New Encounters (15 page)

As I climb into bed, I close my eyes and think about how fantastic Sicily will be. The sunshine, food and the beaches. Some more time with Robert will be wonderful.

CHAPTER 18

I wake up and it’s mid morning on a Sunday. I love not being woken up by my alarm. I smile to myself..... this could be like everyday.... but with Robert beside me. I turn over ...smiling to myself. Not so long ago, I was desperate for excitement. For my life to change and to finally be happy. Settle down with someone. Could Robert really be the one that I have been looking for? Apart from this chastity belt nonsense. Two can play at that game. I am going to buy him one now and get him back. I am not going to tell Ash about it. She might change her opinion on him. I go downstairs and she has the kettle on ready. We have a catch up then she asks

‘Bella, do you fancy coming to the gym today for a swim and a sauna?’

‘Not today thanks Ash, I’m feeling really shattered today. ‘

‘Oh it’s all this dating malarkey! Naughty girl. Do you need me to do anything or get you anything?’

‘Thank you but I will be ok, a day of rest shall do me the world of good.’

Ash goes upstairs to get ready for the gym and I slump on the couch. I am looking forward to a day of just quiet contemplation. Not to mention catching up on a few chores that need doing. After Ash goes out, I go upstairs to try and have a shower. I notice my phone is dead and there are 3 text messages from my tormentor.

*Bella, are you ok? Xx *

*Bella, please respond I need to know you are o.k. xx*

*Please speak to me. Are you mad? Xx*

I hit reply:

*Hi Robert. I am alive, and the belt is still under the bed. Xx* I have to refrain from actually saying it’s never going to happen.

*Oh ok Bella. I will get over it.... I guess! xx*

*Robert... it will be relief to get rid of the damn thing. xx*

*haha... in case it bites you? xx*

*Robert... stop it or I will buy you one! x*

*No way! X*

*YES x*

*Okay.... I will stop going on about it. x*

*Good x*

*I miss you x*

*I miss you too. x*

I feel like a teenager! Ridiculous.... I am a grown woman and I am having fun with my boyfriend. Who am I kidding... he feels like the love of my life. I spend the rest of the day trying

on different work outfits for my last week of work. I can’t quite believe it’s my last week of work. I am going to ensure thought that I use my brains with my money. How to invest it, what to buy. I have read many books on investments over the years. Maybe buy a few small houses and rent them out to start with. My leaving do is on Friday and we are all going to town. I should invite Robert as I don’t think I have told him yet.

*Hey. My leaving do is on Friday night. Do you think you will be able to make it? x*

*Just try and stop me. I will pick you up at 7pm x*

*Super x*

*xx*

I am pleased he is coming on Friday. I can’t wait for everyone to meet him to see just how fantastic he is. 5 more sleeps and I am free from my boring dreadful job. New boyfriend, money in the bank. I might even throw in a new hairstyle.

CHAPTER 19

Wednesday morning, is as boring as ever with our weekly meetings. But I can sit there, with a smile on my face. Two more sleeps..... I am so counting this down.  Coming out of the meeting I look at my work smart phone and see pages of unread emails. I refrain from groaning inside. After the meeting I go into my office and it looks like we have taken the delivery for the local florist.

‘Susie?’ My P.A excitedly runs through the door, and has been clearly waiting for my meeting to finish as she makes it into my office in a nano second.

‘Hi Bella. Oh my god... aren’t they just stunning. What a lucky girl you are! ‘She gushes without drawing breath.

‘Is there a card?’ She produces a card and looks as pleased as punch with herself.

*Dearest Bella. Not long now until we are together more and you are free from your dreary job. All My Love, Robert x p.s is it still in it’s box?*

I flush the same red as some of my flowers. I can’t believe he put that on the card. I pull out my blackberry.

*Dearest Robert.... Thank you so much for the florist shop! They are beautiful. X*

*You are very welcome darling x*

I manage to clear enough space on my desk so that I can actually try and do a bit of work. Everyone who walks past my office does a double take and runs into my office. Some of them joke about the fact that they are glad they are not hay fever sufferers.

*Robert... just a thought... how am I going to get all of this home?*

*David will come in 1 hour to collect them. x*

Low and behold David turns up 1 hour later, with a polite grin on his face and I give him my key. He moves everything out of the office and it takes him half an hour of running back and forth. I thank him and he reminds me its fine. He is so lovely. He comes back with my key and tells me he has arranged them all in vases.... is there no end to this guy’s skills?

I am frustrated as Robert  keeps making digs about the belt. I will definitely get him back on this one. But if he mentions it again I will have to put him straight. Otherwise I am going to start thinking that he has issues. As I get home and run the bath my phone pings.

*Bella.... I can’t wait to run my tongue up and down your body until you beg me for more.x*

*I can’t wait to run my tongue up and down your body and until I take you in my mouth*

*Whoooaaa there... who is doing the teasing here?? x*

*I am in case you haven’t noticed.... I can’t wait to run my tongue softly up and down you x*

*Go on..... then what? x*

*Sorry... got to dash... my bath is ready x*

I giggle to myself. Its good to finally feel some power. I ignore the phone pinging, and head off to the bath... more like strut actually. Sinking into the bath it feels so good. Full of bubbles and hopefully cleanse these dirty thoughts in my head. As I sit on my bed and try myself I look at my phone and there are 3 messages.

*You better not have gone already. Tell me more! X*

*Bella? Come on.... I am so turned on right now. X*

*You are in trouble now.... xxxxxxx*

Hahah... I giggle to myself.

*I am never in trouble and you know it. Hurry up and get your ass back here asap. x*

*Now now Bella...don’t get all demanding x*

*Oh... you have seen nothing yet! xx*

I laugh and head downstairs, just in time to see Ash bustling through the door weighed down by 6 carrier bags full of food.

‘Hey sweetie, I thought I would cook tonight. ‘

‘What delights are you making tonight Ash?’

‘I thought we would go all Mexican.’

‘Sounds good to me.’ If there is one thing that Ash and I excel in... it’s food and alcohol. We have always been avid cooks, and have shelves of cookbooks. Good job we are both members at the gym or we would be twice the size. Which reminds me... it’s been a while since I have hit the treadmill. I must get back into it.

After dinner we sit and watch and some sitcoms and laugh our heads off. But I realise I am so tired.

‘I’m off to bed Ash... I am shattered.’

‘Dirty mare.... go on admit it.’

‘Admit what?’ I look at her and automatically feel guilty. Has she looked under the bed and seen the chastity belt?  Oh good god... how do I explain this to her? We have been best friends but this kind of sharing takes it to a new level.

‘Admit the fact that you are conserving your energy for a certain someone who is coming back sometime soon.’

PHEWWW

‘Oh... yeah. hahaha... yeah I am actually. ‘

‘You look guilty Bells! Nothing for you to feel guilty about!’

‘Oh I know.... haha.’

I head off upstairs with great relief. Thank god for that. Now that would be embarrassing. I go to bed and manage to read for about 10 minutes but my eyes are closing. Its tiring work dating.

CHAPTER 20

Friday morning.... Wahoo.  My last day at work.  I also get to devour Robert. I also..... am Free. This is the first time in my career I have ever bounced out of bed like I have springs on my feet. As of today I no longer have to set my alarm, listen to boring meetings, work stupid hours. This is the first day of the rest of my life. I am past excited. I must be... I have woken up 15 minutes before my alarm is due to go nuts. I get ready for work and text Robert.

*I can not wait to see you later xx*

As I drink my staple diet of coffee, my phone buzzes.

*I can not wait to see you either. x*

*xx*

I get in the car and play my favourite tunes on my way to work and sing my heart out. Two men in a white van drive past and are laughing with me and clapping at the performance they can not hear. I blush... but laugh along. This day, is going to be perfect. I know it... I can feel it in my bones. Who started that saying? ‘I can feel it in my bones.’ I’m not sure if I can feel anything in my bones.... but I feel good. Everyone in work has their heads down and are beavering away as normal. At 11am I am called to the conference room where everyone is stood. It never even crossed my mind about a leaving presentation. All eyes are on me, and all I can think is
I am free! 
My boss stands at the front with me, and he tells the crowd what a wonderful, hardworking employee I have been. He goes through some of the highlights of my career. Then, he proceeds to tell the crowd about some of the funny things I have done. Some of which are quite embarrassing....

‘We were checking out of a hotel we were staying in for a meeting, and Bella had a dress on. She had a suitcase in one hand and her handbag in the other. As we walked out of the hotel, her dress blew up. I of course, ever the gentleman turned away, but I can’t say the same for everyone else’.

The crowd erupted with laughter and applause. I laugh as well. I am handed over several presents and a giant card. Everyone looks at me for my leaving speech. I never thought about this.

‘Urmmm, in all honesty I had forgotten about this part and have not even thought about what to say. I have learned a lot in my time in this business. There have been ups and there have been downs. But overall, I have to say I have enjoyed my time here. It’s just that its time, well... its time to move on. I want a change. The best thing about being here is all the friends I have made. Thank you to everyone, and I hope you will be joining me later for a drink or 10! ‘

That seems to have done the trick and everyone is applauding once more. Suzie is stood crying, bless her. She is probably going to miss bending my ear about her non committal boyfriend.

I go back to clearing my emails and my desk and text Robert.

*So excited! I have just had my leaving presentation. I can’t wait to celebrate later x*

After lunch I check my phone and he has responded.

*Not long now! Let’s celebrate in style baby. Xxxx*