CARA

I wake up to see it's past eight in the evening. I must have fallen asleep after having that refreshing bath. I walk over to the window and peep outside to see Liam's car parked in the garage. I was waiting for him to get back because I wanted to tell him that I wouldn't be able to resume tomorrow. I put on my slippers and make my way to his house.

I ring the bell one, two, three times and then proceed to use the wall-mounted telephone.

"It's Cara, please I want to speak with you."

The line goes off abruptly without any response. At least he should have told me if he was coming down or not. I'll wait a while. If he doesn't come down in about thirty minutes, I'll just come back tomorrow to tell him I wouldn't be coming in to work tomorrow.

The door suddenly swings opens and I'm suddenly met face to face with a sweat-drenched Liam. He must have been working out. The singlet clumg tight to his body revealing a bit of his torso. I just stand there mouth agape forgetting the reason as to why I was here in the first place. I hungrily eye his well toned abs that are gawking invitingly at me from beneath the thin piece of white fabric and I unknowingly lick my lips.

"Isn't it too late to show up at a married man's house dressed in a singlet." His deep baritone voice brings me back to earth.

I look at my dress in confusion. What was wrong with this dress? It was a mid-thigh dress made out of tank-top material. I wore it when I wanted to leave the house. Was he expecting me to show up in a suit?

Cara calm down. Let him know he has got nothing on you.

"I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable with my dress. I will keep in mind…"

"Pfft…Why exactly are you here? As you can see, I was busy.” He says using the small towel on neck to clean off the sweat on his body while staring into my soul.

"Liam…"

"Point of correction, it’s Mr Johnson. You can't go around slipping by calling me Liam, especially in the office. I don't want people getting the wrong idea."

Breathe Cara, breathe.

"I'm sorry. It won't repeat itself." I look down and bite my lips to stifle the tears that wanted to escape. It hurts to see him treat me this way.

"For your sake, it better not. I'll hate to embarrass you in the public. Now you were saying?"

I take a deep breath in and breathe out, "I wanted to talk to you about resuming work tomorrow. I would not be able to resume tomorrow because I would like to take tomorrow to

rest. Packing and moving down here was a bit stressful and then unpacking and arranging did take a toll on me. I wanted to ask if I can resume the day after." I ask rotating my shoulder due to the pain that was gradually building up.

"Just because you came in through mother doesn't mean I will give you preferential treatment. I'm sorry, but I can't grant your wish. You have to prepare my schedule and meetings for tomorrow. My former assistant will put you through tomorrow, seeing you have replaced her. She resumes at 6 a.m."

"Why? That's was not in my job description."

"We already have legal staff and I run the company. You don't get to question my decision. See you at work tomorrow. Sweet dreams." he says as he shuts the door in my face.

I stand there dumbfounded as I try to process what the hell just happened. Why is he treating me this way? It's barely 24hrs with this man. Could he still be holding a grudge against me because I broke up with him and disappeared? It's been 6 years already besides, he moved on and married without hesitation so I don't get the attitude. I slump my shoulders in disappointment as I will not be getting my desired rest tomorrow. What a shame.

I wake up at exactly 5 a.m and prepare for work. I can’t remember when last I was awake at this ungodly hour after my mum died. I brew myself a cup of coffee and then go ahead to arrange the things I'll be needing for the day.

Why would someone resume work by 6 a.m? Even the banks don't resume that early. I put on my knee-length black leather skirt and peach chiffon blouse. I pair the outfit with a black stiletto heel. I check the time to see it's five- forty-nine. How long is it going to take for me to get to work?

I pick up my car keys, my phone and bag to head out. As I dash out of the sitting room, in a near hopeless bid to not be late on my first day, I mistakenly slam the front door against my index finger and in that moment, the shock from the pain made me fling my phone as I fell on my knees.

My finger throbbed as I felt a nerve wrecking pain. God, I should still be in bed by now.I kick the door in frustration. Liam this is your fault! I whimper in pain. After a few minutes of wallowing in pain, I pick up my things and realize that there is a huge crack on the upper half of my phone. This can not be happening to me. Not on

my first day at work. I input the address of the office on G****e map and trace my way using the GPS.

This is one huge beast of a building right in front of me. The sky-high mammoth office building towers over me and I gasp in awe of its size. It looks like it contains at least thirty floors. On it is written JOHNSONACE in bold italics. I make my way into the building and I'm suddenly stopped by a security guard.

“Good day Ma’am. How may I help you?”

“I’m a new staff here. I just got employed by Mr Johnson.” “Can I see your card?”

“I haven't been issued a card yet.” “Any document of proof?”

“Yes. Here you go.” I hand him the necessary documents.

He takes his time to access the document and then slides something over the company's seal on the document. He looks at the thing in his hands and then nods.

“To have access into the main building, you'll be needing your card or that of a staff. They don't resume until 7 a.m in the morning. You can wait in the reception.” He ushers me to the lounge in the office foyer where I take my seat on a furry white sofa.

“Are you saying even Mr Johnson's assistant resumes by 7 a.m?” “ You mean Miss Veronica?

“Yes.”

“Yes, even Miss Veronica. Only on occasions when there

are businesses that wasn't finished the night before or when there are very important meetings to be held.”

“I see. I guess I just have twenty more minutes left for them to show up.” I say forcing a smile.

I'm so going to kill Liam! My finger hurts so badly yet I still make it to the office panicking, thinking I'm forty-minutes late on my first day

of work only to find out that workers don't resume until 7 a.m. Why would he lie to me?

“Ma’am is everything okay?” Another man in what I assume to be security uniform asks.

He has on a black cap, t-shirt, pants and boots. My eyes landed on the pistol and knife attached to his jeans. His security outfit differs from that of the man I met earlier.

“Ma’am?”

“Sorry. I'm good. Thanks.”

“The way you are holding on to your finger says otherwise.” He gestures to my index finger which I was clutching gently.

“Okay fine. I slammed the door on my finger.”

“That must hurt really bad.” “It does.”

“Can I take a look at it?” He bends on one knee to inspect my now red and swollen finger.

“I didn't get the name. Dr?”

He chuckles. I don't know why but his laugh causes me to smile. Must be because of his dimples.

“Jeffery. Just Jeffery. And you are?” “Cara Bloom. Just Jeffrey.”

“Wait, Cara Rufus?”

He looks up to face me

“Was formerly Rufus.”

“ I knew it. The face. I kept wondering where I saw this face. We went to college together.”

“We did? I'm sorry I can't recollect the face.”

“It’s nothing. Good to see you again. You just disappeared.”

“I’m back now J.J.”

“I like the sound of that.” He says with a chuckle. “I'll get you an ice bag for the finger.”

In no time, he was back with the ice pack.

“Here you go, gorgeous ”

“Thanks. I'm really grateful and yes, I'll see a doctor after work today.” “See you around Cara.” He waves at me and disappears through the elevator.

The revolving door in front of office opens to reveal a petite pretty woman that looked like she would be in her early thirties. This must be the assistant he talked about.