Bedtime Story
1604 Words
Jason had a rough day.
He had brought his laptop home to work but when he reached out to grab a drink, he realized it was already empty or later during meal times, he found his butler had brought in a sandwich instead of something hot. Habits are a horrid thing, and now he couldn’t function efficiently without Connie.
He worked from morning to evening but when it came time to sleep, he lay in bed wide awake, staring into the darkness. This was the first since he started working at the company. He turned in bed, dread setting in as he realized he was back to his insomniac ways.
Getting up tiredly, he flipped open his laptop and started working again. Rather than waste time lying in bed staring at the ceiling, he could get some more work done. As he logged on, he saw a little message pop up.
Connie: You’re still working?!
Jason: I just came back on.
Connie: You need to go to sleep.
Jason stared at the message for a moment. Since he insisted on her calling him by name, Connie started acting more familiar with him, treating him more like a friend than a boss. He wasn’t sure how to respond when she was so forceful.
Connie: I’m sorry, was I being impudent?
Jason: No. I can’t sleep.
Connie: Is something troubling you? Do you need someone to talk to?
Jason thought for a while. Why not? He liked listening to Connie rambling on about everything and nothing.
Jason: Yes.
***
Connie didn’t expect Jason to take her up on the offer. It was already 11pm when she got online on a whim to check if Jason sent a message for her to come in to work tomorrow. She didn’t expect to see him still online and now that she offered to talk to him, she had to give him a call.
With a sigh, she picked up the phone and speed-dialed his number. It was already hard enough to talk to an ice block like him in person. How was she supposed to talk to him over the phone? She could already imagine how the conversation would turn.
“Hello.”
“Hi Jason, it’s me. Did you want to talk?”
“No.”
Connie’s lips curled in frustration but she breathed out gently. “Then I’ll stop bothering you for the night…”
“Talk about your day. Maybe listening to your voice will help me sleep.”
Connie squinted at her phone. What the heck is this man talking about? Ugh, whatever. The sooner she got rid of him the sooner she could go to sleep. “Alright, it was a pretty boring day, I’m sure it’ll put you right to sleep.”
While Connie started going into detail about her house cleaning project, Jason got in bed and put her on speakerphone. He closed his eyes and imagined her lying next to him, telling him about the dust clouds that clung to the draperies and the musty smell of the unused rooms. As she went on and on about her mundane tasks, her voice started to turn into a droning hum. Jason’s breathing slowed and he soon fell into sleep’s blissful embrace.
After a while, Connie got tired and took a drink of water. The other side was oddly quiet so she whispered in the same gentle intonation, “Hello?” There was no sound apart from his soft breathing so she continued, “I’m going to bed now if you’re not awake. Good night,” and hung up.
***
The next morning, Connie woke up late and snuggled deeply into her freshly washed blankets. Ah, this is the life.
She grabbed her cell phone to see if there were any notifications. She noticed she got a text message so she swiped up to read it.
Jason: Thanks for helping me sleep. I need your assistance today. Would you be able to come to my villa?
Connie glanced at the time, it was already ten. She quickly shot over a text.
Connie: I’m so sorry, I didn’t see your text till now. What time did you need me over? Do I need to bring anything?
Connie nibbled on her fingernails nervously as she waited for his response. She hoped she wasn’t late and thankfully Jason replied almost immediately.
Jason: Anytime before noon would be fine. No need to bring anything. I’ll send you my address.
Connie threw off her covers and leaped out of bed, making a mad dash for the bathroom. She didn’t have much time to get ready.
***
It didn’t take long for Connie to arrive at Jason’s villa seeing as she went over the speed limit most of the way here. As she pulled up to the intercom in front of the gates, she heard a buzz before a strict militaristic voice rang out, “State your business.”
“Uh, I work for Mr. Jason Smith. I’m his personal assistant, Connie Tran?”
“Hold as I confirm, please.”
After a few seconds, she heard a loud buzz and the metal gates swung open. Connie shouted into the intercom, “Thank you!” before she drove up the driveway.
The grounds surrounding the villa were immaculately manicured; bushes were all the same height, trees looked shapely and orderly, and even the flower sectionals were meticulously structured. Everything was prime and neat, and to her untrained eye, it all looked forced. She half-expected to see some psychotic gardener lying on the floor with a pair of shears to nitpick over the length of the grass.
As she pulled up to the main entry, she was greeted by a footman who bowed politely and took her car key. Connie was hesitant at first to hand over her bulky keyring as it had her house key on it as well but then she realized she had nothing of value to rob. If someone ever broke into her house, they would probably leave her some loose change out of pity.
She cleared her throat and walked up the steps towards the open door. An old man greeted her at the entry. “Welcome, Ms. Tran. Please come in.”
Out of habit, Connie started to take off her shoes at the doorway. The butler seeing her action turned swiftly and pulled out new indoor slippers from a cubby behind the door and placed it down in front of her.
Connie smiled, “Thank you.”
The butler smiled gently, “Certainly, Miss. Please, follow me.”
Connie walked stiffly behind him and kept her eyes glued to the back of the butler. She didn’t dare look at all the ornate decorations and paintings at her boss’ house for fear of getting left behind.
As they neared a large pair of mahogany doors, the butler paused and knocked gently. “Sir, your guest is here.”
Connie could hear a muffled voice from inside. “Come in.”
The butler opened the door and nodded at Connie with a soft smile. Connie returned the smile and dipped her head down in thanks.
When Connie looked into the study, the first thing she noticed was the sheer amount of books that clung to the walls in the massive embedded bookcase. Her mouth dropped a little in wonder as she took in the sight. A small movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention and she quickly looked over to find Jason sitting at a large desk.
Connie quickly walked over, “Good morning!”
Jason looked up, “Have you eaten lunch yet?”
Connie pursed her lips and glanced at her watch, it was almost noon. “Not yet.”
Jason nodded and pushed an intercom on his desk, “Bring in two servings of lasagna and salads.”
Connie smiled gratefully, “Thank you.”
Jason motioned to the small desk next to his. “I want you to assist me as you do at the office.”
Connie eyed Jason suspiciously. Why would he make her come all the way out here to bring him water or cut fruits when he has a whole household of servants? She shrugged internally, she was getting a free meal so she might as well just do her job.
***
“Who is that girl? She’s kind of cute.”
“I don’t know but the boss let her into his study! Only the butler’s allowed in there when he’s working.”
“Do you think she’s his girlfriend?”
“Psh, who makes their girlfriend wait on him hand and foot? Probably just his secretary.”
The old butler walked up quietly behind the gossiping maids before clearing his throat. “Ahem, get back to work and stop speculating. You know how Mr. Smith feels about people who pry into his business.”
The maids bobbed their heads and muttered their apologies before scattering. The butler turned to look into the study. Connie placed a bowl of cut fruits on the table for Jason who, without looking up from his work, grabbed the fork and started eating.
The old man watched in wonder. Jason had always been particular with people around him and since the incident, he had become even more eccentric. All of the hired help stayed out of his way. So it was surprising to see him tolerate a woman sitting next to him for such a long period.
The old man’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. It seems working at the company did his young master some good.
- Writer
