5.
1361 Words
Kelly had been amazing.
As kind and generous as she was beautiful, she had taken Audrey in that night. No questions asked. She knew returning home to June and Mario would have been a pain she couldn't bear tonight. June wouldn't have been in the least bit judgmental, or condescending but she would have seen the true agony behind Audreys eyes, and she didn't want to inflict that on the one person in the world that she loved the most.
She had met Kelly through Angie, who was Kelly's Mother. She owned an African American Hair Salon minutes from the diner, and was as glamorous as they came. Audrey had never seen Kelly without a pair of expensive shoes, or sassy, silky hair extensions. She owned a beautiful town house, where she lived with her husband Dean, and their two sons Darcy, eight and Deshawn, five.
As soon as she swung open that door, she sighed with understanding, and the two friends hugged on the doorstep before going inside for Rose Wine, and Belgian Chocolates. From that day forward, Audrey swore off men, and concentrated on working double shifts at the diner, and planning June and Mario's wedding.
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The job disappointment was one to add to the list of failures that Audrey had endured since coming here. If it wasn't for June, and for Kelly, she may have just jumped on a plane back to England and called it quits. Then she remembered that all she had to return to, were her distant parents, practically nonexistent brother and sickeningly successful friends, who had moved to far flung places. Trying to focus on the positive, she remembered Kelly had the night off from the kids, and would be arriving at the diner for some girlie company.
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As the Diner had a license to serve alcohol, and had a large screen tv perfect for showing sports events, Mario enjoyed practically around the clock custom. A small tiled dancefloor separated the bar from the Diner, and coupled with the duke boxes, gave the place a warm appeal long after you’d finished your pie and coffee. Kelly waltzed in at half eight, to find Audrey still dressed in her interview clothes, and tutting loudly, she ushered her upstairs to Mario’s apartment – where she knew her friend kept a change of clothes.
Waiting outside the bathroom, Kelly listened in shock, as Audrey told her about the meeting with one Carl Jenner.
‘That jumped up, good for nothing, two timing ass hole.’ Kelly spat venomously. ‘I hope he gets every disease known to man, he puts himself about enough. Karma will get that boy. What did he think he was doing? Like he was going to get you alone in a room…’
Kelly paused, as Audrey stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in tight black jeans and a simple red tank top. She gave the thumbs up sign, and continued.
‘I’m so sorry I told you about that job. Ellen, you know, my cousin, she told me all about it and when I heard, I thought it was made for you. Being someone’s PA, getting to travel around and go to all those really important expensive dinners and parties.’
‘Can you imagine?’ Audrey cut in. ‘Can you imagine anything worse, anything more tedious than having to spend long periods of time with that conceited d**k?’
Kelly smiled cheekily. ‘Some things happen for a reason. Your gorgeous sexy New York Knight is out there somewhere baby girl.’ She pulled Audrey in for a hug. ‘Until then, you sure you don’t wanna meet Dean’s cousin?’
Audrey rolled her eyes and smiled. ‘Enough with the fix ups Miss Fontaine. Dean’s cousin has a lazy eye, bad breath and zero understanding about personal space.’
The two friends laughed. Just then, Mario poked his head around the door.
‘Aude honey, there’s a man here asking for you? Says he’s from Summers and Gold?’
Audrey froze to the spot. Carl had come to rub her face in it, to gloat about her losing her footing and then storming out. He wanted to take home one more funny story at her expense.
She crossed her arms defensively across her body, her blue eyes darkening. This was the end of pathetic Audrey, the Audrey who let a man walk all over her.
‘Mario I don’t want to see that snake. Can you ask Danny to get him to leave?’
Danny was as gentle natured as they came, but his sturdy gait, and tattoes made him look thuggish. Carl was a suited City boy, he wouldn’t mess with Danny.
Mario scratched at his beard and shook his head. ‘It’s not Carl honey, you said Carl was blonde? Blue eyes? This guy has got to be six four! And he’s as far from your description of Carl, as you can get.’
Curiosity got the better of her, and of Kelly too. They sped down the stairs, and hesitating at the door, Audrey looked through the c***k, into the diner. Sure enough, a tall, tanned man with closely cropped dark hair, sat in the corner booth. Coincidently, the booth where she had first met Carl.
‘What could this be about’ Kelly whispered. Audrey shrugged. Edging the door open, Kelly pushed Audrey out into the diner. She stumbled and caught her balance, holding onto the counter. June raised her eyebrows, and indicated that there was someone to see her.
The diner had really filled up since Audrey and Kelly went upstairs. Mario's local friends had come by to watch the Giants game, and two older couples danced the jive on the dance floor. Over half the booths were filled with couples on dates, of varying ages from late teens to early eighties. As she approached the corner booth, she felt curiosity egging her on, reducing the nerves, coupled with the shots she'd had before Kelly arrived. Liquid confidence.
He had been studying the menu meticulously, turning it over at least twice that she had seen, and she was yet to see his face. As she slid into the booth, sitting opposite him, he looked up. He couldn't have been more than thirty five, and by his looks she would assume he had some native American blood. His skin was a smooth caramel colour, and his eyes hazel, with flecks of amber. He folded his hands in front of him, his charcoal suit so expensive looking, that it looked like it had been tailored specifically for him. Whoever he was, he held an air of authority, and Audrey felt over exposed in her tank top and jeans. She silently cursed Kelly, who was lingering in the doorway still, for insisting she change.
'Audrey Blake' he said finally, his voice soft and soothing.
'Yes sir' she blurted out.
'Benjamin Lennox' he offered his hand. His hand shake was firm but gentle.
He smiled, the corner of his mouth curling, to reveal a large dimple. 'I was expecting you today, and when you didn't show, I thought I'd pay you a visit.'
She was confused, not sure what to say.
'I saw your resume....sorry C.V. That's what you call it over the pond, don't you?' His smile was warm and generous.
She nodded, dumbly.
'Miss Blake, you used to work for Dunbar Associates, the property developers in London?'
'Yes?' she said, questioning where this line of conversation was going.
He smiled again. 'Well they are our.....how can I put this.....they are our sister company. We're owned by the same board of directors. When I recieved your C.V, I spoke to Jeanette Gardner.'
Jeanette had been her boss for two years, and had become a good friend. She had been impressed with Audreys drive and focus, and had always urged her to aim high.
'Audrey, I have been looking for a P.A for a long time now, and I have this whole ethos about getting vibes. Getting a feeling about someone. As soon as I saw your C.V, and then spoke to Jeanette, who I hold in high regard, I knew that you were in New York for a reason. I much prefer head hunting to find a possible job candidate, but I guess you helped the process along, by applying for the job.'
'What are you saying Mr Lennox?'
'I'm saying, Miss Blake, that I need a P.A. I need her to start tomorrow at 8am, and I believe you are the perfect person for the job.
- Writer
