The Gap Year

Four

The weekend flashes by and, surprisingly, so does the majority of the week. By Thursday I had advanced a lot with the task I was given by Mr. Beckett and had already heard back from several possible employees that Ms. Hunt, one of our biggest female acts, seemed to like and wanted to meet. The majority had been available to come for their interviews on the upcoming Monday so for now I feel pretty relaxed.

I hear chattering by the entrance and see that Liam and Harry have arrived for their scheduled meeting. It is now the third consecutive Thursday that they both come in and I'm still a bit puzzled as to why Harry always comes along. As quickly as I can, I ring Mr. Beckett's office- even though it's right across from me and I can clearly see his boring old face.

"Mr. Payne is here, sir" I say and see him nod, asking me to guide them over to the meeting room before he hangs up. I see him collecting some papers from his desk before I stand up and greet the boys, shaking both their hands and asking if they would like something to drink or eat while walking them to their scheduled room.

"Some tea would be great, thank you." Liam politely answers as we all enter the room. 

"Of course sir, and you...um" I laugh a bit nervously not knowing how to approach Harry.

"Harry" he says as if I would've forgotten already his name. I wish. 

"Right, and for you uh.. sir?" I ask him, not feeling comfortable calling him by his first name. I know that I don't have to be so courteous with him as he's not a client but still had to keep up with my profesionalism. Still, it felt weird saying 'sir' to someone who looks the same age as I am.

"Some water would be great" he says, smiling widely before I nod their way and inform them that Mr. Beckett won't be long. I'm closing the door when I hear a low but quite clear "And your number" followed by a loud smack and an "Ouch!". I try to keep the laughter in as I pass Mr. Beckett's office and ask him if he needs any help or would like for me to take something to the meeting room.  His back remains facing me and "tea" is the only response I get.

When I get back with two cups, the teapot and a water bottle, Mr. Beckett is already sitting down with them, all sorts of paperwork sprawled all around them.

"Thank you, Ms. Castillo" Beckett says and I fight the cringe urging it's way out of my body. That's just not how you pronounce it. "Is everything settled with Ms. Hunt?" he asks while I pour him and Liam some tea. It's as if he is purposefully torturing the nosey curly headed Brit sitting right across from him. This time around Harry quickly shuts his mouth and keeps his questions to himself.

"Yes, she said that Monday fit best for her so I scheduled her right after you finish the meeting with Mr. Payne"I say, smiling at Liam as I point towards him. 

"Perfect, thank you."Beckett says before taking a short sip out of his teacup. Just as I'm pushing the door open, he speaks again. "Oh, and Ms. Castillo?" he pauses, slightly tapping his teacup with his finger tips. He seems like he's overthinking and already regretting what he's going to say next, but says it anyway. 

"Go fetch yourself a notebook or something of the style and come back, I'll need you here for the rest of the meeting."He says before turning his attention to his cup, lightly blowing some air on the surface to try to cool it down.

I'm still standing in the doorway, mouth slightly agape while I stare at him. This was the first time in the whole month that I've been his assistant that he asks for me to go into a meeting for something other than snacks or beverages. When he realises I haven't moved, he looks at me with a raised eyebrow. Before he gets the chance to tell me to forget it and to get back to my desk I clear my throat and nod at him, all three pairs of eyes staring at my embarrassing actions.