The Assistant

CHAPTER 1: Is It That Time of the Year, Already?

●BELLE●

        It has been five years since I began working at Wimbleton's Advertising.

       It is one of the most successful advertising companies in the world and has been for the past thirty years and the clientele is made up of huge and well known businesses from around the world.

       It is owned by The Founder's son, James Wimbleton. James is a thirty year old that inherited the business when he was just out of college after getting his degree in business. His father passed away a couple of years ago and has left him the company.

        We are now about to wrap up with our latest business deal and are getting ready to celebrate with a huge party that our company throws at the end of every great business deal we help advertise for and add to our long list of clients.

        I am always excited to see the people's faces when they see what all hard work has been put into trying to help promote them in advertising for their businesses and such.
But for me, my excitement is leaned more towards the fact that for once, (at least for the passed five years), we will have a month or so break, to relax a little bit more. And I figured that since I have not seen my family or been home for the holidays since I started working here, I figured that this would be the perfect time to go and see them.

       I just knew for sure that due to the fact we were not going to be busy again until after the holidays, that James would give me the time off to go back and spend time with them. So I booked my flight already and was going to leave in a week.

       I had already called and told my family and they were all excited. Especially my parents and my brother. I also heard that my sister was happy to see me as well. Though I wasn't too sure if I would be to see her. Since she was, after all, the one that made me leave home right after high school. But I was going to put all that behind me. At least, for the holidays, like always.

       I was helping plan the big event that was coming up in a couple of days.

       Of course, as the personal assistant of a very 'busy' man, I had to put everything together quickly. To which I figured would be okay on one hand, knowing that it would give me a little bit of some time to think of how to tell James that I am leaving. (He has never gone a day without needing me for something).

       I began immediately calling around from caterers, to decorators and so forth and so forth. It wasn't ever too stressful to book things at the last minute especially, when all I ever had to do was let them know who I was booking or reserving their time and services for.

        Right up to the very last minute, I was getting everything ready for the big night and somewhere in between all that, I also was still James' assistant and still did my job and ran errands for him.

       Of course, when the day of the big party arrived, I was beyond exhausted and didn't realize how much I was or that my feet were hurting very bad until I got the chance to finally sit down and relax.

       My roommate and also best friend, Kat, was meant to be my plus one tonight for the party. So she went out to get herself a new outfit. However, after taking my shower, I lied down in my bed and closed my eyes for just a bit. I figured that a short nap wouldn't hurt anything. I would just set my alarm on my phone and wake up in time to do my hair and get ready. Luckily, Kat was a Hair Stylist and Make Up Artist.

        I had passed out for what seemed to be a quick minute, until I heard Kat's voice telling me that I needed to wake up or I was going to be late.

       I didn't necessarily hear her quite that well as I was in and out of sleep. That was at least until I heard her yell really loud while shaking me and finally, I sat up abruptly and tried to rub my eyes a little bit to wake up more. 

       "You need to get up now." Kat said.

       "What time is it?" I tiredly asked.

        "It's 6:30." Kat replies while trying to help get me out of bed.

        "Oh my god. What the hell happened to my alarm?" I panicked while immediately getting up and start rummaging through my dresser looking for panties and a bra to put on.

       "I don't know about your alarm. But you, Cinderella, are going to be late for the ball." Kat teased.

        "Oh my god! Oh my god!" I kept repeating while trying to hurry and put on my deodorant and perfume.

        "Calm down." Kat insisted. "I promise we will be fine and make it there on time. Besides, I can do your hair and makeup real quick, then you just get dressed and everything will be fine."

       Kat always had a way of calming me down and making me stop panicking so much.

       We literally were finishing putting the final touches on our looks, from the time we got out the door, into a cab to the event. During which, I apparently didn't take the time to notice the twenty missed texts and phone calls from James asking me:

Where am I?

Am I OK?

Does he need his driver to come pick me up?

etc. etc.

        I quickly texted back, right when we were right around the corner telling him that I was going to be there in literally two minutes and that I was so sorry.

       By the time he texted back, the cab had already pulled up behind one of the nice cars that was dropping off important guests.

       Both Kat and I got out of the cab and quickly ran up to James. Though when I got there, I was a bit short of breath and tried apologizing before he put his hand up in front of me and said, "Please. I don't want to hear it." He said sounding like he was disappointed and angry. (Though mind you this was the first time in my life, let alone working with him, that I have EVER been late). Though of course, I'm not trying to make an excuse or anything.

       I felt a little terrible. Though on the other hand, I am only human after all and it isn't like I make a habit out of doing it neither. Kat even tried to chime in and explain to him that I was trying to get some sleep beforehand. Though he did not seem to hear her neither.

        Without making eye contact with me, he went and did a few brief interviews with reporters that were standing out and also taking pictures. I was right behind him all the way until we got inside.

        Well, this was going to be a long night, I thought.

*****************************************

●JAMES●

        I really didn't want to go to this party, though I guess the plus side to this all was the fact that I had a chance of finding some girl to take home tonight.

         Though throughout the day, I had been texting back and forth, Belle and haven't received many replies back.

         I knew it wasn't like Belle to not answer back quickly, though I knew I didn't have time to worry about it really, since I needed to finish getting ready and preparing the speech that both Belle and I wrote.

         I swear, I don't know what I'd ever do without her.

          When I had arrived in front of the place of the party and reporters and paparazzi were all waiting for me to get out, I took one last look down at my phone and noticed that she still hadn't responded. So I texted her several more times in hopes she'd reply back, but nothing.

          Then without further ado, it was time for me to make my appearance. So my driver came around and had opened up the door for me.

          Right as I started walking towards the stairs, I finally hear Belle's voice as she's running up towards me and trying to apologize and explain why she's late, as well as her friend Kat does as well. However, I cut them both off and just continue on heading towards inside the party. I figure, we can just discuss it later.

New chapter will be posted soon! :)