The Clandestine Assistant

12. First Day

I rolled over, hitting the button on top of my alarm. I slowly rolled out of bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtain back. I looked over the dark city, the lights still glowing as the sun had not yet made its way above the horizon. I sighed, and turned around, looking at my bags still on the floor. I walked over and knelt down, pulling outfit after outfit out and laying it on the bed. I changed into one and then scrutinized every inch if my body in the mirror before throwing it to the floor. This charade continued, until I got to the last buisness outfit I had. I out it on and looked in the mirror. Sucked my stomach in as I         looked at my side profile. I shook my head and plopped backwards onto the bed.

"It looks like a tornado ripped through here."

I looked up to see Charlotte, looking beautiful as always. Somehow up and ready looking as fresh as a spring rain. Seriously, how does her skin always look like it’s been kissed by fresh morning dew? "I have nothing to wear."

"Oh, nonsense! Let me help you!" She rummaged through the clothes on my floor. She smiled and stood up. "Here we go. Put this on, tuck in the shirt."

I sat up, leaning on my hands behind me. "Char I tried both of those on already."

"But did you try them together, with the short tucked in?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well no, but."

"But nothing, just do it." She admonished, throwing them at me.

I caught them, then quickly put them on. "See." I threw my hands out from my sides, and looked down at myself. I turned to look in the mirror.

"Nope, not yet!" Charlotte grabbed my hand. She flipped the vanity chair backwards, pushing me down. "I will get you ready, then you can look."

She plugged in the curling iron, then started fixing my makeup.

Charlotte lifted me up by my hand, and fixed the tucked in shirt. She took a step back and smiled. "You look hot!"

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Sure."

Charlotte grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of the mirror. 

I smiled as I saw my reflection. I had to admit, she did a pretty good job. The black lace skirt with small flowers, and the red satin sleeveless blouse wasn’t too bad. The pleated top and bow on the blouse did make my boobs look fantastic. She had curled my hair so the bottom had pretty soft waves. The black eyeliner and red lipstick were working for me. I turned to her and smiled. "You are a witch I swear! I don't know how you do it."

She shrugged. "It’s a gift. Now you better go so. I cant wait to hear all about it tonight!"

I pulled her into a hug. "You have a great first day too, don’t let Mark push you around too much."

She waved her hand in the air. "I can handle your brother, don’t worry!"

I grabbed the phone and called down asking for the building to have a taxi for me. I grabbed my purse, office bag, and quickly ran out the door, taking the elevator down. Ella was sitting behind the desk. "Good morning Ella."

"Good morning Ava. Where are you off to so early?"

I walked over and my arms on the desk. "I got a job yesterday."

"Congratulations. Where will you be working?"

"Dalton Industries." I smiled.

"Dalton Industries?" Her eyes lit up. "Eli Dalton is listed as one of New York's most eligible Bachelors in this weeks Avenue mag."

I chuckled. "Is he now? I have met him, I gotta say. I am not that impressed."

She held up the showing me his picture. "Come on, you have to admit he is hot though!"

"He may be hot, but the way someone acts can make them ugly pretty quickly." I looked out the window at a Taxi pulling out up front. "I best be going, have a good day."

"Oh Ava, it mentions your brother in here too, and even mentions your name in the blurb about him."

"What?" I asked. "Can I borrow that and bring it back to you tonight?"

Ella smiled. "Of course. I love anything about celebrities and high society so I have four other mags to read."

I grabbed the magazine and thanked her as I ran out the door and into the cab. "Take me to Dryers Doughnuts on Broadway and one hundred and eight please?"

T He driver nodded and pulled out. I opened the magazine and found the section about eligible bachelors. I found Eli's first. It had a picture if him wearing a blue blazer over a white button down, the first three buttons undone. His hair messy on top of his head and dark sunglasses covering his eyes. I had to admit, the man was fiercely good looking. That beard and almost scruffy hair, he had this while wolverine thing going on, and it was hot. I read the snippet.

'Eli Dalton

Dalton Industries CEO

The devastatingly handsome 27 year old, new kid on the block. Eli recently took over as CEO of his parents company Dalton Industries, as consulting company that not inly has saved millions of companies and jobs, but also does some amazing charity work for Cancer. He is known as an elusive playboy, and loves fast cars and the ladies.

I shook my head, that's not surprising at all. I Kept searching until I found Mark. I smiled. They had picked a really good picture of him. He too had on a blue blazer with a white shirt, but it was buttoned all the way up, and he wore a black tie. I was always jealous of his beautiful blue eyes.

William Marcus Hart

Hart Airlines

Right hand man to his father (William Hart of Hart Airlines) this 27 year old heartthrob is slated to take over everything when his Father retires. When you hear of southern gentleman, that is what you get with William, who actually goes by Mark. William senior grew up on a Ranch, and they still visit often. Sources say that is where Mark learned how to treat a lady. He has a younger sister, Margot Ava Fontaine, who we would have loved to include in our list. Has been MIA for some years. She left for boarding school at 12 and hasn’t been seen at social gatherings much since.

That wasn't too terrible. I thought as I quickly scrolled through the other eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Chris was on there too. He had his camera in his hand, his glasses on. And that scruffy hoar on top of his head that I have always wanted to run my finger's through. A scarf was wrapped around his neck, and he looked so happy. You could tell he loved what he did.

Christopher Ford

Travels With Chris

Chris travels the world getting stunning photography from some of the most beautiful places. A New York native, and ladies from what we hear. He is planning on taking a break from the jet setter life, and hanging around New York for awhile. Now is your chance.

I laughed at that. Wishing he would even give me the time of day.

"Miss we are here."

I looked out the window and Saw Dryers Doughnuts. "Do you mind wait6ing for me? Leave the mete running?"

"Of course miss." The man replied.

I quickly jumped out and ran into the doughnut shop. It was such a cute shop. Neon sign reading Dryers Doughnuts in aqua against a white tile wall. The display case had so many doughnuts I was suddenly cursing myself for not finding out what he liked. "Can I help you miss?" An older man asked from behind the counter.

"Um I have no idea." I laughed. "My new boss apparently loves your doughnuts, but I didn’t think to find out what his favorite was."

"Who is it? Maybe he is one of our regulars." He asked.

"Eli Dalton. I just love this place, how have I never been here before?"

The man laughed. "Ah yes. You must be the new assistant I take it?" He grabbed a box and started filling it. "And thank you. We have been here for over fifty years."

"Yes." I gritted my teeth. "Do you meet a lot of new assistants? It's my first day. I am pretty nervous, and want to make a good impression."

"Eli goes through them pretty fast, I am sorry to say. He is a good boy though. He has been coming in here with his Dad since he was a youngin." The man laughed. "I tell you what." He walked back over to the display case and grabbed another doughnut. "His assistants always come in an get half a dozen glazed, and half a dozen glazed with chocolate. Eli eats the regular glazed now. But I know for a fact his favorite was the Smore's. Let me put one in here for you."

"You are a life saver thank you!" I walked over and pulled out my wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

"On the house. You are mush nicer then his usual assistants, I hope I get to see more of you. Let's just keep the little insider info about the doughnut between us, you take the credit for it. " He winked at me.

"You have just made my day! Can I hug you?"

He laughed and walked around the corner, pulling me into a hug. "What is your name?"

"Ava Ha, uh Fontaine."

"Well Ava. I am Sal. It was nice to meet you."

I kissed his cheek and grabbed the doughnuts. "Thank you Sal." I quickly ran out the door, and back to the Taxi. "Dalton Industries please, 2938 Broadway."

He pulled out and we pulled up to the building. I made my way inside I stopped at the front desk but Gracen wasn’t there, I was hoping to get some info from her before I headed up. I walked to the elevator, pushed the button and it opened. I walked in and pushed the top floor. I glanced down at my watch 6:45. I smiled I was doing good. A hand grabbed the door and an older woman walked in. She looked at me and smiled, then at the buttons. "Oh are you going to the top floor?"

I smiled. "Yes I am Mr. Dalton's new assistant."

"OH!" She grinned, holding out her hand. "You must be Ava. Lilliane told me all about you. I am Sherry Carmichael, I run HR."

I shook her hand. "Yes. Nice to meet you." I pulled out the folder Gracen had given me. "I am guessing this goes to you?"

She grabbed it an opened. "Yes. I will get you put in to our system." The elevator door opened, and we walked out.  "If there is anythign I can do for you, please let me know."

"You don’t by chance know how Mr. Dalton takes his coffee do you?"

She smiled and nodded. "Black."

"Thank you."

"If you need anythign else I am just right down the hallway here. It was nice to meet you Ava. Good luck on your first day."

"Thank you Mrs. Carmichael."

She smiled and made her way down the hallway. I walked over to the desk where Sarah had been sitting yesterday. I sat the box of doughnuts down. I saw the coffee pot off to the side and quickly got it ready. Looked at my watch 6:55. I nodded my head and sat down, pulling out a note book and pen, setting it on the desk. Soon the phone started ringing and I answered it. "Mr. Dalton's office. How can I help you?" I took notes as a few other calls came in. I glanced down at my watch. It was 7:50, he would be here any minute. I quickly got up and poured a cup of black coffee, then grabbed a plate from the little kitchenet. I placed one glazed, one chocolate glazed and the smores doughnut on a plate. The elevator dinged, and sure enough, Eli Dalton walked out.

I took a deep breath, as he was busy looking down at his phone. This was it, time to pretend like I was strong, and could handle meeting face to face with the man who had just ripped me apart the day before. He walked past me, ignoring me and straight to his office. I followed behind him. "Good morning Mr. Dalton."

He turned and looked at me as he approached his desk. "Oh right, Mrs. Fontaine. You start today." He sat his phone down, replying very seriously. "I tried to catch you yesterday, to…."

I walked over and put the coffee in his hand. "I had a dinner to get to so I left pretty quickly." I interupted him, not wanting to deal with the emotions of yesterday, and chance breaking down in front of him.

He grabbed the coffee, then walked around his desk. He sat the coffee down and slipped his suit jacket off. "Look I just wanted."

"Oh an here are your morning messages. Mr. Branson would like you to call him back this morning, as well as your mother. Your 2 o'clock called to confirm." I handed his a stack of papers with the messages.

He took them, laying them on the desk. "Thank you, but like I was saying. I"

"Oh and here are your doughnuts from Dryers, as requested." I sat them on his desk and gave him a smile, as I heard my phone ring. "Well duty calls. If you need anything I will be at my desk." I turned and quickly left his office, closing the door behind me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened them I saw Sarah standing there at the desk. "That bad already?"

I shook my head and smiled, answering the phone. "Mr. Dalton's office, how can I help you? Oh yes Mrs. Dalton one second." I put her on hold, and pushed the conference button to Mr. Dalton's office. "Mr. Dalton, your mom is on line one."

"Thank you." He replied.

I put the phone down and looked up at Sarah. "Good morning."

She smiled back. "Good morning. Are you ok? That was pretty rough yesterday."

"I just spent the last few minutes interrupting my new boss, so he wouldn’t bring yesterday up. So uh, I'm." I hesitated. "Doing ok I guess." I laughed.

She put a hand on my shoulder. "Well if you need anything my office is just down the hallway. He wasn't always like this, he used to be…" She stood up as Mr. Dalton's door opened. "So I hope your first day is good, if I can help you with anything, let me know." She smiled and walked off.

"Thank you." I replied, then looked up at Mr. Dalton.

"In my office." He looked down at me coldly, then turned around.

I composed myself, and then followed him.