Tuesday went by without seeing Jason but it was only because I had hid myself in the library. Dusting and rearranging. Wednesday I was taking a bag out when I heard him yet again in the copy room. The machine had gone out on him again. Sighing, I put the bag down and went in. He was kicking it again.

“Jason?” I asked. He was wearing his black suit, red tie, and his black hair slicked back witch one small piece had escaped from it’s gel hold.

“Thank God.” He said moving from the machine. “Work your magic and make it work. I have my meeting in less then thirty minutes and I need copies.”

“You really need a secretary.” I said looking at the machine. Paper, no paper jam. I hit copy but it didn’t move. “I think your scanner part is broken. It isn’t going to work at all.” I said. He kicked the machine harder as I jumped. I backed away as he ran his hand through his hair again.

“What a brilliant time for this piece of shit to break!” He exclaimed.

“Its OK Jason. There are other options.”

“Other options!” He exclaimed looking at me. He looked as if he hadn’t been able to sleep in days. His blue eyes darker then normal, the circles under his eyes clear for anyone to see. I frowned.

“Jason… have you been sleeping?”

“I don’t sleep at all!” he yelled leaving the room. The door hit the wall and Shelly moved out of the way as another door slammed. Her and I exchanged looks.

“What the hell was that about?” She asked. I shrugged.

“He hasn’t been sleeping.” I sighed looking at the copy machine. “How much longer till his meeting?”

“Twenty minutes.”

“Text me when they arrive.”

“What why?” I opened the tray and took out what he was trying to accomplish. I looked over the papers, put them in the right order then went past Shelly to leave.

“Just do it!” I said over my shoulder. The copy place was ten minutes from the mansion. I got in my car and sped off. My little alero taking the gravel like a pro. As if it knew that I needed the speed. I got to the shop and went in.

“Hello can I help you?” The guy asked.

“Yes. I need twenty copies of these, stapled in the order I have them in and in clear folders.” The man nodded and went to work. I got my text from Shelly just as the guy handed them to me. I nodded, handed him the money and pocketed the receipts. I got back in my car and drove off. I had heard that his yesterday meeting was moved to today. I didn’t know the copy machine had totally broken. But I did tell him he needed to get it fixed. I got there as Shelly was waiting for me.

“They are in the meeting room. Jason looks so stressed.”

“I bet the bitch has something to do with it.” I said. I went up the steps, fixed my blouse holding the copies in my hand. I knocked on the door.

“Come in!” I heard Jason’s voice. I breathed in, then out, and went in. I smiled at the group of all men in the room.

“Good after noon everyone.” I said as they nodded.

“Where are you keeping this beauty hidden?” One of the younger men asked. The rest laughed as I smiled my response.

“Who said I was hidden?” I asked as I walked around the table, passing out the clear folders.

“Well, you are clearly a good secretary. These are great.”

“Specially since Jason was explaining about the copy machine.” Another man said as I handed him the packet. I just smiled my response.

“There is more then one way to get sheets.” I said as I went up to Jason. I handed him one clearly having extra.

“I heard you’re the sheet expert.” He said low.

“Hm.. only if jealousy is there.” His blue eyes looked down at me as he didn’t say anything at first. Oh shit! Wrong roll! I cleared my voice and placed the other copies on the table. His blue eyes watching me as I did so. “Well gentlemen I will let you get on with your meeting.”

“Shouldn’t your sec be part of this?”

“I’m not the secretary but thank you for the compliments.” I smiled. “Have a good one, men.”

“Now that we’ve seen you darlin’ anything possible.” I chuckled as there was plain jealousy on Jason’s face till I left the room.

“Shelly?!” I exclaimed running down the steps. She came running as if I was in deep trouble. I breathed heavily as her hands caught both my arms. “I think I blew it!”

“Blew what? The meeting?”

“No.. my identity!”

“Oh shit… OK tell me what happened.” She made me walk to the library.

“I came in with the papers. I said something about sheets meaning the papers not bed sheets. And he said something about me being the sheet expert. Instead of talking about the copy machine I said only if jealousy is involved. And the look he gave me Shelly…”

“Calm down.” She said handing me a water bottle. “It can’t be that bad. A few more days till the party anyways. You can reveal yourself then.” I shook my head.

“Not sure about that.” I said. “He might be mad that we did this to him. He came to me the other day, saying there was another women at the party that he had an attraction for.”

“Madam?”

“Who else!?” I about squealed. She patted my back.

“Just take it easy. Who cares if he finds out. Maybe he will call it off if he knows it’s you.”

“Or more then likely hate me.”

“Your almost done with the cleaning right?”

“Yea.” I said nodding looking over the library.

“Don’t worry then.” I nodded as she left the room. I looked around the library and started cleaning again. I had this room half done by the time it was quitting time. Shelly came in, with Richard.

“Richard!” I exclaimed giving him a friendly hug. “How was your meeting?” I asked him.

“It went.” He said. “Got a date this Saturday?” He asked I laughed.

“No but I am going to guess we should show up together then?” He nodded.

“I was thinking that.” We left the room as Jason came out of the office. He looked down at us.

“So where are we going tonight?” He asked stopping at the bottom of the stairs.

“We haven’t decided yet.” Shelly said. “Don’t keep ball and chain worry about you. Good night Jason.” We went to leave when he stopped us with a UT hum. We all turned.

“I need to talk to Candice.. privately.. in the office.”

“About?” Shelly asked.

“Business.”

“It’s OK Shelly. I won’t be too long. I have a roast in the slow cooker. Remember my place dinner. You can come too Richard.” I said smiling.

“I wouldn’t give up a night of your cooking. We will meet you at your place Candice.” I nodded as they left the building. I followed Jason to the office. He closed the door as I stood by it looking at him. He walked over to his desk, sitting in the chair.

“Sit.” I shook my head. “Now.”

“Boy you should be like that towards Olyvia more.” I said sarcastically however the look in his blue eyes told me I better sit. I went over to the chair and sat, sighing. “What is it Jason?”

“That was pretty impressive today.” He said looking at me with his feet back up on the desk.

“Didn’t take much. The copy place is ten minutes from here.”

“You even thought to put them in nice clear folders.” I shrugged.

“They just look nicer that way.” I felt my heart beat quicken as he seemed to be weighing me up. I tried so hard not to bite my lower lip as his blue tired eyes looked at me. “You should go home. Get some rest Jason before you get sick.”

“I want you to be my secretary.” I looked at him. My heart jumping to my throat as I cleared it. I coughed about chocking on the sensation. I stood, pushing the chair out from behind me as it hit the floor. He stood, about to come towards me as I put my hand up.

“No!” I exclaimed feeling the start of fresh tears. “I am not going to have anything to do with this business after next Tuesday. I will be finished with the rooms then you can get your decorator in but I am not staying on staff with you.”

“Why not?” He asked. He wasn’t even getting mad but he didn’t move towards me either.

“I don’t want to be around after you marry Olyvia.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t!” I yelled at him.

“Candice.” He said as I looked up at him. “Tell me.” He said low. I shook my head.

“Whatever I say, isn’t going to change anything, Jason. It’s your responsibility to marry a wealthy women. Besides, your mother hates me to begin with.”

“So, if I asked you to marry me?” I felt my eyes grow wide at his question knowing that he wasn’t really asking me. I started laughing, then I shook my head.

“Your asking me that when there is this other women at the party your infatuated with?” I shook my head. “Jason, you sound as if you don’t know what to do. This isn’t open for debate. You will do what your mother wants you to no questions asked so stop torturing your self with maybes. Understand?” I asked low.

“Then, let me feel your lips against mine one last time.” He made to walk over to me when I turned and left the room running down the steps. I didn’t know if he had followed or not but I got in my car and without snapping the belt I sped off.