in her hands as she was busy doing work. The expansion of Kensington and Co to New York was something I was not going to let go until it became reality. There were a lot of obstacles in the way but they were not about to stop me from achieving something as great as expanding my company.

"Well," she sighed. "They know you will be at the New York Fashion Week and they are interested in checking the line out. Considering the positive media coverage so far, I would say we have nothing to worry about in terms of winning them over. Then again, we never really faced that problem."

"What are your views on this situation?" I asked curiously.

"Well, which part?" she chuckled.

"The whole of it," I said. "Why they won't let us go through with the plans."

"I don't believe it's to do with the business or you, personally. Though... well, I'm not sure."

"Danielle, you have been working for me for quite a while now. You know you can be honest with me. I won't fire you for sharing your opinion."

"I am aware of that and I have been nothing but honest with you throughout these years..."

"I don't see what is stopping you now."

She sighed and from the corner of my eye, I saw her lock the iPad in her hands. "Sexism," she spat the word. "I think they are sexist and that is why they will not move forward with the expansion of the company."

"Go on," I encouraged her to spill more of her thoughts on this.

"In all my years of working for you, no one rejected our deals and offers as consistently as the New York team. We successfully managed to open shops all throughout Europe with little to no problem and meanwhile opening a shop and trying to open a new headquarters is slightly different, it shouldn't be this difficult," Danielle shared. "We have been on their backs for almost two years now and nothing has happened other than a few failed meetings."

"Interesting," I hummed. "I see your point."

"Why do you believe they won't go through with it?" she questioned.

"Well, your point does explain a lot and I am not exactly unfamiliar with the situation as Kensington and Co did face some... setbacks in the past which were due to the same reason. However, I can't help but feel like they believe we are not ready for the move," I said. "We could potentially think that they won't work with us because they want one headquarters for the company and for it to be in New York."

"Would you be willing to move?"

"It is not something I have thoroughly thought about," I said vaguely.

"Makes sense," she replied. "Also... since we're on the honest opinions topic, there is something I feel as though I have to tell you."

"Alright," I nodded. My phone suddenly began to ring and therefore it interrupted Danielle's confession. "Hold that thought," I told her. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, this is Rob calling from H.R. Owens. I'm looking for Miss Renleigh Kensington?"

"This is she," I replied. "Is this about my car?"

"Oh, wonderful!" he said happily. "Yes! I was just wondering if you were still picking it up today?"

"I am, yes. I'm not too far from the shop."

"That's fantastic. We will be waiting for you!"

"Okay, thank you," I said. "See you soon."

"Alright then, bye-bye."

"Tell me – why exactly do you need another car?" Danielle questioned as she stifled a laugh. I rolled my eyes with a smirk on my face as I placed my phone in my bag and sighed.

"It was my Christmas present from myself to me."

"The day I get to buy myself presents like that, I know I've made it."

"Is this your way of asking for a pay-rise?" I asked with a teasing tone. Danielle chuckled and I did the same.

"Please," she said. "I would like to believe I am way classier than that."

"Well, I'm not sure how much more I could pay you, anyway," I carried on. "Now, what was it you were going to tell me?"

"Oh, right," she remembered. "Well, the company, which means you, too, has always been something I looked out for. I have always had the company's best interest at heart, therefore yours too and every decision I have ever made, was based on this."

"I know you, Danielle. You always give me a proper introduction to whatever it is you have to tell me when it comes to something you are scared, I will not like once you reveal it."

"M'well... I wouldn't say I'm scared but it might not be something you want to hear about. At all."

"It is best if you keep it to yourself then, isn't it?" I smiled. "We are here, anyway."

Danielle nodded at me before I opened my door and got out of the car. I buckled the button on my blazer and placed my bag on my shoulder as I waited for my assistant to get out, too. As we made our way inside, my heels clicked against the tiled floors, my eyes drank up the cars around us and the employees in black suits and nametags.

The man who called me, Rob, found us soon enough in order to finalise things with my signature after he showed me the car. Everything seemed to be how I wanted it – black exterior with a tan leather interior – and I couldn't wait to sit in it and drive it for the first time. Which was why I declined on the offer of sharing a glass of champagne but was alright with taking a photo with the team. I guess I do have some influence if they are so keen on wanting to show me off.

Although Danielle's duties were no longer surrounded around my schedule, she did have my calendar linked up to her mobile phone – and Liam's since he was my PA and had to know where I was and when – she was able to tell me I had an important meeting at four o'clock. She made me promise I wouldn't be late to it but because she knew me better than anyone, she also mentioned she would step in if I wasn't at the agreed room on time. She was aware of just how obsessed I was with my cars and since she tagged along my journey of picking up my new baby, she knew I would take it out for a spin. Or three.

The motorway was fairly empty which I took advantage of and tested just how nicely my new car glided on the asphalt. It felt like the time went by in a blink of an eye although I didn't exactly make it back to my office smoothly.

Harry Styles called me.

It honestly made me smirk until he told me why exactly he was seeking my attention.

"I guess I will see you very soon," he mentioned. "I heard Zayn Malik is throwing a birthday bash this weekend and my invite just came through."

"Now, why would he invite you to his birthday? You don't even know each other," I scoffed.

"I do have my ways, I suppose," he hummed.

"So you pretty much snaked your way into the party," I figured. "Very classy."

"Why thank you," he laughed. "Oh, and try not to match me this weekend. The other night was quite uncomfortable."

"Trust me, I know," I sighed dramatically. "I wouldn't want to be linked to you again."

"Speaking of which – what the hell did you mean when you accused me of having nightly outings?"

"Please," I scoffed. "You couldn't have been that drunk."

"I'm not sure I'm onto what you are saying..."

"The articles, Styles. The ones about your night outs on the front pages of newspapers with a photo of me from a rather unflattering angle edited on the side."

"Just because they were on the front page of a newspaper, doesn't mean that is the truth. I haven't been out drinking in forever."

"So, I'm just supposed to believe that you didn't take up on the opportunity to go out and fuck whoever you came across?" I laughed in disbelief. "The media and your best friend are both lying? Wow. Their imagination is oddly creative," I argued with him further. It was stupid, really. It was nothing to do with me anymore. He could shag whoever he wanted.

"Isn't it fascinating how bothered you are by how I spend my free time now that you can no longer breathe down my neck?"

"Breathe down your neck?" I asked back. "Mate, that was you. Always knocking down my door and stuffing my face with food. Please. I couldn't get a minute of peace with you around."

"Ah, that's right. I did care for you. How does it feel that you have no one, once again?" he asked with mockery in his voice. What he said, shouldn't have cut me so deeply, then again, my stupid arse shouldn't have sprinkled salt in the cuts by letting it get to me so much.

"I feel so much better, you know?" I said sarcastically. Although it was true. To some extent. "I can finally fully focus on kicking your arse along with your dear company out of my way."

"Aren't you just a sweetheart?" he commented with an overly sweet voice. He irritated me so much. "It's so adorable of you to think you have anything against me, Kensington."

"That's quite bold of you to say when we both know I still have you wrapped around my finger."

"Please. You are not the only woman I told I loved them," he scoffed. "There were many other occasions when I needed a little push to achieve something. I guess with us, it just slipped out. Old habits die hard, I suppose. Then again, it isn't really old, is it?"

"And you wonder why I didn't want to fucking trust you," I said with so much disgust in my voice, he most likely felt dirty once they reached his ears. "You are just as bad as everyone else. Don't fucking call me ever again."

"Oh, so you can dish it out but can't take it?" Styles laughed. "How sad."

He was going to say something else but I didn't want to hear more. I ended the call and got out of my car. It fuelled me how easily he switched personalities when he spoke to me. And how easily he played me. It didn't quite occur to me that he got me to let my guard down around him. His words never would have affected me as much as they did if he wouldn't have put some kind of spell on me that I didn't even realise until it was too late.

Now, my heart felt heavy and a little bit cracked as he basically told me he just said those three words for the sake of it. It never really meant a lot to me. People threw it around like they were saying hi so what was the point of it, really? It didn't hold a deep meaning for me – or feelings – but when Styles said it, it hit differently.

But it didn't matter. He didn't mean it. No one ever did.

As I made my way inside my building, I focused on my phone to read the text from my brother. My eyes caught a relatively small figure near the reception which wouldn't have bothered me if I didn't recognise the individual. It made no sense why he was there or what he wanted. I definitely had no idea how he found my building, especially because he was on his own.

I walked closer to them which interrupted the conversation he held with the man behind the desk.

"Hey, what's going on?" I questioned as I slipped my phone in my bag.

"The young man-,

"Renleigh, can I speak with you, please?" he interrupted the employee as he turned to me with his question. "Don't look so worried, I'm not in trouble."

"Alright, well," I began then looked at Ian. "I hope he didn't cause any interruptions. We'll be on our way," I smiled at him and placed my hand on my little visitor's back to push him to move.

"Hey, I can walk on my own," he bickered and I let go of him to walk next to him.

"Why are you here?"

"I need a favour," he stated.

"Is that so?" I chuckled under my breath as the lift opened and I stepped inside. "Don't you have a brother who could help you out?"

"Look... can we just have a chat about this? Please?" he looked at me with the same green eyes that his brother was blessed with and for some reason, that was enough to make me let out an unnecessarily loud sigh. I caught the smirk as it slowly tugged on his lips as he looked away from me because he knew he won.

"Damn you, Styles."

• • •

a.n.

my god there was a lot in this chapter lmao from liam to harry to mason, u got all the great interactions. which one is your favourite omg? she has a lot of different types of relationships with the characters and i'm actually interested in your opinions so just pop it in the comments next to them:

harry + renleigh

zayn + renleigh

liam + renleigh

danielle + renleigh

mason + renleigh

levi + renleigh

it might be too early to ask a couple of them (z+r & m+r) but i'm curious to see what you think so don't fucking let me flop ^ 

the coming chapters should be fun and i'm excited for them to be published !!