They hung up and she opened her email. As promised, Damian’s message was there. Dear Miss Audrey Wilson,Congratulations on your employment with Dezick Design Studios, Inc. We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to work with us and we look forward to nurturing and growing your design talents. For starting compensation, we would like to offer you a salary of $70,000 annually. Also, a signing on bonus of $14,000 will be awarded to you. A full medical, dental and vision benefits package is also included for you and a family member.Other perks can include, company housing, company vehicles and paid travel. If this is agreeable to you, please respond to this email. Again, we are glad you have chosen to have your talents represented by Dezick Design Studios. Respectfully, Damian O’Connell, CEOAudrey blinked as she reread the email several times. Her starting salary was more than she could have hoped for, and that sign on bonus would greatly assist her in finding a
“Audrey!”Felicia called out. The nurse rushed over to her, lifting Audrey’s head off the floor. Moments later,her eyes fluttered open. “Let me call a doctor for you.” “No, no, I’m fine. It’s fine.” Audrey struggled to get up, but felt weak. “I’m just tired.” “Ma’am…” “Can you start the discharge process for my father? I’d like to take him home today.”Felicia smiled. “He has been doing well. I think it’ll do both of you a world of good to get out of here. That poor man has been in a hospital for months. Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, helping Audrey up. “Absolutely. I’m fine,” she repeated.Felicia dashed out of the room, and Audrey called to reserve a cab. She was thankful for the bonus Damian had given her. It was more than enough to secure the apartment and furnish it.He even helped her get a hospital bed for her father’s room. Everything was working out. “This is for the best,” she said, trying to convince herself. “This is what we need.”**********^In the
“That would be nice.”Audrey replied. “There is a good spot close to you. I’m at the studio now. I’ll pick you up in a few minutes.”Damian texted back. “No that’s okay. If it’s close, I’ll walk. I need the air.” “Are you sure?” “Positive. I’ll meet you there.” Damian sent her the name of the bar, and it was right down the street from her. A five-minute walk tops. As she walked towards the bar, her mind wandered in every direction except the one she wanted it to.All she wanted was to get Lucien out of her mind, and he just wouldn’t leave. Would she be able to run from him forever? Eventually, they would have to hash this out. Damian was waiting for outside when she arrived. “Are you all right? He asked when he saw her. “You look troubled.” “I feel troubled,” Audrey admitted. “I checked my dad out of the hospital, and moved us into the apartment without telling Lucien.” “I thought he knew,” Damian said as he escorted Audrey inside. “If he did, he’d never let me go.”
Persistent knocking erupted at Audrey’s door. “What in the hell?” Audrey wondered.Her father had gone to sleep, and she was nursing a headache from last night. The banging at the door wasn’t going to help either of them.Audrey answered the door was surprised to find Lucien standing there. He looked awful, as though he hadn’t slept in days. “How did you find me?” she asked. “Are you kidding? You think you could just disappear on me?” “What do you want?” Audrey sighed. “We need to talk.”Audrey wanted to send him away. She wanted him to turn away and walk out of her life. But they did need to talk. To resolve things once and for all. “Fine. Daddy just went to sleep. I have some time.” She stepped aside, making space for him.“Come in.”Lucien looked around the apartment as Audrey led him to a cozy couch. “This is small,” he commented. “It’s more than enough for Daddy and me. Did you come here to insult my apartment?” “Why did you leave?” “Really?” Audrey laughed.
“I should be happy.”He thought.‘Mia wants me back. It’s what I wanted, right? Then why I feel so… empty?’He stood there for what felt like an eternity. The divorce agreement felt like lead weight in his hand. He didn’t want this. “I wanted to try,” he said to no one.Audrey heard him on her side of the door, and did everything she could to muffle her cries.Lucien put the paperwork against the door, and signed it before he changed his mind. “Goodbye, Audrey. I’m sorry.” He pushed the signed agreement under her door and left.Audrey sank to the floor and let her heart shatter. “I wanted to try too,” she whimpered. Deep, painful sobs took hold her of her and she tried to let every ounce of her feelings for Lucien die.Lucien walked to his car, feeling disconnected from his body. Audrey’s past words swirled through his mind.*I like him. Despite everything, and I tried not to. I really tried. But I’m falling in love with him. I know right? How stupid of me. How could I let that h
Tracy was in love with Mark, and he was in love with her. And that was the end of the story. They’d been living together for a while, and she knew she’d say yes if and when he asked her to marry him. If she had his family’s blessing for that, then great. If not, then that was great too. If anything, not getting their blessing would make it more fun. After her shower, she checked her phone. “Yup,” she said. “Five more missed calls. And, oh look. A text.” The message read:“Come to the house, or I will go to you. Take your pick.”Tracy sighed. “Fine. Be there within the hour”Sabrina messaged back.Mark did not know about these exchanges with his mother. He thought they were meeting for brunch every time Tracy went over. She would tell him one day, of course. But, not until his mother gave up.She would win this war on her own. Tracy decided she needed to look strong, and powerful. Not like the demure lady her mother-in-law wanted her to be.“I need to look like a badass bitch toda
She thought as she looked upon the ruined carpet. A large stain of what looked like everything she had ever eaten in her entire life settled into it.Patricia was going to have a fit.As she felt her stomach become settled, a realization came upon her. Her and Mark hadn’t been very careful while having sex.And there was a very permanent side effect that tended to come along with that. She knew it would come sooner or later. But she hadn’t expected it would be this soon.“Oh my God!”Patricia screeched when she saw what happened. “What have you done? This is imported! Do you have any idea how expensive this is?”“I think I’m pregnant.”“This is one of a kind, irreplaceable… I’m sorry, what was that?”Patricia froze as she began to process what Tracy said.“I think I’m pregnant,”Tracy repeated.“Pregnant,”Patricia said. She clapped her hands together and squealed. “Pregnant?Are you okay?”Tracy was surprised by Patricia’s behavior. She leaned over and put her hand on Tracy’s belly.“Hell
“You were awake last night?” “Not the whole time… I heard when Lucien was here. You…are leaving him. And… you are hurting.” “I’m so sorry, Daddy,” Audrey held his hands. “I know you were so excited for me when I got married. But I can’t be with him anymore. Please don’t be sad.” “I am only sad… because you are sad.” “I’ll be okay. I’ve got a new job in Lyncrest. We’re going to start over somewhere new. I’m going to take care of you, and we’ll be okay.”David pecked a small kiss on Audrey’s forehead. “Someday, I’ll…be well enough… to care for you.” “I love you, Daddy.” “Love you,Audrey.” After making some breakfast for her father, she started to pack up the apartment. She also messaged Damian to let him know that she agreed to move to Lyncrest and work in the new office. Within an hour of sending the message, Damian showed up at the apartment. “Daddy, this is Damian. He’s a friend and my new boss.” “It’s great to meet you, sir.” Damian greeted. “Thank you… for h