"Have fun at work, honey. Oh, and your dad told me to remind you of some event a month from now." My mom's words as I left the house was a gut punch. My dad had given me a one month ultimatum. As much as I tried, I could muster any anger at him for it. All I could think of was Jesse, and Ashely and her siblings. Jesse had finally caught a break and Ashley's family depended on him. I couldn't let anything happen to them. I'd been throwing a tantrum about becoming CEO but the contrast really put things in perspective. I arrived at work and was cheerily greeted by Ashley. "Hey Remi. How was the rest of your weekend?" I was too lost in thought. Too distracted. I managed a half smile as I tried to swipe in. "Yeah, was great." "Great. In case you are thinking about your offer. I'm not a hundred percent but I want to do it. Don't worry, my siblings won't be coming with me so you don't have to worry about kids messing with your stuff." "Yeah, yeah. That's great." I barel
My mind was reeling. I'd put myself out there. Would he let me down?His cologne suddenly felt suffocating. Was he closer? I wanted to slightly open one eye to peek but I knew that would ruin the magic.It was only a few seconds but I felt like a lifetime, sitting in his car with my eyes closed, waiting for our first kiss. Sparks. I felt like I'd been electrocuted when I felt his hand cup my cheek. He grazed over my lips with his thumb. I felt like I was melting. He caressed my cheek and grabbed the back of my neck. I let out an involuntary moan. Shame rose to the top of my mind but I quickly shut it down. In the moment, I didn't care. All I wanted was him.With his hand at the back of my neck, he pulled me closer to him."Remi," he whispered, short circuiting my brain with his hand at the back of my neck."Sir," I managed with my trembling voice.He came so close, I could feel his breath on my skin. "We shouldn't do this," he said as he placed his free hand on my thigh, running up
"You want seconds or something?" he asked, leaving the door wide open.I damn near ran up to him. "Was the food that good?" he asked.I realised I was smiling when he said that. "Yes."We got to his car and I slid into the seat as if I'd done it a thousand times before. He asked for my address but I was quick on my feet and gave him a random address. "So you were married, huh?"I froze. "Yes." I don't know how he heard me over the sound of my rapidly beating heart."Cool." He paused. "I guess not since it didn't work out."I relaxed. "Yeah. He was a self-serving asshole. His mother too."He laughed and I joined in with him. "They sound like my brother and mother. I guess you do get it," he said.We arrived at the house address I'd given him. Thankfully, it was a house because I didn't feel like explaining why I lived in a dentist's office."I'd walk you in but I'm exhausted so get out."I glanced over at him ready for a fight but he was smiling. "You're such an asshole," I said."H
I felt like I couldn't breathe. What was I supposed to tell him? I should have already told him everything. I should have been free.We rode up in silence with me counting the floors as they lit up above the elevator doors. I swear I usually didn't take so long.Jesse remained silent. I hated the fact that he could outlast me in the awkward silence. It was so uncomfortable. I was at my limit, ready to sing like a canary when the elevator dinged and the doors slid open."We'll talk about this after work," he said as he slipped out.I waited for the relief to flood my system but nothing came. Only a feeling of dread and a lump in my throat.My desk suddenly felt claustrophobic, like I was stuck. I needed to be anywhere but there but I had a job to do.Why was I doing this job? I'd lost track of my motivation to be here. I might as well have just been a secretary at that point.I was going to be at the helm of this company – my company – in under a month. All these people, my coworkers
"Yes.""And Mr. Lloyd?""My mentor.""You'll be CEO."The dreaded moment was finally here. I'd visualised it multiple times but I would never have thought it would be after our first kiss. I always thought I'd resign to whatever fate deemed fit but the kiss was top passionate not to be hopeful. "Yes. But that doesn't have to change anything," I pleaded.He fully pulled away from me and I felt like a part of me was rudely taken. He acted like I told him I had leprosy. "It changed everything, Remi. Every damn thing.""But why? It doesn't have to." I leapt off the desk and tried to take his hands but he pulled away again. I could feel my eyes starting to water but I fought back the tears."You're the boss's daughter. No actually, you're the boss. Those relationships don't turn out well," he said.I knew he was lying. He had something else holding him back. Knowing him, he would never tell so there was no use trying."That didn't stop you from toying with me just now, did it," I asked,
It was long overdue anyway. I should never have moved back in the first place.I moved into a hotel with what little of my belongings I'd taken from my parents home. I'd much have preferred to move into an actual apartment but I was going purely off instincts that night. Apartment hunting was the next pressing agenda on the list but mentorship meetings were taking up all my time. It sucked sleeping in a soulless room of a soulless chain hotel; no personal touch whatsoever. Of course, I could have stayed until I found an apartment but why would I give dad that satisfaction? And then there was mom. I loved her with my whole heart but why hadn't she ever come to my rescue against dad? She was content to stand and watch, and occasionally offer sympathy. That was all well and good but it was my life on the line. My dreams, my goals, everything had to be put aside to go on someone else's journey. I'd accepted it. What was the point of fighting a losing battle? Tristan had had me showin
"Remi, it's me!" Dad barked, covering his ears with his hands. "Calm down.""Dad? What are you doing?" I yelled. My mind was racing and my lungs weren't getting enough air."I need to talk to you," he said calmly as if he didn't almost give me a heart attack just a few seconds prior."You couldn't call?""I did. So did your mother. Remi, just come home. We – your mother is worried about you. Living in a hotel? And this one?"I rolled my eyes but inside I wanted to hug my dad. I wanted to cry into his arms like when I was a little girl. I'd always taken the easier path whenever I had a choice. I left home to be with Oscar instead of following the path my father had carved out for me; most people didn't get that. I'd also ran right back home when my marriage blew up in my face instead of trying to fend for myself. All of that had to come to an end. I needed to make my own way."I'm sorry, dad. I can't do that," I muttered under my breath. He sighed a deep, heavy exhale that blatantly
For the rest of the week, Jesse would come over after work and we would spend the whole night exploring each other. I started to keep track but eventually lost count of how many times he brought me to a toe curling, back arching, sheet gripping climax.At some point I began struggling to keep up with his strength and stamina. The man quite simply was a machine."So, next week, huh?" Jesse said, as he came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist.Next week. My coronation, so to speak."Yeah." I was dreading it. Not because of the job itself; my meetings with Tristan had given me a new outlook and immense confidence that I would do a good job. What was bothering me was Jesse. He was such a sticker for the rules. I knew he would want us to stop… this. I'd been so pleasantly surprised when he called and actually showed up and we'd been having sneaky links since. But I could just picture him saying we had to end it once I took over. He dropped the towel, giving me a full