Chapter 6 Nanny By Day, Sugaring By Night

• I knitted my brows, echoing the little boy’s words.
• “Dad?” Rafayel cradled the child tenderly, his expression softening.
• “Did you have a good day at kindergarten, champ?”
• The boy’s face beamed. “It was so much fun!”
• My bewilderment grew as it dawned on me that Rafayel was a widower. It was surreal, hard to believe. Rafayel turned towards me, still holding the boy.
• “Let me introduce you to Aunt Leslie,” he said.
• The boy glanced up at me.
• “Mom?” he queried, his eyes filled with anticipation.
• “Haha, not really, buddy. But I’m sure she would appreciate being your mom.”
• The little boy’s question hit me like a ton of bricks. Did he genuinely want me to be his mother?
• Before I could respond, the boy nodded eagerly, saying, “Yes, please!”
• Rafayel whispered something to him, then turned to me again. “Why don’t you go play with Uncle Raymond for a bit? I need to discuss something important with Aunt Leslie.”
• As the child scampered off, Rafayel looked at me with a hint of mystery in his eyes. He gestured for me to enter his mansion, where he produced a bottle of expensive wine that I had only ever seen at Grandpa’s house. My mind raced as I tried to comprehend the situation. Why was I here? What did Rafayel want from me?
• I took a sip of the wine, hoping it would calm my nerves. Damn. What kind of life had I been thrust into because of Irene’s deceitful actions?
• As I chewed on my anxieties, Rafayel’s unwavering gaze drilled into me. It was unsettling, like trying to decipher an ancient, encrypted text. His expression remained unreadable, revealing nothing of the thoughts swirling behind his enigmatic eyes. Was he plotting something? Hiding something? My intuition screamed caution, urging me to navigate this enigmatic man with the utmost care.
• His silence stretched, thick and heavy, until he finally cleared his throat. I saw the unspoken question mirrored in his own eyes - the elephant in the room, demanding acknowledgment.
• “You’re curious about my marital status, aren’t you?” he finally asked, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.
• I could only offer a hesitant nod, unsure where this conversation would lead. “Yes, that was on my mind, but...”
• He cut me off, his words sharp and unexpected. “I’m a widower. My wife… she passed away when our first child was born.”
• The air crackled with the unspoken grief in his voice. I could almost see the phantom pain etched onto his features, a permanent reminder of a loss that time hadn’t healed.
• “I’m so sorry to hear that,” I whispered, the words inadequate but heartfelt. My hope was that my meager offering of sympathy might provide a smidge of solace in the vast ocean of his sorrow.
• Ryo’s voice, tinged with surprise, broke the heavy silence. “I thought he didn’t want a stepmother because people told him they’re always evil. Did that surprise you?”
• His revelation hit me like a physical blow. “Of course,” I stammered, trying to piece together the fractured picture. “I just assumed you were single because of your demanding business, and-”
• Rafayel’s sharp interjection silenced me. “Every parent would do anything for their child’s well-being,” he stated, his voice laced with quiet intensity. “I’ve protected SEXBOMB ENTERTAINMENT from Xavier countless times.”
• “Xavier?” I echoed, the name swirling on my tongue.
• “Yes,” he confirmed, his voice softening ever so slightly. “It was the name my wife chose.”
• A knot of curiosity tightened in my stomach as I watched Rafayel navigate the tightrope walk of single fatherhood and CEO with practiced ease. Yet, the question refused to stay buried. “How do you manage it all?” I blurted, unable to hold back any longer.
• Rafayel’s dark eyes pierced mine, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the air conditioner blasting overhead. His baritone sent chills of a different kind when he spoke, “Are you still a virgin?”
• The question was like a spotlight suddenly thrown on my most private corners, leaving me feeling raw and exposed.
• “Shall we discuss this?” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with unease.
• “Absolutely,” he replied, his tone clipped and business-like. “It’s crucial for the job I have in mind for you.”
• “Job?” My discomfort morphed into suspicion. “Why would I receive monthly payments for just a job? I’m not a sugar baby, Mr. Rafayel,” I stated firmly, pushing back against the implications hanging heavy in the air.
• His smile didn’t reach his eyes.
• “You wouldn’t be. I want you to be mine.” The words were a declaration, not a proposition, leaving me breathless and bewildered.
• “We just met, Rafayel,” I sighed, exasperation coloring my voice. “I’m lost here. There must be some misunderstanding.”
• His gaze held mine, a hint of something akin to disbelief flickering in its depths. “Don’t play naive, sweetheart. This world isn’t as innocent as you seem to think. I want you at my side.”
• Frustration bubbled within me, a bitter mix of disappointment and anger.
• “Please, don’t patronize me,” I snapped. “If you have a job offer, make it one. Waiter, receptionist, manager - I’m qualified, Mr. Rafayel. I have an MBA, remember?”
• My voice shook, the tremor reflecting the earthquake of his betrayal. Rafayel, my gaze darting across his face, met my eyes unflinchingly. His dark irises scanned me, a thorough evaluation from crown to toe, sending shivers down my spine despite the anger simmering within.
• He straightened, his posture regaining its usual composure as he leaned against the plush sofa.
• “The dress suits you,” he conceded, his voice silken, yet laced with a possessive edge. “But I won’t have you parading amongst those lecherous wolves.”
• “Spare me the chivalry,” I scoffed, bitterness dripping from my words. “What makes you any different? You’re all cut from the same cloth.”
• A smirk played on his lips, amusement glinting in his eyes.
• “A keen observation, my dear. But there’s a distinct difference between a lion protecting his pride and scavenging hyenas.” His voice, smooth as polished marble, held an underlying arrogance that grated on my nerves.
• Exhaustion tinged my sigh. Just as I opened my mouth to end this charade, his arms snaked around me, the warmth of his touch momentarily disarming my resistance. His smile, now laced with predatory anticipation, sent a jolt through me.
• “Such shyness doesn’t become you, Leslie,” he murmured, his voice a seductive caress. “Last night, you clung to me, your kisses hungry and uninhibited. Perhaps a little defiance towards Terrell and Irene is in order?”
• Rage flared, pushing aside the fleeting flicker of attraction.
• “Don’t play games, Rafayel! I was intoxicated, that’s all.” My voice trembled with indignation as I shoved him away.
• But his touch grew insistent, his fingers trailing fire across my skin. Another shove, harder this time, met with unwavering persistence.
• “So defensive, my little dove,” he chuckled, his amusement tinged with something darker. “A leopard stalking its prey, you say? Perhaps. But remember, a leopard doesn’t just hunt for survival, it savors the chase.”
• His voice dropped to a husky whisper, weaving a hypnotic spell. “Widower, true. But blame yourself if you succumb to the pleasure I offer. You’ll find yourself melting into my embrace, lost in a haze of desire, your moans drowned out by the--”
• “Not. Interested!” I roared, cutting him off with icy finality. My heart hammered against my ribs, a war raging between anger and a traitorous flutter of yearning.
• He leaned closer, his eyes narrowed.
• “You need me, Leslie,” he breathed, his voice a seductive promise laced with a hint of threat. “Perhaps more than you realize.”
• “I never said I needed you,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. My gaze darted around the opulent room, taking in the plush furniture, the glittering chandeliers, and the expensive paintings that adorned the walls. But nothing could distract me from the man who sat before me, his presence a suffocating weight in the air.
• Rafayel was everything I wasn’t. He was tall and muscular, with dark hair that was always perfectly styled and eyes that seemed to pierce right through me. He exuded an aura of power and wealth, and I couldn’t help but feel intimidated by him.
• He reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against my cheek. His touch was electric, sending shivers down my spine.
• “For a good life, sometimes we have to make sacrifices,” he said, his voice low and seductive. “Think of this as an investment in your future. All you have to do is be by my side, and I’ll take care of everything else.”
• I pulled away from him, my anger flaring. “Why did you give me a job that makes me feel like a pawn in your game?”
• He chuckled, a dark, humorless sound.
• “Because you’re interesting, little one,” he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “You have fire in you, a spirit that I can’t resist. And I always get what I want.”
• Before I could retort, the door swung open, and two men entered. One, a tall, imposing figure with a shaved head, carried the other, who was slumped over his shoulder, his face hidden by a fedora.
• “What is the meaning of this interruption?” Rafayel demanded, his voice laced with ice.
• The first man, who I recognized as Raymond, bowed his head apologetically. “Forgive me, sir, but there is an urgent matter that requires your attention. A potential client has requested a meeting, and they are willing to offer a significant sum for your services.”
• “Is this about SEXBOMB ENTERTAINMENT?” Rafaeyel asked, raising an eyebrow.
• “No, but it’s about a new company getting set up in the area. They’re looking for an architect, and they specifically want you,” Raymond explained.
• “Leslie, I was actually going to propose a job offer for you – a pleasant gig working for me. Someone to keep an eye on Xavier and keep him company at home. Raymond is too incompetent when it comes to taking care of underage children,” Rafayel sighed.
• Xavier peeked out from under his hat.
• “Will she be my mom, Dad?” he asked innocently.
• “I’m not sure. Just work your charm on Aunt Leslie while she’s around,” Rafayel ordered him. “Raymond and I are heading to work, darling. Don’t be a troublemaker for Aunt Leslie.”
• “W-wait... What do you mean? I didn’t say I want to help you—” I protested.
• “Leslie, I’ll give you some time to think it over. I’ll be home at 8 p.m. Take care of yourselves,” he kissed my cheek without hesitation and then left.
• As I watched him go, I couldn’t help but wonder why he kissed me like that right in front of Raymond.
• Why did he act like I was a part of his life?
• Why did he want me to take care of Xavier when we had just met? And why am I just sitting here in awkward silence?