Chapter 1. Aiden.

I was sick of their excuses and ineptitude. A whole team of the brightest minds and nothing to show for it. Many would argue that my latest research project should take as long as it needs, for the benefit of the population but it was also a cut throat business with several compettitors trying to cross the finish line first.  

I had to get out of there before I was tempted to fire them all. Grabbing my phone and suit jacket, I swept out of the conference room in a fury. Noone dared speak to me as they passed me. My face was darkened by my temper, my eyes hard and cold.

Pushing open the glass doors at the entrance of the building, I strode out with no particular destination in mind. The wind cooled the heat that had risen within me. I let my feet carry me as my mind went over the findings from the latest round of trials. There had to be something I was missing.

Stopping mid step, I looked up to see where I was. My subconscious had been directing me to my favourite thinking place. There was a park, not so far from my flagship research centre, that I used to spend a lot of time in when I first started in the pharmaceutical business. There was one bench in particular....

Making my way through the tree lined path, I headed for the secluded wooden seat. It was a perfect place for some solitude, set back from all the others and overlooking the pond. It had never been used much as there was a couple of family areas that people tended to occupy first.

Today, however, when I felt the need for seclusion so strongly, I found the spot occupied. The anger that had been bubbling away was rising to the surface again at the sight of the silhouetted figure.

As I went closer, with every intention on asking them if they would mind moving somewhere else, I saw her. She was sat, a curtain of shining mahogany hair, covering her face. Her right foot was delicately tucked behind her left, hiding the full length of her legs. A notepad was sat in her lap, the light tapping of a pen indicating that she was thinking, stuck on some unknown problem.

The tapping stopped abruptly, the notepad and pen tossed to the side as she lifted her head, using a hand to sweep her hair from her face as she did so. She was beautiful. Her skin was smooth with a slight pink tint on her high, well defined cheekbones. The girls nose was small and straight apart from being slightly turned up at the very tip. Her lips were pink, the bottom one fuller than the top, set in a natural pout.

I couldn't see her eyes yet as she had them closed, a small frown gathered on her brow. Whatever she was thinking about was obviously aggravating her. I felt myself longing to smooth out the creases on her head, kissing them away. My stomach twisted at the thought.

Her eyes opened suddenly, golden and sultry. Her small hand reaching for the paper and pen again. She scribbled furiously, figuring out her solution. I wished my problems would solve like that. A phone ringing interrupted her flow of words on paper, causing the small frown to reappear.

"Annalita Taylor speaking?", her melodic voice spun webs of silk as she spoke. "Yes, I graduate next Thursday so will be available for interviews following that...yes, thank you sir. I'll look forward to meeting you.", A smile lit up her entire face.

I wondered what degree she had earned. I decided to turn back towards work before she caught me staring at her. The research could wait, I now had a new objective, to find out all I could about this girl that had my insides dancing with want and desire.

"Annalita", I whispered to myself as I walked away, feeling lighter than I had in days.