Damned it!
There were no words to describe exactly how she felt other than that. Damned it! She had to curse herself for getting up almost late. Or, indeed, she was late. She woke up half an hour after her alarm went off, even though she had set it earlier. She should have been at the hotel by six.She wrote something down on paper and pinned it onto the purple dress. While she immediately took the gray dress hanging next to it, matching heels, and her bag, then darted out of her apartment. She even ran down the stairs."Thanks for driving me," she said as she sat in the car and closed the door."Put your seatbelt on," ordered the man beside her, none other than Dave. He saw she had done it and then started the sedan."Thanks for driving me." Anna opened the conversation. She was still catching her breath after the rush. And there was a bit of nervousness as Anna regained her sanity. So, apparently, she needed another effort to calm her heartbeat."You already said that," Dave responded with a small laugh on his lips. Her mind must be in confusion to say the same thing twice."Oh, really?" Worse, she reacted like a dazed person. "I couldn't sleep last night. So I thought I would stay up till morning. But I ended up oversleeping and didn't even hear my alarm," she explained quickly. She said whatever crossed her mind."Whoa, whoa. Easy, Ann," he reacted after hearing the confusion in her voice. It looked like she hadn't fully recovered yet. "Relax, okay?"Anna followed his sentence by taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. She did that several times until she calmed down and her mind could control her situation."Better?"She nodded. "Yes.""Good."Dave turned the wheel to the left to turn the car onto a fairly quiet street in another suburb. The hotel where the wedding was held was not in the downtown area. It was a little pulled over and had a splendid view."I couldn't sleep last night either. And I was going for a jog when you texted me."Yes, Anna sent him a message. To be precise, they exchanged messages after she left the hotel. She had to pick up her family from Ohio. Oh, Matt's family and hers were best friends. They were neighbors, too. So Matt invited them. He also prepared a hotel room for his parents. Understandably, because her apartment could not accommodate her entire family. Only Sidney, her sister, spent the night at her house."After what we've been through, it's kinda normal to have trouble sleeping."It was about their sudden marriage. What else? She wasn't even used to seeing the wedding ring on her finger. Of course, it wasn't the ring with the big stone that stole the show. It was simple and elegant with small stones around it."Yeah."The journey from her apartment to the hotel was only about ten minutes. That was close, indeed. Anna might walk there if she didn't bother with her things. Unfortunately, she had to bring her dress and others and keep her body fresh for the ceremony. So, she crossed out that option."Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?" Dave asked after stopping the car in front of the hotel."Yes. I can handle it myself," Anna replied as she unbuckled the seatbelt. "Thanks for your help.""You said it again."Anna changed her position to face him. "Sorry. But I have to say it before parting, right?" Then, without waiting for his answer, she opened the door and went out. Not to forget, she took her belongings in the back seat."You're going to text me, aren't you?" Dave asked again before Anna closed the door."Of course." Anna then gave a smile. "Bye."And they split up.However, only three steps away from him, she thought of something. She immediately turned around and knocked on the window."You changed your mind?""No," she laughed. She knew Dave was joking about that. "I just wanted to say something.""What?""I managed to sleep, so you should try to sleep as well. I know our situation is really absurd. But thinking about it too much isn't right either. After all, we have to live with it." Anna paused, then continued, "What I'm trying to say is let's take it slowly. It will be easier for now."Dave was silent while watching her speak. He even slightly tilted his head as if enjoying the activity.Anna noticed his intense gaze on her. And she became embarrassed to be seen like that. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she stuttered as nervousness suddenly swept over her. Even though they were married, she wasn't used to him yet.No. It seemed Anna wouldn't get used to having a man like him as her husband. Kind, handsome, and very rich. Was it really her luck?"You know something? You get everyone's attention every time you talk," he said with a hidden smile on his lips."You're mocking me, aren't you?" she grunted, doubting his words.Dave was taken aback. "Which part was I mocking you?" he asked with furrowed brows."That-"She slightly hung her sentence. "You sound like you're telling me to stop talking," she continued with pursed lips. It was as if she had been caught making groundless accusations, just like their first encounter. Fortunately, Dave didn't take her babble seriously at that time.Dave chuckled. Anna was the same as the one he met that night. But, yeah, people didn't change instantly, did they?"I never said that, Anna Byrne, nor did I mean that." He was deliberately dramatizing his words. "I'm honest. You looked attractive when you're talking," he explained to correct the misunderstanding. Why did women like to draw unilateral conclusions?Her lips pursed again. This time, the combination of shame, guilt, and blush after getting the compliment. Especially when she said her name. Anna Byrne. It sounded strange and thrilling at the same time."Then, I'll go. Don't forget to try to sleep." She chose to end the conversation. It felt like being with him any longer would make her commit more mistakes. A shameful one, of course."I'll call you after I wake up," he called to get her attention one last time.Anna smiled. But, she did not stop and turned around. Instead, Anna waved her hand as a gesture that she heard it. Then, Anna entered the hotel with a better feeling than before. No more nervousness.Meanwhile, Dave watched her until she disappeared from his sight. He smiled before driving his car out of the area."They're both my best friends, and I hope their happiness lasts long." Anna closed her statement with a sincere smile to her two best friends upfront. She raised her glass, making a gesture for them to toast."Thanks a lot, Ann. I hope you'll find someone to make you happy too," Rebecca replied and raised her glass. Then they drank their wine in their own position.Anna sat back down after finishing her essential task. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as everything was under control."Are you okay?" Sidney whispered beside her while holding her hand. Yes, she knew about her feelings for Matt. And Sidney knew well her nervousness was not only about the wedding ceremony but also her fear of dealing with that. That was why she paid attention to her and asked about her condition several times.Anna turned her head and showed a weak smile. "I'm okay." She returned her grip to calm her down. That was family. Sidney knew her deepest secret without her telling that. Sidney said her feelings
"You like macaron?"Anna was about to take a bite of her pink macaron but canceled it. Somehow, it sounded like someone was surprised to see her eating that. In fact, what was wrong with macaron?"Yes. This is my favorite," Anna replied. She then devoured the macaron into her mouth. Oh, the sweets were so delicious. It gave her a better feeling. At least, it changed her focus to only tasting the sweetness. And because of that, she loved to enjoy sweets when stressed. It was like medicine to her.Jeff saw the way she ate it and the change in her face. "You must really like this," he concluded after finding something like peace in her.She had already said that, so she didn't need to justify his words, right?"You don't want to try this?" she offered. She was the one who recommended macaroons on her best friend's wedding menu. And candy in another spot."I guess it's enough just to see you enjoying this."Anna almost choked on hearing that. If Matt had said that, she would probably be h
Anna hugged her mother tightly before they separated. Yes, his family must return to Ohio."Look after yourself," Lane advised while gently stroking her daughter's back. Separation never felt good, especially with family. However, they couldn't live in Los Angeles forever. Her husband had a job in Ohio, and her other daughters had a class the next day. While she needed to return to her role. Become a housewife.She had thought back to work after her daughter was an adult. But Hugh prevented her and told her to be a writer as it was her hobby. So, she did it in the last ten years.And the ability, it seemed, descended to Anna. Anna learned about literature and dreamed of becoming a screenwriter. Although, reality did not give an easy path to her. Anna must be a celebrity assistant while looking for connections to her dreams.It was pathetic, right?But that was how the world worked. It was so cruel."Yes, Mom. You, too, take care of yourself."They hugged for a few seconds before relea
After some tiring days—her wedding and her best friend's—finally, she was back to her monotonous routine. She had to return to work, and it was her first-day meeting Kate Burton, the celebrity she was going to work for. Of course, she was not alone. There were two others with her to be her assistants. And the meeting, besides introductions, would also discuss the job desk of each assistant."Anna will be the manager taking care of the work and contracts with partners." Jenny, the CEO, began handing out assistant duties after introductions and pleasantries. "While others will help with other tasks," she continued. She made that decision because Anna was more experienced than the others.Kate glanced at the three assistants, Anna, Helen, and Ben, then turned back to Jenny. "Are you sure they deserve the job?" She sounded doubtful and belittled the three of them."Sure, they're very experienced with this," Jenny replied with a big smile, trying to show her friendliness. After all, Kate w
I'm on my way.Anna immediately sped up her breakfast after reading Ben's message. She took a big bite of toast and went to get her bag. Then Anna came back to take it with her out of the apartment. As soon as she swallowed the food in her mouth, she ran down the stairs. Luckily, she lived on the fifth floor.After that, she waited for Ben's arrival. He had just bought abalone porridge for Kate.Yes, Ben. You read that right. That was abalone porridge for Kate. Suddenly she asked him to bring it with him when they visited her.Anna would scold her if it wasn't an important day, not the day of her audition. That was not his job. At least not for that kind of request.The sound of a horn made Anna turn around. That was the car.Thus, as soon as the car stopped, she opened the door and climbed in."You bought it right, didn't you?" she asked without greeting. That was more important because Kate threatened not to come to the audition if they didn't bring the porridge."Yes. We visited th
"Anna," Chelsy called her name when Anna had just come out of the toilet cubicle. "What are you doing here?" she asked."Chels," Anna replied as she walked over to her. Then they hugged each other. "I'm here for work.""Work?" Chelsy parroted."It's for the audition."A surprise appeared on her face. "You're auditioning for Murderer?""No." Anna shook her head and chuckled. She? Auditioning? Impossible. She never wanted to be a celebrity. "You remember I work as a celebrity assistant, don't you? Well, the actress I worked with auditioned for a role on Murderer."Chelsy nodded in understanding. "Who's the artist?""Kate Burton."And the second surprise was shown on her face. "You work for her?" she asked in disbelief.An awkward laugh escaped Anna's lips. Seeing her reaction, it seemed that Chelsy had heard the rumors about Kate. It must be so because this world was so tiny. "I had no choice. They assigned me as her assistant." She grinned awkwardly. "What about you? You work here?" Sh
Anna stopped her car at the arrivals section of the airport. She was there to pick up her husband.Yes, David Byrne. He just got back from New York.No. It should have gone because his home also his major company were in New York. He went to Los Angeles to meet her."Hi, sorry I keep you waiting," she said after stopping the car and rolling down the window. Dave had been standing outside after she had made him wait for half an hour. It was her job. She had to deal with an advertising offer for Kate, which lasted longer than she thought.Dave slightly nodded and gave a smile. "It's okay, Ann. I shouldn't have asked you to pick me up when you were busy."Anna opened her mouth, about to spit out her rebuttal when he said again."Can you open the trunk?"She then remembered the 18-inch suitcase beside him. She had intended to open the truck before lowering the window. But she forgot.After Dave put down his luggage and sat next to her, she drove the car out of the airport. It was pretty c
"Are you sleeping?"Anna changed her position to the left side to look at her interlocutor well. It was eleven, bedtime.Dave glanced at her and replied, "Not yet. Why haven't you slept yet?" he asked back. Half an hour had passed since they decided to sleep and filled it in silence. But apparently, that was just a plan, as they had not yet reached the dream world."I don't know. It's hard to close my eyes," Anna admitted. She had a theory. It was probably related to his existence. She rarely brought a man to sleep in her apartment. Only Matt. And even then to take care of her when she was sick."Because of me?" He guessed right. Or not? But that was just a guess. Anna didn't even know the exact reason."If so, what are you going to do?"Dave mumbled, then replied, "What else? I'll leave your apartment.""In this hour?""Yes. I don't want to be a gadfly to you."Anna smiled, amused at his last sentence. A gadfly? She rarely heard such a word. "How about the other way around? You're n