Secrets in the Ashes (Scarlett Johansson Fanfic)

Chapter 4: Shutting Up and Giving In.

But Dylan didn't cry. Instead, she swallowed down the lump that was forming in her throat. "Ah...um, thank you. For offering me a job." she hesitated, her gaze briefly darting away before returning to Scarlett's. "Though, I feel like I should elaborate–I've never actually been a personal assistant before. Not officially, anyway."

A small, self-conscious laugh escaped her. "In high school, I was a teacher's aide for a year. Then I helped my best friend's dad manage his mechanic business—everything from organizing appointments to handling customers." She paused, her smile faltering slightly. "So, I understand if you don't actually want to hire me. But I'm a quick learner."

Scarlett just shook her head, a reassuring smile on her lips. "I still want to hire you. I doubt this job will be too hard for you. I'll give you some papers before you leave that outline more details about what the job entails, but just to give you a rundown—most of it will be scheduling, communication, and personal tasks. If you decide to take the job, you can start whenever you're ready, but I'd prefer it to be within the next week. How far do you live?

Dylan's stomach sank. How was she supposed to answer Scarlett's question without lying? The thought of admitting that her looming job loss would likely lead to eviction wasn't something she wanted to drop on Scarlett right now. "I live about 45 minutes away...but I'm not sure how much longer that'll be the case."

Scarlett's eyebrows lifted, and Dylan saw the question forming even before Scarlett spoke. "What do you mean by that? Are you planning on moving?"

No, eviction didn't exactly count as planning. Dylan shifted in her seat. "Not planning, no." she sighed, the words feeling heavier than she wanted them to. "Since I'm about to be out of a job, I won't be able to pay my rent, and my landlord knows that, so...." she trailed off, hoping Scarlett would fill in the blank.

Scarlett's gaze softened as she finished Dylan's sentence, "You're going to be evicted."

"Bingo." Dylan replied, her tone resigned as she ducked her head. She wondered what to say next. What did one say after admitting something like that?

"Okay," Scarlett said suddenly, as if she'd just decided on something. Dylan looked up, her confusion evident. Okay? Sure, she wasn't asking for pity, but she hadn't expected Scarlett to respond with such a casual "Okay," one that somehow carried an optimistic undertone. Should she be offended?

Frowning, Dylan echoed Scarlett's response, "Okay? Okay...what?"

Scarlett leaned back slightly, an easy confidence in her posture. Her gaze held a kind of determination that Dylan couldn't quite read. "Okay, as in–I have an idea. I want you to hear me out. You're probably going to want to say no because you'll think this is a pity offer, but it's not. I promise." Her lips curved into a small, almost reassuring smile, which only deepened Dylan's frown and sent a spike of unease through her.

Dylan raised an eyebrow, wary but intrigued."Ohhkayyy?" She wasn't sure what to make of this. At this point, she wasn't even sure what to make of Scarlett. "I'm listening."

And she was. Feeling a bit lost, but listening nonetheless. She hadn't expected this conversation to turn so quickly or so strangely. She felt so out of control.

Scarlett's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the table before she spoke, breaking the tension. "What if you moved in here?"

Dylan's posture stiffened, a wave of apprehension flooding her. Her mouth opened, objections forming on the tip of her tongue. "No, I–"

Scarlett lifted a hand, gesturing for her to stop. "Wait. Let me finish."

Dylan sputtered, shaking her head in a mix of disbelief and frustration. "But–but–"

"Dylan." Scarlett's voice was firm, a look of such seriousness in her eyes that Dylan fell silent, almost involuntarily. Something in Scarlett's gaze kept Dylan from arguing further.

"As I was saying," Scarlett continued, her tone a bit gentler now, "If you moved in here, it'd be more convenient. I've had a personal assistant live with me before, and sometimes my hours are unpredictable. This way, we'd both benefit from you being close by. And I'm also closer to the college campus. It would give you time to save up money, too."

Dylan's eyes drifted downward, her thoughts swirling as she traced a faint pattern on her pants. The idea of living here, in Scarlett's home, was overwhelming. Yet, she couldn't deny that Scarlett had a good point. It would make things easier—closer to school, a way to save up. Biting her lip, Dylan let out a slow sigh. If she did this, it would be a big change. But this opportunity felt too good to pass up, even if part of her wanted to resist out of pride.

So for what felt like the umpteenth time since meeting Scarlett, Dylan found herself giving in. "Okay. I'll take the job. And I'll move in here." 

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

HEY GUYS! I KNOW THIS IS A SMALL CHAPTER, BUT I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU GUYS AS MUCH CONTENT AS I CAN BEFORE I LOSE MOTIVATION. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT!

LOVE - A