The rain began to pour heavily and the taxi driver wound up the windows as they sped past other cars on the busy highway. What had been a bright and beautiful day now sported dark grey clouds that downed their contents on the earth happily. Despite the weather, Nicole's mood remained piqued. She was just as excited as she had been when she had gotten out of bed this morning knowing Alex was coming home today and she had the best news awaiting him. They were having a baby. Her hand came to rest on her flat tummy instinctively and she smiled to herself. She was just 5 weeks gone. She wasn't sure if her hormones had something to do with it but her heart swelled even more these days when she thought of Alex. He had been on a business trip to Florence for the past two weeks and is to be back today. She missed him so much. An hour ago, he had informed her that he'd be landing by roughly 12am. She smiled and checked her watch. It was just 9:17pm. She glanced at the bag that sat next to her o

Six years laterNicoleI chew on my pen nervously as I pace the distance of my team leader's office. I desperately hope there has been a misinformation of some kind. "Nicole". I hear Aurora call my name as she enters the office. "You are here. Tell me it's a lie please".Aurora smiles and goes to stand behind her desk, arranging the documents that litter the table. "It's not. You are….."."But I can't!!!". I realize my voice has probably gone higher than it should have. Hastily, I walk over to Aurora's desk and lean over it, whispering into her face furiously. "I can't do the presentation, Aurora. I can't"."Why?". She doesn't even look fazed. "You handled majority of the project in my absence anyways. You know about it more than anybody….even me". "But….". I groan. "..... I can't stand in front of all those higher-ups. I'm definitely going to flop…. nervousness and all"."You won't". Aurora says as she tucks a batch of documents into a chest of drawers. "I know you, Nicole. You ar

Nicole;The ringing doorbell is what wakes me up. I glance at my alarm and see that I've overslept by nearly thirty minutes. Shit. This week just couldn't get any worse. I push up to my feet and pad my way downstairs to the door, yanking it open, my eyes squinted against the harsh morning sunshine. But there is no one. I glance around but there's still nobody. Disgruntled and highly annoyed, I wonder what kind of sicko would be thinking of pranks this early in the morning. I'm just about to close the door when I spot the parcel at my doorstep. I step back in surprise. What the hell? It's a bouquet of red roses and I pick it up, peering into the flowers suspiciously. There's a note attached to it and I shut the door behind me before I open. In shimmery blue ink, a scrawly handwriting reads;I'm sorry, Nicole. Give me a second chance, please. Love, Gregory.I scoff to myself and read the note again. A few weeks ago, I had decided to revitalize my dating life and against my principles,

Nicole;I pull into the parking lot of Van Lewis Galaxy and once the engine dies down, I take a moment to look up at the looming structure. I thought I had gotten to a stage in my life where I wasn't so wowed by money any longer but damn, this is proving me wrong. I am and can still be easily wowed. With a shake of my head, I remember where I am and why I'm here. I mustn't get distracted. I reach for the door but then pause midway. Against all logic, I pull down my sun visor and glance at the mirror. My cheeks are gorgeously flushed from all the heat coursing through me. My lips look a little dry and I'm just about to reach for my lipgloss when I halt myself halfway. What the hell do I think I'm doing? Really dressing up in anticipation of meeting Alex? Angrily, I pull the visor back up and yank the door open, stalking my way in aggressively. I don't even give myself a chance to admire my surroundings as I walk towards the receptionist's desk. She's a pretty, young woman with the slee

Nicole;It doesn't matter that I argue all the way to the car and even all the way to the store. Just when I thought I couldn't get more frustrated, Alex gets on the phone, forcing me to quiet down beside him. My lips tighten in distaste as I turn to the window. I've not had many jobs, but I doubt this beats anyone's worst first day at work. Within a minute or two, the car slows down and Alex immediately alights, compelling me to follow. I see that that we are standing in front of a Galaxy Couture shop, not so faraway from the headquarters where we had come from. We make our way in and every single staff we come across drops a quick bow to Alex while he barely acknowledges them with more than a glance. I have so many questions for the man he has become. I wonder if I'm ever going to get answers. We go inside the first female couture store downstairs and the attendants quickly rush forward, polite smiles on their faces."Good morning sir"."Good morning". Alex replies off handedly, hi