The Personal Assistant Read Online Free PDF Page B

tears.
    Caleb only chose me because he had no time to find another standin. I was just a token girl. Another one. I thought I was special but I wasn’t even close to being special.
    Betty seethes, pacing the room. "Bastard! Bitches!"
    "Hey, come sit with me. You're making me motion-sick."
    She slumps next to me, but fidgets on her couch, scowling. "Why would Demi dump him when from what you've said, she clearly still wants him?"
    "Who cares about Demi? I don't know how rich folks’ minds work."
    "They all play games with people like us—we're dispensable."
    Memories flash through my mind of the incredible sex, of the intimacy I thought we shared, of having to dress up in clothes I wasn't comfortable in and sip bubbly drinks I didn't like—for what?
    The storm of tears I'd been suppressing burst through.
    "I'm just a figure of fun to the lot of them, aren't I?"
    "Hey, I don't believe for a minute Caleb intended to hurt you, sweetie. You guys have been close for too long. I bet there's been some kind of mistake. You'll go back to work tomorrow and he'll tell you as much. As for those bitches, don't waste your time thinking about their kind of nothing. They think they’re rich, but they have nothing of value. Nothing."
    I try to smile, "You're a good friend, Betty, but I think we both know if it came down to a choice between the beautiful Demi and well… me, he's going to choose her. It is what it is. Any man would choose that perfect body over mine. I can’t compete with that. It was like she walked straight out of a magazine."
    “She might look good but she has nothing on your personality. Any girl that thinks they are better than someone else is not worth the time.”
    “Caleb obviously sees something in her.”
    “Men can be blinded by their cocks. They think with their hard-ons sometimes. He’ll realize the truth. They always do. No man would put up with that all time. Why would they?”
    “Because she gives good blow-jobs?” I try to laugh.
    “Ha!” Betty laughs. “I bet she does. But that must be all.”
    I sigh deeply, “I am so stupid. How did I even think that it was real? Of course it wasn’t. I am so dumb. I should have known better, Betty. This is all my own fault. I am so stupid for believing in that stupid fantasy.”
    “You are not dumb or stupid, and this is not your fault. This is his fault. He might not have meant anything bad by it, but he should have known better. This has nothing to do with you. You are a beautiful, charming, happy person with an amazing personality. If someone can’t accept that, it is their loss.”
    “Thanks Betty. You are the best,” I smile through my teary face as she rubs my back.
    “You’re the best. You always have been. You are too nice sometimes, Em. You know what I would have done.”
    “I know exactly what you would have done, Betty,” I smile.
    “I would have walked over there, grabbed them by their perfect locks of hair, and slammed their heads into the table. And then I would say something witty like; ‘You want to play ball . Let’s play ball, bitch…’ Which is a reference to the ‘Gala Ball’ in case you don’t get it.”
    “You wouldn’t have even talked to them first?” I laugh loudly.
    “Nope. No way. No time for talking. If someone wants to treat me like that, I’ll smash their heads into the table. They would think twice about doing it again, wouldn’t they?”
    I laugh, “Yes they would!”
    “But Em…”
    “Yes?”
    “Listen… maybe it’s time to move on.”
    “Move on?”
    Betty shrugs, “You clearly have had a crush on this man for so long. All through high school, he was all you could about. Maybe… it’s time to let that go? Maybe it’s time to move on?”
    She’s right.
    I know she’s right.
    But I don’t know if I want to.
    Betty hugs me, and lets me cry in her arms for some time before I need to blow my nose.
    "Time for bed," I say. "I’ve kept you up late enough. Besides, I'd like to start work early