The Job, Mary-Kate Olsen

Chapter Nine

"Mary-Kate Olsen. Ever heard of her?" Valentina answered the girl. The girl's mouth went agape, and she now stared at me with interest.

"Do you mean Mary-Kate Olsen as in the Olsen twins?" I was about to talk but Valentina stopped me before I even had the time to say a word.

"Yes, her. Ana and she are friends." I frowned and tried to clarify the truth.

"No we-" "Oh my god! How did you become friends with her!?" She clamored and I couldn't help but somewhat have mixed feelings about her behavior. She only had an interest in herself or anything that could be advantageous to her. I looked at her, then at Valentina, then back at my phone.

"I need to call her back" I excused myself and left the living room for Valentina's room. I sat on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath. I unlocked my phone and opened the messaging app. I had forgotten that she had my number.

"Hello?" I spoke.

"Ana," Mary-Kate said with a small voice on the other line. "I hope I'm not bothering you?"

"No, no, it's okay." I replied simply.

"I need to talk to you about something." She spoke. She seemed off for sure. Again.

"Is everything okay?" No answer. She stayed quiet for a moment until this silence was broken by a faint sob. She was crying. Was she in danger? Or hurt maybe?

"Mary-Kate," I called her.

"It's- It's nothing, it's not even important, I..." She whispered but I could tell she was still crying.

"Just tell me if you're safe, or- or hurt?" I asked.

"No- I'm okay..." She sobbed. "It's..." She sniffled. "It's something about Ashley..." My eyes widened nervously.

"Is she-"

"She's okay. It's about... something else." Mary-Kate said. I took a deep breath out of relief. "Where are you at the moment?" She asked with a faint voice.

"At a friend's, do you want me to come to the office?" She was really getting me worried.

"No, no. I'm not at the office" She said.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"In my car" She answered slowly.

"And where is your car?"

She paused, then continued. "I'm driving." My heartbeat fastened as I couldn't help but fear why she would be driving her car during the night, alone and crying.

"Wh- why are you driving" I whispered with worry. She didn't answer so I continued. "My friend's apartment is in Brooklyn, Williamsburg neighborhood if you want to-"

She interrupted. "Yes, thank you." She breathed. "I'm going there now"

"Okay," I said. "Drive safe, and I'll text you the exact address."

I hung up. I still didn't know what happened to her, or why she was in this state. She wouldn't be here before a good twenty minutes, so I still had time to go back to Valentina and her friends. I stood up and headed back to the living room.

As I approached the table, Valentina instantly raised her head at me. "Everything's okay?" She tilted her head.

I nodded and sat back in my chair. "I'm not sure. She was driving when she called, and she needed to talk to me, so I told her to pass by." I said, trying to keep this conversation between Valentina and me only. But it failed obviously. I trusted Valentina but I didn't know her friends that much. So, I'd rather not say anything that could start derogative rumors about Mary-Kate if the information were to fall into the wrong hands.

Valentina stared at me. "Mary-Kate Olsen is going to pass by my place." She stated, her face full of dismay.

"Yes, but let's not make a big deal out of it, okay? I wouldn't want the others to become ecstatic." I murmured so only she could hear. She nodded but still looked shocked.

I texted Mary-Kate the exact address and after about ten minutes or so, a notification popped up on my screen. I made a sign to Valentina to let her know I was heading out. I grabbed my coat knowing I would be freezing outside. I went down the stairs and once I had reached the street, I saw a black expensive-looking car parked. This should be her.

The car door opened, and she stepped out. She was wearing the same outfit as she did this afternoon. Nothing seemed to have changed. I walked over to her. As I approached, I realized that she had smudged mascara under her eyes down her cheeks. She looked tired.

"Hi" I said. I didn't know what was going to happen now. I didn't even know what happened to her that made her be in that state.

She mouthed a small hello as she looked at me with small eyes. "I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. I know it's the weekend and... and you were with your friends."

"Please," I waved her off. "It's totally fine." I assured her. She gave in and nodded slowly.

"Do you want to come inside? It's freezing." I asked and her eyes widened a bit.

"I- I'm not sure if I can... I mean" She paused and looked at me. I looked back at her, waiting for her to finish her sentence. She took a deep breath, then continued. "Would it be okay with your friend if I came inside?" She asked.

I smiled. "Yes. I already told her that you might come actually. She's with some of her friends so it won't even bother her."

"Oh, okay" She breathed. I showed her the way and we headed for the stairs. She was ahead of me and I followed. She was right in front of me, so I could see her more clearly from behind. I'd never noticed the length of her hair until now. It touched her waist nicely, even if it was curly.

A few minutes later, we were in front of Valentina's door. I looked at her. "Are you ready?" I asked cautiously and she gently nodded.