“Morning, already,” I croaked, bemoaning the fact it always seemed to come around so quickly.
I forced myself out of bed, just like I had every day this last week.
Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, there wasn’t a time I ever recalled feeling as shitty as I had this last week.
But life goes on and my job waited for nobody, so I’d do what I had to do.
The first four days of the week crawled by and it was only for the fact it was finally Friday did I get that little extra spring in my step.
That morning, I’d decided to call my doctor and book an appointment. Hopefully he’d find out why I was feeling so lethargic and help me get on with my life again. I’d have to wait, as it was over a week until the doctor could see me.
“A week on Wednesday,” the shrill receptionist said. “Two thirty in the afternoon with Doctor Mulkerrin.”
I could be dead by then. “I’ll take it.”
“Okay, that’s booked for you. Bye.”
God, I hate her. She was a right snotty bitch.
I clock watched all day, willing time to speed up, just that little bit faster, so I could shut down my computer and go home.
This week had drained me, and all I wanted to do was shut my eyes and drift off. Sleep was inviting me in, but the party girl in me kept telling me I’d sleep when I was dead.
I glanced at the clock again. It was four forty-five. Fifteen long minutes until home time and there was a knock on my office door.
Ugh, what now?
Jane Pierce, head of human resources, popped her head round the door. “You got a minute, Ella?”
“Sure, come in,” I said, praying it was only a minute she needed, and this wasn’t going to be one of her mammoth visits. “Take a seat.”
She had a file in her hand.
“You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?”
A strange statement to make. I’m always busy. “I’m chasing my own tail,” I responded. “Why’d you ask?”
She opened her file. “When was the last time you took time off?”
“I can’t remember,” I replied, and I wasn’t kidding. I racked my brain, trying to remember.
“About eight months ago to be precise,” she replied. “Which means you’ve accrued holiday time you’re in danger of losing.”
I was surprised. “I hadn’t even thought about holidays.”
“Well, as from today, you’re on leave for five weeks.”
“Five weeks!” I said, horrified. What about the backlog of work to get through?
“Yes, Five weeks, and no arguments. I’ve just spoken to James and told him it’s not acceptable. He needs to keep a closer eye on his department and ensure his team take annual leave. I’m not surprised you look so tired lately.”
“But who will sort all this mess out?” I gestured to the pile of papers strewn across my desk.
“James can do it,” she added. “It might teach him a lesson. Now, pack your stuff and go home. Enjoy yourself.”
The initial panic left me and was replaced with relief.
“I could kiss you, Jane.”
She laughed. “I’ll pass on that, thanks.”
“I can finally relax,” I said, switching off my computer and grabbing my handbag.
Jane stood up. “See you in five weeks.”
“Yeah, you will,” I said, as I followed her out of the office.
Freedom felt good.
Half an hour later, I walked in the door, deciding to pick an outfit to wear tonight.
My friend, Cara had called five minutes ago and convinced me I need a good old piss up, and she was right. I’d choose an outfit, set my alarm, have a little snooze then meet her at the bar for ten pm.
I’d slept right round the clock again.
It was nearly lunch time on Saturday, and I was determined to use the time off wisely. I couldn’t spend it tucked up in my warm comfy bed, as much as I wanted to.
Picking up my phone, I squinted at the screen.
There were several missed calls from Cara and my mum. I’d text Cara to apologise, but she’d still be in a drink induced coma.
I decided to call Mum before she worried.
Hitting redial, she answered pretty much straight away.
“Hello, Darling,” she said.
“Hi, Mum. Sorry I missed your calls. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I was calling to see how your week had been.”
“Tiring but it got a lot better yesterday.”
“Oh?”
“I’d been so busy I forgot to take holidays from work and now I have five weeks off.”
“Oh, good,” she said, and I could hear her mind ticking over with plans for us. “We can spend some time together.”
“I thought so to,” I said, grinning. “Do you fancy a walk down by the river?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Daddy and I are just heading round to see our friends, but why don’t you call over tomorrow and I’ll cook a nice roast dinner.”
“Roast lamb?” I felt hungry for the first time in days.
“If that’s what you want.”
I was salivating at the thought. “If it’s not too much trouble?”
“Of course not. We’ll see you about three, but I must rush for now. Love you, Darling."
“Love you too, Mum.”
And she was gone.
Chapter Four
I stood under the shower for about thirty minutes.
The hot water reinvigorated me and when I stepped out, I felt the fatigue that had been weighing me down, melt away.
Quickly drying myself, I rubbed at my hair with a towel and tied it back. I dressed and rushed out the door, eager to get out into the fresh air.
I’d take a walk along the River Dee. Blow away the cobwebs so to speak.
It was one of my favourite places to visit and not far from home. It was a tranquil place I often came to when I needed time to think and re-evaluate.
The wind was biting, so I was glad I’d wrapped up accordingly. A thick scarf was tied loosely around my neck, and warm gloves protected my hands from the cold.
I took a deep breath.
Walking along the river soothed my soul.
I hadn’t realised how stressed I’d been until I was knocked out of the rat race, albeit, temporarily. This enforced break would be the best thing for me.
I stood to watch a family of ducks swim past me. It was nature at its most simple, but it did my heart good to see. The babies were quacking their tiny heads off. I resisted the urge to quack back at them, worried others walking by would think I was some sort of nut case.
I carried on with my walk, but fatigue came from nowhere and hindered my progress. Take it easy, Ella.
Feeling the freezing cold wind against my skin, I shivered. I hated that feeling–as though somebody had walked over my grave.
Time to go home.
I turned back, eager to reach my car.
I was about ready to drop, wishing my appointment to see the doctor was sooner than it was.
I felt a little breathless and slowed my pace even further.
My vision was a touch blurred now and fear crept in.
Suddenly, a searing pain in my stomach knocked the wind out of me. My knees buckled. I panicked, trying to keep my balance but hit the floor hard, landing face down.
Gasping for breath, the pain intensified, paralysing me. It was the worst pain I’d ever experienced. It robbed me of my breath, sharp and unrelenting as it was.
I was alone and scared, face down on the ground, no strength to push myself up, or grab my phone to call for help.
Pain and fear held me in thrall.
Then, from nowhere, I felt the warmth of the sun caress my back.
Finding inner strength, I raised my head and through the rays of the sun, I looked up as a stranger ran toward me.
“Help me, please,” I gasped.
He dropped beside me.
“You don’t
have to be scared anymore,” he said, stroking my head. “I’m right here and won’t leave you.”
I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkness.
I opened my eyes to the brightest of lights.
“Oh, my God,” I said. “I’ve made it.”
I lifted my head from the pillow and glanced around.
There was no sadness. I was in heaven.
Or was I?
“How are you feeling, Gabriella?”
I turned around, deflated as a nurse approached. “Fine, and call me Ella,” I said, grumpily. I wasn’t in heaven after all.
“I’ll call the doctor now you’re awake.”
“I need to call my parents and tell them where I am.”
“There’s no need, sweetie.” She smiled. “Your parents and gentleman friend are waiting outside.”
“Gentleman friend?” I didn’t have any gentleman friends.
“Yes, he came in the ambulance with you.”
“Oh,” I said, realising I’d forgotten about the man at the river. Suddenly, I felt nervous and pulled open the drawer at the side of my bed. Shit, where’s my makeup bag? I wanted to check how rough I looked. “Nurse. How do I look?”
“For somebody recovering from Peritonitis, you look surprising well, but don’t overdo it. You’ve been unconscious since you were brought in two days ago.”
So that’s why I felt so poorly. “Two days, why?”
“You were very poorly, Ella,” she said, sternly. “Had your friend not rushed you here when he did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
That explained the drip in my hand.
I touched my stomach. “It feels sore and swollen.”
“Your appendix was also removed, so you’ll be a little tender for a while,” she advised. “Now let me go and inform your visitors you’re awake.”
Five minutes later, my parents rushed into the room.
My mum looked bereft, her eyes puffy from crying.
“Hi, Mum, Daddy,” I said.
“You scared me to death,” my mum said, bursting into tears.
“How are you feeling love?” my dad asked.
“I’m fine now, really.” I reached for my mum’s hand. “Don’t cry,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t you ever do that to me again, do you hear me?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“For Christ’s sake, Lydia,” Dad said. “Give the girl a chance–she didn’t fall ill on purpose.”
My mum sobbed into her handkerchief while my dad looked on and rolled his eyes.
Ten minutes later, and I was wiped out, ready to go back to sleep.
“We’ll go and leave you to sleep, but will be back tonight,” my dad said, kissing my forehead. “Come on, Lydia, and dry your eyes–you look like a mad woman with that make up smudged across your face.”
“Get stuffed, Grant,” she replied. “Take a look at your own face–it’s not up to much either.”
She ushered him toward the door.
God help him. She would be in a mood for hours.
I wanted to laugh again but stopped myself. My stomach felt worse than it had when I woke up.
“See you both later,” I replied, closing my eyes.
My mum blew me a kiss and closed the door.
Suddenly I remembered him again. How could I have forgotten?
I pressed the buzzer by my bed and the nurse came in.
“Is the guy who brought me in waiting outside?”
“He didn’t want to disturb your family time and has gone home for a while. He told me to let you know he’ll come back later.”
I was intrigued to meet him, if only to thank him.
Luck was most definitely on my side when he found me.
I drifted off into the deepest of sleeps.
A few hours later, the door to my room opened and I gasped as the handsome smiling stranger approached me.
“We haven’t been formally introduced but my name is Angelo Godlove.”
I held my hand out, and he gripped it tightly. “Erm, it’s good to meet you, Angelo.”
“I found you by the riverside–you were in quite a mess, but it seems you’re on the road to recovery.”
“Thank you,” I said, mesmerised by him. “Godlove. That’s an unusual but very striking surname.”
“It’s quite common where I’m from, but enough about me. How are you feeling?” he asked.
I didn’t think to ask where he was from, so enamoured was I with him. My face flushed. “I feel fine, thank you.”
His eyes twinkled. “Good,” he replied, smiling. “You’ll be up and out of here before you know it.”
And I was.
Days later I was discharged from hospital.
The enforced rest had done me the power of good, but I was raring to go, even if my body hadn’t yet caught up with my over-active mind.
I’d invited Angelo round to my house.
It wasn’t my usual behaviour, but I knew I could trust him–after all, he had saved my life.
He was bang on time and had the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers I’d ever seen.
“It’s good to see you again,” I said, feeling like a teenager in the throes of first love. “Please, come in.”
I stepped aside.
He walked in, handed me the flowers, then bent down to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
I could feel my face flush.
“Would you like to come through to the sitting room?”
“Sure.”
He followed me through and I was mortified to realise I’d paused the DVD I’d been watching.
“Is that Gone with the Wind you’re watching?”
“Erm, yes,” I said. “It’s my favourite movie.”
“Mine too.”
“You’re kidding me?”
He chuckled. “No, not at all. It always has been.”
“I don’t believe it,” I said. “You’re a big strong brute of a man and your favourite film is one of the most romantic ever made.”
“Strange, huh?”
“Could you be any more perfect?”
“Oh, I’m far from perfect.”
“Not from where I’m standing,” I said, flirting.
He chuckled again but appeared a little nervous. Time to dial back the vixen in me.
“Do you want to watch it?”
“I’d love to.”
I dimmed the lights and we sat on the sofa together.
He was engrossed.
His eyes never left the screen, not even when I placed my hand in his, our fingers locked together.
Being with him felt so right.
When the movie ended, I was certain I spotted tears in his eyes.
“I could watch that over and over again.”
“Me too,” Angelo said, and without warning, he leaned in and kissed me.
I closed my eyes, vaguely aware of the storm raging outside.
The kiss came from nowhere, but I surrendered completely as he took me in his arms.
Feeling his lips against mine–it was like I’d never been kissed before. I was experiencing something totally new.
There was something primal about the way he kissed me, almost like he’d been locked away and starved of human affection.
I felt an intensity, a burning passion emanating from within him, like he knew me, knew my soul and what I’d always yearned for.
I wanted to give myself to him but sensed now wasn’t the right time.
His hand reached up to touch my face.
As our lips parted, I opened my eyes and just like magic, I felt vital and alive again, my energy restored.
Chapter Five
I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
It had taken me thirty-two years, but finally, I’d met the man of my dreams. He was everything I wished for–kind, caring, intelligent and incredibly sexy. The perfect man.
Angelo had an almost ethereal quality about
him.
Admittedly, I found him disarming at first, but that was only because I’d never met anybody quite like him before.
He was graceful, and I know that’s a strange word to use when describing a man, but it’s the only way I can delineate it. It’s a quality totally at odds with his outward appearance. He is ruggedly handsome with dark brown hair, shaved high at the sides, the longer hair on top pushed back. A bit punky and edgy in appearance; he rocked the designer stubble and I could lose myself in his piercing blue eyes. So blue, that sometimes I had to look twice as they seemed to emit an eerie glow.
He has a body to die for, rippling muscles, and a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm. Holy hotness. He looks like he’s ready to wage war, battle ready, his mask of gentleness in danger of slipping at a moment’s notice.
When he takes me in his big strong, muscular arms and kisses me, there is a passion I’ve never felt before. I crave intimacy with him, and surprisingly, we haven’t made love. Most of the time, it doesn’t matter to me as the animalistic side of his nature bursts forth and he takes control, even when he kisses me. I’m his to command.
He has a mysterious aura about him. I haven’t worked it all out, but I’m eager to learn more.
Good things come to those who wait.
Angelo and I were inseparable.
I was so happy with him, I’d almost forgotten how poorly I’d been.
My speedy recovery was largely due to him. He took my mind off the banalities of life, filling my world with excitement and hope.
I felt stronger as the days passed by, and while it took some convincing, Angelo agreed to take me out for a drive.
“Okay,” he said, groaning. “But only if you agree to take it easy.”
He was the perfect gentleman, always looking out for me, making sure I didn’t over exert myself.
“Deal,” I said. “Now let me get my coat.”
The doctor had told me to stay indoors for two weeks, but I was chomping at the bit, bored out of my mind, craving the outside world once more.
“You know what the doctor said.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled. “I feel fine.”
“Let’s go then,” he said.
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