The Clandestine Assistant

11. Dinner

"Ava? Are you here?" I heard Charlotte from the living room.

"Yes, I'm here."

Charlotte walked in to the room, then plopped down on the bed beside me. "What on earth are you doing in bed? It's only six o'clock?" She reached over and pulled the covers from over my head.

"I am wallowing."

"About what? Did Elaine show up or something?"

"No it has just been an interesting day."

"Dropping off resumes didn’t go so good?"

I sat up and shrugged. "Not at first, but then I walked into Dalton industries and Mrs. Dalton was doing interviews. The front desk girl had someone cancel, so she put me in their spot."

Charlotte looked at me and the shook her hand. "And?"

"And I got hired on the spot to be Mr. Dalton Jr.'s Assistant. I'm supposed to start tomorrow."

"What?! Are you serious? I don’t understand, then why are you laying in bed? That is great news right?"

"I was excited too, until I had to run back. I had left my phone and overheard Mrs. Dalton arguing with Mr. Dalton about me."

"What were they saying?" She asked.

"I caught the end of it, he was saying she wouldn’t have to worry about him sleeping with me I wasn't his hot, skinny, blond type. Blah, Blah, Blah."

"What a jackhole! What did you do?"

"I got out of there as quickly as I could. He tried to run after me, but I jumped in a cab and took off."

"What are you going to do?"

"I have no idea. Do you think I should still go in?"

"Uh yes!" She reached over and shoved me in the shoulder. "An opportunity to work for Dalton industries? That is hard to pass up."

I nodded. "Yeah I know, but how do I face him?"

"Just decided you don’t care what he said, go do your job, and then come home. Who gives a crap what he thinks anyways?"

"It's not like it's the first time I have dealt with someone treating me like this."  I laid back and pulled the covers back over my head. "Why can’t I just lose weight and be another pretty, skinny girl?"

"Ava Hart!" She pulled the covers off of me, throwing them onto the floor. "You are beautiful. So what if you're not a size four? You're hot, whether you think so or not! So get out of that bed, and lets get ready for dinner. Then tomorrow, you walk into that office, and you show that jackhole how amazing you are!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed.

I laughed and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks Char. How do you always know the exact right thing to say?"

She wrapped her arms around me tight. "It’s a gift. Now get ready. Charley is going to be here soon to drive us to dinner." She turned and walked out of my room.

I looked around at the bags on the floor, and sighed. I was going to have to find time to get all my things put up and organized. I bent down and started going through clothes, picking out something to wear to dinner. I settled on a simple pair of slacks and a button down shirt, since I had no idea where we were going. I changed and looked at myself in the mirror, running my hands down my stomach, spinning back and forth. I rolled my eyes, and then walked over and sat down at the vanity, touching up my makeup. I heard the phone ring, and then Charlotte answer.

She walked in and smiled. "Well you look cute. Charley is here."

"Thanks. Hey let's not tell Dad and Mark about overhearing Mr. Dalton ok?"

She put her hand up to the her lips, and twisted her fingers, as if she was twisting a key in a lock. Then winked at me.

We made our way down stairs and saw Charley waiting for us. "Good evening Ms. Fontaine, Ms. Finch."

"Evening Charley." We both replied. He held the door open for us as we climbed into the middle. "Where are we headed?" I asked.

"Rossi's." He replied.

I smiled, I was excited to go. I hadnt been since I left for college. We had been going there since I was a kid. My great grandpa had been friends with Angelo Senior, who opened the restaurant in the late eighteen hundreds. Now his son Angelo Jr. and grandson Marco ran it. Our families were pretty close, so I was excited to see them. "Are dad and Mark meeting us there?"

"Yes Miss. They were going to drive themselves."

I watched out the window, as we made the drive across town. Watching the buildings whip by, and people walking down the streets. I loved the city, people buzzing around, there was always something happening. It really was the city that never sleeps, and it had something for everyone. If you got bored living in New York it was because you weren't trying. Broadway, clubs, the nightlife around here was big, and it didn't matter the day of the week. Charley pulled up to the building and let us out. "I'll be back when you're ready, to take you guys home."

"Thanks Charley." I replied. He nodded and watched as we got to the door, before pulling off.

We walked in and up to the hostess desk. Bianca, Angelo Junior's niece, smiled as we walked in. She ran over and gave me a hug. "Ava! I heard you were going to be here tonight. I was so excited to see you when Marco told me. I've missed you."

"Hey Bianca! I missed you too, how are things?"

"Good, just graduated and got accepted to Cornell in the Fall."

"That is amazing congratulations! Bianca this is Charlotte, my best friend."

"Hi Bianca." Charlotte smiled.

Bianca pulled her into a hug. "Anyone who is a friend of Ava, is family around here."

"Are dad and Mark here yet?" I asked.

"No, but let's get you to your table." She walked us through the busy restaurant, to a table in the corner where we always sat. "Come say bye before you leave."

"I will." We sat down, and Charlotte started looking over the menu. I didn’t need to, I knew it by heart. A few minutes later Dad and Mark walked up.

Dad walked over, and kissed my forehead. "Hey sweetheart, how did it go today?"

"Good I got interviewed and hired on the spot. I start tomorrow morning at Dalton Industries as Mr. Dalton's assistant."

Dad smiled and sat down. "That's great sweetheart. Good company."

"You’re going to be working for Eli?" Mark asked.

"Yes."

Mark shook his head. "He's a player, be careful."

I laughed and shook my head. "Don't worry, I have a feeling I am not his type."

"Well Ava Hart! I heard you were going to be here tonight."

I turned around to see Marco standing there. I hoped up and pulled him into a hug. "Marco! How have you been?"

"Good, I am running the restaurant these days. You look great! College was good for you."

I smiled as I felt the gesture in my cheeks. "Thanks Marco. Congrats on taking over. Buisness is good I see."

"It is. We had a food critic give us a great review, and it has gotten crazy. Speaking of which, I better run. But it is so good to see you, lets hang out soon. You too Mark."

"Sounds good." Mark replied.

We ordered food and ate, then made out way out, saying goodbye to Bianca on the way out.

Charley was waiting outside. Dad hugged Charlotte and I. "Good luck tomorrow honey, I know you'll do great! And Charlotte I will see you in the morning."

"I can't wait Mr. Hart."

Mark pulled me into a hug. "Just be cautious. Eli has turned into a different guy, since he broke up with his ex."

I kissed his cheek. "Mark, I can handle myself. I am his assistant, and that is as far as our relationship is going to go, trust me. He has no interest in me in that way."

He kissed my forehead. "I love you. See you soon."

We drove back to our apartment. I changed into a nightgown and laid in the bed staring at the ceiling. Charlotte walked in and sat on the bed. "I'll help you get ready in the morning. Then you can waltz into that office, you're head held high, and show that jackhole how amazing you are."

I smiled and pulled her into a hug. "You’re right. I totally got this."