Chapter 4 HIS NEW P.A

"Not this one, I don't want her."

Maria thought she heard wrong but apparently, she didn't. He had rejected her.

"Why don't you want her?" Harry asked the same question that was on her mind. This was preposterous, how could he immediately reject her without knowing how much help she could be to him?

She maintained her cool, disregarding the burning sensation she felt in her stomach and her throat, her anger wasn't something she controlled well every time, but now had to be one of the good times she stayed in control.

"Just because," Jackson bit his nails and spat out, making Maria's soon established detest for him grow even more.

"Just because? I need a reasonable explanation," Harry demanded, with a hint of tiredness in his voice but Jackson didn't bulge till his phone beeped and he looked at it, his expression changing into something even more displeasing.

"Oh god, this woman!" He yelled, bringing his voice lower like he had just realized where he was. "you know what?" He faced Maria, "you are hired. You're going to be my PA starting tomorrow."

Was this bitch bipolar or just straight-up unreasonable? Maria thought, pleasing herself with the image of her tying him down and throwing him on a ship sailing off to Samoa.

"Mrs Jones?" Harry asked and Jackson nodded, then they both chuckled at the inside joke Maria had no idea of.

"Thank you," she said to Harry, instead of the seething Jackson who sat with his legs crossed before her. Her pride wouldn't let her thank him, his manager was the one to whom she owed her heartfelt appreciation.

"Shouldn't that be me?" Jackson asked, and Maria plastered a smile on her face. With tightened fists, she said a thank you through her clenched teeth, it was barely audible but done. It was done.

First time meeting her boss and she hated his guts already, but this had to work out, she couldn't afford to ruin it.

"Good, Harry here would tell you all you need to know, including the accommodation and everything I do not like, you may leave."

"Oh, okay..." He glared and she quickly added a sir. She turned to Harry and asked. "The Agency already provided an accommodation, do I have to change now that I'm being his PA?"

"Oh, about that, yeah. Jackson prefers his PA living close by even though it's not the same building or apartment. A.C.E has an apartment on the same street as Jackson's, that's where his P.A's stay to aid their work." He explained.

"Oh, great. Thank you. Also, I don't know my way back to the apartment, can you drop me off? it's very close to A.C.E's building." She asked again, politely.

"Yes, of course. I have to drop Jackson off at the set, I can accompany you there, then take you to your new place." He offered and Maria thanked him repeatedly, happy that she doesn't have to do this on her own.

"Let's go," he said to Jackson. Maria also took it as a cue to leave, so she led the way. She didn't dare bring up her wanting to meet Natasha at a moment like this, not with her annoying boss' attitude.

"I can't believe you're letting her come with us," Maria overheard Jackson say to Harry, even his whisper was loud. How rude and arrogant.

She didn't hear Harry give a response, or maybe he did but it was discreet enough.

The ride was a long and tense one, the silence was loud-loud enough to overtake all of her thoughts and she hoped her new boss would get off the car then she enjoys time with her newly made friend, Harry. The unending sighs and complaining voice of Jackson didn't cease to interrupt the silence, how he wanted Harry to drive slowly, how he wanted Harry to not drive slowly and how he loudly wished Calvary would cancel his contract since their perfumes could give lung cancer.

Her wishes turned into reality in a short while after they arrived at the advertisement set, she remained in the car as Harry and Jackson got off. It took a while for Harry to come back.

"Sorry about that, he's a little picky but he's good, you'd realise that soon enough," The first thing Harry said when he got into the car. It was nice to know he thought he owed her an apology but he didn't, it was work anyways and she'd deal with it.

"No, it's fine. I'd deal with it, thank you."

"Yay! Our Maria is so determined," he joked.

"Are you not supposed to be with him?" She asked smiling at his utterance.

"No, well yeah but a lot of our staff are present here since I have something important to take care of."

She felt happy on the inside but still very much showing a blank expression, she was the "important thing" he had to take care of or was she?

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm taking much of your time," she said attempting to be sure of her fast-paced preposition.

"No, I'm coming back for him as soon as I show you your place," he said.

Bam! She was sure now.

Chatting a little on the way, she got to know Harry a little more. He was nice and cautious, just as she was but free nonetheless. He was a much better person than her pretentious Celebrity boss. She couldn't wait to tell Andrew about hi-

Oh, Andrew. She reached for her phone in her purse and turned it on, there were no text messages or calls from him or anyone else, she didn't call either, she deemed it was better that way. She wanted this and she was ready to take out any obstacles.

They arrived at her former apartment and picked up her things or thing. Since it was just a suitcase, soon they were at the new apartment. It was even more spacious than the first one she had been in. He had shown her Jackson's mansion on her way there, it was just a few buildings away.

The area was secluded and quiet, a real Estate like she had seen in those British movies; why would anyone not want this? A life close to perfect, she swore as she looked around.

The apartment was a bungalow, tiled to its roof, with black gates and a veranda large enough for three cars to be parked.

"Wow," it escaped her throat faster than she thought. "This place is beautiful," she turned to Harry who was pulling her suitcase out of the boot.

"Yeah, it's decent. If you're not comfortable with it, please say something, okay?" He said.

"No, it's fine. It's okay, thank you," she quickly said as she took the suitcase from his hands. "I appreciate your help."

"You're welcome, I'm only one call away if you need anything," he handed her his complimentary card and the remote used in opening the sliding gates. "Also, the password is Jackson."

"Uh, you're not... coming in?" She asked.

"Oh, I'd just leave you to get settled. I have to get back to the set now. You're to resume at his place by 9 am tomorrow, if there's any problem, be sure to let me know." He said reassuringly.

"Okay, thank you very much, Mr Harry," she hadn't called him by his name since their meeting.

He chuckled, before biting his red bottom lips. "Harry is fine, Maria. Take care of yourself."

With that, he was off and Maria was left to fend for herself. She entered the password and the door swung open, a strong smell of orange air freshener washed over her. It was a three-bedroom apartment, with a chic kitchen and a toilet available in all of the rooms. Its living room was spacious, painted all through with a shade of dark lavender and baby pink, just perfect if she'd been the one to choose. Across the room on the wall was a thirty-two inches Tv with a remote that hung next to it. She dropped her bag on the black sofa and kicked her shoes off, her leg was met by the dark purple plush rugs, it tickled her feet and she wasn't hesitant to laugh out loud, partially reacting to the tickles and celebrating her new work position.

In order words, the house was gracious to Maria.

She pranced the apartment and chose a room for herself, one with the same furnishings as the parlour. She threw herself on the soft bed, to relax before taking a shower and preparing for tomorrow's work. It was 5 pm after all so there was plenty of time to prepare.

~~

Her baby shark message notification woke her from her deep slumber. She jumped off the bed as she realised she had slept off, the time was 9 am as indicated by the wall clock that rested on the wall. She reached for her phone and saw that text message.

But it was 9 pm, not 9 am! Or was she mistaken? She took a glance at the wall clock again, then at her phone. The time remained unchanged, she wasn't mistaken.

I want coffee, your Boss.

JJ