ZurielleMr Fulton seems extra happy at Cafe Charm, on Tuesday morning.‘Zurielle, I’m excusing you for the first hour, this morning,’ he says.‘Have I done something wrong?’ I ask, worried, and he laughs at me.‘No, dear. Quite the opposite, I believe. You’ve been requested for a meeting, so make yourself a coffee, and have a seat.’‘A meeting? With who? What for?’ I ask.‘I can’t say anything. You’ll know in a few minutes,’ he says, smiling. What’s the big deal? Why can’t he tell me anything? I wander over to the coffee machine and make my coffee.Ace comes in looking mighty handsome with that smile on his face. He is smiling at me, and walking like he is on a mission.‘Good morning, Miss Summers,’ he says.‘Good morning, Mr Brightly. It’s not you who has summoned my presence this morning, is it?’ I ask, smiling. There is a foreign air between us; whatever it is, I like it.‘I have requested your presence this morning, Miss Summers. I hope that’s okay with you,’ he says.‘If it’s im

Lucky gently paws my face, waking me up bright and early.‘Okay, Lucky. I’m awake.’ I give him breakfast, and jump in the shower. Leaning my head against the wall, I decide I’ll avoid Mark as much as possible. I haven’t led him on or given him the impression I want a romantic relationship with him. I told him I’m not interested, and he insisted he’ll pursue me anyway. The last thing I need in my new job is drama. Avoid him, and keep everything between us short and professional; he’ll get the hint and move on.After showering, I get dressed in a matching maroon blazer and skirt, a white blouse, and black heels. I put my hair up in a high pony tail and put a pair of studded earrings in.On my way to the bus top, I hear footsteps behind me. I stop and turn, many times, but there’s no one behind me. My stomach sinks, and I walk faster, and reach the bus stop, where someone else is waiting.The bus arrives, and I sit at the back so no one can sit behind me. I look out the window at a man d

Realising I have just gotten out of the elevator on the wrong floor, I stop when I hear my name called out.‘Zurielle, can I talk to you for a minute, alone?’ Mark asks.Great! Just who I need to see. I just had my first, most amazing kiss with my boss, with no idea what his intentions are, only to fall out with Carol, and be confronted by Mark.The look of annoyance on my face is obvious.‘Mark, I’d rather not. I need to get back to work,’ I argue. ‘Please. Just for a moment. I feel bad about everything and want to apologise.’ He does look a bit stressed, like he hasn’t been sleeping well.‘You have five minutes, then I’m going.’He takes my hand, pulls me into the closest, empty room, and shuts the door behind us. I pull my hand away, and put some space between us.‘I just want to say how sorry I am. My feelings got the better of me. I feel so strongly towards you, I didn’t want you to slip through my fingers. When I saw you in the elevator laughing with Ace, with your hand on his a

I didn’t sleep well that night as I toss and turn, and think of my parents, my dog and my upcoming birthday. I get up and feed Lucky and put on a corporate dress and arrive at work. Ace and I keep smiling at eachother all morning but keep busy with our work.At lunchtime, there’s a knock on the door, and it’s the same man from yesterday, who enters and puts a tray on Ace’s desk.‘Come and have some lunch with me,’ he says.‘I’m okay for now. I just want to get this work done,’ I say.‘I’d prefer you come and eat something. The work can wait,’ he says.Sighing, I stand, and pull my chair over.‘Leave the chair. You don’t need it,’ he says with a grin.Rolling my eyes, I let go of the chair, sit on his lap, and his arm is instantly around my waist. I pick up one of the mini salad wraps and start eating. When we’re finished lunch, Ace wraps his arms around my waist and nuzzles my neck with sweet kisses.I let out giggles and little moans here and there. There’s a knock at the door. Grinn

While driving, Ace holds my hand and looks over at me, a few times, sympathy and worry in his eyes. We’re silent on the way to his place in Southbank. We enter another underground car park under a massive building.‘You live here? In this building?’ I ask.‘Yes, in a high-rise penthouse,’ he answers. ‘Were you expecting something else?’ He asks, curious.‘Actually, yeah. I was expecting a normal house, with a white picket fence,’ I say, honestly.Ace gives me a funny look, trying not to laugh.‘You know how to make me laugh, that’s for sure.’He gets out and walks around the car to open my door. He takes my hand and lifts me out. We head to the elevator, and he holds me tightly against him, rubbing my arms.The doors ding open, and he scoops me up in his arms.‘I’m going to take care of you. I’ll find who did this and make him pay!’ He promises.He kisses me, and puts me down to key in a number in a keypad near his front door.I’m blown away. The place is huge with massive floor-to-ce