It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

2

6 Hours Earlier

“Where’s Shane?” He asked clearly irritated. “Busy. I can help you with anything you need, seeing as my father made me CEO.” Melissa sat behind the big mahogany desk, offering her hand out for Colin to sit. Sitting down he appeared uncomfortable, “My daughter text me.”

“Ah you mean the daughter that barged into me, making me spill my coffee only to then berate me in my own office building, and when I offered up a handkerchief to help her clear up the spil on her shirt she walks off, only to then accuse me of lying about being CEO and try to flirt with my father to get a job. That daughter?” With each word Colin spoke he got redder and redder eventually he looked like he would burst.

“I didn’t know this.” He stuttered out. “Is there anything she can do to make it up to you? We’re trying to get her into the world of work before she takes over my business.”

Melissa steepled her fingers a habit she’d picked up from her father when he was about to give bad news. “My advice? Don’t. Don’t let her take over your business. She hasn’t got an ounce of common sense, doesn’t know how to be nice to anyone. But I do have a position that’s available. It will mean having a nice smile, and being nice to people all day long.”

Colin nodded “Give it to her, whatever it is.” Melissa pulled out a contract, “Sign here, that you’re responsible for her behaviour, tardiness, and uniform while she’s here.” Colin scanned the contract and then signed, at that moment the door to the office flew open and in walked Nancy “Did you do it Daddy, did you get me the job?”

Looking at everything else but his daughter he mumbled a response “I got you a job.” Nancy, smiling triumphantly, said “Ok where’s my desk? Can I start at 10am instead of 8am? Also I need to leave at 1pm.” Melissa interrupted “I’m sorry you need to be at our earliest shift 5am, you need to go to the restaurant and ask how to make tea & coffee and what trolley to put the cakes and cookies on.” “I’m making coffee all day? WHAT? Dadd-“ she didn’t get to finish her sentence, he dragged Nancy out of there telling her to shut up.

“I have a Mr Blake Milligan on the phone, there’s nothing in the diary. Do you want me to put him through?”

Thinking it was a name that she’d forgot to write in the diary, she said “Put him through please Sam, oh and when you've done that you can leave. See you tomorrow.”

“Melissa Hartford.” She said into the phone resting between her ear and her shoulder as she typed on the laptop in front of her.

“Ah you’re beautiful British accent. I hope you enjoyed your coffee.” Blake’s voice came down the phone.

Realisation ringing in her ears, it was the Greek God lookalike from the coffee shop.

“What can I do for you?” Melissa said that headache was back and nagging

“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight?” Blake asked

“Straight to the point then?” Melissa chuckled into the phone. “Sure. What time and when?”

“7:00 do you like Italian food?”

“Who doesn’t?” Melissa asked

”Rosetti’s.” Blake said “I will see you at 7:00. Bye”

“Goodbye” Melissa only got half the word out before hanging up.

Looking at her watch, she had three hours left. She could work for two more hours, get a shower here, do her make up and hair, change into the spare outfit she always keeps for spur-of-the-moment parties. And she’d be ready by 6:30. Rosetti’s is only a 15 minute walk from her office.

After 3 hours she turned off her laptop, the paperwork could wait for one evening. She showered, did her make up, slightly heavier with it being the evening, but the wings were back, and changed into a long sleeved dark green lace dress, with emerald greens shoes.

No jewellery, as she didn’t keep any at the office, as she was locking her office door, a voice startled her from behind

“Melissa?”

“Jesus on a bike Sam! What are you still doing here?” Melissa remarked

The ginger haired young guy said in a quiet voice “You were alone in your office. I’m your secretary, if you need something...”

”After a certain time I can that for myself. Go home Sam, be with your family. Do you have a ride?” Melissa asked while fiddling with her straight hair.

“I walked here.” Sam muttered

Pulling up a contact on her phone she spoke into it “Vinnie, can you please come to the main entrance. My secretary needs to go home.” Hanging up Sam looked at her in horror.

”Sam, you’re my secretary which means you can use the company vehicles, to and from work but never out of work hours. Speak to Vinnie he will give you all the details. Goodnight Sam.” Melissa walked to the private elevator and go on board, pressing the only other button on the wall she rode down on the elevator. Walking through the reception area, it seemed empty. “Elaine go home to your husband. Go on shoo.” Elaine’s head popped up from behind the desk.

”How?” Was all she said earning a wink from Melissa, as she walked out of the door.

After a 15 minute walk Melissa pulled the door to the restaurant and went to sit at the bar.

“Bourbon. No ice please.” The golden brown liquid was placed in front of her. As she looked down into it a voice came from behind her, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Turning around Melissa saw a very smart Blake, he was wearing a suit,

“How is it possible to look even more god damn gorgeous.”

Blake had tied his hair back and had trimmed his beard and moustache so it sat flat against his face. He looked every bit the title of Greek god. 

“Hello Melissa,” the words dripped from him like honey. Taking a seat on the stool next to hers at the bar, she quickly glanced in the mirror behind the bar.

The restaurant had a real Italian feel, it was owned by a Tony and Maria Rosetti, they were first generation Italian immigrants, they had four children, and they had at some point or another worked in their parents restaurant. Tony was working tonight, he loved to cook authentic Italian ingredients, always making everything himself from scratch. The food was out of this world and was one of Melissa’s favourites.

Maria was waiting on tonight, she approached the couple who were talking quietly “Ciao Bella, Melissa, you look beautiful tonight.”

Melissa smiled a genuine smile “Ciao Maria, how are you? And Thank you.”

The older lady was starting to look her age, she had grey streaks in her black hair, her brown eyes twinkled in the low lighting of the restaurant, her flowered dress and apron had been her favourite, but never seemed to look old.

Grabbing two menus, Maria led the the couple to a semi secluded table, this was the table that Tony and Maria always gave to Melissa, when she either ate there alone, or on a business meeting.

Melissa stopped at the table and Blake grabbed the chair and she sat down. “Such a gentleman.” Melissa said, Maria with her notepad out, “I’ll bring you two more boubon’s?”

Melissa stopped Maria “If it’s okay with Blake, could we have a bottle of red?”

Maria seemed to freeze, in all the time she’d known Melissa, she’d never once drank red wine on a business deal, even when her father was CEO and doing business in the area, if Melissa was with him, she always had bourbon.

“One bottle of red coming up.” The lady’s Italian accent coming through.

Maria dashed off, despite her years she could move.

“So red wine? Why do I get the feeling that you only ever drink bourbon?” Blake asked a perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised.

Smiling gently “I like Maria, but if she’d have got bourbon she’d have been back quickly, with red wine she has to go down to the cellar then pick a decent bottle, decant it, allow it to breathe for an hour, and we can take out time.”

Blake’s eyes sparkled with mischief, the table was simple a white table cloth, with a gingham table runner, a wicker basket of bread rolls, one of butter, and a jug of water, with two glasses.

Blake picked up the jug turning the hi ball glasses over “Water?” Melissa nodded, “Please.”

Blake’s mind wandered at this, the “Please” that came from Melissa’s direction, sounded so good to him, he wondered how it would sound making her beg for more. Shaking his head slightly, they made small talk, Maria came back and asked what they’d like for to eat, Blake picked the Lasagna al forno Melissa had linguini with roasted garlic Alfredo sauce.

“So tell me more about you Blake.” Melissa was a great conversationalist she knew all the topics and when it came to facts about people had an eidetic memory. A bit of a scatterbrain at other times but people she was great.

“So I have a brother and a sister. Brock and Andrea. They’re great. I live with my brother. It’s cheaper that way. My sister is still in high school. How about you you have any siblings?”

“Yeah a half brother. Ryan. He’s a pest but I love him dearly. He’s also in high school.” Melissa replied it’s true, she loved her younger brother more than life itself. He was, however, a pest and would often spoil dates by “protecting” his little sister. Yes little sister. He’s taller than Melissa at 6’ 6” he calls her shorty, squirt, little one even though he is nearly 16.

The food was brought to them along with the red wine, it was as always amazing, having finished a full bottle of wine, and both meals Melissa went to the bathroom.

Stepping in to the little room, it had enough for one person at a time, a toilet, small sink, a mirror. Checking her reflection Melissa spoke to the image of herself staring back at her “Ok give him a little kiss then leave. Go back to the office. Pick up my things, call Vinnie and go home.”

Unlocking the door, she walked back to the table, everything had been cleared away and Blake was nursing a bourbon, she noticed another one in her place, slipping into her seat she smiled “Shall we get the bill?” Melissa asked,

“I’ve least paid it.” Came the response, “Oh, normally I....”

“I know” Blake responded “You pay it forward, I was watching you at the coffee shop. Why do you do that?” Searching her eyes.

Melissa started to feel the full weight of his gaze on her, taking a swallow of bourbon, a small drop slipped out of her mouth and down her chin, Blake watched in anticipation as to what she would do, gently sticking out her tongue to catch the droplet, she caught it and sucked it into her mouth, Blake noticed how erotic that seemed even though it wasn’t, ‘God I need to get laid.’ Blake wasn’t the sort of guy to keep a woman around long, one maybe two dates at a push, he always made it clear that he wasn’t up for a long term thing, they got what they wanted, sexually and that was it. It suited him and the girls he went with. It was at that point he realised Melissa was talking.

“I pay it forward, because I haven’t always been fortunate with money, my dad worked hard to provide for me and eventually my step mother and half brother, so I try to spread a little bit of good. You never know when somebody could need it.” Blushing ever so lightly, Blake said something that shocked and interested Melissa “I bet you’re a good girl in all ways.”

The implications of his words were lost on Melissa but she played a long. “No there’s times when I can be very bad.”

A ringing cut the conversation dead. Blake gripped his phone “Excuse me.” Pressing the button he snarled into the device “Yes? Brock I....”

‘Brock’s his brother. There must be something wrong.’ Getting up from the table Melissa walked towards Tony who was having a drink

“Hey Bella, when are we going to see a ring on that finger?” Melissa smiled a vague non committal smile. “Tony I’m too busy to marry.” Sensing Blake behind her and hearing he’d finished his conversation he had a dark complicated expression on his face.

Blake was horny, his face always said so and he could see it in the mirror behind the bar. He wanted to bend her over the bar, and f**k her while everyone watched, and he wanted to mess her up, ruin her for others, to the point she wouldn’t be able to be with anyone else. Heat pools in his lower stomach, a fire had been lit in his loins.

Grabbing Melissa’s hand he pulled her out of the restaurant, “Blake woah slow down.” He wondered what was wrong with him, he didn’t want her talking to other men. Even older guys like Tony. He wanted to be the only one who talked to her.