Aaliyah's POV

As I ran across the floor towards the elevator, I could hear the catcalls and whistles of the men I worked with.

"Baby, I get off at 7, you free tonight?"

"Sweetheart I can last all night..."

I blocked their voices out, not wanting to hear the end of that pickup line. I was a black woman with a voluptuous ass, this was bound to happen.

Usually I'd put them in their places but my daughter was more important.

I'd probably get a scolding from my boss for leaving without informing him of my emergency but I didn't have the energy to think about that.

Arriving at the ground floor, the elevator doors opened. I ran out, the click clacking of my heels disturbing the silence.

Nina, the receptionist glared at me. I glared right back. A couple of years ago the Asian-American and I had been vying for my current position.

Difference is I got the job and she got stuck as a receptionist. She's been actively sabotaging me ever since.

She almost got me fired a couple of times. Sometimes it seemed like everyone in the company wantee out of here and I didn't know why.

"Hey Jeff!" I greeted the security man after passing through the glass doors that led outside the building.

He was a sweet old man who'd always say something encouraging each day I came to work. He knew how tough things were for me here.

He was an angel. He smiled at me, his wrinkly face brightening as his pale blue eyes twinkled.

"Going home so early little one? You boss will be furious."

"No Jeff. Agnes fell sick at school. I've got to go pick her up."

"Alright then. I hope it's nothing too serious. "

"I hope so too." I said.

I jogged to my old Volkswagen. The paints had faded and the car had seen one too many car crashes. It looked like it'd collapse anyway but it was all I had for now.

All I needed was that promotion. Then I'd be able to afford a new car. It was why I hadn't given up yet. I had to get that promotion. If I did, things would turn around for Agnes and I.

Sure, Alec offered to buy me one but I refused. The feeling you get when you reap the benefits of hard work was more important to me. It was something I'd never trade.

It made me feel like I was less of a fuck up.

Getting in, I threw my bag in the back.

"Come on baby. Don't let me down now." I tried coercing the car. The car just wouldn't respond. Thoughts of Agnes crying for me heightened my anxiety and frustration.

I remember the day I held her for the first time. It was like something clicked in place. I stared into my innocent baby's eyes and I silently made a promise.

I wasn't going to be like my parents. I wouldn't run away and leave my child in the hands of a monster.

I promised I'd always be there for her. I had to get my daughter.

"Fuck!" I yelled, slamming my hands on the steering wheel. Tears moistened my eyes. I didn't understand why my life had to be so fucking difficult.

"Please..God, whoever's listening..Just this once... please!" I prayed, clasping my hands together.  I wasn't really religious but I was desperate.

I wiped my eyes and turned the key again, hope igniting in my heart. The engine spluttered and died.

Before I could try again, a knock on my window startled me.

I turned and there he was. My chocolate man. Jace.

He stood, hunched over, dressed in a tailored suit, his hair as messy as ever, his brown eyes staring at me, a million watt smile plastered on his perfect face.

He tilted his head towards his car, then proceeded to walk to it.

"Of course!" I groaned, getting out and stomping my way to his car.

"Do I even want to know why you're here on the first place?" I asked him.

"Probably not."

"Right."

"I'm still pissed at you." I said as he put my seatbelt on once we were seated in his Jeep. He pulled back to look at me.

"I know." He said a smirk on his face. He kissed me lightly before returning to his seat, my heartbeat rising slightly.

I bit my lip trying to not smile. He eased his car out of the parking lot and moved to the main road.

"Where to?" He asked, glancing at me.

"Agnes's school. Her teacher called. She's sick."

"Okay let's go pick her up."

"Jace..I haven't told her about us yet...she doesn't know." I confessed.

"Liya..." He sighed.

"I know..I know..I'll tell her I promise...I just need a little more time."

"We've been dating for close to two years ..your daughter thinks I'm just a friend....Liya ..I'm being patient...I really am but-"

"I'll tell her the minute she's better. We'll both tell her. Okay?

I know i should've told her sooner. I guess I was afraid."

"Afraid of what exactly?"

"I was scared she wouldn't be okay with the idea and It'd end up ruining things between us." I admitted truthfully.

"My daughter comes first Jace. We both know that."

Agnes had never had a father figure in her life and I wasn't sure how she'd react to Jace and I dating.

Unfortunately her real father was alive but I'd die before I let him with six feet of her. He was a monster and I was scared he'd hurt Agnes the way he hurt me.

I got a restraining order against him. If he comes anywhere near us, he'll go straight to jail. Hopefully for life.

Hate is a strong word. The depth of that emotion, hate, I can't even begin to understand.

I hate him with every fiber of my being. He gave me the greatest blessing life has to offer but I paid dearly for it. He hurt me so much. So so much.

"Relax okay. If she doesn't like the idea we'll figure something out alright?"

He grabbed my hand, lightly squeezing it, causing tingles to erupt where my skin touched his.

I nodded. I trusted him. I loved him.

"I just got you. You're not going anywhere." He said. He parked his car in front of Agnes's school. We both got out.

"This doesn't change anything. You're still in the doghouse " I said as we walked into the school.

I was mad at him. A few weeks ago he bought the company I worked for. His reason? He wanted to fire all the people making my life hard.

"You know i had good intentions."

"Jace, I want to fight my battles, not have my boyfriend fight them for me."

"I know I know...I just...I hate seeing you look so hurt and miserable..it hurts me too." He said, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me to his side.

Internally I swooned. Jace has a way with words. Jew knew how to make a girl fall for him over and over again. And that fact that he was a millionaire wasn't helping.

He had girls flocking him everywhere. Till date I wondered why he chose to be with me. He was rich and extremely good looking.

I leaned closer, planting a kiss on his cheeks. A faint blush spread on his cheek. I chuckled at how cute he was.

"I know you had good intentions but I want to do this on my own. I know I can. It'll take a lot to get rid of me and I'm sure they know that by now."

"If it gets too much I'm stepping in. I don't care if you get pissed. Capische?" He said looking at me, concern etched on his face.

I nodded at him.

I wondered what people would say if they found out I was dating my boss's boss.

It'd be so scandalous. Rumours would go round that I slept with him to get my job.

I don't understand why my colleagues can't accept the fact that I worked hard to get to where I was. I didn't sleep with anyone to do so.

"You're still not getting laid though. Your sweet talk didn't work." I said, pulling away and running ahead.

"Liya!" He groaned. I burst out laughing as he ran to catch up with me.

Jace could make me forget about my problems. All the time I was uptight and reserved.

Around Jace, I was free. Around him I was a combination of nervous and excited that made me feel like I was high.

"When I'm done with you tonight..you know who the boss is in this relationship." He said when he caught up to me, giving my ass a firm slap.

I moaned a little and he smirked giving me a knowing look.

Cocky!

"Jace!" A little voice yelled. We were in the hallway. Almost instantly, my daughter started running towards Jace, her pigtails bouncing.

He got on his Knees, arms spread open to catch her. "Princess!" He said as she crashed into him, almost knocking him to the floor.

My daughter's face glowed with happiness and excitement. Looking at hoe happy she was I wondered what I'd been scared of in the first place.

It was obvious she adores Jace.

"Hey mom." She said, turning to me, still in his arms. The smirk on her face made me wonder if she was actually sick or she'd been faking it.

She'd pretended to be sick twice before just so she could miss a test. I wouldn't past her to do it s third time.

The worst part was that Jace gave her the idea. I actually him teaching her how to fake vomit. I question his sanity sometimes.

I looked at her, widening my eyes for dramatic effect.

"Hey mom? Hey? That's all I get?

He gets a hug and i get a hey?" I complained.

She giggled mischievously, nodded her head.

Jace winked at me. I rolled my eyes at him grinning from ear to ear.

-----------------------------------------------------------
I know I know. It's been like...half a month.

I have no excuse. I don't even have writer's block. I was being plain lazy😂😂😂💔I'm sorry.

Anyways... I'm back. I'll be updating regularly..I'm trying to write as many chapters as possible before school starts☹️☹️

Love y'all. Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

-Daisy