Continental Breakfast by Ella Dominguez

the bus back to my new apartment. It’s in a much nicer part of town, though it would still be considered deplorable by Mr. Pettifor’s standards. Unable to shake myself of Mr. Pettifor, I change and decide to go for a jog.
    The cool San Francisco spring air shocks my system back to reality, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. In fact, I feel worse because now the reality of my life without the man I love sinks in.
    I find a nearby park bench, slump into it and began sobbing. I cover my face, not wanting passersby to see my current state of depression. 
    I’m crying uncontrollably when I feel hot hands on my shoulders. Startled, I jump back, ready to pummel whatever stranger is manhandling me. When my eyes clear, I’m staring into the greenest and most haunting eyes on the face of this planet.
    “What’s upsetting you, princess?” Mr. Pettifor asks, wiping my tears away with his thumbs.
    “I miss you so much,” I whisper, not giving a shit about my pride anymore. I half expect the same scared look that he gave me before, but instead, he smiles widely at me.
    He seats himself next to me and tucks me into his arm. His masculine smell is intoxicating and I bury my face in his chest, wondering if this is all just another one of my vivid fantasies.
    He pets my hair while I try to compose myself, his eyes watching me intently.
    “So how is your new job?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
    I shrug in response.
    “I’m currently seeking a new personal assistant, if you’re interested,” he says mysteriously and looking at the landscape casually.
    “What about Amelie?” I ask, saddened at the thought of her having lost her job.
    “She’s moved on. It seems she and Mr. Johansson have a thing for each other and well, being the generous man that I am, I allowed her to go and work for him.”
    My body straightens up and I turn to face him, remaining silent.
    “I would love to work for you again, but I’m starting full-time classes very soon and… I wouldn’t be available…”
    “Yes, I already know about that. I sent in a letter of recommendation regarding your application submission and I have it on good authority that you’ll be accepted,” he says with a proud look on his face.
    “How?” I ask.
    He taps his nose and winks at me playfully.
    “I can assure you that I’m very flexible regarding your work schedule. I’m sure we can work something out. I simply can’t tolerate another annoying temp who knows nothing of my needs, so please accept my job offer.”
    A small smile steals onto my face at the thought of being under Mr. Pettifor’s command again.
    “You never let me fin ish telling how you were my first in many ways, Ms. Darcy.”
    I never thought being called Ms. Dar cy could sound so panty drenching sexy, but the way Mr. Pettifor brandishes my name makes my insides melt.
    “Tell me,” I reply.
    “You were the first woman I took on my desk. You were the first woman I hir ed after having had sex with and the last, for that matter. You should know that it was never my intention to be with you in such an intimate way during our first visit. It was completely unplanned, but the way you moved, your beauty and grace, and the way your body responded to my touch and command… I’m not a man who is easily denied, Ms. Darcy, and I had no choice but to submit to my wants just as you had no choice but to submit to my will. It was against my better judgment to hire you after our interlude.  In all honesty, I hired you that day because after having been with just that one time, I wanted an excuse to see you every day and any chance I could, and giving you a job was the only way I knew how to achieve that. I allowed you into my life knowing there would probably be repercussions. I kept waiting for them, but they never came. You just kept giving me more and more of yourself, giving yourself over to me completely. You were the first woman to ever profess your love for me, Bella. I never expected