It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

Smiling back at Elaine, as she handed Melissa some papers, she picked her bag up and what was left of her coffee, and took the private elevator that went directly to her office.Stepping out, Melissa noticed her office door was unlocked. Walking in, she saw her father Shane Hartford.Shane Hartford was a self made billionaire, he had revolutionised the world of digital photography in mobile phones. He never lost his accent, his first wife Chloe had died during childbirth, and he had worked three jobs as well as coming up with his idea all while raising Melissa, he was her hero. Tall, with broad shoulders, short spiky salt and pepper hair, he worked out a lot and regardless of his 50 years was very fit for his age.He met his second wife Suzanna Bass when Melissa was 8, they married within a year and had her half brother Ryan Hartford-Bass a year laterSuzanna and Melissa always got along like mother and daughter. They were extremely close, even after Ryan was bor

“Hello Melissa,” the words dripped from him like honey. Taking a seat on the stool next to hers at the bar, she quickly glanced in the mirror behind the bar.The restaurant had a real Italian feel, it was owned by a Tony and Maria Rosetti, they were first generation Italian immigrants, they had four children, and they had at some point or another worked in their parents restaurant. Tony was working tonight, he loved to cook authentic Italian ingredients, always making everything himself from scratch. The food was out of this world and was one of Melissa’s favourites.Maria was waiting on tonight, she approached the couple who were talking quietly “Ciao Bella, Melissa, you look beautiful tonight.”Melissa smiled a genuine smile “Ciao Maria, how are you? And Thank you.”The older lady was starting to look her age, she had grey streaks in her black hair, her brown eyes twinkled in the low lighting of the restaurant, her flowered dress and apron had been her favourite, but n

"What? They've only just sent it to us? Sorry Sam I know its not your fault, It just the International Business Awards is the biggest awards ceremony in the entire business industry. can you RSVP via email, please? I will be going so won't need a plus one, and I will have the fish. Thank you, Sam."Melissa was annoyed she had always wanted to go to the IBA but had never been invited her father went and was often awarded Businessman of the Year and CEO of the year, her father was a fantastic boss and really cared about his employees often giving them 2 weeks off over Christmas.She always aspired to be just like him, and often followed in his footsteps, but with her own hard work. She had always tried her best and started in the mailroom at her dad's company weekends. Ringing Sam she waited for the connect "Sam, can you take some messages I will be out of the office for three hours, please take any messages and can you please ring Vinnie, I don't know what time I will be back t

The awards would start in about an hour, slowly very slowly Melissa started to relax. Scanning the room she saw Jackson.Jackson White and his family were self-made like Melissa and her family, Melissa liked Jackson they did business regularly and he often accompanied her to business events as her plus one.Jackson White was the epitome of an underwear model, he had tanned skin, short spiky blonde hair and big brown eyes, Melissa had once been set up on a blind date with him by her loving father, a merge with Hartford Industries would be good for White and Co, there was one small snag to them getting together, Jackson is gay, and had a long term boyfriend called Julian who adored Melissa as much as she adored them.Jackson was a fair distance away from Melissa but she could see that he was deep in conversation with a guy. Looking around the auditorium she saw a man he was talking to Anita, Melissa almost spat her bourbon out, 'Holy Crap is that Blake?' Turning his back towa

Brock woke up lying on the floor in front of the front door.A smirking Blake standing over him “Good Morning Sunshine.” He was wearing board shorts and a vest.Sitting up slowly, Brock put a hand to his head. “Ouch. Why am I on the floor?”Blake crouched next to his brother, “Well big bro, let me tell you a story. It starts about midnight last night. I hear the answering machine beeping, it woke me up by the way, and I hear a very garbled message from you, drunk as a skunk. My night off and I thought I could get an early night. I heard the message and so decided to wait up for you, to come in. This is what I saw and heard.”Blake grabbed his phone out of his shorts, opening the photos app and pressing the play button. Brock saw himself walk up three steps then slip and slide back down. Then he saw himself on his hands and knees, giggling, crawling up four flights of stairs. He saw Blake go back inside, the camera went dark but the audio was still capturing Brock’s voice