Page 5 of Mister President

“Since Elias was at church with you this morning, I assume he spent the night with you last night.”

“What makes you think he didn’t just meet me there this morning?” The skeptical look she gave me made me laugh. “Fine, he spent the night, but we didn’t have sex, if that’s what you’re wondering. We were out late last night and crashed super early this morning.”

Her head shook as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the doorframe.

“I guess that’s better than you having sex with him. I’ll be glad when you realize that man does not want you. That’s why you haven’t been able to move on yet. You’re still holding on to a chance with him that you’re never going to get.”

“I’m not holding on to anything,” I said as I stood. “What Elias and I have going on works for us and doesn’t have to be understood by anyone else.”

Her eyes rolled as she huffed. “Girl, you’re a fool if you believe that. You’ve spent the last twelve years of your life dealing with that man. You’re thirty-five years old. How long are you going to screw your baby daddy before you try to be in a real relationship? That man has already proven the only thing you’re good for is being the mother of his child. Move on and give someone else a real chance.”

While I could respect her overall message, I hated her delivery. She would almost always downplay what Elias and I had and reduce me to simply being the mother of his child. Hell, maybe that was what I was, and I was just too blind to see it. Either way, it irritated me every time we had this conversation.

“Is that all you wanted, Ma?”

With a sigh, she ran her hands over her face and stepped further into the room. Her voice softened when she added, “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. I just want you to be in a real relationship and stop dealing with Elias. Y’all are not going to get together again, and I don’t want you to waste any more of your time on him. As long as you offer him sex, he’s going to take it, but he doesn’t want anything else. I love him, and he’s a good father, but he’s not a good man for you. I need at least two more grandbabies, and I need you to have them soon.”

I could only chuckle as I closed the space between us to give her a hug. “I’ll talk to you later, Ma.”

After saying goodbye to Daddy, EJ and I headed out. If my mother wouldn’t do anything else, she’d remind me of what I refused to accept. My relationship with Elias was over, and it was in my best interest if I moved on.

3

Fiona

A Week Later

When I decidedto stop by Daddy’s office to ask for more cash, I wasn’t expecting to run into Elias Peterson. I’d had a crush on him since he became Daddy’s mentee years ago. Since he was eleven years older than me, Mommy told me not to even look his way until I graduated college. That was two years ago, but his visits to the house and country club had been far and few between. A part of me believed Daddy kept him away because he knew I liked him, but since I had no proof, I assumed that was the way of life.

Elias wasn’t just fine; he was wealthy and had status too. He wasn’t deep into the socialite circuit, but he did enough networking to be known in a few different circles. I got a vibe from Elias that he wouldn’t be like the typical wealthy man my parents wanted me to entertain.

Growing up, I saw Daddy provide and care for Mommy, but he ignored her. There was no romance or intimacy, at least none I saw. Seeing as there were rumors that he had other kids, therewas no doubt in my mind that he was a cheater. Certain morals were honored in our home, though, like respect and loyalty, and if he did cheat, the world would never have proof.

At the sight of me, Daddy’s smile spread as he stood. Elias looked back to see what or who had gained his attention, and he smiled and stood as well. Daddy gave me a hug before Elias extended his hand for me to shake. I wanted his hard, wide body on mine. I wanted to walk out of here drenched in his scent. Since it didn’t seem like that would happen, I put my dainty hand into his, positioned for him to kiss.

“Am I interrupting something important?” I asked as Daddy pulled the empty chair that was next to Elias’s seat back for me to sit down.

“Not really,” Elias answered. “I was telling your father about our old assistant stealing from us.”

Gasping, I clutched my imaginary pearls. “Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

His expression was solemn as he nodded. “Yeah. Now we have to find her replacement—quickly. My brother’s getting ready to leave the country, and I want to make sure our firm runs smoothly in his absence.”

Being his assistant would be the perfect way to get close to Elias. While I wouldn’t outright pursue him, I was the type of woman to position myself for a man’s pursuit.

“I can take her place,” I offered, avoiding Daddy’s eyes.

Daddy chuckled and sat back in his seat. “Are you crazy? You’re not about to be anyone’s office assistant, even if it is one of my favorite people.”

“Daddy,” I whined.

“I don’t want to hear it, Fiona. The answer is no.”

As I pouted, I crossed my arms over my chest.

“If it makes you feel better, you wouldn’t have been my assistant anyway. You would have been my brother’s,” Elias added.

“Daddy, please. You complained about me wasting your money going to college. At least this way it will be worth it. I know you don’t want me to work, but I want to. At least until I get married.”

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