The next morning Lanoir swept her big fluffy white comforter off herself and looked around her room. Her thick brown hair was wild as it laid against her shoulder. Stifling a small yawn she sat up straight and slipped on her old but favorite pair of pink bunny slippers. Then she proceeded to make her way towards her bathroom. Before she took off her night clothes she turned on the shower so that the water could heat up.

Removing her oversized Yale sweatshirt she quickly used the toilet, wiped then flushed. She didn't like sleeping with a bra on because she found it to be uncomfortable. Tying her hair up she stepped into the medium sized bathtub and closed her clear curtains that made her figure hazy. Grabbing her honey scented bath soap she proceeded to clean herself but stopped as she felt a jolt of pain in the left wrist. Looking down she frowned at the large bruise that lined her wrist. The skin was a mix of purples and dark blues, which clashed horribly against her brown skin. Quickly finishing her shower she grabbed the towel from the rack and made she didn't hurt her wrist any more than it was.

How did she not notice this before? She thought to herself while taking the steps two at a time. Sometimes her senses were very poor. She should have predicted that her wrist would swell and bruise after the way Colin had yanked her. Lanoir was pissed that he had the nerve to follow her then assault her! She knew that Colin had shown his affection to her but that didn't mean she was required to show him any back.

She had some bandages in her kitchen draw. Ignoring her four dogs as they circled around her excitedly. She made quick work of her wrist and pooped to two pain relievers. Once she was sure everything was in order she feeds her dogs and gave them fresh water.

Looking at the microwave clock she was glad that it was only 7:30 giving her plenty of time to get ready for work. Lanoir worked at a high tech security computer software firm as an assistant to the CEO director of management Mike Hall. Lanoir was a very respected and successful businesswoman. She only went into the office sometimes for meeting and important events, but mainly stayed home and worked. Today she had an important meeting with a big multimillion dollar firm that was interested in using their security software.

Opening the back door to outside she watched as her dogs ran around. Lanoir loved Dogs they had a special place in her heart for all animals. She didn't care that they were a handle full and shed hair everywhere and needed lots of care but she cherished the loved they gave her, they were her babies.

Lanoir tried to adopt all her dogs from shelters, she found a small litter of four Huskies their and couldn't pick only one so she decided to adopt all four of them. Lanoir named them Princess, Duchess, Bella, and Lilly. After allowing them to run around and handle their business she called them inside and headed back upstairs to get ready.

Dressing in a navy blue dress with silver buttons going down the middle. She stepped into a short pair of silver flats and pulled her hair and to a high ponytail. After that, she curled the ends, then she applied a coat of mascara and a clear gloss. Checking herself one more time in the mirror she grabbed the vanilla envelope on her coffee table and was out the door.

Getting into her black Volvo she pulled on her black shades and started to back out of her garage. The garage slowly opened and she guided her car onto the street. Looking in her rear view mirror she saw Colin looking at her car. Lanoir honestly thought about running him over. So she did the next best thing. Pulling down her window she waited until she had his attention and stuck up her middle finger.

She couldn't help the laughter that tumbled from her lips as she drove towards her place of business.

...

"No you didn't flip him off ." her co- worker Tim asked, his face was full of pure amusement. As they both headed towards the conference room. Tim was way taller than her and wore a button up white shirt with a lavender tie. And dark gray slacks joined by a pair of black dress shoes. His dark brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. He refused to cut his hair just because it was seen as womanly. He looked damn good with it long and that's how he intended to keep it. His usually pale skin was tanned and he wore black-rimmed reading glasses.

"He shouldn't have pissed me off! Look at my damn wrist, Tim. I don't care how drunk he was." she said while turning into the empty conferences room.

Quickly the pair set up the needed projector and laid out some folders around the circular table. Once done she made she had all her important notes so she could successfully sell their product. Thirty minutes later a small group of three men entered the room. One was her boss who was enthusiastically chatting up their potential buyer. Trying not to roll her eyes, she placed a charming smile on her lips and stepped forward to greet them. Sometimes her boss over did it with the friendly conversation.

" Hey, do you mind getting me a bottle of water please, and not the cheap brand, oh also some roasted almonds." The guy said ignoring her outstretched hand. What the hell? She thought.

" Well what's the issue miss can you get me the water or not?" asked. His brown hair was gelled back and while his dark green eyes bore into her brown ones. A look of impatiens crossed his face.

"Actually I can't, But my Assistant Tim could go fetch the items you requested." she politely forced herself to say.

"Okay, whatever I don't understand why an assistant would need an assistant." he said while rolling his eyes and turning his back towards her.

" Well aren't you very inquisitive Mr. Dunham?" she sarcastically replied. " But I am here to sell your our highly renowned security system. My name Is Lanoir Swell and I am not an assistant. Will everyone please have a seat so this meeting can start. Thank you." she said while turning her back towards his dumbfounded face, and making her way to the head of the room.

Once everyone was seated she started to explain the depths and importance of their security systems and why they should buy their technology. Lanoir was used to ignorant self-centered men trying to disrespect her. She worked in a male dominant field, she was used to it and it helped that she was good at what she did. By the end of her presentation and speech, she knew she had made a sale when the brunette nodded his head toward the man to the left of him.

" I would like to apologize for my lack of respect earlier Ms. Swell. I can clearly see that you are a brilliant asset to the company. That being said I would like to have your product brought into my company." His green eye looked into hers.

Smile She nodded and stood to shake his hand. Shaking hands they spent the rest of the day chatting up an agreement and any other arrangements. Once the day was over she decided that Mr. Dunham wasn't as bad as she perceived him to be.