The Writer's Dilemma

Full Schedule

“How dare that… that…” Jocelyn exploded on Audrey as they arrived at the café down the street from Blank Multimedia. They were finally on their lunch break and Audrey could finally release the pent-up air she had been holding.

                “Please, calm down,” Audrey pleaded, taking a seat at their usual table by the ceiling to floor windows. Jocelyn gave her an incredulous look, sinking down onto a chair across from her.

                “Audrey, how are you staying so calm? You’re going to let that… that… thing, control your life again?” Jocelyn tried to control the volume of her voice but they were receiving a few stares from a few of the other guests anyway. Audrey shook her head, her hands shaking on her lap. There was a pause in which Jocelyn shuffled to the chair beside her, picking up her hands. “Ok. Relax. Let’s get some food and forget about it for now,” Jocelyn walked over to the counter to place their order. Audrey pulled out her phone, turning it on, and flipped to the photo of her and Kerem. She had barely got to look at the picture before a text from Mr. Jacques popped up.

BOSS: I’ve sent you a copy of the work schedule you’ll have

With Mr. Alarie. I’m giving you this opportunity because I

Believe in your capabilities. Please don’t disappoint me, Audrey!

Good luck!

                Audrey was going to close her phone when she notices the text message she had received from Wyatt, Kerem’s agent, that she hadn’t responded to yet.

Audrey: Thank you for being my fan. It means a lot

                She typed the words and sent them just as Jocelyn came bustling back with two iced coffees in her hand. A café worker wasn’t far behind with a tray loaded with an assortment of food and treats. Audrey dropped her jaw in disbelief.

                “This is too much food,” Audrey scorned her agent as the worker waddled away. Jocelyn huffed, plopping back down into her seat.

                “This is too much! I’ll talk to our CEO and have you replaced as the lead writer,” Her voice was escalated again as she picked up her phone. Audrey stopped her.

                “Don’t do that,” She sighed, gaining another bewildered look from her agent. “I just received a message from the CEO. He won’t replace me. Plus, this could be our big break,” She explained. “If this goes well, I’ll never have to work with someone like him again,” She nodded, seeing that she was starting to make Jocelyn understand. Jocelyn grabbed her hand again.

                “I will be with you all the time. Don’t worry and let’s eat to our heart’s content,” She withdrew her hands to her utensils, digging into the food she had ordered as another text popped up onto Audrey’s phone.

Wyatt: So, this means we can be friends?

Audrey smiled, picking up her phone to reply.

Audrey: Yes.

                Audrey put her phone away, picking up her own utensils.

                An hour later, Jocelyn and Audrey returned to Blank Multimedia, iced coffees in their hands as they discussed the rest of the day’s activities, forgetting the unfortunate morning they had had. “Don’t forget you need to finish the last project by tonight,” Jocelyn nagged at her again. Audrey rolled her eyes playfully, exiting the elevator onto their floor, bumping into someone and nearly dropping her coffee. When she looked up, she came face to face with Marius. Her body shook involuntarily as their eyes met.

                “I was looking for you. I want to review something about the schedule with you,” Marius seemed to ignore how close their bodies were to touching as he spoke. Audrey cleared her throat, stepping back a few feet.

                “I’ll have time in half an hour.”

                “Meet me in the CEO’s office at that time,” Marius ordered, walking away with his hands in his pockets. Audrey released the breath she had been holding in as her arm received an angry tug from Jocelyn.

                “This jerk thinks you’re his slave now. You have to put him in his place,” Seethed Jocelyn. Audrey shook her head, stalking off to her cubicle with her agent in tow. “Dre,” Jocelyn whined, huddled in the corner as Audrey dropped her personal items on her desk, pulled up her email, and printed off the schedule she would be having with Marius.

                “Joc, so far he hasn’t acted in any way different than a regular co-worker. Until that happens, I cannot do anything and I won’t,” Audrey explained as she passed her agent out of the cubicle, walking to the shared printer by the kitchen. Jocelyn continued to follow her from the printer to the CEO’s office where Marius sat behind a desk, his eyes darting from the computer screen to a paper that he was writing on. Audrey knocked on the door as she entered, gaining his attention.

                “This will be a private conversation. Thank you, Mrs. Fay,” Marius’s focus was now past Audrey’s head. She heard a grumble followed by a touch on her elbow.

                “I’ll be right outside,” Jocelyn whispered, taking her leave of the room. Jocelyn kept her eyes on Marius, who stood, adjusted his suit, and walked the length of the room towards her.

                “Long time, no see,” He said confidently but only loud enough for the two of them to hear. He walked past her to close the door gently, the smell of his cologne lingering in the air. Audrey fought to hide a shiver running up her spine.

                “I,” Audrey found her voice too weak, cleared it. “I hope that we will be able to work professionally together. Let the past be in the past,” Audrey said, her voice still sounding meek and intimidate next to his. She could feel his presence beside her, his abdomen brushing against her shoulder in the briefest of touches that she was sure was no accident.

                “I bet you were surprised to see me here. Surprised that I would show up here, weren’t you?” Another pause. “We will work very professionally with each other, side by side,” He glided back to his desk, waving his hand for her to follow him. When they were seated across from each other, he started again. “We have a lot of groundwork to go over. The quicker you comply the faster you can leave,” He put a fist down on the desk in front of him. Audrey gave a swift nod, pulling her notes out on the collaboration. “First there will be three ground rules,” Marius leaned back in his chair, staring at her while he tented his fingers on his lap. “Rule number one: You’ll be at my beck and call. Have your phone on you at all times during this period. Do you agree?” He paused. Audrey, surprised and taken aback, gave a slow nod. “Rule number two: I keep a sharp image and I expect my staff to do the same. That means heels and professional clothing. Not these track shoes and sweats that you’re currently wearing. For example, the clothing you wore when we were together. Another example, what Jocelyn is wearing today. I can give you an allowance or take you shopping myself. Do you agree?” He paused again, waiting for an answer. At this, Audrey silently began to fume over his words about her current outfit and the mention of their past relationship. He cleared his throat, stirring her from her thoughts.

                “I agree.”

                “Rule number three: No dating,” Marius finished. Audrey let out a snort. She had no plans of that anyway. “I take it we are agreed. Any breaking of these rules and I will end my collaboration and I’m sure it will be detrimental to your future career. Now, let’s go over the schedule,” Marius took out a similar sheet of paper to the one that Audrey had, as she finally was able to glimpse her schedule for the next month.

Next Tuesday: A day in the life of Marius Alarie

Next Friday: Photo Shoot 1

Following Tuesday: Private 1-on-1 interview

Following Friday: Photo Shoot 2

Third Tuesday: Stygian Press Release

Third Friday: Blank Press Release

Last Tuesday: Collaboration Ending Ceremony

                Audrey was grateful that the schedule was on two days a week for the next month. “Next Tuesday. You will remain at my house. Actually, I prefer if you arrive on Monday before. You’ll stay there and remain with me until Wednesday afternoon,” Audrey dropped her jaw at the ridiculousness of this request.

                “Why?” She interrupted; her voice squeaky with objection. Marius glared at her.

                “I’ll refer you back to rule number one. I may need you while the cameras are being set up. Also, keep in mind you’ll be documenting what you see me do daily, so you can complete a part of this assignment,” Audrey fell silent at his words allowing for Marius to continue. “That Thursday we will have an hour meeting here to discuss the photoshoot the next day. I will give you more details when the time approaches,” Audrey wrote the information down keeping her lips firmly shut. “The weekend you’ll have off. Monday of the second week, I have a trip to Vancouver. You will again be at my beck and call. Throughout this trip, we will do a one-on-one interview. I was just recently notified of this trip, that is why it is unchanged on the itinerary. All costs will be paid by Stygian. Photoshoot on the second Friday, we will also talk about it on this trip. Weekend off. Third Tuesday is the Stygian press release. We will know more as it gets closer but we will have a meeting on the Monday before. Same for your company’s press release. Our companies have agreed to hold an ending ceremony, a private one between the two company’s only. After that is over is when these rules will end. Understand?” After an eternity of listening to him and holding her tongue, the meeting had finally ended.

                “Yes Mr. Alarie,” Audrey murmured as she packed up to go. He put a hand on hers, startling her.

                “Don’t forget to keep your phone on,” he gave a small smile, turning and stalking to the door to open it for her. Audrey stumbled out, never happier to be out of a meeting.