Chapter 6: Big Opportunities

2 week later….

"Order up!" Ricky yelled from the kitchen. I grabbed the two plates on the counter and rushed them over to the couple waiting. I almost slip on an ice cube on the way, but I seem to have some really nice reflex skills working today. After setting down the plates with a smile, I go back behind the counter to find that dangerous ice cube.

Roxy comes up to me with a smile. "Your regular is here again," was all she said before disappearing to the kitchen. A silly grin appeared on my face, like it always did. I wiped up the rest of the mess and made my way over to the familiar table.

I took out my pad and pen to take the order. "Hello and welcome Sunshine Diner. What would you like today?"

"Hmm…" Brandon pretended to think a moment. "How about a burger and…you? That sounds perfect to me."

I shook my head. "Sorry, sir, but that's not on the menu."

"Alright. I guess I'll just take you then." Brandon smiled, dazzling me.

"I meant the burger is on the menu but I'm not, hot stuff." I tapped his forehead with my pen. "I don't get off 'til six."

Brandon grabbed one of my hands and rubbed him thumb across the back of it. "I talked to Roxy. She said you more than deserve to get off a couple of hours early."

What? I slipped my hand from his grasp gently. "You did what? Brandon, I don't need her thinking that I'm lazy or anything. I need to work."

"Relax, Stella," A voice came up from behind us and I turned to see it was Roxy. "Take the rest of the day off. There isn't a huge crowd. I don't want any arguing either." She smiled and skipped over to her next customer.

I turned back to Brandon to see him looking at me expectantly. "See?"

"Did you turn your charm on her or something?" I asked, still not believing Roxy would just give me the day off.

"Charm? I wasn't aware that I had any charm. Even if I did, it wouldn't matter."

I rolled my eyes. "How do you figure that?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling that she wanted you to have fun. Now come on, I have a very important proposition for you."

"Proposition?" I question as he pulls me out of the diner. Before the door shuts behind us I hear Roxy shout, "Have fun you two!"

Brandon won't tell me what his 'proposition' is all about until we get to his office. We had been going pretty strong these last two weeks. He makes it a point now to come to the diner almost every day and ask to see me. I love that he cares that much. He takes time out of that busy schedule of his to see me almost every day. That is definitely the commitment that I love from a man.

Once we arrived at Alfea Corporations, Brandon grabs my hand and we walk into the building together. Flora is at the receptionist desk typing away at her computer when we approach. She smiles a confused smile at me.

"Stella? Not that I'm not happy to see you but what are you doing here?"

"She's here with me, nosey. Just forward my calls for me would you?" Brandon asked.

Flora narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm not nosey, just curious." She reached her hand out to grab the phone and I couldn't help but notice the sparkly diamond ring on her left finger.

I gasped. "Oh my goodness! You're engaged!?" She blushed and glanced away.

"Uh…yeah. Riven proposed last night," she said smiling slightly. She looked a little wistful as she glanced down at the ring and I couldn't help but think of Helia's longing expression when he looked at her at the ball. Nevertheless, I grinned and reached across the desk to hug her.

"Congratulations!" She thanked me and I turned to see Brandon rubbing the back of his neck.

"I guess I should have noticed the ring before now, huh?" Flora just chuckled.

"It's fine, Brandon. I'll forward the calls." She finally did pick up the phone and with one last smile, Brandon led me to the elevator. We were the only ones in here, which I was glad for because I had a few questions.

"Hey, what ever happened between Helia and Flora?" I ask Brandon. He looked over at me.

"I don't really know. I mean, they were really good together in my opinion. Neither one of them wanted to leave the other's side. It got pretty disgusting since they were always sucking each other's face off." He shuddered at the memory.

"Wait, so they were together? As in dating?" The elevator dinged, signaling that we were on the right floor. As we stepped off, Brandon replied, "Yeah. They were together for a while, too. Almost two years actually." He unlocked his door and stepped to the side to allow me entrance first. I smiled to myself at this gentlemanly action.

"So, one day they just…broke up?" I inquire as I sat down in one of his comfy chairs.

"Well…yeah. I just remember Flora coming to my house in the middle of the night crying. She said 'I never want to see him again'. I'm not really good with crying women, but I didn't ask too many questions." Brandon said.

That seems fishy to me. I mean, I wonder what Helia must have done to ruin a two-year relationship. I hope he didn't cheat on her like other boyfriends I know too well.

"Wow. I wonder what happened." I say. Brandon comes over and sits on his desk in front of me, leaning down towards my face.

"Yeah me too, but I didn't want to get all in her business." I had to respect that, but jeez. He could have found out something!

"I guess. Now, what is this proposition that you have for me?"

"Well you know how I was telling you how work has been getting pretty heavy lately, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah and I told you to try getting a personal assistant."

"Right! I have about five people lined up for the job right now. All I have to do is call the one I want to have the job. The thing is…I wanted to ask you first."

"You wanted to ask me if you could have an assistant?" I tilted my head back to look at him a little better. I still haven't gotten over how handsome he really is.

"No. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to be my assistant." He beamed at me and I froze, dumb-struck.

I can't work for Brandon. I mean, it's a nice idea to work with him but not for him. Just the idea makes me feel squirmy. I guess it's that feminist part of me.

I stand up and stand behind the chair. "Uh…Brandon? I don't think I can do that."

"Why not? I thought it was a pretty good idea."

"Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine at the diner."

Brandon arched an eyebrow. "Really? It's a nice diner and all but why would you not want to work here instead?"

"It's just… I don't want to be all dependent on you." My shoulders slumped. Brandon immediately stood up in front of me and put his hands on my shoulder.

"How would working here make you dependent on me?"

"If I worked for you then that means you have complete control over my employment. I don't…like that thought. It reminds me how powerless I was in my…last relationship."

Brandon ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I didn't think of it like that, Stell. I'm sorry. You know I wouldn't try to take advantage of you like that, right?"

"Yeah, I know." I smiled and stepped closer to him so I could wrap my arms around his neck. "You're nothing like Steven. I'm just more comfortable at the diner."

"Alright, alright. I guess I'll just have to pick one of the applicants tonight and have them come in for an interview tomorrow," Brandon grumbled. I smiled and stroked the back of his head with my fingertips.

"Aww, cheer up. I'll come by when you interview the person tomorrow if you want. I could give my honest opinion." I suggested.

Brandon pecked my lips. "That would be nice. I'll text you when I have the time."

I untangled my arms from around his neck as he went to his desk to look through some files. Then a sudden thought occurred to me.

"Are these applicants…women?" I questioned, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Yeah. Not many male personal assistants." Brandon laughed. When I didn't laugh with him he glanced up at me.

"Oh, come on, Stell. I'm pretty sure not even one of those girls comes close to you."

We'll see.

A/N: Thanks sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooo much for reading and reviewing! You have no idea how much it means to me.

Sorry if there is a lot of grammatical errors in this one, didn't have time to look it over completely!

So what do you think about Flora and Riven? What do you think went down between Flora and Helia? More of that love saga to come.

Three guesses on who you think will be interviewed for Brandon's personal assistant job? I think some of you might know.

So…Review!