I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I thought of the man I have seen at the café and his icy stare.
‘No, I’ve never met him.’
For a moment, I thought she was going to call him. How awkward it would be, interviewed by Anthony’s best friend who I’d never met. The blonde receptionist wiggled her way into the office with a tray. She placed it on Giselle’s desk and left without closing the door behind her. Giselle placed an expensive china cup in front of me.
‘So, tell me,’ Giselle said, ‘why do you want this job?’
Oh God, here it comes. The same tedious tiresome questions. The money, I need the money. I haven’t done any intensive research on the company except at the coffee shop. I felt like an unprepared idiot.
‘Well... I’m a fast learner and I make a mean cup of tea,’ I blurted.
Giselle smiled. ‘Do you have any experience in art?’
‘No.’
‘Photography?’
I shift my bottom on the chair in discomfort. ‘No.’
‘But you’ve worked as an assistant before?’
‘Yes.’
‘What did you do there?’
‘Answer the phone, email clients. Filing, I did bookkeeping, set up appointments for my boss...’
‘The job here is different. I already have a personal assistant. What I need is someone who is fast at getting things done. You’ll do the filing, I have a room which needs clearing, and you wouldn’t be dealing with phones or bookkeeping. I have people who are qualified to do that. I need someone to set up the gallery downstairs, run errands, and take care of the stationery. You will also be assisting Davian, my main photographer and business partner. You will meet him now since Anthony failed to do so. He’s my star.’
I’d be assisting Davian? With what? Davian is her partner? So technically, he’ll be my boss.
I lifted the cup. ‘So, Davian will be my boss?’
She gave me a stern look. ‘No, I’m your boss. Don’t forget that.’
‘Okay.’
‘Some gallery openings are held at weekends. Would that be a problem?’
‘No.’
‘Long hours?’
‘No.’
‘Excellent. Since Anthony spoke so highly of you and you seem like a bright, sensible girl, you’ll start on Monday.’
I wanted to jump up, clap my hands together and hug her, but I remained composed. ‘Thank you.’
We discussed my salary as we sipped our coffees. As I was telling her about my years in college, there was a knock on the door.
‘Ah, just in time,’ Giselle said, standing.
I did a double take, nearly dropping the china cup. Davian strode in. He didn’t seem to notice I was there. But why would he? I was invisible, at least to him. He talked about his photographs, which sounded so strange and foreign to me.
‘We talk about that later, Davian. There is someone I would like you to meet,’ Giselle said, placing her hand on his forearm.
I bet he recognised me, but he didn’t bat an eyelid. He seemed so pompous, so snotty. Like someone who took himself way too seriously. I jumped as his eyes passed through me like lasers.
‘This is Lottie. She’s Anthony’s friend, and she’s going to start here on Monday.’
He smiled politely and reached out a hand. I wobbled on my feet. I took his hand; it was warm and his handshake was firm. I kept on staring at him lost in a trance. He smelled good too. Chanel, I presumed.
‘How come I never met you before?’ he said in a deep soothing voice.
‘I don't know. You have to ask him.’
‘Strange guy, that Anthony. Send him my regards.’
I felt my cheeks colour. ‘Oh... of course.’
Giselle had her hands across her chest, eyeing us. This is Anthony’s friend and he had been hiding him all this time!
‘Lottie, be here at nine o'clock sharp and ask for Lilia. She will show you the ropes,’ Giselle said.
‘Yes, thank you.’
I took one last glance at Davian, but he didn’t smile or say anything. I turned to take my leave.
‘And I take your word for it,’ Giselle added.
I turned to face them. They looked so powerful and beautiful while I was the cockroach who’d made its way to this classy building.
‘For the mean cup of tea,’ Giselle said, and winked.
‘Oh, anytime. Bye.’
Chapter Six
I stop at the reception. Lilia glances up at me and rises from her chair and rushes over to hug me.
‘My God, I can’t believe it.’
‘Me neither. Is Giselle in?’
‘Yes, she’s in.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I might have to talk to you later,’ I tell her.
‘Yes, of course, when?’ she asks.
‘I’ll call you....’
Giselle is behind her desk working on her laptop or, checking for updates regarding the murder. That reminds me, I need to check what the newspapers are saying. Maybe something new had come up. I knock on the door.
‘Anthony.’ Giselle stands, opening her arms. ‘Darling, I’m so sorry.’
We embrace for a few seconds then I pull away.
‘Who would do this?’ she says, rubbing her hands on my arms.
‘I don’t know.’
‘Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?’
‘No, I’m fine,’ I say.
Giselle sits down across from me. ‘Lottie was such a sweet, beautiful young woman. Who would want to harm her?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘The detectives were here. They came this morning. They seemed particularly interested in Davian and for the life of me I don’t know why.’
My eyebrows lift to my forehead. ‘Were they?’
‘Yes, they asked me about his working relationship with Lottie.’
Why would the police be interested in Davian?
‘What did you tell them?’ I ask.
‘What is there to tell?’
Is she covering his arse? I know she favours him because his photographs sell like hotcakes, and he brings her a lot of money, but there are limits.
‘He’s not an easy person to work with,’ I point out. ‘When was the last time you saw Lottie?’ I ask.
‘Four days ago.’
‘How was she?’
‘She was fine. Her usual self. Quiet, going about with her business.’ Giselle keeps staring at me as if she could read me. ‘Don’t go do anything stupid now.’
‘I’m only trying to find out what happened.’
‘I know you cared about her, we all did, but let the police handle it and focus on yourself.’
‘She’s my friend.’
‘I know, I had hopes for her. So much potential.’
‘Will it be okay if I...’ I trailed off.
Her eyes shot at me. ‘No need to ask. Take all the time you need.’
She opens a drawer, hands me an envelope and slips it across the desk. ‘Take care and if you need anything, anything at all, you know where to find me.’
I stand to leave then I turn to her. ‘Did you speak to Davian?’
‘Yes, he’s here,’ she says, ‘in his office.’