Free Limits of Destiny (Volume 1) by Sharlyn G. Branson Page A

was full of my coworkers, but we managed to find two free seats.
    Lily was wearing an elegant black skirt, combined with a fine beige sleeveless blouse. We often got the chance to have lunch together, as she worked in Credit Suisse, which was very near to my work at UBS.
    “How are you?” she asked, concerned. Placing her elbows on the table, she cupped her chin in her hand.
    “Better. When is Marco coming?” I wanted to change the subject to avoid the tears, which were already welling up at the thought of Alexander.
    Her face brightened. “On Saturday. I’m really looking forward to seeing him again. Do you want to come with us for drinks?”
    My best friend, always looking out for me. Her concern warmed my soul.
    “No, Lily. I don’t want to be a third wheel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. I just need a little more time.”
    “You won’t get in the way, honest. And you’ll get to meet him.”
    “I know very well I’d be in the way. You don’t need me to hold your hand and chaperone you, and to be honest, I’m not in the mood for bars and clubs. I’d be really happy to meet your boyfriend some day soon, though.”
    “Do you know who I saw on the cover of ELLE Men ?” she asked with a playful gleam in her eyes.
    “Yes, I know—Daniel. He told me about the photos and the interview. I completely forgot to tell you I saw him Saturday.”
    She regarded me, not hiding her surprise. “And you’ve not said a word.”
    “He kissed me,” I said, smiling at the memory. Every woman likes to feel desired.
    “Excuse me?!” she shouted.
    “Shush!” I leaned toward her. “Speak more quietly please.” I didn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation.
    “And you didn’t tell me.” She shook her head disapprovingly.
    “I kissed him back, even if only for a second,” I quickly informed her, seeing her huge interest.
    “Huh, how could you keep such juicy details from me!”
    “He and I… We can’t be together. You know the story of our breakup.” I sighed.
    “I know.” She took my hand. “Oh, if it weren’t for that job of his…”
    I shouldn’t think of the past, as I couldn’t go back in time and prevent what had happened. Even though I didn’t want to admit it to myself, I still felt hurt by his infidelity, though not as much as when it first happened.
    “Out of all my exes, I felt best with him, Lily. I really wanted things to work between us.” I shrugged. “But they didn’t… So the only thing I can do is look ahead.”
    *     *     *
    After lunch, I had to drive to another building of the bank for work. I came out of the underground parking lot and joined the traffic, which wasn’t particularly heavy at that time of day.
    I’d had a splitting headache all day. The pain was so strong it felt like someone was crushing my head in a vise. I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I parked the car for an hour in front of the pharmacy located near the building in which I worked. After buying the necessary medicine, I asked the pharmacist for a glass of water so I could take a pill straightaway.
    I went back to work and started to deal with my financial report. I finished it and sent it to my boss. At six, I decided to go home. All I wanted to do was lie on the couch and listen to relaxing classical music. I needed to wind down and not think about anything.
    Roberto decided to leave with me. We were just coming out of the bank’s glass doors when I saw him—Alexander Kraftberg stepping out of his Rolls Royce.

  8  
    T he heel of my right shoe got caught in one of the small holes in the pavement in front of the UBS building. I flew forward and found myself in Roberto’s arms, for which I was very grateful. If it weren’t for him, I would have most likely landed on the ground face first. I pulled myself away from him and was just about to thank him when I saw Alexander Kraftberg standing in front of me. Hot waves washed across my body, my pulse quickened, and suddenly,