Sweetly Bitter

Chapter 1

   The snow fell slowly as I fell to the ground- waiting- wanting- wanting for someone to save me. I knew that no one would acknowledge that I existed, so was it even worth trying? I breathe three short breaths still waiting; still wanting. And nothing is happening.

And then I see the beautiful face before me. His features glisten in the snow brightly. His cheekbones can cut better than a knife. The young man smiles shyly and offers his hand, with coffee in the other.

"Would you like some help miss?" I nod my head quickly, not saying anything. The offered hand pulls me up quicker than I nodded my head. I smile sweetly. It was only then that I heard the accent when playing his words over in my head. Australian? British? Kiwi?

"Thank you for your help." I start to walk away so I can get where I'm going. But before I could he pulls me towards him, slowing me to a halt. As I look closer at the man who is centimeters from my face, he has light blue eyes.

"Wait, I didn't get the chance to introduce myself." He says sternly.

"Okay, what's your name? And hurry, I'm late for something."

"Julian Tyler. And you are?" His eyebrows are raised at the question.

"My name is Brielle," I'm stiff as a stick.

Julian looks at me amusingly.

"Now, can I get to work please, it's not like I can stand here all day talking to a stranger. I got stuff to do."

"Number one, I'm no stranger; you know my name. And number two, I can help you with your need for getting to work. I can drive you there." As soon as he says that, a limousine pulls up beside the two of us and the driver steps out opening the backseat passenger door.

"Mr. Tyler, your usual spot?" The drivers' voice is deep and full of life like he enjoys working for the guy.

"No, Brielle will be joining us for a ride to work." Julian says confidently.

"Alrighty then, where to Miss?" The driver gestures to the door that leads inside the luxury limo.

"Fall & Co. I guess." Julian lets me sit inside first. He slips inside after me on the other side before the driver.

"So, you work for Alexander Fall?" Julian asks.

"Yes, do you know him?"

"Of him, yes, rumors in passing of course." His smirk turns into a chuckle.

"What kind of rumors?" Anything about my boss would be worth the while. He's still chuckling after my question. There's a likeness to him that I can't quite place. I know I haven't seen him before in my whole life but I just feel like there is something he is holding on to. Darkness, or something that wants to pull me in but I'm holding back. I stay there, looking at him until he answers. Surely it's important; what he knows. I understand that Mr. Fall has a past and a private life, but the rumors can't be all that bad. Could they?

"Oh, nothing of the least importance." I huff at his statement. So far, nothing exciting is happening with this man. That is, except the fact that this man is loaded.

Two more blocks and we are at Fall & Co. where the yelling never stops and I cease to exist. My best friend Annie is waiting outside for my physical presence with two hot teas in her hand, our usual. Her smile that's plastered on her face grows wider as she witnesses me get out of Julian's limo, shocked.

"What in the world honey?" Annie's eyes are now popping out of her head.

"I know, say no more." I roll my eyes as I speak quietly. She raises her eyebrows and puts her finger up to her grape-purple lips, going into shush-mode. I turn to the mysterious man in the fancy ride. "Thanks again stranger." I wink.

"Again, not a stranger," He pauses for a second letting the conversation intensify.

"You're welcome." He returns my wink with a click of the tongue and a smile.

"Sir, I hate to rush you, but, you'll be late if we don't get going." The driver speaks up.

"Right, Benjamin, you're perfectly right," Julian says with a hint of sadness.

"Duty calls, huh?"

"Yeah, have a good day?" He says a little more hope in his voice.

"I always try," I say in return, with a sing-song voice.

"See, I didn't know that. And if I did we definitely wouldn't be strangers now, would we?" He laughs.

"Comical man." I close the door behind him and let him and Benjamin drive off to wherever they were going. I meet up with Annie who had floated away to inside the building.

"Who the hell was that?" Her eyebrows raise once more.

"Julian Tyler, man of luxury."