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TARAJI

I ts the next day and Taraji sits at her desk, surrounded by marketing materials, but her focus is elsewhere.

Taraji stares at her computer screen, but the words blur together. The excitement she once felt about her new role has faded, replaced by a weight of anxiety.

She glances at the clock, her heart racing. Nikolai had suggested they embrace her little side more fully, but ever since Jerome’s betrayal and the subsequent fallout, the idea feels burdensome.

As the day drags on, she receives a text from Jerome.

Her breath quickens, and she feels the walls closing in. The thrill of being Nikolai’s “baby girl” feels like a liability now, something that could jeopardize her career. She can’t risk it. She types back a quick response.

When Nikolai arrives in the office, he exudes his usual confidence, but Taraji can see the tension in his eyes. He approaches her desk, a gentle smile on his lips. “Hey, baby girl. How’s your day going?”

Taraji forces a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s fine,” she replies, keeping her tone neutral.

Nikolai leans closer, concern etched on his face. “You don’t seem fine. Is something bothering you?”

She shakes her head, trying to dismiss his worries. “I just have a lot of work to do,” she replies, turning back to her screen, avoiding his gaze.

“Taraji,” he says softly, his voice laced with authority. “Talk to me. You know you can trust me.”

But instead of feeling comforted, she feels trapped. “I can’t, Nikolai. I need to focus on my job. I can’t let this… this little thing interfere.”

His expression shifts, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. “You don’t have to hide from me, baby. I want to help you embrace who you are.”

“I can’t,” she insists, her voice rising slightly. “What if it gets out? What if Jerome tells people? I can’t risk my career.”

Nikolai’s jaw tightens, realizing the weight of her words. “You think I can’t protect you from him? I’ll handle this, I promise.”

But Taraji shakes her head vehemently. “No, I won’t let this affect my work. I need to be professional.”

Frustration bubbles within Nikolai, but he takes a deep breath, reigning it in. “I understand you’re stressed, but shutting me out won’t solve anything.”

Taraji turns her back to him, her heart racing. “I just need some space,” she says, refusing to acknowledge the hurt in his voice.

The whole day the office feels stuffy and their tension in the air that nobody understands.

Throughout the day Nikolai has been calling and texting Taraji but she ignores him.

So Nikolai storms into her office, his usual charisma overshadowed by the weight of Jerome’s threats.

He feels the pressure of being the CEO, and the idea of losing Taraji to the chaos is unbearable.

He scans the room, searching for her, but she’s focused intently on her work, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Taraji,” he calls, his voice firm yet strained.

She looks up, but there’s a coldness in her gaze that stings. “What is it, Nikolai?”

“We need to talk about Jerome,” he says, stepping closer. “I can’t let him manipulate us like this.”

Taraji’s expression hardens. “I told you, I don’t want to talk about it. I can handle my own problems.”

Nikolai’s frustration boils over. “You’re not alone in this! I want to help you, but you have to let me in.”

“Help me how?” she snaps, her voice rising. “By putting my job at risk? I can’t go back to being a little; it will ruin everything I’ve worked for!”

Nikolai clenches his fists, struggling to maintain his composure. “You think I don’t care about your career? I do! But I also care about you.”

Taraji shakes her head, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. “I can’t be your little girl right now! I need to focus on my job, and that means leaving that part of me behind. ”

Nikolai’s heart sinks, realizing how far apart they’ve grown in such a short time. “You don’t have to choose between us, Taraji. I love you for who you are.”

“Do you?” she challenges, her voice trembling. “Or do you love the fantasy of me being your little girl? Because right now, it feels like a burden.”

Silence hangs heavy between them as the weight of their reality settles in. Nikolai takes a deep breath, fighting to keep his emotions in check. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, but I need you to trust me.”

Taraji looks away, the conflict in her heart tearing her apart. “I need time,” she finally whispers, feeling the distance between them grow.

As she turns back to her work, Nikolai stands frozen, feeling the loss of the connection they once shared, and couldn’t help but storm out the office, each step shatters his heart more & more.

One hour later someone knocks lightly before entering. Keisha walks in, her vibrant personality a stark contrast to Taraji’s somber mood. “Hey, girl! You look like you’ve been through the wringer. What’s going on?”

Taraji forces a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Just work stuff, you know?”

Keisha raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Work stuff? Or is it about Nikolai? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other, but something feels off.”

Taraji sighs, running a hand through her hair. “It’s complicated. After everything with Jerome, I don’t know if I can handle being his little girl right now. I can’t risk my career.”

Keisha steps closer, concern etched on her face. “But sweetie. I can see that you love him, right? You shouldn’t have to choose between your job and your happiness. Have you talked to him?”

“I tried,” Taraji replies, frustration creeping into her voice. “But he doesn’t understand. He thinks I can just embrace my little side and everything will be fine, but it feels like a liability. And now with Jerome… I can’t let him use it against me.”

Keisha shakes her head. “You deserve to be happy, T. If being with Nikolai makes you happy, don’t let anyone take that away from you. You’re stronger than you think.”

As Taraji contemplates her friend’s words, her phone buzzes with an incoming call from Nikolai. She hesitates but answers. “Hey”

“Taraji,” he says, his voice tense. “I need you to go straight home after work today unless I call you. Things are about to get messy.”

“What do you mean?” she asks, her heart racing.

“Just trust me. I’ll explain later.”

Before she can respond, he hangs up, leaving her feeling unsettled. Keisha notices the change in her demeanor. “What was that about?”

Taraji shakes her head. “I don’t know. He sounded… off.”