A BABY FOR JULIAN

She stood in the doorway of their small apartment, with her dad behind her, pleading with her mother not to leave. Tears streamed down her 12-year-old face.

"Please mom, don't go!" She begged, her voice breaking. "Whatever is going on can be settled."

Her mother's expression was blank as she stared at her innocent daughter."I have to go sweetheart, I'll come back and get you, I promise."

Lexi's small hands grasped her mother's arm, holding tight. "No, mum, please don't leave me! I'll be good, I promise." She cried, not willing to let go, while her dad just stood there staring sadly.

The middle aged woman gently took the girl's fingers off her arms and she squatted to her height. "It's not about you sweetheart. Someday you'll be grown up enough to understand."

The door closed and the woman walked away, dragging her luggage behind her.

"Mom!" The girl screamed loudly hoping that the woman would just turn around and change her mind, but that didn't happen, instead she got drowned by the sound of fading footsteps.

Lexi Thompson's eyes snapped open, her chest heaving as she grasped for air.

"That was just a dream." She mumbled knowing the real truth and the reason for the lingering memories.

"What a way to begin the day." She mumbled and threw off the covers and got off the bed, planting her foot on the ground. She walked to her window and pulled the window blind up, enjoying the view of the ground from her room.

As she stared through the window, her phone rang. It was Stephanie Hughes, her best and only friend since middle grade.

"Hey girlie." Stephanie's loud voice rang from the other side, causing Lexi to take the phone away from her ears for a moment wondering the reason for Stephanie's excitement, that early.

"You seem rather excited." Lexi mumbled and yawned softly.

"Wait, you're still in bed?" Stephanie gasped shockingly. "Anyways, guess what?"

Lexi's mind wandered as she tried to make a wide guess, and getting no clue at all, She groaned "would you tell me?"

"Fine. I got the contract to plan the fundraising gala for the children's gala." She exclaimed excitedly and Lexi smiled before shaking her head.

"I want you to be there.." Stephanie said again excitedly. "All of Los Angeles eligible bachelors will be there, including the Blackwood's."

"Count me in" Lexi said with excitement clear in her voice, considering that she's not attended Stephanie's events in a while. "So what are the details?"

"Saturday, 7 pm at Oakville Hilton. It's going to be huge, I'll send you the details." Stephanie replied softly. "And wear something stunning too, you never might know who'd notice."

Lexi chuckled she expected the tease anyways. "I'll do my best Steph" she grinned and paused "uhm Steph.., thanks for inviting me."

As Lexi hung up the phone, a broad smile found its way to her lips. The gala is just what she needed, it'd be the perfect break from her routine.

"Time to start the day." She whispered as her eyes darted to the wall clock. Lexi walked to the bathroom and with her usual cheerful expression, she began her morning routine, brushing her teeth and washing her face before stepping into the shower.

After her refreshing shower, Lexi wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out to the front of the mirror. She styled her hair into a messy bun, before applying light make up and slipping into her tailored trousers and white blouse.

Her eyes darted to the wall clock again and seeing that time was already far spent, she groaned. "I guess they'd have no time for breakfast then." She muttered and slipped into her shoes and then picked her bag before walking out of her room.

Ideally she resumes work on Mondays at 10am, and it's already fifteen minutes to. She'd have spared a few minutes for breakfast but due to the strictness of her superiors she couldn't risk it.

Lexi rushed out of her room, locking the door behind her, as she headed out, she collided with a familiar figure.

"Slow down princess!" Her dad exclaimed, steadying her.

"Sorry dad, I'm running late." She mumbled softly.

"It's fine kiddo, just be careful, I don't want you getting into trouble." Her dad said and patted her hair fondly.

"Love you dad." She grinned, feeling a surge of affection rush through her.

"Love you too sweetheart, be good alright." He smiled and Lexi nodded before rushing out.

She pushed open the front door and stepped out into the bright Los Angeles morning. The sun was out already and people were already going about their daily activities. Lexi hailed a cab and slid into the backseat. "Los Angeles Times, please." She instructed the driver.

As the drive to the office went on, Lexi's mind wandered. Her passion for writing got her a Job with the times although she still gets paid peanuts. "Someday I'll get to the greater heights I desire." She whispered and placed her palm on her chin trying to envision how busy her day will be.

**

Julian Blackwood penthouse, one of the most beautiful in Los Angeles, was to him a house of naughty dealings.

Vera, a stunning blonde, with perfect curves and facial features laid sprawled across Julian's King-sized bed, wrapped in the silky sheets.

"Come back to bed." She whispered her gaze solely fixed on Julian's naked chest as he stood by the window, staring out into the city.

"Not yet," he replied, his deep voice echoing through the room.

"Come on." She pouted cutely and when Julian didn't respond, she kicked the sheets off, revealing her naked body.

"Tease." He mumbled, staring lustfully at her. "Don't get too comfortable , Vera, it's just a transaction." He whispered, taking long strides to join her on the bed.

"For now." She grinned confidently. "You just can't resist me can you?" She whispered, her breath hot against his skin.

Julian's eyes Flashed with desire as he gazed at Vera's naked body. He grasped her waist and pulled her close. "Resisting you is almost impossible." He murmured, his lips tracing her neck, before resting on her collarbone.

Vers giggled triumphantly, she knew just how to get to him whenever she wanted to and soon, she'd have him wrapped around her fingers.

Their bodies intertwined and everything around them faded as they surrendered totally to their desires.

Moments later, Julian rolled off her, his chest heaving, and her body glistening with sweat. He reached for the drawer beside the bed and took a wad of cash and tossed it at her.

"Thanks for the distraction Vera." He mumbled his detached expression returning.

"D..distraction." She stuttered, hurt and anger flashing across her face. "Julian, why are you doing this? You know I love you and..."

"Don't say that." He warned cutting her off coldly. "This was just a transaction, nothing more."

Vera's face fell but she still persisted and wrapped her arms around Julian's chest. "I've never felt this way about anyone." She whispered, her eyes growing misty.

Julian's expression turned cold and more calculated as he took her hands off his body deliberately. "You're just another one of them sweetheart, don't fool yourself."

He got off the bed and made his way to the bathroom, certain that Vera was already aware of his rules. The sound of running water soon filled the room. And once he was done and returned to the room, the Blondie was gone, but his cash remained.

"She's dumb." He mumbled and walked to his closet picking his outfit for the day.

Once he was done dressing in a Navy blue Tuxedo and had already slipped his feet into his shoes, he picked his briefcase and phone and walked out of the room, meeting two guards in front of the door. One immediately collected the briefcase and the two trailed behind him.

His phone buzzed with messages and a satisfied sigh escaped his lips. Morning pleasure completed, time to attend to his empire.