I have never felt so scared to wake up alone before. But when my alarm sounded, and I rolled over only to feel that the mattress was empty and cold my entire system was flooded with panic. I shot up out of the bed and frantically searched the bathroom and closet, but she wasn’t there. Rushing out of my room I called her name but there was also no answer. So, I rushed down the stairs and that’s when I caught the smell of food coming from the kitchen. The first feeling that hit me upon seeing her standing at the stove with a spatula in her hand and a pan on the hob was relief that she was still in my home. The next feeling that hit me was desire as I took notice that she was still only dressed in the t-shirt I changed her into when we got home from the club. I admit I was shocked when she fell asleep in my arms. It was only one in the morning and her insomnia has kept her up much later in the past. I made the decision to bring her back despite knowing that the others were going to
I look down and that’s when I see it, there is an image of a wing in the foam of my latte. I thought I was imagining it at first but now I know I wasn’t. she managed to replicate her signature latte that she makes at the café using the machine in my kitchen. “How do you manage to make this taste so unique?” “I really don’t know what you mean Grant.” Instead of answering her I stand and head to the coffee machine to make a latte. Once the machine is done, I take it to the table and take a sip. I can taste the difference, but I cannot decipher what it is. “Taste this and then taste yours and tell me what you think.” I push them both over to her and watch her face to see how she reacts. First, she sips mine and then she sips her one she made me. “What do you notice?” “Well, before I answer I have a question for you. Do you like both?” I nod, ordinarily I would make a latte the same way I just did and drink it without a second thought. “Which one do you like better?” “I admit I
I watch him leave and once he is past the gate, Jeff turns to me. “How may I be of service miss Angel?” “I have some errands to run today.” “When would you like to leave?” “I suppose sooner is better than later. I just need to grab my things.” “Very good Miss Angel, I shall fetch the car and wait here for you.” “Thank you, Jeff, I will be right back.” I head back inside and upstairs to fetch my phone, keys, and hoodie. Returning to the kitchen I place the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on before leaving to meet with Jeff. “Where to first miss Angel?” He asks as I settle in the backseat after locking the door. “To my flat please, Jeff.” I give him the address and soon enough we are pulling up outside the building, but I find I am frozen in my seat as I stare at it. “Miss? Miss Angel, are you alright?” I can hear Jeff
The car journey is quiet, and we arrive outside the police station relatively quickly. Jeff opens my door and I gather my box then climb out. Without my having to ask he dutifully follows me inside and I turn and smile to him gratefully earning a return smile from him. He is older than both me and grant but still relatively young however, like Tony I get a fatherly vibe from him that makes me feel safe. We enter the station and I head to reception to ask to see the detectives handling my case. We are escorted to a room with a collection of desks, and I see the pair across the room. They look up and smile before waving me over to them. “Good morning miss Grey. How are you today?” “I’m alright. A little shaken from visiting my flat for the first time today since the incident but I’m doing well otherwise.” “Oh, I am sorry to hear that going back was difficult but it is good that you have taken that step. What can we help you with today?” “I have those photos I mentioned during my in
Not long after Angela replies to my message my mobile rings and I smile as I pick it up wondering what else she wants to tell me. But when I look at the caller ID, I see that it isn’t Angel calling, it's Jeff. “Jeff? Is everything alright?” “Sir I do not wish to alarm you, but I am at the police station with Miss Angel. She wanted to bring some things here for the officers to look at.” “Alright. What is wrong with that?” “Nothing Sir, but one of the detectives found a report about an accident involving a couple and their daughter. As the detective was reading out the details of the accident, I noticed Miss Angel's breathing was becoming unstable.” “Is she alright?” I begin to stand from my desk worried about her and wanting to check that she is okay. “She appears to have had a panic attack caused by a flashback of what happened to her and her parents. She collapsed an
I pull in through the gates and drive down the long driveway that leads to my front door. The lights are on throughout the mansion so I can assume someone is awake inside. I park in front of the entrance knowing that Jeff will put my car in the garage when I dismiss him from his watch. As I open the door, I can hear voices in the second reception room, so I walk there first and as I enter the space, I see Jeff and Jack seated on the sofas with coffees in their hands. “Good evening, how is Angel?” Both startle and whip their heads around to stare at me. I realise they didn’t hear me enter but this is normal for me. “Um, she is still resting upstairs. We didn’t have the heart to wake her, and Anya said she would let us know if she wakes up.” I nod to acknowledge what Jack has told me and turn to make my way to the bedroom. I slowly open the door and my heart hurts at what I see. The be
After everything that happened with the police, Grant convinced me to stay at the mansion to rest on Friday. I spent the day in the gardens since it was mild, and Lobo enjoyed being able to get out and play. In the evening Grant came home from the office and we had dinner and then relaxed on the sofa together for the rest of the evening. Normally an evening like that might be considered boring but, I feel so relaxed and safe in his arms that I could’ve stayed that way forever. As usual, this morning I woke early but due to my promise to Grant I decide to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen and then bring it back to the bedroom to drink. I decide to sit out on his balcony with a blanket around me as I watch the sunrise. “Angel? How long have you been awake?” I look over and see Grant standing in the window opening wearing only his boxers and looking edible. “Long enough to be able to watch the sunrise. Did I wake you?” “No, but I do wish that you would sleep long enough for me t
Inside the spa is amazing. Everything is elegantly decorated and set out to ensure that the environment is relaxing for the customers. We approach the desk and Anya tells them we have a reservation under the name Cerulean which shocks me even though by this point I really shouldn’t be surprised. The woman at the counter smiles and invites us to the changing rooms to get ready. She shows me the list of activities that have been arranged and I wonder if we are going to have enough time for it all. First, we have time to head to the showers before going to individual rooms for treatments. The treatments start with a facial and foot spa, followed by body treatment which then leads to a full body, head and neck massage. After that, we are advised to head into the salon for a manicure, pedicures, makeup, and hairstyling. I feel out of breath just reading the list but as I attend each appointment the stress and strain melt away from my body and mind leaving me utterly relaxed and my skin
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