Pamela Yaye - Seduced by the CEO

“Still not getting along with the other girls, huh?”

Her lips twisted into a scowl. “Laquinta called me a boo-boo head and pulled my braids.”

“La who?”

When Ava giggled, her pigtails tumbled around her pretty, plump face.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone says. You’re beautiful.”

“Just like you, right, Mama?”

“That’s right, and don’t you forget it.” Jariah walked over to the table, cupped her daughter’s chin and kissed the tip of her nose. “Put your toys away. It’s time for dinner.”

“Are we having pizza? I hope so. I just love cheese pizza.”

“I’ll make you pizza this weekend, but tonight we’re having veggie casserole.”

“Again? But we had that yesterday.”

Overlooking her daughter’s disappointment, Jariah opened the stove and heaved the casserole dish onto the counter.

“When I’m at Dad’s house he lets me eat whatever I want,” Ava announced. Marching over to the pantry, she tugged open the door and rummaged around inside. “I don’t want leftovers. I want Froot Loops and chocolate chip cookies.”

“Ava, cut it out. You’re going to eat what I made for dinner and that’s final.”

“Why?” she demanded, her voice a shrill shout. “Why can’t I eat what I want?”

“Because eating junk food will give you a tummy ache, and I don’t want you to get sick.”

“You always say no. You never give me what I want.”

Feeling her temperature rise, Jariah cautioned herself to remain calm. Instead of scolding Ava for acting like a spoiled brat, she picked up the stuffed animals scattered on the table, and handed them to her daughter. “These need to go back to your room.”

“I hate it here,” Ava shouted. “I wish I lived with Daddy!”

Of course you do, Jariah thought sourly. Your dad gives you whatever you want, and there are no rules at his house. It’s one big party over there! Releasing a deep sigh, she fought back the tears of frustration that threatened to break free. Ava’s words hurt, made her question whether or not she was a good mother. Before self-pity could set in, Jariah shook off her thoughts and regarded her strong-willed daughter. “You can sit down at the table and eat dinner with me, or you can go to your room. It’s your choice.”

Ava stood there for a minute, her big, brown eyes narrowed as if weighing her options. Without a word, she took the toys out of Jariah’s hands and moped down the hallway toward the stairwell. Her head was down, her shoulders were bent, and she moved like someone racked with grief.

Sadness flooded Jariah’s heart. She felt a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe. It hurt to see her daughter like this, but what could she do? It wasn’t her fault Ava hadn’t seen her dad in a month, was it? These days, Wesley’s visits were short and sporadic and more often than not he didn’t show up at all. Should I take him back? Should I move in with him for Ava’s sake? Is that the answer to all of my problems?

Chasing away the thought, Jariah returned to the stove and resumed preparing dinner. Taking Wesley back would be a mistake. He didn’t love her—not the way she needed to be loved—and more importantly she didn’t love him. Years ago, when they’d started dating at Miami University she’d naively thought Wesley was “the one.” But after discovering she was pregnant, she’d seen a different side of him—a weak, spineless side that chose his parents repeatedly over her. And after years of playing second fiddle to his family, Jariah realized Wesley was never going to change, and broke things off for good. Contrary to what he thought, she deserved more, and didn’t need him or anyone else to take care of her.

Hearing her cell phone ring, Jariah searched the kitchen for her BlackBerry. Spotting it on the breakfast bar, she scooped it up and read the number on the display. Luckily, it wasn’t Wesley or his obnoxious mother. Jariah didn’t recognize the number on the screen, but as she put her cell phone to her ear, she hoped and prayed it was someone calling to offer her a job. “Hello, Jariah Brooks speaking.”

“Good evening, Jariah. This is Nicco Morretti. How are you?”

The sound of his deep, smooth voice tickled the tips of her ears.

“I’m great, thanks.” Jariah knew why Nicco Morretti was calling, and for the first time since losing her job last month, she smiled from ear to ear. Excitement surged through her veins, hard and fast. Jariah wanted to dance around the kitchen, but she maintained her composure.

“I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.”

“No, not at all,” she rushed to say. “I’m not doing anything. Now’s a great time to talk.”

“I’d like to discuss a business proposition with you.”

Confused, Jariah scratched her head. A business proposition? Frowning, she stared down incredulously at the phone. Did I get the account manager position or not? she wondered, leaning against the granite countertop. “I’m sorry, Mr. Morretti, but I’m afraid I don’t understand. What is this pertaining to?”

“I’d rather not discuss it over the phone.”

Discuss what? I have no clue what you’re talking about!

“Let’s meet at Dolce Vita for drinks at eight o’clock.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes, is that a problem?”

“Mom, look, I washed my hands with soap!” Ava stood beside the pantry door, waving her hands frantically in the air, hopping up and down as if she was on a pogo stick. “Can I have some cookies now?”

To quiet her daughter, Jariah pressed a finger to her lips, and steered her over to the table. “Is it okay if I call you back in an hour? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“That’s no problem at all,” he said, his tone calm. “I’ll talk to you then.”

Jariah hung up and rested her phone on the kitchen counter. What was that all about? she wondered. What is Nicco Morretti up to? As Jariah fixed Ava a plate, she replayed her conversation with the cocky CEO in her head, trying to figure out if she’d missed something. But there was nothing to miss. Their conversation had been brief, and he’d been vague and mysterious throughout. The only way to find out what Nicco Morretti wanted was to meet him tonight at his restaurant, but first she had to find a babysitter.

Once Ava was eating dinner, Jariah slipped out of the kitchen and went into her bedroom. It was times like this that Jariah wished she could talk to her parents. She longed to hear her mother’s voice and her father’s booming laugh, but she knew they would never take her call. They had cut her out of their lives, and their bitter rejection still stung months later.

Ignoring the heaviness in her chest, Jariah flopped down on the bed, punched in her neighbor’s phone number and waited anxiously for the call to connect. Cousins, Sadie and Felicia Robinson were good old-fashioned country girls, and Jariah loved hanging out with them. And so did her daughter. The cousins fussed over her, snuck her junk food when they thought Jariah wasn’t looking, and gave Ava free reign of their town house.

“Hey, Sadie, how are you?” Jariah asked, greeting the thirty-five-year-old boutique owner with the fun-loving personality.

“I’m great. I was just about to make dinner. How is my sweet little honey pie doing?”

“Ava’s fine, giving me sass and attitude as usual.”

“Good for her!” Sadie cheered. “She needs to stand up for herself. You’re way too strict.”

“I have to be. Her dad is a total pushover,” Jariah explained, feeling compelled to defend herself. “Ava throws a fit and he caves like a house of cards!”

The women laughed.

“Is Felicia still at work?” Jariah asked.

“No, she has a date.”