Page 21

TARAJI

A n hour later, laughter and music pulse through the upscale bar as company members celebrate their success. Taraji's marketing strategy for the new product line has been approved, and Nikolai has generously offered to foot the bill for tonight's festivities.

Taraji weaves through clusters of colleagues, accepting congratulations with a warm smile. A mix of joy and anxiety bubbles within her as she navigates the social scene.

She spots Jerome across the room, his hand possessively resting on Mary-Ann's waist. They stand with friends from outside the company, laughing loudly.

A pang of jealousy stings, but she pushes it aside, focusing on the celebration.

Nikolai enters the bar, his presence commanding immediate attention. He makes his way directly to her, a soft smile on his lips.

"Hey, baby girl. You look absolutely radiant tonight."

Taraji beams, feeling the warmth of his genuine affection. "Thanks, Nikolai! I'm just so happy to be here."

As they chat, Taraji's laughter fades when she hears Jerome's voice, mocking her from across the bar .

"Look at her. She thinks she's so special," he sneers, making his friends laugh.

Nikolai's demeanor shifts, his eyes narrowing as he processes the situation. "Stay right here," he commands gently but firmly. Taraji nods, trusting him completely.

He approaches Jerome and his friends, his posture confident. "You think it's funny to disrespect her?" Nikolai asks, his voice low but steady.

Jerome smirks. "What's it to you, man? She's just a—"

Nikolai steps closer, his expression darkening. "You will never speak about her like that again. Understand?"

The atmosphere thickens as Nikolai's intensity makes even the bravest patrons look away. Taraji watches from a distance, her heart racing. She senses the tension but doesn't fully grasp the danger.

As Nikolai returns to her side, his smile reappears, masking the storm brewing within him. "Everything's fine, baby girl. Let's enjoy the night."

…

Later, Nikolai brings Taraji back to his penthouse. She enters, still buzzing from the night's excitement. She turns to him, eyes sparkling.

"You were amazing out there! I love how you stood up for me."

Nikolai's smile is warm, but there's an edge of something darker beneath. "I'll always stand up for you, Taraji. You deserve to be cherished."

She settles onto the plush couch, kicking off her heels and curling up. "I love being with you, Daddy," she says playfully, slipping into her little space.

He kneels beside her, brushing her hair back with a tender touch. "And I love having you here, little one." His voice soothes, masking the turmoil beneath his calm exterior .

As she laughs and plays with a small toy he bought her, Nikolai's mind drifts back to the confrontation. He thinks about what he will do to Jerome and his friends, how he silenced them for good. He had to protect her innocence, to ensure she would never endure the pain of betrayal again.

"Just relax, baby girl," he murmurs, his gaze softening. "Let me take care of everything."

Taraji feels a wave of comfort wash over her, completely unaware of the lengths Nikolai has gone to for her sake. "I will, Daddy. I trust you," she replies, eyes shining with innocence.

Nikolai leans in, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Good. Because I'll always keep you safe."

He suggests they go for a midnight snack to reward her good behavior. At a late-night café, Taraji giggles as she sips her strawberry milkshake.

"I love this place, Daddy! It feels like a fairy tale!"

Nikolai watches her with a tender smile, his heart swelling at her innocence. "It's the perfect place for my little princess," he replies, reaching across the table to hold her hand.

As they play with the café's board games, Taraji's laughter fills the air. Nikolai momentarily forgets the darkness lurking within him, though his mind briefly flashes to the men he has dealt with, ensuring they understood that Taraji was off-limits.

"Look, Daddy!" she exclaims, showing him her latest drawing of a crayon scribbles of a princess and a castle. "I made this for you!"

Nikolai's heart melts. "It's beautiful, baby girl! You're so talented."

As they leave the café, his company phone buzzes with a message from an unknown, taunting him about the earlier confrontation. Since they have his number, he assumed that Jerome is 100% involved.

A cold rage washes over him, but he quickly suppresses it. They messed with the wrong one.

"Everything okay, Daddy?" she asks, sensing his shift in mood .

"Just a little work thing," he lies, forcing a smile. "Let's head home and have some fun, okay?"

Taraji beams back at him, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath his calm facade.