~ Alexander

"It's true. I cannot father a child, Rossi." The words left my mouth, tasting like chalk. Now, I had my wife, mother, and sister to explain this to. So much for being a man.

"What do you mean by that, Alex?" Mother spoke first. Her eyes were filled with an emotion I wished I could decipher. A storm brewed within them, perhaps fueled by disbelief that the son she birthed was impotent.

Technically, that's how I labeled myself. My doctor hadn’t provided me with a name for my condition. I could still have sex with women and enjoy it. Sex was still fun; I just couldn’t—I hadn't gotten any woman pregnant.

It was ironic because I had sex with Rossi every day. That was how desperate we were in our quest for a child. If you put it that way, my intimacy with my wife was meant to fulfill her desires. She wanted a child, and I didn't. I could have shifted the blame for not conceiving onto her, but she was clean and fertile. Except for one thing: she was deceiving the family with a fake doctor's report.

"You are not impotent, Alex. Maybe it's me. Maybe there's something wrong with my body, and that's why I cannot give this family an heir," Rossi spoke up, her eyes glued to mine.

What a drama queen. Now I was ninety percent sure she was infertile. Running a hand through my hair, I exhaled. I needed a distraction from these family issues—like an event or social function that I could attend. Thankfully, my phone buzzed.

"The graduation?... It's today?... Did you select the best five students in their department?... That's right. I'm offering them jobs at Soar Tech Group of Companies. I'll be there in..." I glanced at my watch, "Fifteen minutes."

"You're leaving? We aren't done here." Rossi lunged forward, trying to grip my arm—a futile attempt to keep me from leaving.

"I'm not doing this with you, wife. If you think you're infertile, get a surrogate. Or better yet, just leave while no one knows of your barrenness yet." My eyes turned stone cold as I shoved her hand off my arm. I adjusted my shirt sleeves, tucked my hands into my pockets, and strode out of the confines of my home.

Pedro nodded curtly, holding the car door open for me. My chauffeur. A good man, he was still an excellent driver. Pedro was approaching his late fifties and fast reaching retirement age. I would miss his service.

"I've got a list of potential drivers, Boss. I will be retiring next month," Pedro said, glancing at me through the mirror.

I nodded, remaining silent. Next month—closer than I expected. The next chauffeur better be better than Pedro. After more than five years of service, he deserved a fitting farewell ceremony. I needed to bring that up with the board.

Pedro pulled into the Soar Tech premises, where I saw five people: two males and three females. The top students from the university. I was going to offer them jobs at my tech company. I always did that—each year, I selected students who excelled and offered them exceptional positions. This year would be no different.

I stepped out of the car, a warm feeling spreading in my chest. This place—my company—felt more like home than my actual home. Being here meant I could escape thoughts of my inability to have a child and my wife’s infertility.

"Welcome, Sir," each of the newly graduated students greeted me, their heads bowed, eyes fixed on the ground. I found that amusing. Who said they couldn't look me in the eye?

"Raise your heads," I commanded with a firm voice.

They lifted their heads one by one, and then my gaze locked with hers—the woman I had a one-night stand with three years ago. She looked panicky, which made me think she hadn’t forgotten me. How could I ever forget her? Images of her red hair, red dress, and perfect body burned into my mind, imprinted in my soul. They surfaced every time I indulged in private moments. Speaking of which, I felt a stir in my pants just from looking at her. Bad timing, indeed.

"What is your name?" I couldn't resist asking.

"Indiyah," she replied, averting her gaze.

"Hmm, Indiyah. See me in my office. The rest of you are dismissed. Grace will fill you in with the details. I want to have a word with Miss Indiyah."

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped. I gazed at her lips—sensual, full, pouty, and red. Her red hair was slicked back and tied in a ponytail. I couldn't tell if her lips were naturally this red or if she was wearing lipstick. If they were natural, then they were the prettiest sight I'd seen.

"Can... can you stop staring at me like that?" she stammered, her eyes avoiding mine.

"No. I'm trying to remember… why you left that night without telling me your name. What was it you said? You don’t fuck and cuddle?" I raised an eyebrow, pleased with myself for recalling her words.

I couldn't miss the flush in her cheeks; they turned rosy pink. Good. She remembered her words. I liked the way she looked.

"With all due respect, sir, I'd rather not talk about that night," she said, looking me straight in the eyes.

Her grey irises were striking, resembling a doe's eyes. A beauty mole rested just above her perfect lips.

"I'd like to discuss it, Mamacita." My hand moved almost instinctively as I reached for her cheek, slowly running my thumb over her plump lips. As I did, her lips parted slightly. Damn, God's creation was breathtaking—sexy, even.

"You look like you want to fuck me again, Boss. But it's not happening because... I don't mix business with pleasure and I'm celibate."

~ Indiyah

A low rumble erupted from his mouth. Damn the universe for doing this to me. Thirty minutes ago, I was excited about starting a new job after graduation, but now I couldn’t say for sure what I felt. The CEO of Soar Tech Companies—my boss, my baby daddy—was staring at me.

Not just any stare. He was giving me that 'I want to sleep with you again' kind of look. When his thumb parted my lips, I could swear I felt strange sensations. My body tingled. It had been so long since I'd had sex, and my body knew it. I turned celibate after my breakup with Fred, so you could say I was sex-starved.

But I wasn’t about to let this man know that my body wanted him. If he threw caution to the wind and slipped those long fingers under my panties, he’d find me soaking wet.

"I don't mix business with pleasure, Mamacita," he said, regarding me closely and running his eyes down my body.

Mamacita. The word turned me on more than I already was. I had to take a step back, rubbing my thighs together to relieve the dull ache.

"But being celibate? That’s far from who I am." He finally looked away from me, and I could tell he was thinking. He seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders just by looking into his brown eyes.

"Uhmm… People have different choices. There’s something I need to know. Do you want to sleep with me again?" I took a deep breath when the question slipped from my lips.

"Fuck yes. I want it more than anything," he replied, his eyes darkening like that night.

I chuckled slowly at the intensity of his voice.

"I mean no disrespect, Boss. I think we should let the past be the past. We wouldn't want anything to disrupt the work atmosphere, would we?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled, impeccably styled hair. "I don't mind getting the whole company dirty."

"But I do. I'm new here, and the last thing I want is the scandal that comes with having an affair with my boss. Besides… any woman out there would jump at the opportunity to sleep with you. Why me?"

He hesitated, perhaps contemplating the answer to my rhetorical question.

"Let’s forget about three years ago, okay, Boss?" I raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look.

His lips curved into a sly smirk. "I’ll try."

Jesus. Who was this man? Here I was, worried about myself. I didn’t think I could work closely with him because just his presence caused a pool of desire between my legs. And him calling me 'Mamacita'? Damn. I was in for a ride.

I'd admit I loved the fact that I turned him on as well. I mean, I wasn’t the same Indiyah he had a one-night stand with. I had birthed a child, and my body was different now. Plus, that child had suckled at my breasts, and they looked a lot different than three years ago. So, I was glad he still wanted me.

"Personal assistant. Work resumes by 8 AM, so you have to be on time to get my morning coffee. I don't function properly during the day without coffee. If you're late, I'll punish you myself." He paused, an amused look on his face.

"I mean it when I say I’ll punish you," he finished, releasing a breathy moan.

Rolling my eyes, I giggled. "Do you usually punish all your staff, Boss?"

"No. But you are not just any staff member. You are my personal assistant."

With that, he turned and walked toward the big building. I had no choice but to follow.

•

"Mommy!" An ear-splitting scream filled the room.

I jerked up from my nap and glanced at the clock. It was past the time my daughter Jemaya's school dismissed. Oh no. I must have been so tired that I fell asleep when I returned from work.

"There she is," I grinned widely at my three-year-old daughter.

She scanned the room, and when her bright eyes found me, she broke into a run until she was in my arms.

"Oh, baby. I missed you so much." I hugged her close, as if she might disappear.

"I missed you too, Mommy," she replied after the hug.

Ramona entered the room, casting me furtive glances. I rose, my lips twitching as I thought of a suitable excuse to give.

"Thank you for picking her up from school, Mona. I had a hectic day and was so tired. But… I got a job!" I revealed, laughter escaping my mouth at Ramona's shocked, ecstatic expression.

"It's a lie," she countered while putting away Jemaya's backpack and lunch bag.

"Soar Tech Companies. Personal assistant to the CEO. Guess who is starting work on Monday? It’s me." I rushed my words, twirling around and giggling.

"Oh my God, Indiyah. I am so happy for you. Congratulations," Ramona exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. Gosh, I needed that hug. Or I just needed a friend to share in my joy.

After my fallout with Janine, it had been hard to trust people. But I met Ramona one of those nights after I had just given birth to Jemaya, and I had to work night shifts. She worked as a nanny, helping me babysit my daughter. Now, we had come a long way past that. Ramona and I were best buddies.

"This calls for a celebration. Beer for me and fruit juice for Jemaya?" Ramona said, heading for the kitchen.

"How was school today, baby? Did you learn anything?" I turned my attention back to Jemaya.

"Rhymes," she replied absentmindedly, not looking at me.

I craned my neck to see what she was busy with. Sprawled out on her play mat, she was holding two of her toys, mumbling words I couldn't make out. Right. She was just playing.

Turning on the television, the reporter's voice blared while I stood back to listen to what had caught my attention.

*Wife of the CEO of Soar Tech Companies, Mrs. Rossi Graham, is celebrating her 25th birthday and hosting a party for children under the age of 6.*

*There will be gifts and cash prizes for the smartest child.*

Wife. CEO. Soar Tech?

Alexander Graham has a wife?

"Are you thinking of signing Jemaya up for it? I mean... she's smart," Ramona said, gazing at me.

I looked at my daughter, playing without a care in the world. If Mrs. Rossi knew that her husband had a daughter somewhere, how would she react to the news? My daughter's life could be in danger.

I knew what I had to do.

No one would ever know that I had given birth to Alexander Graham's daughter.

~ Indiyah

"Good morning, Mona." I yawned, stretching my arms behind me after getting up from bed. My head screamed one thing. Coffee. I threw the blankets off me and headed for the kitchen where Mona was wrapping things up.

"Did you sleep well?" She eyed me.

I nodded, grabbing my mug to prepare my coffee. Ramona didn't stop gazing at me. I knew what was going through her mind. I'd slept off yesterday without saying a word to her or providing an answer to her many questions.

I still didn't have an answer to her. So I avoided her gaze by leaving the kitchen to the living room where Jemaya sat on a sofa, her eyes on the television, her favourite animated cartoon playing.

I kissed her cheek, tickling her sock-cladded feet when I got to her.

"Good morning, Jemaya. Did you sleep well?" I held her tiny hands, watching her squeal as a result of the tickling. Damn. I birthed a happy baby.

"Did you have breakfast already? What did you eat?" I inquired.

"Pancake and honey." She replied.

"Did you say thank you to Nanny Ramona?" I raised a brow. Other mothers may take etiquette for granted, but not me. I made sure Jemaya did the right thing, always.

"Yes, mommy."

"Good girl. Mommy will get ready for work in a few minutes and I'll take you to school, okay?"

She nodded, eager to return to her cartoon.

First day of work. I had to look my best. Even if the silly voice within had whispered that I get dressed for my boss. I killed the thought as soon as it came. Fuck my boss for making me think about him this way. He was married, for Christ's sake. A fact that should have been a deterrent, a red flag. But somehow it only added to the allure. And yet, he flirted with me.

Men. They were all the same, weren't they?

I straightened out a red dress and a small tiny black belt. My hair was held in a tight bun, slicked back with gel as usual, and although I didn't bother with the lipstick, my lips stood out, matching the colour of my dress.

I called Uber, and when it arrived, Jemaya and I said goodbye to Ramona before getting in the car. While in the car, she kept singing rhymes I couldn't make out the lyrics. The driver stopped at the pre-school and I helped Jemaya with her backpack straps since she was always struggling to put it on herself. A familiar face took her lunch bag from me.

"Bye Mommy. Lub you," Jemaya grinned, waving her small hands.

I waved back at her. "Love you too, baby."

Getting back in the car, I gave the driver my location and he was there within an hour. I took a deep breath and walked inside the premises. I was a bit early so I made two cups of coffee. One for Alexander, and the other for myself.

Caffeine had a way of calming my nerves. Lots of it could keep me up for hours. It was my go-to whenever I needed to work night shifts. I raised the mug to my lips, shutting my eyes and relishing in the taste. This coffee was great. One of those expensive stuff. I hurriedly drowned down my coffee and began my work duties.

I'd never worked as a personal assistant before so, I wasn't sure of what my job entailed. Alexander mentioned that I had to go through rigorous training sessions to be qualified for the post. A part of me knew he wouldn't subject me to training anyway. He gave me this post to get into my pants. Which would never happen again.

"This seat looks comfy," I murmured, running my hands on the black leather swivel chair behind the huge mahogany desk. Glancing around the empty office, I stifled a giggle and sat on the chair. Damn! It felt... too good to sit here. The bosses' chair. I felt in control for a moment. A moment until I heard a deep chuckle and a feminine gasp. I froze.

Standing at the door of the office was Alexander, clad in a black, fitted, tuxedo. And beside him, was a lady that looked like she was my age. Fuck! Was she his wife? I jumped up like the seat was made of larva, and it burnt my butt.

My gaze snapped to the linoleum, cheeks a rosy pink. Embarrassment burnt through me. I'd been so absorbed in the moment that I forgot the door was ajar and anyone could walk in.

"I see you were enjoying yourself, Mamacita." Alexander's deeply amused voice came and I wished the ground would open and swallow me. He had just randomly called me that... nickname in the presence of another person.

"Uhm... Naomi, this is Indiyah... You'll train her on what she needs to know to be my assistant."

I raised my gaze and my eyes met with Naomi's. Her smile was friendly and not judgy like I thought she would be considering her boss had just called me a petname.

"I think we'll get along so well. Nice to meet you, Indiyah."

"Uhmm, yeah... yeah. It's mutual," I stuttered. I wasn't much of a social person since the incident with Janine. I'd become closed off, and not even Naomi's friendly smile could make us friends. I flashed her a small grin.

"If you'd excuse us, Naomi. I have to punish Indiyah here for getting too comfortable in my office," Alexander's hooded gaze fell on me and I felt exposed, bare. A choking sound escaped my mouth as Naomi stalked out of the office leaving me alone with Alexander.

I found my voice once we were alone. "What are you going to do? Spank me?" I challenged, my feral gaze matching his.

"How about you strip for starters,"

My jaw dropped.