Page 1 of Verse Two
One
Dylan Ivie Davis
“I’ve been in Paris alone for two weeks already. You realize no other employer would tolerate this type of insubordination, right?”
Every muscle in my face tensed as I froze in the middle of the busy walkway. People continued whizzing past me as I removed the phone from my ear and stared at it in disbelief.
Was she serious?
Maria Striten was undoubtedly the worst boss I had ever had. I had been her manager and personal assistant since the start of her singing career. She was in her early thirties and had started her career a little later than most, but in just five years, she made it to the top of pop stardom. In the beginning, she was humble and trying to make it.
When I met her, I had just graduated fromNew York Universityand had completed several internships, through which I gained great connections. I used those relationships to put Maria’s name in rooms she never thought possible, and in the beginning, it was so fulfilling. She was grateful for my hardwork, and I was happy to be establishing myself as a young, successful entertainment agent.
Little did I know, the fame would quickly go to Maria’s head, and she would turn into the boss from hell. While anyone who knew the ins and outs of our relationship would agree that I played a huge part in her success, she would never give me credit for anything other than stressing her out.
She was currently in Paris because I had secured her a major movie deal that required her to relocate for six months. She wanted me with her, but there was still a lot of business that needed to be handled in New York, so I stayed behind. Now I was at the airport, headed toward the gate for my flight. Since I likely wouldn’t see my parents until I returned to the States, I was going back to Jai City, Chaney, to spend some time with them.
Instead of acknowledging that I was in New York handlingherbusiness, she wanted to label my not being with her at that very moment asinsubordination. The chick was delusional, and I had grown to really hate my job. I’d love to quit, but, Maria Striten was the only job on my résumé related to my field. I did have unpaid internships in the past, but the only otheractualjob I’d had was waitressing in college. That experience wasn’t getting me hired at someone’s talent agency. Maria would never give me a good reference if I quit on her, and where would that leave me?
Because of that, I was twenty-six and stuck in an unfulfilling position with a woman who didn’t appreciate the lengths I went to make her shine.
I sighed and resumed my walk.
“Maria, I haven’t been here doing nothing. Your album has been in its finishing stages for the last two weeks, and I needed to be here to oversee that process. As soon as I?—”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses, Dylan. Just hurry up and get here.”
With that, she hung up. I closed my eyes before exhaling sharply as I approached the seating area for my flight. It was pretty crowded, but closest to the gate agent’s desk was a row of seats that had three empty ones in a row. The seats connected to the back of them were occupied, but I’d rather be sitting back-to-back with a stranger than beside one. Parking my carry-on suitcase in front of it, I claimed the middle seat and sighed again.
I had to get a new job soon. I was sick of busting my butt for a woman who treated me terribly. As exciting as living in Paris seemed, I was dreading it. Just Maria and me in a foreign country was not how I wanted to spend the next six months of my life. My friends and family kept urging me to quit, but I wasn’t the type to jump out on a limb. My job sucked, but my paychecks were amazing andconsistent. I couldn’t give that up until I had secured another opportunity.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
I looked at my phone again and realized it was Wilder. Reaching into my purse, I grabbed my wireless earphone case and put one in my ear before answering.
“Hey, Wilde.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
Even through my frustration, I smiled and laughed at how quickly she picked up on my mood. Wilder was my best friend and roommate. When I was going to high school, my mother remarried, and we moved from my hometown of Terry to Jai City. I was so against the move for several reasons, but when I met Wilder on my first day of school, I knew it wouldn’t be as bad as I thought. She was my ride-or-die, and we had been joined at the hip since the day we met.
When it was time to apply for colleges, we both had our eyes onNYU,and we had been living together in New York ever sincewe got in. The move worked out for us both because my girl was now a successful entertainment lawyer, and I was one of the highest-paid assistants in the country.
Instead of acting like nothing was wrong, I said, “You think you know me. Maria called and threw my mood way off. I hate my life.”
Wilde kissed her teeth. “I’m so sick of that ho, with her ungrateful ass. She’s takingmybest friend away from me for six months and still has the nerve to talk crazy. I’m so ready for you to quit.”
I chuckled. “I’m ready to quit, too, but . . . then what? You know me, Wilde. I need a backup plan secured before I tell Maria to kiss my ass.”
“Whatever, D.Youarethe backup plan. You single-handedly put that lady on the map through your own blood, sweat, and tears. You’re her assistant, agent, creative director, social media manager, and everything else. You’re a walking talent agency, and any entertainer would be blessed to have you. Quit on her ass and come home, because I miss you already. You realize you’re going to be in Paris next month? Who’s gon’ be my Valentine?”
That made me laugh out loud because I could hear the pout in her voice. My girl and I were single and had spent the last two Valentine’s Days together. The holiday was in about two weeks, and I would be spending it with a woman I could barely stand.
“Girl, I know. Maybe it’s time for you to stop turning every man you meet down and go on a date. My busy ass can’t even afford to date right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the holiday alone.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to take a moment to address the passengers of Flight 1112.”
I sat up and looked toward the gate agent who had just started speaking on the intercom.
