Nia's POVI turned over pulling the covers over my head upset. I didn’t get one wink of sleep last night and I still need to get ready for work.Or I could just not.I laid there questioning my options I could go in and deal with the tension that will clearly be there are call in sick and stay home where I’m comfortable.It didn’t take long for me to decide. I picked up my phone off the desk beside my bed, my hands trembling as I brought it closer.I opened, swiping until I got to his contact. I stared at it contemplating if a message would suffice. I don’t think I would be able to call him. I don’t think I could survive if I heard his voice.I took a deep breath concluding that a text would be better.After sending the message I quickly turned my phone off setting it back on the bedside table.Turning over, closing my eyes saying a small prayer I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.I doubt he would take my message well. He already got me going on business trips to tech r
Nia's POVI could hear the click of his pen, I could hear him breathe, each breath matching mine. I could almost feel the heat rolling off him as if it left him in search of me. As if to ensure that something of his was on me to mark me as his.The conversation from earlier replayed in my head.I knew that whatever defence I pretended to have wasn’t going to last long.My eyes were zoned on the time desperately praying that it would move faster.The clicking sound stopped and my body froze I could feel his eyes on me.Goosebumps covered me and my breath hitched; but I refused to look at him.I prayed for a distraction something to save me from whatever this was. And if I didn’t believe in God before I did in that moment when his phone rang.He looked away from me picking the phone up, but God could only do so much because he declined the call and set the phone back onto the desk.Thank you trying anyway Lord.His eyes turned back onto me as if they never left in the first place.Consu
Nia's POVMonday came far too quickly.The office was quieter than usual, the kind of quiet that filled your lungs and made it hard to breathe. I arrived early intentionally. I needed time. To brace. To build walls. To pretend I was still in control.The plan was simple: keep my head down, stay busy, and avoid Mr. Andrews at all costs.Which, in theory, would’ve worked… if he weren’t already in his office when I walked in.He looked up when I entered. I didn’t meet his gaze. Just nodded, dropped off the files on his desk, and made my way over to mine.“Ms. Richardson,” he said, voice smooth. Controlled.I stopped. Didn’t turn around.“Yes, sir?”A pause. A long one.Then, “Come here."Please.” he added when he realized I made no move to do as he ordered.My stomach twisted. I obeyed, slowly, carefully, as if moving might trigger some sort of emotional landmine.When I faced him again, he wasn’t seated. He was standing beside his desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled to his elbows.Dangerou
Nia's POVI perfected the art of avoidance.For the rest of the conference, I kept conversations short, my answers clipped, my expressions neutral.If Mr. Andrews noticed, he didn’t show it.Or maybe he was giving me space.Unlikely.More probable? He was biding his time.He was a patient predator.But I refused to give him any more openings.The second day blurred by in a haze of panels, awkward luncheons, and over-eager executives who kept mistaking me for a receptionist instead of his executive assistant.Good.Let them underestimate me.It made it easier to disappear into the background, exactly where I wanted to be.When the final panel ended, I gathered my things with robotic precision, eager to put as much distance between me and him as possible.Unfortunately, business trips had an annoying way of forcing proximity whether you wanted it or not.The flight home loomed, and we were booked on the same one.Of course.By the time the car arrived at the airport, the silence between
Nia's POVThe morning air was heavy with nerves, caffeine, and the buzz of important men in overpriced suits.I wasn’t sure which of the three suffocated me more.The panel hall was packed, executives, investors, journalists, all here to watch the power players parade their carefully crafted images.And, of course, Mr. Andrews was centre stage.I kept to the sidelines, tablet in hand, expression blank.Professional.Untouchable.But inside?I was anything but.Last night replayed over and over in my head like a song stuck on loop.The way he’d claimed me.The way he’d touched me.The way I hated that I hadn’t pushed him harder to stop.I was drowning in it.And the worst part?He acted like nothing happened.Not a glance.Not a word.Not even when Peter Mallon, sleazy RidgeTech executive and certified snake walked past me with an extra-long stare this morning.Mr. Andrews stood at the podium, poised, cold, commanding, fielding questions like the arrogant bastard he was born to be.But
Nia's POVThe first day of the summit dragged longer than any day I’d lived through. Endless small talk, wine I couldn’t taste, handshakes I didn’t care about.I kept my distance, playing the part of the dutiful assistant, eyes down, mouth shut.But apparently, not everyone saw me that way.“Nia, isn’t it?”I turned to see one of the senior executives from RidgeTech, Peter something, if I remembered correctly approaching me after the dinner.I forced a polite smile. “Yes, that’s right.”He gave me a once-over, not even trying to hide it. “I noticed you at the table. Didn’t get a chance to introduce myself properly.”Translation: I’d been ignored the entire dinner until now. Typical.“Peter Mallon,” he said smoothly, offering his hand.I shook it quickly. “Nice to meet you.”His smile widened. Too wide. Too charming. The kind of man used to women falling over themselves for his attention.“You with Andrews full time?” he asked, stepping a little closer, enough to make the hairs on the