Taking a deep breath, I steel my nerves and prepare to open up about my past with my family. “Yes, I am ready. What do you wish to know?” “Firstly, do you know the man who broke in?” “Yes, he is my stepfather.” “Your stepfather?” Both are shocked and I can understand why. If the officers wrote anything close to what they witnessed, then these two detectives must be wondering how it’s possible for Terry to treat me that way. “Yes. He and I have never had a good relationship.” “Would you please elaborate on that?” I sigh, I wonder just how much I should reveal, Grant squeezes my hand to encourage me so I take a breath and look the officers in the eye. “If you are going to understand everything, you may want to get us some coffee. This may take a while.” They look surprised but with one shared look officer Carmine stands and leaves the room. We sit in silence until she returns with a tray carrying four cups, a coffee carafe, a jug of water and other condiments such as sugar, mi
I feel guilty for not thinking about him sooner. But I put it down to being distracted by hearing Angel’s story. I never considered that her past was so painful. But I promise to ensure that her future is bright. As I exit the station, I see him laying down on the ground and I hurry over. “Hey boy, are you okay?” He lifts his head and greets me panting heavily trying his best to cool down. I untie his lead from the pole and tug. “Come inside boy, we have water for you.” He stands and follows me gladly with his tongue lolling out as he pants. “He is a big boy.” I look up surprised to see that officer Carmine followed me out. Seeing my confusion, he smiles. “If you were to come inside alone with him you wouldn’t make it past the doors.” “Oh, I see.” We walk in and head straight to the room where we left Angel. As soon as the door opens and Lobo sees her, he eagerly pulls against my grip wanting to run to her, so I let him. “Woof! Woof!” He bounds in and places his paws in he
“Lobo! Come here.” I shout and then whistle. He growls at the other dog and crouches lower, never taking his eyes off of it, while ignoring me. I continue to hurry over to them and as I get closer the other dog becomes increasingly aggressive. Looking around I cannot seem to pick out its owner and I worry that it is a stray. Lobo growls and the other dog also growls before lunging toward him, but he dodges and snaps his jaws at its paw. Then all hell breaks loose as both dogs begin to fight. People closest to us grab their dogs and scatter screaming. Everyone else, wanting, to get as far away from the fight but no one was willing to help me to stop them. I fear for Lobo as I don’t want him to get injured or catch a disease from this other dog, but I also don’t want to get bitten while trying to separate them. Desperately I look around for something to help me get between them safely when I spot a large thick stick on the ground. Picking it up I test it once then run toward the two
I’m in shock. I barely feel the pain from after her hand impacted my face anymore. Grant is quiet next to me as we drive back but I can feel he is livid on my behalf and yet he is confused because I claimed not to know her. The truth is, I did know her but now I don’t know what to think and the more I think about what happened the more confused I become. I don’t remember falling asleep but when I awake, I find myself on the bed in Grant’s bedroom. I stand and walk into the bathroom, looking in the mirror to inspect the damage. Horror fills me as I see a perfect handprint still visible on my cheek from where she struck me so hard. I gingerly press my fingers to the area and wince at the sting before I hear a whimper behind me. Looking around I spot Lobo watching close by and smile at him. “Hey boy. Come here.” He walks forward into my embrace, and I cuddle into his fur. “Thank you. You came to defend me from the mean lady, and I love you for that. Of course, Grant came too didn’
“Well, Miranda, is my mother’s name and also the name that woman uses so I’m a little unsure there, but something tells me that Miranda, really is my mother. My dad is Henry but I’m not sure what my real surname is as Grey is what 'fake' mother told me my name was, but she changed hers to match Terry.” “Were you at their wedding?” I frown thinking about it and then shake my head. “No, I asked once, and she told me that she met and married him while I was in a coma after the accident. She never told me how long I was in the coma though.” “The more I hear the less I like the amount of pain you have had to suffer through, Angel.” I squeeze his hand reassuringly and he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, so I sigh and stand. “Okay enough of the heavy topics. Let's have something to eat.” He nods and then it seems he remembers something. “How do you feel about asking your colleagues to join us for a meal out soon? I would also invite Ellis, and maybe, Jack, is it? Maybe he can b
Listening to her talk to her friends and seeing her face brighten I felt the urge to treat her and through her, her friend too. I want her to feel good and I hope that getting to buy a nice outfit for the meal will be a step towards that. After dinner Angel follows me to the office where I take down both Anya and Jacks’s contact details along with Anya’s home address that she sent to Angela immediately after the call finished. “I need to work for a little longer, I am sorry Angel.” “Oh, don’t worry, I don’t want to get in the way. Would it be alright for me to watch some tv?” “Of course. Do whatever you want, I will join you as soon as I can.” She pecks me on the cheek and then leaves me to work. I begin by calling Ellis and he picks up on the second ring. “You really need to get a woman Ellis.” “What?” “Do you ever stop working?” “No, because you are always working and even when
His words released something within me that was keeping me from opening up to him. Through the course of a few days, he has seen all of my worst sides and learned about every dark secret I hold within and still he is here. I can see in his eyes how much he cares for me already and seeing that, makes me want to give him the trust, that will allow me to be with him properly. I don’t know how relationships work normally, how long is considered a long enough time before a person gives themselves fully to another, but at this moment, I feel ready to do just that. I feel him harden below me as I press myself closer and the sensation of his hands brushing the skin on my waist is driving me crazy. I pour everything into my kiss, wanting him to know just how much I need him, nothing else, just him. As the kiss becomes more passionate his grip intensifies to an almost painful level, but I love it, the rawness of it is exactly what I need. I don’t want morals or sensible thought to get in t
I lay beneath him panting still trying to regain my senses after such an intense experience. Grant is breathing hard too and we are both a sweaty mess. He lets go of my legs and they flop down heavily on either side of him as he leans down to caress my cheek. “Hey, are you okay?” “Mmmm, yeah.” I mumble out to him as my energy begins to drain from me. He chuckles and kisses me gently on the lips before leaning back again. “This may hurt a little.” I open my eyes and wince as I see and feel him pull himself from me. “Will that happen every time?” He gazes down at me. “What, baby?” “The pain.” He makes a face crossed between regret and pain but then smiles at me again. “No Angel, it’s only the first time, it gets better the more you practice.” With that said he winks and stands to walk into the bathroom. I lay limply listening to the sound of running water as my eyes droop, but before I know it, he is back and carrying a washcloth. “Here, let me clean you up a little before I
When I open the door, I see Angela crouched by the toilet, so I rush in to check her.“Angel?! What’s wrong baby?”“Ugh, bad morning sickness. Sorry if I worried you but this is a more comfortable position for me at the moment.”“It’s okay, I just wish there was more I could do to help.”“Mmmhmm. Hopefully the doctor can give me something to help when we see her.”“I hate seeing you like this.”I lament as I watch her lean back over the pan to be sick once more. I hold her long hair back for her while she heaves and expels everything still present in her stomach. Her complexion is very light, she seems quite pale, and she is also sweating from the exertion.The last two retches only produce small amounts of saliva that she spits out, so once it seems that she doesn’t have anything more to bring up I hurry to the sink and get her a glass of water.She takes some light sips from it and settles back on her haunches.“Thank you, I think I’m past the worst of it now.”“How often have you be
Angela is pregnant!Ellis was right, but if I tell him that, his head will get bigger, and he will become unbearable so I will not be telling him anytime soon. What I am most shocked about is the fact that she told me so soon after finding out herself.All I can assume is that she must have enough trust in me and in us that she felt that she could be open and honest with me about this, and I love her all the more because of it.For so long I was stuck in a relationship with someone who didn’t care for me as a person and was only interested in material gain, who lied to me on many occasions to keep themselves out of trouble.Now that I have Angela, and I am experiencing such a caring and positive bond, I know I made the right decision to leave Rita, but also, I was right to follow my emotions with Angela.She truly is an Angel.As we leave the restaurant and climb into the car, I am still on cloud nine thinking about all the possibilities that could become reality once we meet with a do
“But with you Angel, everything is different. With you I want to see you carrying my children, and yes, I want more than one. I want to build a family with you and even marry you, when you are ready for that.” I am shocked by his candour and by his words. I never expected him to say all of that. My emotions swell and before I can stop them tears begin to fall from my eyes. “Angel? What’s wrong?” He panics and reaches across to hand me his handkerchief; I chuckle as I take it from him and try to dry my eyes. “Nothing is wrong. What you said was so beautiful that I couldn’t help myself. Sorry, my emotions are all over the place at the moment.” “Is there any particular reason why that would be? Are you sure you are alright.” “Yes, Grant, I am, I promise. But there is something that I should probably tell you, I just don’t want you to be too shocked.” “What is it?”
As we step into the foyer of the restaurant I am amazed by the interior décor. It is stunning, the walls are lined with mirrors and the Matre de stands behind a mahogany pedestal near a pair of wooden doors with glass panels that lead into the main dining room. “Good evening, Sir, Madam. My name is Paul may I take your reservation name?” “Cerulean.” “Please follow me.” He is almost falling over his own feet to lead us to our table, I find it a little comical. “Whatever did you say to them when you made this reservation?” “I don’t know what you mean. Besides, I asked Ellis to help me make the calls.” “Overworking your best friend again?” “No, not at all. He was happy to help me make this the perfect night for you.” I squeeze his arm affectionately to let him know that I appreciate the effort he is making. Crystal chandeliers give it a rich ambient feel, the tables are mahogany with white tablecloths on them. Every table has a pair of red roses in a vase as a centre piece whic
I hang up and glance out of my office window at the city below. Could it really be possible that I’m about to become a father?I think about my own father and the strained relationship I have with him and my brother now. I won’t let that happen to my family. No matter what happens I always want my children to know that they can come to me for anything and that I will be there to help and support them.Two hours later I message Simon to check in on things back at the house.G- “Are the girls home yet?”S- “Not yet but they are due shortly. I had a message from Anya recently saying they are en route.”G- “Good. I will get ready here at the office then head over to collect Angel in time for when she should be ready. Don’t let her be late, we have a schedule to keep.”S- “Don’t worry I’ve got everything organised.”G- “Thanks.”I put my phone away and try to focus on work, but I just can’t do it so instead I check the itinerary for the evening to make sure everything will go smoothly.“Yo
I’m sitting in a board meeting not really listening to what these men are saying because all I can think about is Angel and wanting to know if she is enjoying herself at the spa. She looked so tired this morning and I’m worried about how obsessed she has been with figuring out what is going on with the board of directors at her father’s company. That’s a point, I should audit my directors to make sure they aren’t trying to swindle me. Suddenly the door bursts open and everyone turns as Ellis rushes in. “Boss! I need you urgently.” “Ellis, I am in a meeting.” “Yes, I understand but this cannot wait, otherwise it might require divine intervention.” The way he stresses the word divine and stares intently at me has the hairs on my neck raising. “Excuse me gentlemen it seems I have to handle this immediately. Compile the rest of the reports and send to me to review by email. That will be all.” I leave the room at a brisk pace and head to my office. As soon as the door is closed, I
“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
“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.
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