Page 1 of Tell Me the Truth

Prologue

Alexandra

Wednesday

Having to say goodbye to Ellis after the movies was so hard. As I watched him drive away, I was very hot and bothered and felt a bit mad at him for not coming inside with me to finish what we started. By myself in my house, I started thinking about what we were doing when we were alone in the movie theatre.

Ellis kissing me felt incredible. I could suck on his candy mouth all day. The way he started his hand at the back of my neck and moved his fingers up under my hair, along my scalp. Then when he clenched his fingers to take hold of my hair, gently yet firmly, my senses were going crazy. That feeling of being controlled with my head held so that he could kiss me any way he wanted, was wildly exciting.

His hot breath in my ear, was moist and deep, and when he whispered, “I want to feel you,” I was ready to drop my inhibitions and fulfill all his fantasies, and mine. I can still feel how my only available reaction was some sort of moan or gasp or gulp since my senses were tangled in a mess of lust, wanton, and desire. There were no words for what I wanted him to do with me.

The feel of his rough hands under my clothing and along my skin. Easily bringing my nipples to attention. The thought of what could have happened if another couple hadn’t entered the theatre…

As I’m walking upstairs and getting ready for bed, I then start thinking about the events earlier in the day, trying to play out if something happened that made Ellis want to leave, instead of joining me here inside. We laughed tirelessly all day, so much so that I let my guard down and even forgot about my worries back at work.

“I hope I can see you again tomorrow.” He said before he got back into his car and drove off.

It has taken my body and mind a bit to cool down after parting with Ellis. Only now am I starting to feel rational and possibly believe that he did want to stay, just as much as I wanted it.

It’s just sexual frustration, I assure myself.We’re both busy people. We have our businesses to answer to. Instead, I allow myself to be positive, present, and thoughtful. After all, I feel lighter than I have in months.

I’m starting to feel something real for this man.This could work, I think to myself before I drift off to sleep, starting to dream about Ellis.

***

5:00 a.m. My alarm and the aroma of coffee wake me up from deliciously naughty dreams that I don’t remember but can still feel deep within my body.

With my head on my pillow, I reach over to stop my alarm and quickly glance over at my phone, resting on my bedside table. No messages, so I undress and hop into the shower. The soothing water and fresh scent of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner gather my senses into an eddy of contentment, exhilaration, and anticipation. There’s a lot to look forward to with Ellis, even if we have to balance our new relationship with the demands at work.

Before leaving my house, it’s my daily morning habit to pause and acknowledge my favorite picture of my mom hung on the wall across from the door that goes to my garage. Her head is set against a background of muted greens of grass and trees. The park, the forest, and even the garden at our home were her favorite places. When this picture was taken, it was a beautiful sunny day.

My mom’s dark hair flowed to her shoulders in waves as she looked lovingly, and with a bit of mischief, at the photographer – my dad. Her expressive grey eyes reach back with love. Her grey eyes are my own -- the part of her I get to carry with me every moment of every day.

“Almost there, Mom,” I whisper to her picture, one version of the same secret I tell her each morning.

It is just before 6:30 a.m. when I arrive at the office and, as usual, I am the first one here. I head directly to the lab and my heart jumps for joy when I see that there has been a break in my research. A note from my assistant reads:I’ve been trying to contact you. Take a look at these results.

The goal of our research is to develop various antibody and/or nucleic acid therapies for treating cancer, autoimmune and infectious disorders with the intention of lessening or removing drug dependency. If my hunch is right, I have developed a novel immunotherapy, vaccine-type treatment that can be used for many chronic illnesses, including cancer.

It takes me just over an hour to look over the readings on my tablet. While there were varying effects on target cells in initial tests, these new tests show complete incapacitation. In addition, levels of toxicity on urine samples for the lab rats show non-existent.

I check and double-check the results against the benchmarks we wanted to reach. It is important to be sure we have successfully achieved what we wanted in our findings.

When I am sure that what I am looking at after rounds of testing and re-testing is exactly what I had hoped for, I roll back in the lab stool and stand up.

Grabbing the edge of the laboratory counter with both hands, I pause and enjoy a rush of accomplishment washing over me. These are the results we’ve been hoping for.

We can finally move on to the clinical trial stage.

This means more confidence in my company’s earning potential both when this therapy goes to trials and then is released, which equates to a jump in stock prices and the investments needed to pay for more research and development.

It also means no more talk of selling shares. For now. I feel a great sense of pride in my work and everything I have built. It is one of those times when I feel humbled by the impact that I can have on the world.

“Thanks for being with me all along, Mom and Grandma,” I say, looking up and feeling their love for me. “All this is for you. I love you.”

Elated, and wanting to set a time to see Ellis, I grab my phone to text him and share my great news. “Oh gosh, still in Silent mode,” I say. I forgot to turn it back on after the movie last night. I flip the switch to turn my phone back to Ring.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

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