CHAPTER 1

Here‟s what I‟ve learned from being a chick-flick – and chocolate and cookies

Häagen-Dazs - addict: there‟s no such thing as „true love‟; if you‟re in a love triangle,

it‟s probably with two girls and just one guy; a woman won‟t find The One by

accidentally pouring coffee into the guy‟s shirt; and, finally, you won‟t have a

background upbeat song to match your mood – at least out loud. So, how do these

fantasies come to life? How do people make money with such blunt lies? Easy: Disney

movies!

Yep, Disney movies. Remember when you were like this little, and your momma

used to buy the Disney VHS? You watched them all day long. Princesses who barely

said a word, Princes in white stallions with straight white teeth and perfect hair. And

finally, the ride into the sunset finale. This same story repeated itself over and over

again, and you eventually grew up with the fantasy that one day a prince would come

and get you out of your miserable boring life, toss you over his shoulder and be happily

ever after.

Admit it. You did.

And you still do, sometimes – especially after a nasty break up. You just keep

telling yourself – even if you totally deny it to your friends, „cause, you know, you‟re an

independent twenty first century woman – that one day, an awesome guy will come into

your life and sweep you off your size seven feet.

It won‟t, believe me. I know it „cause I‟m that girl too: the one close to her

thirties that grew up watching Happy Ever After stories. I still think about Prince

Charming, but he‟s gotta have an Ivy League degree – doesn‟t have to be a real Prince,

but that would give him extra credit -; nice car, a great apartment in my favorite city and

current address, New York; has to be some sort of artist, singer or painter or

photographer; he has to be a bad boy with depth, I get the hots for that; and finally, he

has to be funny, charming but not too sweet; and of course, a little dose of arrogance

always adds a little extra.

I‟m not that picky, I just want what the books and movies promised me. I have

the right to it, don‟t you think?

“You‟re late” My best friend and flatmate Harmony chirped, while stretching in

the living room as she did her yoga.

“Yes, thank you” I groaned, running to our tight kitchen and grabbing the first

thing that came in contact with my hand.

“A cookie isn‟t breakfast.” She groaned, changing her position to the lotus...

something “You should eat oatmeal. It would do wonders to your bowel.”

“Great quote. Really Dalai Lamaish.” I teased, and filled my black travel mug

with some fresh made coffee; I shrieked as I got fried “The coffee machine is trying to

kill me again.”

“Don‟t make me go in there, you two. I‟m serious, G. You‟re gonna get an ulcer

from so much coffee.” She warned me, while wrapping her navy blue yoga mattress

“You‟ll get sick and die before you turn thirty.”

“Which will be soon.” I smiled, kissing her blushed cheek and grabbing my

purse again “Where are my keys?”

“Just be yourself, today.” She told me, her skinny arms stretching over her

strawberry blonde hair “You know that‟s the best policy.”

“Actually, the best policy is to lie about yourself, smile and be professional.” I

assured her, looking for my keys in the bowl by the door “Found them!”

Harmony sighed while she pulled our small coffee table to the straw carpet

again. The sheer curtains were open so the sunlight could catch our innumerous flowers

on the floor by the windows – Harmony‟s idea of a garden in New York. You can take

the girl out of the country, but you can‟t take the country out of the girl. Or so I‟ve been

told.

“Well, good luck today.” She smiled “Whatever happens, just come see me at

the shop, ok?”

“Promise” I winked.

“Break a leg!” She smiled, waving.

“With my luck, I might do just that...” I muttered, running to the front door of

our tiny apartment and looking out for my shoes “Harm, have you seen my vintage

Manolo?!”

“Under the table by the door. No, the other- that‟s the one.” She smiled, her

petite face lightening up immediately “Go start your career!”

“It‟s today. I can feel it!” I smiled and ran out the door.

When I was a little girl, my momma used to tell me that every person has its

own purpose on earth, that everyone is special in their own way. Even when your school

friends tease you for being fat. She said I was gonna grow up to be important, too. That

I was a little princess – see? – lost in the world, and that someday I would find my

prince, and have my own castle and my own horse.

Of course, my momma also believed a tray of fresh made cookies could solve

any problem a person might have, so... She was the love of my life, nonetheless.

So, my career was about to start. Yep, at twenty-nine – God...! – I was ready to

start working my way to the top. I‟ve had jobs. Duh, I‟m a grown woman, not that much

of a failure. I tried to have a career, it‟s hard, though. People don‟t take humor very

well.

I‟ve tried a career in a coffee shop, flower magazine – big flop there... –, as a

dentist‟s receptionist. That one was a big fat failure, too. Scared a kid once by playing

with a drill.... C‟mon, people, he was gonna get an anesthesia first! So much drama!

I‟ve also been a Telemarketer. Boring! But my nails were always fierce. Was a

hairdresser‟s assistant for a day, „till the girl found out I didn‟t really know how to wash

hair with weaves. All in all, my attempts at having a career have failed. Not this time.

I‟ve been going crazy to find some job interviews, and my opportunity came like

a miracle from our lord Jesus Christ! Or Donald Trump, depends on what you believe,

really. I was reading my morning Vogue, while I checked the guy next to me – he was

really cute, I remember that well, and saw the front news of the New York Times. So

apparently big shot Maverick von Hauser, head of the von Hauser Publications, had

died in a car crash with his longtime lover and Editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine

Pandora, Lin Germaine. How romantic! Just like Diana of Wales and Dodi.

So how was that good news to me? Well, apparently Maverick von Hauser‟s son

would take over the company and he needed a secretary! Yep, I was gonna go on that

interview today! A beautiful spring morning in Manhattan, just like any other day, and I

was gonna get a nice job! Just one more step to the final goal. What‟s the final goal, you

ask? Well, I want to be a fashion icon!

“Holy Jesus...” I mumbled, as I stood in front of the big steel and glass building.

I glanced at my wrist watch and gasped. I was gonna be late if I didn‟t run to

the... what was the damn floor again? Thirty-five? Forty. No, wait… Twenty-three?

“Hold the elevator!” I cried as the doors of the large silver elevator started to

close on me “Wait up!”

I ran and squeezed into the already packed space. People wined and groaned –

too bad, I couldn‟t get late, I needed this job! And to get it, I needed to look

professional. So, I purposely chose a very professional and classic, yet elegant, outfit.

I‟m a sucker for vintage, so I had a simple A-cut black dress with short sleeves, a round

tall neck that had a few bright pearls. I got inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at

Tiffany’s – I don‟t think she would mind. I decided to wear my hair up in a bun, the

blonde waves would get in the way of the pearls and, honestly, I play with my hair

when I‟m nervous... Nice tights to hold in the extra extra fat – size twelve here, gotta

learn how to work it -, and some nice black peep toe heels.

Crap, the earrings!

When the elevator reached the upper floors, there were only a couple of people

left. Grabbing my hand mirror I checked to see if the tiny pearls on my ears would look

good or tacky and old. They looked great.

What the hell is that?!

“Crap, sunflower seed!” I moaned, and with my perfectly pink nail I tried to get

it out.

I looked around while I did it, and a guy in a suit was looking straight at me with

a disgust look on his tanned face. I swept my tongue over my teeth and then smiled,

putting the mirror away.

“Job interview. Gotta look our best!” I winked, and he looked away with a sneer.

When I got to the fortieth floor – oh, that was the one -, I ran again, getting to

the redhead receptionist in the tall wide lobby.

“Hi.” I smiled, and the woman held up her finger for me to wait, while she

babbled nonstop to her headset “Ok...”

So I had to wait... Might as well take a good look around. The floor was

definitely marble; the tall white walls had navy blue – the company‟s color, as I‟ve

come to know –in them, in a very artistic set. There were a couple of white vases with

green bushes. Nothing too personal, all very simple and professional. The glass

windows gave a great view over Manhattan, the Empire State Building a few streets up.

I‟ve never actually met the von Hauser son; I guess he‟s a very discreet guy. But

in all fairness, I didn‟t really look him up that much.

When I took another look into the city view, I gasped. Great... My pink lipstick

was smudged. I looked like I‟d been having dirty sex before coming in. Great first

impression, McAllister…

“Miss McAllister?” The receptionist called, while I worked my best to clean the

smudges “Mr. von Hauser will see you, now.”

I nodded and followed the hall she gestured me. I knocked on the wooden door

and a man‟s voice told me to get in. Wow, the office was a dream! On the left side, one

could see Manhattan through the glass windows. The desk was just a black thing, with a

white computer; there were some shelves on the white walls, and a small area with a

black table and two white couches. There was some glass furniture with files and books.

“Mr. von Hauser. Hello, I‟m-”

“Sit.” The man behind the desk said, turning his chair and gesturing for me to

come closer “Miss McAllister, is that correct?”

“Yes, sir. Georgia McAllister. As you can see in my file, I‟ve graduated from

Tennessee State in-”

“I‟m well aware of your résumé, Miss McAllister.” The man interrupted me and

looked up “I just r-”

I winced. Crap... The man in the elevator... the one that looked at me like he was

gonna get sick.

“Well... Did you get the sunflower seed, Miss McAllister?” He asked softly, his

dark eyebrows up.

I smiled without showing teeth and grabbed my purse as tight as I could.

“You have a very... wide-ranging résumé.” He observed, frowning a little “From

baker to bank teller, to... hairdresser assistant?”

“I like new experiences.” I assured him, smiling broadly and then pressing my

lips tight – I still might have some seeds in the gaps of my teeth “Try new things and

find what my career is.”

He looked at me again and made a face that seemed disbelieving.

“Why von Hauser Publications?”

Ok, I‟d prepared for this question perfectly!

Alright, ready? Set... and go! Fly, pretty bird! Fly!

“It‟s my lifelong dream to work for the magazine world. I do have the ambition

of becoming a journalist myself, someday. And I know that the von Hauser

Publications is the best in the business” I said, my back straight, my smile confident and

professional.

“According to the latest Forbes grading, we‟re actually number three” He said,

with a frown as he kept reading my résumé.

I opened my mouth to contest, but closed it again.

“Can‟t believe in everything we read, right?” I chuckled.

He made merely pressed his lips tight, not even looking up at me.

“What‟s your expertise in the area?” He said, broad back in a gray suit leaning

towards his leather chair, brown eyes scorching my face.

“I‟ve been a Telemarketing assistant, as you can read in... there.” I pointed to my

file “And I‟ve worked as a teller extensively. What else...? Oh, right! I‟ve been a

personal assistant to an advertising junior, a few months back.”

“Do you know what the job of a secretary is?”

“Of course I do!” I said, brightly, holding up my hand, and counting with my

fingers “Scheduling meetings and appointments, organizing your files, traveling

arrangements; do research when you ask for it. Take care of your calls and emails, and

whatever else that might-”

“If I had an important meeting with an advertising agency, say, in about three

hours... And I was in a meeting till about half an hour before said meeting, what would

you do to prepare me for it? Keep in mind I would have to have lunch” He said,

crossing his legs and his fingers while waiting for my response.

“Well, first, we would have to go to Prada, on Fifth, and get you a new suit. I‟d

say that gray is too dark for you. Since you have a tan skin – I‟m guessing Italian

ancestry -, a little lighter would be a great contrast. Hum... A navy blue tie would do

wonders and show how proud you‟re of your own company. And I would bet on some

black loafers instead of old business shoes, that‟s too old school. And lunch... Oh!

There‟s a great Subway near the store, so you could have some lunch on the way in the

car.”

He stared at me, blinking like he was confused. My smile started to fade as he

kept silent.

“Not the right answer?” I mumbled, and when he grabbed his pen and started

taking notes I stretched my neck “Did I... huh... pass to the next phase?”

“There is no next phase, Miss McAllister” He assured me, closing my file with a

thud.

“So... did I get the job?” I smiled, but less confident.

He only tossed me a sour look, saying everything I needed to know.

“Right...” I sighed “Isn‟t there any other place that needs to be filled? I‟m sorry!

I didn‟t mean it... that way! Oh God, now we‟re both thinking about dirty things! Shit!

Oh, sorry! Oh, crap... I‟ll just... go...” I moaned, while he kept staring at me with a

shocked look and a frown.

“Please, Miss McAllister.” He asked, the frown still on his tanned forehead

“And close the door on your way out.”

I left Julian von Hauser‟s office with a crushed spirit. I was never gonna be what

I always dreamed: a fashion journalist. My life was doomed to always be a constant

failure. And now, I‟d have to meet my best friend and tell her I failed. Again. And the

rent isn‟t paid in dreams, you know...

***

I walked into Harmony’s Café close to lunch time. I walked. Yep, I walked from

downtown Manhattan up to her shop. It‟s about... ten blocks. Not that long... but when

you‟re in heels it‟s torture. Still, I had to walk, I needed the fresh air.

“Here she is! Our new...” Harmony stopped, behind the counter, as she saw my

face “still unemployed best roommate ever...”

“It sucked.” I groaned, as I took a seat in one of the small round tables “It was

awful!”

She sighed and talked to her partner Theresa, the black girl who also sighed.

Harmony‟s coffee house is a very classy and very charming place. Just like her.

It has a dark hardwood floor, round wooden tables and chairs. The ceiling is a huge

giant skylight, with big lamps that looked really modern hanging here and there. There

are some flower arrangements over the tables and in the counter on the top.

She serves the best coffee and apple pie in the whole New York area. And that‟s

what I got when I took a seat by the counter.

“Cheer up.” Harmony said, while I ate my piece of pie “Think about it like this:

if you want to be a fashion journalist, you should start in a magazine, not working to

some corporate ass.”

“Well, that corporate asshole owns one of the greatest fashion magazines in the

world.” I moaned to my coffee “And I just made a complete fool of myself!”

“Couldn‟t be that bad” She smiled, as she cleaned the marble counter.

I told her how the entire morning went, and she gasped, winced, and finally

moaned.

“I feel so sorry for you, right now, that I want to hug you.” She said, and I

sighed “Tell you what: why don‟t we go out tonight? Just the two of us”

I smiled at her. A time out with my best friend was the best thing in the world.

***

So we went to this awesome club, W, in the best part of town. It was a club

where many famous people would come by and have some fun. And the place was

packed; we loved it there.

And, of course, we always looked great when we went out – courtesy of moi.

Harmony was in a little red dress. Cute, fit blonde with sparkling blue eyes... Next to

me, chubby size twelve. Actually, there was a time that bothered me but not anymore.

When you get close to your thirties your priorities change, and mine was a career.

I decided to wear a yellow summer dress. Yep, yellow. Just „cause you‟re

bigger, don‟t say no to color. They think I‟m a plus size woman? Well, according to my

own measurement, I‟m curvy and fierce. Men like curvy women, only dogs like bones,

they usually say.

So why is this day important? No, I didn‟t hook up with some gorgeous arrogant

bad boy – much to my sorrow. Nope, this was the day I got a job! I, Georgia McAllister,

twenty-nine year old single and Libra native, got a job! It all happened when we left the

club, and we heard some commotion.

“Give me the watch too!”

Harmony and I looked around and saw three men on the other side of the almost

empty dark street. One of them held what it looked like a gun.

“Holy sweet potato!” I whispered, grabbing Harmony‟s hand and ducking next

to a parked car “It‟s a robbery!”

“No shit?!” She whispered back “I‟m gonna call the cops.”

She grabbed her phone and started dialing 911.

“Drop your phones and kick them over here.” The robber said, and the two men

in suits obeyed “Now kneel and hands behind your head. Where are the car keys?”

There was some shuffling and cursing and then the distinct sound of keys.

“Don‟t move!” The robber screamed, and I saw, by the soft lights of the street

and empty stores, that he was getting nervous; nervous people with guns are dangerous

“Shit! Don‟t look at me, you asshole!”

“Just go, man.” One of the kneeled men said, looking up, the gun pointed

directly at him “Just go. You‟ve got the watches, the car...”

“Yeah, and you already saw my face, you rich boy!” The mugger groaned, and

wiped the sweat from his forehead “I‟m sorry... I‟m truly sorry...”

Oh no! Was he gonna kill them?!

“What are you doing?!” Harmony whispered as I took my black heels off and

then my pantyhose “Georgia... What da hell are you-”

I heard her gasp as I stepped behind one car to the next. I really don‟t know what

possessed me, but seeing someone get threatened right in front of me, and with a

possibility of death involved, I just snapped – I could always regret it later, right?

“Don‟t do this...” One of the men said “You‟ll regret it.”

I sneaked behind the robber, and when he stretched his arm to the two kneeled

men, I grabbed the hems of my pantyhose and closed them around his arms and neck.

He was immobilized, and there was a gunshot in the air. I screamed when we both

landed on the hard cold and dirty floor, but didn‟t let go. Actually, like I used to wrestle

with my brother and cousins, I closed my thighs around his waist, and forced the

pantyhose even tighter around his throat.

Harmony was crying and yelling as she called people from the clubs around us.

The two men on the floor got up and one of them took the gun from the robber. The

other punched him in the face, and suddenly he was completely still.

I only realized I was still screaming when Harmony and someone else were

trying to make me let the robber go.

“G, stop, it‟s alright! Stop screaming and let him go!” I heard Harmony say, and

slowly let go of the passed out man “That‟s it... It‟s ok.”

She got me up with the help of one of the victims.

“I don‟t know how to thank you, Miss...”

“McAllister. Georgia McAll-” I looked up at him and gasped.

Wow, what a hottie! Wait! I know him!

“Oh my freaking God!” I gasped, and he chuckled, gorgeous flawless face – and

with a dimple “Rush! Jesus H. Christ on a bicycle! Harm, it‟s Piet Rush!”

Let me explain. Piet Rush was the new hot boy in Hollywood. He was the new

man women would swoon and sigh for. From great, romantic and beautiful romances, to

awesome action movies, he nailed it all! And still sporting a nice six-pack.

“Hi.” He chuckled, his smile was incredible “Are you ok? My friend is calling

an ambulance and the cops.”

“Oh, I‟m fine!” I assured him quickly, my hands everywhere, from my long hair

to my sunny yellow dress, making sure I looked good; I saved the guy‟s life, I didn‟t

need to look good, but still... “I believe you and your friend there are the ones who need

help.”

I pointed back, looking over my shoulder and watching his friend, back to us,

talking on the phone.

“We‟re fine. No one got hurt. Except for you.” He frowned, looking down at my

broken fingernails and peeled skin, his beautiful blue eyes looking concerned “You

need to go to a hospital.”

“No, really, I‟m fine!” I smiled.

“The cops are on the way. Called an ambulance, but I think we better go

ourselves to the-”

Rush‟s friend stopped talking as he came to us and I looked up. Holy macaroni!

This wasn‟t happening!

“Mr. von Hauser!” I gasped, my eyes wide with shock “I didn‟t know it was you

there!”

„Cause if I did, I would let him get shot, and would only save Piet Rush.

“You know each other?” Rush asked.

“Miss McAllister went on a job interview, earlier this morning.” The tall

brunette man in the same gray suit said, one of his dark brows up “That was quite a

show.”

“Which one? The interview or the saving your ass scene?” I hit back, and Rush

laughed.

He laughed over something I said! I giggled like a teen, couldn‟t help it! C‟mon,

a Hollywood hot boy was standing next to me and looking down like I was the only

person around… Sighs…

“Either way, you should go to a hospital.” Julian von Hauser said, looking up

and down at my disgraceful self and sneering “You‟re in shock, but when the adrenaline

rush” Ah, Rush… “goes up, you‟ll feel the bruises.”

Ok, he was right. Maybe I should go to the hospital… and stand by Rush for a

little while longer!

***

“You‟re more than fine, Miss McAllister.”

I looked up to the ER doctor and smiled.

“Like I said.” I repeated to my best friend and the two men I, in the end, saved

“I‟m fine.”

“Yes, but you were lucky.” Harmony said, her arms coming around my

shoulders “You could have gotten yourself killed! Then how was I gonna pay for the

rent alone?!”

“Not helping you much alive either, remember?” I chuckled, and she kissed my

cheek.

“True. But who else would give me fashion advices and make me hot chocolate

with caramel popcorn at three am?” She moaned “Don‟t ever do anything that stupid

again!”

“Kinda hard. I usually think about the consequences after, remember?” I

giggled, and she smiled a little.

“I don‟t know how to thank you, Miss McAllister.” Rush said, his gorgeous

tanned face was so soft and sincere, like the character in the romantic comedy I had just

seen a couple of days before “We owe you our lives.”

“Please, it was nothing. I‟m just glad no one died today” I smiled, and he

grabbed my hand to place a soft kiss over my scraped knuckles.

Wow! Oh my God! I was so dead! Probably bleeding on the street after the

mugger shoot me, „cause this was Heaven!

“Would you give Miss McAllister and I a few moments alone, please?” Julian

von Hauser asked his friend and Harmony.

Harm smiled at me and squeezed my shoulder, as she and the hot movie star

stepped a few feet away in the crowded ER.

“I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for your bravery” He said,

his shoulders straight and his brown eyes all but professional.

“Like I said, it was nothing.” I shrugged, letting my legs swing, while I was still

sitting in the ER bed “Just glad everyone made it out alive.”

“Yes, I understand that. Still, as my friend pointed out, we do owe you. A lot.”

He said, tilting his head, and then sighing “You start Monday morning. Be in my office

at eight am. Sharp. I hate when people get late, I won‟t tolerate it. I work out in the

morning, so I don‟t have time to have breakfast. I eat a whole-grain roll, a soy latte, a

bowl of low fat yogurt with some red fruit, a hard boiled egg and a cup of nuts. And I

usually read the New York Times, the New York Post, and the Wall Street Journal during

breakfast, so you better remember to get them.”

I gasped and my eyes and mouth were wide open.

“Don‟t make me regret this.” He said, with a sour look “And get well soon.”

“Harmony!” I screamed and waved my arm, so she would look at me from the

other side of the crowded, and now all staring at me, ER “I got the job!”

“I‟m gonna regret this…” Julian von Hauser muttered under his breath, turning

around and leaving.

This was it!

Careful world! Georgia McAllister was coming! And she had pointy stilettos

that would walk all over each and every one of those who always turned her down!

CHAPTER 2

First day on the new job! Granted, the CEO of the von Hauser Publications was

an ass, but at least I had a job! Still had to sign the contract and know my salary, and

perks and medical care and all of that stuff. Either way, I was happy about myself. I got

his breakfast just right – he was surely thinking I could never remember all his rambling

about breakfast, but I actually did. I‟m not a clueless blonde bimbo, I‟m actually really

smart… ish.

Anyway, what matters is that I got his breakfast right… I think… and his three

newspapers; and I was in his office at exactly seven fifty-eight, as I checked on my

golden tiny wrist watch that I got on sale two days before. About five minutes later, he

walked in.

“Good morning, Mr. von Hauser!” I said, all happy and smiley “Got your entire

breakfast and reading material.”

He grunted and took his seat behind the desk. He was still wearing that awful

dark gray suit, taupe shirt buttoned up to his tanned neck, and a very ugly dark brown

tie. I took a closer look at him while he ate and read his newspapers.

He‟s cute, if one likes the geek and grumpy type. Tall, like huge, tanned, brown

eyes and dark wavy hair that sometimes falls to his forehead, and he doesn‟t care to

brush it back – like a normal guy would, you know, comb it and make it all shiny and

slick -, sharp jaw with smooth skin that I bet he shaves perfectly every morning, and a

long straight nose. He looked like he worked out, but not like an exercise maniac – a

big, fit, muscled body – not that I‟m checking him out!

He should work on his looks! Really stupid of him not to. I mean, let‟s think

about it for a second: he‟s in charge of the company for a little more than a month, he

had to look like the confident, successful and powerful leader. Not this… somewhat

mess and grumpy man.

“What?”

I blinked and jumped on my place.

“What?” I asked back, frowning.

“You‟re staring at me. I don‟t like when people stare at me. Especially while I‟m

eating. Don‟t you have a job to do?” He asked, one of his furry dark brows up in his

forehead.

“I think we should talk about my contract, first.” I said, taking a seat in one of

the leather chairs in front of his desk “You see, I need to know my job perks. Social

security, medical care, salary...”

“Talk to Rachel about it.” He said, closing one newspaper and grabbing another

“The receptionist. She‟ll guide you through it. Now, if you don‟t mind, I‟d like to take

my breakfast quietly. And alone.”

I rolled my eyes and made a face.

Fine. Suit yourself...

“And… what do I do?”

“I don‟t take any calls before nine am. Take them and get the messages.” He

said, leaning lazily onto his chair “As for your job, check and recheck my schedule.

Make sure I have time to eat and sleep. And no parties. Ever. Got it?”

“No parties?” I asked, frowning.

“No anniversaries, awards, benefits, openings or any other kind.” He said, this

time looking at me “Got that?”

“I think so: no social time.” I said, and he took a deep breath, looking at his

newspaper again “Just one more thing.”

“What?” He groaned, getting impatient.

“Thank you for the job.” I smiled “I‟ll be the best secretary you ever had!”

“I very much doubt that.” He said, and I made a sneer to myself “Now go.”

I left his office and stood in the little lobby. I loved the gray and white marble

floor, the black ceiling with little lamps, the white walls with blue strips here and there.

Loved the von Hauser Publications letter sign over my wooden desk, my huge white

computer, the steel lamp, even the pens and pencils!

Still, this place needed some personal upgrading. So, I took my phone, my

make-up, my perfume, my own sunshine yellow schedule, my lucky sequined pen full

of colors, and sit on my leather chair, smiling at my new work place.

Fifteen minutes later, I was bored. There was nothing to do! No one called! Not

a single soul! So I did the calling – to Harmony. Told her about my first work hour – or

lack of work, that is… That was a quick call. She had work to do, so I had to cut it

short.

I knew exactly who to call, and that person would be free for me for as long as I

wanted.

“Momma!” I shrieked into the white phone on my desk “I‟m calling from my

new job!”

“Cupcake!” She screamed at the other end of the line “Aw, baby! I miss you so

much! You got a new job?! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“I‟m sorry, momma.” I smiled, jumping around in my chair, twirling “I‟m just so

excited! I‟m wearing grandmama‟s pearl earrings and everything!”

She shrieked again and started talking about home. So daddy was in bed „cause

he got hurt on his back. He had a hernia in his lower back, and he still kept doing the

tough work around the farm. Of course momma called my brother, Wayne, to take care

of the soybean crops. Daddy wasn‟t too happy about that, but it was for the best.

“I‟m going there for Thanksgiving.” I assured her, playing with the hems of my

blonde waves, and checking that I needed to cut them – I was getting splitter ends

“Momma, you‟re not gonna believe who I saved!”

I told her all about the mugger and Rush. She screamed at me for being stupid

enough to risk my own life, but I knew she was also hysterical „cause she loved Rush

too. Everyone did.

“I‟m tellin‟ your momma, he‟s even more handsome than on TV!” I said,

giggling into the phone, and twirling my chair again “He‟s really tall! And the eyes are

really that blue! They don‟t fake it on photos! And he‟s got really musc-”

I stopped mid-sentence. Sure as I love McQueen, my new boss was standing in

front of my desk. And he did not look happy…

“Momma, I‟m gonna have to call you back.” I muttered, and put the phone down

“Yes...?”

“I‟ve been trying to call you for the last half an hour.” He said, his lips pressed

tight, and his jaw tense “Mind explaining me why are you using the company‟s phone

for your personal calls?” He asked, eyes narrowing.

“Bad cell reception?” I muttered, smiling, but he still kept that awful grunted

face; I cleared my throat and made a very business-like look “You said you tried to

call… Is there something I can do?”

“Yes, you might start by working, that would be nice. But for now, we‟re needed

in the conference room.” He said, starting to walk away “And you would know this if

you would answer your phone. I‟m not the one who should…”

His voice drifted away as he left through the archway. I frowned. Was he talking

to himself? Was this like… huh… a test?

After a few seconds he came back.

“You‟re supposed to follow me.” He said, with a heavy sigh, and I got up

quickly, taking my notebook, his schedule and my cell phone “There‟s a Board meeting.

You‟re expected to sit tight, keep quiet, and take notes for me. In those notes, I expect

to be able to see everyone‟s faces, expressions, for every word they say. I want every

sentence, comma and stop mark in your notebook. You‟re my eyes and ears in that

meeting.”

“But… aren‟t you gonna be there?” I almost whispered, as we crossed the

floor‟s lobby.

“I am. But you will see that there are lots of unspoken conversations around me”

He said, in a heavy voice, as we faced a big white door.

***

The conference room was big enough to shelter close to twelve men and very

few women around a long hardwood table. All of them had suits on and stern faces, as

we both walked inside. Mr. von Hauser took his seat in the far side of the table as I kept

standing near the door; he made a look that was all hostility and bad mood, and then

looked at the chair next to the coffee table. Got it, that was my place.

“Mr. von Hauser, we have some concerns about this… transition.” One of the

men said, rearranging his glasses in his big nose “We understand you have your own…

vision, but sir, we advise you to reconsider the motion.”

What motion?

“I understand that, Mr. Weston, but as I‟m aware all of you know, we have

difficult times ahead.” Mr. von Hauser said, looking down at his own notes “My father

built this corporation from nothing. We‟re in the top four, and still isn‟t enough. The

economy is down, and if we want to survive it we have to make some changes. Our

stocks are barely standing in the market, we lost more than five million last year and we

had to cut three magazines-”

“That is why we believe we shouldn‟t take such radical measures.” Another man

said, his brown eyes staring directly at Mr. von Hauser, there was a concerned look on

his face “Son, cutting on bonuses is a wonderful way to make your employees less

content.”

“I know you will be less content to see your perks getting a major cut, uncle.”

Mr. von Hauser said, and this time he looked the man straight in the eye “I mean,

summers in Cabo, Easter in Europe. A new Ferrari, as I‟ve heard. And I saw your new

wife in a magazine, last week. Nice surgical work.”

Even I gasped and felt the tension in the room. The Board cleared their throats

and pretended to read their own notes. The man in the light gray suit and blue shirt

narrowed his eyes and his tanned hand closed around a Montblanc pen.

“The facts are these: we owe about thirty million dollars to the Bank. And yet,

over the last five years we spent other millions on corporate events, investments and,

most recently, lobbying in the Senate Elections” Mr. von Hauser kept talking, but again,

he stared at his notes.

“Our investments, Julian, are what keep us afloat.” The guy in the light gray suit

said with a side smirk “I understand you being a newbie here might get a bit confused…

Still, that‟s why we‟re here” He gestured for the whole table.

I saw Mr. von Hauser‟s right hand twitching. His thumb was making this

gesture, like he was holding a remote and changing the channels. The other hand was

constantly wiping his notes, like it had dirt and he couldn‟t get it off.

“So, for the record, Julian,” The gray man said, looking at me, like he knew I

was taking the notes “this is the business world. You better get up to date, or you won‟t

be able to survive it.”

***

It‟s hard to follow someone who‟s six feet five – especially if you‟re wearing

heels. Add a tight pencil skirt with a wet marble floor and you‟ll get my point.

Mr. von Hauser stormed after the meeting was over. He kept quiet after the gray

man said those last words to him, and after that brief “discussion”, the gray man took

over the meeting. I don‟t know a lot about business, but I bet it‟s the CEO‟s

responsibility to take over a Board meeting.

“Shit. Shit!” Mr. von Hauser was muttering to himself when he got to his office,

and I closed the door behind me, panting and cooling myself by fanning the notebook in

my face.

“Do you want something to drink? Tea, maybe?” I asked him, still leaned to the

door “Or something stronger… I know! My momma makes this hot milk with a spoon

of some strong whiskey and-”

“Get out!” He screamed, and I jumped in my place “Go away. Leave me alone.”

I nodded and quickly got out. I leaned against the door again, but this time on

the other side. That man had serious issues…

***

“Your boss is crazy…”

I tossed Harmony a sour look and she shrugged, moving our dinner plates to the

sink.

“Sorry, but he is. I mean, he screams at you like the Hulk took over his body.”

She said, shaking her head and pressing her lips tight “I don‟t know, G. I think he‟s not

only an asshole, he‟s also crazy.”

“You might be right.” I agreed, shrugging and playing with the glass of wine at

the round table “I think he‟s a bit crazy. Maybe it‟s because he‟s new at the job, and he

has all these issues with the Board.”

“He‟s still an ass” Harmony shrugged, leaning onto the dark marbled counter.

Well, yes, he was. And I was that ass‟ secretary; and my part, for now, was

getting to know everything about Mr. Julian von Hauser, not just personally but also

professionally.

I jogged quickly to my small bedroom and took a seat at the desk. I got inspired

every time I sit there, „cause from my window I could see part of Manhattan, and that

image always makes me happy. The soft yellows and the colorful Warhol‟s painting

might help, too.

I start my research as quickly as my laptop allowed me. Apparently Julian von

Hauser had been an editor at TIME magazine. Wow, that was great! He was really good,

according to some reviews I read. Very promising, professional and precise. Thirty-

three years old, recently dumped?!

“What?! He was engaged to Melinda Trevino?!” I shouted, my jaw dropping.

Melinda Trevino is the top fashion journalist in the world! Ok, maybe not the

world, but to me she is. She‟s awesome! Elegant, always the one that nails the

tendencies for the next season. And she‟s a journalist at Pandora, a von Hauser

publication… That must be a hell of a company‟s Christmas party…

His father, Maverick von Hauser, died recently in a car accident, as everyone

knows, with his longtime mistress Lin Germaine, former Pandora‟s Editor-in-chief. The

scandal broke loose due to some blabbers and now, von Hauser Publications was in a

tough spot, with a new, untrained CEO and a board that, apparently, didn‟t cope with

his decisions.

Adding to that, Mrs. Von Hauser was, apparently, missing. It was said she took

refuge in a spa in the mountains, somewhere in Europe. I guess finding out your

husband is cheating on you might be tough… The picture in the paper I was reading

online showed a tall woman with her bag to her face, so the reporters wouldn‟t shoot

her.

There was a sister, Natalie, a lawyer for the family‟s company. She was married

to a wealthy energy businessman, Trevor Freed, and had two children. The man in the

gray suit – the one who kept trying to overpower Mr. von Hauser – was, actually, his

uncle.

Coleman Hirsh, brother to Mrs. Von Hauser. Of course, the family business

would pass from father to child. I bet Mr. Coleman wanted this to change, being from

father to brother-in-law… Either way, I read that the von Hauser Publications had

publicly supported the winning candidate for the New York Senate. This could be seen

as a bold move, but it wasn‟t something uncommon. Risky, definitely.

They also made some investments in the TV business. This was all, of course,

for assets gain. Still, the economy was kinda screwed lately, right? Bold moves could go

either way. And, as I read, apparently von Hauser Publications‟ investments weren‟t

going so well…

***

Second day of work and my boss was, as always, grumpy and quiet. He only

asked for the notes from the meeting the day before. I had been typing it all night long,

so I knew it was perfect.

“What‟s this?” He asked, frowning.

“The meeting minutes” I said, blinking and tilting my head.

“ „The guy with the mustache said „Hey, I know, why don‟t we buy some things

from that company?‟ And the guy with the really ugly red tie said „No way, that

company sucks.‟ “

I bit my lip and tangled my fingers.

“Is this a joke?” He asked, frowning harder.

“It was my first… huh… meeting report” I admitted with a pained look.

“Even a five year old could do better.” He assured me, sighing hard “Miss

McAllister, you‟re making it really hard for me to not regret my decision.”

“I‟ll get better!” I quickly promised “I swear! I‟ll rewrite it!”

“Based on what? All your notes are about what people are wearing. There isn‟t

one single plausible sentence in all this mess” He grunted, tapping my yellow notebook

on the table.

“I‟ll do it better next time” I assured him, picking my notebook and hugging it to

my torso.

“If you keep this up, there won’t be a next time” He assured me, and made a

gesture with his hand for me to leave.

I took my seat in the small lobby outside Mr. von Hauser‟s office and huffed.

Ok, wrong start. I had to do something to improve my work. I thought about it as I

twirled around in my chair, a sharp pencil tapping in my chin.

“Miss McAllister?”

I looked over my shoulder and immediately straighten. Holy Mary, mother of

God! It was Piet Rush!

“Mr. Rush!” I smiled, getting up and, as fast as I could, setting my wavy blonde

hair and my white dress just right “Hello! I‟m sorry, I was… distracted.”

“Yes, I saw that.” He smiled “Well, I came to take Julian to lunch. He spends

too much time in his office.”

“I‟m going to warn him you‟re here.” I said, dialing in the phone “Mr. von

Hauser, Mr. Rush is here to see you.”

“Let him in” He said, and I walked Mr. Rush to the office.

“I‟m in town, so I thought it would be nice to make my friend leave the damn

office, every once in a while” Rush told me, with a side smile.

“And I‟m sure Mr. von Hauser appreciates it” I smiled, opening the office door

and gesturing for him to go inside.

He bowed his head and smiled. I was practically dancing on air as I walked

towards my desk again.

“Was that Piet Rush?!” A man‟s voice said, and I saw a guy at the archway, his

blue eyes huge in his thin boyish face “OMG! The hottie is here!”

“Yes, it was Mr. Rush.” I said and the guy sighed “He‟s Mr. von Hauser‟s

friend.”

“Yes, I know.” He assured me, rolling his eyes, and then taking a look at me

“And who are you?”

“Georgia McAllister.” I smiled, getting up and showing my hand, which he took

and I shook vigorously “I‟m Mr. von Hauser‟s new secretary.”

“Really?” He asked, frowning “I would never take him for that kind of man…”

“What kind of man?” I asked, frowning myself.

“The one that hires the cute ones.” He said, shrugging and taking a seat on my

desk, crossing his legs in a very feminine way “What dirt do you have to share?”

“Dirt?” I frowned, sitting again.

“You know, gossip!” He whispered.

“Actually… huh… not much. This is only my second day” I admitted.

“Sugar, on my second day, I already had started the intranet‟s Gossip Hour.” He

said, with a smile “Just login and access the group. I assure you, it‟s lots of fun. So

what‟s your story? Shagged him and got the job?”

“No!” I gasped, feeling my cheeks burn “I do not shag anyone!”

“Now that‟s just sad” He grinned.

“Really, I‟m not sleeping with Mr. von Hauser! Ever!” I assured him, intensely.

The skinny guy jumped straight up as the two tall men stood outside the office.

Could this day get any worse?!

“I‟m having lunch.” Mr. von Hauser said, while his friend was trying not to

laugh “I‟ll come back in about an hour. I expect you to be… calmer by then.”

And he left with the actor. The last one smiled at me and winked.

“Holy crap! Rush just winked at me!” The guy said, and I rolled my eyes.

Fine. Let him be happy for a while.

“So… who are you?”

“Kenny Lane.” He said, smiling “And no „Penny Lane‟ jokes, ok? Heard them

all.”

“Oh, the Beatles song?”

“Yeah. Drove me crazy during my childhood and a major part of my teen years”

He moaned.

“I got a lot of Dolly Parton jokes” I admitted, shrugging.

“Where are you from, southern belle?” He asked.

“Tennessee” I said.

“Ah… The Volunteer State.” He said, sighing “New Yorker. Born and raised.

Never been to the countryside.”

“I love home, but I dreamed of Manhattan since I was this big” I showed him a

tiny five year old.

“It‟s the center of the world.” He agreed, starting to move his hands around his

pants “Crap. You don‟t smoke, Dorothy?”

“Funny. No, I don‟t.” I said, checking on my wrist watch that I had about an

hour to lunch “And I gotta lunch.”

“You going somewhere?” He asked, as I picked my bag and phone.

“I was going to a friend‟s restaurant, but I‟m out of time” I admitted.

“Why don‟t you have lunch with me and a friend in the coffee bar?” He asked “I

assure you you‟ll be entertained.”

***

The cafeteria was full of people in suits. Many of the workers of the company

would have their lunch right there, in the twentieth floor.

“So the cafeteria is just like your old High School.” Kenny said, as we joined our

co-workers in line, waiting to choose the food “You have your cheerleaders.”

He pointed to a group of tall girls, all perky and gorgeous.

“But now they wear Chanel, Vuitton and screw businessmen like it‟s their sole

purpose on earth.” Kenny explained “And those businessmen were once our adorable

jocks.”

The table near the Cheers was full of good and successful looking men that

laughed loudly, while flirting with the pretty girls.

“This is our table.” Kenny said, while we took our food to a squared table that

already had an Asian girl sitting there “And that‟s Cece. She‟s kinda pissy today, so

careful with what you say. Hey, love.”

“Not in the mood, Kenny. That stupid bitch screwed up again! Didn‟t I tell you

she would fuck up?!” Cece grunted, her brown eyes were really beautiful, now

squinting with anger.

“Who screwed up?” I asked, as I took my seat next to Kenny.

“The new intern.” Kenny said “She‟s this rich guy‟s daughter, so they let her

take an internship at Pandora.”

“But she screws up two out of three times. I„ve counted” Cece assured us.

“She did.” Kenny supported, with a smile “That girl is a walking disaster.”

“Don‟t make me start.” Cece sighed, her thin well-tanned and groomed hands in

the air; then she looked at me with a suspicious look “Who are you?”

“Georgia McAllister.” Kenny said “Guess who she works with? I‟ll just tell you!

Julian von Hauser!”

“How long have you been screwing him?” She asked.

“Why does everyone think that?!” I grunted “I‟m not screwing him.”

“I took him for a guy who choose brains over bangs.”

“Like I said” Kenny said.

“I cannot help feeling insulted. You‟re basically saying I‟m dumb” I grunted.

“Sorry. It‟s just his secretaries usually look like… Well…” Kenny started, and

after a quick look around, he snapped his fingers and pointed at the lunch line “Mrs.

Wesley.”

“Who?” I frowned, and looked at the elderly woman in an old suit, her gray hair

tightly wrapped to her nape, her glasses on the tip of her nose.

“Mrs. Wesley. She‟s been Mr. Weston‟s secretary for thirty-five years, now.”

Kenny said “She‟s a relic. Literally.”

“And that‟s the type of secretary a businessman gets.” Cece said “Now, a girl

like you… it‟s something people start talking about.”

“People don‟t talk about me!” I snorted “It‟s only my second day.”

“Which means they had a whole day, yesterday, to talk about you.” Kenny said,

shrugging, and tilted his head to the side “See for yourself.”

I opened my mouth to tell him to stop being a gossiper, but then I followed his

command. Sure as I‟m a Chanel addict and can‟t stand the words „comfortable shoes‟,

everyone was gossiping about me! They were all giving me these not so subtle looks,

and giggling.

“Honey, wake up: you‟re the girly secretary for the new CEO. He‟s known for

being a grumpy SOB with no sense of humanity. What do you expect people to think?”

Kenny said.

I stared down at my sandwich; suddenly, my very healthy appetite was gone.

CHAPTER 3

I took the bus to work at seven am. Nowadays, I had to wake up around five

thirty, take a shower, dry my hair, get my make-up on, and look fabulous and fresh for a

new day.

Working for Mr. von Hauser was, in fact, madness. And torture. Over the past

month, I had to take my seat in meeting after meeting, about boring money issues. I had

to take care of his breakfast every morning, then lunch. Had to take his calls and the

messages. I kinda forgot some of them, though… I know he was this close to fire me.

This isn‟t working. Who was I kiddin‟? I wasn‟t cut to be someone‟s secretary!

Especially not a spoiled, grumpy, self-centered ass like Julian von Hauser! I usually

forget my schedule or even one of my earrings at home! How would I make myself

remember his things?!

“Good morning, Rachel” I grunted at the receptionist in the fortieth floor.

“Huh… Georgia? I think you better wait here” She said, getting up from behind

her counter.

“What are you talking about?” I asked her, frowning.

“Mr. Hirsh is in there with Mr. Toledo” She said, in a whisper, covering the

microphone from her headset.

“What?”

“Mr. Hirsh and Mr. Toledo came by about fifteen minutes ago, and just walked

to Mr. von Hauser‟s office. I don‟t know what they‟re doing, but they looked very

grim…” The blue-eyed redhead told me with a concerned look.

“And it‟s already ten to eight!” I moaned.

“I think you better call him to warn him…” Rachel told me, taking her seat again

“I‟m sorry, Georgia. I couldn‟t stop them. Mr. Hirsh would get me fired, and I just had a

baby.”

“It‟s not your fault, Rachel.” I tried to smile “This is my job.”

I was actually proud of myself for my behavior that day. In retrospect, I behaved

like a true loyal secretary.

“Good morning, gentlemen.”

The two men in Mr. von Hauser‟s office stopped talking and going through

some files over the desk, to look at me. Both frowned and straightened.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked, with a soft and polite smile on my

face; still, I made sure my eyes were slightly squinting.

“Good morning, Miss…?” Coleman Hirsh asked, his brown eyes squinting too,

but this time in confusion.

“McAllister. I‟m Mr. von Hauser‟s secretary.” I said, one eyebrow up, while I

looked around at the mess of files scattered over his desk “And I can assure you that my

boss doesn‟t approve this sort of behavior. Even if you are his family.”

“Miss McAllister, two things for you: first, stay in your place. Second, our

business doesn‟t concern you.” The other man, Toledo I guess, said; his brown eyes

looking lazily at me, and then turning again to the files on the desk.

“I guess you must be a cop. And you have a warrant?” I asked, looking innocent,

and they both frowned at me “Because, honestly, I cannot think of any other reason for

a Board member to come into his own nephew‟s office, and start plundering it.”

They both stared at me and then exchanged a look. After a few seconds, Mr.

Coleman smiled politely and they both came from behind the desk. As they reached the

door, Hirsh stopped by my side with a snake like smile.

“I didn‟t take Julian to be that smart: secretary and watchdog…!” He teased

“Keep up the good work, Miss McAllister.”

When they left, I let my breath go. Holy crap! I just confronted a big, wealthy

and powerful businessman! If not even Mr. von Hauser confronted his own uncle, I

could only imagine what he was capable of.

“Never mind that…” I told myself, my hands to my waist, as I looked at the

mess in the desk “Better put that away before he comes and has a stroke…”

I looked at the file cabinet, and checked that he rearranged them according to

date, and then, alphabetically. Jesus, that would take hours! Ok, first dates, then

alphabet.

As I quickly put the light blue folders in their places, I thought to myself what I

would be telling Mr. von Hauser when he came in. That his uncle and some guy named

Toledo had been through his stuff? Should I tell him about the confrontation? I can‟t

seem to imagine Mr. von Hauser stand up for himself.

“What are you doing?!”

I jumped in my place, let out a loud shriek, and the files in my arms fell to the

floor. I was gonna start explaining, but Mr. von Hauser walked in the office like a train

wreck. His eyes were wild, and his face pale.

“What the hell do you think you‟re doing?!” He groaned, grabbing my arm and

shoving me out of the way.

First of all, it hurt to be manhandled. My arm was still throbbing and his fingers

would leave a mark. And second, he never cursed. Well, he did curse, that time after my

first Board meeting, but never again. He was actually very polite in that way.

“Didn‟t I tell you to never touch my things?!” He yelled again, gathering the

files on the floor so fast it made my eyes hurt “I told you to never touch anything!

Anything!”

“But, Mr. von Hauser…” I started, and he took his seat behind his desk, trying to

reorder the files, with a crazy look on his face “Mr. von Hauser?”

He was beyond reasoning. Whatever place he was right now, wasn‟t the same

office I was standing. Sighing, I left the office, setting up the tray with his breakfast, the

perfect way he told me to do. Grabbing the newspapers, I walked inside again, without

saying a word, and placed it on his desk, at the far end, so his craziness for the files

wouldn‟t mess it.

“Here‟s your breakfast and reading.” I said, with the smoothest voice I could

cope “I‟ll be making some calls. If you need anything…”

I left the office, and he was still trying to reset the files together.

Jesus… What a mess of a man! What the hell was that with the files?! So they

had fallen! Was it that big of a deal? Just put them in order again, no need to be all pissy

about it…

Of course I decided to wait before telling him about the invasion of his office. If

I told him in the state he was in, who knows what he might do...

He didn‟t say a word „till about noon. It was lunch time, and he still didn‟t ask

me to call his driver.

“Is Mr. von Hauser in his office?”

I looked up from his schedule to see a tall woman in a red dress and shades. Her

auburn hair was well combed, with some volume that was just right. She looked like a

movie star in her forties. I had no idea who she was.

“I‟m sorry, but Mr. von Hauser refuses to be disturbed. If you wish to talk to

him, you‟ll have to make an appointment” I said, trying to come up with my best smile.

“I beg your pardon?” The woman said, taking her shades off, brown eyes

blinking at me.

“I‟m sorry, it‟s just the way it is. If you want to make an appointment I‟ll be

happy to help you.” I said, opening his schedule “Next week Mr. von Hauser is

completely booked.”

“Are you making fun of me?” The woman said, frowning.

“No, I‟m serious! See?” I showed her the schedule “Completely booked. It‟s

really impossible to squeeze you into-”

“Squeeze me?!” The woman gasped.

“Since when does my mother need an appointment to see me?”

I looked at the office door and Mr. von Hauser was there, with a deep frown, but

more composed than he had been before.

Wait. His mom?! Mrs. Von Hauser was indeed alive! She looked… wow! Really

good! Of course, a few weeks in the mountains and a little friend named Botox might

help with that.

“That was exactly what I was trying to understand.” The woman said, with an

auburn brow going up her white forehead “You can‟t say she doesn‟t look out for your

best interests, though. Hello, my dear Julian.”

The woman went to her son, and kissed his cheek. He bowed his head quickly

and opened the door to his office for her to come in.

“Isn‟t it your lunch hour?” He asked me.

“Yes, sir.” I muttered, gathering my phone, schedule and purse “Huh… do you

need me to-”

“No.” He interrupted, turning his back on me “Go.”

***

I decided to go alone to a diner just across the street. It was packed with the

working class having a quick lunch. But me, I was actually not eating much, „cause I‟d

had this idea during my working hours, so I wouldn‟t be such a failure as a secretary.

„Cause, let‟s face it, I hadn‟t been doing a bang up job…

I opened my yellow notebook and chose a new perfect empty sheet. With my hot

pink marker I wrote in my curly handwriting „Julian facts‟. First came the long list of

breakfast demands. Then the actual list.

First fact, he hates things out of place, obviously.

Second fact, he‟s insane. Literally.

Third fact, jogs every day. At home...

What else…? Ah!

Got dumped by his fiancé, which is none other than my own personal hero

Melinda Trevino! Note: she works for his company!

“I can always spot Julian‟s secretaries.”

I looked up in dismay as Rush took a seat in front of me.

“They always seem to be working and lacking a social life. Kinda like himself”

He smiled, looking at my list, but I immediately closed my notebook and smiled

politely.

“Mr. Rush!” I giggled, and then kicked myself so I would stop being such a

commonplace girl! “Hello again. What on earth are you doing here?”

“I‟m shooting a movie in town, remember? And I see you‟re also a job freak.”

“Not really. I mean, I think I have a healthy dose of work enthusiasm and social

fun” I assured him.

“Julian‟s giving you a hard time?” He asked, with a wince.

“It‟s not Mr. von Hauser‟s fault.” I sighed, making a face towards my- actually

my boss‟s schedule “I‟m having a hard time „cause I really can‟t get in tune with his

rhythm.”

“Look, Julian‟s not an easy guy. I should know that better than anyone else, I

mean, I know the guy since we‟re like eleven.” He smiled, his gorgeous face lightened

up with sympathy “He‟s… special. Different. He‟s a very good person. He‟s hard, I‟m

not making excuses for him, I assure you. He‟s an acquired taste. A very hard one to get

acquired with…”

I had to chuckle at that, and he smiled.

“But he‟ll grow on you. One advice, though… Even if you didn‟t ask.”

“Please, give me all the advice you can come up with! I‟m in need of all kinds of

advice, right now” I assured him, maybe too needy, and he chuckled again.

“Pay attention.”

“To…?” I add, after a long silence.

“Everything. His face, his moods and the way he moves.” Rush said, very

serious “You look like a smart woman, Miss McAllister.”

Oh my! My momma‟s gonna die when I tell her Piet Freakin‟ Rush said I was

smart!

“He‟s gonna test your patience. Believe me, you‟ll feel like you could commit

murder.” He warned me, and I felt my stomach fall to my feet “You gonna want to give

up.”

“But I shouldn‟t? Is that what you‟re telling me?” I asked.

“I‟m telling you, if that time… well, actually, when that time comes, go to an

empty and quiet place, take a few breaths, tell yourself you‟re a strong and determined

woman. You can do this.”

“Mr. Rush… Quite honestly, I‟ve no idea why you‟re telling me all this. I

mean…” I mumble as he smiled “you hardly know me. Well, truth is, you don‟t know

me at all. Why are you helping me? I know you care about your friend, and that‟s

lovely. But still… why do I get the impression you‟re telling me not to leave him?”

He smiled a little, and then let out a heavy sigh.

“Because, Miss McAllister, everyone else does.”

***

Everyone else does…

Nice… Now I had to grow a conscience! Towards that ape of a man?! Seriously,

we just weren‟t made for one another. He‟s a self-centered asshole, I‟m a happy person.

Complete opposites. He seems to enjoy being alone and sad, and I love the sunshine and

funny animals on YouTube. Which I was giggling at in that same instant.

“You‟re a very productive employee.”

I jumped on my chair and hit the close button on the webpage. Kenny was

grinning from the other side of my desk.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, Kenny!” I moaned “How do you sneak around like

that?!”

“It‟s a gift. You look entertained. Should I remind you there‟s gonna be a

meeting at Pandora in a few minutes? And that your boss is expected?”

“What?!” I hissed, and turned into Wonder Woman while I quickly opened my

yellow schedule, then Mr. von Hauser‟s black one and saw my own stupidity plastered

on the white pages “Crap! I totally forgot about that! How could I forget about my

Pandora?!”

I knew how: von Hauser Madness is contagious!

“Hey, you‟re welcome!” Kenny tossed as I ran on my Chanel heels towards Mr.

von Hauser‟s door.

“Love you, Kenny. Buy you a coffee later!” I promised as I tapped hard on the

CEO‟s door and got inside without waiting for his response “Mr. von Hauser, we…

huh… have to go. Chop chop!”

He frowned and looked at me like I had just told him I was carrying his child.

“C‟mon, c‟mon! We have…” I gasped as I saw the time on my watch “Ok,

time‟s not important. Here‟s the basics. We just have to shake hands, nod, ask „And

what do you think about that?‟ every time they ask you something, and you‟ll be fine!”

“What in the world are you talking about, Miss McAllister?” He grunted, as I

pushed him up from his elbow, threw him his battered blazer and pushed him towards

the office door “Wow! Wait. Miss McAllister, stop!”

I hunched in my heels and moaned.

“What‟s happening? Have you been drinking?!”

“I screwed up. I forgot…!” I moaned again, and he started to frown, crossing his

arms over his broad chest “I‟m so sorry! There‟s a meeting with Pandora – actually, it‟s

already started! – about the new layout for the magazine. You‟re supposed to be there

and… well… listen to the Editors‟ ideas. And approve them, or give you some ideas.”

His brown eyes started to grow wider and larger, and I felt myself smaller and

screwerer – if that‟s even a word.

“You‟re telling me I have to go to a meeting I have no idea what it is about, and

that I‟m already late?!” He hissed, and I dropped my head low “What am I supposed to

do, Miss McAllister?! Just sit there and nod, like you said?! Just let them talk and talk

and say nothing? I‟m just a damn prop, is that it?!”

“Like that‟s not what you usually do…” I mumbled to myself.

“What is that supposed to mean?” He grunted, eyes squinting.

I was fired, anyway, might as well go down with a clear mind.

“Well, if you must know, you usually just sit and nod at Board meetings. Just

like a prop. No, a puppet!” I shrieked as I left the office with my shoulders back and my

head high.

“Now, wait just a second!” I heard him groan as he followed me down the hall,

towards the elevators; Rachel and a girl from Accounting both stared at us with their

jaws dropped “There‟s a reason behind that! I‟m no puppet, Miss McAllister! I‟m

listening! They‟re Board members, they‟ve been around far longer than I‟ll ever be. I

should listen to them.”

“Oh? And you‟re just the CEO they play around like a pawn?” I hit back, when

the elevator doors opened.

The people inside all stared back at us with brows up and eyes unblinking. I

smiled a little and stepped inside; Mr. von Hauser still kept outside. I squinted my eyes,

my forefinger close to the fortieth second floor. He squinted too. I heard him hiss and

jump inside the already packed elevator as I pressed the button.

To say he was uncomfortable was a euphemism. He looked like he was going up

to meet Death itself. He was sweating, I could see it in his tanned neck and forehead.

His fists were jammed in his pockets; his brown eyes were huge and focused on the

metal doors. He was shaking, ever so lightly, but he was. He looked in pain and

nauseated. Did he have claustrophobia? Was that why he didn‟t want to get in the

elevator?

When the doors opened, I stepped outside and some people followed out. Mr.

von Hauser got out quickly and it was my time to run after him. He got into the men‟s

room, and I couldn‟t care less if there was a man showing himself off. I wasn‟t going to

let him go until his ass was in that damn meeting room!

“Mr. von Hauser, we don‟t have time!” I groaned as I walked inside the

bathroom.

He untied his tie, let it fall to the floor, and then washed his face. After that, he

scrubbed his hands, wrists and, I‟m not lying, all the way up his elbows. What in the

world?! Was he that nervous? For God‟s sake, it was only a meeting at a fashion

magazine! He was the damn CEO!

“We‟re out of time” I repeated and he gasped and squirmed away when I

touched his strong shoulder.

“I‟m not going.” He assured me, using his light blue shirt sleeve to open a stall

door, like he could get his hands dirty again, and closed himself inside “I don‟t give a

crap about that damn meeting!”

“Need I remind you that you‟re the CEO? You‟re the one who runs this entire

company. You have to go!”

“You go. Didn‟t you say you wanted to be a model, or something?”

“Fashion journalist” I grunted, and folded my arms over my white blouse, my

eyes squinted.

I looked around the bathroom, and after the last man – who grunted at me –

came out of the last stall, I picked Mr. von Hauser‟s red tie and climbed on a toilet next

to his stall.

“Mr. von Hauser…” I sighed, as I leaned into the black wall; he was sitting on

the toilet, the seat down, his hands in his dark hair “Are you feeling ill?”

He said nothing, just kept humming to himself something I didn‟t get.

“Look, don‟t be nervous just because you don‟t have anything to say. It doesn‟t

matter. It‟s fashion, for God‟s sake! Whatever you say will be amazing” I assured him.

“I can‟t go. I‟m not prepared. I‟m not ready, I can‟t go…” He kept saying that

over and over again.

I rolled my eyes and dropped to the floor. Fine. He wasn‟t going to open the

door? I might be fluffy, and my butt might be too big for my plan, but that didn‟t make

me back down. I dropped to my knees and rolled under the bathroom stall.

“You know” I grunted as I got up again; Mr. von Hauser gasped as he saw me

standing in front of him “my daddy usually says that excuses are like backsides:

everybody‟s got one and they all stink.”

He kept staring mesmerized as I kneeled again on the floor and started to button

his sleeves again. Then his top shirt buttons.

“You‟re the CEO. If you miss it, they‟ll just think you‟re careless. Nor you or

the company can afford such rumors and bad vibe at the time.”

“I don‟t know what to say.” He muttered, his brown eyes were still wild looking,

as I tied his tie around his tanned neck again “I don‟t know a thing about fashion. I

don‟t know those people. And that place‟s dirty. So very dirty!”

He started chanting about how dirty the stall was too, and ran past me to clean

himself again. Ok… This wasn‟t… normal, right?

“If my cousin Russell – how‟s two bricks short of a load – could make it to the

town‟s assembly, I‟m sure you can go to that meeting and nail it.” I assured him as I

took his hands from under the tap and cleaned them with some paper towels “Root hog

or die, my daddy says.”

He just nodded and didn‟t resist when I pushed him outside the bathroom

towards the Pandora office. The white fashion magazine was guarded by glass doors,

which opened automatically to let us inside.

“I can‟t.”

He turned around and quickened his steps to the stairs. And up he went. Alone.

***

“What are you looking for?”

I waved my hand at Harmony as she walked inside my tiny bedroom.

“Panic attacks?” She frowned at my laptop “Why are you searching about panic

attacks?”

“Because I think my boss had one this afternoon.” I told her, and twirled my

chair so my back was to the window, facing Harmony “He was sweating, panting,

trembling and he ran away.”

“Sounds like a panic attack.”

“And I think he‟s a germ freak too.”

“Don‟t you want to add a brain tumor to that?” She teased.

“I‟m serious. He scrubbed his hands and arms like his life depended on it. And

he kept moaning about how dirty everything was.”

“Wow… That‟s serious, G.” She mumbled, folding her legs over my bed “Is that

public knowledge? That he‟s got a disease?”

“I don‟t think so. I goggled it and nothing came up. I guess it‟s like a family

secret, or something.”

I told her about his „attack‟ earlier that day, and she looked intrigued as well.

“Are you gonna talk to him about it?”

“The guy‟s gonna fire me tomorrow, so maybe. I don‟t know. What if he sends

some sniper to kill me?!”

“G…” She gave me a sour look and then chuckled “Look, if you want my

advice, just shut up for now, but read about that germophobic thing and try to see how

you can avoid his attacks.”

“That‟s hard. I don‟t even know why he had one” I admitted.

“Try to remember.”

“Ok… He started to panic in the elevator.”

“Claustrophobia.”

“Seriously?! Germ and claustrophobia?!” I whined, letting my head fall over the

desk, while Harmony chuckled “Why do I have to have the worst bosses…?”

“You‟re fine. Maybe he‟s both, you can only know if you keep an eye on him.”

Yeah, I would do that. If he didn‟t fire me first, that is…