Taming Mr. Black

Killian’s POV

” What do you mean there’s a scandal about my company and myself?” I ask my company’s executives on the other side of my laptop.

Lila Hawkins turns to look at her counterpart, Lance Daniels. They’re both my trusted executives and I trust them enough to handle my company like it’s their own without fearing any harm will be on the company.

Lila and Lance have been working with KB TECH for nearly eight years, and they’ve never failed me or my company. Also, Lila is head of human resources. She’s strict, 40 years old, and she’s like a second mother to me and she doesn’t take shit from anyone. Lance is CFO and he is in his early forties. He’s the opposite version of Lila. I believe if Lance isn’t married and Lila isn’t divorced and obviously isn’t ready to get married again after her marriage of 15 years came to a sad end, the two would have been married or even dating. I remember thinking something was going on between them a few years ago, but Lila turned down the rumor. She hates office romance. She calls it a huge distraction and failure.

I really don’t get her sometime.

” Is there something going on between you and the new marketing employee? I believe her name is Naomi Alderson.” Lila says.

It’s Friday and they both look like they’re in the conference room back in New York and in KB TECH initiating this call. I’m supposed to be getting ready to welcome my brother and his soon-to-be bride and getting ready for the rehearsal dinner at the end of today, not having a conversation about something someone out there is talking about.

” What’s this? What’s the meaning of this? Are you forgetting this weekend is supposed to be for my brother? Business is the last thing you should be calling me for.”

” Well, I believe with things already getting out of hand, you should be aware. And also, someone needs to call you out for whatever thing you’re doing with your employee, Killian.”

” Lance, what’s she talking about?” I turn to Lance.

I see Lila stands up from her seat, sighing as she starts to pace the conference room. Naomi is taking a bath while I’m in the small attached kitchen in this suite with my laptop on the kitchen counter and a mug of coffee.

” Lance, don’t sugarcoat anything. He needs to know whatever he’s gotten himself in, needs to stop.” Lila says.

” What’s this?” I repeat my question.

” I think what Lila is saying is that there’s an article about you and Naomi Alderson. It’s a scandal, Killian. People are saying she’s giving you sex for a position here at KB TECH.”

” What?!”

” Yes. And some people are already talking. It’s not nice, Killian. Some feminists are even going on social media and saying things like, you’re harassing Naomi and forcing her into giving you sex in exchange for a job. Some are saying she used to work at your club, and she manipulated you and seduced you for a job position in exchange for sex.” Lila says.

That can not be true.

” That’s not the point. The point is that some of this are true. I’m not saying she is giving you sex for a job, all I’m saying is that you two are obviously sexually involved.”

” Naomi and I aren’t just having fun.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

” Oh, we know that.” Lila says. ” We also know that you two haven’t been professional about it either. You go at it in the office too.”

” Why would you say that?”

” Someone…” Lance says, turning to look at Lila.

” What someone?”

” Someone sent us an audio. A very strange and explicit audio about your private time with Naomi in your office.”

” What are you talking about?” I ask, not really grasping this new information Lila just spewed.

” Someone is trying to jeopardize this company’s name and your name, Killian. They’re trying to build a story. No, they’ve already built a story, but they’re trying to ruin this company with whatever you’ve got going on with Ms. Alderson. Funny part, this person is smart. We’ve already launched our new product and this person thought it was smart to start something like this. Right when we were in the middle of making sales.”

Oh fuck. Lily Sanders is at it again. Why’s she doing this? So when she said she was gonna ruin my life, she meant doing something like this? Starting up a fucking rumor.

” Who wrote this said article?”

” A really good journalist. We tried to pay her to take the article down since she was sugar-coating everything, she refused. She said, and I quote ‘you can’t shut me up, Ms. Hawkins. I’m going to tell the world how corrupt Killian Black is and how he’s going around harrasing young women for a job.’ Can you believe it?”

I’m not worried about some article. It’s just a story. Whoever this journalist is is trying to make money off of my relationship and it’s not new. All I’m worried about is Naomi. I can’t just sit and watch them try to ruin her name over something that isn’t true.

” I’m not fooling around with Naomi. What we have is something y’all don’t understand.”

” We do, Killian.” Lance says.

” I don’t think so.”

” Well, I understand. You love her. I guess some people find love in different ways and you happened to find love in the arms of your employee.”

” When you put it like that, I sound like a creepy boss who sleeps with every employee that works for him.”

” I’m sorry.”

” I think we should be worrying about what we have to do about this. How do we get the media off our backs? Killian, your employees are whispering amongst themselves and talking shit. And whoever this person is, the person who sent us that video of you and Naomi, what do you think this person is waiting for before they send it to the public. That will be bad. For everyone, including your girlfriend.” Lila says, sitting on the chair next to Lance.

” Can the audio be forwarded to me? Now?” I ask.

” Sure. We’ll do that.”

” And in the meantime, we suggest you put a pause on your relationship with Ms. Alderson.” Lila says.

” I can’t do that.”

” Killian…”

” Mrs. Hawkins, I cannot put a pause on my relationship with Naomi. I’m not a child, I can’t do that. What I have with her is not a joke, you of all people should know that. I think what we should do is show the public what I have with her is not for play. I’m in love with her. And someday, one day, what we have will become more. Naomi earned her place in my company. She didn’t get a job because she was pretty and I liked her. She got it because she was intelligent and smart. She’s hardworking and I’m pretty sure she’s proved herself on countless occasions that she knows what she’s doing and she’s doing it right. What more do you guys want from her? I want you to have a chat with that journalist and make her do the right thing. For now, I wanna pretend you two have everything under control and you two know what you’re doing. Let me worry about pointless things like someone trying to ruin my life when my brother’s wedding is done. Am I making myself clear?”

Lance sighs, gives Lila a side glance before he turns to look at me and nods.

” Yes, Killian.” Lila says, gritting out the words. ” We’ll try to put everything under control and….” Lila says, pausing as she looks at something behind my back.

I turn around, surprised to see Naomi in my white dress shirt and nothing else, standing behind me and leaning against the wall. I look away, shifting my focus back on my two trusted officials displaying on my laptop screen.

” Have fun at your brother’s wedding, Mr. Black.” Lance says. I nod.

With a click of a button, the call ends. I sigh, stand up as I run both my hands down my hair. I turn to look at Naomi and she’s already staring at me. Her face is a little red, obviously from the shower, and her hair is a little damp too.

I think about what Lila said. Asking me to temporarily break up with Naomi. The woman who has given me nothing but joy these past months. I can’t do that. I’d be nothing without Naomi in my life. I’d be the worst version of myself. Naomi is the one thing keeping me afloat. She loves me and every given opportunity, she always reminds me how much she loves me. And I know that too. Because I’m always the best version of myself when I’m around her. Sometimes, I forget how to breathe around her. Especially when she smiles at me. I don’t think I’d be myself for a day if Naomi leaves me.

That’s how much I’ve fallen in love with her. How much I’m wrapped around her fingers.

And then the thought of me keeping something really huge from her just makes everything hard. I don’t know where to start.

Where do I start from? How am I supposed to tell her a woman is claiming to be pregnant for me? And this woman has released an audio of me and Naomi having a private time. How did she even get a hold of something like that? Is there a spy in my company that I’m not aware of? If this said Lily Sanders can do something as fucked up like that, what would it take for her to really hurt Naomi just as she promised?

I’m afraid. I’ve never been afraid before, but fuck it, I’m afraid. I’m afraid because I don’t even know what I’m dealing with.

” Is that bad news?” Naomi’s voice is quiet as she asks.

She pushes herself off the wall and slowly starts to stride toward me.

” Did something happen?” She asks as she stops in front of me.

Her hand slowly reaches up to run through my hair, taming the locks.

” Yeah. But don’t worry, I’ve got it handled.”

” Killian, if something is bothering you, I deserve to know.”

” Trust me, I wanna tell you. I just… I want Keith’s day to go as planned. I want everything to go smoothly and I promise you after the wedding and we’re back home, I’m gonna tell you everything.”

Naomi sighs. She wraps her arms around my neck as she stares into my eyes.

” Okay.”

” Thanks. I know, I’m not the best at dealing with this type of situation, but I want you to trust me.”

” I trust you.”

” I love you.” I whisper, leaning down to plant a kiss on her lips.

Naomi giggles but she kisses back immediately.

” I love you, too.”

***

” Hey, man.” Raymond says as he stands next to me.

The rehearsal dinner is going smoothly, better than I expected. The hall for the rehearsal dinner is decorated with purple and pink. Eve chose the hall because she wanted the wedding to be outside, on the beach with the sounds of the waves blending with the background.

The guests chat amongst themselves as they eat and drink. I guess my money did pay off. At the corner, mom’s introducing Naomi to every member of the family, including distant relatives. I feel sorry for her. Mom won’t stop unless she’s done showing off my beautiful lady.

Tonight, Naomi is dressed in a gold sequin dress with a slit up to her thigh. Her hair is in a neat bun, with curly tendrils on either side of her face. Her lips are more red tonight, and the more she smiles politely to every person my mother introduces her to, the more I want to pull her aside and kiss her.

” You good?” Raymond asks, snapping me from my thoughts.

I look away from my mom and Naomi and turn to look at Raymond.

” Yeah, why?”

Raymond shrugs. He’s holding a glass of wine. Raymond rarely drinks, I like him for that. He’s a lightweight and gets easily drunk so he always tries to steer clear of alcohol at parties.

” Nothing, really. You don’t seem yourself.”

” Have you heard anything lately? From Liam, I mean.”

” I thought he said you should get back from Keith’s wedding before he tells you anything. He doesn’t wanna get you distracted.”

” Yeah, well, I’m already fucking distracted.”

” Something happened?”

” Lily Sanders or whoever the fuck I’m dealing with, sent an audio file to Lila. And this said audio contains something personal and private.”

” What? What are you talking about?”

I regretted going through that audio. It was disturbing knowing someone has that exact audio. It was a recording of me and Naomi having sex in my office and she moaning my name. That was supposed to be private. My sex life is supposed to be my personal business. The idea that this crazy bitch has a recording of my intimate life is sickening.

How the fuck did she get that? No one usually comes into my office when I’m not around. It’s always locked as long as I’m away. The only times people enter my office is when I summon them and it’s usually business related.

Now we’re back to this same question again. How did she record that? Is she working for me? Is she someone I know? If it’s someone that I know, why would they even do that? I don’t shit where I eat, I’ve never made that mistake. Now who’s this fucking bitch trying to ruin my life?

Hell, I’d strangle that bitch myself if I saw her.

” Someone recorded Naomi and I having sex, Raymond. How the fuck did they do that? According to Lila, people at the office are already talking shit behind their boss’s back and there’s a low paid, desperate journalist, desperate for an audience and she’s published a fucking article about my relationship with Naomi.” I’m yelling and whispering.

I really didn’t want to think or talk about how frustrated I am, but this person, whoever they are, is playing a game with me and they’re winning.

” Oh, God. This is bad. What’s Lila saying?”

” I told Lila and Lance to sort it out before I come back. I don’t mind firing every person on my floor.”

” You need to calm down. In less than two days, Keith’s wedding is over. You need to be emotionally available for him and your girlfriend. Did you tell her?”

” No.”

” Why?”

” I couldn’t. I don’t even know where to start. She would leave me, especially if she thinks it will save my name and the company’s name.”

” Right.”

” I’m really sorry this is happening to you. We will find this person.”

” Whatever Liam is doing, he better do it fast. I’m losing my patience.”

” I know. Be happy, and stop scowling. You’ve been scowling since the ceremony started. This is beautiful, by the way. You did great.” Raymond says, throwing back his head and emptying his wine.

” Thanks. And easy with the wine, you don’t wanna cause a scene and embarrass Derrick, yeah?”

Raymond chuckles. ” Relax, Tinkerbell. It’s not alcohol.”

” Cool.”

” Have you maybe imagined that some day, this can be you and Naomi?” Raymond asks.

” Yeah, I have. The people around me keep reminding me that, anyway.”

Raymond laughs. A server passes with a platter and Raymond drops his glass on his platter before the server walks away.

” Naomi is a good woman. She has a good spirit and everyone seems to like her. She’s good for you.”

” Yeah.” I mutter, slowly taking a sip from my wine.

” Oh, here comes the bride and the maid of honor. She once had a crush on you, right?” Raymond asks as the two of us watch Eve walk towards us with her supposedly best friend who’s Australian, a medical doctor, and her name’s Charlene.

I scoff. ” How can you remember that?”

” I’ve got a photographic memory. I should go.” Raymond says as he slaps me on the back before walking away.

” Killian!” Eve shouts my name, maybe a little too loud, as she embraces me. ” Oh, God, you’re a lifesaver. This is beautiful. All of this is amazing and I’m so grateful.”

” I’m glad you like it.”

” Are you kidding? I love it!” Eve says and embraces me again.

I feel like she’s drunk. Who would give a pregnant bride alcohol? What were they thinking?

” You remember Charlene, right? My best friend.”

” Yeah.” I say and turn to Charlene. ” Hey.”

” Hi, Killian.” Her voice is soft, almost like a young girl. Her Australian accent is also really thick.

Charlene is pretty. She’s tall, about four inches taller than my lady. She’s a blonde, with big breasts and a small ass. She’s white too. She’s not bad, not really my type. I met her a year ago at Eve’s birthday party. She tried to hook up with me after she asked me out. I gave her a huge no, but Charlene still has hopes that maybe in the future we’ll become a thing.

Like, how the fuck would that happen?

” Oh, gotta run. Your brother wants me to meet the family. I’ll be back, girlfriend.” Eve says, turning around and leaving in a hurry.

” Sorry about Eve. She had a little something to drink.” Charlene says, chuckling.

Like, how’s that funny?

” I figured.”

” Right.” She mutters, sighing and looking around.

” Don’t think this is like a setup or anything.” Charlene says, chuckling more to herself. ” I know you’ve got a girlfriend now and you guys are serious. Eve told me and she introduced us, too.”

” Okay.”

” I just…” sighs. ” I wanted to apologize for what I did. That was inappropriate and wrong.”

” That was a year ago, Charlene.”

” I know. It’s – I never really got a chance to say how sorry and embarrassed I was.” More chuckling. ” Well, now I’ve got a chance. I’m really sorry, Killian.”

” It’s okay.”

” Thanks.”

” You’re welcome.”

Charlene nods, looking at me properly. She smiles and nods again. ” I should get going. Eve might need help.”

” Sure.”

” See you around, Killian.”

” See you around.”

Charlene sighs and turns to walk away.

I scan the decorated hall for Naomi and I see her with Mom and two of my distant aunts from my father’s side. She looks tired, I can tell. I haven’t even had a chance to properly sit down and talk with her and I need her right now. Dropping my glass on a vacant table, I stride towards my woman and my mom.

Naomi sees me before I can reach them. She smiles and I smile back.

” Killian.” Mom calls my name, making my aunts turn to look at me.

” Ah. He’s such a fine young man.” Aunt Lorraine says.

I give them one of my fake smiles as I stand next to Naomi, with my arm around her waist.

” Karen tells us this beautiful, young lady is your girlfriend.”

” Mm mm. And I need to snatch her, if that’s okay.”

” Of course. You take care of her. She’s a gem.” Aunt Vanessa says.

” Oh, I know.” I whisper, gently pulling Naomi close to me as I lead her away from my crazy aunts.

” What was that?” I ask.

” Oh, you know. Just your mom introducing me to your relatives and aunts. They’re not bad.”

” Oh, I doubt that. You wanna get out of here.”

” Is the best man allowed to sneak out?”

” With his lady, yeah.”

Naomi giggles as she smiles and bites her bottom lip.

” I really wanna kiss you right now.” I whisper to Naomi.

” Mm mm. Are we sneaking away to go have sex?”

” Only if you want.”

Naomi smirks as she glances at the guests who are busy with themselves. Slowly, she turns to look at me.

” Well, let’s get out of here.”