His Duchess [Completed]

Chapter-13 Miss Independant [E]

She missed him. She missed Julien, it seems like she hasn't seen him in a long time and it's just been a day. She couldn't believe how she's become attached to him, needing him around her, this hollow inside her was odd.

Annie was shocked at her reaction to him and the feelings he stirred within her. And at the same time she felt vulnerable, pathetic, unsure, confused. This wasn't her, she felt like a stranger to herself. This one man managed to change her life completely in just a short span of time.

Sonny had always called her Miss Independent, shaking her head. Annie always played it smart, was self sufficient, calculating. Now, this connection with Julien, it's as if all of it just evaporated. It confused her, she didn't feel strong and independent. She partly hated herself for how she felt. The walls she's built around herself, protecting her, were slowly unraveling.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she stood looking out the window of her office. Thinking back to the events of the last two weeks. She's never been so accident prone in her whole life, not until she met Julien. Seems that fate throws them together, first the accident, then meeting him outside while walking with her father, then the dinner— falling into his arms and now his family coming today to see the potential business space.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen..." Annie said to herself leaning against the glass window.

She heard a soft knock at her door. Annie glanced down to her clock, 12:00pm, it read. Annie cleared her throat, suddenly nervous, wondering if they arrived.

"Come in." She called out.

Her assistant Joe, peeked inside, coming in and closing the door behind him. He was a petite man, with brown hair and medium build. He was also homosexual and one of the most qualified applicants she interviewed. He's been with her for three years now and she considered him one of her closest confidants and friend. She loved having him around, he made the days go by faster.

"Hey, Miss. T, your dad's assistant notified of me of the arrival of the St. James'?" Quirking his eyebrows curiously.

All of a sudden she felt like butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. Placing her hand on her abdomen trying to calm her nerves, Annie took a deep breath. "Thanks Joe, they're looking for offices for their headquarters and they might occupy the open space across from us if they like it."

"Damn girl! I saw them in the lobby!" He told her snapping his fingers with attitude approaching her desk, "And I can tell you the one with the slicked jet black hair is fine, MmmHmm. What a man, what a man, what a mighty, mighty fine man!" As he recited a lyric from a nineties song while giggling.

Annie couldn't help but laugh, knowing exactly who he meant, Julien.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Joe, but I think he's straight," Annie informed him trying not to laugh, but ended up bursting with laughter when his expression turned sour. She hadn't had this much fun with someone in a long time she realized. It felt good to be carefree and have fun.

Annie went around her desk towards him, smiling. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders hugging him from the side. "Thank you for making me laugh, I needed it." Joe smiled up at her in return, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Anytime, sexy thang!" Winking at her. Suddenly a frown, farrowed his face, "By the way, I finished up the paperwork on the Chang deal, man that guy is such a prick! I talked to him the other day, you know, to give him a update on the estimated arrival date of his yacht order. He went A-wall on me and I didn't understand a quarter of the things he said. I think he was cussing me out!"

Annie let out a full hearty laugh pulling her head back. Although Joe was being serious, he sweetly smiled up at her again.

"Don't take it too personal, he's always rude. As for the cussing, I don't know, he barely knows how to speak English..."

"Oh, honey don't you know? In most languages you learn the bad words first before the actual language!" He said dramatically.

"True." She agrees with a smile.  She released him grabbing her handbag and walking to the door on unsteady legs. "I better go, anything comes up call me. And go ahead and have your lunch early if you want, I'll be out for the next couple hours."
******
Annie and Cici met up outside their father's office. Cici looked towards their dad's secretary, "Is our father inside with the St. James'?"

"Actually, they were here a little early so Mr. Taverron took them across the way to view the business space himself. He asked me to notify you to wait for him across the street at the new sushi restaurant I made reservations at earlier." She said turning to her phone that started ringing.

Cici and Annie share a look and shrug, turing towards the elevators. Annie hadn't realized she was holding her breath and releases it to her relief. In actuality Annie wanted to turn, run, and hide. Her nerves were on edge.

They made it onto the main street, waiting for the street sign signal to flash WALK. The streets were busy with people, as taxis, buses, and cars moved by. They crossed the street and entered the new establishment and greeted by the host.  Cici spoke for the both and informed her of the reservation. 

Upon hearing the name the host's eyes widened and she immediately grabbed menus. "Follow me please."

They were led to a table located in the middle right, beside the indoor pond displayed. The pond was wide and deep, holding an array of large colored goldfish, and catfish. A small waterfall was coming out of a sprout gently splashing water into the pond. The restaurant had an overall tranquil feel to it as the soft mediating music wafted into the air.

They were the first of their party to arrive. Cici and Annie pulled their chairs and sat down along the rectangular table, closest to the pond. Annie clutched her thighs under the table, moving her hands up and down feeling anxious.

Cici noticed her odd behavior. "Annie is there something bothering you? You seem a little uptight." Slanting her body in her direction. Annie propped her elbows on the table putting her head in her hands.

"No, nothing is bothering me. I'm just overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do before the weekend. I'm going to be at the hospital all day Friday." Annie lied smoothly.

She couldn't tell her about Julien. She wasn't ready to tell Cici or anyone yet. This was all new to her and she wanted to figure it out without influences, judgements or the pressure of watchful eyes. Annie was a little insecure when it came to Julien and these insecurities left her on dangling on the edge.

She was excited about seeing him and the image of his face before her eyes, sped her heart rate as her breathing came out heavier. At the same time she was uncomfortable, afraid, the more they interacted, the more she felt herself falling deeper and deeper for him. It was a fight she was well aware she was losing no thanks to her uncontrollable emotions. 

Cici frowned at her raising an eyebrow, "You're sure that's why, or is it something or rather, someone else?" She inquired, with a hint. Annie turned her head and glared daggers at her sister.

"Drop it would you?" She answers with her teeth clenched, rubbing the back of her neck. She wasn't about to spill her guts to Cici no less, she was exceedingly nosey, and always pried.

"Well, excuse me for giving a damn! I'm not the one that looks like they're going to bolt out the door! Shit Annie! You got it bad! Deny it all you want, I'm not blind. I see what's going on between the both of you."

Before Annie could reply they felt a presence behind their chairs, and a sense of doom washes over them. Both Annie and Cici stiffened at the same time and stare at each other with wide eyes.

Annie's heart lurched in her chest.  Her barely unstable composure was rapidly unraveling.  Knowing without glancing she sensed who it was.  She would recognize the stare boring into her back from a crowd of hundreds. 

"Good afternoon ladies."  Purred a smooth British voice.

The girls' eyes doubled in size.   They turn slowly at the same time. Their gazes clashed and met a fierce pair of gray eyes that held an amused glint within their depths.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear...it seems.

Annie and Cici both wondered how much he heard of their conversation...
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Thanks Shaz.