The Writer's Dilemma

Second Assignment

The next Monday came in a gloom of emotions. The weather forecasted heavy rain for the day, with low dark clouds threatening the skies outside Audrey’s bedroom window. She wasn’t sure about what to expect, staying at Marius Alarie’s place for two nights and practically three days. The thought itself terrified her as she rolled up another outfit and stuffed it into her suitcase with a haughtiness, she didn’t expect to rise out of her. Her phone vibrated on her nightstand, interrupting her thoughts and her packing. The notification that she had received a message from Wyatt brought a weak smile to her face.

Wyatt: Good morning! It’s been officially a week since we’ve become friends! This fan is so happy!

Audrey: Good morning! Thank you for all of your support!

Wyatt: Actually I wanted to ask you to a meeting. You can bring a few of your friends and I’ll bring a few of mine. Does tonight sound ok?

Audrey: I’m sorry. I won’t be able to make it tonight. I have a work-related project that I cannot skip out on. Another time?

                Audrey dropped her phone onto her bed, irritated by the fact that she couldn’t do what she really wanted to do because of her current and unfortunate assignment. Her mood was getting worse by the minute the more she thought of having to spend the night away from home. She worked slowly on packing her suitcase with everything she would need, prolonging the inevitable. She pulled her suitcase off of her bed, rolling it out into the kitchen. Her mom had a plate of food waiting for her again.

                “Why does your company always make you go on these trips?” Her mom questioned her, her hands on her hips over the apron she wore for cooking. Audrey plopped down on a chair. She hadn’t had the heart to tell her the truth of the nature of this trip, forcing her to give a shrug as the only reply. She picked at the plate of food in front of her, feeling guilty. “Ok, I won’t nag. Have a good trip,” Her mom leaned over, planting a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

                “Mama,” Audrey grabbed her mother’s hand, holding it tightly between her own. “When this assignment is over, things will be easier. We will go on a trip together, ok?” She smiled weakly, waiting for her mom to agree as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Her mom nodded, walking back to the kitchen as Audrey fished out her phone.

Wyatt: Can I call you?

                The question was simple but it made Audrey’s heart lighten for the first time that day. She gave a simple yes in reply, hitting the send button as she used her fork to stuff a piece of egg into her mouth. Her phone buzzed in rapid succession. She chewed her egg quickly, answering the call and putting the speaker to her ear. There was a brief silence before a muffled clearing of the throat came over the receiver.

                “Good morning again,” came the deep, raspy male voice that sounded so familiar. Audrey shook the feeling away, remembering that she had met Wyatt in person before.

                “Good morning,” She hoped her voice carried a shred of enthusiasm.

                “Are you having breakfast? It’s the most important meal of the day you know.”

                “I’m eating the breakfast my mom made,” There came a pause on the other side of the line.

                “I was upset to hear that you’ll be busy tonight. It seems like this is an important assignment,” Wyatt’s voice was laced with sadness, causing Audrey to regret her current assignment even more. She wanted to explain to him more than anything that she’d much rather spend the evening anywhere else than where she had to be.

                “It’s worth my career even though it’s not the best assignment,” she mentally smacked herself for giving such a lame excuse, wincing at the thought of what he must think of her.

                “I hope you can do something you enjoy soon. You mentioned possibly meeting up another time. Do you have any idea when you will be free next?” His voice was hopeful, lifting her own spirits even as she thought over her horrid work schedule.

                “This weekend at the earliest,” She gave her reply, excitement lifting her spirits and her voice. She had something to finally look forward to, and something cheerful at that. Her whole mood flipped from angry to excited.

                “I’m free then too. I’ll think of something and let you know,” Wyatt’s excited voice came clear over the speaker. They continued to talk about trivial matters till the time caught Audrey’s eyes. She was behind schedule and a fear of missing her bus made her heart pound sickly in her chest. She apologized to Wyatt, hanging up the phone regretfully as she grabbed her suitcase and ran out the door, her heels clicking loudly.

                It took a little longer than usual to make it to her cubicle with her luggage in tow. She wasn’t surprised to see Marius waiting for her, as he had done the previous week, making sure she complied with his rules. “Aren’t you going to thank me?” Marius made his first comment. Audrey gave him a blank look, wondering what she should be thanking him for while also thinking about telling him that he was crazy. “I didn’t ask you to come in early today… I figured since you would be working overtime anyway…” Audrey walked past him, setting her luggage just inside her cubicle. She felt rather than saw Marius block the entrance of her cubicle with his large, tall frame. “After work, I’ll drive you to my place. I’ve already had your room cleaned and set up to your liking,” Marius continued, not understanding that it was the last topic that Audrey wanted to discuss.

                “Hope you haven’t forgotten about me,” Jocelyn’s voice bounced off the walls of her cubicle. “Since this is a work assignment, I’m required to remain with her. It’s in the company contract if you don’t believe me,” Marius flattened himself against the wall, allowing Jocelyn’s threatening stance to be seen, her own suitcase by her side. The change in Marius’s attitude was visible as a flash of annoyance flitted across his face, quickly replaced by a cryptic smile.

                “Of course not. I only have two rooms in my apartment. I hope the two of you don’t mind sharing,” Marius stalked away, not waiting for a reply from either of them. Audrey hugged Jocelyn tightly at his dismissal, proud to have one of her best friends as her agent.

                “Told you I’d be there for you.”

                “Thanks, Joc. You will actually make the next couple of days bearable.” Audrey managed to get her words out just before her desktop phone rang loudly, the noise echoing throughout her cubicle. She quickly picked up the receiver, placing it to her ear.

                “Company-wide meeting in the large meeting room in ten minutes. Bring your agent,” Mister Jacques was quick to inform her in a loud, clear voice, ending the call just as quickly. She turned to Jocelyn, giving her the news. They walked together towards the meeting room, stopping only for a mug of coffee from the kitchen, chatting the entire way. When they arrived everyone was already seated, including Mister Jacques and Marius. The room fell silent as a mixture of cologne and perfume permeated the room. Audrey and Jocelyn took seats next to each other, crossing their legs in preparation for the meeting. “Good news! Excellent news! We have just agreed to another collaboration with Claudel Publishers! Everyone will be in charge of a famous author. Audrey Taylor,” The CEO suddenly addressed her, everyone’s eyes swiveling towards her, causing her to squirm in her seat. “You have already been requested to work with Kerem Bassett and Pierre Dupont. I know that you’re busy with the Stygian collaboration, however; I hope that you will be able to fit time in your schedule. Discuss it with Mr. Alarie later,” Mister Jacques looked back to the entire room, continuing to discuss the assignment as Audrey sat frozen in her chair, not believing what she had just heard. She had been requested? She was going to work with Pierre Dupont and Kerem Bassett? Was this possible? A smile crept onto her face as she gushed silently to herself when a sharp pain on her leg brought her back to the present moment.

                “Ow!” Audrey exclaimed, snapping back to reality where she was being stared at by every member of Blank Multimedia. Jocelyn’s hand was still on her leg.

                “Now that we have your full attention Miss Taylor, we will end the meeting here; however, CEO Alarie, Miss Taylor and Miss Fay will need to stay behind,” Mister Jacques addressed the room. Marius remained silent with a pissed off look plastered on his face while the room cleared out. Audrey and Jocelyn discussed the new assignment between themselves. “Mr. Alarie, rest assured that your collaboration is top priority. Actually, the interviews with Claudel Publishers will not be announced till the end of the month and I believe there isn’t much on the schedule at the time. In between now and then there just might be a few things for Miss Taylor to do during work hours. I’m sure that she will put your schedule first,” Mister Jacques explained. Marius gave a simple nod. “Audrey, let us know if you need any help,” Mister Jacques patted her shoulder as he took his leave of the room, followed closely by Marius. Jocelyn laughed and talked loudly as she left the room with Audrey, forgetting about the coming horror of staying at the house of Marius tonight.