Since I finished my lunch during the call, I get straight back to my task of digging through the mountain of paperwork and before I know it, I’ve lost all sense of what is around me besides the papers I’m reading. “Angel? Angel.” I register my name being said but remain focused on my work until I feel hands touch my back it startles me, out of my skin and I jump up to my feet in defense mode. “Aaaaaah! Oh my, Grant!” I clutch my heart and try to control my breathing. “Sorry love. I tried to get your attention, but you were in a world of your own.” “It’s alright. Sorry, I was lost in a world of figures. Is it evening already?” “About 4.30. I finished early. What is all this?” He asks. I explain my system and the basics of what I have found so far. A frown appears on his forehead when I mention some of the discrepancies I’ve found already. “Hmm, I think you are on the right track. It certainly seems fishy from what you’ve told me so far.” “I agree," I say, "I was going to reac
I’m startled when the door of the office suddenly opens a few hours later and Grant is sleepily standing in the doorway. “You scared me. Are you alright?” I ask him, my hand on my heart as I try to stop it racing. “I woke up and you weren’t beside me, so I got worried and came looking for you.” “I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you, so I came here.” “Hmmm.” He mumbles as he makes his way to my sofa and lays down. “You don’t have to sleep here, go back to bed. I will come back when I feel tired.” “No s’okay, I’m fine here.” He replies sleepily already beginning to fall asleep. I shake my head but leave him to it and continue sorting through the files. Around 3 am I come across a transaction that shocks me and I have to wonder if I am seeing things due to lack of sleep. “This can’t possibly be right.” I mumble to myself as I stare at the paper before placing it safely to one side on the desk and then rifling through the rest of the papers to see if t
Knock, knock, knock. “Angel? Are you okay in there?” I hear Anya calling to me through the bathroom door. I don’t know how long I have been sitting on the toilet seat staring at the plastic stick in my hands. The handle moves and because I didn’t lock it the door opens, and Anya’s concerned face appears. “Angel?” I just stare at her not able to form any coherent thoughts. She frowns but when she glances down at my hands she gasps and steps closer to get a proper look. “Is it? Are you?” She looks into my eyes excited and hopeful but all I can do is nod slowly. “Ahhhhhh! Oh my god! I knew it!” She screams in excitement and begins jumping around my bathroom like a crazy person. “What am I going to do?” I whisper and she finally stops bouncing to look at me in concern. “Are you not happy Angel?” “Well, sure I guess, a baby would be nice, but I don’t know if I’m ready or if Grant even wants kids. It’s not like it’s a subject that has come up between us or anything.” “Oh, I see w
“Angel! How was it? I feel soooo goood right now.” Anya gushes when I see her in the corridor. “I know what you mean. I feel amazing.” She grins and hooks her arm through mine as we follow Heather and eventually walk into a parlor for skin treatments. “Alright ladies I will leave you now, my colleagues here will have you glowing in no time.” Anya beams excitedly next to me and we head to the facial treatment section. My left hand subconsciously lifts, and my finger strokes my cheek feeling the sunken area where the glass ripped through my face all those years ago. “Angel, are you alright?” “Mmhmm.” I respond absentmindedly. “Hey, don’t worry about your scars, who knows they might have some suggestions for helping it to fade a little if that would help you.” “Do you think so?” “If the experts don’t know then I don’t know who else would. Come on let’s get facial and full mani-pedi treatments. If anyone deserves it, you do.” I chuckle and follow along to a seat and sit down.
“Please madam, we have already apologised and explained that the spa was closed for the day exclusively by a very important client. We will be more than pleased to accommodate you here tomorrow, but we are unable to see you today.” “Impossible! I have an exclusive pass to enter here, and no one has the right to deny my access upon my request. How can she have more influence than me.” She then storms over in my direction and continues her barrage. “Tell me, how did you do it? You must have done something very shrewd and unspeakable to hook him like you have. Otherwise, why would he even look twice at someone as lowly as you? You are not fit to even lick the shoes of members of our society and yet you stand there as though you are better than me. Disgusting tramp!” In the distance, I hear the phone on the desk ringing until it is picked up, but my focus remains on Rita. Her words are hurtful and deliberate, but I don’t care for them. She was the one who had the affair and decided th
I pull my hood closer as I try my best to keep dry, I never expected that this morning could get any worse than normal but, as is my luck, the weather decided it could ruin my day. The rain is lashing down heavily and while that alone wouldn’t normally be an issue, the wind was so strong that it ripped my cheap umbrella to shreds in minutes. I am still ten minutes away from work and I hurry down the street hoping to get there before I’m completely soaked. Since the rain is in my eyes, I am finding it hard to see and suddenly I collide with a wall so hard, that I bounce off and land on my ass in a puddle. ‘Nooo! I don’t need this.’ As tears threaten to pool in my eyes, I look up to try to see what I bumped into and am met by a person, not a wall. He is standing at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change and I realise that if he hadn’t been there to block me, I would have walked out in front of the traffic. Before I have the chance to apologise his surprised look turns into a sc
I frown before opening the door and see Anya looking uncomfortable. “What is it?” “They left this and told me to make sure it came directly to you. It was a little scary, they were quite serious and intimidating.” I look at her hands and she is holding a small pocketbook, when I open it my mouth falls open in shock. “Oh my god! What did you do for them to leave you that?!” “I served them coffee and a latte, then left them alone.” “Really that’s it? Oh wait, was it your special latte?” I nod and she grins knowingly. “Stop it Anya, I don’t do anything to it that no one else would.” “Nuh uh, actually you do, everyone comments that it’s the best they have had anywhere. That’s why they keep coming back. You are special girl, and you don’t even see it.” “Whatever, it’s not like I’m going to be a waitress my whole life. I will eventually need to find a career.” “No don’t say that! My bestie can’t leave me here alone with all the teen pervs!” I laugh, she is so dramatic sometimes.
“So, are you ready to go?” “Mmm.” “Come on Grant, I know you’re hungry, maybe today we can order those tea cakes.” “What is it with you and that tiny cafe anyway?” “Best coffee in town and great service. Although, she hasn’t been there the last couple of days and no one will answer me when I ask.” That catches my attention, I know who he is talking about, the goth girl who served us on Monday, and made me that latte with the wing in the foam. I was surprised by the choice of decoration and was suspicious of Ellis when he sat staring at me over his regular coffee as I took a sip. I was shocked when the flavour hit my tongue, I am usually particular about how I like my coffee made but this was definitely the best latte I have ever tasted. A shame I was still in a bad mood, from my earlier run-in with some punk in the rain. Who bumps into someone else and doesn’t even apologise, then has the audacity to call me, rude? I didn’t see where they went as the rain was too heavy and I wa