Chapter 7

Marissa walked into my room, and saw me passed out on the bed. She sat next to me, as she tried to wake me up.

“Hey Cat, get your lazy ass up!”

“Whoa? Oh hey, I wanted to see you.”

“See me? What do you mean?”

“I wanted to hang out with you today.” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“Yeah, I want to get drunk tonight. Do you want to go with me?”

“That sounds fun, but you have to keep an eye on me. I have to go to work tomorrow.”

“Okay, I will.” Marissa said, smiling.

“Well, I am going to get ready. Give me like thirty minutes.”

 “Okay, hurry up wait where are you working?” Marissa asked confused.

“McKee’s Industries”

“Isn’t that where Michael works?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m coming to get drunk with you” I said playfully.

“Haha, ok we can talk about it when we get to the bar” Marissa said walking out of my room.

I picked out something to wear from my closet, and put it on quickly. I went into the bathroom to redo my makeup, and touch up my hair.  When I was finished fixing myself up, I grabbed a pair of my black high heal shoes and put them on. I sprayed on some perfume, and headed into the living room.

“Marissa, you ready?”

“Hell yeah, let’s go!”

“Did Liz leave with Isaac already?”

“Yeah, she left about ten minutes ago.”

“Ah…”

I grabbed my purse, and we headed out the door. As we got in the car, my cell phone went off.

--

“Hello?”

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Hey Zac! Nothing much, just about to have some drinks with Marissa”

“That’s cool; sorry I couldn’t hang out with you today.”

“It’s okay; I know you have a lot to do.”

“Yeah…”

“What are you doing now?”

“We got home from the studio about an hour ago. We were trying out some new music we wrote.”

“Oh, did it come out good?”

“Yeah, it sounded great.”

“Well that’s awesome.”

 “Next time we practice, do you want to come with us?”

“That would be great, are you sure it’s okay with your brothers though?”

“Yeah, I’ve brought my other…friends there…”

“I’m super excited, it sounds so fun!”

“I’ll call you back sometime tonight; I don’t want to interrupt you and your time with Marissa.”

“Ok, don’t forget to call me.”

“I won’t, bye pretty.”

“Bye Zac”

--

I hung up the phone, and stuck it back in my purse. We decided to go to the pool hall; we haven’t been there in a long time.  When we arrived, we went inside and sat down at the bar. We took three shots of vodka, and decided to stop for a little bit. About 10 minutes later, a couple of people walked over and asked us to play pool with them. We said okay, and followed them to one of the tables. It was girls against boys, and naturally, we kicked their butts.

“Girl…I gotta sit down for a minute.” I said, walking towards one of the benches.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just feeling a little tipsy…oh shit!”

“What?”

“We don’t have anyone to take us home! I totally forgot.”

“Well maybe Liz can pick us up on her way home.”

“What about the car?”

“Um, maybe Isaac can help us out.”

“Let me call them…”I said, as I dug through my purse looking for my cell.

“Found it!” I yelled, excitedly.

“SHHHHH!” Marissa yelled back at me.

We both started cracking up, as I tried to find Liz’s cell number.

“We really should have ate something before we left.”

“I feel fine” Marissa said sitting at the nearest bar stool.

--

“Hello?”

“Liz, Liz!”

“What?”

“Hi.”

“…hey…”

“I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“No we did!” Marissa said, correcting me.

“Sorry, we wanted to talk to you about something very important.”

“Well what is it?”

Then we heard a voice over the intercom.

“The first fifteen people up here get two shots for the price of one!”

“Got to go, bye” I said, hanging up the phone.

Marissa grabbed my arm, and pulled me to the bar. We got there just in time, and we took two more shots.

“Yeah, I’m done.” I said, walking away from the bar.

“Dude, I’m not.” Marissa said, taking another one.

“For real, no more or else you’ll puke.”

I grabbed Marissa’s arm, and we walked outside and sat on the ground against the wall. I took out my phone, and called Liz again.

--

“Hello?”

“Liz, we forgot to get a driver.”

“What do you mean?”

“We don’t have anyone to take us home…”

“Oh well we can come get you guys.”

“Good, good, good…great!”

“Don’t drive okay? I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”

“No, no we won’t drive. We’re not stupid!”

“Okay, see you soon.”

--

“What’d she say?” Marissa asked, as she put her head on my lap.

“She’s coming.”

“That’s good, because I can’t drive right now.”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“I just can’t, so don’t try to make me.”

“I won’t, we’re just going to stay right here.”

“None since, I’ll drive.” Marissa said, attempting to get up.

“No, just wait here.”

“Okay, you don’t have to be so mean about it.”

“Okay.”

“…she’s taking too long, I’m going to drive.”

“You haven’t even waited one second!” I said trying not to laugh.

About ten minutes later, Liz drove up and walked over to us. Isaac took me in his car, and Liz took Marissa in the car we drove. As we headed home, I felt nauseous and asked Isaac to pull over. I got out of the car and sat on the ground next to a rock. I rested my head on the rock and closed my eyes.

“You okay Cat?” Isaac asked sitting next to me.

“Too bumpy”

“Yeah, it’s gonna be okay.”

“Tell the clouds to stop moving!”

“I don’t think they’re going to listen.” Isaac said, sitting next to me.

About ten minutes later, Isaac helped me back in the car. When we got home, he picked me up and carried me into the bedroom.

“Thanks Isaac”

“No problem, I’m just glad you didn’t try to drive.”

“Marissa was trying” I said grinning.

 “Oh is that so? Well I am off to the other room to kick her butt; you get some sleep now okay?”

“Her ass is huge!”

“Heh, I’ll keep that in mind.” Isaac said, walking out of my room.

“Huge!” I yelled, holding my arms far apart to show how big.

“Okay Cat!” Isaac shouted from the hallway.

Isaac walked into Liz’s room, taking his belt off as he came in. “So what’s this I hear about you trying to drive.” Isaac said, smacking the belt against his other hand.

When Marissa saw the belt, she started to freak out. She stood on the bed screaming her head off! Shocked, Isaac ran out of the room, stumbling into Liz who was just outside the door. It looked like Marissa was about to jump on top of him. Liz went into the room to calm her down. Once Marissa was calm, she went into the living room where Isaac was sitting.

“What was that?” Liz asked confused.

“I was only kidding!”

Liz smiled, and went into the kitchen to get Marissa some water. She poured a glass, and gave it to Isaac.

“Give that to Marissa.” Liz said

“Are you crazy? I’m not going in there!”

“She’s fine now, just go.”

Isaac walked to Liz’s door hesitantly. He opened it slowly, and saw Marissa lying on the bed. He put the water on the dresser and quickly left the room.

“Did you survive?” Liz asked, grinning.

“Barley made it out alive.” Isaac said, returning the smile.

Isaac and Liz hung out at the house for the rest of the evening. They thought it would be better to keep and eye on Marissa and me. 

(Hanson House)

“Where you going?” Zac asked Taylor, who was getting all dressed up.

“Out…no where special.”

“Uh huh…no where special yet your getting all dressed up.” Zac said, as he walked out of Taylor’s room.

Taylor put on his tie, and walked downstairs where Zac was.

“I am going to hang out with the guys.”

“Really?”

“Yeah…”

“Is there going to be girls there with the guys…”

“…maybe.”

Zac laughed as he turned on the TV and sat down.

“What’s so funny?” Taylor asked, angrily.

“You’re lucky I’m not Isaac, because we would be fighting right now.”

“…yeah”

“Well have fun, use protection.”

Taylor frowned and headed out the front door. If they tell me to use protection one more time, I am going to throw a used condom on their faces, Taylor grumbled to himself.

(Michaels House)

“I can’t believe she’s fucking him. Oh I am gonna mess that Hanson bitch up!

…or…I could make him think she is fucking me. Yes, then he would be gone for sure. Even if I don’t get Catherine, she won’t get him so it’s okay.

Next Day: (Catherine’s Place)

I decided to call Trent from McKee’s Industries to see if he wanted me to work today…or if the offer was still open, seeing as how I pissed Michael off yesterday. I picked up the phone and called the front desk.

--

“McKee’s Industries, this is Tammy, how may I help you?”

“Hello, can I please speak to Mr. Anderson?”

“Yeah ma’am, one moment please.”

…

“This is Trent.”

“Hey Trent this is Catherine Ice, I met with you the other day.”

“Yes, I remember you. You’re Michael’s Friend.”

“…yeah”

“Well you know what I mean,” he said with a chuckle.

“Yeah”

“So did you decide to take the job?”

“Well that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I wasn’t sure if it was still open.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I wasn’t too nice to Michael yesterday…”

“Oh…well it just so happens that my secretary put in her two weeks last night.”

“What!”

“I knew you would be excited, so how would you like to be my secretary instead?”

“Are you serious? That would be so awesome!”

“When do you want to start?”

“I can come in whenever you want”

“Okay, well if you want you can come in today and I'll show you around.”

“Thank you so much, I’ll be there.”

“No problem, bye Miss Catherine”

--

Yes, in your fuckin’ face Michael! I said to myself. Then I heard someone in the kitchen. I walked out of my room and into the kitchen where Marissa was at.

“Hey, you off today” I asked Marissa, leaning on the kitchen table.

“Yep, what are you doing today?” she asked, pouring herself some orange juice.

“I am going to work.”

“You’re taking the job still after what happened last night?”

“Well that’s the best part. Trent said I could be his secretary instead.”

“That’s great!”

“Yeah, I’ll barley have to see Michael at all!”

“Yep”

“Well I got to go get ready; I will see you later tonight.”

“Okay, see ya.”

I took one last look in the mirror before I headed to work.

“Bye Marissa,” I said while walking out the front door. I got in the car, and was on my way to McKee’s Industries.

(McKee’s Industries)

“Miss Ice, nice to see you again” the secretary said, as I approached her desk.

“Nice to see you again as well, I can’t believe you remembered my name.”

“Well it’s a very unique name. Mr. Anderson is expecting you; just go right on back there. It’s down the hall, first door on the right.”

“Thank you,” I said heading down the hallway.

I glanced at everyone as I walked by all the cubicles, everyone seemed so happy

“Hey, are you new?” I heard someone say behind me. I turned around to face her.

“Is it that obvious?” I said, smiling.

“We know everyone around here so yes. I just got here a couple of months ago, my names Nicole.”

“I’m Catherine.”

“Whose secretary are you, Mr. Johnsons or Mr. Andersons?”

“Mr. Andersons”

“Oh, well aren’t you lucky.”

“What do you mean?” I asked confused.

“You’ll see,” Nicole said smiling.

“Oh…well I better head that way.”

“Okay, nice to meet you. If you need any help, just come my way.”

“Thanks”

I walked up to Trents’ office and knocked on the door.

“Come in” he said, politely.

“Hey Trent, I said walking over to him.”

“Hey Catherine, how are you?”

”I’m great…”

“I am glad you took me up on the job.”

“Thank you for asking, I am so happy…”

“Well let me show you your new office, follow me.”

There was an office connected to his that had a television set, a laptop, and furniture in it.

“All this is mine?” I said, shocked.

“Well when you’re my secretary, you get the best.”

“Where is your secretary anyway?”

“She took an early break, needed to buy a few things.”

“Why did give all this up?”

“Well she’s pregnant and wants to spend all her time with her baby when it arrives.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“I have to finish a couple things before I show you around, could you make me some copy of these papers…,” he said grabbing them off his desk.

“Just look for Nicole if you need any help. She’s right down the hall.”

“Okay, I’ll have these done right away.”

Trent smiled and sat down at his desk. I walked out of the office searching around for the copy room. The girl I just ran into was heading my way.

“Well hello again, how do you like your office?” Nicole asked, grinning.

“It was not what I was expecting at all.”

“Do you need some help finding the copy room?”

“That would be nice…”

“Follow me…”

I did not know what to think about Nicole. She seemed nice, but she also seemed somewhat jealous that I got that office. Maybe it was just in my head.

“This copy machine has a lot of buttons on it but you only need use one. Just hit the start button and you’re done.” Nicole said, putting in the papers one by one.

“Okay wait, slow down. What do I do first?”

“…um”

“Just kidding, I’m not that slow.”

“I was about to say. So what do you think about Mr. Anderson?” Nicole asked.

“He’s a really nice guy.”

“Are you dating anybody? Do you think he’s cute?”

“I’m seeing someone and…uh, yeah he’s handsome.”

“Sorry…” Nicole said, looking down.

“Do you like him or something?”

“Well…not really.”

“Not really…?”

“Maybe just a little”

“Well I have no intent on stealing him away…”

“I don’t even know why I like him, I know I shouldn’t. It’s against the rules.”

“That’s not going to stop you, I said smiling.”

“True, but he never makes a move. He seems to like me, but he’s scared.”

“You know for a fact he likes you?”

“I am pretty sure…”

“Well come and talk to him later today, I want to see how he acts around you. And if he really does like you, I’ll squeeze it out of him.”

“Uh, I don’t know if that’s a good…”

“Well I’m going to give these papers to Trent, I’ll see you in a bit” I said smiling.

“Let’s keep this between us.”

“I hear ya.”

I went back to Trents’ office and put the papers on his desk.

He covered the mouthpiece of the phone and whispered, “Thank you,” as I headed back to my office.

There was a folder on my desk with a note attached to it that said, type me. I looked inside the folder, took out the hand written papers, and attached them to the side of the laptop.

(30 Minutes Later)

Trent came into my office and sat in the chair next to me.

“I just finished typing the papers, where did you want me to put the folder?”

“There’s a file cabinet in my office, I’ll show you.”

Trent stood up and showed me the drawer that the folder went in and explained what the other drawers were. He explained what my normal routine would be like, and what I am supposed to say when I answer the phone.

“Sorry I just put the folder on your desk rather than explaining what to do; I was talking to a very important customer.” Trent explained.

“You don’t have to be sorry, why are you being so nice? You have to be the nicest boss in the whole world.”

“Yeah, I get that all the time.”

Nicole came into the office and walked over towards Trent and me.

“Hey Trent”

Trent backed away nervously “Oh hey Nicole, what can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to see if everything’s going okay, and if Catherine needed anymore help before I head home.”

“Um, can you show her where my mailbox is?”

“Sure.”

I followed Nicole until we got far enough away from the office to where Trent couldn’t hear us.

“So, what do you think?” Nicole asked, as we headed to the mailroom.

“Hum…he seemed rather nervous. I can’t tell if that is a good thing, or bad thing yet.”

“Yeah, well here is his mail box. Just grab whatever’s in it when you come in to work each day.”

“Thanks for helping me out today that was real nice of you.”

“Oh no problem, I will see you later okay?”

“Okay bye girl.”

I headed back into the office and sat down next to Trent. “Hey” I said grinning at him.

“Hey Catherine, what’s on your mind?” Trent asked, suspiciously.

“What was that all about?”

“What?” He asked confused.

“You seemed kind of nervous when Nicole came in.”

“I was not. I don’t like her like that.”

“Is that so?” I asked, grinning.

“Yes, just because she is good looking doesn’t mean…”

“Oh, so she’s good looking?”

“No that’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean?”

“Uh, I have a lot of work to do…”

“Alright, but we’re not finished here. I’ll talk to you later.” I said, smiling.

Trent began sorting through his papers again, as I headed back to my office.

 I sat down at my desk at started printing these memos for tomorrow morning.

(A Couple Hours Later)

“Catherine, could you come in here please?” Trent called from his office.

“Sure,” I said as I headed to his desk.

“Did you finish all the paperwork?”

“Yep, all done.”

“Okay great, even though I didn’t get to show you everything I think you got the gist of it. I’m going to let you off early. I have a meeting to go to, and I don’t want to leave you here all by yourself.”

“Oh okay, that’s fine.”

 “I was thinking about giving my secretary the two weeks off with pay as a present to her and her husband. Would you want to start working tomorrow?”

“Yeah that would be great.”

“Call me tomorrow around 9 am and I’ll have your schedule ready for the week.”

“Okay, thank you so much for this job.”

 “Thank you for helping me out today, see you tomorrow.”

“Okay great, bye Trent.”

“Bye Catherine.”

I grabbed my purse from the office and headed out the building. I arrived home and walked inside finding Marissa and Liz talking on the couch.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?” I asked, walking towards them.

“Um…Cat, I talked to Isaac today and he told me that Zac’s been getting some threatening phone messages.” Liz said, crossing her arms.

“Phone messages?” I asked confused.

“Yeah, we think they’re from Michael.”

“Oh hell no, I’m calling his ass right now.” I said, heading towards the phone.

“Wait girl, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think you should talk to him in person.”

“What the hell is wrong with him? He’s been acting all crazy lately.”

“He obviously doesn’t take rejection well.”

“Yeah…well I am going to call Zac.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed the nearest phone, and dialed his number.

“Hello?”

“Zac?”

“This is Taylor, hold on let me get him. Is this Catherine?”

“Yes it is, hey Taylor how are you?”

“I’m good. I was just about to head out the door.”

“Oh yeah? Where are you heading?”

“Just going to a club”

“Sounds fun, when you gonna take me?”

“Anytime you want, just hit me up.”

“okay”

“Here’s Zac”

“Hello?”

“Hey Zac”

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“Nothing really,” I said looking at Marissa and Liz.

Are you doing anything tonight?”

“Well that depends…are you doing anything tonight?”

“Well I’d have to check my schedule, seeing as how I am such an important person.”

“Uh huh, well while you do that I’ll be calling up all my guy friends.”

“No you don’t, you’re hanging out with me tonight.”

“That’s better. What time?”

 “Whenever you’re ready, do you want me to pick you up?”

“I can meet you there…what are we doing?”

“We can get some dinner and then watch a movie at my place.”

“Okay, sounds great.”

“Bye cutie.”

I couldn’t help but smile, he is so sweet.

“I thought you were going to talk to him about Michael.” Marissa said, confused.

“Oh darn it, I forgot.”

“You forgot that fast?”

“Well Taylor answered the phone and it threw me off…”

“Oh so your into Taylor now too,” Liz said smirking.

“Get outta here, I am not!”

“Yeah, sure”

“Whatever, I’ll talk to him tonight. I’m going to get ready.”