I was certainly proud of myself that I had remembered to call my mother. I had such a poor memory and with so much excitement going on in my usually bland life, I had lost track of the time.

I used my personal phone in order to call my mother, I didn't even use the new cellphone Mr. Carter had given me.

My mothers voice was strained when I had answered the phone, which instantly worried me. Even though she was usually sick or sometimes out of it, I always seemed to worry more than usual anyways.

"Mom?" I asked into the receiver and I heard her light assuring voice reply,
"Rayleen, how are you, my baby? How's work?" She almost sounds rushed and I can't help but frown.

"I got promoted Mom. Yeah, I'm now a personal assistant of a new wealthy man that was assigned here." I explain, I still can't help but grin as I say this.

Growing up, I had no accomplishments to share with my mother, perhaps that I had gone the whole day without experiencing a panic attack- but that was it.

"Is he kind to you? Is he rude? What's he like?" Her motherly tone took over and overruled her strained tone from before.

Ever since I was a young girl, my mother had liked to monitor the men I'd come into contact with. Which was partially the reason, I never dated in high school. I didn't even date when I went to college, I had minor hookups that usually ended in grade b- handjobs and weak fingering from college dropouts with attention spans of damn flies.

"He's nice Momma. This is only my first full day working for him. How are you? Is rent okay? Do you need me to pay another month for you?" I asked, cautiously.

My mother refused to leave the house, she only did when absolutely necessary. When I was younger, I thought it was she was afraid of the outdoors but as I got older. I learned more of her fears.

"Baby, don't worry. Please. I'm fine. I miss you, do you think your new boss will let you off some time to come visit?" It sounded urgent and I bite my fingernail.
I wanted to ask but I was nervously.

"I will try. Perhaps this weekend I'll have Caleb drop me off." I pause for a moment to see my boss, Mr. Carter standing in the doorway.

"Mom, I have to go. I'll call you soon, okay? I love you."
"I love you more Angel. Be safe." It almost hurts to end the call, I love that women more than words could explain and yet I only got to see her once every two months. It was a shame.

"Mr. Carter, anything that I may assist you with?" I ask him.
His bored expression is still evidently appearing on his face.
"Yes, since I'm very much new to this city. Well, any city at that, I don't really know any places that I should eat. Do you recommend anything?" He asks me and I try to refrain from snorting out my nose.
Little country boy was now in the Big Apple, I wonder how that felt?

"This is New York City, anything you crave is here. What do you have a taste for? Or what is your favorite food?" I ask and he steps into the room. His facial hair was gone and he his dark brown eyes still seemed dazed like the day before.

Was New York that boring to him?

"I really like burgers. But McDonald's taste the same in every state. The typical fast food restaurants aren't really my forte." He admits and I noticed his speech wasn't as professional as it once was.

"Trust me, there are better places to get your burgers. I know of a place that my coworkers Caleb and Amy go to to get burgers that are cut into the shapes of pizzas. I recommend such." I say, even though I had only eaten a small morsel.

Mr. Carter smiles for a moment as if he's thrilled to hear this news.
Did this man ever get out?
"I could write done some directions for you," I offer as I pull out my trusty stash of sticky notes and quickly dash down the address and hand it to him.

Mr. Carter raises an eyebrow at me for a moment as if he's taking in my appearance and registering my face in his brain.

It was intimidating as hell.
"Do you think you could drive? I'm still learning my place around here and not to keen on calling a taxi of any sort," he admits solemnly and I feel the shame start to set in.

"I...sort of...don't exactly have a car. So that would be-" he cuts me off for a moment, his eyes widening as I say this.

"You've worked here for nearly two years, with a decent pay check and haven't invested into a car?" His tone is almost humored but I can sense the slight disgust in it as well.

"It's New York, there's taxis, trains and buses of all sort. Traffic is like hell here and I never really thought I needed one." I reply, biting the inside of my cheek nervously.

I go to bring up the cost of my apartment but I quickly stop myself and change the line of subject.
"I'm saving my money for emergencies." I add with a snarky tone.

"Such as?" Mr. Carter voices trails off to allow me to answer.

I didn't want to come across completely pathetic to my new boss.

"I don't know, if I have to make some epic getaway and get involved in some type of car chase or something."I babble and for a moment, I forget who I'm talking to.
My boss throws his head back and let's out a hoarse chuckle.

I was being partially serious with my statement and I can't help but blush.

"You really think all of that will happen?" Mr. Carter asks me curiously and I nod.
"My life is a drama movie, I need all of the essentials."

"A car chase is prominent. What else would be involved in your so-called drama movie?" He was clearly amused by this, I could tell by his devious smirk.

"An action scene with an exploding car in the background. An intense shooting scene." I trail off again, using my hands to exaggerate my vision.

"This sounds more like an action movie. I'm surprised you don't want one of those heartfelt love fairytale movies." Mr. Carter admits and I'm almost insulted.

"God, no. My childhood was far from a fairytale. No- that was a drama. I don't want a fairytale. I don't want to be saved." I whisper the last part to myself, hoping that he didn't here.

"Me neither. But that's why I was forced to move here." He looks like regrets revealing that information as soon as he says it.

He puts his finger up to his mouth and whispers, "Sh." But we both can't help but laugh as he does.

"Well now I know your dirty secret Mr. Carter. You're not a businessman at heart. What's your true choice of career?"

"Something that I gave up long ago. And now I know your dirty secret Ms. Banks." He pauses for a moment and rises to his feet, making his way towards the door to exit.

"You envision your life as a drama movie. So now that I know of this, I'll be sure to plan an immaculate choir every time you enter the building." He teases and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Please do. Create me a soundtrack of dramatic instrumentals so I can get through my day." I respond as his dark eyes flicker across mine.
He breathes through his nose with a slight exhale and nods. "Will do, Banks. Thanks for the lunch." He adds, waving his phone in his hand.
Oh yeah, lunch... I had almost forgotten. I needed to eat as well.

"You're welcome Mr. Carter." I address respectfully and he slips out the door.

* * *

After most of the staff departed for lunch, I remained when I was instructed to schedule business meetings for the next few weeks for Mr. Carter.

Since I realized, I had to attend all of these meetings, I noticed most of them were men coming from Utah. Hoping to get some of our oil to expand their businesses here as well.

I heard a knock on my door and saw Amy's head pop up around the corner.
"Rayleen, come here for a moment." She summons me and I reluctantly rise to my feet. I turn around the corner where I see most of the staff getting ready to check out for the evening.

"We're all about to head out for some drinks and a little dancing. You're new to the staff and we don't like to keep our serious demeanor all the time. Come out with us, first round of drinks on me." Caleb speaks for the crowd and I realize he's talking towards Mr. Carter. I eye him carefully. Was Caleb attempting to flirt?

Mr. Carter glances around to his new coworkers. His hands in his pockets as his dark eyes slowly roam over to me and then Caleb. With a short sigh, he pushes away from his desk. "I suppose, Ms. Banks and I just have to finish up some work and we'll meet you there." As soon as he begins, I'm already making hand movements, trying to explain that I didn't want to go.

But of course, he doesn't look over at me.

"Sounds good, Rayleen, you know the usual spot we'll be at. See you guys there." Amy calls out, stopping towards me to kiss the top of my head- as she normally did.

Mr. Carter and I lock eyes and he licks his lips slowly, raising his eyebrow with a short smile. "Thanks a lot." I mouth over to him and his nose flares, I hear a small chuckle escape from his mouth and he reaches over to close his door.

The office cleared out around 6 pm, leaving just Mr. Carter and myself. I was trying to arrange all of his meetings in one week- since that's what he requested but that meant that I would be apart of it as well. I wasn't complaining, just overwhelmed at the sudden rush of new work.

It excited me at the same time, it's what I had been waiting for.

I turned off my computer and gathered my personal belongings into my purse. I hear my boss groan from up front, followed by a string of curse words.

I quickly rush out, slightly light headed since I still had not eaten since my blueberry muffin.

"Is there a problem?" I call out and Mr. Carter closes the exit door that leads to the flight of stairs and out the building.

He runs his fingers through his hair and pulls his phone from out his pocket.

"The elevator is jammed and there is a bunch of construction items blocking the staircase. I've made in calls and shared with them this information but they told me that it'll take them 20 minutes to get here and probably another 15 to get one of them cleared for us." Mr. Carter shares this information with me in a ragged tone and now I understand his anger.

I pause for a moment and rub the sides of my mouth slowly.
"So...now what?" I ask, trying to maintain a calm tone.

Mr. Carter sighs for a moment, stepping towards me slowly and then says, "Well, it looks like we'll be stuck in here for awhile."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Well this is definitely a new chapter. There will be plenty of more. Sorry it took so long, I'm juggling a lot of books and trying to refrain from other new book ideas. So the updates will come slowly but surely.
Enjoy! Happy late Valentines Day!

xo flower