Fame and Shame

Chapter 2

That's it. My whole life packed into four boxes. How pathetic. It's Monday already and I have packed everything I hold dear into cardboard boxes ready for the truck. My car is being transported aswell because apparently West thinks I'm incapable of driving or something...

It's 10am prompt and the truck is parked up; my belongings already loaded. Luckily there wasnt much stuff considering I had only been staying in this apartment for like a month. A black Audi pulls up which I assume West has sent to retrieve me. The driver introduces himself to me as Dylan and then we set off.

The thirty minute ride gives me time to check my e-mails and do some reading before my life is handed over to the man who is going to keep me distracted. We arrive at the house -or should I say palace. Before I even enter I am relieved that I decided to dress up to the occasion in a proffessional beige blazer and pencil skirt with some heels. The grande marble-look doors open and the cascade of white hits me. White walls, white floors, white furniture. Maybe the white is his purity...or not. Probably not.

"Miss Berry. We have been waiting for you. West is in his office if you would like to go through and we will put your stuff in your new room."

"Please just call me Aubrey and thankyou."
After the man leaves I look around and go towards a room that he gestured towards as the office. My nerves suddenly awake as I walk in and see my boss; the superstar. West is on the phone, sounding irritated as he gestures for me to take a seat at a desk with a laptop and other stationary items. Even on the phone he sounds condesending and rude. I also notice his choice of clothing in the comfort of his own home is different. Instead of his former grey suit, he is dressed down in a casual top, joggers and his blonde hair is short and disarrayed.

After about ten long minutes of me waiting, he abruptly ends the phone call and slams his phone down infront of him.
"I'm glad to see you here on time. This is our office now, you are seated at your own desk and the laptop is for personal and proffessional use. I trust that you know what kind of jobs you will be asked to do so you start tomorrow morning. Any questions?"

I am almost speechless at the way he articulately delivers his piece. It is like he has delivered the same speech countless times...

"Yes I am aware and yes I have a question. Am I allowed to smoke around you or are you against it?"

"Don't worry I am a smoker myself but you probably knew that already. You are more than welcome to smoke, but only outside, not indoors. Did you want anything else?"

"You do realise I will be the best PA you've ever had. You can treat me the same if you like but I am better."

"I hired you for a reason, your competency is just a bonus. But what makes you think you're so much better than my previous PAs?"

I look around the office to a bookshelf against the wall packed full of classics. "West, pick a book from that shelf and I will recite the first page perfectly."

Hesitant but intrigued he gets up and walks towards the shelf with his gaze lingering on the choices. "There is no way you can do that for any of these books, maybe one or two but not all. However, I'm curious." After a few seconds he pulls out a limited edition copy of 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad.

"You have little faith. But here you go,
The Nellie, a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of the sails, and was at rest. The flood had made,
the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of
the tide. The sea-reach of the Thames stretched before us like the
beginning of an interminable waterway. In the offing the sea and the sky were welded together without a joint, and
in the luminous space the tanned sails of the barges drifting up with the tide seemed to stand still in red clusters of canvas sharply peaked, with gleams of varnished sprits. A haze rested on the low shores that ran out to sea in vanishing flatness. The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther
back still seemed condensed into a mournful gloom, broo-"

"Stop. How did you do that?" West looks at me with the same look my parents, my teachers and my boss' looked at me when they realised.

"Photographic memory. Everything I see is stored regardless of relevance."

"Wow that's amazing. I don't see how that can help me though?"

"Trust me, there is a reason I am always in high demand." I walk out feeling powerful and cocky. He better not question my intelligence ever.

~~

After four weeks of working for West I was about ready to settle down there.

Everything was so calm and easy. I would wake up at 7am, get ready, wake West, and see what the day had to offer. Most days consisted of sorting through fan mail (which I loved doing) or answering countless phone calls and e-mails. Everyone wanted to talk to West. Even me. Unfortunately, I didn't see that much of him due to his busy social life and girlfriend.

His girlfriend's name was Willow Dubois and she was French. Willow's sexy accent, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes captivated West. Held him prisoner and made him forget the fact that she was a cheating slut. And I'm not even exaggerating. In general, she only stayed on weekends therefore leaving her with five free days to play around with different men before her returns to West. Honestly, I find it humorous that he hasn't dumped her ass and found someone more loyal; or atleast someone with dignity. I guess we aren't all that assertive.

It's Thursday already and West has asked me to accompany him to a chat show this afternoon. I think it's like a British version of Ellen or something, anyway the woman will ask him questions that are personal so it should be fun. I hope she catches him off guard because in the short time I have known West Riley, I have never seen him speechless. What a sight that would be...

After having a shower and dressing like a professional, I head to the front room. Oh and by professional I mean a fitted mahogany dress down to the knee and matching heels. Even my hair looks more exciting today with rich ginger curls skattered around my face and down my back. Elegant, I may meet a sexy technician today....I wish.