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 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
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