Nancy watched as the coffee leaked slowly into the carafe of her coffee maker.  It was finally Friday and she was happy, she finally would be getting a break to rejuvenate over the weekend.  Robert had her out late every night this week and up at dawn every morning.  He promised her a break this weekend.   Nancy learned several times this week that she'll believe it when she sees it. 

Then there was Karen all she did was sit there and answer calls, Nancy was so busy running around with Robert this week she didn't get the chance to really sit with Karen for formal training.   At this point Nancy felt trained she will now have to issue Karen some of her work to lighten her load.  It may be a risk, but at this rate she was willing to take it.

She walked into the office with her thermos of coffee in hand, she didn't leave Robert's studio until early morning and only gotten an hour of sleep, so the thermos was going to come in handy as she ran around with Robert and party planners today just to make sure everything went smoothly for the promotional party they were holding for Darren Young.  "Karen I'd like to see you in my office please."  Nancy said as she glided past Karen's desk. 

"Sure boss."  Karen said sarcastically.  It stopped Nancy in her tracks.

"You remember that Karen.  I refused to be played like a fool."  Nancy turned around and headed into her office.  With a roll of her eyes Karen rose from her desk and followed Nancy.  "Okay today is a busy day for Mr. Phillips.  So I'll have to accompany him on a few stops.  I will like for you to take care of the minor details.  Such as: The band, make sure they are ready and arrange a ride for them to arrive at the site by 6pm, that should give them enough time to set up and warm up, before the crowd starts pouring in at 8pm."  Nancy looked up at Karen who seemed to be intently listening.  "Where's your pen and pad? I need you to take notes; there are quite a few things I want you to take care of."

"I have my brain Nancy.  I've been doing it this way for years and I haven't disappointed yet."  Karen said smugly.

"What happened Monday morning?"  Nancy shot back.   She then reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a leather portfolio. She placed a writing pad inside and a fountain pen.  "This is yours.  Oh yeah, before I forget..."  She then pulled out a box out of her briefcase.  "This is your new blackberry; for business use only.  I want it on at all times, you will be the assistant your resume says you should be and you will get a higher position again, so let's start working on that now, shall we?"  Karen reluctantly accepted the gifts, and instantly felt bad for giving Nancy a hard time all week.    "Now grab your new fancy pen and write down ‘band transport' and let's get on with the rest of your duties.  I then want you to call and make sure the wholesaler delivers the alcoholic beverages before 6pm to give the bartenders time to set up in the four corners of the site.  Get some people to help, about four max.  That way everything will move ahead of schedule."

"Four extra people aren't you working on a budget, how are you going to pay them?"

"Think smart!  This is what you do.  Get four wrist bands and head over to Georgia State.  Get yourself four strapping young men and tell them they can come to Robert Phillips promotional party tonight and all they have to do is help set up.  All they have to do is wear their bands and they can even bring one other person.  What college kid is gonna give up that chance?  It's their chance to mingle amongst stars.  All you have to do is check their ID's make sure they're over 21 and you tell them that their dates should be too or no one will get in." 

"I like that; I would have saved myself a lot of muscle pain if I did that in the past."  Karen said.  Nancy was surprised to hear Karen give her a compliment as hidden as it was.  They continued to go over Karen's tasks for another hour.  "Okay, but if I'm on the street and you're on the street with Phillips who's gonna answer these phones?" 

"Turn your phone on.  Wow with all that time it's been off you must have a lot of voice messages.  The calls reroute to the blackberry if no one answers in the office.   So you won't miss a call.  Karen, the most you should be doing today is answering the phone, signing paperwork and taking notes.  Do not and I repeat Do not lift a finger unless it's absolutely necessary. Learn to use your resources.  I just did." Nancy poured herself a cup of coffee.

"That's like your sixth cup isn't it?" Karen smirked remembering her endless nights with

Robert.  Sometimes more than studio work as the hairs on her arms rose at the thought.  Suddenly she felt sick to her stomach as she watched Nancy, her ‘replacement.'  Or that's what Robert told her the other night when she called him for a night cap.

"You've been replaced remember? Quit calling me you are not at that rank anymore."

"Jerk," Karen said to herself not noticing she said that out loud.

"Excuse me?"  Nancy looked up from the planner.

"Nothing, I'm going to get started on this list maybe with the football team at GSU."  Karen exited and Nancy chuckled at her comment.

"I'm glad to see you're already enjoying yourself."  Nancy gathered her things and made her way to Robert's office.  They needed to leave in forty five minutes and she needed to go over their schedule before they left.  Nancy walked in to see Robert being sized for a new suit.  "So I'm guessing a thousand suits aren't enough?"  Nancy said with a smirk.

"Enough suits are never enough, Nancy.  How are you doing this morning?  I thought the time you left my place this morning you would be begging to come in an hour later today."  Robert said turning to look at Nancy.  His female tailor looked at Nancy with a curious stare.  Nancy realized that Robert liked to make comments that can seem way out there to some folks he didn't know what was going on. 

"No sir never, that will never happen.  So don't ever expect that call unless there is a family emergency."  Nancy said taking her place at the chair in front of his desk.  "Okay sir, everyone is set up as far as photographers and entertainment journalists.  I have Karen taking care of the band and the bars, when she completes that I'll add more to her list depending on where we are in the day. 

"Whoa whoa you have Karen doing what?  She was demoted for a reason; you're going to allow that girl to screw up your chances here Nancy." 

"Sir my work load is made for two people especially with the lack of sleep."  Nancy realized that the blunt side of her she's been suppressing for months came out at the wrong time.  Maybe it was the lack of sleep.

Robert looked at Nancy sharply.  "Tina, when you're done I want you to take Nancy's measurements and find her a hot red dress for me.  She has great legs let's make sure the cameras catch them, eh."

"Umm, sir I was under the impression that I would be able to go home a little after the party started. I'd made sure everything was set up smoothly.  Anything after that, your party planners should be able to handle, right?"

"Nancy, you're my date tonight, you'll get sleep this weekend.  I need you tonight, don't you want to see what we've accomplished.  Come on this is your first baby!"

"Technically, sir-"

"Forget the technicalities we finished it we're going to enjoy it.  Now get your fine behind up here so Tina can get those curves on paper." Robert said with a wink.  Nancy stepped up on the box Tina had on the floor. 

"Sir if you don't mind opening that planner so we can go over some notes before we leave."  Robert grabbed the planner and turned to the day on order.  "Now if we see the party planners Kaila and Michelle as soon as we leave the important parts taken care of the rest can be handled by phone if need be, but I scheduled time for each because I know you prefer face to face contact."  Nancy said as she held up her arms for her bust measurements. 

"Okay sounds fine, why is my grooming appointments at the end of the day. That's when that place is the most crowded." 

"Well sir I offered the barber double to show up at your house this evening for in house service.  I also called my personal spa specialist to handle your nails and skin while you're getting your haircut.  I know you love to go to ‘Spa Fancy Smanchy', but trust me you will love her she's the best."

"Okay, I'll take your word for it. After all you look radiant every day." Robert said biting his bottom lip.  Nancy felt herself shiver at that look a bit.  It's been awhile since a man looked at her that way.  She shook her head in hopes of shaking such thoughts.  Robert was a user and she was not going to give him the satisfaction of using her. 

"Is this length okay?"  Tina asked from below. 

"A little longer please." Nancy answered feeling that Tina was trying to show off all her goods at that length. 

"Not you." Tina said and nodded toward Robert.

"That's perfect Tina thanks." Robert said with a coy smile.  "Sexy. Don't hide them." He said to Nancy.  Nancy thought to herself ‘another long night among many more.'

The day went smoothly and Karen proved herself well useful.  The young men from the college she chose were the top players, and Robert was a fan. With that she redeemed herself.  Nancy had to get ready for the party at Robert's place just to save on time as far as being picked up, plus the fact that her spa specialist would be there anyway.

"Wow this is a nice place!" Nicole said as she prepared Nancy's hot towels. "I can get used to living here if he wants an in home spa."

"I'm sure you can." Nancy said walking out the shower. 

"Girl you better get that man, you know he likes you right?"  Nancy blushed at the thought, but regained her composure.

"Let's be real, he likes what he can't get.  So as long as he isn't gettin' he will keep likin'." 

"I should have talked to you before all the dates and sleeping with those jerks in my past."

"Girl, you live and you learn. You hear me?  These fools out there don't appreciate a woman until the meet that one that gives them hell and high water.  Then they come running to the good ones, by then we're too bitter to care about their feelings, but to kind and sweet to show it."

"I hear the experience woman."  Nicole said with a smile.

"Oh my God, I forgot my makeup."  Nancy said as she looked through her bags.

"Girl relax, I have a license in cosmetology, sit in the chair I'll go get my make-up case."

"Really, is there anything you can't do?"  Nancy said impressed.

"Keep a man!" Nicole laughed as she exited the room.    

Getting ready seemed to take forever.  Finally Nancy was ready and she stood in the mirror looking at herself in her new Versace red dress that shimmered silver.  She wrapped her red scarf around her neck, stepped up into her red stilettos and grabbed her clutch.  Nicole was a magician with the makeup; Nancy almost didn't recognize herself.  The dress stuck to her outlining her hourglass shape.  The length left little to the imagination.  With her being tall and in the stilettos it made her legs seem to go on for miles.  It's been years since she felt this sexy.  The previously exhausted Nancy just caught her second wind.  "Wow girl you look amazing!"  Nicole complimented.  "Let me get a picture for my clients please."  Nicole pulled out her camera and snapped couple pictures of Nancy. 

"Okay, let's go." Nancy said taking a deep breath.  "By the way are you doing anything tonight?" 

"No. I'm going home to watch Friday night television." 

"Girl get your party dress out.  That party will be going on until morning.  So you have time, I'll put your name on the guest list when I get there.  Thank you so much."

"No thank you, never in a million years would I ever have thought I would be in Robert Phillips house giving him spa treatments, unbelievable!"  Nicole kissed Nancy on her forehead and headed toward the other end of the house to get the rest of her supplies before she left. 

Nancy made her way downstairs being careful on the marble staircase.  The heels made her nervous, but she walked like she was born in them. 

"Wow, here comes my future wife!"  Robert yelled from the bottom of the staircase.  "Girl you took my breath away."  Nancy blushed a little as he intensely stared into her eyes when she finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. "Come on; let's make every female in and male across the world hate being who they are tonight."  With that Nancy took his arm and they walked out to the waiting limousine.  "Oh I had the limo pick up Darren and his date; I thought it would look good we arrive together."

"Great idea..."  Nancy answered.  Throughout the week Darren and Nancy shared some intimate stares, well so Nancy thought.  She didn't know Darren had a girlfriend.  She slipped into the car and made herself comfortable as the driver went around to let
Robert in.  She stared across at Darren's date that was sitting there popping a piece of gum and in a dress that looked like it came from the neighborhood outlet mall.  Her hair was done in an up do with more spritz than the ozone would be able to handle.  Nancy turned on the air to calm the strong chemical smell that was emitting from Darren's date's hair.  She almost forgot her manners as she was scrutinizing so hard.  

"Good evening you two.  You both look really nice." 

"How are you doing?" Darren asked as his eyes ran up her legs. 

"I'm doing well. Are you nervous?"

"No not really, I've done so many underground performances in front of the most unforgiving crowd that it gets easier to perform.  I can perform through boos now.  It doesn't even phase me."

Robert slid in next to Nancy and shook Darren's hand.  "What's that smell?"

"Oh I have someone I'd like you to meet." Darren said holding his date's hand.  "This is Shaniqua.  Shaniqua this is Robert Phillips and the beautiful Nancy, his assistant."  Shaniqua put on her best smile for Robert but looked over Nancy and looked out the window.  Nancy caught the attitude and couldn't help but smirk.  The ride downtown took forty five minutes and for every two seconds they listened to Shaniqua's gum pop.  A few minutes before they arrived at the site, Nancy pulled out a napkin and handed it over to Shaniqua. 

"I don't need no napkin."  Shaniqua said while rolling her eyes. 

"Yes you do dear, because I refuse for any cameras catching our artist with a girl that is popping her gum in every picture or chewing it as if she were a cow chewing its cud."  Nancy said as Shaniqua grabbed the napkin from her hands and spit her gum in it.  She then handed it back to Nancy.  "Thank you." Nancy said with a look of disgust as she dropped it in the trashcan that was below the bar in the limo.  "Now upon walking in you stop three times on the carpet for one minute each stop so the cameras can get great pictures.  Shaniqua put one of your legs in front of the other and turn slightly to the side for each pose."

"Why I need to do all that?"  Shaniqua asked with attitude. 

"Because it hides your little pooch..."  Nancy said curtly. 

"Girl, what I told you about your attitude before we left the house?  Just be quiet. Damn, do what you're told.  It's her job to make sure you what you doin' is right."  Darren said defending Nancy.  Robert sat staring at Shaniqua making a mental note to himself to have a little talk to Darren about his choices in women that represent him."

"Well we're here."  Nancy said as the limo rolled to a stop and the camera lights began to flash all around them in anticipation.  "Remember big smiles and turn to the side.  Darren it's your night whatever you need we get.  Good luck."

Robert watched as Nancy handled everything.  He didn't have to open his mouth unless he had to.  "If I didn't know better I'd say you've worked in the entertainment industry before.  I'm impressed!"

"Well, if you call hours of E entertainment and VH1 experience. I have plenty.  So shall we?"