In The End

I took a moment and stared up to the top of the 35-floor tower commanding it's status over the early morning skyline. I hoped to God that its steely, clinical facade was just a front and that the inside would offer a more cozy, welcoming feel, but I wouldn't put my last 20 bucks on it. Swiftly flicking my wrist the screen of my watch sprung to life and 7:45 am flashed up, along with several good luck messages from my Mom. I'd been in LA a whole week and the texts and calls were still coming in thick and fast from her. I thought with the distance from Georgia to LA she would have no choice but to let me go and make my way in the world, but as it turns out she was holding on tighter than ever. Thankfully my Dad had scuppered her plans in time else she'd have driven him across the country to ensure me and Eden made it here safely and settled in without being drugged, raped, or murdered within the first 4 hours of our arrival. I shook away the thoughts of her following me and reminded myself to be thankful that I had a mother that cared so much, there were far worse hands that I could have been dealt. I checked the watch again, 7:49 flashed back at me.

'Ok' I whispered to myself. 'You got this.' I pushed my shoulders back and put one foot in front of the other, making my way through the intimidatingly large revolving door and into the vast open reception area.

It was completely silent except for the faint electrical humming my ears instantly honed in on. My hopes for a warm and welcoming interior quickly faded as I took in the large reception desk that wouldn't look out of place on the bridge of the USS Enterprise, yep, everything was twice as big and just as corporate as I expected.

'Excuse me, Miss, may I help you?'

My attentions turned to a short, full guy bouncing towards me with pace and purpose.

'Hi,' I stepped forward, meeting him sooner than expected as one of my strides took up two of his. 'I'm Olivia, Olivia Anderson.' My hand instinctively reached out in front of him to shake. He eyed me for a second longer than was comfortable.

'Not from round here are you?' He warmly chuckled as he accepted my hand and shook it firmly. 'Well Miss Anderson, I'm Cliff, security supervisor. He tapped proudly at his ID badge then turned on his heels and headed over to the large angled reception desk. 'Who are you here to see?' he tapped on the desk causing a large screen and several aqua-blue lights to spring to life, and illuminate the area around them. 'You're very early you know, nobody tends to show up till 9:30 or 10:00 at the earliest?'

'Oh, is that right?' I scoffed internally as he puffed his cheeks out with frustration towards the non-compliant computer system. I took another glance around the space. It was all floor-to-ceiling windows offering lots of light to the reception desk, with white leather chairs opposite it creating an small waiting space. The light from the desk bounced off the shiny chrome like flooring and to the side of the reception desk were several waist-high security barriers that wouldn't look out of place at an airport or station.

'Ah ha!' Cliff's exclamation of glee brought my attention back to him. 'So, who were you here to see?'

'Well, actually.' I felt myself unnecessarily tripping over my words as I spoke. It didn't help when Cliff tilted his head and began squinting at me. 'I'm sorry.' I took a long deep breath and started again. 'Hi, I'm Olivia Anderson. It's my first day here, I'm going to be Mr. Vaughan's personal assistant.'

'I see.' His stubby fingers smoothed over his handlebar mustache. 'Well, that's a whole different issue. Have you been issued your ID card? I can't let you through without it?'

'No,' I sighed and gently shook my head. 'It's my first time here, I'm supposed to meet Amaya, Mr. Vaughan's current assistant at 8:30 am, I'm shadowing her for this week, you know, learning the ropes.' I internally cringed at my unnecessary body movements as I tried to sound cool, like Cliff gave a shit if i was hip or not.'

'I see.' he nodded as he assessed me again. 'Look, I can't let you up until Ms. Jenson has signed you in.' We both looked at our watches. 'You can sit over there in the waiting area, or there's a great little coffee place at the end of the block, get yourself a drink, something to eat, and come back in half an hour.'

'Ok, thank you. I'll be back.' I internally winced again as I referenced Arnie in Terminator, but to my surprise, Cliff seemed to appreciate it. 'Can I bring you anything back?' I offered with a warm smile.

Cliff smiled gratefully like it was the first time he'd ever been offered anything but shook his head.

'No thank you, my wife will let me go if I deviate from this diet one more time.' he patted his bulging stomach and chuckled loudly, filling the space around us. 'If I can make a suggestion though, they do a wonderful little pastry with a morello cherry jelly in the center.'

I chuckled just as loudly as him as he chef kissed in approval and then walked me to the door sending me on my way with repeated directions.

As I strolled leisurely towards the coffee shop I reminded myself this was a very minor inconvenience and not a reflection of how the day would go. I would get my coffee today and then from tomorrow, I can arrive at my pleasure and have a whole week to suss the place, with the safety of Amaya by my side. I have no doubt that by the end of the week, I'd feel like I'd been there a lifetime. I internally convinced myself several times over as entered the small independent coffee shop and waited to be served.

The place was quiet, other than several passersby dropping in for their morning pick-me-up, it was warm and welcoming like the one back home, not cold and clinical like the usual franchise places. I ordered my chia latte, which was something I'd discovered since moving here, although I don't think I'll ever get fully used to amount of options and ways to take your coffee. It was an embarrassing moment when the barista in the coffee shop next to our apartment asked me if I wanted it dirty, I nearly slapped him in horror before learning it meant with coffee. I settled myself into the window seat for a little people-watching session as I waited for my latte and cherry pastry to arrive. The day was coming to life now as the day light crept around the back to back buildings, expelling the last of the shadows and offering a more welcoming feel. More and more people passed the window on their daily commute, it was worlds away from the sleepy streets of Madison where everyone knew everyone... and everyone's business. I leaned back into my chair content that LA was definitely the place for me.

I continued to muse contently until my phone vibrated violently against the small round wooden table. Expecting to see my mother's name flash up, I was surprised, and a little unsettled to see Amaya's name on the screen. Fumbling to swipe it open, I finally managed to get past the face identification and pulled the message up, informing me that Amaya was running late and to head to the coffee shop at the end of the street and she would meet me there as soon as she could. I instantly began texting back.

Hey, believe it or not, I'm already there. Can I get you anything?'

She instantly responded.

Cool, there was a problem with your phone so I had to pick it up from the store myself. Be there in 10. A caramel macchiato to go would be awesome. Thanks!

Whilst I had my messages open I quickly dropped Eden a text to say I was ok, and all was well.

Eden and I had been inseparable since she arrived in Madison when we were 6. Our parents had nicknamed us Ying and Yang, with her dark hair and even darker eyes and me being blonde and baby blue eyed. We were like two peas in a pod, we did everything together and even went to the same college, although she studied photography: much to the disappointment of her mother who was adamant she was going to be a doctor just like her, and I studied Business Management, which is what lead me to this opportunity to intern at Sullivan Entertainment Industries or Sullitainment as it was colloquially known. Eden and I had made a pact in 8th grade that we would get out of Madison straight after college and make a whole new life for ourselves, away from our parents' constraints and expectations, so when I found an opportunity to intern at Sullitainment, and Eden got a full scholarship to continue her studies under the prestigious school of Art and Creativity in Los Angeles we instantly knew it was meant to be and dived straight in to planning our next chapter.

Amaya's order arrived at the table just as she walked through the door. She was even more beautiful in person with her olive skin, long glossy black hair, and full pout, she was edgy and cool in her skin-tight black jeans, ripped white t-shirt, with a studded black leather jack draped over one shoulder. I looked down at my plain white summer dress, basic flat pumps and instantly regretted my fashion choices this morning.

'Heeeeey.' She squealed across the tiny space. 'How are you? Oh my God, I can't believe we're finally together in person. Is this me?' She picked up the coffee before I could answer took a long sip and then fired off even more questions as she took a seat opposite me.

I'd seen the advertisement to intern at a job fair that the college had put on just before we graduated and applied there and then, because Madison was so far away they had offered me an online interview, but as luck would have they had sent me the wrong link, and instead of my business intern interview, I was met by Amaya who was interviewing for her replacement. We hit off straight away and couldn't stop laughing once we both realized something was off. Amaya wouldn't take no for an answer as she offered me the position there and then, and to be honest, I just needed a way in, and a way out of Madison, so I took it without much real thought for what I was getting myself into and here I finally was, about to start a job I had absolutely no initial desire to do.

Amaya had been PA to artist and band manager Jackson Vaughan for the last 5 years and absolutely sold it to me with all her stories of the people she'd met and places she'd got to travel to, but her heart wanted more and she'd taken a new position over in social media and creativity management so now here I am, about to fill her shoes and start my own journey even if it currently seemed a million miles away from business management.

'So, this for you.' Amaya place a white box on the table and effortlessly slid it across to me with her long elegant fingers fully extending as she did so. 'It's your work phone." She continued to explain. "All business must be done on this device only. You can still have your personal devices on you whilst you're working, but this one has to be for work only. It's fully encrypted and complete with the absolute pinnacle of security software so there is no fear of anyone outside of the company hacking into your phone and accessing sensitive information.'

My knitted brows must have prompted her to offer some clarity.

'Itineraries, schedules, plans, etc. You have no idea the efforts people will go to or prices they will pay to get anything they can on the Boys.'

Ahhhh, the boys. I felt my eyebrows relax. I'd kind of forgotten about them. Fallen Realm was the band that Jackson Vaughan managed. I wasn't too familiar with them, they were very alternative in their early days with a scream metal sound, however, they'd softened very slightly as they transferred into the mainstream and were now considered more of a glam metal band. Jackson had managed several bands up until Fallen Realm had quickly gained status and notoriety among the mainstream media outlets and now every minute of his day was dedicated just to them.

'Right, we need to get going. Jackson won't be in the office today which gives us a full day to get through everything you need to know.' Amaya rose to her feet, even in her Dr Martins she had got to be nearly 6ft tall with long slender legs that just kept going. I felt like a troll stood next to her at 5ft 6 and dressed like a 6-year-old about to go to a party at Chucky cheese.

As soon as I get paid I have to sort out my wardrobe! I made a mental note of what I should be wearing to work as we headed back towards the steely tower. Little did I realise in that moment that my wardrobe would be the least of my worries.