LOST IN THE BILLIONAIRE'S SCANDAL

Chapter OneThe one thing I hadn't been expecting that morning was to get fired.I sat stiffly in front of Mr. Kareem's desk, clenched fists in my lap as he tediously pushed through a stack of papers at the speed of a snail. The principal's office reeked of stale coffee and cheap air freshener, but nothing could disguise the thick tension hanging in the air.And then, at last, he looked up, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose."Miss Rami, we appreciate the dedication that you've made to these children, but..."I recognized what was coming."We can no longer maintain you as an employee."The words were like a slap, but I held myself together.Why?" I talked slowly, but inside me, I was crumbling. "I've done everything this school has ever asked of me. I've taken on extra shifts, worked weekends, even tutored children after school for nothing."Mr. Kareem massaged his temples as if it was all so exhausting. "The school is having budget cuts. We have to ensure we retain the per

As I walked Sami back to his room, I couldn't help but let the jitters nestle in the bottom of my stomach. He said nothing, yet there was something about the way that he walked beside me now. He no longer seemed so withdrawn, so distant. Maybe it's wishful thinking, maybe it's everything, but I held onto it anyway.We stood outside his room for a moment, and I gave him a small, hesitant smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"Before he could respond, not that I would have anticipated him to, a deep voice thundered through the air behind me."You can't go now. Work hours aren't over."I turned around to find Adam standing in the hallway, arms folded, expression inscrutable.I stood up straight, looking him in the eye."I wasn't even supposed to start today. My shift starts tomorrow."He leaned against the doorframe, clearly prepared to argue. "That doesn't alter the fact that.""I beg your pardon, sir, but I'm not working today," I interrupted before he could do so, speaking in an even t

I was instantly confused and infuriated. "Excuse me?"His jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. "Sami… responds to you. Whether you like it or not, your presence here has changed the game."I folded my arms, unwilling to let him dictate my choices. "And what about my daughter?"His face remained impassive. "She can stay. You can bring her to work."I narrowed my eyes. "You really don’t care that much, do you? As long as Sami benefits, that’s all that matters?"His eyes darkened, a storm brewing beneath his controlled exterior. "I do what’s necessary."A fire of anger rose in my chest. "And what about what’s necessary for me and my child?"His fingers twitched, a fleeting crack in his mask. But his voice remained cold. "Are you saying no?"I let out a slow breath, my mind racing. Lee had school to attend. But Sami… he needed me. How was I supposed to balance the two?I could feel the weight of his gaze pressing into me, waiting. Demanding.At last, I lifted my chin. "I'm saying… I'

I ground my teeth, my fists tightening around my fork as Adam appeared in the room."Good morning, sir," I greeted him, but he just nodded as he caught a glimpse of Lee and Sami eating breakfast."Have you made up your mind? Sami is quite receptive to you.".“I know but what about my daughter? She needs to go to school. I can't delay that for your son."I saw Sami pull back, and I immediately regretted having said that. I could have phrased that sentence differently."She can stay. We'll make a deal." His voice was adamant. "I'll take care of everything."I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"Adam's expression darkened. "I don't appreciate being questioned. I will do what needs to be done."A spark of irritation flared in my chest, "Well, the future of my family is what we're discussing here. I have to ask questions, sir."Adam stood firm, his eyes narrow and intense as if considering his next words. Then finally, his voice fell to something gentler, something almost raw"I can ar

I pushed the door shut after me quietly, closing whatever transpired between us in that space.I had an unfamiliar sense of confidence settling into my chest.There was a silent accord between us this evening, something neither of us would ever admit. But it existed, hanging in the air long after I'd left.As I slipped into my cold blankets, the events of the day stuck in my head like an archaic film reel. The suspense, the unprecedented heat, the ambiguity.There was no immediate disturbance this time, no hyperanalysis, no thrashing and twisting, but a persistent nagging kept poking at the edges of my consciousness. Lee's and my future hung in the balance, a path I was not certain would lead us to happiness or heartache.The following morning, golden light streamed through the windows, filling the room with warmth. The soft rustling of leaves outside gave a soothing hum, mingling with the chirping of distant birds.I sat on the side of the bed, stretching my stiff limbs, as Lee came