The Games We Play (Love at Royal Ridge #2)

1. Daisy

Chapter 1

Daisy

D aisy Riggs parted the sea of strangers around her with graceful strides. Every step of her heels against the smoothed pavement brought her closer to the towering skyscraper she called "work." Eyes swept across the faces in the crowd in a cursory glance, but the few eyes hers met flickered away.

May sunshine and warm winds blessed the Beverly Hills streets she walked down, nipping at the shimmering second skin of her pantyhose stretched over her mile-long legs. Despite her hands being packed with a purse and morning coffee, she picked at her dark pencil skirt until every wrinkle smoothed out.

Nothing short of perfection would suit her. . . Daisy Riggs didn’t do anything half-assed.

She tightened the angle of her earbuds while the upbeat, irresistible melody of her morning playlist ushered her up the stairs outside her office. She waved to the security guards before ducking into the rotating door.

Stepping into the lobby of Hidden Oasis Hotel & Resort Group headquarters, Daisy marched through the hustle. Like the strangers on the street, people moved out of her way as she approached. But here, they knew her.

Her position as Vice President of Project Development ensured that people knew her face, name, and reputation no matter their position in the office—a reputation she had so rightly earned over her nearly ten years working there.

If anyone asked her years ago if she imagined herself in a high-powered position at a multimillion-dollar company, complete with a personal office and the promise of a life-changing promotion, she would’ve said no.

But there she was, living the life of a corporate girl and loving every moment. The salary helped, without a doubt.

“Hold the elevator!” Daisy exclaimed, earbuds still in when she approached the nearly full carriage. Several hands reached forward to stop the door from closing on her, letting Daisy squeeze into the space. “Thank you. Good morning, everyone.”

She studied the smiling faces of people she used to work alongside before her promotion. Many of them had been with Hidden Oasis since her start at the company years ago.

Hell, they had watched her grow up.

Daisy leaned over and pressed the button for her floor, shining several rows above the others. The V-suite offices were two floors beneath the CEO’s personal space at the top of the building, which became a perfect metaphor for her sprint up the corporate ladder.

Most of it came from her dedication to succeed, impressing people by working herself harder than everyone around her. However, her boss refused to let her efforts go unnoticed, and his attention made her a rising star in the company.

She counted each floor they passed under her breath. More people filtered out of the carriage at every stop until Daisy stood alone.

Once the last person stepped off, she let loose. The bubbly, infectious pop music blasting in her headphones inspired the slow swiveling of her hips and the mouthing of the lyrics, eventually breaking into a small performance in the empty elevator.

No one would ever know that Daisy loved bubblegum pop or spent her mornings getting excited by pretending she was throwing a concert for her adoring fans, complete with choreography. That was her secret to keep.

Midway through her rendition of Genie in a Bottle, her music cut out, replaced with the buzz of an incoming call. Despite her busy hands, she dug around the deep pockets of her leather jacket, yanking her phone out by the cord of her earbuds.

“This is Daisy Riggs speaking. How can I help you?” Daisy answered, switching into her clipped, professional voice before she checked the caller ID. She never checked it during business hours, already in the zone.

“Hey, beautiful,” Easton’s raspy drawl greeted her. “Are you at the office already?”

"You know me, I like to start the day early. I assume you'll be here soon to review the Alpine project invoices," Daisy said, leaning against the elevator's back wall.

"Right. Almost forgot about that meeting… you know we could've finished the files if you stayed at my place last night."

“It’s cute that you think we would’ve gotten any work done if I came over. You’re always complaining I spend too much of my off-time busy with work.”

“Yeah, but you're the workaholic between us," Easton's voice faded underneath the hushed noises in the background. Daisy pressed the earbud harder into her ear, overhearing muffled noises like the movement of bedsheets. A noticeable shhh blanketed the other side before Easton's voice returned. "Is it a crime for a man to want to spend time with his girlfriend?"

Girlfriend. The word tasted foreign on Daisy’s tongue, echoing around her head louder than the silence falling over the call.

Hearing Easton call her his girlfriend felt. . . weird. The two had met in her final year at UCLA, sharing two classes in the spring semester. They had hooked up a few times back then. It was strictly casual while Daisy graduated with her bachelor’s and Easton crawled through a master's degree in finance. The two bounced between on-and-off in the last several years until Easton ended up at Hidden Oasis. Over the previous few months, the two had been firmly and exclusively on.

And yet, ‘girlfriend’ hardly felt right to Daisy.

Absently, she looped the earbuds’ cord around her fingers. “Sounds like you haven’t rolled out of bed despite our meeting in an hour.”

"Uh, yeah," Easton paused, but the doors to the elevator opened at her stop. Daisy's hands adjusted the dark brown leather of her jacket when Easton sighed. "Look, I promise I'll be there on time."

“Good, because my calendar is booked through Friday, and I can’t reschedule our meeting for the third time. I’ll talk to you when you get here. Drive safely.” Daisy cleared her throat before ending the call. One of these days, Easton needed to realize his successes would come when he actually applied himself instead of making her his keeper. Some days, she acted more like his manager than his girlfriend.

She walked ahead until she rounded the corner to her office, almost colliding with another body. Daisy lurched to a stop, coming face-to-face with her least favorite person on the planet.

“You’re later than usual.” With a resting scowl on his lips and the ever-present glint of trouble promised in narrowed gray-blue eyes, Jensen Ramsey burst the last bit of Daisy’s good mood with a simple scoff.

Daisy swept her eyes down his pressed gray blazer, layered over his favorite white henley and dark brown slacks. Clearly, he got up early to run through his pretty boy routine, down to the brushed-back hair and perfect skin. She recalled her close friend Giselle’s first impressions of Jensen as “a marble statue that came to life and escaped from the museum”. She couldn’t disagree. Jensen’s angular, strong features looked chiseled from stone, and he never shied away from basking in people’s admiring stares.

"If by 'later than usual', you mean I'm still ahead of ninety percent of our coworkers and here before we open for business, then yes. Despite how hard it might seem, I can still have a life outside of this office and be better than you. Try to keep up." Daisy smirked.

Her voice dripped with annoyance so sweet it became saccharine, spoken in a tone reserved for Jensen’s usual antics. For someone so smart, he loved to start fights with her that he'd never win.

“Says the woman who fell asleep at her desk at least three times in the past month. You’d never catch me sleeping on the job,” Jensen replied coolly as he pushed off the wall, standing just above eye level with her.

"You've never fallen asleep because your job is the easiest of the V-Suite. I'm the one who creates the moneymakers that generate millions in revenue. All you do is go to fancy lunches and stroke the egos of other rich people until they throw extra money at my vision.”

"I'd love to see you do my job. You'd have to be nice to people for over an hour. Your head might legitimately explode if you couldn’t make a snarky comment."

Ugh, she couldn’t believe he was the biggest obstacle between her and her next promotion.

“Please, I could do your job and mine with my eyes closed. Don’t act like you’re special for being addicted to hearing yourself talk,” Daisy snorted. She stashed her earbuds into her pocket and marched around Jensen, ready to ignore him for the remainder of the workday.

But within seconds, Jensen walked in perfect sync with her strides. The two passed the walls of glass cubicles, finding them all dim and empty with their colleagues not in yet. The thin hallway barely had enough room for them to stand together without their shoulders brushing the glass walls or each other.

“Excuse you, but I’m very special,” said Jensen, and Daisy caught the tail-end of his eyes rolling in her peripheral vision. “You can’t pretend that it isn’t true.”

“See, we have a word for the reason why. Eight letters, three syllables, starts with an ‘N’. . . tell me if you need help figuring it out, big boy.”

“We both went to UCLA, Your Highness. I know what subtext is.”

“Huh, could’ve fooled me.”

“Drink more of your coffee. You’re more tolerable when you’ve got your mouth full.”

Daisy’s hand wrapped around her coffee nearly crumpled the metal from how hard she squeezed, imagining it was Jensen’s neck instead. The urge to shove Jensen against the nearest cubicle with her arm pressing down on his throat until he squirmed flashed through her head, growing harder to ignore with every passing day.

She refrained from enjoying her coffee as the two approached the end of the hallway, where the break room and file storage closet took up the remaining space. Their offices sat across from one another at the furthest end of the hall. Daisy and Jensen spent every day in each other’s line of sight.

None of their fellow V-suite members agreed to switch offices with Daisy, no matter how hard she tried. She assumed Jensen asked around as well but got the same response as not to offend either.

Daisy stopped outside her office, fingers curled around the door handle. “Another morning spent in your sparkling wit. One of these days, I’ll finally figure out how Delaney stands it.”

“Don’t worry about Delaney. Our happy relationship is none of your business,” Jensen hissed, facing his office door instead of her. His shoulders tensed like a string pulled too tight, on the verge of snapping.

“I almost feel sorry for her. Imagine how much emotional labor she expends putting up with yo—” Daisy hadn’t finished her sentence before Kendall, the CEO’s secretary, sprinted into the hallway.

She spotted her first by Kendall's short but tight chestnut curls, her favorite pair of small golden hoops, and the mountain of folders stacked in her arms. Kendall, a part-time college student at a nearby junior college, worked at Hidden Oasis to pay for tuition. Daisy liked and respected her hustle around the office, bouncing between evening classes and her job.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Ramsey wants to see you both,” Kendall panted behind the stack of folders in her arms. “He says it’s urgent.”

Daisy turned to Jensen, confused. She hadn't seen any meeting on the calendar. Forgetting something with the big boss would demolish her career in the blink of an eye, but Jensen's raised brows and parted lips told her he didn't know either.

“We’re coming.” Jensen yanked open his office door enough to toss something inside, landing with a thunk on his desk. Not one to be left behind, Daisy ducked into her office to drop off her coffee and purse. She rushed back out, almost running into Jensen for the second time since arriving at the office.

With silent glares at one another, Daisy and Jensen followed Kendall to the elevator. Jensen held open the door for them. Daisy, however, considered shutting it on him to watch him scowl. The little fantasies of him spilling coffee on his designer clothes or dropping a stapler on his foot kept her amused during the long work hours.

The elevator shuttered as the three rode up to the top floor. Jensen and Daisy leaned against opposite walls while Kendall stood in front of the door, shifting in her cream satin pumps. The tight space thrummed with a collective tension pressed up against every nook and cranny.

Daisy said nothing as her and Jensen’s eyes locked. Their stares simmered with mutual malice, heating up the metal walls of the elevator around them. Daisy refused to back down first or look away.

He didn’t intimidate her, and she wanted him to know that. Keep trying, loser.

The chime of the elevator sounded, and Kendall sped out without wasting a second. Daisy and Jensen, however, lingered in the silent staring contest.

Jensen broke first, striding past the open doors. Daisy caught up to him within seconds. The two moved past Kendall’s desk, where she retreated behind her monitor.

“He’s expecting you. Please go in,” Kendall murmured, more a plea for them to leave with the tension hanging over the room than a suggestion.

Daisy and Jensen reached for the doors at the same time and pushed one open, announcing their presence to the man seated at the ornate desk with a perfect view of Beverly Hills stretched out below.

“Jensen. Daisy. Make yourselves comfortable.” Harrison rose from his chair, offering a warm smile to them. "This won't take too long, but I wanted to speak with you before the day began."

Harrison Ramsey, CEO of Hidden Oasis, commanded the presence of every room he stood in. Brown hair peppered with gray strands and smile lines crinkling around his blue eyes accentuated the friendly, confident reputation Harrison enjoyed with all who made his acquaintance. Daisy once said that he was well on his way to full silver fox status, making Harrison nearly fall out of his chair from how hard he laughed.

In the story of Daisy’s life, Harrison Ramsey became her mentor and the closest thing she ever had to a father figure. As much as she wanted to strangle his son every time they made eye contact, Harrison stood worlds apart as her favorite person in the office.

Daisy grasped one of the chairs, and Jensen took the other, but neither sat down. She watched Jensen in her peripheral vision, but his eyes stayed on Harrison.

“Kendall said it was important.”

“Yes. Important is underselling it.”

“Mr. Ramsey.” Daisy cleared her throat, earning the attention of Jensen and Harrison. “Is it an emergency?”

"Not quite. Please take a seat and relax. The matter is serious, but I need you to be calm." Harrison gestured to the empty chairs that Jensen and Daisy gripped in their hands.

So, as he requested, Daisy and Jensen sat down. The plush seat cushion dipped underneath Daisy, causing her to sink into the chair. She crossed her legs and straightened her posture to be as present as possible.

Harrison followed their lead and sat back down. His hands laced on his desk, and his otherwise calm expression gave way to tired eyes. As of late, Daisy knew their properties were flourishing, so lawsuits or financial issues seemed unlikely.

But something ate at her boss.

He sighed. “What I’m about to say hasn’t been shared with anyone outside this office, not yet. I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else or through office gossip. I can trust you two to be discreet for a few days, right?”

“Absolutely.” Daisy nodded.

"Of course, Dad," Jensen replied.

"As you know, our annual shareholder meeting this December has several seats up for re-election, and my CEO spot is one of them. However, I’m not running for re-election. I’ve decided that, after this fiscal year, I will be stepping down as the head of Hidden Oasis.”

Daisy's heart fell into her stomach, suddenly losing the steady thump of her pulse through the aftermath of her boss’ words. The world muted like someone hit the wrong button in her head, leaving her alone with her rationality and emotions at war. The thought of a promotion streaked through her thoughts, but faster than she could dwell on it, guilt sliced through the idea. Not now, Daisy.

Beside her, Jensen appeared as still as a statue. The shock turned his face ashen gray, sapped free of all its color. His hands gripped the arms of his chair with his knuckles the same shade of ghastly as his face.

“Sir, are you okay?” Daisy asked Harrison while nudging Jensen hard, knocking him from his stupor.

“What do you mean?”

"Physically. Is there something motivating this, like a health issue?"

“Nothing like that, Daisy. I appreciate your concern, but I’m perfectly healthy. That’s not the reason I’m stepping down as CEO.”

“Then why?” she and Jensen chorused, head snapping to acknowledge the other before facing Harrison again.

“Honestly, I’m tired. Eileen and I have been planning our next moves for some time. We miss traveling, and the job's demands have cut into our time together. Besides, I’m in my early fifties. I never planned to work until forced retirement, not if I could help it," Harrison explained.

Jensen sighed. “Mom has been talking about travel more lately, hasn’t she?”

“She has.” Harrison nodded as a fond smile brightened his otherwise tired features. "I know this company is in good hands. I have a luncheon with the shareholders today, and I'll be sharing this news with them there. You two deserve to know before them, considering what comes next."

Daisy turned toward Jensen, finding him already staring at her, and said, “We knew this day would come, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. I know you’ll always do what’s best for the company.”

The new CEO of Hidden Oasis sat in that very room, about to be crowned. Daisy Riggs, CEO extraordinaire, had a nice ring to it.

“Of course he will,” Jensen agreed, sensible for once. Daisy fought against a smirk. Had he finally conceded to the realization that she was the better replacement for CEO than him? It must be a cold day in Hell.

“I already prepared the press release and announcement to the shareholders, other directors, and the general public. Since we have three other seats up for the election, my seat will be determined between the eight remaining board members. You two will be the only candidates on the proxy materials for CEO,” Harrison remarked.

Daisy’s quiet celebration of her imminent victory collapsed in a crashing halt. Still, she held her composure together with an iron fist. Chewing on her cheek, she snuck a glance toward Jensen to find his face painted in a different shade of betrayal, not too unlike her own.

“Wait, you aren’t picking one of us?” Jensen gawked, rising from his seat. “Come on, your endorsement should be behind me. You promised me the company when the time came, and I’ve been one of the best-performing workers in the entire company.”

“But not the best. That title belongs to me. You don’t get to snap your fingers and demand my years of service become obsolete,” Daisy gasped. She rocketed out of her chair with the grace of a panther about to pounce. “We all remember you’ve tried before.”

She faced Jensen with an accusatory finger leveled to his chest while his eyes met hers, stinging with resentment. He hated her? Tough shit .

She earned her rightful place behind that desk more than he did by being a Ramsey.

"Both of you, sit down!" Harrison's voice boomed off the walls, eclipsing her and Jensen's squabbling effortlessly. He pointed to their chairs with a stern, disappointed stare that only a father could muster.

Reluctantly, Daisy and Jensen inched away from one another and took their seats.

Harrison pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, you two have worked equally hard for this company since the start of your careers. Daisy, you have seniority. People deeply respect you and your work ethic. Jensen, you are a Ramsey. People know being CEO is in your blood and trust you to honor my vision. However, the issue is that neither of you has a clear majority among the shareholders, and the directors will be split without one. I can't pick."

"You don't want the shareholders to think you've taken away their power," Daisy remarked.

"Yes. A substantial amount of stock is dispersed across the family, except for Jensen. So, some shareholders will defer to my wishes. That's why you two are running alone." Harrison slumped back in his chair. "I can't let an outsider taint the legacy I built. You two will keep my work alive. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Jensen agreed without hesitation, prompting Daisy's eyes on him. She didn't escape his notice, and the cutthroat glare aimed at her screamed his intentions. If he wanted a fight, she had one ready for him.

“I understand.” Daisy knew war arrived at her cubicle door, but she had spent the last five years laying the groundwork for when that came. The race for CEO was on. “We will keep your legacy thriving, sir.”

"Good. I knew you would understand. You have six months to impress the board. You're both capable of doing so. We'll talk more about it later. Don't forget, we have the annual retreat for the corporate officers in less than two weeks, so you won’t start competing until after we leave The Ridge.”

“Yes, sir,” Daisy and Jensen chorused, shooting each other a glare.

“You two can head out for the day. Thank you for your time.” Harrison’s dismissal awakened a dull buzzing in Daisy’s ears. She walked out of his office with Jensen beside her, striding past Kendall in total silence.

She didn’t hear a breath pass between either of them while they stood in the waiting room. Instead, she watched the numbers on the display climb into the teens, itching to head to her office and plot her next moves.

Anything to get a leg up on Jensen meant she moved one day closer to being CEO.

As the doors revealed an empty elevator, the doors to Harrison's office swung open. Harrison's voice echoed from inside the office. "Jensen, stay back for a moment? We need to talk about family dinner at the end of the week."

“Of course.” Jensen stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Be right there.”

Daisy huffed when she stepped into the elevator, pressing the button to her floor. She raked her eyes over Jensen. “Have fun with that. I’ll use the extra time to secure my voters.”

“I can’t wait to put you in your place.” Jensen’s jaw clenched when Daisy leaned against the wall, comfortably slouched in her leather jacket and pencil skirt.

“And where would that be? You won’t talk such a big game when I’m the new boss, Jensen.”

“Keep dreaming, Your Highness. The only future CEO in this room is me.”

Jensen's once grouchy scowl morphed into the smug smirk Daisy associated with his stupid face, becoming the last thing she saw before the elevator doors shut.