I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I know exactly when I woke up. The second Mr. Crawford’s voice registers in my brain. “Wake up,” he says loud in my ears. Instantly, I woke up with a jolt, jerking upright off my desk. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Crawford,” I say, rubbing my eyes. I was exhausted from the dinner party last night. I barely got any sleep. Why would someone even throw a party on Sunday night? “I never knew I paid you to sleep. And what did I say using that word around me?” he asks, getting angrier. Not knowing what else to say, I shut my mouth. “Bring two cups of coffee to my office in a five minutes,” he says before walking into his office. “Okay, sir,” I say and stand up to walk to the lunchroom to make the coffee. When I’m done making the coffee, I walk to his office to give it to him. I can’t help but wonder who the second cup of coffee is for. I don’t remember sending anyone to his office; maybe both cups are for him. I knock on his door and enter after he says to c
The following day starts off as usual until after lunch. I don’t know what they put in the burger I ate, but I’m sure I have food poisoning. I’ve been to the bathroom three times today in one hour. I don’t know how there’s anything left in my stomach. I go to Mr. Crawford’s office to drop off some papers he asked me to type. He’s not in his office, so I enter without knocking. He went out for a meeting with Vivienne. I place the documents on his desk, and as I’m about to take a step, I halt in my tracks. No, stomach, you can’t do this to me. I need to use the bathroom but I’m scared if I take a step the food in my stomach will take a step closer to leaving my body. Taking a deep breath, I try to move, but stop when I feel my body ready to betray me. If I can barely take a step, how am I going to make it to the restroom? I see Mr. Crawford’s bathroom only five feet away. I debate if I should use it. My stomach doesn’t give me enough time to think about the pros and cons of such a risk
“Do you guys know each other?” I ask, confused as to why they’re insulting one another. “You could say that,” Evan says, with an evil glint in his eyes as he stares at Amber. “I don’t know this rich snob,” Amber says, venom dripping in her words. “Wow, Amber. If you don’t know him, why do you keep insulting him?” I ask, confused at her hostility toward Evan. “I’ll tell you why. This morning he used his expensive car to splash water on me while I was standing beside the road. Then, when I asked him to buy me new clothes because he ruined mine, he said I was lucky he wasn’t pressing charges against me for hitting his car with my shoe.” “You hit his car with your shoe?” I ask, surprised she’d do that. Truthfully though, I shouldn’t be surprised. This is Amber we’re talking about. Even if a man were seven feet tall, Amber would still pick a fight with him. “She did. And thankfully it’s an expensive car, like she said, so the windshield was strong enough to suffer no damage,” Evan say
An hour later, I finally stop smiling. Carson introduced me to so many people my face felt like it was going to fall off if I smile at anyone else. I walk around, looking for something to eat and drink. I haven’t had anything in my stomach since I arrived. While I’m sipping my wine, someone startles me and I almost pour my drink on myself. “Do you have a death wish?” Mr. Crawford asks. We’re away from the party, so no one can see or hear us. I left the crowd to enjoy some time alone, but I think I made a mistake. Mr. Crawford looks like he wants to kill me, and there’s no one here to save me. “What do you mean?” I ask, taking a step away from him. His close proximity scares me right now. “You think I didn’t see you out there, getting to know all the board of directors? And to make it worse, you made sure to introduce yourself as my grandfather’s goddaughter.” “Mr. Crawford, I didn’t know the people your grandfather introduced me to were members of the board. He only introduced me
After a stressful day at work, I arrive home exhausted. “Uncle Jack, I’m home,” I say as I step inside the house. Today should be his day off if I’m not wrong. “Hello, Eleanor,” A female voice says. “What’re you doing here?” I glare at the woman in front of me. Adeline. “Eleanor, you’re home, so early,” Uncle Jack says, surprised to see me. “I’ve missed you too,” she says with a fake smile plastered on her face. I don’t know what Uncle Jack sees in women like her. She might be beautiful on the outside, but not on the inside. Adeline is a gorgeous brunette with brown eyes, standing 5’7” tall. She could still be a model at her age with those beautiful legs of hers and the way she’s been able to preserve her beauty. “I asked you what you’re doing in my house?” I ask a little louder. I don’t hate people, but I dislike this woman a lot because of what she did to Uncle Jack. “Eleanor, calm down. I can explain,” Uncle Jack says, putting his hands on my shoulders to ease me. “Explain
The following day, while going to work, my mind is racing. I cannot stop thinking about what happened between Mr. Crawford and I. I think that was my most embarrassing moment with him so far. I hope he acts like nothing happened between us because it would be better for both of us. I greet Nora in the lobby before I take the elevator up. I always greet Nora because her face usually indicates how my day is going to start. I don’t know how she knows, but if Mr. Crawford is angry with me, her face will tell me. I arrive on my floor, drop my purse on my desk and walk to the lunchroom to make coffee for Mr. Crawford and Vivienne. It’s my usual morning routine every time I come to work. I finish making their coffees and walk to their offices to deliver them. While walking to their offices, I can’t help but wonder how they’re always at work before me. I’m never late, but they both always arrive before me. I think it’s because they have cars and I take the bus to work. I can’t wait to be wo
Another day at work. I place Mr. Crawford's coffee on his desk when he speaks to me. “Eleanor, pick up that card on the table,” he says, with his eyes glued to his laptop screen. “Ok, sir,” I say, and do as he says. I pick up the card. It's a business card for a boutique. Is he giving me this because he wants me to shop there? I already told him I won't buy expensive clothes. I know he’s arrogant, but I didn't think he’d force me to buy a new wardrobe. “During the weekend, visit that place and get yourself new clothes.” “Alright, sir, thank you for the recommendation,” I say instead of arguing with him, even though I have no intention of going. I think it's better to pretend I took his advice so he’ll let the issue of my clothing choice slide. “It's not a recommendation. I want you to go there on Saturday and get good clothes for the polo match we’re attending on Sunday. I can't have my PA going anywhere with me looking like I don't pay her well enough to buy good clothes.” I und
Sunday is here, and I’m excited to go to the polo match. I ‘ve never been to one, and I hope Mr. Crawford doesn’t make it horrible for me. I step out of the taxi after paying the driver and walk to Mr. Crawford's apartment complex. This is the first time I’m going to his house, and I’m curious to see how he lives. I’m sure it will scream ‘bachelor.’ I walk inside the building and take the elevator to the penthouse, no surprise there. He’s a rich man, and I’m sure he could afford to buy the whole building if he wanted. I step out of the elevator into a beautiful apartment, nothing like how I imagined. His place screams money rather than bachelor. There’s a piano in the living room. It has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and you can clearly see the full city landscape from up here. I walk further into the house, and on my right is a kitchen more beautiful than my house. “Turn around,” a voice says from behind, startling me. “Mr. Crawford,” I say once my brain recognizes the voice. “Y