Billionaire Flawed 2(37)

The night flowed on and our conversation was light and fun. I hadn’t really spent time getting to know Tom that well until now. I had always seen him as my boss and that suited me just fine.

I still felt unsettled and I needed to address it.

“Tom, this experience is something I’ve never had. But I still wonder if I’m just becoming another woman that you throw away when you’re finished.”

He played with the cork from the wine and leaned back in his seat. “Why would I throw you away?”

“I’m supposed to be your personal assistant. There are supposed to be boundaries between us, and it feels like we’re tearing them down needlessly.”

“Are you trying to say that you want to go back to being boss and assistant? I don’t know if I can do that,” he replied.

“I’m saying I want more. The last month has inspired me, Tom. I’ve seen you making million dollar deals before breakfast and coming home with more conquests at night.

“I don’t want to be the prize you un-wrap. I want to be the equal that you make deals with. Give me some time to build up my resume and my capital so I can see you as an equal before considering the possibility of continuing this.”

I could feel my heart pang as the words came from my mouth. I really did want to be something more than an assistant in his eyes and needed him to know that. And I certainly did not wish to be just another one of his conquests. I had to make him prove himself.

“Alright, we’ll go back to being boss and assistant again. The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

He raised his glass and I mine, and we toasted the agreement.

****



On Monday, I went back to work as though nothing happened. Tom had changed. His passion towards work overtook him and his nightlife faded considerably.

A few months passed and he hadn’t been with anyone in a while. He seemed to distance himself from many of the women that had thrown themselves at him in the past as if a part of him died. I felt sorry for him.

He started spending a lot of time with his brother’s family. Before our trip to Paris, he barely would see him once a year but now it seemed to be once a week. Tom would show me photos of him giving new toys to his brother’s children and how happy they were.

In those few months I had learned something else.

I was pregnant.

I had a strong feeling it was his and I didn’t want to burden him further with the responsibility of being a parent.

“Tom,” I said one day after a meeting, “I think it’s time I move on. I’ve been working towards a few projects of my own with the money you’ve helped me raise and I think I have some good prospects.”

He flashed me his smile again, and I was struck by how sad his eyes looked. He embraced me, and my feelings were swept away. I kept myself straight faced, which was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

“Don’t make me wait.” Was all he said.

I pushed myself away, knowing that, if I stayed any longer, I would become a mess.

“I’ll have my things packed and be out of the house before day’s end. Thank you again, Mr. Ellis.” I said.

I turned and left, leaving him standing there sullenly.

As I exited, I wondered if I’d gone too far, if there was something else I could’ve done to know if he wanted me for my business savvy or my looks. But, I couldn’t decipher anything at the moment.

At the mansion, I began to pack everything I had, which I realized was not much. Then I heard a knock on the door.

“Hey, Nia.” It was Brent. “I know we don’t talk much, but can we have a chat?”

I cracked the door and let him wander in.

“This place is way better than the shack I’m living in. You must be one smart cookie,” he said admiring my living space.

“Did you come here to talk or to admire the scenery?” I asked rudely.

“Whoa, calm down,” he said while stepping back toward the door. “I just have one thing to say so I’ll say it. You got Mr. Ellis twisted up good. I never seen him like this in the last ten years I been workin’ for him.”

“Are you referring to how he doesn’t seem to sleep around as much?” I asked.

“No, I’m referring to how he keeps askin’ me what you’re up to. He wants to know if you’re seein’ anybody or if you are feeling taken care of.”

“He asks about me when I’m not around?”

“He does. I never seen him like that for anyone.”

I finished packing my bag and zipped it closed. I took a moment to take in all the sights from this palatial bedroom and let out a deep sigh.

“Let’s go, Brent,” I said.

I made for the door, but Brent wouldn’t let me carry my own bags. Like a gentleman he took the bags and followed me down the front stairs.