Selene's gaze locked onto the screen in front of her.
Though Her fingers moved across the keyboard, typing out words, her mind however was somewhere else.
She had thought she would have calmed down after yesterday's encounter with Nikolas, but seeing him today had only proved her wrong.
The way his gaze held hers—how it lingers—made her heart jump into her throat.
Why does she keep feeling this way? Her pulse had been on steroids since yesterday, but today, it was a lot more worse.
At first, she had only been anxious about any possibility of him recognizing her from their one-night stand five years ago.
But now, she was terrified of something else. She was scared of him finding out about Cyrus.
Biting down on her lower lip, she fought to concentrate on her screen.
Yesterday's encounter had stirred emotions she hadn't even realized existed—fear being the most dominant one.
Fear that he might discover the truth and take her son away from her.
That's why, the moment she got home last night and laid eyes on Cyrus, the mere sight of him made her heart race.
She had clung to him like he was a drug, and she was an addict, and he was her only fix.
Although Nikolas hadn't said anything to indicate that he remembered her, but that didn't stop the bile in her throat that always formed whenever he looked at her, the uneasy feeling that clawed at her insides.
She couldn't shake that lurching feeling deep inside her that he knew more than he was letting on—and just the possibility of it made a pit form in her stomach.
His eyes always seemed to follow her, analyzing her every move. Sending a chilling shiver down her spine.
Was it recognition? Did he remember?
The thought alone made her insides twist, and not in a good way.
The sound of her phone ringing pulled her out of her musings.
A wide smile broke across her face when she saw the caller ID.
Sandy.
She had felt terrible about the harsh way she had reacted yesterday, so when Sandy had responded positively to her message last night, her heart warmed with relief.
With a grin still on her face, she answered the call, putting the device closer to her ear.
"Hey, Sisi. How's work today?" Sandy's voice rang through the line.
"All good," Selene replied. "Still adjusting to the idea of being the manager in a big company."
"Oh, I just left the house. You were right—Cassie is amazing." Sandy sounded delighted.
Cassie was the new nanny Selene had hired. She had been overjoyed to find someone so reliable on such short notice.
Guilt had been eating her up since they arrived in the country, seeing how much her sister had to adjust her schedule daily just to look after Cyrus.
She hated having to call on Sandy every time she needed help with Cyrus disrupting her daily life, although Sandy never complained.
She just didn't want to take Sandy's kindness for granted, considering she had been very supportive since Cyrus' birth.
So after yesterday's emotional spiral, she had thrown herself into searching for a nanny, armed with recommendations from friends on how to find the best ones.
She was ecstatic when she had found Cassie just Within a few hours searching.
Though she'd had her doubts at first, but seeing Cassie with Cyrus this morning had been all the confirmation she needed to put her mind at ease that Cassie was perfect for the job.
"I know, right?" Selene grinned. "And to think I only found out about her yesterday."
This morning, she had told Sandy that she wouldn't need to look after Cyrus since the new nanny had started immediately.
Sandy hadn't seemed too surprised and had decided to check in on the nanny herself. Thankfully, she had liked Cassie just as much as Selene and Cyrus did.
Sandy chuckled. "Yeah, she's a natural. Oh! I wanted to ask—what's the deal with the half-packed suitcases in your bedroom? I thought you unpacked last week."
Selene's breath caught in her throat. She swallowed hard.
Last night, in a panic, she had started packing her and Cyrus's suitcases, ready to flee. But then she had stopped.
She wasn't going to let fear chase her away again.
Five years ago, she had fled the country like a criminal out of embarrassment and fear like she had something to hide.
But she wasn't that woman anymore. And besides, Nikolas didn't even remember her, so why had she let fear drive her to the edge? Why did she feel so threatened enough to want to flee the country a second time?
After successfully calming her raging emotions down last night, tired from exhaustion, she had pushed the suitcases aside, intending to unpack them in the morning.
But with Cassie's arrival, between showing her around and keeping her updated with Cyrus' schedule. she had completely forgotten.
"Selene, are you there?" Sandy's voice called out, luring her from her thoughts.
"Yeah," she said quickly. "I was trying to reorganize my clothes last night, but sleep caught up with me." She lied through her teeth.
She forced a light laugh. "I was hoping to finish this morning, but I got distracted when Cassie arrived."
She held her breath, hoping Sandy would buy the lie.
Sandy hesitated for a while before finally replying, "All right, if you say so."
Selene swallowed the sigh of relief stuck in her throat. Sandy seemed to buy the lie—for now. But how much longer could she keep up this act? She hated lying to her, but for now, that would have to do.
Sandy sucks in her teeth. "I know there is something is going on, Selene." The sound of her smacking her lips made Selene's ears itch. "And you promised to explain your reaction yesterday."
Selene exhaled heavily, her mind racing for an excuse.
She couldn't tell Sandy the truth.
The man she had a one-night stand with—the man she had assumed was just a stranger—had turned out to be her CEO, and the same man was also her baby daddy.
Even now, the weight of it all pressed down on her, making her stomach churn. How could she explain something she herself was still struggling to process?
Massage her forehead to relieve the sudden pressure building up, she sighed. "I know. I'll explain everything when I'm ready."
There was a brief silence before Sandy finally relented. "Alright."
"So, what's Cyrus' most dedicated babysitter up to today on her first free day?" Selene asked desperately, trying to change the subject.
Sandy hesitated a bit before responding "Oh, nothing really; I'm on my way to pick up my journal; a good samaritan found it had contacted me," she said
Selene raised a curious brow. "You lost your journal? That's a first," she asked, genuinely surprised.
Sandy scoffed. "I lost it, and he found it. Don't make a big deal out of it," she said.
Her defensive tone made Selene smirk. "So it's a he?" she teased. "And don't pretend like you don't carry that journal around like it's your baby. I'm just surprised you let it out of your sight long enough to lose it." laughing cheekily
Sandy guffawed. "No, i don't."
Selene chuckled, rubbing her eyebrows as she stifled the laughter threatening to escape. "Alright, I hear you. Enjoy your day, kiddo."
"You too, Sisi," Sandy said, ending the call. Her voice still tight from being teased.
Selene sucked in a deep breath through her teeth, leaning back in her chair.
For a brief moment, she had found distraction in their conversation.
But as though on a timer, her thoughts were immediately flooded with thoughts of Nikolas just seconds after the call ended.
Aside from the anxiety of him recognizing her, there was something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.
The way every nerve in her body tingled at his nearness. The way her muscles tensed with pleasurable pain under his gaze.
She couldn't deny it—she was attracted to him.
Who wouldn't be?
With his tall, athletic build, sharp cheekbones, and a face that looked as if it had been carved to perfection by the hands of a Greek god, the man was hella fine.
Selene rubbed her tongue over her lips, struggling to keep her mind in check,trying to shake the sinful thoughts that lurked beneath her mind away.
But her body putting up a strong fight betrayed her, every inch of her muscles tensing at the memory of him.
The sudden buzz of the intercom Hurled her back to her senses.
Shaking her head as though physically trying to rid herself of the thoughts, she pressed down on the device button to answer.
Helen's voice echoed through the walls of her office, "Miss Selene, the documents you requested are ready."
Selene exhaled. "Oh, yeah. Could you bring them to my office? I have my hands tied with work at the moment."
"Sure, just give me a moment. I need to usher in Mr. Darkos' visitor first." Helen ended the call.
Selene gaze drifted to the pile of files on her desk, willing herself to focus. She wasn't lying about being busy she was swarmed with work, but curiosity burned inside her.
Who's Nikolas' visitor?
Pushing the urge to ring Helene back to satisfy her curiosity, she picked up the file she had left behind this morning.
She was supposed to take it to Nikolas' office, but she hadn't finished her corrections.
Frowning, she scanned its contents.
What exactly was the previous manager even thinking when he drafted this plan?
Shaking her head in disappointment, she willed her attention back to work.
She needed to stay as far away from Nikolas Darkos as possible.
Fantasizing about him would only make things worse.