Ronald was the only one left in the building. Even Gabriel, his best friend had gone home. Well except for the cleaners and the security guards who were cleaning and guarding the building respectively.

He was trying to finish some work concerning a contract with some foreign investors who will be coming over in a few days.

Forty three minutes later, Ronald decided that will be all for the day, he will continue the rest the next day.

He found himself very eager to go home. Not only because of his daughter but also because of Adrie and Raina.

A small smile crept to his lips at the thought of Raina. Whenever he was around her, he had this weird feeling in his stomach. He knew he was attracted to her but have no idea if she felt the same way.

Ronald stood up from his chair and started arranging his table and at the same time putting some important document in his brief case. He picked up his phones, briefcase and walked toward the exit area of his office. He switched off the light and walked out, closing the door behind him.

“Hey Ronald.” A lady’s voice said which made Ronald stop in his track. He was close to stepping into the elevator.

“Not again.” he muttered as he turned to the brown headed girl who called him. He thought he was the only one left in the building. She ought to have gone home. He wondered what she was still doing in the office.

“It’s been a while Ronald. Looks like you’ve been avoiding me lately.” She said with a small smile as she approached Ronald.

One thing Ronald had known Loretta for is that she’s a fashion freak and she never cease to amaze every one with her dressing sense. She dresses very classy but professional. Just like now, she was wearing a slim fitted dark pant trousers which showed her curves with a white sleeveless shirt which showed a little bit of her cleavage.

Her chocolate brown hair was let down and it fits her perfectly. Despite the fact that working hours had ended a long time ago, she still look good in the sense that, her make up was still perfect on her face with her attractive red lipstick.

As usual, her dressing will never be complete without her jewelries. She finally approached Ronald and despite the fact that she had her jacket placed on her left arm and her classy handbag on her right hand, she still managed to pull Ronald into a hug.

Loretta noticed this was the first time this week that she’s bumping into him and it was already the end of the third day of the week. Perhaps, he has been avoiding her purposely.

Obviously, Loretta works for Ronald and that makes Ronald her Boss. She’s the head of Human Resource and also an important member of the board.

Apart from the fact that Loretta is obsessed with Ronald, she’s very good at her job, her ideas are always brilliant and she’s way too smart. “Beauty with brains.” that’s what they call her in the office.

Almost everyone in the company admired her for her efficiency. Most especially the female workers and they all knew she’s obsessed about the Boss which is why they dare not flirt with him because no one wants to face her wrath.

To be honest, Loretta is a very attractive woman. If she passes by your side, you will be tempted to look back and take a glace at her. She just had that aura in her.

Ronald will agree with anyone that she’s beautiful but he never had any interest in her. He had made it known to her severally but she keeps telling him that as far as he’s still Single, she will never stop trying.

And that kept Ronald wondering, How will other women approach him when she’s all over him? That was even why he stopped taking her out on dinner dates with his clients because with the way she was always being cozy around him, people assume they were already a couple.

“Why are you just leaving the office? You should be in your house by now.” he said as he pulled away from the hug.

“I was just trying to finish up some work.” She replied as they walk side by side towards the elevator.

He pressed the button and when it opened, he allowed her go in first and he followed suit.

“So do you mind if we hang out this weekend. You can come to my place or I can come over to yours and you can take me out if she like.” She completed with a grin.

“I will be very busy this weekend Loretta. Maybe some other time.” He said which made her sad. She tried not to show it as she looked away from him.

As far as Loretta knew, It is not a crime to love someone. Ronald had hurt her feelings so many times but she never gave up on him and she never will.

They both said nothing to each other after that. They walked out of the elevator in silence and proceeded to their respective cars still without saying anything to each other.

Her expensive black car was parked beside his. He watched as she unlocked her car, Slid into the driver's seat in a hurry after which she slammed the door which caused a loud sound then she drove away with speed. The tyres of her vehicle screeching against the ground.

He sighed as he knew she was mad at him.

“But I haven’t done anything wrong.” He muttered.

Ronald got into the back passenger seat and shut the door. His driver started the car and they were on their way to his mansion.

•••••••

Ronald had his key with him so he didn’t have to press the door bell. He opened the door with his key, entered and shut the door behind him.

Everything felt weird because he was used to being welcomed by Alexa.

He walked into the house, noticed no one was in the living room, he proceeded to the kitchen and saw Clarice cleaning the dishes.

“Hello Clarice.” He greeted as he walked towards the fridge and took a bottle of water.

“Welcome my son.” She replied him with a smile.

Before opening the bottle of water, he walked closer to her and gave her kiss on her right cheek.

“How was work?” She asked.

“Stressfully fine.” He replied which caused her to chuckle.

“Sorry we had dinner without you. The food was just so yummy that we couldn’t wait to have it in our mouth.” She said and he smiled back at her.

“But we left some for you. I can warm it up when you’re ready to eat.” She offered.

“Thanks Clarice. Don’t worry I’ll do that myself.”

“Where’s Raina and the girls, Have they gone to bed already?”

“Raina is In the girls room. She’s putting them to bed.”

“I assume she bought all what she needed at the mall.” he questioned after he gulped down the water

“Yes, although she was a little shy as she kept on looking at the prices of everything before she bought them.” She said and he nodded.

“Let me go check up on them then I will head for a shower.”

“Okay dear.” She replied after which he disposed the bottle in a nearby trash then walked out of the kitchen.

Ronald opened the door to the girls room and smiled at what he saw. Raina was seated in the middle of the bed. Her head was against the headboard, with a bedtime story in her hand.

Alexa was lying down to her right and Adrie to her left. The girls had fallen asleep.

Raina felt someone looking at her and she traced the stare to the entrance and her eyes came in contact with a smiling Ronald. He was leaning against the door with his arms folded.

Raina returned the smile after which she took a look at the girls beside her. It was then she noticed they had fallen asleep.

She climbed out of the bed as quietly as possible after which she covered the girls with the duvet and gave them a kiss on their forehead.

Ronald who was by the door, walked towards the girls and gave them a goodnight kiss after which he and Raina walked out of their room.

“You know, she never goes to bed without seeing me.” He said as Raina shut the door behind her and turned to Face him. He was standing opposite her with his hands in his pocket.

“Alexa?” She asked and he nodded.

“We were all waiting for you since Alexa said she wants to see you before she goes to bed. I was reading a bed time story to them to while away time but they slept off. I guess she was too tired to stay awake today.”

As Raina spoke, he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked. Her new make over enhanced her beauty the more. The bruises on her face were no longer there. Her hair was in a messy bun and she was wearing a pink short pyjamas dress.

“You look different, so beautiful.” He whispered and she blushed. She didn’t know what to say to his complement so she changed the topic. She too felt some sort of attraction towards him and don’t know if it was proper.

“Should I warm up dinner for you while you take a shower?” She offered politely.

“You don’t have to worry I can do it myself.” he said.

“I want to. Besides, I don’t feel sleepy now.” She said, leaving no room for argument and he nodded.

“What is it?” Ronald frowned when he saw Raina looking at something behind him.

“No.. Nothing.” She shuttered.

“I will be waiting for you downstairs.” She said and walked down the stairs.

He frowned and watched her walk away. He felt there was something wrong. He shrugged and proceeded to his room for a shower.

Ronald was getting rid of his clothes when he noticed a red lipstick stain at the back of his collar.

“Damn.” He cursed softly. No wonder Raina was looking at him that way.

He walked into his bathroom and took the fastest shower he could, dressed in his usual sweat pants and shirt and went downstairs.

“Raina it’s not what you think.” He said to her as she brought out a plate of spaghetti with meat balls from the microwave.

“What do you mean?” She asked confused.

“The lipstick stain on my shirt.” he clarified.

She chuckled. “What lipstick stain?”

“Common Raina I know you saw it.”

“And?” She said as she placed his dinner on the kitchen counter.

“It’s not what you’re thinking.” He said.

“I’m not thinking anything Ronald.” She said as walked towards the fridge and got a bottle of water which she poured into a glass cup.

Ronald sighed and ran his hands through his almost dried hair. He wished he knew what was going on in her head. The truth is that he likes her and he’s still figuring if she feels the same for him. Seeing the lipstick stain on him will only slow and complicate things.

Ronald took a seat on the stool behind the kitchen counter and Raina placed a glass of water before him after which she took a seat on the stool opposite him.

“Thank you.” He muttered before digging into his food.

“You’re welcome. So how was work?” She asked, trying to make a conversation with him.

“Fine.”

“Raina, the stain on my collar.” He started without knowing exactly what to say to her.

“A friend hugged me. I had no idea she kissed my collar. There’s nothing between us I promise you.” He said, trying to sound convincing as possible.

Raina smiled at him. She wondered why he was eager to explain to her.

“Okay.” She said.

“I think she likes you.” She added.

He stopped eating for a while and replied her. “Maybe. But I don’t feel the same way about her.”

Raina did not know why but she felt happy and relieved when he made that statement.

“Clarice accompanied me to the mall today and I was able to get what Adrie and I need. Thank you!”

Ronald groaned with food in his mouth. He was not used to people telling him Thank you so often.

“I should go get your card. Its in my room.” Raina said and she was about to get up to go get his card and return it to him.

“Don’t worry. You can keep it for now till I get yours for you.” He said and she frowned.

“You’ve done so much for us Ronald. It’s as if I’m taking advantage of you. You don’t need to get me a card.”

“Look, I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me and my daughter. But please, give me the opportunity to work and earn my own money too.” She pleaded and he nodded in understanding.

“So what kind of work do you plan on doing after your bed rest?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Anything will do.”

“Will you come work for me in my company?” he smirked.

“No way,” She replied almost immediately.

“Why?” he frowned.

“Working in an office can be very tiring and to me, it’s not fun.”

“Okay then. Perhaps I will talk to a friend of mine who owns a restaurant. If he can employ you.”

“Really. You’ll do that for me?” She asked with a smile.

“Yes, I will get in touch with him tomorrow.”

“That reminds me, my friend Gabriel wants me to introduce you to his wife. Her name is Jemma and she’s pregnant. About six months. I told him I was going to ask you. Maybe if you need a friend or something.”

“Sure. That will be nice.”

“So tell me about your company.” She leaned closer, eager to know what exactly he does for a living.

Ronald explained to her as he ate and she listened intently.She also asked questions about certain things. Raina was not only beautiful, she was also smart.

He finished his food and did the dishes himself. Raina offered to help but he declined.

After that, They proceeded to the Sofa where they sat.

Raina was seating on the upper end with her leg on the Sofa and a glass of wine in her hand and she faced Ronald who was seating at the other end of the sofa.

“How was life for you and Adrie before I met you guys?” He asked.

“it was okay until Frank turned wild and started hitting me.” She answered looking at nothing in particular.

“Do you think he’s out there looking for you guys?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“What if he comes back for you?, begging to forgive him that he has changed.” he said and Raina chuckled.

“Frank doesn’t apologize and I don’t think he will ever be sorry for what he did to us. I may forgive him but I will never accept him back. What I feel for him is hatred and nothing more.”

“I have to tell you something and I hope you don’t get mad at me.” He said.

“What is it?” She asked curious.

“I hired a private investigator to track him down.”

“Why? How did you even do that when you don’t know his name?” she asked.

“I have my ways Ray and the person in charge is a professional.” he said.

“Why?” she asked again.

“I just want him to pay for what he did to you and Adrie. Deal with him personally before handling him over to the police.” he said and a sad smile found its way to Raina’s face.

“I appreciate it Ronald but you don’t have to do that. Just leave him alone. Nemesis will catch up with him.” She said and Ronald nodded slowly.

“I should go to bed.” She said as she stood up from the couch with her now empty glass cup.

“Me too, or else I’ll be late for work tomorrow.” He said as he stood up also.

He collected the glass cup from her and took them to the kitchen.

“I had a wonderful evening chatting with you.” Ronald said with a genuine smile. He enjoyed spending time with her and secretly hoped for more evenings like this.

“I had fun too. Goodnight.” She replied him with a small smile after which she went to her room.

Ronald smiled as he watched her go to her room. Everything she did affected him.

He sighed as he turned off the light in the living room after which he proceeded to his room. He plopped down on his bed and Slept with a smile on his face.