Bound by Daylight with Her Desire

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Waking up is the absolute worst.

Ugh! I groggily reached over to silence the alarm and reluctantly got out of bed. Making my way to the bathroom, I couldn't help but admire its luxurious features; a walk-in steam shower, an oversized jacuzzi jetted tub, a separate dressing area, and high-end fixtures.

I live in one of my dad's prized penthouses, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive outdoor balconies, and all the perks.

I'm the heir to our family business.

I have three close friends, all guys; Max, Lucas, and Carlos. We've been friends since high school.

After my shower, I headed back to my bedroom, which is incredibly spacious with walk-in closets and sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony.

I quickly selected my outfit for the day; I had planned it out the night before so getting dressed was a breeze.

Today, I opted for a sleek black three-piece suit, accessorized with my trusty Rolex and black Oxford shoes. I put on my perfume as well before running my hand through my short dark hair then I made my way out of the room.

Passing through the living room with its cozy fireplace and elegant decor, I locked up the house, grabbing my phone, keys and briefcase.

Living in a penthouse means having your own private elevator; a small luxury that never gets old.

Ding!

The elevator chimed, signaling my arrival at the car park.

Making my way to where I parked, I found Marcus, my personal driver, already waiting for me.

"Good morning, ma'am . Hope you slept well?" Marcus greeted me warmly.

"My sleep was interrupted, Marcus, and I'd prefer to drive myself today, thank you," I replied, reaching for the car key.

"But, ma," he hesitated.

"Marc, I insist that you take a break from driving me every morning. It's your daughter's birthday, isn't it? Spend the day with Clara instead. I'll drive myself back home and tell her that I owe her a birthday gift," I suggested with a smile, catching him off guard.

Concerned, he inquired about my father. "W-w-what about your father?" he stammered.

Taking the keys from his hand, I walked towards the driver's seat.

"I'm perfectly capable of driving myself, Marcus. My father knows that, and I'm not as spoiled as Ria, so don't worry about him," I reassured him.

Ria, my younger sister, tends to think the world revolves around her.

"Thank you very much, ma'am ," Marcus responded gratefully.

"And stop with the 'ma,' you're old enough to be my uncle. Call me Alexis or Alex, please," I insisted.

"You're so kind, thank you very much," Marcus replied, visibly relieved.

With a light-hearted salute, I entered the car, ready to take the wheel.

"You're welcome, sir. Have a pleasant day," I concluded, acknowledging our roles with respect and appreciation.

As I drove, my phone rang, and to my annoyance, it was my best friends inviting me for a group call. I

'm typically not a fan of talking on the phone while driving, especially with this particular trio whom I affectionately refer to as a bunch of douchebags.

Despite my reservations, I begrudgingly answered the call, fully aware that it might not end well.

"I'm on my way to work, you guys know that, right?" I reminded them as I picked up the call and placed it on loud speaker.

"Yeah, and I'm a lazy asshole who doesn't have work to do," Carlos responded sarcastically.

"Whatever, asshole," I retorted.

"Hey, ease up, guys. It's too early for your shenanigans. My head's still pounding from last night," Max chimed in, known for his party-loving ways.

"Yeah, mine too. Still trying to savor the fantastic sex I had last night," Lucas added, the resident ladies' man.

I couldn't help but cringe at his casual mention of his romantic endeavors.

"You've got to stop with the one-night stands, Lucas. You might get an infection," Carlos and I chimed in.

"And get yourself a girlfriend, dude," he added.

"It's not my fault the girl was hot, even though I can't remember her name," Lucas defended himself.

"And it's not my fault the party was too good not to get high," Max added.

"I agree with you, Max," I shook my head, listening to their conversation.

"I clearly warned you all last night but you didn't listen. Now look who woke up headache-free and disease-free," I remarked as I arrived at work and turned off the engine.

I turned off the loudspeaker and placed the phone to my ear.

Stepping out of my car with my suitcase and phone, I approached the front door and greeted the security men, Anthony and Mike.

"I hate you," Carlos responded on the call.

"Me too," Max and Lucas chimed in. I stepped out of the elevator, heading for my office.

"Well, the feeling's mutual. I hate you all very much, now get off..."

"Good morning, Miss. Anderson," my secretary, Charlotte, cut me off as she handed me my coffee after opening my office door.

I smiled and mouthed a thank you to her before turning my attention back to the call.

"Wait, is that your secretary, Charlotte? Tell her this bad boy says hi," Lucas chirped in.

"No, I will not say that. And stop hitting on my secretary or you'll be banned from my office," I warned.

"Who else heard Alex inviting me to her office today?" Carlos suddenly asked.

"I heard her tell us to come over as well," Lucas answered. "Max, are you in?"

"Yes, of course," Max agreed.

"I don't want to see your ugly faces in my office today or I'll have security escort you out," I threatened.

"She's bluffing," Lucas coughed.

"Ugh, goodbye, assholes," I didn't wait for a response before ending the call.

Despite our banter, our conversations always brought laughter and companionship amidst our diverse personalities.

No matter how ridiculous those three could be, I still loved them, but I'd never admit it.

Upon entering my office, I settled into my chair and enjoyed a sip of the coffee thoughtfully prepared by Charlotte. It was a delightful blend, perfectly suited to my tastes.

Eager to delve into the day's tasks, I summoned Charlotte to join me.

As she entered, my gaze was inadvertently drawn to her attire; a striking red gown that accentuated her figure, stopping just above the knee.

The snug fit of the dress highlighted her curves, while her choice of black stiletto heels added a touch of elegance. Her cascading blonde curls framed her features, enhancing her already captivating beauty. With each movement, her long, bare legs commanded attention, creating a captivating allure. Struggling to maintain focus, I was momentarily lost in admiration until her discreet cough snapped me back to reality.

"Ahem, Miss Anderson, you called for me."

Startled, I composed myself, only to be met with a knowing smirk from Charlotte, who had undoubtedly observed my reaction.

"Yes, Charlotte, I wanted to review my schedule for today," I managed to say, attempting to regain my composure.

As she turned to retrieve her notepad, I found myself momentarily fixated on her silhouette, her curves drawing my attention.

I couldn't help but notice her confidence as she sashayed out of my office, leaving me momentarily flustered.

Adjusting my trousers discreetly, I realized that amidst my busy schedule, I had failed to fully appreciate Charlotte's undeniable allure until now.

I suppose it was Lucas who brought Charlotte to my attention today, and now I recall the signs she's been giving me; the hair flipping whenever I'm near, the revealing outfits she wears to work, her flirty smiles, always vying for my attention.

Well, she definitely caught my eye today.

Who knew Charlotte has a thing for me?

Seems like my lucky day, I've found myself a new conquest.

Yes, I'm a player, aren't we all?

"I'm here, Mr. Anderson". Charlotte's interruption snapped me out of my thoughts.

I swiveled my chair to face her. "Right," I nodded, signaling for her to continue.

"You have a meeting with the department heads at 12 regarding sales promotions. Your father requested to see you this morning at 9, and you haven't finished signing off the documents you requested," she recited from her notepad, but I couldn't help but admire her lips as she spoke.

"That's quite a lot," I sighed, leaning back in my chair.

"Not really," she replied, tilting her head.

"I know, right? I'm just lazy and lacking motivation."

"Well, I could always motivate you," she said, stepping closer in a flirtatious manner. Woah! Is this the same Charlotte I hired?

"Really? How?" I played along, sitting up.

"You know, I could give you a massage. I've been told I have magical hands," she teased, eyeing me seductively.

My best friend had shown interest in my secretary, even if it's just physical. I have to let this one go. Besides, she's my secretary, I can't cross that line.

"Wow, I never knew you had such magical hands. Well, my friend could use one, are you interested?" I grinned slyly, diverting my attention to the documents.

"Oh, okay," she replied, her tone lowering.

"Yeah, but thanks for caring though, I appreciate your concern." I offered her a final smile as she left my office.

"Um, you're welcome."

I felt guilty for turning her down. I couldn't believe I did it, but what choice did I have? My best friend had dibs on her first.

******

As time passed, I finished signing the documents that required my attention. Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized it was already 9:15.

Damn! Dad's going to be furious.

As I prepared to head to his office, Charlotte appeared.

"Miss Anderson, your dad's..."

"Yeah, tell him I'm on my way," I interrupted, striding towards her.

She held the door open for me to pass through.

"Thanks for the reminder," I acknowledged as I walked past, leaving her nodding in response. I wonder what rejection feels like. I've never experienced it before; not bragging, just stating the truth.

I've only had a couple of relationships, if you can even call them that; Natalie and Sandra.

High school flings don't really count, do they?

Women always seem to throw themselves at me, but hey, I can't help being irresistible.

I wonder how Charlotte felt when I turned her down. Maybe I'll take her out for lunch later to apologize.

Deep in contemplation, I ascended the elevator to the top floor where my father's office awaited.

Daylight Groups, his company was housed in a 14-story building. Within Daylight Groups were three main divisions; Daylight Hotel, Daylight Distribution, and Daylight Air. My father made me President of the Hotel last year.

Dad also owned three houses; one for him and my mom, one for me, and one for my younger sister, Ria.

My own house was too far from work, and living alone in that huge mansion didn't appeal to me.

I guess I'll only move there when I'm ready to settle down with a family. For now, the lively atmosphere of the penthouse suits me fine.

Exiting the elevator on the top floor, I made my way to Dad's office.

His personal secretary, Mr. Frank, was diligently typing away when I arrived.

"Good morning, Frank," I greeted.

"Morning, Alex," he replied, the only person at work who called me by my name. I preferred it to the formal titles; it made me feel less like an executive and more like myself.

"Is my dad in?" I inquired eagerly.

"Yes, Mr. Anderson has been waiting for you," he confirmed without looking up from his laptop.

"Do you know what he wants to see me about?" I pressed.

This time, he glanced up.

"Alex, your father would like to see you, but I'm not privy to the details," he admitted with a sigh.

"Wow, you're so helpful," I quipped sarcastically as I headed towards Dad's office.

"You're welcome, love," he retorted and I couldn't help but laugh.

Okay, time to face the big guy.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked before I pushed open the heavy mahogany door and stepped into the inner sanctum of power.

My dad's office was a testament to success, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. The room was bathed in natural light, illuminating every corner with a warm, golden glow.

A sleek executive desk dominated the room, its surface immaculately organized with only a few carefully placed items; a silver pen set, a leather-bound notebook, and a framed photo of my dad with a group of employees.

Behind the desk sat my dad, a commanding figure in a tailored suit, engrossed in paperwork. To my left, a cozy seating area beckoned, adorned with plush leather armchairs and a low coffee table stacked with industry journals.

On the opposite side of the room, a polished conference table stood ready for meetings, its surface gleaming under the soft glow of recessed lighting. A sleek, modern chandelier hung overhead, casting shimmering patterns of light across the room.

The walls were adorned with framed diplomas and certificates, awards and accolades, a testament to his impressive track record and leadership prowess and also evidence of his academic achievements.

A series of abstract paintings added a touch of sophistication to the space, their vibrant colors contrasting with the muted tones of the furniture.

My father, Robert Anderson, CEO of Daylight Groups, had achieved remarkable success and I couldn't help but feel proud of him.

Stepping into his office always filled me with awe, knowing that one day it would all be mine.

"Alex, how are you?" My father finally looked up from his paperwork, breaking his concentration.

"I'm good, Mr. Robert, and you?" I settled into one of the armchairs.

"Mr. Robert, really?" He chuckled, shaking his head, his dimple showing on his left cheek; a trait my sister inherited from him while I took after my mum with her beautiful smile.

His laughter filled the office, and I couldn't help but join in.

"What's so funny? Aren't you Mr. Robert?" I struggled to contain my laughter.

"Don't tease me this morning Miss Anderson, I'm rather busy," he said, standing up and walking over to sit facing me, interlocking his fingers.

The levity vanished from his expression. My father is a handsome man, no doubt. His face bore the marks of a life well-lived, etched with lines of experience and wisdom.

His deep-set eyes, framed by silvered brows, held a keen intelligence and a hint of mischief. A well-groomed beard of distinguished gray adorned his jawline, while his regal nose spoke of lineage and refinement.

Despite the passage of time, there was a vibrancy to his countenance, a testament to the vitality that wealth and privilege had afforded him.

When serious, his face becomes stern and composed. His brows furrow slightly, adding gravity to his expression. The lines around his mouth tighten, conveying determination and resolve.

His eyes, usually twinkling with mischief now held a steely gaze, commanding attention and respect. Despite his age, there was an undeniable aura of authority emanating from him.

"Sir, I'm fully attentive," I straightened up, ready to hear him out.

"Alex, you know I've always planned to pass down the company to you as the rightful heir. Your competence has impressed me and the board, and as your father, I'm proud. But I want to ensure this is what you want, not just for my sake. So, Alex, do you want to lead the company after I retire?"

I paused before responding.

"Take your time," he reassured.

"Since I was young, I've dreamt of working here. Your dedication to the company and family has inspired me. You've given us freedom, supported our choices, and embraced who we are, especially my sexuality".

"I'd be honored to continue your legacy, making Daylight Groups respected nationwide and beyond," I concluded.

His eyes softened, a tear forming. My dad is a softie and I love him for it. He rose from his seat and I followed suit as he embraced me.

"Thank you for being an incredible daughter. I've never been prouder," he said, patting my back.

"Thanks, Dad," I said, beaming.

As he released me, happiness sparkled in his eyes. "How about joining us for dinner tonight?" he proposed, returning to his chair.

"Sorry Dad, but I've already made plans with my friends," I replied, sinking back into the armchair.

"Your crafty friends never fail to surprise me. I hope their antics don't rub off on you," he commented, returning to his documents.

I chuckled, retorting, "Come on, you know I'm the mischievous one among them."

He grinned, recalling, "Ah, how could I forget?"

"Well, Dad, I'll catch you for dinner another time. I have a meeting with the department heads later, so I need to prepare. See you later, Mr. Robert," I said, heading to the door.

He rolled his eyes playfully and waved me off, "See you later, love."

My meeting with the department heads went smoothly and hunger gnawed at my stomach by the time it concluded.

Glancing at my wristwatch which showed 2:15, I prepared myself mentally for the impending chaos as Charlotte informed me that my friends had arrived at the office.