Day in and day out, Roman couldn't help his wandering thoughts, and it was the most difficult to focus when he saw Valencia walking by. The way her hips swayed from side to side with every step was far more hypnotizing than he expected, and the lust-filled look in her eyes when she walked into his office was enough to make him stir. His most trying times were on the mornings when Valencia would arrive earlier than usual, Roman assumed, to get a headstart on the day. On those mornings, she would shower and use the bathroom provided for her.
The sweet aroma of lavender and sometimes vanilla would sneak between the door's cracks, hand in hand with the steam, teasing him—calling to him. Roman's body reacted on its own accord every single time, and with each passing day, his self-control dwindled. So much so that he could no longer prepare his coffee in their private kitchen. Having to pass the bathroom was becoming unbearable. Roman had to compress the urge to burst through the door, like an animal, to make her his. He was often like an insatiable savage whenever Valencia was around.
He threw himself back into his chair, running his fingers through his loose strands as images of Valencia's curves continued to dominate his mind, and the lack of random sex didn't help, either. Roman weighed his options, listing the pros and cons of having an intimate relationship with his new assistant. He was so lost in thought that he hadn't even heard someone enter his office. Startling him as the bulge in his suit pants would have been difficult to hide had the person come any closer. Roman jolted into a sitting position with his arms resting on his desk to find Eliza holding back her laughter. Both of them clear their throats before Eliza speaks.
"Mr. Ortiz? Are you alright?" Eliza raised an amused brow, "Mr. Ortiz, I'm starting to regret hiring Ms. Reyes for this position."
She was surprised when he let out a hearty laughter. The corners of his eyes crinkled with a bit of age, and his shoulders shook in levity. "There's nothing wrong with admiring something—or someone beautiful, Eliza. Besides, tomorrow night is your last day here, and it's too late to replace her. Not to mention, she does the job well, almost as well as you," he praised.
Eliza blushed at the adoration, "There's nothing wrong with looking, Mr. Ortiz, unless it begins to interfere with your work. You were so lost in thought when I walked in that you didn't even hear what I said," she grinned slyly.
Roman laughed softer, "Yes, I heard what you said, Eliza."
"I doubt that," her eyes turned into slits.
"Alright then, you said that I had a meeting at two today and that my signature is needed for the Aguilar and Hernandez projects. You also mentioned a rash you found. . ." Eliza let out a high-pitched yelp, keeping Roman from finishing his sentence.
"I said that in jest! I was trying to see if you were listening. All it's proven is that you are an expert at multitasking," she grumbled. Her cheeks had gone slightly pink, too.
Roman thanked Eliza for the paperwork, gave him a swift nod, and returned to the front desk with Ms. Reyes. Roman could still see the worry in her eyes despite their friendly banter, and she had a reason. The inevitable was going to happen, and there was no escaping it. He knew deep down that he and Valencia were meant to be more. He just didn't want to admit it. Not yet. After his last conversation with Eliza, she didn't dare mention the thickening tension between him and Valencia, though a comment here and there would slip occasionally. Much like today, but he couldn't be angry with her. She had good reason, as he was letting it affect his work.
After thirteen years, Eliza was no longer just an employee to him. She was much more than that. She was a friend, a confidant—and a mother. It was clear to Roman that Eliza didn't keep his secrets because he paid her to; Eliza kept them because she chose to. With today being her last, Roman wanted to show her how much he appreciated her for putting up with him and his demands for so long. Today, Eliza would be his main priority, forcing his unconventional and perplexing feelings aside for Ms. Reyes; he called her into his office soon after Eliza had gone down to another floor for some paperwork.
"Yes, Mr. Ortiz, what can I do for you today?" Valencia smiled warmly and batted her big, beautiful brown eyes at him.
Damn it, he thought. All it took at this point was a smile. Roman's jaw clenched as he strained to keep himself from groaning. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure, then spoke. "Ms. Reyes, I apologize for this being so last minute. I should have planned this weeks ago, but I want you to get something together quickly. I want to throw a little surprise retirement party for Eliza to show my appreciation for everything she has done for me these past thirteen years. Do you think you can pull that off by tonight?"
"Absolutely, Mr. O. Is there anything you have in mind?" She was beaming now. Excitement radiated off her body. Roman let slip a small smile at the new nickname. Valencia was comfortable here—with him.
"Yes," he replied, "it's going to be held in the meeting room since it's the biggest one we have up here. Please order three dozen Alstroemeria flowers, balloons in the colors of azure and cerulean, and a Tres Leches cake; they are her favorite. Also, have my driver pick up Eliza's wife from their home. It won't mean a damn thing if her wife, Selene, isn't here, too."
"You got it, boss," Valencia turned to leave the room.
"Wait, don't you need to write this all down?" Roman raised a brow.
Valencia turned to face him and smirked, "You want three dozen Alstroemeria flowers, azure and cerulean colored balloons, a Tres Leches cake, and Eliza's wife, Selene, to be delivered and placed in the meeting room by tonight for her surprise party. I have an excellent memory, Mr. Ortiz, don't worry," she pointed at her temple with another one of her gorgeous smiles. "Can I ask you something, if you don't mind, Sir?"
"Of course, what's on your mind?" he leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on his desk, showing her he was giving her his undivided attention.
"How do you know so much about Ms. Medina? Most people in your position can barely remember their social security number." Valencia's eyes went wide at her brazenness. "I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that to come out so—"
Roman raised a hand to stop her, "Stop it," he chuckled. "It's okay, and you're not wrong. Most people in my position wouldn't give a flying fuck about their employees, no matter how long they've worked at their company, but I do. I've come to realize that employees tend to respect those who treat them as equals, not subordinates. They are more loyal and hardworking when given reasonable pay and equal respect. I give them double that. They feel seen, heard, and, most of all, valued. I'm unlike most other people, Ms. Reyes, and I don't tend ever to be. My company is successful because my people are happy. It's that simple."
"That being said," he continued, "Eliza has worked by my side since the beginning. Despite my age all those years ago, she gave me the chance to be her boss. She showed me respect and was always there when I needed her to be. After so many years and all that she's given to this company, it'd be a shame if I didn't make the effort to remember these things about her. No matter how small they may seem to everyone else. Eliza hasn't just been an exemplary employee, Ms. Reyes; she has become one of my closest friends, and I want to make sure she knows that before she leaves," he finished.
"That's very noble and kind of you," Valencia blushed at his heartfelt explanation. "I'll have everything ready by tonight, I promise."
"I understand why Eliza chose you for this job. You're a lot like her. You're hardworking, observant, a quick study, caring, and you don't bite your tongue," he smiled. "In my company, that will get you far, Ms. Reyes."
Valencia gave Roman a slight bow, turned, and left. Roman sat at his desk, mesmerized even more by her. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to claim her as his. With all other women, their beauty was enough, and he didn't care to learn anything more about them. With Valencia, it was breathtaking features that captured his attention, but it was her attitude and wits that kept it. He wanted to know more about her—everything, if possible. Roman needed to learn what her favorite color was and what foods she enjoyed. He desired to understand what made her laugh, what caused her to cry, and what made her angry. Roman wondered what she would look like in the mornings without her make-up and hair done. Most of all, though, he wanted to know how her lips tasted, what it felt like to have her nude body writhing in pleasure underneath his.
Fuck, he thought, angry at how quickly his thoughts turned lustful and carnal. His cock hardened beneath his desk, and his hands curved into fists, desperately trying to think of anything but the beautiful woman he wanted more than he had ever wanted any other. No other woman could quench the thirst he so craved. The only woman Roman wanted now was the only woman who could end up being the biggest mistake of his life. Though no other woman could make him feel this way, one additional person could, and that person was currently ghosting him. Roman wondered if this was why he latched onto Ms. Reyes so much. Did he miss Cassius so much that his heart was trying to find someone new to fill the hole he had left? It was a possibility, and it made sense.
Perhaps that same feeling could help him keep his distance, remembering the piercing sting of an abandoned spirit. Yes, that would have to do for now. Besides, the feelings he held for Cassius were nothing normal. . . or natural. If the pain were good for anything, it would be to stay away from both. The charming male lover and mesmerizing female inamorata. Maybe it was time he pushed all feelings deep down and locked them away for an eternity because nothing good would ever come of them. At this point, dying alone seemed like a better idea than dying a sinner or a hypocrite. Besides, neither of them needed a broken and fragile man like him.
Furthermore, tonight needed to be and would be Eliza's last day, and spending it with his dear friend was far more important than the internal conflict he seemed to cause for himself nowadays. With more than half a day of work ahead of him, Roman took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, clearing his mind and forcing himself to concentrate on what was more important. If this is what he would have to do for the rest of his life, then so be it.