My Boss’s Whim

by Liliana Rhodes

  It was by accident that I discovered the amazing sunrise from the study. Shortly after moving in, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back asleep. The full moon shone so brightly through the dome windows that when I saw the way it lit the hall, I thought I left a light on in the study.

  That night I fell asleep in the overstuffed chair, admiring the moon as I thought about my luck of going from Jackie's couch to the mansion. When I woke, the sun splashed deep orange streaks across the sky. I couldn't imagine a better way to start the day so I began my habit of tea and the sunrise.

  My phone beeped to remind me of that day’s agenda, and I groaned as I watched the words "personal shopper" flit across the screen. I had been pushing off this appointment. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy shopping at times, I just didn't think I needed help. I could look perfectly presentable if that's what Xander wanted from me.

  Unfortunately, I didn't know what Xander wanted. In the weeks I had been working as his House Manager, I hadn't seen him at all. Not only that, but while I felt comfortable in the house alone watching the sunrise, once the house filled, I remembered I was just Ashley. My idea of what was nice and presentable was probably worlds away from Xander's reality.

  At exactly 9am, I heard a car pull up on the gravel driveway. I was dressed in one of my nicest outfits, a maxi dress with a burgundy and black print. I cinched a wide black belt around my waist, making the dress look more like two pieces and accentuating my waist, therefore giving me more of an hourglass figure. I managed to convince myself that the personal shopper would be a fun experience, but I wanted to look good for her. I needed her to see I had my own sense of style even though she was hired to help.

  I opened the door to find a thin woman hurriedly typing on her Blackberry. Her silver hair was cropped short and she was dressed in a tan pair of khakis with a pale yellow cardigan. I easily imagined her having tea while her husband played golf at the country club. I bit my lip to stop myself from giggling at the image.

  "Lydia Winkler. I have a 9am appointment with Ashley Monroe." Her voice had a slight snobby accent and her eyes never left her handheld device as she spoke. "She should be expecting me."

  "Yes, come in. I'll take you to the living room." I led her through the foyer and motioned to the couch for her to sit. "Can I get you something to drink?"

  "No, I'd like to get to work. Can you go get her?"

  "Umm...I am her."

  "What? You?" She stood up and shook her head as she looked at me. "No, I'm not doing this. I don't have the time for...this." She eyed me up and down. "I was told you just needed some new clothing."

  "Yes, that's it. I need clothing I can wear on business trips and events."

  "No. I've been doing this for years. You need much more than that and trust me, you wouldn't be able to afford me." She grabbed her things and headed towards the door.

  "But...wait...but I..." I didn't know what to say. I felt so humiliated. I heard her car drive away, and I looked down at myself and wondered what could be so horribly wrong with me to make her react like that.

  My eyes began to sting as I fought to keep the tears back. I heard voices coming down the hall and quickly ran up the steps. I couldn't let anyone see me like this. Entering the study, I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the window.

  I looked fat. I hated that I did this to myself. Just minutes before I thought I looked great, or at least good, but now I thought differently. I couldn't help but notice my soft jawline and full cheeks.

  I ran to my room, feeling like an idiot. What was I doing thinking I could do this job? Sure, managing the day to day of the mansion was one thing, but Xander wanted me to double as his assistant, too. I couldn't do that.

  I slumped onto the floor and let my tears fall. There was no use fighting them anymore. I didn't know what it was that woman saw in me that was so awful, but I knew what I saw in the mirror, and that was bad enough.

  I threw my shoes across the floor as I got mad for feeling sorry for myself. I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath. I had to do better than this. I couldn't just give up. Old Ashley would have given up.

  I splashed some cold water on my face as I calmed down. As I stood over the sink, I replayed in my head how the personal shopper reacted to me and felt worse. I heard an insistent knock at the door and groaned, wishing I could be alone.

  "Just a minute," I called out as I dried my face and hoped my voice sounded normal. I figured it had to be one of the new maids I hired. I hoped she didn't catch me crying.

  "Don't ever make me wait again."Xander growled as he walked through the door.

  I immediately wished I looked better. I knew my eyes were a little swollen from crying, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you. You should've told me--"

  "Why were you crying?" he interrupted as he walked past me and into the living area of the suite. "Where's that personal shopper? I expected her to be here. My mother has nothing but good things to say about her."

  "She..." I could barely speak. I gulped the word down. I hated myself for being so sensitive and emotional, especially in front of Xander. "She left..." I mumbled the rest of my answer, but I felt so overwhelmed by everything, including him, that I didn't know what words came out of my mouth.

  "She left?!" He spun around, and his eyes met mine. His fingers reached up and softly caressed my cheek. He didn't say a word, but his face softened. I wondered if he could read my mind.

  His hand slipped behind my neck and he pulled me closer. My body melted into his as he pressed his lips to my forehead, and I lost it. I bawled like a baby.

  His hand moved down to the middle of my back, and he held me so tight I could feel his heart beating through his strong muscles and against my chest. Inhaling deeply between sobs, I noticed he smelled like spicy citrus.

  I buried my face in his suit jacket and tightly clung to its soft wool lapels. I couldn't help myself despite how pathetic crying made me feel. As he stroked my hair, I felt him kiss the top of my head.

  "I'm sorry. I should've known better." His voice lost the growl I had grown accustomed to. It was deep, husky, and soothing. "I'll arrange something for you this afternoon. You'll need a new wardrobe for Hawaii."

  "Hawaii??"

  "Yes, we leave tomorrow."

  He walked out of the room, leaving me in shock with my still wet, tear-stained face.

  Chapter Eleven

  Xander

  "Wait, sir! You can't just come in here! Where do you think you're going?"

  The young maid ran alongside me in her pressed black skirt and top as I entered Jefferson Manor. I was pleased Ashley had hired help and that they were dressed in the appropriate uniforms, but I couldn't understand why this one insisted on getting in my way.

  As I drove up to the house, I saw who I believed was Lydia Winkler walk out of the house and get into her car. I knew Ashley didn't want the extravagance of it, so I thought she sent Lydia home.

  "This is my house, and I'll do what I damn well please. Get out of the way!" My voice echoed throughout the first floor, and it scared the maid enough that she backed off.

  I made my way to Ashley's suite of rooms and pounded on her door. When she opened it, I stormed past her and into the room.

  "Don't ever keep me waiting," I growled. She started to say something, but I wasn't listening. I couldn't focus on her voice. I noticed her puffy red eyes and knew something had happened.

  "She..." her voice trailed off and I could see the pain in her eyes. "She left. She said she couldn't help me. I'm sure it's because I'm fat," she whispered in a half mumble.

  "She left?!"

  I turned and looked at her again. I couldn't believe it. How could that idiot woman take a look at Ashley and think she couldn't buy clothing for her? She was gorgeous!

  I pulled her close and kissed her forehead before whispering, "It's not you. You're beautiful. You're not fat. Don't ever think like that." She cried h
arder and didn't respond, so I held her tight while I thought about how to fix things. "I'll arrange something for you this afternoon. You'll need a new wardrobe for Hawaii."

  I let her go and walked out of the room. I had avoided Ashley for weeks because I knew I had feelings for her. Something about her had sparked emotions in me I thought I'd never feel again. I wasn't sure I wanted them.

  Heading out to my car, I glared at the maid I yelled at before and hid a smile as she turned and headed in the other direction. Once I got into my car, I dialed my oldest friend Josh to arrange shopping for Ashley then dialed Lydia Winkler's number.

  "This is Lydia."

  She spoke her name with a superior air she didn't deserve. It angered me even more.

  "Lydia," I barked. "This is Alexander Boone."

  "Oh hello there, Alex, your mother has told me so much about you. I feel like I know you."

  "Well, you don't." I paused to make sure she realized I was serious. "You left your appointment early. You didn't help Miss Monroe."

  "Your mother didn't tell me what a mess--"

  "She is not a mess. Do you have any idea what you did?"

  "Well, if you feel that way, I'll just go back when I have some free time."

  "You'll be having a lot of free time, but I don't want you anywhere near her. I'm not sure you realize who I am and who I know. You're done. I'll make sure of it."

  "But…but--"

  I hung up the phone. I didn't care to hear her grovel. I dialed my old friend again.

  "Josh, did you clear everything for this afternoon?"

  "Yes, of course. I told you it wouldn't be a problem." Josh's voice had a feminine lilt to it. "Send her over whenever she's ready, and I'll take good care of her. I also reached out to some friends of mine about that Lydia woman. I've heard stuff like that about her before. Trust me, she'll never get private clients again. It’s about time someone stood up to her."

  "Good. I should've called you to begin with. Thanks Josh, I owe you."

  I arrived at the downtown offices of Boone Enterprises. There were a lot of things that needed to be taken care of before leaving for Hawaii the next day. I wasn't looking forward to the conference until I told Ashley she was coming.

  It had been years since my last trip to Hawaii, and I was sure my old ghosts would be there. I hoped that having Ashley with me would keep them at bay. When I held her earlier, I remembered how she smelled like vanilla and how her lush curves molded against my body. At that moment, it didn't matter that she worked for me, I needed her and would use any reason to have her near me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ashley

  That afternoon, I drove out to Fashion Plaza like Xander told me to. I had driven past the area many times over the years but never thought I'd ever step foot in it, let alone shop there.

  Fashion Plaza was an outdoor mall with stores I had only heard about on TV and the movies. It was a mixture of large, world-renowned stores and small, high-end family owned boutiques. From the outside it didn't look like much of anything, but once I stepped through the path leading from the parking lot to the stores, I couldn't believe my eyes.

  The walkway opened up into a circle. Stores lined the circumference, and in the center was a five tier marble fountain. Everything was beautiful. Even the sidewalk had an ornate design that made it look like Italian tile.

  I followed the sidewalk to the other side of the fountain and into a rectangular section with stores along both sides and an amazing garden running down the center. The garden was sculpted to look like a jungle with topiary animals.

  I wasn't looking forward to shopping. I didn't expect the shop I was going to would carry my size. I was accustomed to going to plus-sized stores and dealing with whatever they sold. Going to malls sometimes made me a little sad. Walking past all those stores with their cute clothes in the windows while I settled for whatever "fashion" the couple of plus-sized stores carried was not my idea of fun.

  As I passed a giant topiary lion about to pounce on a gazelle, I spotted the store in the corner--Joyeux. Sometimes I got upset while trying on clothes because they didn't fit me right. My hips were a bit larger than my waist so if one thing fit, the other didn't. I took a deep breath and summoned all my courage before opening the shop door.

  The shop was very girly yet exotic, decorated in soft pinks, but not in an irritating kind of way. Sheer panels of fabric billowed across the ceiling and down the walls, giving the store a dreamlike feel. Towards the back, tall mirrors curved around a fitting area while the rest of the shop displayed outfits and accessories. Several silk upholstered seats were scattered throughout the boutique.

  "Good day! You must be Miss Monroe." The man spoke with an effeminate tone. He was tall and slim yet muscular. His dark brown hair was slicked back from his forehead, and his bright green eyes looked friendly. He was very handsome in his black slacks and open-collared black-striped shirt. "I'm Joshua."

  "Hi, yes, Xander Boone told me to come in?" My nerves were getting the best of me. I glanced around the store and noticed I was the only big girl there. "I'm not sure you can help me though."

  "Nonsense! A gorgeous girl like you? I love it when a shapely woman like you comes into the shop. It brings me back to when I played with dolls. Remember when Barbie had curves? Maybe you're too young. Come this way, I've got some fabulous things to show you."

  I followed Joshua towards the back of the store and realized what I thought was just a fitting area was much larger. There were more of the upholstered seats around this section, creating a small runway. We sat on one of the chairs, and a woman brought over two glasses of champagne. It dawned on me that not even a month ago I carried the champagne, now I was drinking it.

  Suddenly, a girl in a pair of white cargo pants and a white t-shirt with a large drawn flower on the front walked down the runway.

  "This is a sample of my casual wear. Show her the pants, darling."

  The girl bent down and demonstrated how the pants could be turned into cropped pants just by adjusting the ties around the ankle.

  "That's really cute, but I can't wear white."

  "They come in different colors, but what do you mean? You can wear whatever color you want, darling."

  "No...do you have black? That's better for me."

  "Black? Of course, but you should think about the white, you'd look fabulous in it! Why don't you think you can wear white?"

  I sighed. "Because I'll look like a marshmallow."

  He laughed and shook his head. Normally I would've been offended, but I started laughing, too. It was obvious he wasn't laughing at me, just the image I described.

  "You're crazy! You know Xander told me you were beautiful, he even said you had the perfect body. He told me about that horrible bitch Lydia." He sighed and rolled his eyes then smiled at me. "Xander never exaggerates. Come, I'll show you." He took my hand and brought me to a dressing room that was filled with clothes. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of guessing your size based on what Xander told me."

  I couldn't believe how many items were in there. I took the white pants off the hanger and looked at the size--16. Did Xander think I was fat? It was exactly my size. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

  "How did you know my size? You never saw me. He told you I was fat, didn't he?"

  "No!" He looked at me like I was crazy. "You want to know what he said? He said 'Josh, remember Mrs. Porter in eighth grade? Sexy like that.' Trust me my dear, you wanted to be Mrs. Porter in eighth grade, all the boys loved her, even me!" He laughed. "No one ever skipped her class."

  My cheeks burned. It surprised me that Xander would talk like that about me. I decided to try on the pants even though I still thought I'd look huge.

  "So you've known Xander for a long time?"

  "Oh yes! He's my brother from another mother! And thank the Lord I don't have his mother. Have you met her?"

  "No, but I think she's the one who hired Lydia. Why didn't he just send me here?"<
br />
  "Well goodness, if you ever see his mother, trust me, run in the other direction! Think of those horror movies where you just yell at the screen ‘Run! Run!’ That's my advice to you if she ever shows up." He laughed. "My guess is he didn't want us talking about him." He winked.

  Looking at myself in the mirror, I was shocked. The pants fit. Not only did they fit, but somehow they made me look more proportionate instead of accentuating my ass.

  "See? Perfect! More people should just listen to me." Joshua grinned. "You're free to take all this home with you if you'd rather try them on there. I picked out what I thought would be perfect for Hawaii plus some business attire and this..." From the back of the clothing rack, he pulled out an exquisite sapphire blue chiffon dress. "Put it on."

  I quickly changed into the dress. The thin straps rested perfectly on my shoulders and the top hugged my breasts, making my cleavage look especially full and sexy. The dress was empire waisted and flowed as if it was weightless. The hem was cut so that it was shorter in the front than the back, which made me look taller.

  "Wow. This dress is gorgeous!"

  "You make it gorgeous, my dear. Now go! I'm sure you need time to pack. I'll arrange for everything to be delivered to Jefferson Manor within the hour."

  "Thanks so much! This was really great." Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away. I was silly to get emotional, but it was such a relief after all my insecurities. I hugged Joshua tight.

  "Now you realize I might need you sometime. I design pieces like that dress all the time and never have anyone to wear them." He waved his hand towards some of the shoppers and rolled his eyes. "Look at all those scrawny things out there! Enjoy your trip, darling!"

  I left the store wearing the white pants with the floral accented t-shirt and carrying the dress with a few other items I wanted to take home right away. As I walked past the topiaries, I saw a woman with short grey hair go into one shop, then a minute later leave and enter the next shop. She was carrying a portfolio. I slowed my walk and watched as she entered each successive shop but left looking more frustrated each time. She wore a khaki skirt and lavender cardigan sweater that made me think of country club attire. No…it couldn't be!