Chapter 3 Third episode

She stuffed her phone into her gym bag along with a towel and drink bottle. On her way to and from work today, she noted that she needed to stop at the grocery shop. Fortunately, the gym was not locked.

The lights flicked on automatically as Abigail entered. It was almost as large as the workplace gym, and it had more mirrors than a ballet studio. She was awake now if she had been partly sleeping earlier. She let her luggage fall on the ground and looked around. She should take action.

About half of the apparatus appeared to be devices designed to cause trauma or even death. She was content with the treadmill. It's not a killing machine, but it's safe. She was so exhausted that she nearly fell when trying on. Luckily, she was by herself. As Abigail stepped onto the treadmill, she wondered what her sister would say when she had to give her a callback. It's likely that her mother and Rachel had gotten together and had a lengthy conversation about how awful Abigail was as a sister. She could picture the phrases "least expected," "untrustworthy," "selfish," and so on. Joining in,

Matt would distort it to make himself appear like the giving brother-in-law who had given in to pressure to get her a job. She hit the treadmill's "up" button to start it and change the speed while she imagined the conversation. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and stepped on. She attempted to stop herself by running with her right foot and grabbing the handrails, but the machine swung back as soon as she put her left leg on since she wasn't ready for its pace. No. Such. Fortuity. Her weight moved, but it was too slow to follow the traveling path. Her body was hurled backward across the gym, and she whipped her head back in time. Her legs and arms were thrashing all over the place until her back hit a hard surface. The walls. Just beneath Daniel Davis. Flinging. Oh no. Daniel scowled at Ms. Copper and replied, "Good morning."

"How are you doing?" Despite his hand reaching out to assist her, Abigail hurried to her feet. "Good morning, Mr. Davis," she muttered, exhaustion and humiliation consuming her face. "I was surprised to see you here." Not at 4:30 in the afternoon. I've heard that working out helps people feel less stressed. I occasionally need all the assistance I can get. Yes, of course, Abigail forced herself to focus on his face rather than his muscular grey t-shirt that gave him the appearance of both a Greek god and a regular person. "Well, I just got done. She nodded, saying, "Enjoy your workout," and then, attempting to walk as dignifiedly as possible in light of the previous events, grabbed her bag and hurried out of the gym. She neglected to switch off the treadmill. Maybe she should stick to the basics and try again after work the next time. The treadmills were deadly, lethal devices that had tricked her by being straightforward and user-friendly. Gina called as she walked by Abigail's office door, "There's a call for you on line two." Abigail picked up the phone without seeing the press release she was composing. Greetings from Davis Enterprises. "Abigail ." Rachel's high-pitched voice rang out over the receiver. "I need you now, please! You have to come over here immediately! Abigail said, "Rachel, I can't." "You can't call me while I'm working, as I told you." Through the phone, Rachel cried. "Help is needed," she sobbed. "The wedding dress I just received looks like I'm a prostitute." It's alright, I'm sure. Discuss it with the seamstress. Abigail crossed out the things she needed in the release and stuck a pen to her lips. "I'm positive you look stunning. See, I'll give you a call when I get off work. However- With a sigh, Abigail closed the call and put her hands over her face. It was a bitch of a job being the maid of honor as it was, so she wasn't sure if shedding twenty pounds was worth it. I want pie, now, damn it. Are things going well, Ms. Copper ? In front of her desk, Daniel stood. Abigail gave a little start. Not that she had heard him come out of his office. "Yes," She traced a small line with her lips. "I'm worried my sister may have discovered this number. I doubt that we can add her to a persona non grata list or anything like. If not, I suspect she'll be hanging up the phone in an attempt to get through to me. Luckily, he hadn't brought up the subject of actually running into him this morning at the gym. However, her lower back was unable to forget it. Daniel gave her a contemplative glance. "I'm sure we can arrange something." Strangely, he checked his phone when Abigail's new work phone chimed. Is there anyone else who could assist her with her wedding arrangements? Abigail shook her head and added, "I think so." "I'm to blame. I promised to be the maid of honor for her. He remarked sardonically, "Most maids of honor I've met have jobs and lives of their own." Abigail nodded. "I apologize." Rachel would require a pallbearer if she lost her job as a result of her; she wouldn't need a maid of honor. "I'll speak with her. I'll make an effort to stop her from phoning so frequently. "I doubt you can persuade her to see sense." Daniel chuckled. "If she resembles your mother in any way." Abigail's head snapped up to face Daniel. Do you know my mum? "She told me to fire you three times today over the phone." Daniel's expression was nondescript. Abigail mumbled, "Shit." It would be necessary for her to murder her relatives. over and again. Go to jail for murder after that. She was going to lose her job one way or another. "Mr. Davis, please let me go; I will understand completely." She let out a sigh. "My family causes more trouble than is necessary, and a personal assistant, if I understand correctly, is supposed to reduce some of the trouble." "You're correct," Daniel replied. "The purpose of a personal assistant is to eliminate the hassle." She leaned forward, waiting to hear what he would say next. He paused. "And you have done exactly that." Abigail felt shock surge through him. He thought she was worth something, even with her mother pushing him to fire her. Even after that humiliating incident in the gym that screamed ineptitude loud and clear? "Really?" Yes, he grinned and replied. "I had the easiest workday in a long time yesterday." If your sister wants you to be her personal assistant and wedding planner this much, you're a fantastic personal assistant. I promise you that I have no plans to fire you. Abigail grinned, unsure of how to respond to the compliments. I'm grateful, Mr. Davis. I'm happy to be of assistance to you. "You are very helpful to me," he remarked. "I hope you continue to do excellent work." Abigail noticed she was flushing and wished she had a pound of foundation on her face to cover it up. She said, "Thank you, Mr. Davis," hoping she could have said something wiser. She wasn't sure how to ask him and wondered if that was all he wanted when she looked at him. With a blink, Daniel appeared to emerge from a daze. "Oh, a dry cleaner? Could you retrieve it? After getting up, Abigail went to the coat closet in the corner of her room. She opened the door and took out two suits that had been dry-cleaned. She claimed, "I picked these up during my lunch break." "I thought the sooner I got them, the better since I wasn't sure when you would need them." "Many thanks!" As he accepted the suits, he smiled. "Remember, please message the IT department for an update on the website bug. I'll need that press release in fifteen minutes." "It's right now, sir," Abigail replied. As he disappeared inside his office, she returned to her desk and grinned. Perhaps, after all, she wasn't making as many mistakes as she believed. As Abigail descended the stairs and Gina exited the lift, ANNETTE LEFT Daniel's office into the main waiting area. Across the lobby, her ankle still fully functional, she stomped. Perplexed, Abigail had no idea what to do but watch her go. Annette took her coffee and thanked Abigail without glancing at her. She reached the lift just in time to see the door close, leaving Abigail and Gina to remain awkwardly silent. "I told you," Gina murmured. "Not our concern," Abigail said, turning to return to her office. After taking the change out of the coffee, she placed it on her desk. I won't bother Daniel about it anymore. Daniel emerged as she was about to sit down. He said, "I'm going home early." to her. "Put that report and the notes from the shareholder meeting earlier today on my desk tomorrow." She stretched across the desk and took the change out of the coffee, saying, "Yes, Mr. Davis." "Sir, this is your chance to run errands. He gave an eyebrow lift. "You should keep it, I said." She shot him her coolest look. Mr. Davis, I'm not interested. You own the money. He sighed, obviously irritated. Abigail, what is it? His expression matched hers in coolness. "Nothing." She once more gave him the cash. "Just say it, whatever you have to say to me." He spoke in a firm tone akin to the one he employed in meetings with high-level executives. "Okay," she murmured with clenched teeth. "I would be grateful if you addressed me as Ms. Copper ." He gave her a long look. "Why does that, You don't have my permission to address me by my first name. I wouldn't say I like that I seem to be treated differently. She refused to back down, keeping her gaze fixed on him. "I don't need the company gossip having me center stage." "You are unique!"He yelled. Sighing, he closed his eyes. He appeared to be counting to ten, and Abigail was certain that she would no longer be employed. He spoke gently and continued, "What I meant to say is that you're my assistant." There is no one I work with more closely than you. I will, of course, treat you differently. When we're not in meetings or with other people, you can call me Daniel. She almost laughed out, but she stopped herself in time. She said, "It would be better if you didn't," and returned to her job. "Mr. Davis, have a good afternoon." I'm grateful, Ms. Copper . He shot her a cold look before storming out of the office, saying, "I hope the same for you." Abigail returned to his job. You are not involved in it at all. He recently ended things with his girlfriend. He has been going to the gym early and working late. She was aware of this since, before his arrival, she had been attempting to visit the gym a few times a week, and each time, she felt as though he had just left-she could even smell his perfume in the house. She let out a sigh. All the same, she felt terrible and deeply ashamed. She could already picture Gina and the others having a conversation. Mr. Davis apologizes to Ms. Copper for ending their relationship because of Abigail. It appears that the relationship is now finished. The amazing Mr. Davis broke another person's heart. Ms. Copper , poor thing, had no chance. Her appearance should have warned her better. She mumbled, "Shit, shit, motherfreakin' shit." I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying seeing me. Abigail tensed up and looked up to see Matt grinning down at her from the main office as he stood at her doorway. "Mr." Davis isn't in at the moment," she remarked. "Did Gina not inform you at the reception desk?" He gave a headshake. With a groan, Abigail reached for the iPad, synchronized with Daniel's planner. "Do you want to message him or set up an appointment?" Matt stated, "I saw Mr Davis in the lift." "I wasn't here to see Daniel," She did not want to visit her soon-to-be brother-in-law and ex-boyfriend. Matt, what do you want?" Is it the proper way to handle your prospective brother-in-law? He grinned, obviously making fun of her. He entered her office and shut the door behind him. "Good pad." "No," replied Abigail. Fantastic, more rumors for Gina to begin circulating. "But that's the proper way for me to handle my ex-boyfriend who cheated on me." He scowled her. "You are a bitch. How we ever got along with each other is beyond me. Matt, what do you want? I have tasks to complete. "Your dad suffered a cardiac arrest. Right now, he is in the hospital. Abigail gazed at him, a feeling of disbelief coursing through her. She got up and went to get her purse. "How come you weren't able to lead with that? Pushing past him, she unlocked the door. "How is he doing?" "He is steady. However, they will be keeping him overnight for observation and blood work anyhow. The hospital that?" "Hospital Scott Thompson." She turned to head for the lifts, saying, "I have to go see him right now," as she passed Matt. She hurriedly yelled out to Gina, telling her she would return later. She made her way to the stairs. "What do you do? Matt pressed the elevator button and inquired. "I refuse to descend in that manner." "It's more rapid." with a shrug. "I'm using the lift," I'll tell you what transpired during the descent. "All right," she bellowed as she strode towards him and entered as soon as the door opened. Within the little compartment box, she detected the scent of Daniel's perfume. "What took place?" With a shrug. Checking his phone, he answered, "I don't know." "I assume you can navigate there on your own? I have to return to my work. You are a bastard, Abigail remarked. You see everything as a game, don't you?" Hey, Matt remarked, he's not my dad. Since he first met me, he has only been impolite to me. Why is it that I should care?" "He hasn't treated you badly. He had a fatherhood! "You had an affair with one of his daughters and moved on to the next," Abigail found it hard to believe she was even talking to him. "When you were dating me, you treated my entire family badly. Until you began dating my sister, you made no effort to win their approval. "Abigail, get real," he remarked. "I knew you didn't like them, so I was rude to them." It wasn't for lack of concern or any other reason you seem to be accusing me of. You wouldn't want me to get along with them, I didn't think. Why else would you have told me all that nonsense about them in the first place?" "Stull," she yelled. "You know it wasn't what happened," I said. Before Matt could respond, Abigail stormed out as the lift opened. She hurried outside to ask for a cab as soon as she could. She phoned Rachel once she was in the taxi. She hoped her father was doing well. She could only picture how Rachel and her mother were feeling. She scoffed, presumably attributing Dad's heart attack to her. When Rachel replied, she was in tears. "Abigail, you must get to the hospital immediately. Dad suffered a cardiac arrest. "Yes," she replied. "Matt gave me a brief update." "Did he call you? She sounded taken aback. "No, he paid me a visit." Actually?" Abigail gave a headshake. "How are you, dad?" "I'm not sure. There's nothing they will tell me. Ma is a disaster. She is still weeping and crying. It's awkward. "I'm headed there. I will arrive as soon as possible.