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“I know you don’t like my way of doing things, but it’s sometimes needed, aside from the fact I didn’t like you having a relationship with James there was a much greater reason why I needed him away from you. Read this and you’ll understand why it was necessary to keep him away from you,” he says, tossing the manilla envelope on my desk. I nod.

“Also, I don’t want you leaving the building for some hotel in the market, I hope the new changes will work for you.”

“Thank you, I truly appreciate it.” He nods.

“Last night, I heard you call the man with your children Dad. You told me how your parents passed when we met. What’s going on? What am I missing?”

“The summary is the Bankole’s adopted me. Aunty Lara is my biological mother, and my biological dad is a Puerto Rican man named Diaz.” Orion pokes his head in. “I’ll be right there, Orion” He nods, and I watch him head towards the conference room. “My team has a meeting,” I say as I shut my laptop and rise.

“I thought Diaz was your children’s father,” he says, getting to his feet and walking with me.

“Diaz is my biological dad, and my children have the same last name,” I state again as Lucy comes in. “Prince Naseer, your PA just called, he said Princess Nadra is waiting to see you.”

“Excuse me,” I say briskly walking out, not bothering to say more.

Nadra will always be next to him despite the sweetness of his tongue. I doubt she would keep showing up if there isn’t anything between them, that woman has excess self-esteem that’s larger than the state of California. They are an item and the sooner that sinks into my brain, heart, and droughty lady parts the better. I remind myself on my walk to my meeting.

Orion starts immediately, we bring to the team what we’ve discussed and how we hope to stay on task. The team of six is quick to agree and each happy to take on the assigned task. I will be working with Kelan, no surprise there, because he starts up where I stop. Kelan gives me a fist bump which I match with a smile.

Shay the petite brunette with brown eyes that draws you in, is the best artist I know. She has the website design good to go, she will be working with Connor, another amazing artist. Though shy, he has a kind heart. These two bring beauty to our behind-the-scenes work. Lucy of course makes our complex lives and tasks easy; she keeps us on task for everything.

Orion then brought up the additional bonus and perks if we finished early and we can be back home by Christmas. That of course gets a cheerful clap and noise.

We soon adjourn and I’m back in my office. I quickly send my work to Kelan so he can take the next steps. Just as am about to begin, the next steps. I hear footsteps lifting my head, and I see her in all her designer clothes. Her hair is perfect as always. Her skin glowed like it buffered and then rubbed down with the perfect body butter. Just to make her glow. She’s the daughter of King Jodra, Her Mighty Highness Princess Nadra, yet she sees me as a threat.

When she enters a room, everyone will notice but when I do, no one will take a second look, so I don’t get why she feels we compete.

“Hello again, Mariam. I see you are back,” she says in that manner like she’s speaking to a peasant, who should be grateful to be in her presence. Hopefully, somewhere in the back of her mind, she remembers my last warning to her. If she dares to raise a hand to me again, I will strike back. Teenage Jade is gone.

“Back from where?” I ask. I would love to tell her to get out. I still feel the sting of this woman slapping me and her sneer at the library.

“Whatever corner of earth you've stayed in of course but I need you to know that Naseer is mine, I know you use your work to sneak back into his life get the work over with, and leave,” she barks.

“It will be my pleasure to leave as soon as my work is done. If you must know. I’m engaged.” I raise my hand to show her my ring “I’m working overtime to finish and get back to my fiancée and my children.” She’s taken aback by my revelation, not sure what Naseer told her, but she could be the best tool to use.

“Fine, finish up and leave,” she says, storming out.

Ken walks in as she leaves, and she doesn’t acknowledge him. I look at the clock. “I know we don’t meet for another two hours, but I saw Nadra and I thought you might need saving. But I see you know how to throw punches with class,” he jokes, smirking at me.

“Thank you for the boost to my ego. I just told her the truth.”

“That you may have but we both know there’s an underlining truth you didn’t reveal which believe me if you do, she will lose her shit and all that spectacular poise will be down the drain in nanoseconds,” he mocks. He’s certainly the fun one of the three with his always-happy looks and pixie haircut. His swagger adds to his appeal.

“We can have our meeting right now if you like.” I nod my agreement as he quickly pulls a chair.

“Yesterday, you left the building, and no one knew your whereabouts and as you can imagine, your husband did not take that lightly. It took a lot of energy for me to stop him from using our IT dept to track your laptop. I did though just to make sure you were okay. They told me you were working in a hotel by the market. I didn’t communicate that to him because clearly you didn’t want to be disturbed. I found out from him this morning that you like to work in your zone and comfortable clothes.

I’ve instructed our friendly staff to respect your space. As you probably know, he has instituted comfortable clothes which to our surprise was a cheerful thing, so thank you for that. But I ask that next time you want to go to your zone please do let me or Lucy know your whereabouts. I give Lucy kudos for standing up to Naseer, that’s not easy when he’s like that.” He flashes a perfect grin. Though we both know he’s chastising me.

“I’m sorry my absence caused so much trouble. I wanted to be in my zone to get work done. I wish you hadn’t told the staff to stay away from me. I’m not high maintenance. Coding is my outlet, so once I’m in it I don’t like to be interrupted. I apologize for Naseer's behavior, that was uncalled for.”

“Believe me, I can handle him. I lived with him in college. Just as a precaution do let someone know your whereabouts, that way, we can handle his outburst.”

I nod.

“Kelan tells me you made significant progress, that’s music to my ears. The marketing team is enthusiastic about the campaign they will launch once you guys are done.”

“Good, we are excited too, and hope to finish sooner than planned.”