On Wednesday, Annie decided to stop by the office and check up on things. Knowing her father would disapprove she decided to go nonetheless. She wasn't going to actually work, it was an excuse for something to do. Bored with nothing to do all day caused the tension in her shoulders to return.

Yesterday Annie ran much needed to do errands for herself. She completed them early and decided to visit some of her favorite designers, searching for a dress for Sonny and Sheila's wedding.

Her mother was busy running errands for the wedding and bridal shower; Cici had to work all day and wasn't available to go out with her and Sheila and Sonny were having a little date. So she decided to search on her own.

Her taste was specific, she wanted a maxi dress, very fancy and elegant, and something that was body fitting that helped accentuate her curves. After hours of searching she narrowed it down her two favorite designers, Eli Saab and Zuhair Murad. The owner of the boutique she visited suggested to come back on Friday where she will have more haute couture dresses shipped in for her to show. Annie promised to see her by then.

She dressed in skinny dark blue jeans with a white satin blouse that came to her waist in the front and elongated down to her bottom in the back. Searching for her Valentino white studded heels she put those on as well. She braided her hair to the side and added a head band allowing some layers to hang around her face. Applying a soft pink lipstick, black mascara that made her eyes stand out, and a light blue eyeshadow she was finished. 

As she surveyed herself in her long stand alone mirror she turned away when she heard a knock to her bedroom door. Annie frowned and glanced at her bedside clock finding it close to the noon hour. As far as she knew everybody was out of the house either at work or running errands.

Shrugging her shoulders she called out, "Come in!"

Oliver came in with a big white box in his arms. Annie couldn't see his face due to the fact that the box was blocking his view. Her eyebrows rose in confusion, wondering who the box was for. It didn't look too heavy but it was large.

"Excuse me Miss Annie but this was just delivered and it's addressed to you. Where should I place this for you?" Popping his head to the side in able to see her. Annie was taken aback. For her? She usually never had anything that big addressed to her. Now her curiosity got the best of her.

Shaking her head, "Uh, yes um, anywhere you wish Oliver, thank you. Are you sure it's for me?  What's in it?" Asking as she slowly approached the package he set on her small coffee table. A part of her didn't want to open it and the other part was excited.

"It's not my business to open your mail miss, as soon as it arrived I signed for it and it was addressed specifically for you." Oliver relied politely.

Annie nodded at him in understanding.

"Thank you Oliver. I will be leaving shortly to the office, just incase anybody comes asking for me." Oliver smiled and made his way out her door. Annie was left in her room with this mysterious box all alone.

Reluctantly touching the top with both hands she read the outside "Maison Des Fleurs", it read "House of Flowers".... A black envelope was attached to the top of the box, taking it off and opening in quickly, Annie's breath caught in her throat and chills ran up her spine as she read what it said:

"You may be out of my sight, but never out of my mind...
I hope you are feeling better." -J. J

The short letter and black envelope slipped out of Annie's hand without her realizing it. Starring ahead, shell shocked she numbly sat on the lounge chair nearest the table.  Her stance rigid and stiff, a thousand emotions were running through her. She was speechless, and didn't know what to think.

Blinking away the trance she was under she eyed the package skeptically. The sender's initials, J.J, stood out to her the most, looking back down to the floor where the note laid. Her mind and body knew it was no other than, Julien St. James.

So he hadn't forgotten her, she mused. Having not heard from him for days Annie hadn't let her hopes up, but was very disappointed at the lack of effort on his part. But hope blossomed inside of her now that the evidence of his intrest in her was more prominent. Looks like she was wrong to judge so soon...

Standing and taking a step closer to the box she reached out and opened the top of the large box. Annie froze mid-air and inhaled. Her eyes roamed the large, lovely bouquet of exquisite dark pink roses.

Over two dozen stood out and stared back at her. Without having to bend down and smell the inner depths of the roses, a strong potent sweet smell came from them, wafting into her nostrils making her feel lightheaded and elated at the same time.

They were the premium grade-A quality from France rose and expensive as she inspected them. They were her favorite color too, she wondered how he knew or if it was just a lucky guess. It was truly the sweetest thing anyone has ever given her.

She had the biggest smile plastered on her face. Feeling giddy like a little child she jumped up and down clapping and covering her face to keep her dark pink blush down with her cold hands.

Wow. Just for me. He really cared. She thought as she bent down this time and smelled the roses who beckoned her with their intoxicating perfume. Groaning in pleasure she couldn't keep the smile off her face. A great heavy burden was lifted from her shoulders just from his kind and thoughtful gesture. Warmth spread through her as she thought of him and suddenly she had the need to rush out of the house and see him.
********
The elevator doors opened on the 30th floor as Annie made her way toward her father's office. She scanned the many faces that passed by her secretly hoping she would by some miracle bump into Julien. Passing through the glass doors to their corporate offices she was disappointed.

Spotting her father's secretary, who was on the phone, Annie waved to her and pointed in question to her fathers office. His secretary shook her head and smiled. Opening the door without knocking, her father was in his chair typing on his computer. He looked up and smiled when he saw her, he then stood and held out his arms to her. She walked to him as he engulfed in her a big bear hug.

"How's my princess feeling today? Although I'm happy to see you, you're not supposed to be here. I need you to rest and take care of yourself."

Annie smiled. "I thought I'd give you a little visit. What?  Can't a girl come and see her dad?" She teased, trying to charm her way out of why she was there.

Patrick's head pulled back slightly as he laughed deeply. Hugging her to his side he maneuvered them both to the sofa facing his desk. "To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected visit?" He continued quirking an eyebrow at her. Annie leaned her head back against her father's outstretched arm.

"I'm bored to death dad! I have nothing to do. I'm lonely, and before you start again about needing rest. I've rested, see." Stretching her arms out.

Patrick sighed pulling her closer to his side. Annie's head was cradled against his shoulder as his head rested atop of hers. "I promise I'll take it easy! I won't overwork myself like last time." She mumbled feeling grumpy, the tension weighing heavily against her shoulders again.

"Alright," he relented, surprising Annie unexpectedly, "But under one condition: you can't do anything involved with the planning of the wedding and bridal shower." He informed her firmly with all seriousness. Annie nodded quickly finding it a compromise she can live with.

Kissing her forehead, Patrick stood going toward his desk, picked up a file and handing it to her. Annie sat up straighter and looked up in confusion at her father and then at the file.

"I need you to take this to the St. James'. It's the copy of the lease agreement." Crossing his arms against his chest. "You can come back to work tomorrow, first thing. But I mean it Annie, watch yourself. I will be watching you..."

Annie's eyes widened. This was the opportunity she was waiting for. An excuse to see him.

Heat rushed to her cheeks and her heartbeat picked up feeling heavy in her chest. Nodding eagerly she stood up tall, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Okay dad, whatever you say." Promising him.

Her legs felt like they weighed a ton. Her nerves were on overdrive, as she moved toward the door. On the outside she looked calm and controlled, but on the inside, a tornado of emotions was raging inside of her.

Annie wasn't around to witness the secretive smirk her father had on his face nor the true reason for the ultimatum or the hidden agenda. Rubbing his jaw Patrick sat behind his desk once more looking out his office window.

It was the perfect solution for Charlotte and Cici to continue planning her surprise birthday party without any interruptions or suspicion from her. Picking up his phone he called his wife.
**********
Gliding through the glass doors of the St. James' corporate offices, Annie approached the receptionist asking for Julien St. James. The lady asked for her name, Annie explained Patrick Taverron sent her in order to deliver some important paperwork, thinking fast on her feet, trying to deviate from giving her name. The receptionist called him and explained that a lady was here to deliver some paperwork from T-Enterprises. Placing the phone back she turned abruptly and gave her directions to his office.

Annie felt like she was going to trip in her heels as she made her way slowly toward his office. She was excited and extremely nervous, rubbing her hands against her jeans while the file was under her arm. Running her hand down her braid and looking down at her clothes she hoped she looked okay. Gone was the confident and in control Annie, replacing her was an over emotional and unstable shadow of her former self. Now she understood what girls went through when they were boy crazy, shaking her head. What she felt was no simple crush, it was much more.

Passing by the men and women in their offices either on the phone or typing away on their laptops, all the offices had glass walls which Annie assumed had privacy covers. Coming up to the end of the hall way to Julien's office, she saw him sitting behind his desk shuffling paperwork.

His office was bigger than the rest and with beautiful charcoal colored furniture. The carpet was a deep grey velvet textured color nearly the replica of his sharp eyes. 

Still standing there oogling him from his office windows, she admired how masculine and powerful he appeared. Wearing a dark navy suit that fit his muscular frame, he looked strong, confident and extremely sexy. He looked deep in thought as he continued clearing his desk which was large and black.

Stepping before his closed door which was solid wood, she knocked twice. Exhaling and waiting patiently she heard a "Enter!" From the inside.

Hesitating, she had the urge to flee again. Situations which she didn't know the outcome over made her uncomfortable. Used to being in control then suddenly having it disappear, bruised her ego. Her feelings for him were growing at a very fast rate and left her feeling vulnerable.

This is what she wanted, after all. Accepting him in the hospital was the first step to find what the future had in store, she couldn't chicken out again. This relationship might very well be what she's been waiting for, for so long. Wrapping her hands around herself she accidentally dropped the file and the papers scattered at her feet.

"Shit". Annie bent down and started to grab the papers, sorting them in the file when the door opened.

Annie froze and slowly looked up, as a pair of black leather shoes came into her view. The file folder slipped out of her grasp once more and her mouth hung open as she gasped.

Annie didn't dare look up further, her face flushing with embarrassment. So she did the only thing she could do in order for her to calm herself and further save her pride, and continued picking up the papers not daring to look upward.

Julien looked down and it was as if his prayers were answered when the woman of his dreams appeared before him, his duchess...
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