Meeting Mr. Jerk

Chapter Four

Eric's picture>>>>>> on the side

Chapter 4

Eric

I was typing on the computer when I heard the door close. I don't know what was about that woman that makes me want to tease her like that. I had not meant to add that last comment when they turned, and I didn't come at 8:05, I came at 8:30. Why the hell did I have this urge to annoy her? She seemed nice enough, with light brown hair tucked perfectly at the nape of her neck. She didn't put too much make up; I hate women who do that. She seemed shy, but she was smart, and not afraid to say what is on her mind; for some reason, I think im going to hear a lot of what was on her mind. For god's sake, the blasted women threw my question in my face when I asked her why was she applying for a position of a personal assistant and it was an interview. She had not even started her job and yet she stood up to me. No one has done that before, so I couldn't figure exactly if I liked it or not. One thing was clear though, she was brave, not a door mat. I hate weak women who turn to the corner and cry from the least thing. This was going to be interesting. I could not wait for tomorrow. There was a soft knock on the door. Then Emily walked in.

"Mr. Summers, Lizzy just signed the contract, she will be starting tomorrow like you requested, is there anything else you need?"

I quickly shook my head, and she left the office, closing the door behind her. I focused on the work in front of me. There was a new client; he was opening a small and cozy bookstore with a café on the second floor. Books could be sold or borrowed. He was targeting the youth. The thing is most youth are not looking for books anymore, almost most of them are into their smart phones and their technology gadgets not to mention the social networks. So now all I have to do is come up with a scenario and idea that will attract the youth to try this bookstore.

I sat there like an idiot for about thirty minutes, not coming up with anything. I decided to call it a day and go home, after all it was 4:30 pm. I closed my laptop and headed towards the door. I got out of the building and went to my car. I called Abby.

"Hey Abby, how are you?"

"Hey Eric; Mr. Hotshot, what are you up to?"

"Nothing much, I just got off from work, you want to grab dinner, I could call Patrick and tell him to come too. What do you think?"

"Great, you are going to have to come pick me up though. My car is at the mechanic".

"Ok, I will come pick you up at 6:30 pm. I will tell Patrick to meet us there at 7:00 pm. Where do you want to eat?"

"Oh, I know, how about that new Italian restaurant? My friend went there and she told me it was beautiful."

"Fine with me, I will see you at 6:30, and for god's sake please don't wait to 6:30 to start applying your make up. Just be ready by then. I hate it when I always have to wait for you. Besides it always take you like 30 minutes to finish your make up, so just be ready by 6:30 woman".

"Shut up, I have to apply my make up right before we leave so that it would be fresh and nice. I don't want it to look as if I had it on since this morning. So just do like every other man and suck it up."

After that she closed the phone and I called Patrick.

"Hey bro", he answered on the third ring.

"How many freaking times had I told you to not call me bro?"

"Would you shut up already, you know you like it".

"Anyway, I'm calling because Abby and I are going to have dinner at that new Italian restaurant at 7:30, want to come?"

"Why 7:30, why not 7:00?"

"I was planning on 7 but you know how Abby always wait till the last minute to apply her make up."

"Ok, I will be there. One more thing Eric"

"What?!" I was exasperated by both of them

"See you later BRO". With that he hung up. Ok, mental note to self, kill Patrick when you see him. The restaurant will have knives anyways so there should not be a problem concerning the murder weapon. I went home, quickly took a shower, combed my hair, and got dressed. It was 6:00 pm now; time to start moving. I got in my car and drove to Abby. When I got there she told me to come up and take a seat while she applies her makeup, saying and I'm quoting "it will only be a minute". It is never just a minute.

After thirty minutes, we got into my car and went to the restaurant. Patrick was already there at the table; we made our way to him and sat down after murmuring our "hellos". We all looked at the menu. The smell of food coming was enticing, I decided on some roasted chicken breasts and pasta with the Alfredo sauce. Patrick ordered a seafood Alfredo pasta, and Abby chose a vegetarian pizza. After the waiter took our order, we looked at each other and dove into conversation.

"So, Abby how is your job?" asked Patrick, although I would never tell Abby, but Patrick had a crush on her since we were in college. Abby had been my best friend since high school, and Patrick was my roommate in college for 4 years, so he was my best friend too.

"Oh it is great, we just had a new author discovered, and he is really good", Abby Whayatt was an editor at a publishing agency. Patrick Henderson on the other hand was a marketer.

"Talking about work, I finally got a personal assistant" I interrupted.

"Oh, that is great", said Abby.

"Is she hot?" Patrick interfered and gained a dark look from Abby.

"What does being hot have to do with anything you idiot? When you hire someone it is because of their qualifications".

I quickly interrupted them before they start arguing, "Her name is Elizabeth Wittsman, and she is a fresh graduate. And yes Patrick she looks hot."

Abby had been drinking water when I said that, so she spat it right out.

"WHAT?!"

"WHAT?!"

They both asked shocked. I looked at them shocked back. What had I said to get that reaction?

"What?" I asked back calmly.

"It's just that you never said that about a girl ever. Whenever Pattrick asks you that, you would tell him to shut up, shove it, or grow up" Abby explained to me. She was giving me a wierd look.

I shrugged and said nothing more. Pattrick broke the silence again, thank god, but I was busy in my own thoughts. Why am I reacting differently to this woman. I always worked so hard to let everyone know that I'm indifferent about everything. I worked really hard to build a wall around me. SHE WILL NOT BE THE ONE TO TEAR IT DOWN, I simply forbid it.

When she comes back tomorrow I will show her just how indifferent she is to me. She is just my PA. Nothing more. Everything is going to be alright. I just have to get my shit together.