by Soranna O.
The person standing on the other side of the door was James.
"What are you doing here?
Shouldn't you be home with your new wife?"
"That's none of your business, I need to talk to Anne.
Where is she?"
James was not surprised to see Dave there.
They were after all dating but still it didn't make him feel any better.
He felt rage burning inside and he wanted an excuse to punch Dave and wipe that smile off his pretty face.
"James, what are you doing here??"
Anne asked.
She decided to come check what was taking Dave so much.
She thought at first that maybe someone knocked on her door by mistake.
"Anne, please give me just five minutes."
James begged.
"Did you get married today?"
Anne asked hoping the answer was no.
"Yes…"
"Then goodbye, we have nothing to say to each other.
You did the right thing James, we both need to be strong now."
"Anne, wait…"
Dave then closed the door in his face.
That was rude but he couldn't stand to see his face anymore and he could see how much it was hurting Anne.
Anne collapsed in Dave's arms and started to cry like a little child.
She was grateful that she didn't have to be alone right now.
"Look, I was never in love but I am sure it will get better in time.
You just need to distract yourself. I think I am a good distraction, don't you think?"
"Yes, you sure are."
Anne said smiling through the tears.
Chapter 7
I can't believe he is a married man.
This was the first thought on Anne's mind as soon as she got up the next morning.
Dave was still there but he slept on the couch.
She couldn't let him sleep next to her in bed.
Anne felt that for now she just needed a good friend, not a lover.
Dave was very understanding and told her that even if she will never sleep with him again, he will still be there for her.
Their friendship was too important to him.
He could always find women to sleep with.
He never had a problem with this.
But he never had a good friend before.
That's what Dave decided Anne was, just a good friend.
Sure, he was jealous and he wanted to punch James so bad but that didn't mean he was in love, did it?
The more he thought about it, the more confused he got. For now, he kept this to himself.
It was not a good time talk to Anne about his feelings. Also, first he needed to figure out what he was really feeling for her.
Was she just a friend to him or more?
Dave wasn't a good cook so he ordered some breakfast and then went to Anne's bedroom to wake her up.
"Hey sleepy head, breakfast is served."
"Don't tell me that you cooked.
Is my kitchen in flames?"
She asked knowing he was a disaster in the kitchen, unlike James.
Stop comparing them, she told to herself.
"Don't worry, I didn't cook. I just ordered in."
He reassured her.
"Okay, I'm coming.
Thank you, Dave.
For breakfast and for everything…"
Anne said and gave him a long hug.
Dave could feel something strange happening in his stomach.
What was that?
He wondered.
"I am here for you… Always."
He said.
After they ate, Anne decided that the best thing to keep her mind off her problems is to work.
So she got ready for a busy day.
"I don't think you should go back to work right now, Anne.
Seeing him every day won't do you any good.
How do you want to get over him if you spend every day together?"
James said.
"You're right but I can't quit my job.
I love it there.
Plus, he is on his honeymoon for one week so at least I have a few days drama-free."
Dave felt relieved to hear that.
He couldn't believe how jealous he was getting.
Since he never had any close friends before, he assumed that's normal.
"I can pick you up after work if you want to have dinner together.
What do you say?"
Dave asked hopeful.
"Okay but it would be late.
I have a lot to do today.
If you can't wait that's okay.
We can have dinner some other time."
"I can wait, no problem. For you anything."
"Thank you, that's very sweet."
James was on his honeymoon for a week.
It was paid by his father in law and he didn't really give him any choice.
His daughter was going to have a honeymoon.
The whole time Julia was shopping or arguing with him.
James could do nothing right.
This was normal for their relationship but the pregnancy hormones was making her even more moody.
Anne was always on his mind and he kept sending her emails and messages hoping she would at least read them.
He could see that the messages were all read but she didn't reply to any of them.
On the last day of the honeymoon, James could see a message pop up on his wife's phone.
It was from a guy named Mark.
Strange, I don't know any Mark, he thought.
Without clicking on the message, he could only see the beginning.
It said, "Miss you…"
That made him curious so he clicked on the message.
Julia was still in the shower.
He took his time to read more messages from this Mark guy and it turns out they were having an affair since a long time.
Not only that but this guy was under the impression that the baby she was carrying was his.
Could this be true?
James didn't feel hurt or betrayed.
He felt hopeful.
If this were true, he could divorce Julia and be with the woman he really loved.
He was going to ask for a paternity test as soon as the baby was born.
But he couldn't wait that long so he confronted Julia as soon as she got out of the shower.
In a calm tone, he said, "Julia, look, I know I shouldn't have but I read your messages.
I know all about you and Mark.
He is your lover, isn't he?
I don't blame you because I know our relationship is not making you happy.
Neither of us is happy so of course you looked for your happiness elsewhere.
What I don't understand is why you insisted to be with me. Why did you marry me?
And more importantly, is the baby mine?"
"Okay, now that you know there is no reason to hide anymore.
I don't love you and I didn't want to marry you but my father made me.
You see, this other guy I love is someone my father hates.
He is in a band and doesn't have any other job.
My father likes that you have a successful career and you are a good man.
James, as you know my father is a very dangerous man.
I am pretty sure he hired someone to attack Anne that night.
He knew she was getting close to you. I am so sorry…"
"Julia, I need to go to the police and report this.
If he is the one who did this to Anne…
He could have killed her."
"We have no proof, James.
Also, no matter how much I hate his actions, he is still my father."
"But what about us?
We are both unhappy and we are both in love with other people.
Do you want to be unhappy for the rest of your life?
We both deserve better, Julia."
"I know, I guess now we can both be with the people we love.
I don't have to tell my father yet.
We will divorce later but for now I am happy you found out.
I was so tired of sneaking around.
Will you ever forgive me, James?"
"I forgive you, Julia.
I know your father can be very scary.
I mean, I could have left a long time ago but I didn't.
I was scared of what your father might do.
So yes, I understand and I forgive you."
"Thank you for being so understanding…"
Chapter 8
James felt like he could fly.
Nothing could stand in his way.
He was finally free to be with Anne.
He couldn't wait to tell her but this wasn't something we could say in a message or email.
He needed to see her and kiss her.
He needed to feel her in his arms and then make love to her.
That's what he was thinking all the way back home.
He quickly dropped his bags at home and run to the office where he knew he would see Anne.
As he expected, she was there, her face focused on the contract she was reading.
She is so beautiful, he thought before approaching her.
"James, welcome back."
Anne said genuinely happy to see him.
She missed him but Dave helped her feel better.
He was just what she needed during these hard times.
"Thank you, I missed you so much, Anne."
James said with a big smile.
"You look happy so I guess your honeymoon wasn't that bad, was it?"
Anne didn't intend to sound so angry or jealous but she was never very good at hiding her true feelings.
"I have good news, for both of us."
"What are you talking about?"
She asked surprised.
James told her about everything he discovered and he left the best for last.
The baby wasn't his and he and Julia separated.
Anne didn't answer for a long time.
James was starting to get worried.
Isn't she happy?
Finally, she started to cry and said, "Don't worry, these are happy tears."
They kissed and hugged for minutes.
Anne couldn't wait to tell her friend Dave.
He was sure he would be happy for her.
She also hoped that he and James could be friends.
She didn't want to lose Dave's friendship.
She owed a lot to him.
"One thing though, it's about Dave."
"What about that guy?"
James asked feeling his blood start to boil.
"He is a really good friend.
I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for him these past few months.
I was so sad, James.
He really helped me and I want to keep being his friend.
If possible, I want the two of you to be friends too."
"I am grateful for his help and I can't forbid you from being his friend but I think he is in love with you.
I can't promise I will be his friend too."
"No, he is not.
He just loves me as a friend.
Will you at least try?"
"I will try, I promise."
When she told Dave, she didn't expect his reaction.
He was so angry that he had to leave.
He couldn't believe she got back to him after all he put her through.
Anne tried to explain that it wasn't his fault but Dave didn't see it that way.
First of all, he thought James was a coward because he didn't leave Julia years ago just because he was scared of her father.
Anne could see now that the two of them could never be friends but she hoped that at least Dave could stay in her life.
At this point it was his choice and she would respect it.
James and Julia weren't divorced yet but he moved in with Anne as soon as he could.
Now they were living as a family and Anne couldn't be happier.
Well, she could if Dave would talk to her again.
Lately he seemed to avoid her calls and kept coming up with excuses that he was too busy.
When was Dave ever too busy?
She knew something wasn't right but she decided to give him a few days to calm down.
When he finally agreed to see her, he told her that he had feelings for her.
"I am in love with you, Anne."
She just hugged him knowing how much it hurts to love someone who can't be yours.
"I am so sorry, Dave.
I never wanted to hurt you.
Do you want to stay away from me?
Would that help?"
"Only for a little while.
I don't want to lose your friendship."
"Take as long as you want but not too long.
I need you in my life, Dave.
You are my best friend.
And I love you, maybe not in the same way, but I do."
"I know…"
It took six months but Dave was finally ready to be Anne's friend again.
His feelings for Anne showed him that there was something else out there.
He decided to look for the real thing and give up one-night stands.
Forever In Your Arms
Chapter 1
I can't believe I am running late for work on my first day.
I was so excited to get this job and now I am about to get fired before I even start.
Just as well, I know I wouldn't be able to work with such a hot boss.
Men so attractive should never be allowed to own a business.
I would be distracted all the time and sooner or later I would end up in bed with him.
The next day he would get rid of me.
I finally get to work and I look like a wet dog.
I had to run in the rain for two blocks.
I am 15 minutes late but no one seems to notice.
I hurry to my desk and try to dry my hair with a paper towel.
Suddenly, I hear his sexy voice:
"Late on your first day, I really made the best choice hiring you."
Daniel, my new boss says.
I am surprised to see that he doesn't sound angry or disappointed.
He is actually smiling.
"I am so sorry, it will never happen again.
I stayed up all night long worrying about my first day and I missed the bus."
I say trying to explain.
"Luisa, don't worry about it.
It happens.
If it makes you feel any better, you can stay 15 minutes overtime today.
I left on your desk everything I need done for today.
Welcome aboard!"
Daniel says with a cheeky smile and leaves my office.
I try to focus on my work because I can't afford to screw this up.
I have my little brothers counting on me.
Our dad left us years ago and mom is no condition to work.
She had her heart broken and ever since then, she has a drinking problem.
I promised to myself that I will never end up like her.
I will never lose my head over a man no matter how handsome he is.
Not even if he looks like Daniel.
Especially if he looks like Daniel.
I bet he uses women like tissue paper.
He is a billionaire and being so attractive doesn't hurt.
In a way I wish he were just as poor as I am because maybe then I would stand a chance.
Maybe then he could fall for someone like me.
But I should stop thinking about this.
We live in the real world.
I get lost in my work for a few hours when a beautiful middle aged woman stops by my desk.
"Hello, have you seen Daniel?
You're new, I haven't seen you before."
She says looking m
e up and down as if she is trying to decide if I am attractive enough.
"Hello, Daniel is in a meeting.
Can I take a message?"
"Yes, tell him his wife stopped by and to call me as soon as he is out of the meeting."
She says annoyed.
He is married, of course he is.
She is a beautiful woman but looks like she is at least 20 years older than Daniel.
Suddenly it dawned on me that maybe Daniel is not the rich one.
He probably married her for the money.
Now I am being mean, she is very beautiful even if she is no longer a young woman.
"Of course, I will let him know as soon as he is available."
I say trying to hide my jealousy.
It's crazy to feel jealous already.
I just met Daniel a few days ago when he interviewed me but ever since then I can't get him off my mind.
He hunts my days and at night I find him in my dreams doing all kinds of naughty stuff.
Now I really have to forget about him.
He is a married man, I would never do anything to break a marriage.
No matter how much I love the man.
Love… now I am really losing my mind.
I see Daniel coming out from his meeting and my heart is beating just a bit faster.
I let him know about his wife stopping by and he thanks me for the message.
Chapter 2
My first day wasn't as bad as I thought. I stayed overtime 30 minutes to make up for being late.
Daniel is the only one left in the building and he stops by my desk.
"I think it's enough for today.
You did a great job.
I think we will make a great team.
What do you say we celebrate by having dinner together?"
He asks.
"Dinner, just the two of us?"
I can feel my palms sweating.
"Yes, just the two of us.
Why do you ask, I hope I don't make you feel uncomfortable, do I, Luisa?"
He actually sounds concerned.
"No, not at all.
I would love to have dinner with you, sir.
Let me just grab my purse."
"Please, call me Daniel."
"Okay, Daniel."
I say blushing like a schoolgirl.
Ah, I hate myself sometimes.
He chose a very nice restaurant and we spend two hours just talking.
I tell him about my family and how grateful I am to have this job.
He tells me that he got married 10 years ago and as I suspected, almost everything belongs to his wife.
