She made her way around the theater talking here and there to people she knew, smiling for photographers until she found Kelsey wiping away traces of tears in the corner.
“Everything okay?”
“Ms.…Bella, sorry, I just…”
“Can’t stand working for someone who can’t remember your name and treats you like he owns you?” she asked sympathetically.
“Yeah…I’m good at what I do, and I love working with the people I get to work with, but I can’t do it anymore. He’s demanding, rude, arrogant, and so focused on himself that he can’t see that his actions hurt everyone else.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Bella asked.
“I don’t know, go back to St. Louis and get a regular job I suppose because if I up and leave he’ll make sure I never work for anyone in the industry because he’ll know my name then.”
“What if you left your job to work for someone else?” she inquired with a smile.
“Then it wouldn’t be so bad, but the studio hired me, no one else knows who I am.”
“I do and the past few months have shown me that although I can handle my own press work my scheduling is getting out of control. I have people calling my agent, calling me, calling my house and I can’t keep them all straight I’m afraid. It might not be the same as working on a movie set but I do get to go to plenty of beautiful locations all around the world and have you ever seen Fashion Week up close?”
“Are you serious?” Kelsey asked as her jaw dropped open. “You’d hiremeas your assistant?”
“I’ve seen you can handle yourself under pressure and be discrete and most importantly, you’re not some annoying ninny with a stick up their…well you’re great,” Bella laughed. “I’d be lucky to have you. It would mean being based out of here, but I know this great apartment that’s available and the owner’s a very close personal friend of mine.”
“They are?”
“Mhmm, it’s my husband Tyler’s place. When we got married, we bought a new loft with three times the space, I sold my old apartment to Elise Daniels, but we decided to keep Tyler’s for overflow of friends who came into town but after letting a few stay there we realized most of our friends are better suited to staying in hotels. It’s about five blocks from our new place so you could walk over most days and New York City does happen to be a great place to live.”
“I couldn’t afford anything like that,” Kelsey admitted.
“It’s part of the job though, watching the apartment,” Bella stated easily. “We’ve had some people attempt to sneak into the place—don’t worry the security is top notch but if they know someone’s living there then they won’t bother anymore. So really, you’d be doing me a favor by staying there, at least then we won’t get woken up in the middle of the night or interrupted if you know what I mean.”
“I do,” Kelsey laughed, “and if you’re serious about the offer I’d love to. I can start tomorrow if you want.”
“I’m supposed to have the week off and so can you. I’m sure you’ll need to get your things packed up and shipped out here so don’t worry about it. Here’s my direct number, I’ll leave your name at the front desk of the apartment building, and they’ll get you in if I’m not there. I’ll also leave the numbers for my agent Mandy and Charlie the head of the Angels line so if anything pops up, you’ll know how to get in touch with me,” she told her as Quinn headed over to escort her into the theater.
“Still no husband?” he asked.
“Unfortunately, no, but I’d like you to meet my new assistant, Kelsey.”
“You’re leaving the studio?” he said turning to her. “Good for you.”
“Thanks,” she told him, “but I’ve still got work to do tonight so you two enjoy yourselves. If I see Tyler, I’ll send him your way.”
“Thanks Kelsey,” Bella said taking the arm Quinn offered. The movie was surprisingly good, and she couldn’t believe that she was actually the person on the screen for the few scenes that she was up there. Her phone buzzed and she checked the new story that had popped up. Her stomach flopped as she stared at the photo of Tyler with some unknown brunette draped all over him and as she scanned the story, she got angry, angry enough to agree to go to the after-party when Quinn asked.
She was nearly ready to drop but she pushed through trying to keep her mind off of the picture and the fact that Tyler had stood her up and went to dinner with another woman.
“Thanks for dropping me off,” she said as Tristan headed over to the car to open the door for her. “I don’t think I could have lasted long enough for the car to get there. I’m sorry if I dragged you away Quinn, oh don’t get out…there’re still photographers out here.”
“All the more reason why I should make sure you get home safely,” he stated.
“I think I’d trust Tristan slightly more on that front. He’s used to handling them and not charming them. Goodnight Quinn, congrats on the movie,” she said kissing his cheek.
“Goodnight Bella,” he replied waiting until they got into the building before having the car take off.
Bella entered the key code for the elevator and leaned back against the wall as it began to rise. She sighed as the doors opened and she felt the welcoming warmth of the fireplace. She slipped off her shoes and took down her hair as she made her way to the couch. It was quiet except for the crackling of the wood as it burnt, and it began to lull her to sleep.
“Finally home?” Tyler said coming into the room. “Bella, I’m sorry about the premiere…”