8. My Baby Daddy

Selene felt her breath catch at Nikolas' question.

"So, I hear you have a son. Where is his father?"

Nikolas' voice was calm, almost casual, but the weight of the question made her feel as though she couldn't breathe.

The room suddenly felt too small, the air thick. Her fingers tightened firmly around the remote in her hand as her body stiffened.

Think fast! Say something. You're not even sure if he's the one yet.

She sucked in a deep breath as her gaze met Nikolas's sharp, unreadable hazel-green eyes, which studied her, waiting for an answer.

Calm down, Selene. Stay professional. You have held yourself together this far—don't let him see you crack.

Forcing a polite smile as she straightened her shoulders, she said, "I don't see how my personal life is relevant to this meeting, Mr. Darkos."

She watched for a moment as something flickered in his eyes—interest? Amusement?

Nikolas leaned back slightly in his desk, his expression strong and unreadable. "It isn't," he admitted, "but I like to know my employees."

Liar!

Selene could see the smile dancing on his lips, and it made her stomach twist.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Did he know? No, he couldn't—he hadn't recognized her. If he had, he would have definitely said something; if he had, he wouldn't have been sitting there so calmly.

But why was he watching her so closely? Even during the presentation, she had felt his gaze studying her every movement.

If he didn't recognize her, then there was no need for panic.

She needed to shut this conversation down immediately.

Besides, just because Nikolas looked like the guy from five years ago and bore a slight resemblance to her son didn't mean that he was the father—she was definitely going to do more research on him once she was able to get past this stage.

She slightly lifted her chin. "My son's father is not in the picture," she said, keeping her voice even and her lips pressed firmly together. "Now, if we're done discussing my personal affairs, I'd like to continue with my presentation."

Nikolas studied her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, then gave a slow nod. "Of course," he said with a smirk.

Selene exhaled silently and turned her gaze back to the screen, but she couldn't focus. Not when she could still feel his eyes on her—the weight of his presence pressing against her like an inescapable force.

She could feel a pit in her stomach threatening to throw her out of balance.

She needed to be careful.

She couldn't give herself away like this. She needed to find out more, but her instincts told her otherwise—and they were never wrong, especially not about this—who the father of her son was.

Her head felt light, her mask slipping, but before she could steady herself—

The door burst open.

"Mr. Darkos, your sister is here to see you," his secretary announced, her tone hesitant, as if she had interrupted something important.

Thank goodness.

Selene muttered under her breath.

Her eyes landed on the young woman beside the secretary. The resemblance was undeniable—high cheekbones, the same striking hazel-green eyes.

"I told her you were busy, but she insisted," the secretary added apologetically.

"He's my brother, and I can come here whenever I want," the woman said, smirking, her arms crossed.

Nikolas sighed, but he didn't seem surprised. "It's okay; let her be." 

Then, turning his attention back to Selene, he added, "That will be enough for today. Leave the rest of the files—I'll go through them later."

Selene silently let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Immediately after he said that she turned to meet his gaze; she just nodded—unsure if her voice would betray her further.

She moved closer to his desk to pick up her files.

Gathering her files, she stepped toward his desk—too close to him. And then—

His scent.

Rich, deep, and intoxicating. Oud, cedarwood, and something warm. Something familiar filling her nostrils.

Her breath stuck, and her pulse pounded in her ears. She knew this scent. She remembered it from that night and also the following morning, five years ago.

She suddenly felt lightheaded as she struggled to steady herself, her skin tingling under Nikolas' watchful gaze. Did he notice her reaction? Did he feel it, too?

Her fingers trembled slightly as she grabbed the documents and turned to leave, willing herself to stay composed.

Her heels clicked along as she moved towards the door, barely a few inches away…

"Miss Selene."

Nikolas's voice called out her name, stopping her dead in her tracks. She didn't turn around, her heart beating frantically.

"Welcome to the company."

His tone was calm and smooth. She could hear a smile in his voice—or maybe it was just her imagination.

She forced herself to nod, then stepped out of the office.

The moment the doors shut behind her, she let out a long, deep breath she didn't realize she had been holding, reliving her lungs.

She could feel the secretary eyeing her closely.

"Please follow me, ma'am," the secretary said as she headed toward the elevator.

Selene barely registered her words as she followed, her head spinning with a series of thoughts.

Nikolas's secretary—whom Selene learned was named Helen—directed her toward her office after giving her a brief tour.

Her office was just below Nikolas's.

The moment she stepped into her office, without another word, she headed straight toward her desk, yanking open the laptop.

Her hands trembled as she typed the name.

Nikolas Darkos.

Her screen flooded with images of him—business articles, interviews. Not wanting to jump to conclusions.

She swallowed hard and typed again.

The name of the penthouse. The one from five years ago. The one she had left in a hurry without looking back.

A result popped up.

Her breath stopped.

Her eyes widened as the owner of the penthouse was revealed—with Nikolas's name at the top, confirming her doubts.

Her hands flew to her mouth. The pit in her stomach worsened.

She had just found her child's father…