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Emerson takes another bite as we sit outside on the back patio. Her house is enormous, surrounded by the greenest grass I have ever seen and views of the valley that stretch beyond the horizon. Toward the right, there is an Olympic-size pool with a small pool house on the opposite side. It’s just like out of a magazine, picture-perfect and could fit the tagline of Dream Home.
“Thank you. Again, I’m so sorry about my appearance. I’m not usually like this, I just… I can’t believe the nerve of that guy.”
She smiles softly. “It’s okay. Once I almost walked on stage with toilet paper hanging out of my butt, so I understand completely. Though, that was entirely my fault.”
We both laugh with a mouthful of cake. Emerson’s easy-going, spending some time to explain the role and parts of her personal life. I have a good feeling about her. She seems nothing like the other snobs I have encountered.
“I have a daughter. She’s six months old. Her name is Lola.” She taps on her phone and proudly shows me a picture. She’s a gorgeous baby with a full head of brown hair coupled with deep blue eyes. “She’s napping now, otherwise I would bring her down.”
It explains why she has a baby monitor on the table beside her phone.
“I try to keep a routine. I work three days a week from nine to five, and then on the remaining days, I work during her naps. When my husband’s in town, I get a chance to work a bit more but to be honest, I just want to spend time with him.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what does he do?”
“He plays soccer. Right now, he’s in Brazil leading a soccer program for youths.”
“Sounds like you have your hands full,” I tell her, with ease.
“Yes, that’s why you’re here.” She laughs, taking another bite of cake. “I’ve got baby brain. I need someone to help me with scheduling meetings, run business errands, and meet with suppliers when I can’t. When I have interviews and appearances, I need someone to coordinate my publicist, stylist, the whole team. It’s a very busy role, but I think you’re the right fit, Milana.”
“I’m dedicated. We simply need to find our groove. Does that make sense?”
Her eyes light up, impressed. “Total sense. So, how about we start tomorrow? If you can meet me here at nine? Just wait here a second…”
Emerson stands, her white shorts and navy-blue tank matching the fabric of the chair she was sitting in. She disappears only to return moments later carrying a laptop, phone, and set of keys.
“This is for you.” She hands them to me, much to my bewilderment. “We can schedule the next twelve months’ of meetings tomorrow and sync our diaries. The keys are for the car you’ll need to run errands. The phone is for business clients to contact you and me.”
“But… this is…” I stumble on my words, feeling terrible for accepting the car.
“All part of the job,” she finishes my sentence. “And, a tax right-off. Charlie, that’s what we call her instead of Charlotte, is my lawyer. She’ll FedEx you the contracts to
sign.”
Back home, Mildred Mason had one computer and a landline in the office. It was never an issue, and somehow, we were contactable. Although I had a laptop and a brick, as Liam referred to it, this is all a bit much.
“Are you sure?” I question with uncertainty. “I was going to buy a car. I just wanted to get settled first.”
Emerson places the keys in my hand and rests her palm on mine, reassuring me that this isn’t a pity handout. “I’m sure. There is one catch, though.”
Of course, there is.
“One of my business associates is very difficult to work with. In fact, I limit contact with him because I can’t deal with him anymore.”
Odd, yet I’m curious as to why she doesn’t just cut ties.
“Your business partner?”
“Yes.” The subject appears to irritate her, the smile on her face disappearing, and the grit in her teeth portraying her anger toward this individual. “As much as I would love not to deal with him, he has made it difficult for me to legally pull away from the business.”
He already sounds like a dickhead.
“It’s okay. When it comes to people like this, I can keep my head strong and stay focused on the job.”
She breathes a sigh of relief and ends with a small giggle. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“If today’s debacle taught me anything, it’s to be prepared. You never know who’s just around the corner…”
