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"Thanks. I look like shit, I know. I've had absolutely no sleep at all, and I can't think straight today. I know we have a million things we need to do, and I'm here for it, but go easy on me today," I plead with her.
"Lucky for you I grabbed you a coffee; hopefully it's still warm enough." She hands me the cup she was holding, accompanying it with a sympathetic smile as she takes a seat across from me on my plush navy sofa. She pulls her trusty clipboard she carries around from under her arm and looks over it with laser precision.
I take a sip, not caring if this coffee is stone cold. I need something this morning to get me through. Lucky for me it's still warm, and the milky deliciousness goes down ever so nicely, the temperature allowing me to drink half the cup quickly. "I should be the one looking after you, since you took such great care of things around here while I was gone." I smile toward my amazing colleague and friend, feeling very grateful to have someone so wonderful on my team.
"You can when you fill me in on what is going on. I'll expect lunch at the bistro, and I don't know…" She taps her finger to her ruby-red lips. "Wine and chocolates." She laughs, trying to lighten the tension I know I have created by coming in here in such a bad mood.
I can't even laugh along with her, I'm too tired. Instead, I just stare back at her, wondering what to do next. I hope she has some of her wonderful ideas up her sleeve because I'm lost. I have gone from the high of all the excitement to feeling completely out of control of my life again, and I’m freaked the fuck out.
"What's going on, Millie? I was thinking maybe just jet lag, but your face tells me this is something more."
I take another sip of my coffee then place it on my desk. "That parcel you picked up yesterday, it was from a crazed fan of Heath’s, with a threat for me."
Her forehead crinkles with concern. "Are you serious?"
"I know it seems like a joke, but it's not. Apparently, Heath has been receiving this type of fan mail for a while now. It's really rattled me. Who has the time or energy to be so crazy in love with an idol that you pull a stunt like this to get noticed? I just don't get it."
She shakes her head, and I can tell she can't believe it either; any normal person wouldn't. "Shit, Millie, what do we do? Should we be upping security around here or something?"
"I've called a friend who will sort out this place, and they are installing a security system at home, but do you really think if this person wants to get to me or Heath that it will stop them?" When I called Brandon this morning in tears, he assured me he would take care of it and I had nothing to worry about. I know he has friends who know what they're doing, and I trust him to look after the business. But I still don't feel any safer.
"What does Heath say?"
"He doesn't think they are violent or anything, just deluded, thinking they own him somehow. He thinks it's a bit of a game for the person, whoever they are." Thinking about it sends a fresh shiver up my spine. It's just so creepy.
She moves her lips from side to side, like she is mulling it over. "Okay. It's really bizarre, though, isn't it? Who would have thought that article could affect your life so much? That must be how they found out about you. Speaking of the article and your newfound fame, I have some good news for you. I found someone perfect for the assistant job, and she can start tomorrow if we want her to."
In all the chaos yesterday afternoon, I had forgotten that was on the agenda for today. "Who is it?"
She hands me a form she had attached to the top of her clipboard. "Young girl just out of school, Georgie, she has a passion for fashion and the arts and has experience in every computer program we need. She's enthusiastic and ready to work hard; I can teach her the rest."
I glance over the application. She has even attached some sketches of her own, and it also looks like she has plenty of knowledge in social media and all the marketing avenues we will need her versed in. "She sounds perfect. Thank you."
Summer stands, wearing a look that tells me she's pleased with herself. "Well, if you're giving me the go-ahead, I'll call her right away then and get her started tomorrow." She stops and turns back to face me, like she has just remembered something important. "What about Julian?"
"What about him?" I stutter out, wondering what she knows.
"I was asking what I need to know about your new collaboration partner. But that look was way too suspicious. What else do I need to know about him, Millie? Did something happen is Paris?"
I close my eyes, annoyed with myself for being so easy to read. "Julian's great, he's really excited to be working with us, but Heath was in Paris as well, and he saw us having our second meeting and got a little jealous, to the point where there were words between them.” I cover my face, embarrassed all over again. This feels like high school bullshit.
She gives me a look. "Okay, firstly, what was Heath doing in Paris? And secondly, what are you doing to become such a magnet for rich, handsome men, and where do I get the magic potion?"
I laugh at her, enjoying her lighthearted approach to life. She always knows how to get me out of a funk and put a smile back on my face again. "Sorry, there is no magic potion that I know of. I think maybe it’s lucky we're only going to be working via Wi-Fi, though, because Heath was fuming after their interaction and even offered to take the assistant’s job here yesterday, I'm pretty sure so he can keep a close eye on me. I had forgotten how possessive he was."
She holds her clipboard to her chest. "Aww, that's cute he likes you so much."
I look at her, unimpressed. “Is it? Or is it just insulting that he doesn't trust me enough to make the right choice? I would never go for another man because I love him. It's just stupid for him to be upset and acting like an ape over it."
"You love him?" She gives me lovey-dovey eyes as she hugs her damn clipboard, rocking it from side to side. And I realize what I just said out loud.
"Summer, that doesn't leave this room, it just snuck out because I'm ridiculously tired or something. I'm still trying to get my head around this whole thing with him. But two nights together in Paris was really special, and until he acted like a pig yesterday, I was letting myself get swept away in it all."
"Don't hold it against him, Millie. He obviously cares about you a lot, and things are already complicated enough. He's probably just trying to make sure you guys are protected so he doesn't lose you. I think it's sweet. Besides, you can tell him he has nothing to worry about. I'll take Julian for myself. After I talked to him this morning, I looked him up. He's one sexy motherfucker." Her grin is cheeky, and I know she's serious. The girl’s enjoying her single twenties like part of me wishes I could have. But I missed out, too busy taking care of a baby and my asshole husband.
"He's all yours, Summer," I tell her with a laugh. I have enough to worry about. One less complication would be great at this point. "And on that note, since you found a new assistant, how would you feel about a promotion to designer? I'm going to need someone who can help with a lot of the work I'm doing now that we have this collaboration as well. It’ll be a pay raise."
She eyes go wide, and she squeals, running around to my side of the desk, hugging me. At least someone's having a good day. "I'll take that as a yes." I laugh.
