Emma Riley

Lakeside Apartments
Later that night

It was almost midnight when I finished all of my buildings, and my feet were killing me as I practically had to drag myself up the stairs to my apartment on the third floor. It was right about now that I wish they would fix the elevator. It's been down for the past two months and the tenants of the building have been complaining ever since. But have they fixed it? No. Honestly, I was seriously beginning to wonder whether there was some kind of "Manager Handbook" I was unaware of. In it a list of rules on how to be a manager; "Be fucking lazy. Tell others how to do their job but make sure you don't know how to do it yourself.  But above all? Be a total douche." I felt like collapsing and passing out right where I stood by the time I got to my door and pulled out my keys from my purse. I yawned, once again regretting promising to work in the morning. Sleep sounds much more fun. But then again..not being such a broke bitch sounds like a real blast, too.

I opened the door and pulled myself inside, immedietely kicking my shoes off in an unorganized pile of shoes by the door. I was startled to look up and see my roommate Gina on the couch with her feet propped up underneath her, mindlessly scrolling on her phone. On Instagram most likely.

"Gina! You scared the shit out of me." I shook my head as I set down my keys and purse on the coffee table as she glanced up at me with a surprised look on her face. "Oh hey! I didn't hear you come in." I rolled my eyes as I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Arrowhead water, settling on the couch next to her.

Gina and I had been friends since high school. She was one of my only real friends in high school. She was a confident and outgoing redhead who told it like it is and was loyal to a fault. I can't begin to tell you how many fights she got into at school because she was defending me. Much like Katie, a lot of people at school thought I was a "stick in the mud." Because I cared about my grades and wasn't into going to wild parties. It's a sad world to live in when being a good student is considered "uncool."

I took a big gulp of the contents in the water bottle and I tilted my head back on the couch and mindlessly stare up at the ceiling. "You look exhausted." Gina said in an apologetic voice. I glanced at her to find her looking up from her phone to study my face. "Katie give you a hard time  again or what?" Her pretty brown eyes narrowed at the mention of Katie's name. She's never actually met her before but from what she's heard from me bitching about my night at work every night when I came home, she decided long ago that Katie was on her shit list. I couldn't help but smile at how protective she was.

I took another drink as she sat in silence, ready for me to dish about my night the way I always did. "Katie was half an hour late at the bank, then Carl calls all bitchy at me for being late." I shook my head in disgust, frustrated by the unfairness of it all and still wishing I could have told him to fuck off.

Gina rolled her eyes as she continued scrolling through her phone as she spoke.  "I still say that girl is sucking some dick or something." She said it very casually and I couldn't help but laugh. Great minds think alike. "I don't disagree with you. But she's not my biggest worry." I rubbed my temples with my index fingers as I remembered the bomb my boss had dropped on me.

Ryker freakin Fox? Even I know who that is and I don't even keep up with the tabloids. He was gorgeous, but judging from what I've seen on social media and the news he had some issues. Mostly with women. A gorgeous mess is still a mess. "Oh, God." I mumbled outloud as I began to realize what I had agreed to. I had probably seen too many movies but I imagined some kind of sex dungeon with about a dozen half naked women in thongs walking around his house. Me trailing along behind them in some trashy french maid uniform I got conned me into wearing with a dust mop.

After a long while of me panicking in my head, Gina broke my train of thought. "Okay..what the hell happened?!" She perked up and put her phone down, deciding I was way more interesting than the cat video she was previously engrossed in. I suppose I should be flattered? I took another drink of my water, mostly just stalling. I half wished I hadn't said anything, but half needed someone to vent to. But I rolled my eyes, already knowing what her reaction was going to be.

"Well?" She pressed me to continue, impatient with the waiting. I groaned as I finally gave in. I mean..it's not really something I can just not tell her about.

"There's just this new VIP client and apparently I'm the girl for the job. I start in the morning." I was as short as I could be, hoping against all logic she wouldn't ask who the client was.

"Oh my god! Who's the client?! Is it someone famous?!" Her face lit up as she realized this was even juicier than she originally expected.

Well, fuck. Here it comes. Shit is about to get real. "It's Ryker Fox..hungry?" I practically jumped off the couch and hurled myself into the kitchen, trying in vain to escape.

It was silent for a while, long enough for me to wonder if she had actually heard me. But while I was hiding in the kitchen, I decided I actually was hungry. So I pulled out the loaf of bread and took out a jar of peanut butter from the cupboard, intending on making a sandwich.

"WHAT!?!?"  I could hear what I said finally sink in, and I couldn't help but laugh. It sounded like she was having a heart attack. Gina ran into the kitchen and began to jump up and down like a little kid who needed to go to the bathroom. I shot her a puzzled look as I got a generous amount of peanut butter on my knife and began to spread it evenly on the piece of white bread. "Want one?" I asked, motioning to the sandwich I was making. My casualty seemed to offend her as she stared at me in disbelief as if I had sprouted a second head right in front of her.

"Emma..can I ask you a personal question?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously in my direction and crossed her arms in front of her. I looked at her up and down and scoffed as if she had asked a ridiculous question. "You kind of just did technically..but since when do you ask permission first?"

She placed one manicured finger to her pouty lips and tilted her head to the side as if seriously thinking it over. "Hmm..good point." She winked at me playfully and I smirked, as I automatically starting making a sandwich for her. She didn't say she wanted one but I knew her well enough to know if I didn't make her one I would end up having to share mine, and I was too hungry to be a nice person. "So, what's your question?" Reluctantly prompting her to continue as I spread a helping of grape jelly on both our sandwiches.

"Oh, I was just wondering.." she paused for a moment as she sat on one of the bar stools and made herself comfortable while she waited for her sandwich. "You would tell me if you were on crack..right?" There was fake concern in her voice with a generous side of sarcasm.

"I can't afford a crack habit right now." I laughed as I poured us two glasses of milk to go with our sandwiches. "You'll be the first to know if that changes." I walked over to the kitchen island where she sat and placed her plate and glass in front of her. Two seconds later I was back with mine.

I couldn't hold in my laughter when I returned with my sandwich and milk to find her with peanut butter all over her cheek and face, seeming to enjoy her sandwich. "Thanks boo thang, you know just how to keep mama happy." She teased, her mouth full of peanut butter and jelly.

I shook my head and picked up one half of my sandwich. "So, why would you ask me if  I was on crack?" She perked up once again, the sandwich temporarily making her forget what we were talking about. I instantly regretted bringing it up again. Who knows, maybe I am on crack and I'm just too high to realize it.

"Ryker fucking Fox?! Are you shitting me?? It's Ryker Fox, Emma." She pronounced his name as if I didn't realize who that was, her eyes as wide as saucers with a hint of jelly at the corner of her mouth.

"I know who he is, Gina. We have a television." I rolled my eyes as I took a drink of my milk. My nonchalant attitude once again seemed to frustrate her. She always bought into the whole celebrity thing more than I did.

"See? That's what I'm talking about!" She gestured towards me like I had just proven her point. "How can you not be more excited?" She did a little dance in her chair with her sandwich still in her hand as if she was celebrating something special.

"I'm going to be cleaning his toliets or whatever. It's not like I'm stopping by for margaritas and hot sex." Although, I wouldn't necessary mind some margaritas and hot sex in my life.

"Well, the man does have a reputation for being extra friendly with the help." She wiggled her eyebrows and gave me a smile that reminded me I needed a shower.

"All the more reason to dread it." Trying and failing to hide my nerves. "The last thing I need is to be another knotch in his bed post. One more knotch and his headboard will turn to dust." I was only half joking. She sipped on her milk as I grabbed both our now empty plates and took them to the sink.

"No offense, but that might be exactly what you need." I turned around and stared at her in confusion like she had just spoken pig latin. "Don't look at me like that!" She continued, throwing her hands up. "You haven't been laid in..you know..a while." She suddenly got quiet and bit her bottom lip, realizing she had unintentionally brought up a sore subject.

"Since Sam. I know." I cringed at the sound of my ex-boyfriends name. I was over him now for the most part, these past past six months we've been broken up has given me time to heal. I went through all the stages. Denial, anger, acceptance, blah blah blah. I can see now that we were never meant to be together like I once thought. But that doesn't mean I enjoy talking about him.

From what I can see, he completely moved on almost immedietely. Which kind of stung a bit, not going to lie. We were together a year after all. I'm not too proud to admit that after we had broken up, back when I still had hope that we would work it out..I sort of Facebook  stalked him. I mean, we've all done it, right? As it turned out, he got another girlfriend almost instantly. I mean..suspiciously quick. She was pretty, too. Really pretty. I can still see the picture in my head of them with their arms wrapped around each other in a disgustingly passionate embrace, a bunch of cutesy little heart emojis in it's caption. All their friends and family gushing in the comments about how adorable they were. Sam replied to their congratulations by saying, "Thanks everybody..I've never felt this way about anyone before." That was when I really knew it was over. He was happier without me. It was hard to not take it personal. It made me wonder what I had done wrong and why he had never kissed me  like that.

Now feeling a bit saddened by the painful memory, I silently walked back over to where Gina still sat, studying my face. I grabbed our empty glasses and went back over to the sink, avoiding eye contact with her all too knowing eyes.

"I'm an asshole. I'm so sorry for bringing it up." She said, brushing her long red hair out of her face with her hands.

I took a deep breath and willed the tears away that threatened to surface. I hated thinking about all this, but she meant well. When I felt I had calmed down enough to speak without crying, I faced her and forced a weary smile. "It's okay, Gina. You didn't mean anything by it. That was a while ago, anyway." I tried my best to sound indifferent, but she knew me too well.

"That's kind of my point, Emma." She hesitated, not wanting to upset me further. "He moved on, you deserve to find your happiness too." She smiled, but I could see genuine concern in her eyes.

"I am happy." I countered, not entirely sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.

She rolled her eyes in frustration and shoot me a "I know what you just said is bullshit" look.

"Are you forgetting I live with you?" I wasn't liking where this conversation was going. Being vulnerable made me uncomfortable. Even with Gina,  and she was closer to me than anyone.

"All you do is work..at a job that treats you like crap, I might add." There was a protective edge in her voice that I would normally appreciate. "You never go out. You have no social life. You haven't seriously dated anyone since Sa--you know who." She stopped herself like she had said too much.

"Is this your idea of a pep talk? Do me a favor..never work at a crisis hotline."  I was even heavier on the sarcasm than usual because I was feeling defensive. As much as I wanted to say she was wrong, she wasn't. My life kind of sucked at the moment.

"Look..I know this is hard to hear." She reasoned, as if reading my mind. "I just..feel like you're worth so much more than you're giving yourself credit for. Let's face it..you're fucking hot."  She motioned to me as if she saw something I wasn't seeing.

"You could use a little sprucing up, but.." she took in my lazy gray sweatpants and black t-shirt, my hair still in a messy bun.

"I literally just got home from cleaning toliets, Gina. How would you suggest I dress for the occasion?" I sounded more defensive than I intended to. But she was right, it was hard to hear. Not to mention I was tired, dirty, smelled like cleaning supplies, and was dreading the morning more and more by the minute. To be frank, I was feeling very bitchy.

"I'm just saying." She shrugged and continued with her point, ignoring my defensive attitude completely.

"You're twenty-one years old. You're beautiful, your sexy underneath all those clothes" she motioned to my sweatpants and t-shirt in disgust. "Now is the time in your life you're supposed to be going out, having fun. You work too much." Her voice filled with both worry and frustration.

"What does all this have to do with Ryker Fox? I'm going to be working over there too." I said it as I leaned myself against the counter, both in sarcasm and genuine confusion, not getting where this was going.

"I'm saying..you need to get laid." She said it very matter-of-fact and I narrowed my eyes at her. "Ryker Fox is definitely going to notice how hot you are." An evil grin spread her face and I could feel my cheeks flush a bright red.

"All I'm saying is, if he happens to want a little extra somethin somethin, I think you should go for it." She squealed like a school girl and clapped her hands together. "It might be just what you need to remind you you're not dead yet."

I did my signature eyeroll followed by a scoff. "I didn't realize you cared so much if I'm getting laid." I mumbled it as I left the kitchen and headed towards my room, leaving her where she sat. She's managed to make me even more nervous about tomorrow than I already was. Thanks so much, best frand.

"I care about you being happy!" I heard her call after me. "Ryker Fox looks like the kind of guy who knows exactly how to make a woman happy, if you catch my drift." I could hear the excitment in her voice.

I mean..She's not wrong. She's kind of a bitch but, not a wrong one. "Good night, Gina!" I called back, before closing my bedroom door.

Ryker Fox

Meanwhile

I heard a knock on the door as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. It must be Dexter, because everyone else had gone home hours ago.

Sure enough, I swung my bedroom door open to find him standing in the hallway, looking exhausted.

"What the fuck, Dex? Why are you still here? You look like death, ran over twice. Go home and get some sleep for Christ's sake."

I shook my head at him in disapproval as he entered the room. The man was a workaholic. Of course I appreciated his dedication, but he'll be no good to me if he's not taking care of himself.

"I'm about to head home now, I just wanted to check in with you first." He wiped a trail of sweat off his forehead as he sat in the oversized chair in the corner of my room. I sat down at the foot of my king-sized, still in a towel.

"I got in touch with a cleaning service here in town. They are sending someone over at nine in the morning. The owner's name is Carl and he sounded like a prick, but they got really good reviews online."  He said it in the middle of a half-yawn and hesitated, causing me to motion for him to continue.. so the both of us could get some sleep.

"The thing is..I requested a man to be sent over, but one was not available." The worry in his voice was a little offensive, but not entirely unfounded. So I let it slide.

"Uh-huh..?" I mumbled, impatient for him to come to a point.

"Well.." he continued while awkwardly clearing his throat. "You're previous..escapades are no secret. So he already seemed to understand my concern. But he assured me that will not be an issue with the young lady he's sending." He sounded confident, which peaked my curiousity.

"Why's that?" I raised one eyebrow, very skeptical. There was no way of saying this without sounding like a dick but..it's always the same. They stick their fangs into me the second they walk in the door. Not just because I'm attractive. When you're wealthy, even when you're not attractive..you're attractive.

"He said she's one of the best they have. She's only twenty-one but she's been with the company for four years. She's supposed to be really professional." He looked at me confused as I let out a chuckle somewhere in my throat. Like I said, not trying to be a dick..but bullshit.

He put his head in his hands both in exhauation and frustration. "Look, we will give it a try and see what happens..okay? But remember what we talked about." He glared at me, his face turning serious. I stared back at him, challenging him. I was intimidated by no one.

"Be careful, Ryker. I mean it. Be nice. But, you know..not too nice." He pulled himself out the chair and I rolled my eyes. Don't tell me how to live my life.

I didn't give it another thought the second he said his goodbyes and left the room. I seriously doubted this woman would be any different from the others. Whoever she was.

Emma Riley

The Next Morning

I realized I had no idea what to wear as I spent half an hour rummaging through all my clothes. Everything felt either too dressy, or too casual. Carl wanted me to look like I had "made an effort"...but how much of an effort is too much?

I grunted as I looked around my usually clean room, which now looked like a tornado had hit. Clothes were on the floor, on the bed..everywhere.

I hated this already. I hated being told how to dress. I hated not being able to just throw on some sweatpants and get this shit over with. I suppose you could say I've gotten spoiled in that sense.

I glanced over at myself in the full length mirror in one corner of the room. My hair was still damp and I was in nothing but a towel. I suppose I wasn't..unfortunate looking? I just couldn't bring myself to use the word "hot" though. Maybe Gina was right about one thing. I  could use some sort of confidence boost. Perhaps..I've gotten a little too comfortable in my t-shirt and sweatpants.

That being said..if I fix myself up too much I'll look like an idiot, considering I'm just coming to clean. Besides, if reputation counts for anything..I don't want Ryker Fox  thinking I'm doing it for his sake.

I wouldn't exactly say I was nervous to meet him..so much as curious. I wonder if he's as shallow and arrogant as he appears on TV? Let's hope not..because if I mess this account up with my sassy mouth I'll get fired for sure.

Okay..focus, Emma. You are coming to do a job. So do your job, and then leave. Easy Peasy. You probably won't even see much of Ryker Fox anyway.

I decided on black pants that were comfy but looked sort of business casual. After trying on six different shirts and not really being sold on any of them, I settled on a bright green top. It brought out the unusual color of my eyes and was sort of a semi-dressy blouse. But not so dressy I'll look like I'm trying too hard.

I examined myself in the mirror, and wished I could do something about hiding these curves. One of the disadvantages about having to stray away from my usual hobo chic  look. I wasn't used to wearing a shirt that clung to my chest like this. Disadvantage of being a busty woman. You could wear a potato sack and they will stick out. But at least in my baggy t-shirt they weren't so goddamn obnoxious.

Whatever. It is what it is. I accepted my appearance, being too lazy to change again. I put on some foundation and a little mascara, just so I looked a little more..I don't know, not dead. I wasn't going to curl my hair, because it felt like it would be overdoing it. My plan was, to fix up just enough where it looks like I'm just naturally pretty but didn't actually make a huge effort.

I got my favorite green hair tie that matched both my shirt and my eyes and put my long blonde hair in a neat ponytail. Topped it off with some neutral lip gloss, I took one final look in the mirror and decided I didn't look half bad.

As I entered the living room and headed towards the shoe pile to find my black sneakers, Gina whistled in approval as I walked by the kitchen.

She was in a pretty robin egg blue dress that looked lovely with her red hair, as usual her hair and makeup was flawless.

"Aww, you look so cute! I almost forgot how awesome your tits were." She said it very matter-of-fact while looking down at a plate of bacon she had on the kitchen counter, and I felt my face flush again.

"That settles it. I'm going to wrap myself in bubblewrap. Be right back." I began to walk back to my room to go change when Gina  tore her attention away from the bacon and onto me.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop right there, green eyes!" She wedged herself in between myself and the hallway, blocking my path.

"Goddamnit, Gina." I stomped my foot and motioned for her to move. "I have to change. I'm supposed to be a professional. 'Awesome tits' sort of sends the wrong message."  I airquoted around the words 'awesome tits'  and she rolled her eyes.

"Apart from getting a breast reduction before you go, I'd say your options are limited, Em. Your tits are loud and proud." I shyly crossed my arms to cover my chest, suddenly feeling exposed.

"Besides, it's too late for that." She continued. I groaned as I looked at the clock, and realized she was right.

"You're supposed to be punctual, right? It's twenty minutes to nine and you still need to eat." She motioned to the bacon left abandoned on the kitchen table.

"Twenty minutes?!" Panic set in as I realized there was no more time to stall. It was time. I was actually doing this. As much as I wanted to tell myself it's just another job, it really wasn't.

"No time, Gina! I have to go!" I did a quick count of my phone, my keys and my purse before grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and a few strips of bacon to take with me.

"Oh my god..this is so exciting!" She gleefully jumped up and down as she followed me to the front door.  "You make sure you call me as soon as you can, okay?! I want details!" I rolled my eyes as I took one last look at her. She was way too excited about me cleaning this man's toliets.

I motioned goodbye as I walked out the door and headed to my Durango in the parking lot. This is it.

author's note: please don't forget to vote if you enjoyed this chapter! :)