The Musician's Assistant

You Have Got to be Kidding Me!

Serena just stared in disbelief at the burning of every single item she has ever owned burning to a crisp. A police officer came up to her to tell her to move her car out of the way. “M-my home…” Was all she could say. “Do you live here mam’?” he asked she just nodded dumbfounded. “Please come down to the station so we can sort out the details.” The officer said sympathetically as he guided Serena back inside her car. After following the police officer to the police station, what ensued was hours of grueling technical jargon. “Do you have renter’s insurance? Do you have someone you can stay with?” Where some of the many questions asked of Serena. She answered what she could but, all of her paperwork was in her apartment. Luckily, her insurance sent a copy of her claim to her email. Unfortunately, no amount of money can really pay back all of her personal items. The more she thought about the things she lost the more depressed she would feel. “Do you have any family in the area that you can stay with?” Officer Davis asked. “No, all my family lives in Puerto Rico.” Serena replied robotically. “Well, we can help get you situated at a Inn nearby” Officer Davis answered apologetically. “N-no, thanks. I will find a place. Can I go now?” Serena asked feeling exhausted from being in the police station for so long. “Yeah, sure. The Fire Marshall will contact you once his report is done. Please notify us if you leave the state of California.” Officer Davis answers letting Serena leave the station. Serena mechanically walked and boarded her car and just stared at her steering wheel. The clothes on her back, her car, and the items in her backpack was all she had. The frustration and realization of how difficult the next few months were going to be made Serena scream as she banged her forehead against the steering wheel. “What the f**k am I going to do?” She complained under her breath. Serena always did things by the book, she had to being a woman on her own far away from home, she needed to have tough skin. Her way of doing things was do everything right and be responsible and everything will fall into place. Unfortunately, her mantra left little room for the idiocies of other people. Assuming that the fire was caused by her jackass neighbor that smoked like a chimney. Serena looked at her watch and saw it was almost midnight. “f**k it all…” She said as she turned on her car and drove around aimlessly to find a bar to drink away her sorrows. Serena knew in the back of her mind that getting hammered was not the most constructive solution for her current predicament, but she wanted to take a break from being responsible and let loose for once in her young life. Since she saved almost every last cent of her income, Serena wanted to blow some of her cash, so she went to find a bar in Malibu, where the drinks are ridiculously expensive. Again, not a constructive coping mechanism, but Serena wasn’t thinking like her normal self.

Serena found a pretty nice bar and parked nearby. She saw that everyone was dressed up a lot nicer than her. So, she tried to refashion her over-sized shirt to be more form fitting and off the shoulders. “Looks pretty decent.” She said softly as she looked at herself in the car mirror. Her baggy jeans were a whole lot more difficult to refashion. She managed to find some hair ties in her car and made the pant legs tighter and shorter above the ankle. She found a thin belt in the back of her car and raised her pants to her waist to make them look high waisted. She found a little bit of makeup in her purse and put on a little so she wouldn’t look dead. She decided to take off her glasses, they were mostly for reading anyway. When she finished, she saw her reflection on the side of the car, “not too bad.” Serena said liking her makeshift fashion fixes. With just her wallet and her keys in her hand, she walks towards the bar. The bouncer checks her and lets her in.

Once inside she saw that the bar was packed full of people. The murmur of hundreds of conversations was nearly blocked out by the loud dance music. Serena shimmied her way through the crowd until she managed to find an empty stool at the bar to sit on. “Hey there gorgeous, what will you be having tonight?” The muscular bartender asks Serena. Serena thinks for a moment, not being a big drinker, she had no idea what to order. “Uh, what do you recommend for a girl who just lost everything in a fire?” She asked the bartender. “Oh, damn talk about a shitty night, you will probably want something sweet but super strong, I recommend either a Long Island Iced Tea or and Old-Fashioned” he replied. Having actually heard of the Long Island Iced Tea, Serena decides to choose the tea. “Sure, thing coming right up!” He said as he went to go make her drink. Serena glances around the crowd. Everyone seemed so happy having lots of fun, talking, drinking, and dancing. She wondered why she never threw caution to the wind and actually go out? The reality was she didn’t really have time for friends or even dating for that matter. Her entire life revolved around babysitting Damien Wolf. Even though Damien always invited Serena to go out with him, she never wanted to disrupt her work relationship with something as complicated as a friendship with a famous musician. Just thinking about the flashing of cameras, the masses of fans asking for an autograph, just made Serena feel exhausted. Which was why she always turned him down. “Here you go hon’ Long Island Iced Tea.” The bartender said bringing Serena’s attention back to the bar. “Thanks, also whenever you see that I finish this drink please bring me another I do not want to feel anything tonight.” Serena said as she handed the bartender her card so he can open a tab for her. “You got it, uh Serena Mendoza.” The bartender replied as he read Serena’s name off of her credit card.

As the night went on, Serena kept downing glass after glass of drinks. The bartender paid a few shots for her. Since, Serena never drinks she was already acting crazy after a few drinks. The bartender would make jokes with her and in her drunk stupor she found him the most hilarious dude there. After eight drinks Serena decided to close her tab to go to the dance floor, “to dance her problems away.” As she expressed so eloquently to the bartender when he returned her credit card and receipt. After having put it away in her wallet, Serena made her way to the dance floor. She shook her hips madly to the beat of the song. She waved her hands in the air, feeling the music run through her body. After a few minutes of dancing wildly an attractive man approached Serena on the dancefloor. “Hey! What are you doing here?” he asked. “Well, what does it look like? I’m here to part-ay!” Serena shouted slurring her words. The man laughed at Serena’s response. “You mind if I part-ay with you?” He asked. “Sure, man it’s a free country!” she replied. Next thing she knew, she was grinding up against the guy. The guy just laughed at how silly and crazy she was being. After an hour of continuous dancing, the guy asks her if she wanted to join him for a drink at his table. “More alcohol? Hell yeah!” She agreed as she followed the handsome stranger to a table in the back of the bar. A waitress came by to ask what they wanted, “More drinks!” Serena shouts excitedly. “Get her a water.” The man says quietly to the waitress. “So, what’s your name?” Serena asks the man after the waitress leaves. The man let’s out an amused chuckle and says “Richard. What about you?” “My name is Serena” she responds. “Nice to meet you Serena” Richard answers with a smile as he shook Serena’s hand. The waitress returns with two water bottles. “Wait water? Why?” Serena complained. “Because I feel you have drunken enough for tonight.” He replies. “Well yea that’s true…” Serena realizes after a brief moment of clarity. She opened her water bottle and began chugging the water as if she were trapped in a dessert for three days. “You know I don’t really drink like this, I’m usually a pretty strait-laced woman.” Serena explains to Richard after downing half of her water. “Is that so? I would have never guessed. So, what’s the occasion for binge drinking?” Richard asked. “Well, you will never believe this! I work as an assistant to a famous rock star. After having worked all day, I finally get to go home and relax, but my apartment was on fire!” Serena said half crying and laughing hysterically. “Oh my god, are you ok?” Richard said with concern. “No, I have no where to go and nothing but the clothes on my back and what’s in my car.” Serena responded still laughing maniacally while crying. Richard looked at her with pity, realizing that Serena was actually in pain and needed help. He ordered another water to see if her can bring down the alcohol content in her system. “You know you are a really nice guy and pretty hot if I might add.” Serena said as she scooted closer to Richard. Richard chuckled, feeling flattered by Serena’s compliment. “You remind me of someone…” She added as she brought her face closer to Richard’s. “Do I look familiar?” he asked softly getting lost in Serena’s forest green eyes. “Y-yeah, I swear I have seen those blue eyes somewhere” Serena whispered also getting lost in Richard’s gaze. Next thing Richard knew, Serena planted her lips onto his. Richard was frozen in shock, he barely was able to kiss Serena back, when she completely passed out onto his chest.

Serena woke up the next morning with a jolt. “Ugh, what the hell happened last night?” She groaned softly. Her head immediately felt like someone was banging it against a wall. She tried to sit up, but her head hurt so bad that she couldn’t move. Serena was laying in a bed, that much she knew. When she turned over, she heard, “So you are finally awake, I thought you died.” She heard a familiar voice say. The voice echoed in her head making it feel like they screamed in her ear. She sat up to look at who spoke. When she opened her eyes, she immediately felt a surge of embarrassment, confusion, and dread flow through her body, when she took in the sight of Damien sitting in a chair next to the bed Serena had slept on. Serena sat there frozen in place, not knowing what to say or do. Damien just laughed at her reaction. “Where you expecting someone else?” Damien asked mischievously. Serena thought for a moment and remembered the name Richard. “Wait wasn’t I hanging out with a guy named Richard?” Serena asked under her breath trying to make sense of how on earth she ended up in Damien’s guestroom. Damien let out a roar of continuous laughter. He found it hilarious that Serena truly did not remember a thing about last night. Serena just rubbed her throbbing head as she stared at Damien laughing. Once Damien calmed down his laughter, “Wow you really don’t remember? I’ll fill you in” Damien said. “Well, my night was the same as any night of partying. I went to The Lounge, to get some drinks find myself a temporary friend. The Lounge was packed full of really fine ladies. Then one in particular caught my attention. She was dancing madly on the dance floor. She seems to be drunk off her mind, but she was dancing really well. So, I decided to approach her. So, imagine my surprise when this dancing woman was none other than my assistant. At first, I didn’t recognize her, but the more I spoke to her to more obvious it became. Since, I found it incredibly amusing that she didn’t recognize me I decided to go under the alias of Richard. Nevertheless, being the gentleman that I am I convinced her to join me at my table so I can give her some water hopefully to sober her up a bit.” Damien explains as if he was telling a story. Serena just stared in horror as flashes of last night kept appearing in her mind. Serena’s eyes widened when she remembered telling Richard about the fire and then kissing him, before passing out. “Yeah, I was Richard.” Damien said with a devious smile. Serena’s face grew red. “OH MY GOD I KISSED DAMIEN!!!” Serena thought in her mind realizing the huge mistake she had committed last night. Damien watched as Serena began realizing everything that happened. “I’m assuming by your expression that you remember what happened next.” Damien said as he got up from the chair he was sitting on and slowly walked toward the bed. “No…” Serena whispered. “After explaining to me that you are currently homeless…” Damien began as he crawled onto the bed inching his way closer to Serena. “You got really close to me, and…” Damien paused as he himself got really close to Serena. “No…” Serena said again her heart banging into her chest. “You ki-” “No, don’t say it! Please I might just die from the embarrassment!” Serena whined as she covered Damien’s mouth not wanting him to utter the words that will torment Serena for the rest of her life. Damien gave a playful gaze from behind Serena’s hands. Serena’s face turned even redder when she found herself getting lost in Damien’s dark blue eyes. She quickly removed her hands and scurried away from him. Still being incredibly hungover, Serena stood up too fast from the bed and began wobbling over trying to regain her balance. “Woah, careful!” Damien shouted as he stood up and caught Serena before she fell over. Serena’s head was spinning, her face was pressed up against Damien’s chest. He smelled so good, like that cologne that he always asked her to by. His aroma added to her dizziness. “I never knew you were such a girl, Serena.” Damien said wickedly. Serena realized she wasn’t acting like her normal self. She wasn’t holding back her reactions or feelings. Serena gasped and pushed Damien away from her as she covered her face with her hands from the sheer unprofessional situation, she has gotten herself in. Damien laughed. “Don’t be embarrassed, it actually really cute.” Damien said as he pulled back a stray curl behind Serena’s ear. Serena shuddered at his touch, feeling as goosebumps appeared on her skin. Serena removed her hands from her face and gazed at Damien, she saw that he was staring at her amused by her. Serena’s heart was beating a mile a minute, “I- I got to go…” Was all she could say as practically ran to the bedroom door.

Serena was dizzy and disoriented as she tried to walk through the hall of Damien’s home. She could hear the taps of Blue’s nails on the floor as he trotted towards her, in excitement of seeing her. “Oh, I am just messing with you, Serena. You literally have nowhere else to go.” Damien called after her. “I have shamed myself; I broke the rules of conduct. I have to quit this job!” Serena said as she made her way to the front door. Damien caught up to her and pulled her away from the door by her hips. He blocked the door from her. “Damien let me pass! This is not what an assistant is supposed to be for…” Serena muttered going to a surge of panic. “Woah, woah, calm down! Dude, you are not a robot! You are obviously going through some s**t. I mean Serena you lost everything in a fire. How much of a d**k would I be if I don’t help you?” Damien said trying to make Serena see reason. “That’s not your job!” Serena snapped. “I don’t care about codes of conduct, what is expected of you as an assistant. Right now, you need help, and from what I gather, I’m the only person in your life here.” Damien responded earnestly. “How unbelievably arrogant of you to think I have no one else!” Serena hissed at him. “Do you? Truthfully, do you have someone who can help you or take you in?” Damien asked. Serena stayed quiet knowing for a fact she did not have anyone there, she had no friends, no family, just her job and Damien. “No… I don’t.” Serena surrendered. “I thought so. Listen I have offered this to you before, this house is huge, you are welcomed to stay here as long as you like.” Damien offered. “I-I can’t accept that-” “Nonsense of course you can! How many times have you helped me in the past four years of working for me?” Damien said cutting Serena off. “Damien…” Serena muttered as she remembered many different scenarios where she had to wake up late at night to pick up Damien from a bar. “Please Serena, I would not be able to live with myself if something happens to you.” Damien replied as he took Serena’s hands in his. “Wh-what?” Serena asked dumbfounded by how sweet Damien was being. Damien snickered when he saw Serena’s reaction. Serena glared at him and slapped his hands away. “Ugh, jerk…” She retorted angerly. “I’m just messing with you, god you are too easy!” Damien said with a laugh. “But seriously please stay, at least until your apartment is fixed.” Damien said getting serious all of a sudden. Serena thought for a moment, she wasn’t sure if living with Damien would be a good idea in the long run. “Beats having to pay for a hotel…” she thought to herself. “F-fine, I will take you up on your offer. But only until my apartment is up and running.” Serena declared. “Good! I’m glad you accepted! Welcome roomie!” Damien announced with excitement. “We are going to have a lot of fun together.” Damien said evilly with a grin. Serena couldn’t help but feel a cold chill run up her spine, “what the hell is he planning?”