Chapter 5 #2
‘Ah, yes. The man who refuses to provide a reference.’ I freeze on the threshold, waiting for the inevitable questions about why, but Gethin’s smile only grows wider.
‘Never mind. Topaz might have tried, but his manager is an old friend of mine. She gave you a glowing report. Now, why don’t we take a seat and get your paperwork sorted first? Then we can discuss business.’
My introductory meeting with Gethin lasts three hours and by the end of it I’m both wiped and excited.
I spent four years learning the ins and outs of Topaz and thought we were a well-oiled machine.
Now I have to master a whole new way of doing things.
From the way Cai likes his tea, to how he prefers his rehearsal space set out, the way they manage his diary. The rules have changed.
I’ve learned more about Cai in the past few hours than during the six months he dated Topaz.
Like I didn’t know Cai loves to go for brunch.
Any occasion, any reason, he’s there, and he has a favourite table at all the best restaurants in the city.
On his days off, post-brunch, he likes to relax at home.
He’s a champion FIFA player, although the opposition can never know it's him. That’s the first secret I learned about him.
He’s also the anonymous patron of three separate charities, spanning a wealth of important topics.
On top of managing his tour and rehearsal diary, I have to fit in time for him to do all of the rest.
He must never sleep.
I could have carried on grilling Gethin about Cai for a lot longer, but his phone rang, putting an end to our meeting. Before he took the call, he nudged an A4 folder at me and sent me on my way.
What. A. Whirlwind.
One of my first tasks is to revive Cai’s social media.
His public account is as old as the internet, but nothing’s been posted on it for at least half a decade.
I’m going to have to get creative with what I post about.
Anything personal is out of bounds, and behind-the-scenes content will be carefully curated.
Posting schedules are signed off by both Gethin and Cai, at least for the first few weeks until they learn to trust me.
It’s standard procedure. No bother to me at all.
Topaz was an oversharer who preferred everything out in the open. One of the reasons he and Cai never worked out. Topaz was often annoyed that he couldn't include Cai in a reel or in his stories.
I should make a start straight away. My office is only two doors along from Gethin’s, but I need my bag first. I follow the corridors the way we came.
My new work iPhone pings, and I shuffle everything in my hands to get to it.
It could be urgent, an item already needing my attention.
I don’t want to miss out or leave it too long and have them think I’m lazy or I don’t care.
With my work laptop, Cai’s folder, and all my paperwork tucked under one arm, my other hand is free to finally check the message.
It takes me two attempts to put in the new PIN, and once the device is unlocked, I’m sucked into an essay-length email about car hires and tour buses from some guy called Imran.
‘Oof!’
I slam into a hard body and my paperwork and devices clatter to the floor. The force of the collision is enough for me to wobble on my heels, and I scrunch my eyes. If I’m going to hit the floor, it’s going to be hard. Girls my size go down like a tree.
But before I slam onto the pretty tiles, a hand clutches the sleeve of my blazer, steadying me.
‘What the bloody hell are you doing here?’
Rhys. There’s no mistaking the lyrical accent or the tone of distaste I’m pretty sure he saves only for me.
My hands are now empty, pressed against a black Skindred top.
I’m standing way too close to him for comfort, but I can’t move due to the tight hold he has on my arm.
I drag my gaze over his broad chest, the coarse stubble covering most of his neck and jaw, until I’m staring at his bright blue eyes.
‘I’m Cai’s new personal assistant.’ My phone vibrates across the floor, but I hold his gaze as he raises his bushy red eyebrows at me.
‘No you’re not. Gethin would’ve told me if you were starting here today.’
I tug my hands off his chest and straighten my blazer. ‘Well, then you need to go and speak to him, because I’ve just had my induction.’
‘That’s not… He would’ve…’ He paces to the newel post and back to me. ‘Bloody brilliant. Promised help, and given us someone who loses her shit and quits when things get a little tricky. Another fucking Margaret’
‘I did not lose my sh—’ I cut myself off with a deep breath.
Force my smile back on my face. Sweeten my tone.
‘Look, Rhys. We got off on the wrong foot. We’re going to have to work closely together if we want to make sure Cai’s looked after, and I think it’s best we start again.
Hi, I’m Lucy. Cai’s new personal assistant. ’
I thrust my hand towards him, and he regards it like it’ll give him an STD. The Welsh might hate the English, but this is ridiculous. What on earth happened in that dressing room after I left?
‘Fine,’ he grunts without shaking my hand. My phone vibrates into his foot. ‘Cai’s at rehearsals. Gethin texted me. Said to take the new PA over to meet Cai, but…’
I pull my hand back, smooth out the non-existent frizz in my hair, try my best to mask how him ignoring my white flag puts me off balance. There has to be a better way to get through to him. ‘I would love to see him rehearse and catch-up. We used to have the best chats.’
‘Great. Grab your shit.’ Perhaps I should offer to buy him coffee on the way. Maybe he’s a bit grumpy because he hasn’t had any caffeine yet.
He turns on his heels, digs his keys out of his pocket and pushes out the front door without another word.
I pick up my stuff, as quickly as I can, then follow him out of the house.
I check the door is locked behind me. A large black car waits on the drive, the passenger side door already open.
I’ll give Rhys points for that. Maybe he’s not as bad as his snappy words make him out to be.
He fastens his seatbelt, then leans over the console to bellow, ‘You coming or what?’
Or perhaps the Welsh aren’t so friendly after all.