chapter 1

Chapter 1

CAROL

Old disgusting pig, firing me just because I refused to sleep with him.

But what do men think these days? That they can come and dispose of us as they please, just because they know we need a job? Well, it's not like it was the best job, working as a waitress in a bar wasn't a big deal.

I graduated in Real Estate and how did I end up as a waitress? Great.

I kept walking down ST. JAMES'S PARK, letting my thoughts distract me from all the problems I had to face now... I made a quick stop at a café to buy a cappuccino and some donuts. I would eat them at home while I thought about what to do.

As I was leaving the place, my phone started ringing. I took it out of my bag and looked at the screen: Great, she wanted to drop the subject already, it wasn't right.

Seeing her name, I answered.

-Hello, Susan. -I say resuming my walk.

-Am I interrupting something?

-No, don't worry, today hasn't been a good day.

-What happened?

-Fired. That's what happened.

-What? But why?

-It's complicated and I'm not in the right place to talk to you about it.

-Okay. See you at your house then.

-Okay.

-I'll bring wine. See you. -I hung up and put my phone away. I kept walking, watching how people hurried by and were stressed out in the middle of April. It was amazing to see how they passed by your side; lost in their own thoughts, like zombies in an empty shell.

I stopped at a corner to wait for the traffic light to change so I could cross. When the signal changed, I was swept away in a human avalanche, where people seemed like animals rushing across the street; pushing, hitting, stepping on. As if they were blind.

Just as I was about to step up on the curb, I collided with someone, making my coffee fall to the ground from the impact, and I was going along with it when a strong arm wrapped around my waist and held me. Everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to see the face of the person holding me, as I was holding onto the box of donuts in my hands and my bag. People dodged us to avoid having to stop their march for us. He lifted me up, I could feel my feet leaving the ground, clinging to his body and being carried along with him to the crowded sidewalk.

"What does this guy think he's doing, grabbing me like that?"

I try to free myself, but lose my balance and he catches me again.

I gaze up ready to tell him he can let go of me, when incredible gray eyes stare at me with a furrowed brow.

I mentally fall on my butt. I don't say or do anything. He seems annoyed.

"What's this guy's problem?"

-You can let go of me.

-Are you sure? Because I have no problem holding you. -His voice, so deep and smooth, a perfect combination only he could do. I look with my mouth open at William Reyes, the sexiest man I have ever seen, wearing a black three-piece suit. With his light brown hair perfectly styled, clean-shaven face.

I wanted to tell him no, that I wasn't ready for him to let go of me, not yet. With him pressed against me, my legs felt like jelly. But I was aware of where we were and how the curious passersby saw us.

-Yes, I'm fine. -I squirm in his arms, he sighs and reluctantly lets me go.

I turn my head and look longingly at my spilled coffee on the ground.

-I'm sorry. -I blink a couple of times, looking at him.

-Excuse me?

-I'm sorry for spilling your coffee. -he says nodding in the direction where it's spilled.

I try to loosen up, but I lose my balance and he grabs me again.