Golden Box Book Publishing GBBPub February Magazine | Page 45

rest of the staff was busy upstairs where the party would be held
arranging more decorations there and putting out all the home-cooked
dishes they’d prepared along with the red, pink, and white sheet cake
that would be served for dessert.
“What’s this?” Sheila paused in her tossing of decorations atop the
desk.
Alicia came over to see what had grabbed the director’s attention. A
velvet shaped heart box sat by one of the computer stations. As Alicia
came closer, she could see a post-it attached to it with the words, “To
Sheila from your secret admirer.”
Sheila smiled. “That Ryan. He knows I have a sweet tooth and am
particularly fond of chocolates.” She opened the lid. “My favorites. I
know I should wait for the party, but these are just too appealing.”
Alicia watched as Sheila took a few pieces and bit into them. Only a
few seconds after she swallowed, her smile faded. She began to choke
and clutched her throat.
“Sheila, are you okay?” Alicia rushed over afraid she wouldn’t
recall how to do the Heimlich maneuver, but Sheila had already passed
out on the floor. “Help!” Alicia called racing to the stairs. The romantic
music playing above her drowned out her voice. Just as she grabbed her
cell phone to dial 911, Ryan Anderson walked through the door, a huge
bouquet of roses in his arms. He stopped short seeing Sheila on the
ground. “What happened. Oh, My God!”
“I’m dialing 911 right now,” Alicia said. “She ate some of your
chocolates and then passed out. I’m not sure if she choked on a piece.”
“My chocolates? I didn’t get her any chocolates. I was bringing her
these flowers.” He dropped them on the desk and then knelt down and
started administering CPR to Sheila’s unmoving body.