I look like an idiot just standing beside Rhodes, unsure of what to do or if I should even say anything. I don't want to distract him and risk being on the receiving end of a verbal lashing. It takes him a couple of minutes before he looks up and realises I'm still standing there.

"Right um, things are a little hectic around here. Once Ambrose gets back I'll get him to help you out" I shake my head as he runs his hand through his hair.

"Let me help; clearly you need Ambrose and you probably will need an extra set of hands" I don't want to be a burden, I also just don't want Ambrose to have to babysit me when his skills could clearly be used elsewhere. He pauses to think for a moment before shaking his head.

"This is all a fucking disaster" he tilts his head backwards for a moment with his hands on his hips. A few seconds later I can hear two sets of footsteps trailing down the staircase. Ambrose and a young woman are hurrying over to where Rhodes and I stand.

"What's going on here" the young woman hurriedly says with a thick American accent as she approaches us.

"Theresa has completely dropped the ball on this event for the Loweman's, I need you to take over and have it ready in six hours" Rhodes puts his hands down on the table in front of him as he speaks. She nods her head and collects the papers in front of her.

"I'll need all the hands I can get, but I'll get it done. Don't worry about a thing Mr Whitlock" She sashays over to the workers who have since finished helping bring in the flowers and begins to order them around, indicating places where tables need to be set down. Rhodes walks over to me and takes my hand, leading me up the stairs and out of the way of the workers to watch from the floor above the madness.

"How did this all get so messed up Ambrose?" Rhodes asks once we ascend the stairs. It's still obvious that despite the woman downstairs taking over, he's still very stressed about this event.

"She told everyone that everything was handled sir, I'm sorry. We were all in the dark" Ambrose clasps his hands together in front of him as he responds.

"Well at least the kitchen is organised, and the bars well stocked. Amanda is handling the tables and the entertainment. Make sure that you get Tom and Damon to work the party tonight; they'll get everybody drunk so maybe they won't realise how much of a disaster it's been. And ensure that everyone who's working has their fresh uniforms to wear" Ambrose wanders off once more and Rhodes and I are left alone watching the room below slowly come together.

"It sounds like it's all going to come together" I suggest in a light tone, but he doesn't seem to be in the mood for it. He leans his forearms on the bannister and keeps watch, completely ignoring me as I stand beside him. I sigh softly and reach my hand out, giving his shoulder a gentle rub in an attempt to release some of the tension he's carrying.

"Some of them are completely incompetent" he growls gesturing to the hardworking people below, who are frantically trying to order what look like name cards before placing them down at the tables. I nod my head and move my body slightly closer to his, continuing to rub his shoulder. I don't hear him complaining and he isn't shrugging me off so I'm assuming that is a green light to keep going.

"Considering how many people you employ yeah you probably have a couple of duds. But it looks like you also have a lot of people who will work hard for you. Especially after a good yelling from Mr Whitlock himself" I grin to myself as he lets out a small chuckle and stands upright, holding onto the bannister with one hand and raking a hand through his hair with the other.

"Yeah everyone listens when I yell at them, it's one of my many skills" He says softly before he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me gently into his side. I go willingly, I quite like it in there, and it seems like he needs me there. I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head against his chest as we watch the chaos underneath us. He initiated the hug and I followed through just like we agreed to in the contract, and it's really nice. In this moment I don't feel like an employee of his, despite being on the payroll. I'm here because we both want me to be here, not for any kind of ulterior motive.

"Thank you, for calming me down" Rhodes says after a moment of just being silent with one another. I nod my head and tighten my arms around his waist gently.

"Of course, I know you have a very high pressure job, so whatever I can do to help alleviate your stress I will" Rhodes coughs slightly and looks like he's about to say something when Ambrose is back by our side. If he has any thoughts about our embrace; he chooses not to say them.

"Taken care of?" Rhodes asks, he doesn't break our embrace, just turns his head to talk to Ambrose who nods his head.

"Yes sir, I also booked a massage treatment for Miss Kendrick, if she isn't needed here" a massage? I've never had a professional massage before, this might be a very nice thing for me. But if Rhodes needs me here...

"Good thinking Ambrose" Rhodes places a gentle kiss on my forehead and removes his arm from around my shoulder, effectively dismissing me.

"A-are you sure? I can still help out if you need it?" I ask him, I would like to be useful and help him pull this whole party together but he shakes his head.

"Go have a massage, I'll catch up with you later" he replies before he walks past us, down the staircase and over to where Amanda is critiquing the work the men have done setting the place settings.

This Amanda woman is giving me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. She appears to be very comfortable with Rhodes but also very eager to please him. It also doesn't help that she's very attractive; in a smart blue dress that accentuates her figure with long blonde hair flowing down her back. I don't know her very well; but as she leans a little too close to Rhodes and touches him on his arm, I get the impression that she isn't above sleeping her way to the top. It's gives me a bad feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. All of a sudden I have the desperate urge to run down the stairs and be by Rhodes's side, possibly even introduce myself as his girlfriend.