There was something different about her.
My God, she is glowing, Arthur thought to himself.
His heart did a double take just looking at her for the first time in weeks.
She was wearing a simple blue gown, it had ruffles around her knees. Her dress fully covered her body, there was no cleavage in sight.
"Those breasts are definitely fuller than I remembered," Arthur thought to himself.
Her long, rich brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, and looking at her hair, he immediately had flashbacks of how soft it felt between his fingers in the heat of their lovemaking. He remembered her soft, lush skin and how curvy she felt beneath his touch.
What has she done to me?
Showing up in my dreams for these past weeks.
I've barely been able to get any sleep thinking about this woman.
Get a grip of yourself Arthur, this isn't who you are!
Hell, I sleep with so many beautiful women and it ends at that, just sex, casual sex.
So what is it about this one that I can't get her off my mind?
I've never thought about any girl nor looked at her twice.
If there was a medal for playboys, it would definitely be given to me.
I get any woman I want and once I'm done with her, that's the end of that chapter.
So why the hell is this seeming to be difficult?
And seeing her now is worsening my condition.
I'm having an erection just looking at her. Arthur swore under his breath.
He knew there and then that the chemistry he had with Reina would not end with just that one night.
He was about to offer her a seat in his office when—
She's fainting?
"Reina?" Mr. Arthur panicked as he rushed out of his seat to help her.
He picked her up, feeling for her pulse. "Oh thank God it's strong."
"Reina?" he called again.
She groaned in reply and stirred in his arms.
Damn. I'm not supposed to find that sound this appealing, Arthur thought.
He carried her to the couch in his office and laid her down.
"Can I please have water to drink?" Reina requested.
Quickly, Arthur fetched it for her.
She gulped it down, then he retrieved the glass from her.
"What happened, Reina?" he asked.
"I'm sorry about this, Mr. Arthur. I'm just really exhausted, and my feet gave way. But I feel better now."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm very sure, Mr. Arthur," she said, trying to sit up.
"I think you should just lie down."
"No, Mr. Arthur, I'm fine," she said, adding a bit of firmness to her tone.
---
What does he think he's doing?
Trying to touch me when he has a WIFE and a CHILD?
Oh God, what a fool I've been.
Getting pregnant for a married man?
How did I allow this to happen?
I had no idea he was married! Not to mention that he has a child!
Reina berated herself with questions, filled with self-disgust and anger towards Arthur.
Arthur, noticing the shift in her mood, stepped back and returned to his seat.
"If you feel much better and think you're well enough to talk—what brings you to my office?" He asked.
She looked him straight in the eye and said, "I need a job."
"You need a job?" he repeated.
"Yes, Mr. Arthur. I need a job, and I'd appreciate it if you could help me get one," Reina stated.
"This seems rather odd, Miss Reina, don't you think?" he said coolly. "You show up in my office, fainting, showing attitude, and in the same breath, demanding a job? That's not how it works. You apply through the normal process, and if you're qualified, the company calls you back. You don't just walk into the CEO's office and demand a job from him."
---
Did I just hear him talking about normal processes and how things are supposed to work?
No. You, Arthur, stop right there.
You don't get to talk about normal processes when you seduced and slept with a twenty-two-year-old girl while your young wife and little child were waiting for you at home!
I feel like slapping that arrogance off his face, Reina thought furiously.
But she didn't.
Instead, she took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Arthur, I'm sorry for not following due process, and I apologize if that's against the code of conduct for aspiring workers in your prestigious enterprise. But I know my chances of getting a job are limited, with thousands of applicants vying for different positions. That's why I decided to stand out. I'd very much appreciate it if you'd give me an audience and consider me for any position here," Reina concluded.
How am I supposed to tell him that my initial plan for coming here was to inform him of my pregnancy after one night of sex—only to find out he has a family?
All I know about this man is that he is wealthy, good-looking, and the CEO of this company.
And if he cheated on his wife to sleep with me, then he has no right in my child's life.
God knows I won't allow someone with such low moral standards to raise my child.
Now, if I can't tell him about my child, why not seize the opportunity to get a job? The pay would definitely be high and worth it.
I'd work my ass off, save enough money, and take care of my child.
It'll be just us.
No two-timing bastard will ever interrupt our lives.
It was a tough decision to make—deciding on the spot to raise her child alone—but Reina would rather have it that way than let him into their lives.
Even if I have a change of heart in the future and tell him about my baby, I would have studied him more to know the kind of person he is.
Right now, I don't know enough about him to entrust my child to his care, and what I just discovered about him is a deal-breaker. Reina resolved in her mind.
Arthur kept staring at Reina, wondering what exactly she was up to.
If I could just get into her head right now and process her thoughts like my own…
After a few minutes, he spoke. "Well, Miss Reina, you have certainly shown resilience and determination. I take into account how many hours you waited for me.
I don't care if you've written anything beforehand—right now, write a clear application letter and submit your résumé to my assistant. She will also give you a list of vacancies in my company and have your information sent to my email. It better be impressive. If I think you're qualified, you will get the job.
Now, if you would excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to," Arthur said, dismissing her.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Arthur," Reina said, standing up to leave.
Just as Reina reached the exit, Arthur's voice stopped her.
"Reina."
She turned, watching him.
After a long pause, he finally said, "Be careful what you ask for."
Her lips curled slightly. "And you, Mr. Arthur, should be careful what you offer."
With that, she walked out—leaving him more confused.
—
"You have reached Daine please leave a message"
Diane's answering machine replied.
"Diane? Why are you never available these days!" Reina cried into her phone. "A lot just happened that I need to tell you. Girl, call me immediately you get this message"