NicoleI spend a good amount of time in bed contemplating whether to stand up or not. After leaving the Galaxy yesterday, I called to the chairman's office and requested to have the documents sent to my home. I spent the rest of the day with my mind in disarray, wondering what the future now holds for me. I stare up at the ceiling of my bedroom now, wondering if I've made the right decision. It doesn't matter now. The documents have been signed and I'm expected at work this morning. It's too late.I push up from the bed, glancing at the alarm clock. It's just almost 6:30. All night, I'd tossed and turned and the evidence of my sleep struggle lies proud and dark under my eyes. It's going to take a ton of effort to cover those eyebags. I take my time in the shower and when I come out, I take as much time blow drying and styling my hair. When I'm done putting on my makeup, I'm quite impressed by the good coverage the concealer gave my under eyes. I walk into my closet and glance around i
Nicole;It doesn't matter that I argue all the way to the car and even all the way to the store. Just when I thought I couldn't get more frustrated, Alex gets on the phone, forcing me to quiet down beside him. My lips tighten in distaste as I turn to the window. I've not had many jobs, but I doubt this beats anyone's worst first day at work. Within a minute or two, the car slows down and Alex immediately alights, compelling me to follow. I see that that we are standing in front of a Galaxy Couture shop, not so faraway from the headquarters where we had come from. We make our way in and every single staff we come across drops a quick bow to Alex while he barely acknowledges them with more than a glance. I have so many questions for the man he has become. I wonder if I'm ever going to get answers. We go inside the first female couture store downstairs and the attendants quickly rush forward, polite smiles on their faces."Good morning sir"."Good morning". Alex replies off handedly, hi
Nicole;The driver is waiting for me outside which makes me wonder which means Alex used to get to his meeting. But then again….this is Alex. He has his ways. We make our way back to the office quietly and when I get down, the driver informs me that the rest of the clothes will be sent to my address. I grudgingly tell him a thank you and make my way into the office building. The receptionist smiles at me widely as I make my way past her and I can't help wondering if she ever gets tired of looking welcoming and homely. I bet I would. I release a sigh of exhaustion as the elevator begins it's journey upstairs, taking in my appearance in it's reflective walls. The crisscross on the pants are located at the hips and give the look an overall, soft, womanly abandon. The silk shirt somehow manages to caress my skin ever so gently, amplifying the elegance of the look. I must admit, I look like a million bucks.With a small smile, I make my way out as the elevator dings. The second door on the
Nicole;I freeze in my position, my eyes transfixed on him standing at the door. He was probably making a call because he still has his phone in hand but his eyes are glued to me too, pure rage in them. Now that is peculiar. It's just an office. Why does he look so mad?"Welcome back, sir". Carina quickly says. Talk about being an ass kissing bitch."What's going on here?". His voice is low and menacing and for a slight moment, I actually do feel like a kid caught with my fingers down the cookie jar. "I only came in because I wanted to….."."She used the bell on me, sir and I came in here thinking you were the one. Was quite of a shocker when I saw her standing there instead of you". And now she's making it sound twice as bad as it actually is. I tear my eyes off the lecherous bitch and face Alex. His eyes are burning with actual rage, the heat of his anger seeming to fill up the space between us. In this moment, I see why he's very feared among his workers."It's not as bad as…..".
Nicole;The knock persists and I back against the back of the sofa, bringing my knees up to my chest and burying my head between them. I bring my hands up to cover my ears and close my eyes. No, this can't be happening to me now. The knock seems to be getting louder in my head and I whimper loudly and shut my eyes tighter. From the depth of my auditory canals, I hear the door scrape open and the tremors in my body increases till I can barely sit still anymore. "Please…..". I whisper, the tears threatening to spill frollm behind my closed eyes. "Please…..". I'm taken back to my childhood again. Perhaps if I close my eyes tight enough, I'll really be able to shut him out. Perhaps, if I can't see him, he won't see me. My breath comes out in huge gasps as I bury my head deeper against my legs. But my prayer doesn't get answered again, just like every other time. Because I feel his hand come to rest on my shoulder. I can't help it, I jump back and scream, my eyes still shut tightly. A sec
Nicole;I walk into the office the next day barely in the mood for smiles. Even when the receptionist flashes me her ever ready grin, I don't reciprocate, an action I instantly regret as the elevator doors close in front of me. But it's too late. I heave an exhausted sigh and eye myself warily in the elevator's mirrored walls. I spent the next thirty minutes after Alex left yesterday sitting on the floor with my back against the door, trying to get over the adrenaline high and reassure myself that everything will be fine. I was still in that position when I remembered that I hadn't gone through the manual and with much grudge, I'd pushed up to my feet and gone straight to my computer in my room, checking and double checking to ensure that all my windows and doors are fastened. As much as I told myself to stop being silly, I still found myself reaching for my kitchen knife, a weapon I kept within arm's reach through the night.It was with great effort that I finished the manual and str
Nicole;At the end of the meeting, I've made considerable progress in getting to know the employees of the Galaxy. Alex did a good job of ignoring me throughout the meeting, only talking to me when it was absolutely necessary. It's almost amusing considering I don't even know what he's brooding about. It's evident that his brother's visit has had some kind of effect on his mood and that's getting me even more curious. Why have I never heard of this Ray, even when we were together? And what's him and Alex's relationship like? That doesn't seem like the kind of information I can just ask anybody. My best bet would be Carina but…. that's definitely not possible. I'm going to have to rely on itty-bitty office gossip.I pack up my things and get ready to leave for the day. It's just a little past 6:30pm and a small smile spreads on my face as I realize that this has been my most productive day so far at the Galaxy. Something about productivity really gets me happy. There's a small knock on
Nicole;I smoothen down the front of my dress and glance at the mirror nervously. A dinner event he said, and now I'm stuck wondering if I might be just a tad over dressed or way too underdressed. After much deliberation, I had decided on a long sleeved, tight fitting black dress with a flattering thumb hook, paired with a pair of crystal clear heels and a silver purse. Much against my will, I find my mind drifting to thoughts of Alex often, wondering what he would think. I shouldn't care what he thinks, I'm not dressing up for him…..or am I? I shake the thought off and run my fingers through my sleek bob. The past week has been really intense for me and the evidence sits heavy under my eyes, now covered by concealer thankfully. I had been determined to work hard and I did just that, promptly meeting up with every deadline. As expected, not once had Alex commended me. I didn't even know a part of me had actually been waiting for his compliments till I didn't receive them. Instead, he