Turn Towards the Sun (17 page)

I wake up a half an hour earlier than usual to give myself time to get ready for my new job. I pick out a
black skirt and black pumps and
a sleeveless gray blouse. With a cardigan over it, it’s work
appropriate,
but I can take the sweater off outside to avoid melting away. I flat iron my hair for a more professional look.

I find my new office easily. It’s exactly 3.6 miles from my apartment. The structure’s beauty is awe inspiring. It’s a
five-story building,
covered in reflective glass and a pinkish colored brick. The brick seems to rise out of the ground and intertwines elegantly with the glass that climbs from the ground up. A massive stone fountain dominates the front of the building separated by a paved circular drive and parking area. It looks completely different than all the non-descript office parks surrounding it. Stepping into the lobby, it looks more like a swank hotel than an office. Modern cream couches line one
wall,
defined by a large
terra cotta
colored area rug on creamy travertine tiled floors. Dark gray slate tiles define the elevator area. The various doors around the lobby are
glass,
and the handles blend in giving the appearance of openness. I walk around in awe for a moment until I find Human Resources.

“Hello, my name is Ava Bradshaw. I’m starting today.” I tell the chipper blond behind the HR reception desk.

“Have a seat and someone will be right with you.”

Moments later, my new boss comes down to meet me.

“Hello. Ava Bradshaw?” I stand. “I’m Andrea Jameson. Pleased to meet you. Did you have trouble finding us?”

“Not at all.”

“Great. I’ll take you
upstairs,
and we’ll get you some paperwork to fill out.”

I follow Andrea to the bank of elevators. She’s a strikingly tall, lean woman who appears to be close to my age. I marvel at her mane of thick curly black hair and can’t help but notice how shiny and healthy it looks. I’m glad I wore what I did; her outfit is very similar to mine so at least I know how to dress for this office. She shows me around the office and then sits me in a conference room where I fill out paperwork for the next two hours. My hand is
cramping,
but all of this is necessary when you work with other people’s money. Andrea comes in the room with another girl whom she introduces as Gabrielle Daniels.

“Gabrielle will be your buddy manager. She will get you acclimated.”

Gabrielle smiles wide at me. I return her smile hoping we get along. She immediately starts explaining everything I need to know.

“Your desk is right next to mine. Anything you
need,
you ask me okay?” Gabrielle has a sweet smile. She’s taller than me, about five foot five, and very slender but shapely, with long brown hair cut in layers that frame her face. Her skin has a lovely light tan tone that I can see is natural and big blue eyes that seem to shine. She’s wearing an adorable plum dress with a wrap tie waist and black Mary Jane pumps. I love how feminine the women dress in this town.

“At noon, I’ll take you to the
cafe
and we can grab lunch and I’ll introduce you to some people around the office.”

“Sounds good.”

Monday comes and goes in a blur of paperwork and introductions. I found my desk and the
bathrooms,
and that’s about it. I met a lot of people who seem to be
nice,
so I hope it’s a good career move for me. Walking out to my car, I look at my phone and see that Enzo sent four text messages to me throughout the day.

Hot and Bossy: Ciao bella. I miss you. Have a good day.

Hot and Bossy: I still miss you.

Hot and Bossy: I’m thinking about your beautiful body.

Hot and Bossy: And your kiss.

Pretty sexy stuff. I open my apartment door and still can’t believe this is where I live. I peel off my work clothes and take a quick shower. After putting on some comfy pj’s, I settle down with my computer to check email. My phone vibrates. Another text.

Hot and Bossy: I want to tuck you in tonight.

Me: I would like that.

Hot and Bossy: Then open your door.

What? I rush to th
e front door
. Enzo is standing there in the flesh holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
Huge yellow sunflowers pepper the bouquet.

“Surprise.” He whispers in his beautifully accented voice. I throw my arms around his neck and pull him inside.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I finished my business and couldn’t wait to see you.” 

“The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.”

“For your first day of work.” He holds me close and kisses me
.
I melt in his
arms,
and all the drama with Anna seems completely worth it right now. We kiss for few minutes
,
squeezing each other tight.

“Let’s not start this again.” His eyes shift downward
,
revealing the beginning of an erection.

A warm tingle spreads over my body. Not only am I excited to see
him,
but I’m thrilled that I cause such a physical reaction in him. One day very
soon,
I hope I’ll get to see what I’ve been missing.

“Let’s celebrate your Boston success with some wine.” I take the bottle from him and head to the kitchen.

“The place looks amazing Ava. Do you like it?”

“Of course, I love it actually. I can’t believe I live here.”

“You deserve it.” He uncorks the wine and pours two glasses. I grab a dish with some olives and
cheese,
and we go sit on the couch. Enzo kicks his shoes off and leans back.

“Tell me about your day and your weekend. Tell me what you did when I was gone.” He has the most gorgeous smile on his face
.

“I didn’t do anything exciting. I mean other than all the shopping and setting up of my apartment. That was the highlight of course. Over the
weekend,
I just did things around here. Work today was good. People seem
nice,
but I didn’t do much but fill out paperwork. Pretty boring really.”

He’s staring at me intently again. I sigh.

“Enzo why do you always stare at me?”

“Because you are so beautiful I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

How do you argue with a response like that?

“Tell me more about Boston.” I try to change the subject.

We drink a couple of glasses of wine while Enzo tells me more details about the sale. We walk into the bedroom, undress and climb into my new lush bedding. As we’ve been
talking,
the situation with Anna has been on my mind. Here he is building this massive
empire,
and some little bitter woman is scheming against him. At
least,
that’s my gut feeling. I decide it’s time to bring it up again.

“Enzo. I don’t want to ruin our
evening,
but something is bothering me.”

“You can tell me anything. Except that you want me to leave.”

I laugh.
“No,
not that. Not at all. It’s about Anna.” I feel him stiffen.

“I witnessed something that might be
nothing,
but I think it’s best if I tell you and let you decide.” I tell him all about my interactions with her, then what I witnessed between her and George and his behavior later.

“I recorded it on my phone. In case you wanted to hear it.” The whole time I’ve been
talking,
he has listened intently,
but kept
a tense expression.

His jaw clenches.
“I will want to play it later Ava but not now. I’ve heard enough.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“With you? Of course not. I’m glad you’re telling me this. I’ve had my suspicion that Anna’s been up to something for a while now. I think she might be skimming profits.” His face looks drawn. “But I’ve never been able to catch her doing anything and the store always makes money. This is interesting information you have but still not enough. And I’m so sorry she treated you like this.”

“You could just fire her for how she’s treated me.”

“She could find a way to sue me. I want this over once and for all.”

I think I know a way we could nail The Bitch.
“I have an idea.”

He looks at me wearily. “No Ava. I don’t want you mixed up in this more than you are.”

“But Enzo, she hates me and for
some reason,
she puts her guard down and says things. Let me try. Just once.”

He ponders the idea. “What will you do?”

“I thought I might
go to the store and try on the Maca dresses.”

He smiles.

Enzo picks me up from
work,
and we drive straight to Girasole. Our plan is for me to try to get Anna to admit she’s up to something. We go inside Sassy together. Anna and Stephanie are behind the counter. Stephanie’s face brightens when she sees
us,
and Anna does her best to hide her scowl. Stephanie approaches.

“Stephanie, you’re a joy to wor
k
with,
but I’d really like Anna’s help this evening.” Enzo is standing right next to me so Anna has no choice but to come over. Surprise, then
interest,
washes over Stephanie’s face.

Anna walks graciously towards us. “But of course Miss Bradshaw.
”
I can see she’s already steaming mad.

“Enzo was going on and on about the Maca
dresses,
and I just had to come over and try one on.” An overly sweet
smile
graces my face.

Her eyes burn with hatred.

“You heard her Anna, go get some of the dresses.” Enzo insists.

“We don’t have any right now. Our order was delayed.” Her eyes shift nervously around the room.

“Delayed? I remember signing the delivery invoice and paying the order.” Enzo pushes.

“Yes, but the truck was delayed at the last minute.” She’s
flustered,
and it’s obvious.

“Well, why don’t you bring me the next best thing then?” I flash a smile.

She looks relieved and rushes off to bring me something to try.

“Showtime.” I wink at Enzo and saunter off towards the dressing rooms. I click record on my phone once more. I feel like an undercover cop conducting a sting operation. Anna arrives to the
area,
and I attempt to get her talking.

“Surprised to see me Anna?”

She glares and hands me a dress.

“Where are the Maca dresses? Enzo says they are the hottest selling
dress,
and you never let them sell out. So where are they?”

Thinking we are out of Enzo’s
earshot,
she responds. “Mind your own business gold digger.”

I don’t even flinch knowing I have the upper hand.

“This is my business Anna. Where are the dresses?”

She
crosses
her arms. “God, what’s it to you? You don’t even know what a Maca dress is. You think just because he puts you in fancy clothes you’re better than me.”

“I never said I was better than you Anna. You’ve been the hostile
one,
not me. I’m going to ask him to bring me back next week for the Maca.”

She blanches. “They won’t be here next week. Try in two weeks.” She looks frantic.

“Okay Anna. Two
weeks. I won’t be needing this.” I hand her the dress
and walk back to Enzo.

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll wait for the Maca.”

“As
you wish bella.” He says. We start to walk out but then hold back a moment, standing at the front counter with Stephanie. A moment later Anna shoots out from the dressing room area and heads straight to the front desk, not noticing Enzo is still in the store. I quietly follow her and hide behind a corner, Enzo closely behind me. She stomps over to
George,
who is visibly turning red as she approaches.

“Shut it down George. The gold digger knows something is up. Stop the transfer.”

“I can’t Anna. I’ve already put the money in the account.”

“Well you have to get it back. Enzo is going to find
out,
and we’ll both be fired. Put the money back George!”

George’s face turns even redder when he sees Enzo step around the
corner,
having heard the whole thing. George freezes. Anna hasn’t realized what’s happening yet.

“You stupid bastard, say something.”