C H A P T E R 3 2
?No great story begins with staying in the same place.?
"Hmm," Heather leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. We were in her magnificent room, telling her all that had happened yesterday.
"So, Mrs. Jenson is planning an extravagant party for your birthday?"
"Yes," I breathed out. "Can you tell her not to do that?"
Heather rolled her eyes. "As if she'll listen to me. That woman is more stubborn than me. Unless you yourself tell her that this is not what you want, I doubt she'll change her plans."
"We did try to give her subtle hints about that." I admitted.
Olivia snorted. "If you call randomly shouting at the breakfast bar that you don't like lavish parties subtle, then sure."
"I didn't know how else to tell her!" I defended.
"You could've said something like lavish birthday parties are getting too boring and that's not your style anymore," Olivia said and I kept quiet because I didn't know what to say to her.
"Listen you two, I know what to do to make her stop this. When you two return to the mansion, just make a conversation with each other about this. Make sure Charlotte is listening to you two. Tell her that you would absolutely hate what she's planning. She'll surely change her plans after that."
"That's a good plan!" Olivia agreed. "Why didn't we think of this before?"
"Because you guys panic to the point where you don't use your brains. So you need someone like me."
"Thank you so much for all the help, Heather. I think I would've been busted on the day of that car launch party if it weren't for you."
"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Charlotte and Alistair's happiness. They can't know about this."
I nodded. "I'll try everything I can to keep this between the three of us."
"Good."
A deafening silence fell among us and I was itching to bring up the topic of our colleges.
Heather had an expression on her face that was asking me what the hell were we still doing in here and that we could leave. But I couldn't. I needed to clear up this mess.
"I wanted to talk about something else too."
"Well, what is it?"
"I'm not sure if you'll understand but I hope you do. It's important for the both of us."
"Are you going to come straight to the point or not? I haven't got all day so I'll appreciate it if you hurry up and tell me what's wrong," She seemed impatient. "I have a dinner date with Ethan and it's important I go."
"Sorry. It's just about our colleges. They were closed for summer but they're going to reopen in ten days and it's important that we attend.
We are commoners and our only chance at a good life is if we finish college and get a good job with a decent pay.
Because of this situation that we're in, I don't know how I'm going to continue my education. "
Heather raised an eyebrow. "That's all? I thought it was something big."
"Do you mind if we went to college?"
"You can't go to college. You'll draw attention to yourself. I don't trust you or your friend to not do something stupid. So you can't go." She said sternly.
I was saddened and didn't know what to do. "But it's important for us. When we get out of here, how are we supposed to support ourselves with no degree?"
"That's not a problem. Just give me the names of your colleges and I'll send someone to talk to them.
You'll receive online lectures and you'll just have to appear for exams. For the exams, I'll let you go to college.
For the duration of your stay here, I'll make sure your bills, rents and college fees and stuff are paid for.
I'll also ensure that you get a good job wherever you two want.
You'll have to study hard for it though.
I don't want you two depending on me for jobs after you get out of this.
If you're worthy of it, I'll make sure you get the best."
Our eyes brightened and you could practically see the gratitude we had for Heather.
"Thank you so much, Heather." We said in sync.
"Now if you two have finished lamenting to me about your sad lives, I'd like to go and start getting ready for the date. Keeping someone waiting is one of my pet peeves so I wouldn't want anyone to go through that."
"Okay, but one thing more. What if Juliet decides to not return at all. Then what will happen?" Olivia asked and I wanted to punch her for asking this.
Heather stopped short and directed her hard gaze at us. It made me gulp in fear. "She will return. If not, I'll step in and convince her to to return. Now you two should really leave."
"Okay and I'm sorry," Olivia apologized but Heather didn't respond.
"Why did you have to ask her that? Are you stupid?" I reprehended her in the car and she cringed back in the corner.
"I had to ask. We can't be kept in the dark for too long."
"She was mad."
"She'll get over it. She doesn't strike me as that type of a girl to hold grudges for too long."
"But still. It was obviously a sensitive topic for her."
"Okay, okay. I won't ask ever. Now let's concentrate on making Charlotte cancel her plans, shall we?"
"She's inside her room, right?" I asked, just to be sure.
"Yes," Olivia whispered back. "I saw her going in. She's definitely inside."
"Okay, you start first. One, two, three, go!"
Olivia cleared her throat before addressing me in a high pitched voice, enough for Charlotte to hear us. "Juliet, hey."
"Hi, Olivia," I said, just as loudly. We were right outside Alistair and Charlotte's room. Olivia had seen her go inside and we thought it was the perfect opportunity.
"So it's your birthday in a few days. Are you excited?"
"Honestly, no. I mean why should I celebrate me inching one year closer to my death?"
"Hey, you shouldn't look at things that way. You're going to turn twenty! Do you have any plans on that day?"
"No, I don't want to do anything on my birthday. Just ice cream and a few gifts will do. I don't see what the fuss is over a birthday. It's not that big of a deal."
"But I heard you liked extravagant birthday parties!" We were talking loudly so that she could hear us.
"Yes, I liked. Past tense. I hate it now. Birthday parties are overrated. I'd want my birthday to be like any other day."
"So you'd absolutely hate it if we were to throw the biggest birthday party ever for you?" Olivia asked even louder and muffled a cough after.
"Totally. I'd hate it so much I wouldn't even stay for five minutes."
"Whoa, okay."
"Why do you ask? It's not like anyone has planned something like that for me. Thank God."
"Yeah, no one has," Olivia stressed on the words to sound unsure.
"Good, I'll see you later. Bye."
"Okay, bye."
I stomped down the hallway exaggeratedly to make it sound like I was leaving. I heard the room door open shortly after I was out of sight from there.
I made my way to my room to wait for Olivia. There was no doubt that Charlotte had heard us. Now she would cancel the party and I'd be relieved.
After a few minutes, Olivia entered the room with a grin.
"She canceled everything?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes, she did. She totally bought it but she's still baffled as to why you suddenly hate parties so much but she didn't question much and just thanked me for letting her know."
I sighed in relief. "Good. One problem solved."
I ran into Ethan that afternoon. He seemed frustrated and in a hurry. For a second he looked annoyed with me for bumping into him but then he managed to calm himself down and grabbed my hand in his.
"You come with me," he ordered, dragging me with him while I stumbled confusedly behind him.
"What? Where are you taking me?"
He didn't answer and I didn't resist although I should've. We were already out of the mansion and he was ushering me inside his car. He got in right after me and asked the driver to take him to his office.
"Where are we going?" I asked once the car had started and we were out of the mansion gates.
"My secretary, Jeremy Walls had a family emergency and I have a very important presentation today, plus other important events to attend.
It's an important day. A Chinese company is interested in investing in us and I'm sure our joint ventures will be very successful.
So I need a secretary today and you'll have to be just that. "
"What?!" I shrieked. "No, I'm not. I'm not going to be your secretary even for today. I don't even look like one."
"You look fine." He said, not even glancing at me.
"You call this fine?" I asked, gesturing to myself. "I look like a hobo." I had a messily made messy bun piled on top of my head with a million tangles. I had worn black jeans and a loose white top.
He actually looked at me this time. "No, you look close to a hobo. But not a hobo."
I snorted. "That's hardly helpful."
"The clothes are alright. It's just your hair that needs a little help with."
He reached out and undid the rubber band that was holding my hair up, making it fall on my shoulders like waves.
He looked like a terrible hair stylist to me as he tried to fix my hair.
After a long time, he finally looked satisfied and I glanced at myself in the rear view mirror.
I looked presentable and so I nodded in concord.
He turned my face towards him and swiped his thumb over my lips. "God, you eat like an animal," he said and I remembered eating half of a cookie jar a few minutes ago before I was dragged by Ethan into his car. I guess the cookie crumbs were still on my lips.
"Do I look okay now?"
"Yes."
"What do I get in return?"
"How about dinner tonight, with me?" He said it so quietly. I wasn't sure if I heard right.
"What?"
"The dinner's on me. After I'm done with today's work, you'll get exactly half an hour to get ready for dinner. Otherwise, I'll be going out with Heather."
"You already have a dinner date with Heather."
"You know about it?" He asked, surprised. "Well, I'm cancelling it."
"Why would you do that? You're in a relationship with her. Why would you ditch her for me?"
"Because you're going to be my personal assistant for the day. So I owe you dinner."
"No. She'd be mad and I don't want bad blood between us."
"She'll understand. Trust me, she wouldn't even care."
"What has happened to you? You were never so polite to me. What are you up to?" I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion.
Ethan sighed heavily. "I told you that I'm giving this a chance. A chance for a friendship between us. Now you're really starting to annoy me so don't ask anymore questions and you're going out to dinner with me."
"Okay. As long as Heather doesn't have a problem with that."
"She won't," he promised.
I really hoped she didn't because she had been a great help to me and if I angered her, she might get provoked and tell Juliet's parents about me herself.
We arrived shortly at the premises of his company. He handed me a pair of silver heels, telling that it were Heather's. I had suspicions about why her heels were in the backseat of his car but I shook them off.
I was too busy admiring the office that I didn't realize that Ethan was huffing impatiently beside me.
"Are you going to move?" He asked and I started moving after him while throwing a glare at his direction.
"You walk too slow. We don't have time." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the elevators. Once we were in, he pressed the button for the nineteenth floor which he told me was his office.
Once we got there, I noticed his office space was bigger than two rooms in the mansion combined. The table was littered with papers and files. He rummaged through it for quite some time before pulling out a file and handing it to me.
"Jeremy had already made my schedule. You just need to ensure I reach everywhere in time because I hate unpunctuality. Got it?"
I nodded.
"Can you please clear this mess for me?" He asked, pointing to his table.
"All the blue files must go in that cabinet over there and the yellow ones in the one right beside it.
All these loose papers I've pulled out of these files should go into the trash but make sure they go through the paper shredder first. Then make sure there's a glass of whatever cool liquid that is available be on the table after the presentation.
Cancel my appointment for a monthly health checkup.
Come to the twenty third floor after you're done here. "
"Okay." I just hoped I'd be able to remember all of that. He sure owes me a lot more than dinner.
He left after that and I got to work, pleased that I was doing something rather than lounging around the mansion.
I sorted the files and collected the papers, shredded them and threw it in the trash.
To cancel his appointment, I went to the receptionist and informed her of Ethan's plans.
She called and cancelled his appointment.
I then made my way towards the twenty third floor and an employee guided me into the meeting hall through some sort of backdoor.
I was told to sit down and wait for Ethan.
Ethan was up there, already halfway into his presentation which lasted for a good hour or two.
It was amazing to see him speak about things I didn't know of.
I was impressed by his skills. I couldn't for the life of me speak in front of a crowd without stuttering.
It just made me nervous to feel a lot of eyes on me so I end up stuttering.
Ethan had noticed my presence because he had glanced at me a few times before returning his attention to the group of men in crisp business suits.
After that was done, Ethan shook hands with some of them and they finally left.
"Let's go to my office. Did you cancel my appointment?" He asked, gathering up his files which I took from him.
"Yes, I told the receptionist. I'm pretty sure she did it."
"Okay."
We entered his office and I quickly grabbed some juice for him. He gulped it down in seconds.
"What's next?"
I ran over his schedule and there were a few more meetings he had to attend. The rest of my day was spent with Ethan as he attended meetings and project discussions.
When we were finally done, it was already eight and we were late for dinner.
We drove back home where Olivia attacked me with questions about my whereabouts.
I informed her of my activities and she freaked out about our growing friendship.
It wasn't much of a friendship but it was better than anything.
Olivia had dove into my wardrobe and practically swum in it for fifteen minutes before I shouted at her that we only had fifteen minutes more or else he'd ditch me for Heather.
She had hastily pulled out a shimmery dress which was silver at the top and gradually turned black at the bottom. Then she had proceeded to apply eyeliner, mascara and cherry red lipstick on me. It was simple but I looked good.
We were done five minutes prior to the deadline and Ethan looked surprised because we were early.
He led me to his car and like a gentleman, had opened the car door for me which surprised me.
Once I was settled on the passenger seat, he walked around the car and got in.
Olivia waved goodbye at us and soon we were driving off to a restaurant.
I didn't know which but I guessed it would be a fancy fine dine restaurant.
I just hoped that I wasn't underdressed or worse, overdressed.
The car ride was not long but it felt like ages until we got there.
The ride was silent with a few words from each of us filling it up.
I felt really awkward around him, now that we no longer were at bad terms which each other.
I could see that he was trying his best to tolerate me.
Birthday or not, it was sweet of him to try to ameliorate things between us.
The restaurant, just like I had predicted was posh with an attractive décor.
We were escorted to a private table surrounded by water flowing on the sides on three sides with fake flowers floating on it. A sweet aroma filled the space and the lighting was minimal but enough.
"This is nice," I commented as we took seats opposite each other. A waiter came with a phone in his hand. He handed us the menu and waited for our orders. I skimmed over the entire menu and knew without even tasting that each one of them would be delicious. The prices were ridiculous though.
I ordered some chicken appetizers and some sort of Malaysian dish whose name sounded interesting to me.
He typed away our orders on the phone before telling us that it would be ready in ten minutes. With a charming smile our way, he retreated back to the kitchen.
"So, Juliet. Tell me something about yourself. Something I don't know," Ethan said, trying to keep up the dead conversation.
"Uh, I don't know what to tell you." I said because honestly I didn't know what I should say to him. "Why don't you ask me about specific things you want to know?"
"Okay. What's your favorite color?"
"Dark blue. And yours?"
"Grey."
I nodded. "Do you like animals?"
"Of course."
There was no doubt that our conversation was starting to get awkward with him asking me a question and me asking the same question to him and both of us getting short one word answers.
"What animal do you prefer for a pet?"
"I'm a dog person, so I like dogs as pets, especially pugs because they are very cute. Cats are adorable too but I'm allergic to them. I just like to watch then from afar." I said.
"Oh, I didn't know you were allergic to cats. I thought you loved them." Ethan said leaving me speechless. I realized I told him about my pet preferences rather than Juliet's which I had no idea about anyway.
"Uh..."
"Here's your meal, enjoy!" A cheerful voice saved me from answering him. We looked up to see a girl setting down our food. She gave us a warm smile before walking away.
I instantly picked up my fork and spoon. "Let's eat, shall we?"
Ethan seemed to have forgotten about my slip up and he gladly dug into his food.
We silently ate our food, occasionally making small talks that died within two minutes.
Once we done with the dessert, Ethan paid for the bill with a handsome tip that left the boy grinning at it.
The dinner had gone surprisingly pleasant and I now felt a little comfortable being in his car with him.
He drove me back to the mansion and with a goodnight we parted ways. He gave the keys to the chauffeur for him to park in the underground parking space.
I skipped to my room with a small smile on my face.
I initially hadn't planned on her being his personal assistant for one day or even the dinner but then I got writer's block so the idea just popped out of nowhere.
It doesn't matter now because I'm happy with this chapter and I hope you liked it too.
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