Roberto Part 6

It was the next day and I went to Roberto's office to begin my job as an assistant. I dressed up in the most professional way that I could out of the clothes I brought with me here. As I entered he was relaxing in his chair with a smile like he was waiting for me.

"You made it!" he cheered and ushered me to come closer. "You are wearing such cute clothes! You're really into this, Marika!" he grinned. "Now, are you ready to start your day as my personal assistant?"

"I guess. So, what do you want me to do first? Clean the office, get coffee? You're not going to make me sign papers that you don't want to sign, are you?"

"Of course!" he said. "That what an assistant is supposed to do!" he gave me a stack of files escort me to the twin couches. "I want you to read all of these files and write notes for me. You don't need to sign anything just write things that you think I should know before reading them myself." he patted my shoulders. "Now, I have to go out for a bit for business. Have fun!" he waved and left.

"Am I a secretary or an assistant? The line is now blurred or those positions became one big profession." I said to myself as I read the first file. "If it is, what would I call it? Secreant...no sounds gross, Assistantary...seems difficult…" I kept going on about as I worked so it didn't seem so tedious. Unfortunately, I got tired real quick because there were at least sixty files to write notes for and most of them were probably going to similar. I groaned in agony writing down major points.

"Here's some tea, Miss Yoshihara." Alberto set a cup of tea next to my notes.

"You don't have to call me that. Marika or Mari is fine." I said to him with a little smile.

"But it will be improper for me to say that."

"It's alright, Alberto. You're my friend and all my friends call me Marika or Mari."

"Friends?" he blushed at that word. He gulped hard and took deep breaths. "Mar-...Mar…. M-Marika!" he blurted it out. I laughed so hard I fell over on the couch as he stood in embarrassment.

"Good job, Alberto!" I said wiping my tears.

"Al…" he spoke up shyly. "Call me, Al." he said sternly, well trying to.

"Sure, Al, anything you want." I grinned along with him as he left. "Ugh, fifteen down, too many left to go." I groaned again and went back to work.

…..

I felt something soft around me. I looked over my shoulder and see a blanket covering me. 'I guess I fell asleep during work.' I thought when I didn't remember anything but doing notes.

"Oh you're awake!" a cheery Roberto brought me out of my thoughts. "You are so cute when you sleep." he chuckled.

"I'm sorry. I don't think I finished the files you gave me." I apologized.

"Well you were close. You only had about eleven left to go but I'll excuse it just this once." he said acting like an adult for once.

"So I'm still getting paid?" I asked with uncertainty.

"Well yes. One thousand dollars for every major errand that you do!"

"Okay- wait, what!" I stood up in shock and then marched over to him. "That's too much! I cannot accept it!"

"I know, that's why It's every MAJOR errand. Getting coffee is like minimum wage. For big errands like this it's a thousand." he pointed out.

"But I don't need the thousand dollars. Everything should be minimum wage!" I argued. "You know where that money come from right?"

"This is from my own pocket, Marika." he said patting my head. "Don't worry, I want to pay you this much so you don't suffer with it so much. It pains me to see you hurt." he gently puts his forehead against mine. I felt my cheeks flush and my forehead burning. Suddenly he kisses my cheek. He gives me a cheeky grin and then leaves me behind in his office.

When got to my room and yelled and pounded at my head. Remembering that moment made me feel weird. I couldn't explain it. It was like Cloud Nine or like something along those lines. My heart was pounding against my chest non-stop. My ace wouldn't cool down at all.

"What's wrong with me?" I said hitting my head against my pillow. I stayed up all night thinking, my tiredness wiped out and stuck in a moment, for some reason, I wanted to stay like that forever.

….

It was the next day and I was cleaning Roberto's office while he was out. If he was around, I wouldn't get anything done. I need to stay focused and avoid him at all costs. I was on a ladder cleaning the very top of his bookshelf when suddenly the door burst wide open.

"How's my little assistant doing!" Roberto yelled, startling me, making me slip off the ladder. I tried to grab onto something but I couldn't do it. Then I felt arms around me as I crashed onto the floor. Roberto was behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist squeezing tightly. I tried to work out of his grip but he squeezed me tighter in the process. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine, Roberto. Please let me go now." I said with my voice wavering into different pitches. My heart thumping louder and louder in this position.

"No. Let's just stay like this." he whispered, snuggling into the crook my neck. I was paralyzed and didn't move at all. My heart sped up and and I hoped that he didn't feel or hear it. "You're so easy to read, Marika." he whispered kissing my neck. He let go off me and preceded to get up. He gently helped me up and then touched my face. I couldn't see his face at all as he did so. "Thanks for clean in the office. Another thousand to your lawsuit. You are free for the rest of the day." he said pushing me out and shutting the door behind me.

"Um, alright then…" I said in surprise. 'He threw me out? I should be happy that I don't have to work but why do I feel so down already? It's only been two days.' My thoughts raced inside my head as I went to go check on the kids.

"Hey, kids!" I cheered as I went into their room. I found them in costumes with Alberto sitting at a small table with food and tea. "What is going on in here?" I said a little disturbed by this scene.

"...Tea party?" Haru winced raising a cup.

"Please help me, Aunt Mari." Naru begged. "She guilt tripped me into this!"

"Stop whining or else I'll tell her what you did when we were alone at home!" Haru yelled at Naru, shutting him up. Kai was snickering along with Alberto as they watched.

"Naru, what did you do?" I glared at him.

"Nothing!"

"It's too late now! Answer me!" I yelled.

"Fine! Fine! You know that weird statue you like that was in the living room."

"The dancing elephant one that suddenly disappeared five months ago?" My favourite statue.

"Well…" he started to say but stopped.

"Naru was playing ball in the house when you told him not to. Then the ball hit the statue and it fell into a million pieces!" Haru finished for him. Naru glared as his sister.

"So that's what happened…" anger rose within me. I really like that statue.

"Naru…" Kai spoke up gaining his attention. "Run." he said. Then Naru bolted out of the room.

"NARUKI!" I yelled and chased him around the mansion like we were in some sort of cartoon.

…..

It's been three weeks and I have almost paid off that lawsuit. Must a few thousand to go and then I'll be free from Myers fingertips. I can feel the freedom already.

The kids and I have been in the mansion for a whole month already. It still feels like a dream and a nightmare. Spending time with an irresponsible pince and being sued in the process. Good memories, good times.

"Shake it out…" I hummed and sang "Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine as I cleaned the office again. I didn't use the ladder this time to not let that same situation happen again. As I hummed I cautiously cleaned around that weird necklace and picture so I don't break anything.

"I didn't know you were here?" a voice startled me. I jumps and turned to see who is was. Standing in the doorway was Prince Edward of Charles.

"Oh, Your Highness!" I quickly bowed. 'Oh man, I didn't expect to see him here.'

"It has been a while since I have last seen you. How are you, Pretty Rose." he said bowing elegantly.

"I've been well, Your Highness."

"Edward is just fine. It's been almost two months since I've last seen you. I'm sorry for dragging you to a party. You didn't seem to be enjoying yourself since I saw you leaving early." he said looking downcasted.

"Yeah, sorry. Parties like that aren't really my scene, you know." I said scratching my head awkwardly.

"But you were very beautiful in that dress. I wish I could see you in it again." he smiled handsomely. My heart fluttered a bit and I looked down not knowing what else to say. "Do you know where Roberto is? We had a meeting scheduled, but I can't find him anywhere."

"He's probably hiding again. I'll call Alberto to find him for you. While you wait, would you like some tea?" I said pulling my phone out.

"I would, thank you." he said taking a seat on the couch. I called Alberto and got him to go find Roberto. Afterwards a maid got a tray with tea and little snacks. He bows her head but before she left she gave me a dirty look. Then she closes the door quietly.

"Do all the servants to that to you?" Edward asked, noticing the dirty look.

"I haven't really noticed. Don't worry about it, I get that all the time." I said sitting on the opposite side of the couch. I poured the tea and hand it to him.

"Do you know why?"

"Well, where should I start?"

"What do you mean?" he said, his eyes focused on me.

"Well, I have three kids." I said. He choked and set the tea down. "And then I got sued for punching a guy on a playground."

"You did what?" Edward was wide eyed.

"He deserved it anyway. He is a piece of work."

"My goodness…"

"Am I not what you thought I was?" I giggled.

"Much different if you don't mind." he awkwardly laughed.

"Yeah, I have that effect on people." I smirked. I sipped my tea a little but some somehow got on my hand, burning it. I quickly set the cup down and the Edward took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around my hand.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently holding my hand.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." I said putting my hand on top of his trying to get his hand off.

"I'm sorry." he blurted out.

"For what?"

"I dragged you to a party and made you leave your kids alone. If I knew that you had children, I wouldn't have made you feel so uneasy that whole night." he explained.

"It's fine, Edward. Everything turned alright, don't you think?" I said smiling at him. He smiled back and gently caress my hand. Suddenly the door opened and Roberto looked like he saw murder as he looked at us. Then he marched and then sat in between us, separating us.

"How's it going, Eddie!" Roberto asked sounding a little bit angry. "Eddie, can you wait outside for a moment? I need to talk to my assistant." he smiled. It was a scary smile making Edward quickly leave the room. "What happened your hand?" he asked gripping my hurt hand.

"Ouch! Roberto, that hurts!" I shouted. Suddenly he puts my hand on his cheek and he leans into it.

"I'm sorry. I got worried. I didn't know you were so close with Edward." he said kissing the inside of my hand.

"Not really. He's the one who took me to that party. The one where I met you." I explained. Roberto stopped moving altogether until he suddenly he broke into a smile.

"So he's Cupid…" he whispers.

"What?" I said startled by what he said.

"Well, Marika, you are excused for the rest of the day! See you tomorrow!" he said dragging me out again and then pulled Edward into the office. Dumbfounded I slowly went back into my room.

"Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine is an awesome song.