Cora sighed and put on another layer of make-up. She didn't want anybody to see the bruise.
When she was happy with the result, she pulled her dress straight. It was a simple black dress, just above her knees. Perfect for the company dinner. She never liked going to events like this, but her chance to finally get that promotion was so close, she couldn't skip this evening.
Anthony was sitting in the kitchen, she told him it wasn't a good time today to visit. But he insisted. She walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. She felt Anthony's hand close around her wrist. She stopped and looked at him.
"Don't make it too late, alright!"
Cora didn't like his tone. "I will try." She felt his fingers getting tighter around her wrist. She pulled her hand back and shook the pain off.
"You can't stay here." She said, straightening her back.
Abruptly Anthony stood up and walked out of the kitchen. "Whatever you want." He said and disappeared.
Dinner was at Allegra. A wonderful restaurant with exquisite cuisine, Cora was enjoying herself with her colleagues. She had a chat with her manager Andrew for some time.
Afterwards he took her aside and said: "What do you say, if I propose to you the position of Creative Director?"
Cora looked at him. She was expecting a promotion, but not this big jump. She was working in the design department of their advertising agency. "Are you sure?"
"Totally. At the moment you are the one making all the decisions, we don't have a creative director and I am sure you will fit perfectly in that role." Andrew said.
Cora stuttered. "I am flattered. Thank you."
Overwhelmed Cora got home. She walked into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine.
"You are late. I told you not to make it late!"
Cora got spooked by Anthony. "And I told you to go home. Why are you here?"
Anthony pulled her close. "Because I wanted to be here to celebrate your promotion." He kissed her on the lips. "You did get it right?"
Cora didn't enjoy this kiss. He was to rough, she wiggled herself out of his arms. "Yes I did. I am going to bed."
As she walked away, Anthony smacked her bottom. "I will sleep here tonight."
"No you won't. Not tonight."
Anthony's eyes darkened. "You are not telling me where to sleep!" He grabbed her wrist.
Cora winched, her wrist still hurt from earlier this afternoon. "Please, Anthony. Not tonight."
All of a sudden Anthony's eyes softened. "Alright dear." He kissed her cheek. "See you tomorrow."
Cora let out a deep sigh when he closed the door behind him.
"Cora? Do you have a minute." Andrew walked into her office.
Cora looked up from her laptop and smiled. "Of course. How can I help you?"
"I know you don't do the design of our adverts anymore, but we got a special request from a client."
"Oh?" Cora looked at Andrew in surprise.
"They want you to do their new advertisement."
"And who are they?"
" 'Le Grantham', do you know that restaurant?" Andrew asked.
"You ask me if I know 'Le Grantham'? Of course I do, everybody in London knows that place. Why are they asking for me?" Cora asked in surprise.
"They have seen our previous work and asked specifically for the person who designed those advertisements. And all the adverts they liked were made by you." Andrew gave her a warm smile. "I know it is a step down after your recent promotion, but it's only for this one time."
"Oh don't you worry about that. I am happy to do it. When do I need to start?"
"I will let you know, but I expect the order soon. They just received a Michelin star."
Cora had heard about that. It was her dream to eat at that restaurant, but Anthony never took her there. He wasn't the type to eat at fancy restaurants.
Cora promised Anthony to stop by after her work. So she took the tube to his stop.
Anthony opened the door and before Cora realised it, he was kissing her. His hand on her lower back, pulling her close. She felt his excitement.
She went along with his kiss, she felt his tongue and she granted him access. Her hands in his neck.
"How is my creative director?" He asked when he broke the connection and took her hand.
Moments like this, made Cora's heart melt. He was a good looking man, he had light blond hair and dark brown eyes. He worked out a lot and you couldn't miss that. His upper body was strong, Cora sometimes complained he felt like a rock, he just laughed her comments off.
"I am fine." She smiled at him. "I will work the coming weeks back in my old job, designing the advertisements."
She felt Anthony's hand close around hers. "Why? Why would you lower yourself again?"
Cora's fingers started to hurt under his pressure. "I am not lowering myself, I am only making sure we will get that order. It is a big one and we can definitely use the money to invest in new equipment." She wiggled her hand out of his, she lost the feeling in her fingers. Anthony had squeezed her hand so hard, she lost blood flow to her fingers for a second. She shook it off. "Should I start dinner?"
"Yes please." Anthony smacked her bottom. "You can play the successful business woman at work, but here you have a different role." He smacked her again. "Go on, I need to work out tonight, so I can't eat too late."
Cora hated it when he did that. He always did it just a bit too hard. She smiled at him. "Your dinner will be ready soon, but what would you have done if I hadn't stopped by?"
"I never have to worry about that, because you always come." He kissed her cheek.