Loving You

Role Model

LESLIE'S POV

It's been a week since the necklace incident at the office and I must say that there has been a slight difference in Ms Evans since that day. She was smiling a little more now, must've been the noodle packaging I saw in the bin when I got back although I don't take Ms Evans for a foodie.

As for Mr Robbinson, he was not in in the least happy when I returned the necklace. In fact, he was furious. He kept asking questions about Mr Andrews but I remained silent before I politely excused myself. Well, he needs to top up his game if he wants to win my boss's heart.

"Leslie, I'm meeting a friend later this afternoon so have Steve get ready", Rue said as she went through the shares reports. "Okay ma'am", I responded immediately picking up the phone to call Steve.

The car parked in front of the restaurant and I could already spot a few reporters standing by the side. Immediately Ms Evans stepped out of the car, they ran up to us but luckily Steve held them back as we passed them.

"Ms Evans, did you hear about the public release last week?"

"Ms Evans, is it true that you and Blake Andrews are now working on a sports villa"

"Ms Evans, are you going out with Blake Andrews?"

"Ms Evans, are you meeting Ms O'Neil?"

"Ms Evans, is it true that Evans Estate Limited and Rob and Co. are planning on partnering?"

We finally entered the restaurant and I let out a sigh of relief. I'm never getting used to that. I placed my glasses properly as we made our way to the table where Jessica O'Neil was already waiting.

"Jess", Rue smiled as Jess stood up to hug her. "Rue!", she smiled. "Hope we didn't keep you waiting", Rue said as she sat down. "Nope. I just got here as well. Is this Leslie?", Jess asked smiling at me.

Yay! She talks about me!

"Leslie Monroe", I smiled as I took Jess's extended hand. "Lovely to meet you. Have a seat", She said gesturing to the seat beside Rue. I reluctantly shook my head, "No, I don't want to intrude. I can sit on a separate table or go wait in the car". Jess gave Rue an amused look, "You got a good one". Rue shrugged and turned to me, "Leslie, sit". "Yes ma'am", I immediately responded and sat eagerly. Pass off the opportunity to sit on a table with Jessica O'Neil and eat really expensive food? Puhleaseeee! Jess laughed, "You're just like my assistant". What? There's none like me!

"I've handled the special meal with the chef. He said it'll be ready in 5 minutes", a voice said curtly. I looked up slowly from those black shiny pointed heels to the very neat pencil skirt and oh that flowery top! It's beautiful. I met the face of a cute brunette with a sweet smile. She's not like me! She's like straight out of the magazine of perfect PAs!

"Thank you, Nicole. This is my friend, Rue and her assistant, Leslie", Jess said gesturing to us. So called Nicole, smiled and slightly bowed, "Ms Evans, we've been expecting you. Hey Leslie". Don't smile at me, you goodie two shoes!

"Thank you, Nicole. Have a seat", Rue said gesturing to the seat beside Jess but Nicole stood hesistantly.

Yeah yeah nice try, I already did that!

"You can sit, Nicole", Jess said laughing before she turned to me, "I told you that you're just like each other". Nicole and I gave each other crooked smiles as our bosses turned their attention to each other.

"I told you that I met Jace right?", Jess said to Rue. I'm not one to eavesdrop but is it eavesdropping when they're right beside you? Even Nicole looks like she's listening even though her eyes are straight up digging that turkey. "Yeah. How is he? You said he owns a company right?", Rue said as she sliced her turkey. "A furniture company yeah. Well he asked me out. Like...dating ish. Like we should go out! He kinda said he still loves me", Jess said. Ouuuuuu that's sweet! Then why does she look sad as she's saying it. She should be happy! I mean I know they dated for a while and no one knows why they split but I'm sure they still pretty much love each other.

"Yeahhh sooo?", Rue asked in a questioning tone. Jess sighed, "He has a kid". "Wait, what?", Rue gasped.

Plot twist!!! I did not see that coming...at all.

"He has a kid. Her name's Penny. And she's really sweet. She's even read my book", Jess said sadly. "She's how old?", Rue inquired. "5", Jess smiled slightly.

Nicole choked on her meal and I immediately handed her a glass of water. Rue and Jess laughed at her as she gasped, "Pardon me ma'am but she's read your book and she's 5?!". "Yup", Jess laughed.

"So he's married?", Rue asked. "No. Apparently he and the lady had like a one night fling when they were still in school so they had to let Jace's mum raise Penny. They're not really romantically related right now", Jess said. Then she went into the details of Jace and the lady, Joyce.

"So Jace and Joyce aren't dating but they're both co-parenting", Rue asked and I was glad because I also needed to know. "Yeah", Jess replied.

Are they in love?

"Are they in love?", Rue asked 

"I don't know", Jess responded.

Are they sleeping with each other because if they are....

"Are they sleeping with each other?", Rue asked again.

"Jace said they aren't. They barely see except when either of them are dropping Penny with the other", Jess sighed as she ate her salad.

Well then, what's stopping you missy?!

"Well then? What's stopping you?", Rue said waving her fork around.

God bless you, boss!

"Rue!", Jess gasped.

We're on our way to our next meeting. I'm particularly happy about this one. Why? Because we're inspecting the site with Mr Andrews! I just love his vibe. He's amazing and he always acknowledges me.

"You can leave the documents in the car. We're just inspecting then we'll leave", Rue said as we got down from the car.

"Ha! There's my favorite lady!", Blake yelled as he widened his arms towards us. "Don't f latter yourself, Andrews", Rue started to say when Blake passed by her and came to hug me. I looked confusedly as Rue looked at the both of us skeptically. "Actually you, don't flatter yourself Evans. I was talking about Leslie", He smirked as he turned to me and smiled, "I hope Rue hasn't been stressing you too much". Still confused, I shook my head slightly, "N...No". "What's this?", Rue frowned as she gestured to the both of us. Blake put his arm on my shoulder and said, "You see, Leslie Monroe is my role model. She's the strongest woman I know".

He knows my surname? Yo, I'm a star!

"And why is that?", Rue asked folding her arms. Blake smiled as he let go of my shoulder and walked up to Rue, "Because she has to spend everyday of the week with you, yet she's still alive". I chuckled as Rue shoved Blake and stormed into the site.

The site was going well. The workers are really fast. It's only been a month and they've completed about 10 foundations and have already started developing 3 of the foundations.

Rue had switched to full work mode and was inspecting every corner of the site while Mr Andrews was basically tagging behind her. Just like me. Only difference was, I actually knew what was happening.

Mr Andrews looked completely confused. He came over to me and whispered, "What the hell is Setting Out or boundary lines or excavation?". I started chuckling but it turned into actual laughter when he muttered, "I don't recall Rue being this smart".

Rue turned to look at us, clearing figuring out that we were talking about her. She narrowed her eyes at both of us before facing the contractor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~