Nichelle POV

Was Zach still mad at me? Oh absolutely. It was ruining my mood.

I was finally happy with where my career is going and just when I am, my husband is mad with me.

It's like the more I excel in my career the more problems we had.

"Nichelle?"

I turned around to Mr. Avery.

"Hi Mr. Avery"

"You seem pretty upset" I shook my head. Sometimes Mr Avery gave me fatherly vibes. Though I would love to share, sometimes that comfortability scares me.

"Everything is alright Mr. Avery" I smiled.

"You sure? We can always start a little later if you need some time" I shook my head immediately "no, no, it's fine I promise"

"Nichelle-" he was cut off by a voice interrupting us.

"I heard my favorite daughter in law was in here" Mr. Anderson came in smiling.

A smile immediately broke out on my face. "I'm your only daughter in law" he chuckled and came over to hug me.

Now Mr. Anderson definitely gave fatherly hugs and I genuinely loved hugging him.
He kissed me on the forehead and said "Exactly"

"I figure my son would be here too. Where is he?" Damn he just had to bring him up.

"He's at work" he noticed my face and placed his finger under my chin to make me look up at him.

"Everything alright?" I sigh. I couldn't lie to him off all people. I said nothing and he understood.

"When you're done here, come over to my office" he said firmly, so I know this wasn't really a choice.

Zachary POV

Annoyed was an understatement. I couldn't even hide it at work.

"Vanessa! Where's the papers I asked you to complete?!" I yelled over the phone. She was taking her absolute time.

Instead of answering she hung up and it left me stunned. Who does she think she is?

The door barged open making me sit up. She stomped her way over and yelled "Here!" She dropped them on my desk.

"Excuse me?" I was baffled. I could fire her right now. I stood up.

"You've have been asking me within the hour to do 15 million things and you want them all done within 30 minutes which is impossible! Especially if I'm reviewing multiple contracts for multiple businesses!" She yelled furiously.

"Vanessa-"

"No! You came in here with a bad attitude. Yelling and demanding and treating us with the utmost disrespect and if you fire me for the way I'm addressing you so be it! But I'm telling your father!" She yelled and I'll say she had me speechless.

"First of all what you not gone do is come up in MY OFFICE yelling at me like you run this company okay?" I said making her sigh.

"Close my door with you behind it" she gave me a look before walking away.

I sat back down and sighed. She was right though. They didn't deserve this from me. My emotions don't run me I run it.

As I take a deep breath, my door opened again and Vanessa walked in but closed the door this time.

"Sir"

"I know you came in here with a bad mood but we don't deserve this from you. Your father speaks so highly of you that I expected better of you as a manager. This is low, even for you" she turned around to leave but I got up "Vanessa"

She stopped and turned around and folded her arms. She said nothing so I guess I was suppose to be speaking. "You're right"

She sighed and dropped her arms. "I'm sorry, that ain't professional of me"

"Thank you, bout time you fix those lines formed in your forehead"

I stale face her "get out of my office" she cracked a smile and left but not before mumbling "I'm just saying"

I couldn't help but shake my head and smile and her for saying that. Now I was self conscious because what lines?

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and ain't seen nun.
Then I got irritated and seen it.
Oh.

"Whatever" I mumble to myself and continued doing my work until it was evening time. Nichelle had already agreed that she was gone pick Amira up so I stayed in the office a lil later.

I thought it was just me when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in"

The door opened and Vanessa came in. "Hey, I just want to let you know I'm about to leave"

I nodded "have a good night"

"You know you're the last person in here? I think we both had a long day you should go home"

"If I don't, you gone tell my daddy?" She smiled "I might" I shook my head.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be on my way out in a minute" I said gathering my paperwork.

"Alright, have a good night Mr. Anderson"

I gathered my things and made my way home. Thinking I should probably talk to Nichelle.
I definitely made it home a lot later than I planned.

I pulled in the driveway and keyed in the house. I dropped all my things on the dining table and walked to Amira's room.

This house was too quiet. I opened her door only to see her and her mother fast asleep on the bed. I smiled at the sight.

This is what I love coming home to. I love having family time and spending time with my wife. I was just trying to bring my point across. I feel like she puts her job before her family. I understand she's a star but we've barely had her home.

She'd come home stay 2 or 3 weeks and leave for 6 months or something. It's a cycle I hate and more and more it's affecting our relationship and her relationship with Amira.

I go to freshen up and I got under my covers. I could've brought Nichelle over but I want Amira to enjoy this moment with her mother.

*****

The next day...

Me and my boys was at the basketball court shooting hoops.

"Hes a married man now working his way to top and became a terrible basket ball player" Jeffrey  said making me shake my head.

"Stop shit talking. I'm making 6 figures and I got a superstar wife and a beautiful daughter"

"Still suck tho" Danny said dribbling the ball. I sucked my teeth.

"How's that going though?" Jeffrey asked after shooting a shot "working your way up I mean"  the ball went in.

"It's aight. My father still babying me though. He hired a secretary" I grabbed the ball and attempted to get pass Jeffrey.

"You ain't never had no secretary before" Danny started.

"Well, she's the first" I shrugged and I threw the ball to Michael. They all froze.
"I'm sorry, she?" Jeffrey asked.

"You got the pronouns mixed up or does she identify as a she but is actually a he?"

I shook my head "nah man she's a woman in every way you can think of" I said. They looked at each other.

"Maybe she don't look that good.." Jeffrey shrugged. I couldn't help but feel like a conversation was about to be had.

"What she look like?" George asked. "Yeah man what she look like?"

I shrugged "light skin, long black hair" I rambled "man what's her name I'm bout to look her up on IG" Jeffrey said pulling out his phone.

"Vanessa Kelly"

"Damn even her name sound good" Danny said making me roll my eyes.

"Yall being a lil overdramatic"

"Damn" they all said in unison looking at her picture I guess. While I dribble the ball.

"This her"

I nodded "yeah man" I said continuing to dribble. Danny snatched the phone out of Jeffrey's hand.

"Yeah bro, she had to be fired yester-year" Jeffrey said.

"My wife would NEVER let a woman that fine work as my secretary" George said shaking his head.

"She always hiring them old people for maids" he shook his head as I laughed.

Danny did a high pitched scream "she's a sneakerhead" he shoved the phone back into Jeffrey's hand.

"Yeah bro, cut this chick out"

"Nichelle ain't said nothing?"  I didn't say nothing.

"Nichelle don't know about it yet" all their jaws fell loose.

"Nigga, do you know Nichelle?"

"Nichelle the type to set your car on fire with all your thing in there. Like Angela basset in that movie"

"Chill... she just started working there like 5 days ago. Plus Nichelle don't really be having time to talk and when we do that's not the first thing that come to mind man"

"I miss my wife and I got other issues like Amira telling her teacher she's sick and she wants to go home but she really just miss her momma"

"Ima tell you what homie, you gone have a bigger problem if you don't tell Nichelle about this secretary" George said.

"Wait he could use this to his advantage" Danny said interrupting "She don't know. So if you fire her it'll be like it never happened" he raised his hands in a problem solved.

"She got a cousin tho?" Danny said asking seriously. I shake my head. "Asking for a friend" he cleared his throat.

I know Marionela bout to pimp slap him when he gets home.
"Alright man, I'll fire her first thing on Monday"

"Rebecca and her dreams would've sold me out a long time ago" George said shaking his head.

"I tell you, Marionela and the Lord close. He'll tell her everything" Danny said making us laugh.

"I be like Baby, it's just your imagination".

"no me importa ni un carajo"  (I don't give a damn) He mimicked her voice and raised his hands in defense.

"I gave her the five famous words"

"Yes baby, you are right" they all said in unison. I chuckled at these fools.

"Works every time"

"No but seriously fire her" Jeffrey said and I nodded "yeah man, I will"

"Nichelle ain't insecure though, I can probably just have her meet her" they shook their heads.

"Fire that woman. That's a disaster waiting to happen. I know trust me. I can sense it" they nodded.

"Rebecca rubbing off on me" he said seriously.

"Don't ruin your marriage man. Y'all got a beautiful marriage. It ain't always gone be perfect but one thing about yall is that y'all love each other enough to change for it to work"

I dribble the ball and shoot the shot.

It went in.

****

I got in and was met with some dim lights further into the house.

I walked towards the light only to see Nichelle on the floor with a charcuterie board and some wine bottles on the floor.

"Whats all this?"

"Well you said you wanted to spend time.. so I set up a little spot for us. I got games, wine and food snacks" she beamed at me.

"I don't know, I just came from the basketball court I'm kinda tired" I half joked but she stale faced me.

"Zachary" I chuckled "chill let me take a shower first" she smiled again and I did the same.

This was cute. All I wanted was moments like these.

I went to freshen up and I came back out. I hadn't seen my baby all day so I decided to check on her. Only to see that she wasn't there. I went back to Nichelle.

"Where's Amira?" I asked as I took a seat next to her.

"Amira is with her grandfather" I nodded. "I thought it'll be best if it was just me and you in the house" I nodded.

"I don't want to stay like this before I go back babe" I could see the sincerity in her eyes but I know she wasn't going to do anything about it.

I looked at her and then I sat right beside her.
"So what do you propose that we do?"

She grabbed a wine glass and poured some wine in it "Let's talk" she handed me the glass and poured one for her.

"How was the game with the boys?"

"Same old thing, the boys being dumb. Doing a lot of nonsense"

"I can only imagine"

"How was yours?" She shrugged
"Pretty good. I spent the day with Amira and then we went to do the commercial." She smiled and folded her legs.

"Mr. Avery loved her so he had her join me in the commercial. Amira loved it because she got to eat donuts" she laughed making me chuckle too.

"Ofcourse she would" I said still laughing.
"Yeah, no, Mr. Avery spoils us too much with donuts"

"I'll keep in mind to not bring her there to avoid sugar rushes" we both laughed.

We simmered down "we made a beautiful baby"

"Yea. We did"

"You were right, y'know" she started. I turned to look at her "I haven't been spending much time with you guys and I'm sorry"

"So I got us a game to play to enjoy the rest of our night. Just me and you" I loved the thought of that.

She pulled out a small box that had cards in em.
"Here take these and I'll take this half" she split the deck in 2 and gave me one half.

"Alright I'll go first"

"Okay, what kids show theme song still gets stuck in your head often"

"Aww man" I had to think about that there's plenty that comes to mind. "Oh nah, it gotta be this one ...we're going on a trip in an our favorite rocket ship zooming through the sky little einstines" I start dancing with it and she started laughing at me.

"So you be at work with that song running in your mind?" I nodded.

"Especially when I'm going somewhere" she chuckled and shook her head.

"My turn" I said pulling the card out from the deck I had.

"Who was your first celebrity crush?"
She scoffed " you know this already but breezyyy and he still fine" I cocked my head to the side.

"I said what I said, he just ain't finer than you baby" she puckered her lips jokingly for a kiss. Which I gladly gave her.

That's how we spent the night, in conversation laughing and having quality time. Something I had been craving and wanting.

"You know I absolutely love our family portrait" she confessed. At this point, we were cozied up, she rested her back on my chest.

"I feel like it shows a healthy family. You know?"

"Like there's no crazy heartbreaking story, this was natural and came form pure love"

"Mine was a broken and my daddy been out the picture"

"My momma hated him and with every reason" she continued.

She was definitely a little tipsy. She got up and turned to me. This is when I noticed the tears.

Seeing her cry always did something to me. Especially when I know she doesn't cry often. I just feel like I need to protect her.

"Babe-"

"My dad didn't even try to look for me all these years?"

"It's crazy to me because sometimes I'm like why would I want him to? He raped my mother but other days I'm really craving to know him only because of the way my momma said he fought to earn her forgiveness. That lets me know that here's some good in his heart.. right?"

"Right"

"I don't know if that makes sense, or if that makes me crazy, I don't even know why I'm crying"

"Because you're human and you have feelings Nichelle"

"I appreciate you Zach. You're a good man. You're an amazing husband but an even better father. Better than my stepfather and almost as good as my father in law" making me roll my eyes.

"If I didn't know you I probably wouldn't even get to know my father in law who loves me like I'm his own" she smiled at me but I still see the tears in her eyes.

"And we'll both do that till our last breath" I caress her cheek to offer comfort.

One thing about Nichelle, he had so much walled up that sometimes when she opens up like this it makes me feel successful.

I want her to feel safe with me in every aspect.

"I will fight for you" she leaned in to kiss me.

"And I will continue to love you..all the days of my life"

And I believed her.

Monday

After spending my days with Nichelle, it was back to work.

It didn't occur to me to tell Nichelle about work. Because well nobody is thinking about work. I finally had my wife to myself and all I wanted was to spend time with her and love on her.

Now it was back to normal I guess, but it was time to fire Vanessa.

I was thinking maybe I could offer her another position because I don't want to just fire a woman because my wife might not be happy with another female working for me. She's an excellent worker.

I'm tied in between the options.
I heard a knock on my door and I knew it was her.
"Come in"

Nichelle POV

"Sorry sweetheart, my flight got canceled" I was speaking with my assistant. There's nothing I could literally do.

The weather was bad and they were being cautious.

"Sorry babe, try finding another one for tomorrow or later tonight"

"Alright, thank you darling. See you soon"

I hung up and stepped out the SUV. I'm going to bother my husband all day at work today. What I do when I'm bored.

I went up the elevator to the floor and immediately head for his door.

"Excuse me Miss-" the receptionist tried to stop me. I really need to come over more often so they can know who I am.

"Let her pass Bianca" I turn to see my father in law. "Pop pop" I turned around to hug him.

"How are you?"

"I'm good" he responded as I release him from the hug.

"I would ask how you're doing but by the looks of it ...it looks like everything is going great" I blushed.

"It definitely is better. Thank you" after our talk a few days ago. He told me that my husband missed me and was mad because of that.

"You're welcome"

"I'm just gonna go see him for a bit" he nodded "go ahead I'll follow suit" he walked away and I made my way to his office.

I see a drop dead gorgeous woman knock on his door and entered. Before she could close the door I walked in behind her.

"Nichelle?" Zach sat up, almost like he was in shock.

"Hi baby"

I turn to look at this beautiful woman "Hi, we've never met before. My name is Nichelle. I'm Zach's wife. What's your name?"