Bring Me Closer

Closer: Part 5

CHAPTER TEN

I WAKE UP EARLY THE NEXT morning remaining still enough to not disturb Mike. I don't remember falling asleep in here. I stare at him. It's a lovely sight. I decide to wake him up. I whisper, "Rise and shine," He squirms awake saying, "It's morning already?" With his eyes still shut.
"Uh huh, and we have a long day ahead of us, so lets go." I pull his arms, forcing his body up. "Shower time." He limps up and onto his feet and walks as slow as a zombie to the shower. I follow him.

Minutes after our shower, he's finally awake. He calls from downstairs. "Do you want something to eat or should we stop at Starbucks in the city?" He asks.
"Starbucks!" I tell from my room. As I begin to get dressed, my phone vibrates on my dresser. It's a iMessage from someone I don't know.

Good morning Charlie, this is Duke. Save my # and do you mind picking me up a venti mocha cappuccino from Starbucks? Thanks love, see you soon

DUKE WEST

Looks like Starbucks was the right choice after all. I reply:

No problem Mr.West, I look forward to my first day!

Oh no, was the exclamation point too much? Undo undo... Why can't you undo an unwanted text? Stupid Apple. I shrug on my black lace bra and matching lace panties. I quickly brush some mascara onto my lashes and pink lipstick onto my lips. I gaze into the mirror. I slip on a satin green button up dress that ends right above my knees. It comes with a slik green belt so I tie it around my waist. I don't really know how to dress for this job, so I hope I'm not overdoing it.
Finally, I rummage through my closet and my mount of shoe boxes to find the perfect shoe. Bingo. I find these tan suede and wooden platforms that could work. In the mirror, I blow dry my hair straight as fast as possible before grabbing my bag and heading downstairs.

I find Mike in the living room watching TV and ironing his suit jacket.
"Come on Mike, we have to go. I can't be late on the first day." I whine looking at my watch. It's 8 o'clock on the dot.
"I'm almost done, warm up the car I'll be out in a minute." He says still looking at the TV.
"Okay, which car?" I ask.
"Mine." He answers quickly. "Keys are on the ledge."
With my coat and bag in hand, I roll my eyes picking up his keys and head out to the car.

Four minutes passes and I glance anxiously at the clock. Just as I'm about to blow the horn, he runs out of the front door still putting on his suit jacket, with a Poptart in his mouth. He runs around to the drivers side.
"Congratulations, I'm 40." I say sarcastically.
"Ha ha," he mocks starting the car. Finally, we're on our way.

Mike and I rush into the elevator I have both my coffee and Dukes in my hand.
"Don't be so nervous, Dukes a cool guy." Mike comforts. "You'll do fine." He kisses my cheek. When the doors open, I look back at Mike saying, "I'll see you around." And charge toward his office. Attempting to discover a free hand, I knock lightly on his office door.
"Come in." He says and I nearly stumble opening the door. I'm greeted by his million dollar smile.
"Oh good, you're here. I'll take that." He reaches for his coffee and I hand it to him.
"So first, I'm going to show you to your office." He stands pointing at the door. My office? I get an office? This is already better than La Belle!
I open the door and he follows behind me. He brings me to the elevator. "They're in the process of redoing the old office that's a few doors down from mine, so we've got you a temporary one upstairs in Marketing. Hope that's okay?" He says pushing the number nine.
When the doors open, he walks me down the hall to the third door on the right. "This is where you'll be." He pushes open a matte glass door and leads me into this beautiful office. A window takes over the entire wall behind the desk. At the desk is a huge Mac desktop computer. "Woah," I mumble.
"You like? It's only temporary, and the new office is even better." He says. "I'll let you adjust. But um, you are my direct line, when calls get forwarded to me, they come to you. Your job is to handle those calls so that I don't have to. You're also in charge of my scheduling which is already saved in the computer, I advise you to get very familiar with it. If you have any questions at all dial me, I'm extension 1 or 2, I don't remember. But there are lots of people on this floor, get familiar with them, they'll help you." He turns to leave the office. "I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Thank you, Mr. West." He smiles, looking me up and down and exits the office.
This is amazing. I pull my coat off and hang it on the coat rack beside the door. I brush my hands down my side and walk over to the desk opening the calendar so I can see Duke's schedule. Meeting with Star Solomon and producers today at 1, conference room 1. Phone meeting with Gerald Patterson finalizing details on Jazzy D's commercial, Meeting with marketing on changes to website today at 3. This is a lot. Then the phone rings. I answer on the third ring, "Duke West's office, how can I help you?" I say nervously.
"Yes, who is this? I told them to direct me straight to Duke," A man says angrily.
"My name is Charlie, I'm Mr. West's new assistant." I say.
"Transfer me to Duke please!" He's getting impatient.
"May I ask who's calling?"
"This is Jack Jefferson, vice president of West Records," He sighs. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!
"I --I'm so sorry, I'll get you over to him right now." I stutter as I transfer him. I hope I haven't completely screwed up. I hangup the phone looking back at the computer screen. I minimize the calendar app and on the screen is how to setup my company email. I follow each step and my account is made. Cool. In my inbox, my first message is from Duke. It says: