MY SILLY PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Chapter 7

“Just pick up stuff that you need. Madam Crystal transferred your allowance to my account so you can buy some stuff you like.” Jules told Vince while they're at the supermarket.

“I'll take some snacks.” Vince then takes a lot of snacks he thinks he likes from chocolates to chips as they are in an alley of food items.

“Vince ah that's too much,” Jules said as their trolley was almost full of snacks. “You can buy again next time.”

“I'm bored at home when I'm alone.” He responded pouting.

Jules knows even his cousin is not bored, he loves eating.

“Okay up to you. What else do you like?” Jules asked as they're heading to the toiletries section.

“I need shampoo and soap for the shower.”

“I thought they already provided you with that kind of stuff?”

“I don't like it. The shampoo made my hair frizzy and dry.”

“Okay let's buy a new one then.”

After they're all done, they queue up at the counter to pay.

Two persons ahead of them. While waiting Vince saw the boxes of condoms at the counter.

“Jules, I want that. Are those sweets?” He asked, pointing them at the counter. He thought it's sweets as the box showing its flavors through pictures, strawberry, bubblegum, vanilla, and chocolates.

People who were also queuing and saw Vince pointing to the condoms laughed.

“Vince ah those are not candies. Those are condoms.”

“Huh? But why are there pictures of fruits? Jake one doesn't have one like that.”

“Those are its flavors. Vince, it's our turn to pay.”

But Vince once he is curious he won't stop asking.

“What are the flavors?”

Jules rolled his eyes as they both put their stuff on the counter.

“Flavors like the different taste.” Jules continues to respond though he is sometimes quite embarrassed for his cousins' innocence. It is okay if only both of them but crowded places like where they are now and to think that Vince is talking about condoms, he felt embarrassed.

Vince stops asking as they paid their bills and move out to find a taxi to go home.

“Vince ah, always be careful okay. If you don't know anything, if things are new to you, always call me or Madam Crystal or Jake. Don't do things again like what you did to the condoms.”

“But you are always busy also.” He pouted.

“From now on, I will take my phone with me.”

“Okay, Jules.”

They arrived at Jake's house. Jules helped Vince with his stuff and took it inside. Jake is not home because he has a photo shoot.

“Vince, are you comfortable living here?”

“Yes, Jules. I like it here but sometimes it's boring as I am alone.”

“But you said you will be working with Jake so you won't get bored anymore. You will keep following him wherever he goes.”

“Eh? You mean I will travel a lot?”

“Hmmm...” Jules nodded. “Don't worry Jake will shoulder all your expenses including your accommodation when you need to travel to other places.”

“Madam Crystal might train you before she leaves so you prepare yourself. Okay? And Vince, I want you to learn. I want you to learn things I learned since I came here to the city. I know for now it's difficult as it is your first time but slowly you will learn if you want to.” Jules said, looking at him intently while holding his hands.

“So do you think it's better to accept moms' offer to study?” He asked innocently.

“Yes. But I am thinking of Uncle and Auntie if they will allow you.”

“I think they will be okay because I am not going to school. I will just study at home. Or maybe we don't tell them. It's our secret?” Vince clapped his hands with the idea.

“No..no...Uncle will get mad if we are not honest to them. I will call them and try to convince them. “

“Okay Jules, thank you! I wanted to learn not a lot but at least I know a little so I can work properly without mistakes.”

“Okay. I understand.” Jules patted his shoulders. “I have to go now. I think everything is already settled.

“Already done. Thank you, Jules.”

They then bid goòdbye to each other. Vince then went back inside and took a quick shower. He remembered to send a message to Jake and asked him if he would be home for dinner. It is one of the things that Crystal listed for him to do or otherwise he will eat all he cooked for two or three people.

Two days later, Crystal brought Vince to the filming of one of Jake's short films. Crystal brought him to train him as a personal assistant for Jake.

“Vince, please pass me my phone,” Jake asked him as he cannot stand up as the make-up artists doing his makeup.

“Here, Jake.” Everyone around them widened their eyes as they heard how Vince called Jake and the latter seemed okay with it.

“Where is my Mom?”

“Mommy is just outside. You want me to call her?”

Again everyone in the room gasps when they hear Vince calling Crystal as mommy. They found it intriguing so they started eavesdropping and observing what's going on between Jake and his new personal assistant.

“Vince, can you buy me a drink please.”

“Okay. Here's the money.” Jake is done with his makeup so he took his wallet inside his body bag just beside him. “Come back quickly please, I am about to start filming.”

Vince then left without asking what kind of drinks Jake was asking. The latter also didn't tell him.

When he reached outside and found the mobile shop for drinks, he stood there thinking what drinks he was going to buy as there's a lot to choose from. He turned and looked behind thinking whether to go back and ask Jake or not.

“But he said quickly that he will start his work. If I go back he might scold me. Haist!”

He then decided. “Give me all those drinks please?” He pointed to the drinks he thought Jake likes on the displayed pictures. He chose six of one glasses each. After it's done he carries the drinks back to Jake.

“Vince, why did you buy too much and none of them the one I like to drink.” Jake raised his voice, running his fingers on his hair.

“Oh my god, Jake you messed up your hair.” His make-up/hairdresser came to fix his hair.

Vince pouted looking at Jake.

“What? And please stop pouting in front of me.” Jake averted his gaze away from Vince.

“You're driving me crazy with that pouty lips.” He heaved a sigh.

“You didn't tell me what drinks you like before I went.”

“Then, why did you never ask me?”

“I didn't know there's a lot of them there.” Vince pointed outside. “I thought they only sell one.” He even raised his finger to show it to Jake.

“s**t! Why is his innocence too cute? Aaahh..” Jake is screaming his thoughts.

“Okay. Pass me that green tea then. And it's up to you what to do with the rest.”

“Huh?!”

“I said you can drink the rest if you like or throw it if you don't,” Jake said as he assumed Vince didn't understand what he said.

The latter then took all the drinks and went back to his seat. He sat there quietly staring at the five glasses of drinks.

“How can I finish them?” He thought but suddenly his face beaming with happiness and stood up taking four of the drinks and left one he chose. He then distributed the drinks to the staff. Their confusion strikes them. They looked at Jake if there was any reaction to what his assistant was doing but it seems he didn't care so they accepted the drinks.

“What are you doing Vince?” Jake suddenly asks when he is about to give the last drinks to a staff member.

“I'm giving them this,” Vince answered by raising the glass. The other staff who got the drinks stopped from drinking them as they thought Jake was angry because Vince gave them the drinks.

“Oh okay. Go ahead.”

The staff finds it weird for Jake to act calmly with Vince.

“Is he okay? When you touch just now, are you sure he doesn't have a headache?” One staff member whispered to the make-up artists.

“Yeah, it's really weird isn't it?”

“I thought just now he would throw the drinks and fire the assistant but he didn't.”

They then looked at each other and together averted their gaze to Vince who was quietly sipping his drinks at the corner.

“He is cute.” The two ladies then exclaimed softly and grinning towards each other.

“Wait just now, the assistant also called Madam Crystal as mommy.”

“Hey everyone, the filming will start soon.” The production director suddenly appeared and informed them. “Jake, are you ready?” He asked Jake who is currently playing his favorite mobile games.

“Yes, I'm ready!”

“Good!” The director was about to leave when he spotted Vince sipping his drinks at the corner with eyes fluttering, looking at him.

“You!” He pointed to Vince.

“Me?” Vince asked, pointing himself while looking to his side thinking that there might be someone beside him whom the director is asking.

“Yes, you, who else do you think?”

“Ah eh...hehehe”

Jake, who is playing, pauses and observes silently what the director is going up to with Vince.

“Who are you? Are you one of the staff? Why are you sitting there comfortably and not helping others?”

“He is my assistant. You must know who he is first before blabbering so many things against him, Director.” Jake said before Vince could answer the directors' questions.

“Oh okay. Sorry about that.” The director then left.

The filming started and Vince was so happy that he could watch it. Jake is a delivery man in a short film and has to carry some stuff. When the director instructed Jake what to do Vince was not around as he went to get his phone.

“Ok, camera roll!”

Jake's scene is to get down the motorbike and get the stuff he needs to deliver to the customer. His acting was perfect and the filming went smoothly until...

“Oh my...Jake do you need my help?” Vince who just came back hurriedly ran to Jake and offered his help.

“Cuuuuutttt....” the director shouted angrily. “Jake where you got that stupid P.A? The filming ran smoothly but he ruined it.”

“Sorry Director, he didn't know the filming had started.”

“I just want to help.” He mumbled in front of Jake that didn't go unheard to the latter.

“I told you I only need your help when I asked you what to do. Please leave now.”

Jake is so crossed as one reason he doesn't like is to do things repeatedly especially in his line of work. He doesn't like to take every scene many times.

“Vince, stay away from me now. Go back inside. I don't need you now.” Jake said gritting his teeth to control his anger. “I am filming here and I don't need your help. You understand?!” He continued emphasizing every word he said.

Vince, who was a bit upset, pouted his lips. “Okay!” He then slowly walked back without turning his back and ignored the mocking laughter from other staff.

He stayed inside until Crystal came back with Jake. He just remained quiet sitting in a corner pretending he didn't know they came back. He was very upset and ashamed of himself. He then made up his mind. He made a decision.

“Time will come no one will call me stupid.”

“Vince?” He heard Crystal calling him. He quickly composed himself and formed a smile on his face and turned to face them.

“Hi, mom. You're back!” His face beaming with happiness when he saw Crystal. His stares go to Jake but the other is again busy with his phone.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

“Not yet but I am not hungry. I drank Jake's drink just now.”

“No! That's not enough. Come let's have some lunch, it's late.” He just nodded.

“Jake, are you going with us?”

“I've no appetite, Mom.”

“Okay. Just message me if you want something to eat so I can buy it and take it here.”

Jake didn't respond and just continued playing.

Crystal went out with Vince to a nearby restaurant. She knows Vince was upset as Jake told her what had happened.

“Vince? Are you okay?”

“I am, Mom.” He showed her a grinning smile.

“Jake told me what had happened and I have also spoken to the director to not call you stupid again.”

“It's my fault, Mom.”

“But still it's not right to call people stupid.”

Vince fell into silence. He doesn't understand why Crystal is so nice to him.