Fame and Shame

Chapter 1

"Aubrey Berry." The blonde haired woman calls enthusiastically. "Mr Riley is ready to see you now, please go in when you are ready."

Here we go. Breathe.
I readjust the ginger curls around my face nervously before standing and entering the conference room. This job will be perfect for me if the interview goes well.
As I enter the room I'm faced with the one and only; West Riley. His messy brown/blonde hair is fixed tactically, wide hazel eyes and that brooding smolder.

Although I am momentarily distracted, I manage to get a hold of myself and take a seat opposite him.

"Morning Miss..." he hesitates.

"Berry," I inform him respectfully.

"Right. I knew that. Anyway, as you know you have been shortlisted for the job as my PA. You will be expected to follow my every instruction and the breaking of any of my rules will not be tolerated."

"Yes sir I understand the details fully but if you dont mind me asking, what do you mean by rules?" I enquire.

"Well since we will be spending a lot of time together and you will be living with me, there has to be some rules. I have made up a contract for you to sign which will ensure you follow all of them."

He slides a small booklet of about three pages across the long glass conference table and I catch it just in time.

"Now Miss Berry I will give you a few minutes to read it and if you are willing to sign it you may have the job after you answer some questions."

"OK. Thankyou."

I take a look at the booklet and look for the rules which I find on the second page.
1. No drugs.
2. No parties whilst I am away unless I have validated them.
3. Be punctual.
4. Do not drink excessively or put yourself in unneccissary danger.
5. No partners or family allowed to visit the house or any hotels we stay at unless I validate it.
6. Eat healthily and at appropriate times.
7. Accompany me to all events I require and do as I say.
8. Be respectful.
9. Do not invade my privacy or sell any stories to the press (see NDA on the final page).
10. Train with me at the gym atleast twice a week.

I let out a little giggle.

"Is there something funny Miss Berry?" He looks at me sternly.

"No not at all, just that your rules are very specific and maybe a tad evading. Call me Aubrey please."

"OK Aubrey. Are you willing to sign the contract or not?"

"Yes Mr Riley, now what questions do you have for me."

"Wait here. I will get us some coffee before we begin. This part is a little less formal."

He exits the room before I can answer. I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding. That was intense.

My fingers fidgeted in my lap whilst I waited for the return of West Riley. He seemed so kind on television and yet here, in this room, he was cold. Don't overstep your boundaries, he's just a boss not a friend.

My thoughts are shut down when I hear the glass door shut and West takes his seat once more. He hands me a coffee and places a tray of milk and sugar cubes on the table.

"Thankyou Mr Riley."

"Just call me West. Now this is the informal part so you are free to answer however you please. I just want to get an idea of your character and personality."

I fiddle with my coffee and add three sugars, no milk. When he finishes I nod to signify that I am ready to begin.

"So, Aubrey what job did you have before applying for this one?"
I smile recalling the memories.

"I was actually soon-to-be a senior partner at a law firm in New York, my promotion was coming up in a month or so."
He clears his throat in shock and just stares at me for what seems like forever.

"West? Is there something wrong?"

"No not at all, it's just that I'm not used to women that have had such high jobs."
I bite my tongue at his sexist comment before giving a proud smirk.

"Anyway, moving on. Are you single?"

"At the moment yes, I recently split up with my boyfriend when I moved from New York to here in the UK."

"OK good. You will be expected to live with me and travel with me as you know, will that ever be an issue?"

"Not that I can think off sir- West."

"You won't really get time off unless there's an emergency or we go away. However, I may make exceptions if you decide to do the usually tourist exploration of London."

I focus on my hands as I struggle to stop fiddling. In this moment I can't believe how my life has changed so drastically and I hope it's not a mistake.
"Well I've been here on business a few times so I'm not really that fussed."

"That's your decision Aubrey. You do realise that your hugely over qualified for a shitty job like this. Although millions of women would kill to be in this position."

I am momentarily taken aback by his sudden informality. However it does not take long to formulate the appropriate answer.

"The job looks distracting from the rest of the world. That's what I need; a distraction."

"Well then you have it. You're hired."
Mid way through my coffee I choke and splutter at his finality. I compose myself before looking at him curiously.

"When do I start?"

"You will be moved into my house in one week from now. I will send a driver and truck to get you on Monday at 10am. Be prompt."

With that he gets up and leaves. I guess thats it. I'm hired.

I ignore his rudeness and get up to exit the office. On my way out of the office building which I can only assume is run by West Riley's manager, I see him. West is sat at a recording desk with a blonde girl on his lap. She looks like the secretly insecure type that is focused on making everyone else's lives harder. I suppose that's the kind of groupie West likes but that's non of my business...

Anyway. A new start here I come!