"Come here." He gathered her to him in a tight hug. Raya closed her eyes and held on to him.
I will not cry, she chanted in her head.
"I don't want to go." Her voice was muffled as she breathed in his familiar scent. It was the cologne she'd purchased for him a few Christmases ago, and it always comforted her when she was sad about something.
"I know, baby, I fucked up. But I promise I’ll make this up to you." He pulled back and cupped her cheeks in his hand. Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "Let’s go. We can't keep her waiting."
Sniffing, Raya nodded.
Exiting the car, Brandon came around to her side and assisted her out before going to the trunk. Raya hefted the strap of her purse up on her shoulder and strolled to the back of the car.
One suitcase.
That's what she would be living out of until she returned home.
Brandon took her hand and entwined their fingers, guiding her through the entrance while dragging her wheeled suitcase and carrying her computer bag. She held onto him as if her life depended on it.
With it being after hours, the building was like walking through a ghost town.
Her heels echoed across the marble floor as they arrived at the elevator. The doors opened immediately, and Brandon ushered her inside, hitting the top floor button as the doors closed.
Classical music filled the car.
It did nothing to settle her nerves.
The two of them remained quiet.
Raya was trying to not panic.
She would be strong for them both.
Once they arrived at the top floor, Brandon guided her through the office layout, where they came to a private sector in the back. The desk where Raya assumed a secretary sat was empty. Behind the desk were the words Hamilton Technologies in bold, steel letters bolted to the wall.
The area was elegant, and screamed money. This was where the president and CEO of the company worked.
"No one is here," Raya breathed.
Brandon shook his head. "She's here."
He walked over to a set of sturdy, ostentatious wooden doors, and Raya followed behind him slowly while her heart raced.
Doubt clouded her mind. She didn't know if she could go through with this.
Brandon turned and took hold of her hand.
"Six months will go by fast. Then you’ll come home, and we’ll move on with our lives," he told her.
She didn't say a word.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he rapped his knuckles against the door.
"Come in." The voice was muffled, but Raya heard it clear as day.
Brandon turned the knob and opened the door.
Chapter Two
Hadley Hamilton sat regally in her oversized leather chair, a wall of windows stretched out behind her. Her blonde hair flowed down around her shoulders, her blue eyes icy as she watched Brandon and Raya enter her office.
Raya’s heart slammed against her chest.
This was it.
She was actually going to go through with this.
She was turning herself over to this woman.
Raya swallowed hard, following her husband across the vast, tastefully decorated office. One wall displayed leather-bound books and plaques along numerous shelves, while the other was decorated with expensive artwork. The office had a seating area off to the side with two couches, and a television mounted on the wall over a large fireplace.
Hadley pushed back from the desk and stood.
“Greetings.” Her voice was husky, almost seductive. Raya remembered joking once about Brandon’s employer’s voice, asking if she was a smoker. Surprisingly, Brandon said the woman had never picked up a cigarette. “Brandon. Raya, how are you?”
Hadley walked around the desk and met them. Her gaze landed on Brandon, her look cold and calculated.
“We’re doing as well as can be,” Brandon replied, then cleared his throat as he glanced nervously at Raya. He had finally taken a shower before they left. He was dressed business casual, consisting of slacks and a button-down shirt.
Hadley’s attention turned to Raya, and she tightened her grip on Brandon’s hand, where Hadley’s gaze dropped down to.
“Hmm…” Hadley turned back to her desk and shuffled through some papers. “Raya will need to sign a contract.”
“Wait. What contract?” Raya asked, finally finding her voice. She was confused. Why would she need to sign a contract?
“That’s how all business ventures should be handled.” Hadley turned back around with the paperwork in her hand.
“Sounds fair. I’m sure it will be all right,” Brandon murmured in Raya’s ear. “She never backs down from a contract or promise.”
He pulled back and turned to Hadley, who handed the contract to Raya.