Hearts are soooo not Ashley."I'm so sorry."She takes a deep breath and lets it out."Why would he go with a heart?" Jonathan is not one of the most astute guys, but Ashley has laid hints on engagement rings for the last two years. You'd figure he would have picked up something. Kept one of the magazine advertisements she'd cut out and strategically left around the apartment. I'd never found a heard-shaped diamond taped to the fridge. Emerald or princess were her preferred choices. I agree whole heartedly."I don't know," Ashley says, shaking her head. "The only thing I can think of is how I said I'd never have a heart engagement ring."I nod with too much enthusiasm. It was a big long discussion. Most of it happened while sitting in the very room we were in now."I think he heard hearts and engagement ring and ran with it.""Well, is it big?" Does it being a big heart make it better or worse?Her head bounces back and forth between a nod and a shake. "It's okay.""T
The town car pulls out of my apartment parking lot and cuts through traffic onto one of the busiest roads in our town. Ashley and I chose this place not only because the rent was cheap but because it was a quick jaunt to both of our schools. Each of us had one road and one turn to take. It made getting to work today super easy. Not like I could get lost."Why did Mr. Valiant send you to pick me up this morning?" I ask the driver after we've gone five minutes without speaking and he doesn't turn on any music.His eyes make contact in the rearview mirror. "He doesn't like his assistants to be late. Mr. Valiant is very particular about schedules."Obviously. I settle back in the seat, staring out the window as the houses filter by on either side of the road. I've never understood why rich people build giant houses feet from busy roads, but I guess when real estate is tight, you do what you must.Like send your brand-new assistant a car service. I can't decide if it's a thoughtful
On a bright yellow Post-it note set to the middle of the desk is a user ID made from a combination of my first and last names. Below it on the same sheet is a password with a mix of letters and numbers. It's safe to assume the login information unlocks the computer and I settle into the comfortable rolling chair as I type the credentials into the login box and wait for verification to complete.The next five minutes I spend making sure I look presentable for Mr. Valiant's arrival. I practice my smile. After that, I practice my handshake. And then I practice how I'll get up in the chair so as not to disturb my skirt. While a little shorter, it doesn't pull up too much when I stand, but if I don't do it just right the back of the blouse untucks.I have all three maneuvers down and ready for my new boss by the time 9:10 a.m. rolls around. But still there's no Valiant.At 9:30 I twiddle my thumbs.Literally.The time counts down on the clock attached to the computer, and my bored
I open every single drawer in the desk, searching for somewhere he may have left directions on what he wants for lunch, but I already know they don't hold my answers. Two minutes go by as I search for the solution to my needs. A magic lunch fairy. Something. After coming back empty-handed, I gather the courage to enter his office and take my tiny stack of Post-it notes and pen to his door.I knock and the door opens. Valiant sits behind his desk with his suit coat open to show the white shirt he wears underneath. He lounges in his chair behind a large oak desk, its top empty except for a computer monitor."Mr. Valiant, is there anything in particular you want for lunch?" I ask, ready to write down anything he tells me. The man could ask for a calamari sandwich with ketchup on the side and I'd figure out a way to deliver.He looks up and his face is full of anger and annoyance. His lips pinch together in a straight line and his eyebrows furrow. "You haven't ordered already?""No
"Coffee." Now is not the time to draw attention to myself. Hell there is never a time to draw attention to myself while working with Vincent, but this is an extra bad time.He nods his head in agreement and I breathe a sigh of relief.I throw away his trash after steadying the plastic fork on top of the large desk calendar and then see my way back out of his office.The rest of the afternoon is uneventful. I find my email program and check it continuously, but besides the three intro emails from human resources asking me to fill out paperwork and a short curt email from Valiant stating his lunch order—he wanted a sub from Jimmy John's, a shop downtown—nothing else comes my way. At 5 o'clock on the dot he exits his office, re-buttoning his suit jacket. The muscles in his arms flex underneath it as he wiggles his shoulders to get it over top."You can go, Ms. Marshal. I'll see you tomorrow. Be here at eight and check your email this time."I nod. "Yes, Mr. Valiant." Jerk face.
Holy shit.Ashley screams, sitting on top of the other woman, with her legs wrapped around her middle. Her head pulls to the side as the woman beneath her rips out chunks of her hair."Ashley!" I yell, running full force at her even in my heels.Her head cocks up, and she pauses for a second as if she's realized where she is when she spots me. I latch on to her shoulder as she backs off the woman and stands next to me."What are you doing? Come on, Ash." I pull her into the townhouse as the naked person in our yard continues to scream obscenities at both of us. I close the door, but it doesn't block out the sound.More than one neighbor convened on the sidewalk watching the show, so it's only a matter of time before the police come, but at least Ashley and I are safe. I leave my briefcase and small purse in the entryway and follow Ashley to the kitchen."I can't believe him," she says, slamming her fist on the cheap countertop of the kitchen island.The front door opens a
I lower the phone giving him a what-the-fuck-does-it-look-like expression as Ashley regains her advantage. Now that she's back on top, I drop the phone and grab her by the shoulders pulling her off the naked woman. Somehow, by luck or fate, I don't end up getting kicked or punched in the head.Ashley breathes heavily in my ear, trying to push past me to get back into the fight, but she's losing steam and I'm able to hold her at bay. Who knew fighting looked so ridiculous in real life? It's a live action Jerry Springer episode.The other woman stands, wrapping the bedsheet back around her body, and spits on our floor."Hey!" That's our damn floor.The door opens again, slamming against the wall and two officers jog into the townhouse. Ashley's attacker smiles as if she's won, but her expression falls as the first officer grabs her hands and twist them behind her back before leading her out to the front yard. He stops long enough to help pull the sheet around her shoulders but th
My alarm rings before I'm ready. Probably because it goes off at six in the damn morning. Even in college I tried not to schedule my classes before ten and I sought jobs with afternoon shifts. To say I'm not a morning person is an understatement. I loathe mornings as if they were put on this earth to make my life hell. In fact, nobody has ever shown me proof they weren't made to ruin my life. I mean has anyone seen a 3 a.m.? Does it exist?It shouldn't.I roll off the couch and check my phone to make sure Vincent hasn't sent me any new messages throughout the night. One day with him and I'm already working on a phobia of having my phone sit too long between message checks.Ashley sleeps soundly wrapped in my covers on my bed when I check on her. I open my squeaky closet door enough to grab a few items to wear to work. She snorts and rolls to her side as I walk out of the room.Showers should wake you up, but when you take them as hot as I do, they have the reverse effect. My ey