Dominic sat behind his massive glass desk in his high-rise office at Vierra Holdings. The view behind him displayed the city's skyline, drenched in golden hues from the setting sun, but his focus was nonexistent. Papers were scattered across the desk, but none held his attention. He scribbled his signature over contract after contract, not even bothering to read them properly.
He wasn't really working, he was waiting. Waiting for Kirah to show up.
The report. She should have submitted it by now. Was she stalling? Avoiding him? He tapped his pen against the desk impatiently before finally calling in his secretary.
"Ava"
"Sir?" she peeked in.
"Bring me lunch," he ordered flatly. "And see if Ms. Kirah has submitted the department report."
"Yes, sir."
He leaned back into the leather chair and closed his eyes briefly. The image of Kirah's naked body flashed before him ,the way she had trembled under his touch, the raw need in her eyes. It had been perfect. More than perfect. And yet here he was, pretending it meant nothing.
He had to.
He couldn't risk losing control again. He had an empire to run, a reputation to maintain.
---
Meanwhile, Kirah sat in her own sleek, modern office, flipping through documents but not actually seeing any of the words. Her stomach was in knots. She had to go to Dominic's office. She had to look him in the eye, pretend like everything was fine, pretend like she didn't remember how he touched her ,asif he owns her body, and soul as he thrust into her tight pussy...
"Okay," she whispered to herself, standing up and adjusting her blouse. "It's just work."
As if on cue, she heard the ding of the elevator and knew lunch must have arrived. Perfect. She wouldn't be alone with him.
She held her files tightly against her chest and walked to his office. Her heels clicked with confidence, but inside, her heart pounded.
She knocked once and stepped in.
Dominic looked up briefly, his expression unreadable. The aroma of grilled salmon and rich Italian pasta filled the space. The meal sat untouched on his desk.
"I've brought the departmental report," she said, her voice calm and even.
He reached out wordlessly, took the file without meeting her eyes.
"Anything else?"
Kirah blinked. His voice was clipped, dry. Professional. Nothing like the heated, growling whisper he'd used when he was undressing her with his teeth.
"No, sir."
"Then you're dismissed."
She nodded slowly and turned to leave, but not before noticing how tight his jaw was, the way his knuckles were white from gripping the pen.
Back in her office, Kirah leaned against the door and exhaled.
What the hell just happened?
He was cold. Icy. Like she was just another intern.
She didn't know whether to feel hurt or relieved. At least it helped her push the memories aside. At least it reminded her why she didn't trust men in the first place.
As the evening approached and the office began to quiet down, Kirah picked up her phone and dialed Naya.
"Hey, girl," Naya answered. "You okay?"
"I'm going home tonight," Kirah said. "Just wanted to let you know."
"You sure? I got wine and ice cream here."
Kirah chuckled softly. "I need to see my folks. It's been two days, and I miss them."
Naya didn't push. "Alright. But keep me posted. And remember don't let that man confuse your brain. If he acts like an ass, he's replaceable."
"Thanks, Naya."
*Kirah's Family's House.*
Kirah arrived at her family's modest home just after sunset. The house smelled like pepper soup and fried plantain. The lights were warm, the walls familiar.
Her mother squealed when she walked in. "Kirah!"
"Hi, Mama," Kirah laughed, dropping her bag.
Her father, all smiling... "There's our boss lady."
"Daddy."
Her siblings rushed out too. Her younger sister, Mayowa, hugged her tightly while the last-born, Denzel, just grinned and mumbled, "Welcome back, big sis."
"Only two days and it felt like a month!" her mom fussed, pulling her to the kitchen. "Come eat, jare. You've been working like someone chasing president's seat."
"I missed you all," Kirah admitted. "I've just been busy. The job is… intense."
Her father watched her as she ate. "Are they treating you well?"
Kirah hesitated. "It's a competitive environment, but I can handle it."
She didn't tell them about the late-night desires, the boardroom battles, the man whose eyes she couldn't escape.
As she sat on the couch surrounded by her family, Kirah felt something she hadn't felt in days peace. The kind of peace that reminded her why she was doing all this.
For them.
No matter what happened between her and Dominic, she wouldn't let it derail her. She was on a mission, and she wouldn't stop until her family had everything they deserved.
Even if it meant dealing with a cold, confusing, ridiculously attractive boss every day. Though she can tell her Mom everything,she wasn't ready to tell her she had a thing with her Boss.
"She should only finds out if Dominic wants to keep me not just some employee he can fuck with anytime he wants"