The Office Assistant

Working and Dating

Elise scanned through emails, yawning as she opened one from someone she didn't recognize. Miss Myers, she read to herself, I'm writing in regards to a Robert 'Bert' Best. She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. My name is John Smithton, I am a therapist at Brick Side Prison, your name has come up several times when speaking with Mr. Best. Her breathing grew shorter,  making it become harder to take a breath. She wanted to stop reading, but at the same time was scared she'd miss something important, like him being let go or escaping to stop. He asked me to contact you and ask if you would be willing to contact him by letter or phone call. 

She was done. 

Elise took a deep steady breath, fear now replaced by anger. "Who the hell does he think he is?" She wrote back a simple: No, never contact me again. She was still livid when her phone rang, forcing her voice to be normal she answered, "Elise Myers, Assistant Editor, how can I help you?"

The voice on the other end of the line sounded friendly and helped ease her emotions, "Miss Myers, this is Erick George. You told me to call at my earliest convince,"

Well that was quick, "Yes, Mr. George. I was wondering if you still wanted to sign with Emperor's Publishing?"

"Really?" He sounded both shocked and excited, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, we love The Moon's Sun." Elise smiled, being able to tell someone that they wanted to sign their story that they'd worked so hard on was one of her favorite things about her job. "Of course, we will need you to come and sign all the paper work and go over some final things." Elise paused, "I understand money is an issue after the fees, but I promise we will make it well worth your time. We will put you up at the Colcord hotel, cover all major expenses including meals, and fly you out. All you have to do is show up on time. How does that sound?" 

There was a knock at her door. Elise looked up and waved Sarah in, the part time front office attendant, in mouthing just a second. "Okay, great I will get it all ready and together then shoot you an email with the details...Alrighty, look forward to meeting you, Mr. George."

Sarah smiled, "another signing?"

Elise smiled back, "yep. When I was doing Georgia's hand me downs I thought we just had a crap show and had no idea how we make any money. It's just crazy how many she was tossing aside that were actually good. Like this one and this poor guy has been on the back burner for almost a year. I honestly can't wait to get the cover done." She finally noticed the large box Sarah was holding, "What do you have there?"

"That's amazing." Sarah set the box on the small metal coffee table in the setting area, "It's a delivery for a Miss. Elise Myers."

"Oh, wonder from who." Elise took the box to the couch and opened it. Inside there were two black jewelry boxes, a shoe box, and a dress box. "What in the world?" 

Sarah set on the other side an leaned back, "Oh wow, this is comfy."

Elise grinned, the powder blue couch and matching chairs had been a gift from Grace Lin and the board. Annie had a cream colored set that was the exact over stuffed soft leather. Beyond that they were given enough money to change or buy whatever they wanted. Annie had gotten new paint and all new furniture, While Elise chose a new desk and matching book cases. She'd helped Annie pick the paint color and she still liked it.

"Yeah isn't it? The set was a gift from Mrs. Lin and the board members. Annie got one too. We got them about a few days ago. I guess they thought after dealing with Georgia and the mess she left we deserved something big." 

"That's cool. I wish I could be up here all the time."

"I have an opening for an assistant. Hint hint."

Sarah laughed, "I wish. I hate the front office, too many rude people." She pointed to the very bottom of the delivery box. "Hey look there's a note."  

 Elise paused midway into opening the smallest box to pick up the note. "Hope you like everything. See you at eight thirty. C."

"Who's C?" Sarah asked, shyly adding, "if you don't mind me asking.

Putting the note on the table Elise looked at Sarah, "I'll tell you but you can't tell anyone. I don't know if he'd care, but we haven't talked about it and I don't want to get him mad at me."

She'd seen him angry the night of their meeting and she did not want it pointed at her. She did not fear Cal, but he had a way of speaking when he was angry that made her want to crawl under a rock and wait it out.

"I promise." Sarah said honestly and scooted closer.

Elise hoped he wouldn't care,. They had never talked on the subject so she really wasn't sure how he would feel, but she trusted Sarah almost as much as she trusted Annie. Elise made a mental note to ask him about it when she seen him that night and sighed.

Grinning she answered, "your boss."

"Mrs. Lin?"

"What? No," she laughed, "Mr. Gaius. His first name is Cal."

"Cal? I never knew that." Sarah thought about that for a second. "Oh my gosh! You're dating the owner of the company?"

"Tonight will be our first date. We've met on and off in the office though." Blushing, she eyed the box sitting in her lap, "wonder what's in here. Want to find out?"

When Sarah nodded yes Elise opened the smallest box. The rectangle shaped box held a small one strand silver bracelet that was sprinkled with pink Tanzanite gem stones. Both woman breathed, "wow." This isn't for tonight. I just seen it and thought of you a small piece of paper read. Elise laid the bracelet across her wrist and clasped it, it fit comfortably as if it'd been made just for her. She continued to the other jewelry box. Sarah's jaw dropped when Elise showed her the treasure inside. It held a single strand ruby and silver necklace and matching stud earrings. 

"Wow, they're beautiful. He's got really good taste. Expensive too. If you ever get done with him, I get dips," Sarah joked. "Ugh! My man needs to up his game. On my birthday he took me to Denny's because he forgot to plan anything. I love him, but if this is on the other side I might just have to send him sailing."

The girls laughed as Elise opened the shoes next. They were black lace three inch high heels. Elise kicked off one of her simple black flats and slipped the new one on. Like the bracelet it fit her foot perfectly.

"How did he know my size?" She wondered as she slipped on the other matching shoe and stood, "so glad they aren't very high. I so suck at walking in super high heels. I look like Bambi."

Laughing at her own clumsiness, Elise started to open the last and largest box. A knock on the door interrupted them. Sarah sighed as she walked to open it while Elise put the boxes back together in the delivery box.  She forget the notes.

"Hey, Ally." Sarah greeted. She turned back to Elise, "guess I need to get back to work. Send me a picture of the dress, Elise. And wear your hair down, it'll look amazing. See y'all later."

"Hey Ally, what's up?" Elise said as she slid back into her normal shoes. She'd didn't want to get them dirty before her date. She wanted to make a great first date impression and that meant everything being neat and clean.

Ally ignored the question. "What dress?"

Elise decided maybe she was just being friendly and replied, "oh, I just got a dress for a date tonight."

Ally's expression went from friendly curious to annoyed, yet still held a curious tone. "With who? Who's C?"

Crap the notes. "No body, you'd know." Elise replied as she took her seat behind the desk. 

Ally eyed the bracelet. "That's new. You didn't have it this morning." 

Elise shrugged, "it was a gift."

She was in the middle of answering an email when something hit her. I haven't seen Ally all morning. How would she know what I was wearing today? "Hey, how'd you know..." She heard her door open before she looked up. Ally was gone. "Weird."

Elise filed another possible sign and emailed it to Annie and Grace, called a few signees, and sent four emails. All the while Ally's knowing what she had on and her sudden retreat when she asked still weighed on her. She still could not figure out why the other woman had suddenly started showing so much interest in her. 

The whole week she'd basically follow her around. It had started Tuesday with Ally bringing her a coffee, Elise had not minded she hadn't had time to get herself one. She just hadn't expected it to be her usual order from Gaston's Coffee House, the closest coffee place near her house. Wednesday was the same with a bagel. Thursday she'd involved herself in a meeting with Grace Lin, Annie, herself, and one of their new signees. It had been very embarrassing for her since it was her first actual meeting with a client. Elise was just happy she hadn't did anything today. 

Ally knowing about the bracelet still bothered her throughout the morning.

                                                                     *   *   *   *   *   

A knock on the door frame caught her attention. "Come in," Elise said without looking up.

"Lunch is served." Annie walked in holding take out from the Chinese place down the block.  

Elise waved for her to close the door as she saved the draft she'd been working on. "Oh, that smells good." She opened the bottom cabinet behind her, pulled out two throw away plates and went to the sitting area; kicking off her shoes she lowered herself to the floor in front of the table.  

They ate in silence for a while until Annie noticed the packages to her left. "Gifts from him or to yourself?" 

"From him." Elise confirmed. "This too," she held out her wrist. "He said he just seen it and thought I'd like it."

Annie finished her meal and started looking in the boxes. "Have you seen the dress yet?" Elise took one last bite and shook her head. "Well I need to."

Elise giggled as she cleared the table and patted it. Annie slid the box over and  she lifted the lid. "Oh my gosh. I'd never buy this for myself. He shouldn't have either."

"Why?" Annie asked as she took the dress from the box, "you've worn skimpier things at the swimming pool."

"Not because of that. Because it had to be a fortune." 

It was a black satin halter with a flared skirt with red underlining, a slit down the front of the bodice almost to her belly was traced in a black lacy fabric and showed the inner swells of her breasts perfectly. 

Annie smirked. "I'm going to need you try this on. No way he got your shoe size and dress size perfectly."

Elise rolled her eyes, but secretly agreed. She locked her door and shut the blind that over looked the bullpen while Annie closed the ones that looked out on the street and neighboring building. Elise striped and pulled on the dress. After zipping it Annie gasped. It fit better than the heels or bracelet. The bodice was like a glove while the skirt flared just right on her hips. She turned to the small mirror that hung just on the other side of the closest door.     

"You so can't wear a bra and nothing over bikini panties." Annie commented. 

"Why?" Elise hadn't planed to wear a bra because of the front slit, but why did her panties matter?

Annie touched the very base of her back  and ran her hand up to the base of her neck, "Because its open season back here."

"Does it show the scar?" Elise worried and tried to turn to see her left side.

"Nope, the material ends just before it begins." Annie assured her friend. "It's perfect."

The scar was the left after a life saving surgery she'd received after being found last year. Bert had kicked her so hard it'd busted her kidney, turning it to hamburger as the doctor so unapologetically put it. He'd been a great surgeon, but his bedside manner and stitching had sucked. She guessed it hadn't been his fault the scar was so large. They had to get everything out or her body was going to attack itself and she was already fighting infections caused by the injury and others. But that did not mean she was comfortable with it. 

                                                                      *   *   *   *   *

Ally tried her hardest to hear a man's name through Elise's locked office door. She could not lean with her ear pressed against the door without drawing suspicion to herself so she paused as close to the door, making it look as if she were stepping out of the way to answer a phone call. She thought it was very clever to add a few words to a conversation for effect. 

She only heard things like him and gift and you look amazing. Damn it I need a name for Bert and John or they're going to have my head. "This is so annoying!" She caught herself saying out loud.  When she seen Mayson looking at her oddly she commented, "dropped call," and stormed off.

Ally glared over her partition at her desk toward Mayson. She hated how nosy she was. Like it's any of her business what I was doing over there. She opened a computer program and pretended to work. To be honest she had minored in English Literature, but as far as the computer systems went she had no clue what to do.

"Ally you have a call on two." Came Sarah's voice over the intercom.

As she picked up the phone she set up straight and composed herself. "Ally Spring, how can I assist you today?"

"Cut the s**t, Ally." Bert's tone wasn't happy.

She lowered her voice a little, "Sorry Baby, it's just I'm on the work phone so I have to talk like that."

"Whatever. Why aren't you answering your cell? And why the hell did little miss perfect close her blinds?

Ally turned her cell phone over and pressed the open screen button on the side. It was blank, no calls, no texts, no voice mails. "I don't see anything. I'll reset it and see if that works. I think she was trying on  a dress she got from the guy she's seeing."

She knew he was in the building facing Elise's office, she'd told him which floor and direction it faced. She hadn't thought about him watching every second of her life. After all that's why I'm here, isn't it?"  

"Fine. Who is it?"

"Why does it matter? "

Bert growled, "You stupid b***h. I told you not to ask that, didn't I? How many times are you going to disrespect me?"

Ally sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just curious why we are doing all this work. I know it starts with a C."

"You do not need to know! A C name huh? Are there any C names working there?"

"I'm not sure."

"Find the f**k out or else."

She heard something slam against something hard and the line went dead. Cussing she hung up her desk phone. It was going to be a long day. 

                                                                    *    *   *   *   *

Cal looked at himself in the mirror. Dressed in a black suit and dark blue silk shirt with a black tie, he didn't feel right. He was missing something or had too much. He wasn't sure which. At the last minute he lost the tie throwing it on the entry table and unbuttoning the top two buttons. That felt better. He took a picture in the elevator and sent it to Grace. 

What do you think?

You slicked back your hair? Didn't know that was possible. I love it! 

Yes, it's possible took way to much time and feels odd, but I figured why not. 

The boys said you look cool like James Bond LMAO you pay them don't you? Have fun!!

No, I don't they just have good taste. Thanks.

Dropping his phone in his inner jacket pocket he sighed and hoped Elise liked it too. He admitted he was more nervous about her liking his outfit than he was about her liking the one he'd bought her. He could not remember ever being nervous about what someone would think about his clothes. Lydia and Harri would have a field day with this, he thought as he walked from the elevator. He took the stairs to the garage. He loved the fact that the elevator still broken. 

He had three cars and wanted to make a good first date impression, though he did not think Elise cared what car he drove he still chose his solid black Bentley GTC convertible. He slid in and smoothed his hands over the wheel. He wondered why he didn't drive it more often. The black leather suited him more than the cream interior of the Porsche. The Porsche just went faster. 

                                                                                  *   *   *   *   *

He navigated the streets to Elise's house with ease and parked in the driveway. Taking one last look at himself in the visor mirror he killed the car and stepped out. He watched an older man step out from a small red brick house on his left as he knocked on Elsie's door. The man watched him too. Cal gave him a small tight lipped smile and nodded. The man glared. 

"Ok then," Cal murmured to himself just before Elise opened the door. He looked down at her, "Wow."

She blushed.

"I'm sorry, you just look amazing." 

Elise smiled, "you bought the outfit so I figured you'd thought I'd look good in it."

"Honey, you look way better than I thought you would. Not that I didn't think you'd look great, but you exceeded my expectations in a very good way."

"In that case thank you very much."

Cal held out his hand, "Ready to head out?"

A large shaggy looking cat mewled and glared up at him. Cal looked at Elise when the cat rubbed against her leg still glaring at him. Elise laughed and shooed the cat into the house. "Your dinner is waiting, your highness." Looking at Cal she shrugged, "Sorry, he doesn't like men."

"I'll have to win him over."

Elise giggled, "knowing him, that's going to be a hard battle."

Cal winked at her as he opened the passenger door. "I don't mind a challenge."

                                                        *   *   *   *   *

Elise shook her head as she watched Cal walk around the car. How had she gotten so lucky? Yes, the Ally thing got on her nerves, but that just came with being around people she thought and tried to ignore it as much as she could. The feeling of being watched could be explained away too. Even with those two things she still had a great job, she was happy, and she was on the arm of a great looking guy who over all was good man. The good outweighed the bad and she was okay with that.

"Where are we going?" She asked as he slipped behind the wheel.

"An art showing and dinner." 

"What type of art?" She was genuinely curious

"Not exactly sure, I know there will be a few different styles. My friend owns the gallery and tonight is opening night for a new series of his, but invited other artists to join too." Cal added, "and I'm one of them."

"Wait," Elise turned in her seat to look at him, "you're an artist too?"

Cal grinned, "a little."

"Oh, he's humble too," she joked.

Cal gave her a fake laugh. 

"So Mr. Humble, what did you enter?"

"Just wait and see. So, do you like Italian?"

She did not miss the way he changed the subject but let him. "Yes I do." 

They chatted a bit more on the drive across the city. Elise was talking about the Ally situation when her phone dings a notification, She read it in her head and laughed, "well this fits the elevator at EP. Lemony Snicket once said 'Everyone should be able to do one card trick, tell two jokes, and recite three poems, in case they are ever trapped in an elevator.' ”

Cal laughed and agreed, "That's the truth. I hate elevators as it is, but I swear that thing hates me more."

"Why can't it be fixed? I've gotten stuck almost every month for the last year. It's really getting annoying."

"I'm sorry. The reason I haven't done a total repair is because they'd have to completely take the whole thing out and replace the shaft. That leaves just the stairs and with eighteen floors that's too many stairs for some of the employees, my own assistant included after she fell on ice last year and broke her leg. She's still not great on flat surfaces."

"Well that makes sense." She thought for a minute, "how long would it take?"

Cal looked at her questioningly, "between a month and three depending on if they can salvage anything. Why?"

Elise smiled, "Why don't we all work from home for a few months? The elevator gets fixed and nobody has to tackle the stairs."

Cal parked in front of a brick building and turned to look at her. Elise shrugged shyly and he could see she was worried about what he would say. He grinned, "How did I not think of that?"

She shrugged again, "It's just a thought."

"A very good one too. We're here."

                                                                        *   *   *   *   *

Elise took his hand and allowed him to pull her up out of the car. "Are you sure it's safe?"

The building looked as if had seen better days. There were bricks hanging off or scattered around the base. Most of the windows were cracking or broken to pieces. The colors were so faded she was sure some places were transparent. Cal took her hand and walked to the rickety looking metal door.

"It's perfectly safe. Linus had it designed this way. The original building really was falling down in the nineteen forties when he...his grandfather bought it. So when Linus inherited it he had to tear it down, but he liked the look of the building so he registered the property as an artistic historical sight and then designed the new building to look like the original one."

"Well that works, I guess." Elise replied still unsure.

Cal opened the large door when it didn't make a sound Elise allowed him to usher her inside a well lite hallway. It was an Art Deco style in bright yellows and crisp looking black triangles and circles on the floor. She stopped to look at a piece, turning her head one way and then the other. She couldn't figure out how the name A Brother's War transferred to all the sharp lines and weird angles of reds, blacks, blues, and whites. 

"I don't get it."

Cal turned and laughed, "That's because it's upside down." 

Elise watched as Cal took the painting off the wall and flipped it. 

"There."

Suddenly she could see what could be a battle between two people forming on the canvas. "Oh, I see it now. How'd you know it was upside down?"

"I painted it about five years ago." 

"What?" Cal nodded. "You really are a jack of all trades."

"Thank you. Come on the showing is upstairs." 

Cal waved and said hello to a few people along the way to the showing. While Elise followed along nodding or smiling at the appropriate times. She looked at the women that went out of their way to speak or be noticed by Cal and she abruptly felt as if she did not fit in. Even dressed nicer than some of them she felt too short or too chunky. 

On the third floor she let Cal drag her into a small bed room. When he turned on the overhead light she looked around the red and black decorated room. 

Elise was utterly confused. "Why are we in someone's bedroom?"

"It's a spare room don't worry."

Elise rose an eyebrow and thought, because that isn't any less weird. 

"Don't give me that look. I felt you tense up in the hall and wanted to know why, but in privacy."

"Oh," she didn't know how to tell him she felt like a fish out of water. Cal set on the black coverlet and looked up at her expectantly. "It's just...I don't know how to say it without looking stupid."

Cal pulled her into him, "Tell me, I promise I won't find it stupid."

"Yes you will, but I'll tell you." Elise took a deep breath and pulled back from him, "I don't fit in here."

Cal looked confused so she explained further. When she was done he sighed and took her by the waist and forced her to sit on his lap. She realized she felt totally at ease with him. Why isn't that enough to make me feel okay with others of his standing?  

"Elise, I'm here with you not them. Hell most of them wouldn't give me the time of day if they didn't know I was rich. And trust me you will fit in with the people I actually like."

Elise leaned back, "really?"

"Yes." Cal kissed her forehead. "Okay?"

Elise stood and took a deep breath. She gave a sharp nod. "Yes."

He smiled as he stood and strolled to the door. He held his hand out as he opened it. Elise took it and let him lead her up the last flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs she found herself in what could be a large ball room. Many styles of paintings and drawings hung on the walls about two feet apart, some were also spread around the floor resting on easels. Cal put his hand on her back and led her toward a very large, blonde haired man, who was discussing a painting. 

"Linus, trying to talk up another lady I see." Cal teased.

The tall blonde turned, a bright smile lit his face. "Cal, nice to see you. I thought you weren't showing this year. Then I seen your work and was not disappointed. I might buy them both." Linus smiled at Elise, "and I see you've brought your muss."

Cal's arm instinctually tightened around Elise's waist. "This is Elise Myers. El, this is Linus Oreilo the owner of the building and tonight's host."

Elise smiled and took Linus' offered hand, "nice to meet you."

"And lovely to meet you Miss. Myers."

Cal suddenly didn't like the way his friend was looking at Elise. As the two chatted about art interest he thought about ripping his throat out. Why do I feel so possessive? "We have a reservation across town so I'm just going to show her my work and head out soon."

Elise noticed the way Cal's attitude changed. She wasn't alone. 

Linus leaned into Cal, "Don't lose your head. You may be older, but I will always be stronger."

"Is that a challenge?" Cal whispered so quietly human ears could hear. 

"Just a warning. I'm not the only one noticing her."

Cal nodded and stepped back. "Noted." He pulled his tone and body language back to as normal as he could get them at that moment, "We'll see you around."

Elise wanted to ask about the exchange and the muss comment, but she didn't get a chance as a couple of tall blonde women approached Cal. One glared at her annoyed. The other ignored her as she all but stepped between them. She decided to take the high road and walked off. She wanted to look at the art anyways so instead of making a snide remark and shoving the women away from Cal like she wanted to do she took a breath and walked off toward a group of Artpop paintings. 

Cal's eyes never left Elise as he dealt with the blondes.  He watched her wonder from painting to drawing and study each piece. She hadn't gotten to either of his yet and he was grateful as he wanted to see her reaction close up. When he noticed her getting close he excused himself.

Elise read the name of the drawing and artist. It was Cal's Broken Angle. 

She was studying it when Cal walked up. "Well?"

Elise turned and smiled, "It's beautiful. Who are they?" 

Cal shook his head. "I don't know who this one is," he pointed to the girl in front. "And the other one is someone I used to know. I use her a lot. Want to see the other one?"

Elise nodded and Cal led her to The Warrior. She didn't say anything at first and he started to wonder if she liked it. He was almost fearful to look at her face. But he was glad he did when he seen to awe written there.

"It's me."

Cal smiled broadly, "yeah. You wouldn't get out of my head the other night so I just went with it."

"So that's what Linus's muss comment was about."

"You don't mind do you?"

"No, I love it." She hugged him. "Thank you."