Hey everyone, sorry for such a long update but when I was reading what I had put up here I noticed I did the rough draft version compared to the one I was working on. My bad. So from this point there will be changes made from the original that was posted and the story will continue on with more fluidity.

54 Years ago

It was the summer of Konella's 19th birthday after graduating university, receiving her honors certificate for business. She excelled in the field far beyond her age group and strived to be better than her peers. Less than a month of graduating she enrolled in a special union and was employed by Cinq Fleche Winery. A newly found business that had begun under the Goldsmith family. Enthralled with her new line of work and more enthused to begin, she set forth to France and began her life's journey.

The desk was filled with clutter, making it near impossible to find the papers needed to go out into the field. Frustrated with the uncleanliness of things here, it never stopped her from trying to better herself and show others here she was no mere child. Her age was a handicap in the department, no one here took her seriously. But she strived to show them all what she was capable of.
"Where are those papers?" Frustrated, exhausted, she scanned the mess of the office given to her and started biting her lip.
*Knocking*
"Yes?" turning around and seeing a man, he was holding a file while staring at her with scrutiny. It was only her second day here and now a man shows himself with a sour look to seeing her. "May I help you?" Biting back the growl in her words, she placed her hands on her hips and stood tall.

"Is this what you are looking for, petite souris?" Holding the file with an amused expression, he seemed like the person who likes to tease. She knew better than to start any discord, so she held her head low and kept her sharp tongue in check. Though his comment of calling her little mouse was insulting enough to make her seethe.

"Yes, it is. And you are?" Being short with the man and accepting the file he held aloft, she eyed him carefully as not to give him any funny ideas to tease her before he hummed. "I asked you a question," temper getting the best of her, he leaned against the wall with interest and assessed her briefly.

"Solomon Goldsmith," He was her boss. The man who began this new enterprise was standing before her in her dirty office and she was embarrassed how rude she had been. Quickly finding words to make amends, she found none. "You are the new worker that transferred I presume." His eyes never wavered off from her as he spoke. She kept her head low and tried not making any more remarks that could discredit her being here. But he seemed aggravated, nonetheless.

"I am," opening the file and seeing all the papers she needed, she walked to the desk and took a seat. "This is going to be a difficult task for you, but I'm certain you can handle this, if not, you are more than welcome to take your leave." testing her willpower to be here, to be brought to a newfound enterprise of his, she prided herself in her work and wanted nothing more than to remain. Solomon walked over to the desk of hers and took a seat while folding his hands and crossing his leg over the other. He was testing her somehow, but only verbally. Unsure how to take on the challenge he brought upon her, she swallowed dryly before having the courage to speak up.
"Are you capable of keeping up with me? I did graduate top of my class far beyond my time, I am more than capable of handling this job." I tapped the desk lightly with my brave words. "I'll be a storm you couldn't possibly predict coming." Heading out to the field after seeing his surprised expression, the action amusing to her, she left with her chest puffed out and head held high while waltzing out of the office and getting straight to work.

After a short while working out in the field to familiarize herself with the workers and the layout, the actions she took against her new boss was something she found herself regretting. Acting foolishly before her superior, and even so much as taunted him!
"I might have gotten a mark for insubordination…I need to act more grown up if I want the job here to last." Returning to the job at hand with each field and what the workers were tending to for the season, she found the job to be more taxing than I originally thought it be. The sun was beating down harshly without any clouds in the sky and found it nearly unbearable to be in it for such a long time. The workers were very endearing though. Teaching her a great deal of the work they pride themselves in and showing all that she needed to know for a good harvest, work was going smoothly for the first two weeks coming here.
Keeping the pace and learning how to manage the property lines, it came to her attention that this would be something bigger than originally thought out. The vineyard would produce splendid wine in the near future, guaranteed.
"At the rate we could establish the winery in the next couple years…" analyzing the charts and setting dates for each field, the process was smooth and near perfection like clockwork of the seasons. "This was the best decision for my career…" admiring the work and the place she came to, at the end of the day she would stare out her window and gaze at the beautiful scenery unfolding its splendor. The rolling hills something she would admire for the years she planned on staying here.

It was after a few months of working there that she understood why women were not chosen for the job. The strain on the back; the blaring sun beating down on everyone it touched; how the men would carry the barrels across the field and back without stopping; everything was requiring strength that women did not have. Nothing dampened her mood nor her ambition, she continued doing her job while always giving Solomon a bit of hardship and challenges during her years working under him.
The two would banter over the smallest things. Governing the mills properly, soil reduction, labor cost, taxation of the land and much more. But the more they bickered the more the two grew closer each time until Konella realized she had begun feeling more than admiration for her boss. She kept her distance though when it was necessary. Never taking the chance for them to be alone for more than what was reasonable. She was young but not foolish enough to try and bait the CEO of an entire fortune. Her mind always left her in turmoil each time they spoke. How she acted or what she wore in front of him remained ordinary, so nothing was out of place. Contempt with the way things were, months had passed that fell on the day of her birthday that she took note of the workers out in the field to be too short for the heat wave that had hit them this season.

"Ms. Brooks you should head inside and cool off. You won't last out here much longer," one of the workers was concerned over her wellbeing in the blaring heat. Her pale skin being turned pink under the sun's rays and working the field without a hat. "We will manage the rest from here and report back to you in your office." Handing her his canteen of water to drink, she graciously accepted and gulped the cool liquid hungrily.

"With this heat we have to harvest all we can before the sun burns the fields all up. There's just not enough people here…" returning his canteen and getting the barrel filled with decent grapes, she could feel her body's exhaustion.

"The heat has taken many of us to the hospital, and right now you might be one of them. Please Ms. Brooks," eager to get her inside, she succumbed to his plea. "Thank you…" relieved he had won; she took a few steps forward before losing her balance and falling to the ground. "Oh no! Ms. Brooks I am going to retrieve help, please don't move!" He placed his hat on her head and handed her back his canteen before taking off to get help.

"Well this is humiliating…" covering her eyes and taking sips of water, she found it shameful to be beaten down so easily by the sun. "Here I thought it would be an easier birthday…" Staring at her own feet waiting for him to return, the sound of footsteps coming close gave her a sense of ease.

"I gave you the day off so you may enjoy it freely," hearing Solomon and looking in the direction she heard him, he was wearing his white suit as though the blaring sun had no effect on him.
Always calm and never showing any changes to his features, it was like weather could never penetrate his visage.

"Mr. Goldsmith…" weakly speaking as her mouth was parched; he knelt to her level and examined her carefully. "I thought you were gone to deal with the business in—" he tapped her lips and looked as though annoyed she was even here on a day he had given her off to enjoy. He clicked his tongue after he removed the hat off her head and seeing how red she had become.

"My business plans can be rearranged," he interjected coolly. "Though I come to hear you had come to work without my approval when clearly you were given the day off." Speaking of his kindness once more, she bit her lower lip.

"There weren't enough people here on site to finish the harvest before the sun burns it all…"

"And you thought by coming here yourself you could pull off 20 workers worth of labor?" Making a valid observation, she remained quiet. "You sure know how to cause trouble to me without having to try, Ms. Brooks." His hands reached around her swiftly before she could react and was hoisted into his arms without breaking a strain.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Alarmed to him taking such action, her arms held tight around his neck, he looked at her with a carefree expression that she could hear her heart pounding in her ears.

"We are heading to my office so you may recover before heading home."

"I- I can walk…" her voice low with embarrassment, he heard nothing and continued carrying her through the field until they reached his office.
Even after walking through the field under the sun she felt cool whilst against him. Unheard of to not be overheated wearing a suit, she was drawn to him and his mysteries. Once he set her down on his couch and grabbed a glass of water, she watched with careful observation his unchanging demeanor. He truly didn't feel uncomfortable wearing his suit in this heatwave and showed no sign of sweating even after carrying her.

"I gave you this day to enjoy your 21st birthday Ms. Brooks. Why would you endanger yourself today of all days?" Startling her getting interrogated, she graciously accepted the water then kept her eyes off him to calm herself down.

"I never asked for today off. There really was no reason for you to give me such a privilege." He seemed annoyed yet rather perplexed on what to say. She may have gone too far and should be thanking him rather than rebuking. "But the thought was appreciated…" quickly adding the fact, he still seemed bewildered.

"Then perhaps I have not given you reason to take leave?"

Her heart thumped loudly. Her face flushed to the thought of herself never parting from him and she tried erasing the senseless feelings she held. The cool water could not put out the flame she had lit inside herself towards him. If he knew the truth why she never took days off he would fire her for sure for misconduct.

"Ms. Brooks," eyeing her across the room and veering her face in another direction, she felt his hand slide coolly onto her cheek and had her face him.

When did he come so close? Startled how silent he was in his approach, he softened his expression and asked in a hushed tone, almost an eager whisper.

"Is there a reason why you refuse to take time off? Are you here for reasons I should know about?"
His playful demeanor throwing her off-course to keep her distance, he gently rubbed his thumb on her cheek and held her in his hand.
His hair fell in front of his face and she brushed it back without thinking and felt her embarrassment burn on her face. Feeling his every move, every whisper of breath, her body flushed hot. Trying to find other words to come out and feeling his fingers slip down her nape and brushing her slender collarbone, her head just blanked as she stared at him waiting for his next move. His eyes traveled slowly up and down her body. Fingers gently brushing skin and peeling back the blouse so smoothly it was hardly noticeable he even began doing it. Pressing forward on the couch on one knee and hovering above, he was hesitant doing more but his wistful gaze transfixed on continuing.
The distance was palpable.

"I find you rather endearing Konella…you are the first woman that has ever stood so bravely before me. You give me excitement like no other has before." Kissing the back of her hand and waiting for a reply, she swallowed dryly and wet her lips. All that distance she placed between them was now completely shattered. Daring to think this could be something more.

"…I am?" Rather surprised to hear of this, she took a chance and nervously touched his cheek and wanted to feel the truth of his words. His skin was so soft and his hair even softer as she felt his locks curl around her fingertips when he took hold of her hand once more and kissed her palm sweetly. "Solomon…?" Whispering his name as he continued to lavish her hand in soft kisses, he was close enough to kiss her lips when he whispered if it was ok.
"It's more than ok…" tasting his lips on hers like the sweet forbidden fruit, the temptation taking them both. They ravaged each other hungrily as two being thirsting for the oasis in a desert. The distance they kept was no more as their strong ebullition took hold of them.