The Clandestine Assistant

8. Resumes

Mark opened the door and helped me into the back seat. "Are you ok?" Charlotte asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"Are you sure?" Chris asked.

"I'll be fine I promise. How is your hand?"

Chris smiled. "I'll be fine. I am taking you home. I think that is enough for the night."

I smiled. I was relieved, I was ready to shower and crawl into bed, but I would have gone out of that's what they wanted to do. Chris started the car and pulled off. I leaned over and laid my head on Charlotte's shoulder.

She leaned her head on top of mine. "What an a-hole that guys was. I'm sorry."

"Don’t be, you were all there right away. I'm fine really." But I wasn't. What about me attracted these terrible guys? Did they think because I wasn't as pretty or skinny as other girls that I would just accept it? That I would be so thankful they paid me any attention, I’d let them do whatever they wanted to me. I let out a sigh and close my eyes.

"What's wrong?" Charlotte whispered in my ear.

"It's just these guys. Why do they think they can.." I hesitated. I saw Chris looking at me in the rear view mirror. "Never mind, I don’t want to talk about it right now." I put my arm through hers and closed my eyes. I would focus on my work, forget about guys for awhile.

"Ava, Ava." Charlotte shook me awake. "We’re back."

I yawned and set up. "I fell asleep?"

Charlotte laughed. "Yeah, it was a long night."

I sighed. "It was." Mark offered me his hand, helping me climb out from the back seat.

Chris Helped Charlotte out and then turned to us. "Sorry tonight was a bust."

"Thank you for standing up for me." I looked at Mark. "Both of you. It’s nice having two strong big brothers that have my back always."

Chris looked at me and pursed his lips. He smiled. "Uh yeah. Anytime Shadow." He winked. "I will catch up with you guys later. Maybe we can all do dinner or something next week?"

"Sounds good." Mark replied. "I think we will probably be in the city for the next few weeks. Ava and Charlotte will be moving there tomorrow as well."

"I'll give you a call then. Bye." Chris got into his car and took off.

We walked into the house, Dad and Elaine were on the couch. "You guys are home early." Elaine looked at me. "No luck?"

"For your information, some jerk tried to assault Ava." Mark sneered.

"What?" Dad jumped off the couch and ran over to me. "Are you okay?" He grabbed my shoulders and looked over me.

"I'm fine dad. Mark and Chris were right there and stepped in."

"Chris knocked the guy out." Charlotte laughed. "He was out cold."

Dad pulled me into a hug. "What happened?"

"It wasn't that bad. He tried to kiss me and wouldn’t let me pull away from him."

"Not that bad?" Dad snapped. "Who the hell was this guy? I'm going to kill him."

Elaine walked over and put her hand on my dad's shoulder. "William I think you're over reacting just a little."

"OVERREACTING?" Dad yelled, turning and looking at her. "Frankly I don’t think your reacting enough Elaine!"

Elaine stepped back in shock, we all looked at him in shock. Dad hardly ever got mad, hardly ever even raised his voice, and never yelled at Elaine. "She is a grown woman, and it sounds like Mark and Chris took care of it."

Dad shook his head, then turned back to me. "Honey are you sure you're ok?"

"Dad, I'm fine. I just need a shower and a good nights sleep."

He leaned in and kissed the top of my forehead. "If you need me come get me, even if it’s the middle of the night."

I put my arms around him and laid my head on his chest. He put his arms around me tight. "Thanks Dad." I pulled away and made my way down the hallway and into my room. Charlotte followed behind me. "Char, I am ok I promise."

"I know you are, but I'm still staying in here with you tonight, ok?"

I laughed. "Fine I wont even argue, because I know you wont give this up. I'm hoping in the shower." I grabbed pajamas from my drawer and then headed into the bathroom. I turned on the water, letting it warm up before undressing and climbing in. I put my head under the shower head, letting It fall down my back. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the wall, as tears started falling once again. I thought of his hands on me, and his tequila breath. That smell seemed to stay with me. I quickly washed and joined Char in the bed. We both laid on our sides staring at one another.

"You ok?" She asked.

"I just don’t understand why me? What about me say's I'm an easy target? Do they think because I am fat and not beautiful that I'll just be so happy to have a guy show me attention?"

"Ava you are beautiful." She reached over and grabbed my hand. "That guy was a POS, it had nothing to do with you. You are amazing. I want you to stop talking so negatively about yourself! It really pisses me off!" She shook her head

I smiled. "Ok, ok I will try. I just wish I could meet a guy who would treat me with respect. Not run off with the first pretty girl that comes along, and love me for me."

"You will. There are lot's of nice guys out there, you will find the perfect guy when the time is right."

I nodded. "I'm just going to focus on my career anyways. There will be plenty of time for guys later."

Char smiled. "I think that is an excellent idea. I am going to do the same. We will show the biz world what we're made of."

I nodded, as a yawn came out. We both slowly drifted off to sleep.

_________

"Your condo is fully furnished." Dad said as Charley pulled up to the front door. "I wish I could come up and help you guys get settled in, but we have a meeting in an hour."

"That's ok dad." I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"The building manager is going to meet you in the lobby and take you up. How about dinner tonight?" Dad asked.

"Sure, when and where?" I asked.

"I will have Charley pick you up at seven."

"Ok see you then. Bye but head." I laughed at Mark.

"Bye." He laughed. "Ava, I am really sorry about last night."

I hugged his neck from behind, around the chair. "You were right there, seriously I am ok." I kissed his cheek and then climbed out.

Charley got out, and took our bags to the door. "I'll see you this evening Miss."

"Thanks Charley." We made our way into the building an older man stood there at the desk. He turned to us and smiled. "Miss Hart." He said. "Welcome, I am Frank Smith, the building manager." He held out his hand and I shook it. He turned to Charlotte. "And you must be Miss Finch?"

Charlotte shook his hand. "Yes, nice to meet you."

"Shall we?" He asked and lead us to the elevator. We rode up to the fifth floor, then down the hall to Condo 5H. He opened the door and we walked in. It was an open space. A small kitchen with an island and four barstools on the opposite side of the kitchen. A living room right off with a couch and love seat, as well as a TV on the wall. The entire back wall was floor to ceiling windows.

"There is a bedroom on each side, with their own bathroom and shower." He walked to a door  near the living room area. "There is also this half bath here. Is there anything I can do for you, or any questions?"

I shook my head. "No Mr. Smith. Thank you for showing us up."

He nodded. "My pleasure." He walked to the door. "I left my card on the side table as well as information about some restaurants and stores in walking distance. If either of you need anything. Please don’t hesitate to reach out."

"Oh Mr. Smith there is one thing. I am going to be going by Ava Fontaine, my mothers maiden name. It is just for business reasons."

He nodded. "Yes Miss Fontaine." He closed the door.

Charlotte and I smiled and checked out the bedrooms they were identical, so we each picked one.

"So are you going to head out soon?" Charlottes asked.

I looked at my phone. Ten AM. "Yes. I am nervous though!"

"Don’t be." She pulled me into a hug. "You're resume is killer, and you are amazing. Any company would be lucky to have you."

"Thanks Char." I grabbed my bag and stack of resumes. "Wish me luck."

"Nah." Char shook her head. "You don’t need it. I am going to go get some groceries" She looked around. "Maybe if you get back in time before dinner we can go shopping and make this place a little more… us!"

I smiled. "Sounds good." I walked down to the lobby, and to the front desk where a woman, probably about my age, sat. "Can you call a cab for me?"

"It is Miss Fontaine?" She asked, I nodded. "We have drivers Miss."

I looked at her and smiled. "I know for a fact you don’t. Did my dad arrange that?"

The girl pulled her bottom lip in. "I'm not."

"He said to keep it a secret from me didn’t he?"'

She nodded and I laughed. "He said he wanted to make sure you are safe."

"Well Miss?" I asked her.

"You can just call me Ella."

"Ella from now on I just want to see me as Ava Fontaine, and not as my Dad's daughter ok? I am trying to make a name for myself without my dad's name swaying anyone to treat me differently."

Ella nodded. "I understand. I can call you a cab Miss Fontaine."

"Call me Ava." I smiled. "Thank you." A few minutes later a taxi pulled up. I walked over and climbed into the back. "Take me to this address please." I handed him a slip of paper, and he nodded. We made our way through the city until we arrived at the first stop. "Thank you." I said as I paid the drive, and got out. I walked into Bay Enterprise and up to the front desk. "Hi my name is Ava and I wanted to turn in my resume. I'd love to hand it off to a manager."

The woman behind the desk looked up at me. "We typically take them online only, and I am sorry but the manager is in a meeting now." She looked at me strangely, grabbing the resume from my hand. "But I will pass it along."

I smiled. "Thank you." She nodded. And I turned to leave.

I walked to twelve more businesses, turning in my resume getting  much the same response. The last one even laughed with another woman at the desk. Making fun of my approach before I had even made it out of ear shot. I sighed as I stood outside Dalton industries. The last one on my list, a huge long shot. I scanned up the tall building as I thought about just calling it a day. I had been humiliated by everyone's responses enough. I turned on my heels to hail a cab, then stopped. I shook my head. I have made it this far, the chances of getting a job here were pretty slim, but screw it. What did I have to lose? What's one more humiliation?

I strolled up to the desk, a pretty blond girl sitting there. She raised her head up and smiled at me. "Hello how can I help you?"

"Hello, I'm Ava." I smiled offering her my hand, and then my resume.

She smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Gracen. What can I do for you today?" She asked looking down at the paper I had handed her.

"Gracen, what a beautiful name. Well you see I am looking for a job. I had this crazy idea  that if I walked in and turned in resumes in person, it would make a good impression."

She smiled. "And how has that worked out for you?"

"I have been made fun of, gotten dirty looks, and left people in complete  confusion. Needless to say it isn't going very well. You are my fourteenth and last stop of the day."

She laughed. "You're feet must be killing you."

I lifted my eyebrows and sighed. "You have no idea."

She motioned for me to come closer with her finger. I leaned in and she whispered. "Mrs. Dalton is doing interviews right now. Looking over your resume, even though you have no biz experience, I think you would be a good fit." She lifted up a stack of papers. "I had one call and cancel their interview, what if I just oh sneak your resume into their spot?"

I smiled wide. "Are you serious right now?"

She smiled and nodded. "Dead serious. It is the last interview of the day and starts in an hour. There are two more before you."

"I so appreciate it! I owe you big time!"

She waved her hand in the air. "It’s really no problem. All the other girls who have come through so far, are….let's just say very fond of themselves, and haughty. I hope none of them get hired. If you get hired you can take me out to lunch. To make it up to me." She winked.

I smiled. "Deal."