Hate Mates

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

TWO MONTHS LATER

I had thought by now the tension between Jason, and I would have died down, but it seemed to be the opposite. He was still short with me and still hated that he had an assistant. There were days I walked in and had to remind myself that I needed the paycheck so I couldn’t just quit.

I shuffled through the back door and into the kitchen, immediately starting a pot of coffee.

Once I heard it start gurgling I headed through the dining room and toward the now fully set up office.

“Who the hell are you?” A woman asked as I was stepping into the office.

I stopped and turned to face her, “I’m Sage, who are you?” I questioned back.

“I’m Jason’s wife!” she screamed, “you can’t just let yourself into the house!”

“I have a key, I assure you, I can.”

“Give me that,” she demanded.

I heard his footsteps beat against the wooden floor, getting louder before he rounded the corner.

“What the hell?” he shouted, “what are you doing here?” he questioned looking at the woman standing in front of me.

“I came to see if my daughter was here, but instead I find some woman,” she spat.

“Why in the world would Harper be here in the middle of the week? Shouldn’t she be in school?”

“She’s on break. If you listen to your voicemails once in a while, you would know that.”

“Well, I don’t particularly like what you have to say, so I avoid your voicemails,” he shook his head, “how did you get in here?”

“I used a key,” she said folding her arms across her chest.

“A key to my house? Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t we get divorced? You got our house, so I bought a new one!”

“Yeah, but I was asked by my old assistant if I wanted one, I thought it would be smart, clearly I was right.”

“Smart to have a key to your ex-husband’s house?”

“You are making it sound like a bad thing.”

“It is a bad thing Mel! You can’t have it both ways.”

“Jason, just calm down.”

“I am calm!” he shouted.

I pulled out my phone and backed up slightly into the office as I started texting a local friend who I knew worked as a locksmith.

“You still haven’t answered me about the woman standing there pretending like she’s not paying attention to us!” Mel shouted.

“She’s my fucking assistant! You know, the person that I had to have because you decided you were too good for me. So now I’m stuck with some stranger handling my life.”

I wanted to say something in my defense, but I didn’t. I was a stranger to him. Two months on the job and I’m still a stranger.

She shook her head, “I’m not getting into this Jason. I’m right now concerned with this woman walking into your house unannounced. What if Harper was here?”

“Harper shouldn’t be here during the week. What part of that do you not understand?” He huffed, rubbing the bridge between his eyes. “And if she was here, she would know who Sage is.”

“Harper’s school is slightly closer to here than home, so she may show up during the week for laundry or something.”

“You know, Harper and I actually have a good relationship. She can easily text me if she’s going to show up. Now, kindly get the hell out before I have you removed from the property. And if you ever show up here again unannounced I will have you arrested for trespassing.”

She huffed, mumbled and stormed through the house and out the front door where I could hear a few distanced clicks from the press.

“Just fucking great,” he signed peering out the curtains.

“Just ignore her, I already have a locksmith coming out today to take care of the locks. And you don’t have any filming this morning, so you are good. Go take a shower, I’ll make you coffee even though I know you can do it yourself. It’s been a stressful way to wake up.”

He let out a breath, “thanks.”

I nodded and watched him walk away. It wasn’t until now that I realized he was shirtless. My eyes stared after him as he shuffled back down the hallway toward the bedrooms.

Stop. I said to myself as I put down the stuff I had in my arms just as my phone began to buzz.

“I’m on my way, I was on the other side of town and when I called the office to see if someone else could take my stuff, I had to tell them why. When they heard who, they pretty much threatened to clear the rest of my day if I didn’t make time right away.”

“I’m sorry. There’s just been a lot happening here. I really do appreciate you getting to this so fast. With him, it’s kind of always an emergency type thing.”

“Got it, park out front?”

“No, come around back. Text me when you get here, and I’ll let you in.”

“Will do.”

Today was already a cluster from hell. I hated it. The press was a completely different story. I guess the word had gotten out quickly that Jason’s ex-wife was here, and when exes are together that generally means drama. I knew more would be showing up even though she’s gone now. They wanted the scoop, and they wanted to see what else would happen. My stomach twisted at the thought of having to drive through that at the end of the day. I prayed they would be gone by then.

Jason arrived in the office almost half an hour later with a coffee in his hands.

My phone buzzed just as he walked into the office.

“I’ll be right back, the locksmith is here,” I said to him, excusing myself and walking to the back door.

“Good morning ma’am, I’m here to work on the locks,” Oliver said in his most professional voice he could muster.

I laughed, “hello Oliver. Thanks again for this. Also, you don’t have to act like that.”

“Nonsense. He’s Jason Baxter. There is no way I’m coming in here acting anything but professional.”

“Alright, suit yourself. Back door, side door and front door all need changed.”

“Understood, if you need me, holler!” He said walking around the house to inspect the locks.

I made my way back to Jason’s office where he was shouting into his phone.

“I don’t give a damn! When my ex-wife asks for anything that has to do with me, I need it approved first by either myself or my new assistant!”

I flopped down into a chair and flipped through his schedule over the next couple of weeks. Filming, a few dinners, and just a few events to promote his career.

He ended his phone call and looked at me.

“What?” he questioned.

I shook my head.

“Go on, say it,”

“You could be a bit nicer you know.”

“Nicer? They gave my ex-wife her own key to my house!”

“And I’m having that fixed for you right now. But you do realize you will have to give your daughter one, and your ex-wife could still end up with a key. Plus, I’m sure it was just a mistake on their part. Something they haven’t ever questioned before. Your divorce was new to them months ago.”

“You have a lot of insight for someone who is just an assistant.”

I stood up from the chair and sucked in a deep breath, “I’m not just an assistant. I’m a person too and if you can’t see that then maybe you don’t deserve to have me here anymore. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but I’ve been putting up with your shit-tastic attitudes daily. I’ve been letting you verbally abuse me and those around you because what? You are salty about your divorce? News flash! Many people are salty about divorces. They happen, and sometimes it’s for the better. Take a look at that side of it. Oliver is working on your locks, so I’ll stay until he’s done, but then after that, I’m heading home for the rest of the day.”

Home. A place that wasn’t really home, but it was where my stuff was, so I considered home.

“You should know something though,” he said.

“What’s that?” I questioned, not even bothering to look up from the laptop screen.

“I plan to retire from acting as soon as this series wraps up. So, your services won’t be needed after that and we haven’t been renewed yet,” he said standing up from his chair and walking out of the room.

I sat there feeling like someone had punched the air from my stomach. This was my first solo assignment here and I already failed within just a couple of months.

I sat there trying to process what Jason just dropped while I completed the important items that needed to be worked on.

I collected my stuff and shuffled toward the kitchen where Oliver was working changing the back door lock.

“Everything okay?” He questioned.

I nodded, “how much longer do you think you’ll be?”

“Not much. The front and side are done, and this one is just about finished, I’m done for the day if you want to grab a bite to eat?”

“I, I can’t. I’m sorry. I have to get home and get some stuff done,” I lied.

“No problem. Working for this guy I’m sure you are always swamped.”

“Yeah,” I whispered. I waited by the back door for Oliver to finish. He handed me three keys. I left two on the kitchen island with a note attached to them and took the third one for myself.

Getting through the press out front was rough, but manageable. The drive home felt longer than usual. I pulled into the familiar parking lot and parked in the same spot I’ve been parking for months.

“Hello Miss Camden,” the man at the counter said to me as I walked by.

“Good afternoon,” I replied as I made my way to the old and barely functional elevators.

A place like this having elevators that work was surprising to say the least. I walked to room four and opened the door. The darkness and quiet greeted me.

I tossed my keys down onto the table and flipped on a light to the very small studio hotel room that I was calling home.

My phone buzzed just as I sat down on the small loveseat against the wall.

“There are a ton of press outside your boss’s house!” My best friend Eden exclaimed into the phone.

I sighed, “yeah, I know.”

“Are you still there? What’s going on?”

“No, I’m, well no. I left early today. There was just a mix up with his ex-wife. Nothing major and it’s been resolved,” I half explained.

“Oh, well that’s not as interesting as I thought, so why did you leave early?”

“We got into it. He plans to quit acting when he’s done with this season. Just a major blow to my professional career.”

“So don’t let him,” she said.

I laughed, “I can’t force him to keep acting.”

“No, you can’t. But there are thousands of people out there that can help you convince him to keep doing what he’s doing.”

I cocked my head, “how?”

“You’ve seen those fan conventions? The ones where people pay the big bucks to get a quickie photo with their favorite celeb. Or they have these table selfie things where people can pay money directly to the person for a photo and a quick chat. They are like an all-weekend commitment, but I bet you if anything would convince him to keep acting, that would be it.”

“How are you so sure?”

“I’ve been to a few before with Callie and Brad. It was exhausting on my part, but a lot of fun and some people really are grateful for their acting. They made Callie cry several times.”

“How do I get him scheduled into these?”

“I’ll send you a few contacts. There are a few coming up and they are always needing celebs to attend.”

“Thanks Eden. You are a lifesaver!” I exclaimed.

“Anytime. Be careful with the press.”

The call ended and I looked around the room. This was perfect. I would set him up to attend a few conventions and then hopefully by the end of the season I’d still have a job. Not one that I’m overly thrilled with, but a job.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening talking to different contacts that Eden sent me. A few were very excited to have Jason Baxter attending their events. I told them it was still depending on him, but I would get them an answer by the following day.

I made sure to block off his calendar for those dates just in case.

This could work . I said to myself as I crawled into bed.

I arrived at Jason’s house early the next morning. Speech prepared.

“Morning,” he said as I walked through the back door. He was already dressed, and coffee had been made.

“Good morning,” I said, confused.

“I made coffee if you want some,” he noted and pointed to the empty coffee cup on the counter.

“Thank you? I, um, I have some things I would like to discuss with you this morning.”

He nodded, “I’ll meet you in the office,” he said walking away with his coffee in his hands.

I shook my head. Well, this is weird .

I made my way into the office and sat down across from Jason who was scrolling through his calendar already on his tablet.

Shit. I thought.

“What are these blocks for?” He questioned.

I cleared my throat, “that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I was talking to a friend of mine – who is in the same business as me, and she brought up these fan conventions. I thought you may like to attend a few. It would be good publicity for your show and for you. It will also be a nice way to say goodbye to the fans since you plan on quitting.” It wasn’t exactly the speech I had planned, but it would have to do.

“Fan conventions?”

“Yes.”

“We can try a few, see what they are like.”

I nodded, “I will let them know then.”

“Oh also, something that needs to be added to the calendar. There is a formal event for the series I’m a part of that I need to attend. It’s Saturday night.”

“No problem, I’ll make sure your suit is ready, and your car service is scheduled.”

“Good, also, I would like you to attend with me.”

I chocked on the mouthful of coffee I was trying to swallow.

“Excuse me?” I managed to get out.

“I would like you to attend with me. Did I stutter?” He questioned.

“No, I just didn’t think I heard you correctly.”

“I realized after you left yesterday I may have been a bit harsh on you.”

“May have been?” I gasped.

He sighed, “will you just let me apologize?”

“I mean, I wouldn’t call this an apology, but sure, continue.”

“Thanks. As I was saying, I’ve been against having an assistant. It was just the final straw that showed me that my marriage was over. However, as much as I hate to admit it, you have been very helpful for me.”

I wanted to slow clap. His apology was shit.

“I appreciate the offer, and you really need to work on your apologies, because that one wasn’t the best I’ve heard, it wasn’t the worst either. I don’t really have a dress for that type of event though. You might be better off just finding someone else to go with you.”

“Well, my next apology to you will be better then. I can cover the expenses if you need, and you can have early days to go shopping too.”

I let my shoulders sink, there wasn’t any way I would get out of this,” okay, I don’t need help paying for it, you actually do pay me well. The early days will help a bit though. Saves me from having to go out in the evenings.”

“Good. Anything else we need to go over that’s pressing this morning?”

“A few things actually, you might need another cup of coffee to get through it though.”

I pulled up to Jason’s house that Saturday night. It was strange coming here on a weekend. I got out and straightened the black knee length dress that Eden and I had picked out a few days prior.

I grabbed the shawl and my bag from the passenger’s seat just as Max pulled into the driveway.

“Wow ka pow!” Max noted as he stepped out of the car and saw me, “you look very nice Miss Camden,” he followed up with.

“Thank you Max.”

Jason walked out the backdoor before either of us could knock.

“Sage, we could have picked you up, you didn’t need to drive out here,” he said.

“I…I didn’t mind driving. My place is out of the way from the event anyways.”

“Oh, alright. Shall we go?” He questioned opening the back door to the car.

I nodded.

The car ride there was quiet and not nearly as long as I had expected it to be.

Jason turned to face me before we pulled up to the door.

“There will be press out there, they are going to snap a lot of photos and ask a ton of unnecessary questions. You don’t have to answer them. Just stay close to me and Max.”

“Okay,” I replied. I had dealt with the press before.

We stopped and got out of the car. Jason wasn’t exaggerating, cameras were flashing from every direction I tried to turn to.

Max quickly came around the car and they squeezed me between the two of them.

“Just look straight ahead and keep walking. I’ve got your back,” Max whispered in my ear.

I nodded.

I did exactly as he said. Although Jason kinda drifted in front of us as flashes from the camera went off in our faces, I just stuck close to Max.

Jason stopped just inside the door and pulled me off to the side.

“That wasn’t so bad,” he smiled.

“Not for you, that was insane out there,” I replied.

“That’s nothing. You want me to attend those fan conventions, just imagine that but with fans obsessed with me.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of it?”

“No, I just want you to know what you are getting yourself into.”

I nodded, “thanks for the heads up. But we will have Max there to help out.”

“We will.”

We moved around the room as Jason mingled with this person and that person. Max stuck close to his side while I took notes on my phone about the people he was meeting.

Jason grabbed two drinks from the waiter and handed one to me.

“Oh no, I’m not thirty.”

“Just drink, you look too tense,” he demanded.

I took the drink and sipped on it while we continued to walk around.

“He’s just trying to make you feel more comfortable. You do look like you are out of place, and you shouldn’t. You belong here,” Max whispered to me.

“I don’t think I belong here, but I get what you are saying.”

Jason kept glancing at me every so often. Probably checking on how much of the drink I had left.

“Oh! Jason!” a woman said making her way to us. Max moved to almost stand in front of Jason.

“Hello Liza,” Jason sighed.

“I am so glad I ran into you! How are you doing since the you know,” she whispered the last part.

“Divorce isn’t a dirty word Liza. I’m fine.”

She nodded, “so glad to hear it. Would you like to sit and chat for a bit?”

“Actually, I was just about to take my dance for a spin on the dance floor. Maybe later,” he said grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to his body.

“Oh,” she glared at me, then looked back at him, “yes, later would be great.” Liza bounced off.

“Sorry about that, she’s a bit much,” Jason explained.

I shook my head, my arm starting to hurt from his grip, “understandable.”

He looked down at his hand, and slowly let go, “sorry.”

I backed up a little.

“You may want to put that down,” he said.

“Why?”

“Dancing, remember?”

“I thought you were just saying that to make her go away.”

“She’ll check in on us I’m sure, let’s go. Don’t tell me you can’t dance.”

“I can, just I wasn’t expecting to dance tonight.”

“Come on,” he huffed taking the glass from me and setting them down on the high-top round table that we were standing next to.

I followed him through the crowd of people, Max, right behind me until we hit the dance floor.

Jason spun around and pulled me into his arms. My body wanted to crumble, but I didn’t.

“This isn’t so bad, is it?” he questioned.

“It’s not, but it’s also not very professional.”

“I think we are way past professional at this point. You have a key to my house.”

“For professional reasons.”

His hand rested on my lower back, and he held me close to his body as we slowly danced to the music playing, surrounded by other couples.

“Let me have Max drop you off at home, it’s late, you shouldn’t be driving,”

“No, it’s fine, I don’t mind driving home. It’s not that bad of a drive.”

“You aren’t winning this argument. What’s your address.”

I sighed and gave Max the address to the hotel, sitting back into the seat.

“Why are you so against people doing something nice for you?” Jason questioned.

“I’m not,”

“Bullshit. You haven’t allowed me to do anything nice for you.”

“You haven’t been nice to me. You’ve been a royal dick.”

“Ouch.”

“It’s true,” I replied.

Max pulled up to the hotel.

I went to grab the door, but Jason pulled it shut.

“This? This is where you are living?”

“Yes…”

“You’ve got to be joking. Am I not paying you enough?”

“Well technically you aren’t paying me directly. You are paying the agency, and they are paying me.”

“I think you are getting ripped off if this is all you can afford. I don’t like it.”

“Well, you don’t have to like it. You don’t live here.”

“Neither do you. Not anymore. Max, home. Now,” Jason demanded.

Max nodded and pulled away from the curb.

“Jason. What the hell do you think you are doing?”

“You will stay with me until we can work out this pay thing and find you a suitable place to live.”

I shook my head, “this is not your issue. It’s mine. And I’m fine with it. Is it the Ritz? No. But it works.”

“It doesn’t work Sage! I’ve lived in the area long enough to know that the place you were staying in isn’t safe. Max can drive you over tomorrow to help you pack your stuff.”

“I can’t just live with you,” I whined.

“Yes you can. And you will. We will get this pay shit figured out.”

I sighed and stared out the window into the darkness. I was kicking myself for allowing him to see where I lived. I knew something would happen if he did. This was a little beyond what I expected.

Max pulled up to the house, and I thought about jumping in my car and rushing back to the hotel, but I didn’t. I didn’t need another reason to piss Jason off.

He lead me into the house like I had never been there before. Once we got to the second floor, I was in unfamiliar territory.

“Guest suite. You have your own bathroom and full privacy.”

“Thank you Jason, but you really don’t have to do this.”

“Yes I do, I can’t have my assistant living in a place like that, I’ll be right back,” he walked off down the hall while I set the few small things I had with me down on the bed and looked around the room. It had the same theme as downstairs.

“Here, you can sleep in this tonight,” he said handing me a t-shirt and pair of basketball shorts.

“Thanks…”

“They aren’t my ex-wife’s if that’s what you are wondering. That’s my shirt and shorts.”

“Thank you,” I replied as he walked out of the room.

I shut the door and sucked in a deep breath. This was not how I imagined tonight ending.