LOGINNia's POV I packed a few clothes into a small travel bag while Raymond waited downstairs. Even though nothing had been stolen, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling crawling beneath my skin. I zipped the bag shut and took one last look around before leaving. Raymond was leaning against the SUV when I stepped outside. The moment he saw me carrying the bag, he walked over, took it from my hands without asking, and placed it in the trunk. He opened the passenger door for me. "Get in." The drive to his mansion was quiet. Raymond occasionally glanced at me before returning his attention to the road. When we finally reached his estate, the massive gates slid open automatically. The SUV rolled into the driveway before stopping in front of the mansion. Raymond carried my bag inside while I followed. "I had one of the guest rooms prepared." I nodded. He guided me toward one of the guest rooms to settle in. There wasn't much to unpack, so I changed into comfortable clothes before climb
Nia's POV I took one cautious step toward the door. The opening was just wide enough for darkness to spill into the room. My breathing became shallow. What if someone was still inside? I reached the doorway and slowly pushed it open another inch. The hinges creaked softly. I flinched. "Is... is anyone there?" It was silent. No, something wasn't right. Then I remembered what Raymond had told me at the shooting range. Never walk blindly into danger. I immediately stepped away from the door. "No." I shook my head. "I'm not doing this." With trembling fingers, I unlocked my phone and pressed Raymond's contact. He picked up on the first ring. "Nia?" His deep voice came through immediately. Relief nearly made my knees buckle. "Raymond..." The fear in my voice must have reached him because his tone changed instantly. "What happened?" he asked. "I... I just got home." "And?" "My apartment..." I swallowed hard. "The door is open." There was a brief silence. "Did you go
Raymond's POV I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen Nia smile this much. She sat beside me in the passenger seat, talking nonstop about the interview, her hands moving animatedly every few seconds."I almost forgot the answer to one of the questions," she admitted with a nervous laugh. "For a second, my mind went completely blank." A proud smile spread across her face.I glanced at her briefly before returning my attention to the road. "You underestimate yourself too much."She leaned her head against the window. "Maybe."The car fell into a comfortable silence. The kind of silence where neither person felt the need to fill it with meaningless words. My phone buzzed inside the cup holder. I ignored it. Right now, nothing mattered more than getting her home safely."So..." she spoke again. "If I actually get the job..." She turned toward me. "Will you celebrate with me?"A small smile tugged at my lips. "What do you have in mind?"She shrugged. "I don't know. Dinner?""I'll take
Nia's POV The smell of pancakes still lingered in the apartment long after breakfast was over. I leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Raymond rinse the plates. Who would've thought the feared mafia boss could cook breakfast and wash dishes? A small smile tugged at my lips. "What?" he asked without turning around. I shook my head. "Nothing." "I know that look. The one where you're secretly making fun of me," he said. I laughed. The shrill sound of my phone shattered the peaceful moment. I frowned and reached for it on the counter: Unknown Number. "Hello?" "Good morning. Am I speaking with Miss Nia Harrington?" A lady's voice came through. "Yes, this is she," I replied. "This is Sterling Media. We're calling regarding your application. We'd like to invite you for an interview today at two o'clock this afternoon." My eyes widened. "T-Today?" "Yes, ma'am. Can you make it?" "Yes! Absolutely," I said, excitement clear in my voice. "We'll be expecting you." The call ended
*Nia's POV*I woke up the next day with a massive headache pounding behind my eyes. I groaned, shaking my head slowly as I tried to piece together the blurry fragments of last night. The club, the drinks, Jesse calling someone. How did I even get back home? Did Jesse carry me? That seemed impossible. She could barely carry her own handbag when she was tired. There was no way she had carried my drunk self home.I frowned and sat up slowly, immediately regretting the decision when a wave of dizziness washed over me. I held onto the edge of the bed until the room stopped spinning. "God," I muttered. How much had I actually drunk last night?I looked down and realized I was wearing a large shirt that definitely belonged to Raymond. The fabric smelled like him, rich and masculine. I slipped out of the covers, wincing at the soreness in my body, and padded out of the room.The smell of bacon and pancakes hit me immediately. I walked into the kitchen and froze.Raymond stood there in my apr
*Nia's POV*Within twenty minutes, Jesse arrived at my apartment. She didn’t say much at first. She just pulled me into a tight hug before heading straight to the kitchen. She made two cups of coffee and handed me one.We sat on the couch, the silence between us thick and awkward. Guilt gnawed at me. I had blocked her for months, yet here she was the moment I needed her.“Go ahead,” she said softly. I poured everything out. Daniel’s betrayal, the public humiliation, Lila’s slap, the way Raymond had stormed in like a dark savior, and the confusing pull I felt toward him despite everything. Jesse listened quietly, nodding at the right moments, her expression never judging.When I finally finished, she let out a long breath. “Nia, your life is a mess.”I managed a weak smile. “Tell me something I don’t know.”“So this Raymond guy… he’s Daniel’s father?” she asked.I nodded.“Dirty move,” she said with a small smile. “You went for your ex’s dad.” I stared at her, and her smile faded. “Don
By the time I woke up, the sun had already set, casting warm golden light through the thin curtains of my bedroom. I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check the time. It was 10:00 AM. I rubbed my eyes sleepily and forced myself to sit up, my body still heavy with exhaustion from the chaoti
Nia's POV I got in without saying another word.The passenger seat of Raymond’s sleek black SUV felt too intimate, too warm after everything that had happened. The leather was soft against my damp skin, and his coat still draped around my shoulders carried his scent, rich and masculine, with hints
Nia's POV I lay on the cold, wet pavement, my cheek still throbbing from the drunk man’s slap, rain dripping into my eyes. The light drizzle continued to fall, soaking through what was left of my dignity. My soaked shirt dress clung to my body and fear made my limbs feel heavy and useless. The m
Raymond’s POV It had only been minutes since I last saw her, but it felt like hours ago. I scanned the crowded room again, my eyes cutting through the sea of laughing guests, glittering chandeliers, and clinking champagne glasses. No sign of Nia. My gaze swept across every corner of the room agai







