The week waiting for someone to call me about the job went by slowly. All I did was sit around my low-priced apartment and strummed my beat up guitar. Music is the only thing keeping me going at this point or maybe the determination to prove my mother wrong. Finally, by Thursday, they told me that I start on June 7th.
So today, I woke my lazy self up; dressed in the nicest thing I had, and drove back to the tall, intimidating building. The lobby secretary looked similar to the blonde in terms of her outfit. She took one look at me and pursed her lips. Her hair was neatly pinned in a bun, she wore designer glasses, and her high heels looked more expensive than my entire wardrobe. It’s easy for me to say that considering all my clothes are from used clothes shop. “Hi, I’m Mr. Peterson’s new secretary.”
She quickly glanced up from the computer monitor but her fingers continued to fly across the keyboard. She had a plate with her name on it sitting on the desk. Rylee Dwight. Disgust flashed on her face for a brief second, but then was quickly replaced with a white smile. She stood up, adjusted her glasses, and beckoned me to follow her. “You’re late. You’re at Mr. Peterson’s beck and call twenty-four seven. Make sure you get his cellphone number and you’ll have to give him yours. He takes his coffee with one cup of sugar. If you get drunken calls in the middle of the night, answer them no matter what. Here’s your desk, he’ll be here in twenty minutes. Oh, and it might help if you dressed more professional.”
“Uh, can you repeat that?” I stammered and looked around. People were bustling everywhere. Phones were ringing off the hook. I don’t even know why kind of office this is, but I see what she’s talking about. The most of the women were wearing high heels and skirts. My outfit consisted of grey dress pants, a frilly white shirt, and black flats. Apparently, my outfit isn’t considered professional here.
The muscles in her face tightened and she was fighting to keep it together. “Just do everything he says and do it correctly,” She snarled and stalked away to her front desk.
I can’t decide if she’s trying to help me or trying to get me fired, but either way I have time to kill. The previous blonde secretary must have not been very tidy. My desk is a mess. Papers are everywhere. The computer requires a username and password to log on. The coffee machine is out of sight. The phone isn’t ringing. Everything I’ve been hired to do is not working out so well, except entertaining Mr. Peterson. A deep, manly chuckle came from beside me. Instantly, my head turned to the direction of the noise. “Nice outfit,” Mr. Peterson had a cheeky grin plastered on his face, “Bring me my coffee and my schedule for today.”
His coffee? Where exactly is that at? His schedule? Surely Blondie must have made his schedule for today, right? “I will get right on it,” I quietly replied. Questions whirled in my mind like how was I going to make it through the day, but I pulled myself together and searched through piles of disheveled papers. It has to be here somewhere, but where? Stacks of receipts, passed appointments, and dinner orders littered the top of the desk. I swiped a folder out of the way and there sat an appointment book. I must have a Guardian Angel looking out for me. Okay now that I found an appointment book, it’s time to locate the coffee maker. To the left of me was a long hallway with cubicles. It might just be me but don’t always people in movies have a coffeepot around when they work in an office? It just seems like that kind of moment. Finally after standing awkwardly in the middle of organized chaos, I spotted a door with a sign that read ‘Break Room’. Wasting no time, I speed walked to the small room. A fridge was on the far wall, a microwave on the counter, a round table with four chairs in the middle of the room, and there was a coffee pot next to the microwave. Rushing around the cramped room, I found the coffee creamer, a cup, and poured the hot, dark drink. Finally, I’ve done something right. Just as I sat the coffee mug on my desk, Mr. Peterson rushed out of his office.
“Well, do I have any appointments or am I free to sleep in my office for the whole day?” He asked, sounding irritated. His emerald eyes twinkled even though he was obviously not pleased at my pace. I couldn’t help but notice his striking features. His jawline was bold, his buzz cut hair made his face stand out, his suit was snug around his chiseled arms. However, that’s not all I could see. He was broken on the inside. I could tell he’d been mistreated and I could tell just by looking in his eyes.
“You have a meeting with,” I paused in disbelief, “Derek Young at ten o’clock.”
Derek Young? His voice is breathtaking. I’ve been a fan of Derek Young ever since the ninth grade. He can do anything you ask: Rap, Pop, Soul, Classical, anything. The best part is, he’s only one year older than me. I’ve had a major crush on him for years and to even catch a glimpse of him would make my life.
“That star struck look in your eyes means you’ve heard of him before,” He chuckled and started to walk back in his office, “I’m his manager.”
“Do you need anything else?” I asked and smiled.
He’s Jeremy Peterson. How did I miss that? He discovered Derek when he was only fifteen and his first album was released a year later. So, I’m working for a music industry legend. That’s news to me.
Jeremy smiled slightly and shook his head. “No, just send him in when he gets here.”
You know, I think I’m going to like this job. He probably couldn’t believe I know how to make coffee. I may not have that much experience but I’m capable of pouring liquid into a cup. The phone rang a couple of times while I waited for Mr. Peterson’s first appointment, but time still went as slowly as a turtle. I finished cleaning my desk a half an hour ago and now everything had a place. I glanced at my watch and shook my head. It’s five after ten and Derek Young is late. “Is Jeremy in his office?”
My heart stopped for a split second as soon as I heard a familiar voice. It was the same deep voice I’ve listened to on award shows and on my MP3 player for years. I looked up at him and stared. He was so close to me that I was telling myself to breathe. “Uh, yeah. Go right in,” I stuttered, trying to form words.
It looked like he was trying not to bust out laughing. “So, you must be the new secretary.”
My eyes widened in shock. He just talked to me! Is the sky falling? “Yeah, that’s me,” I excitingly answered. I need to stop drooling.
“You seem like you know me,” He chuckled and glanced back at Jeremy’s office.
That was it; I can’t keep my cool any longer. “Know you? I’ve been your fan since the ninth grade. I practically love you!” My hand slapped over my mouth so fast, it left my skin stinging. But, the words were already said.
“Derek, what are you doing? Come on, man! Get in here,” Jeremy smiled from his office door. I silently said thank you to Jeremy. He just saved me from major embarrassment.
Derek slightly smiled at me and turned into Jeremy’s office. I just met my idol and blew it. Let’s add that to the list of new things that has happened in the past month.
