One Night With Mr Braxton

Emma was in her room, face deep in her computer. For the past two days, after she was introduced to her assistant and security, she’s been holed up in her bedroom, trying to sort herself out before her husband returns.

Mrs Adams, Jason and her assistant had paid a concerned visit to her, expressing their fear and discomfort with her hermit lifestyle but she made sure to convince them it was nothing and she was trying to get used to things on her own- which was a blatant lie.

She didn’t care though, she had other pressing matters to settle which was honestly taking the remains of her sanity. For the past two days, her routine was as follows: Wake up, eat, work, sleep, work some more, get frustrated, eat and sleep.

Despite her religious routine, it seemed as the day went by, her resolve diminished. Every route she tried was met with a roadblock, so much that she needed some sort of relief from the string of failures, and resolved to design on her computer to pass time.

As opposed to the calmness she felt when she drew a design, the reward of her efforts was frustration. She never liked the outcome of the designs no matter how beautiful it seemed and felt it had no soul. Emma priced her gift above everything else and when it wasn’t giving what it was supposed to give, it didn’t make the cut and left her in a terrible mood.

Abandoning the art, she returned to the business side of things and as expected, she made little to no progress- a result that didn’t go down well with her. Emma sat in front of the computer with her palm on her face. Determination, they said, was the key to success, no one told her what to do if the key proved stubborn. No one warned her on what an audacious task it was to open the doors of success.

Emma was running on her last strike. One more failed or inconclusive result and she just might give it up. One more and that’s it. When knocks came from the door, she didn’t know if she had the strength to face another human without losing her shit.

She received breakfast an hour ago- one that laid untouched- so she wasn’t expecting anyone for the next few hours, unless Mrs Adams was here for another routine check on her; one she wasn’t fond of, considering her current mood. The knocks came again and she was forced to answer.

” I’m coming!” Emma took a deep breath, mustered up a presentable countenance and headed for the door, unaffected by how she looked or could be perceived. After several intense acts of pulling at her hair, she had a nest on her head.

Outside the door, Chara stood, anxiously waiting for her boss to open up. After waiting for the past forty-eight hours, she was ready to take the bull by the horn and actually make herself useful around. She wasn’t paid to sit around all day. She wanted to earn her keep. Prove to her that she was of more value than sitting around all day.

The door opened and a less than pleased Emma appeared. Chara’s guts evaporated and she became fidjetty. ” Good m-morning.” She said, now regretting coming after her boss, who looked anything but happy to see her.

” Good morning -”

” Chara! It’s Chara, assistant.” She supplied.

” Chara.” Emma tested, remembering their first encounter. ” How are you doing? I didn’t send-”

” You didn’t! I know, I overstepped! I’m sorry. I just- I’m sorry.” Chara hurried, worry clouding her face.

Emma didn’t know how to react. She could tell there was something wrong but couldn’t quite place her fingers on it. ” Forgive my manners, come in.” She said and opened the door wide enough for entrance. Maybe this was a sign she needed a break.

Chara entered with slouched shoulders and head bowed. Two things that didn’t sit well with Emma.

” Relax. Take a seat. I’m glad you saved me from falling into insanity.” She said, hoping to help her feel more comfortable. ” Don’t mind the mess.” She added, noting just how carelessly her papers laid on the desk.

Chara held up a smile, her eyes searched the place for anything, something she could help with to prove her value. Her eyes crossed the uneaten meal and immediately her countenance grew poor.

” You didn’t eat!” Her tone was both worried and accusing.

” I was getting to that.” Emma lied, wondering why she felt the need to explain herself. ” That aside, what brings you here? I don’t recall sending for you.” She asked, hoping she sounded as polite as she’d wanted.

” Yes. I’m sorry if I intruded. It’s just, for the past two days, since I’ve been employed to attend to you, I’m yet to hear anything.” She disclosed, sounding concerned. ” I just wanted to remind you of my availability, openness and ability to assist in every matter.”

She got up, as though trying to demonstrate. ” I’m good with cleaning, cooking and other domestic activities alongside formal duties and everything in between. I know it might sound like I’m blowing my horn here but I promise it’s the truth.” She added, her tone distraught.

” Calm down, Chara. Breathe.” Emma admonished, making gestures with her hands, she was unable to hide the smile on her face. ” You’re overthinking this, okay? There’s little to nothing I’m in need of at the moment, that’s why it’s been quiet from my side. I apologize for the misunderstanding.”

” Oh! That’s fine.. I just wanted to be sure.” She replied, now at loss for words. Her eyes shifted to the desk and caught the opened computer, curious, she headed towards it, barely taking in its contents before she was blocked by a human wall. Only then did she understand she was snooping. An act that didn’t seem to please Emma. ” I’m so-sorry, I just-”

Chara’s face reddened, and Emma released a sigh. ” It’s okay, don’t be embarrassed.” She said, mortified at how quickly she acted on the situation.

” I’m sorry, I’ll just take my leave now.” Chara couldn’t bear it, she needed space to soak in her actions and her head remained bowed in shame.

Emma felt distraught watching her leave, ” Wait.” Her eyes flickered between a now-halted Chara and her computer before she spoke. ” I think I might need your help.” She added, going against everything that screamed it was a bad idea.

” You do?” Came the small and unsure voice of Chara.

Emma’s resolve hardened, and she stepped away from the computer. ” Yes please. Come over here.”

******

After an hour, the two were lounging in the living area, and discussing happily.

” Come on! I let you in, you should too.” Emma scolded with a smile, while Chara laughed.

” It’s nothing serious. Heck, I just gave you a hint too.” She said, holding out the information.

” You didn’t.”

” I did, you just aren’t sharp enough.” Chara turned aghast. ” I don’t mean it that way, I meant-”

Emma interrupted before she could finish. ” Tell me, what did you mean?” She asked curtly and Chara’s eyes widened.

” I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to insult you.”

” What does it matter? You did it anyway.” Emma spoke with a touch of finality. She turned away from her in an effort to hide her smile.

Chara was close to tears. How could she be so careless? ” Mrs Braxton, I cannot disrespect you. Please forgive my foolishness this time.” She pleaded with a shaky voice.

Emma was caught off guard by her formal address, she turned around immediately. ” Hey, It’s just a joke, a bad one. I knew you weren’t insulting me.” She spoke hurriedly, hating to have upset the person who made her day bearable.

She felt even more horrible when Chara couldn’t muster up a reply.

Great, she broke her. Classic Emma.

” It’s Joy.” Chara muttered, surprising Emma.

” Huh?”

” The meaning of my name, It’s joy.” She explained, reminding her of their previous conversation.

Emma tasted the name, ” Joy. Perfect.” She said sincerely, bringing a tinge of redness on her assistant’s face. So much that she got worried if it was normal for one to blush so profusely and within short periods.

” Thank you.” Chara battled within herself, wondering if she should ask a question, one that bothered her about the job she’d been given.

” Spit it out.” Emma said, having noticed the chewing and feet tapping. Unknown to Chara, from the little hours they spent together, Emma took keen observation of her and could tell her signs for different emotions or feelings.

For example, when she got nervous, she tucked her hair beside her ear-so much that sometimes, she removed and returned the hair loft. That she observed when she asked her to help her. Despite knowing her way around the job, for as long as she was around during the first few minutes, she seemed so uncomfortable and nervous- Hence her decision to create some kind of cordial relationship and ease her stress.

” Huh?” Chara was lost.

Emma’s eyes held a playful glint, ” You know there’s something up. Say it now or forever hold your peace.” She declared.

Chara hesitated for a moment, gauging the pro’s and con’s. She finally let out a harsh breathe and asked, ” What is the place for?”

Emma stilled and the room got chilly.

” You don’t need to tell me. I was just curious about it and since you said to ask, I just-”

” It’s fine.” Emma cut off her nervous ramblings, struggling to come up with a satisfactory answer. ” You are going to have to sign a non disclosure contract before I explain.”