Application Sent

Two

“As of today, you’re going to be living here from now on.”

And then, Luke was gone.

Sam threw her arm over her eyes as she flopped down on the bed, phone tucked at her ear. The hour had grown late, and Sam had retired to her room for the night. She picked the first bedroom she saw, put her suitcase on the floor, and decided to flip through the papers Luke had handed to her before he’d left.

The first page was pretty standard, the next couple of pages listing her duties and where to find manuals of certain computer procedures and such. The next page detailed her allowances.

Her jaw dropped.

Sam swallowed thickly as she reread the figure over and over. Three thousand pounds a month for clothing allowance? Her hand came over her mouth in shock. Just what in the hell would she be doing that warranted such costs? And her credit card allowance was much more generous, as were her flight costs and mobile phone plan per month.

Placing the papers down on the bedspread, Sam hung her head in her hands. Just who in the hell was she working for, anyway?

Flicking through the rest of the documents, Sam still found no further hints to her new employer; just more details on her jobs, the emergency contacts, and what was expected of her. Everything else, according to the last page, could be found in her office.

Unsure of what to do next, Sam decided to call Jessie. After three rings, she picked up, and after a brief greeting, Jessie listened as Sam had shared the news and also expressed her worry that she would be living in a gorgeous house in one of London’s most elite estates.

However, as per usual, Jessie wasn’t taking it seriously – much to Sam’s dismay.

“So how big is the swimming pool?”

Sam groaned.

“Oh, suck it up,” Jessie said. “So, they gave you a swanky house to live in instead of a dodgy old apartment in the downtown crack district. Be thankful that you have running water,” she quipped grumpily. Jessie’s plumbing issues had only worsened since Sam had left, and Sam immediately felt guilty for complaining.

“And besides, not many employers house their personal assistants in such nice places. I say take as much advantage as you can.”

“That’s a terrible way to look at it.” Sam rolled onto her side and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her palm over her cheek. “I just… I don’t know,” she sighed. “I feel like I don’t deserve to live in in this place, you know?”

“Oh, big deal,” Jessie replied flippantly before she let out a sigh. “Well, look, if you’re really that upset about it, just call that Luke guy and explain – I’m sure he’ll understand. But I still can’t believe he left you there, just like that. You could be a serial killer, or a master thief, and he just leaves you there – just like that!”

Sam let out a short laugh. “I can’t believe it either. I tried to ask him more questions, but he got a phone call and had to leave. Apparently there was an emergency – said only he could take care of it.”

“Still,” Jessie countered. Sam then heard her shuffle on the other end before speaking again. “So when do you meet your new employer?”

Sam yawned. “Tomorrow,” she answered. “Luke gave me the night to get comfortable and unpack before I start working.”

“Any idea who this guy is?”

“Nope, not a clue.”

Jessie sighed. “Jesus, they’re really keeping you in the dark on this, aren’t they? Why all the secrecy?” She sounded just as offended as she did, and Sam appreciated that.