I can’t believe it. This is really happening. I look down on my body adorned with a brown pencil skirt, a white blouse, and black stiletto heels instead of the usual jeans and T-shirt I used to wear working at the coffee shop. I’m so excited and nervous to start my new job today. I walk inside the building to the receptionist at the front desk for directions to my supervisor’s office. I can’t believe I am going to be working here. Somebody, please pinch me! I need to make sure this isn’t a dream. “Ouch,” I say, feeling a sting on my right arm. “Why did you do that?” I ask the pretty lady at the front desk. She’s a beautiful brunette with gray eyes, an oval face, and a lovely smile. “You asked someone to pinch you, so I did,” she says, still with that beautiful smile. “I said that out loud?” I exclaim, my eyes are wide. “You did, honey. Welcome to the Crawford Wine Company. My name is Nora, how can I help you?” My new job is at a family-owned wine company founded in 1970. I only k
I walk out of Mr. Crawford’s office and approach the desk across from it. “Hello,” I say to Vivienne. “I can’t believe you didn’t take the money. How much more money do you want?” “Excuse me, how do you know he offered me money?” “You just want to work here so you can seduce Jason and get more money out of him,” she says, ignoring my question. I’m surprised she called him by his first name. They must be really close. “No, that’s not why I want to work here. Why would you make such an accusation?” “I’m going to tell you right now, it’s not going to happen. Jason already has enough office romances. Your plan of seducing him isn’t going to work,” she says, ignoring my question again. “I don’t plan to seduce Mr. Crawford. Can you stop hurtling accusations, please?” I’m starting to get annoyed. “Honey, you can pretend all you like, but don’t worry. The day you try to seduce Jason, he’ll reject you and throw you out. And I’ll be smiling and telling you, ‘I told you so,’” she says wit
I’m so happy today is Saturday and I don’t have to go to work. I couldn’t bear seeing Vivienne’s face on weekends. I’d tear it off. That woman is something else. But I refuse to ruin my weekend thinking of her and our snobby boss. Mr. Crawford is the most arrogant person I‘ve ever met. Every time I greet him at the office, he acts like I’m a ghost. He doesn’t say or ask me to do anything, and I don’t know if I should be happy about it. I’m in a taxi on my way to visit Carson I’d planned to spend my weekend watching TV all day on the couch, but Carson asked me to see him. Maybe he wants to see how my first week at work went. I arrive and pay the taxi before walking to Carson’s mansion gate. The security guard lets me in the gate once he sees me through the cameras. I thank him before walking to the front door. I ring the bell and a, beautiful brunette opens the door. “Hello, Eleanor,” Kassie says. She’s one of Carson’s housekeepers. “Hello, Kassie, how are you doing today?” I ask and
“Eleanor, I don’t pay you to sit around and look sad about your miserable life. Get to work,” Dave, my grumpy new boss, says. “Sorry,” I say, standing up from a chair in the kitchen. I just finished having lunch and was taking a break. “I don’t want your ‘sorry.’ I need you out there helping customers, so beat it,” he says, pushing me toward the entrance of the kitchen. Before I walk over to a table, I adjust my hair and check my uniform for any food stains. Once I look presentable, I approach the closest table to take their order. This is my life now—waiting tables. I was lucky to get this job. Uncle Jack had to beg his manager to hire me. It’s been two weeks since I was fired from the Crawford Wine Company. I’ve been avoiding Carson phone calls ever since. I don’t want to come between him and his grandson. They have a good relationship, and I can’t bear to be the person who ruins it. So I made a choice and decided I should stop being friends with Carson. “Welcome. What can I get
“Good morning, sir,” I greet Mr. Crawford for the second time this morning. I greeted him earlier when he arrived on our floor and passed my desk, but he ignored me. Once he arrived, he immediately asked to see me. He hasn’t said anything since I sat down in front of his desk. I greeted him again to make sure he knew I was here. “I know you’re here Eleanor, I’m not blind,” he says, keeping his eyes on the papers in front of him. “Of course not, sir,” I say, hoping I didn’t offend him. “I want you to do comprehensive, detailed research on this man. I want to know everything about him, and when I say everything, I mean everything,” he says, handing me a file with the name Umberto Moretti written on it. This is the first time he’s asked me to do something for him. The whole week I spent working for him, he never asked me to do anything. I’m thrilled things have changed. “Sir, there could be a thousand Umberto Moretti’s in the world. How will I know which one you need me to research?”
It’s been a few minutes since we got back to the office. I can’t help the feeling of dread that something terrible is going to happen to me. After the meeting finished, Mr. Crawford didn’t say a word to me the whole ride back to the office. I could feel his eyes glaring at the back of my head whole way. The worst part in all of this is, I don’t know what I did wrong. I’ve been pacing up and down around my desk while biting my nails. It’s a bad habit I do when I am nervous. I’m scared of Mr. Crawford doing something harmful to me. The bruise on my arm might not have been intentional, but it hurt. I imagine it could be much worse if he wants to hurt me intentionally. I jump in fear when I hear the phone ringing. I knew he’d call me to come to his office, but I didn’t think it would be this soon. I take my time to pick up the phone and answer. Before words can form in my mouth, he speaks and cuts the call. I’m lucky I was able to hear him before he hung up. I take three deep breaths bef
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
I look at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help the bright smile on my face as I see myself. The day is finally here. It feels like yesterday Jason asked me to marry him. I can't believe it's been three months since then. I gently rub my growing bump. I didn't want to wait until the baby was born to get married to Jason. I didn't see why I needed to. I love him, and there’s no reason why we should wait before we get married. I even like the fact that my baby is going to be a part of our wedding. You can't really see my bump because of my gown and being just fifteen weeks pregnant. I’m so happy to be marrying Jason today. I pat my hands down my beautiful white gown. My dress is an off-shoulder ball gown exhibiting thin silk threads thoroughly embroidered onto a point d'esprit tulle that provides finishing. I lift my hand and touch the necklace Jason got for me for our wedding today. My jewelry set is a teardrop blue sapphire diamond. Jason said he got it for me because they remind
As everyone walked to Eleanor’s room, I find it hard to move my legs. I was still in shock that I got Eleanor pregnant. I was always careful with my sex life. It baffled me how she got pregnant. I didn’t use a condom when I had sex with Eleanor because she was always on the pill. She was the only woman I ever had sex without protection than Christine. I always used condoms even if the woman I was sleeping with claimed to be on the pill. That’s why I was surprised Eleanor allowed herself to get pregnant. I know Eleanor didn’t want to be a mother yet. This was all just so confusing! “Jason, why are you standing there?” Evan asks. “Did everyone hear what the doctor said?” “Yes, we did,” everyone replies. “If everyone did, why am I the only one who’s shocked I got Eleanor pregnant?” “Because you’re the one who got her pregnant. We’re just all happy they’re both fine,” Amber says. “Did she tell you she was pregnant?” “No, she didn’t. I don’t even think Eleanor knows she is pregnant.”
I stay like Vivienne advises. I spend the whole morning at my desk waiting for Jason to call me to his office, but he never does. I spend most of it dozing off, though. I don’t know why, but recently I’ve been sleeping a lot. I find myself dozing off all the time these past few days. I wonder if the stress of everything with Jason and I is exhausting me. It's lunchtime now, and Vivienne and I are on our way out. “Do you think Jason and I will ever get past this?” I ask Vivienne as we take the elevator to the parking lot. “I believe you will. It might take a while, but you will.” “I know it’s selfish of me to wish for a future with him, but I do. I really hope one day Jason will be able to see me and not my father.” “Hopefully, that day will come soon.” Vivienne says, stepping out of the elevator, and I follow her. We drive to the closest fast-food joint for lunch. Arriving at the Subway restaurant, I don’t like anything they have, which is weird because they make my favorite sandw
I hear Hanna’s footsteps before she enters back into the living room. With every step she takes towards Mrs. Sullivan, I hear my heart beating fast against my chest. My dad died drunk while driving. I know Jason’s parents died because a drunk driver hit their car. Please, God, my dad could have hit anyone the night he died. Please don’t make it Jason’s parents.“Here, you go, son,” Mrs. Sullivan says, placing a file in front of Jason.Jason quickly opens the file. There are pictures inside from the accident.“If you look at the truck that hit your parents and the one with the man holding Eleanor in his arms, you can tell immediately that they are the same ones.” Mrs. Sullivan says, pointing to the pictures. Jason has them laid out on the dining table. “Eleanor, what day did your dad die?”“26th December 2000” I might have been just two years old, but Uncle Jack told me when I got olde
“Alex,” Jason says, turning around to face him.“What did you just say?” Alex asks, again“Please take a seat, Alex,” I say, pointing to the chair across mine“Is that why you invited me over for dinner? Jason suddenly wants to be friends with me again.”“Yes,”“Why”“I think you should take a seat first. It’s a long story,” Jason says“Alright,” Alex says, taking his seat, “I am listening,” He says once he is comfortable in his chair“I know you must be shocked to see me talking to you calmly for the first time in years,” Jason says“Yes, I am.”“I recently found out you were telling the truth about not raping Christine.”“Really, how,” Alex asks, looking shockedJason tells Alex everything that happened and how he found out he was innocent
I come back from my thoughts once I hear my phone ringing. I check the caller ID. It’s amber calling. I quickly answer so I can give her the good news.“Hi, Eleanor, how are you doing today? Have you eaten? Did you sleep well last night?” Amber asks once I answer. This is what Amber has been doing for the past two weeks. She calls me every morning even though she is supposed to be sleeping. I am so grateful to have her in my life. She cares about me greatly. I couldn’t have asked for another person in the world to be my best friend.“Have I told you before that I love you?” I say, smiling into the phone.“Eleanor, where is this coming from? Please don’t tell me you want to do what I am thinking. He is not worth it; please don’t hurt yourself. I know the pain feels like it will never go away, but I promise you it will with time. Please don’t hurt yourself,” Amber says, and I hear movement around he
I listen to Jason’s heartbeat as his hands draw smoothening patterns on my bareback. Jason and I just finished making love. After we released from our first kiss, Jason kissed me again, and before I knew what was happening, I found myself screaming Jason’s name in my bedroom. I missed being in his arms like this. I wish he would never have to stop holding me.“Jason,” I say, into his chest“Yes, love,” He replies into my hair.“I have a few things to ask regarding the video we watched earlier.”“What would you like to ask consigning it?”“How did you get it?”“I am a billionaire honey, getting CCTV footage of a restaurant is not hard for me.”“I know you must have hired someone to get the video for you, but what I am asking is, how did you know your grandmother set you up. Talk more of getting a video of her conversation with Christine.”
I drag my feet as I walk to the bathroom to pee. These past two weeks have been the worse two weeks of my life. I have cried so much I feared I would become sick. I didn’t know what Jason meant to me until his betrayal.I have not had a good meal and sleep in days because of what happened. I spend the whole night thinking about him and crying. I never have the appetite to eat these days. Amber, Evan, Uncle Jack, and Vivienne tried to encourage me to eat, but I didn’t see a reason to eat when all I wanted to do was disappear from the surface of the earth. I felt so much pain that I wished I didn’t exist sometimes.I step into the bathroom, and as I pass the mirror, I look at myself. The bones in my neck are more visible than usual. My eyes are bloodshot red and swollen from too much crying. My nose is also red from crying and too much sniffing. I looked like a zombie, to sum it up. I empty my bladder and sprinkle some water on my face before stepping o
JASON The night of the party… I walk into the gardens where my grandma is having her party. I don’t know what she’s celebrating, but I know I have to attend, regardless. I wish Eleanor had come with me, but I understand why she didn’t. I don’t understand why my grandma can’t see the amazing woman Eleanor is. I hope my grandma sees it one day, and they can finally get along. “Hello, grandma,” I say, hugging her. “Hello, dear. How are you doing?” she asks, hugging me back. “I’m well, and you?” “Good as well, dear. Where is she?” she asks, looking over my shoulder probably for Eleanor. “She didn’t feel like coming,” “That’s good to hear.” she smiles. The smile gracing her face makes me realize Eleanor had no hope with my grandma, as she had tried to tell me before. My grandma didn’t like Eleanor and didn’t bother to hide it anymore. “I’d like you to meet someone, my dear. I ran into her while at the mall a few days ago,” Grandma says, waving her hand toward someone behind me. “H