Chapter 11 - Emma
I walk into work and feel a wave of relief when I get there. I haven’t been comfortable on the streets since Victor popped up out of the shadows the other night. My desk is waiting for me, as are the stacks of files behind it.
It’s nice being early and being the first one in. I drop my things on my desk and get started right away. I’ve successfully organised about a fifth of the files in the shelves. This morning I move on to a new section. It’s more recent, from only three years ago. The files are heavy but I drag them down and start working.
Once they’re organised chronologically, I get to work organising them alphabetically in each year’s box. A name catches my eye on the top of the pile: Melodie Sanders. I glance up. I’m still alone. Curiosity gets the most of me and I open the file up.
I’m greeted with a long itemised list of work that she’s had done. My eyes trail down the paper, eyebrows shooting up. She’s definitely spared no expense. One line item catches my eye: Aesthetics Management Fee. That fee is almost as much as the most expensive procedure.
My brows furrow as I read through the list of procedures again. There’s a consultation fee, procedures fees, itemised list of materials. This extra “management” fee doesn’t make sense. I flick over to the file below it, one Estelle Smith. No Aesthetics Management Fee in that one.
Something is strange with this. When I worked as an accountant, people would sometimes try to hide income or over-report expenses as a tax evasion tactic. This is exactly the type of thing we’d be looking for.
I shake my head. I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ve been here three days working reception and already I think I’m uncovering some underhanded fraud conspiracy. I shouldn’t be looking through these files anyways. I close Melodie’s file and stack it alphabetically, putting the pile back in the shelf behind me.
The management fee keeps circling back to the front of my mind, but I don’t have time to investigate any further. Doctor Yates walks in the door. I look up from my desk and smile.
“Good morning!”
Did his eyes just narrow? He glances at my desk.
“No filing this morning?” I feel the urge to lie to him, to hide the fact that I was looking through the files. Instead, I smile.
“Just a box before I you walked in, should be done by the end of next week.”
“Good work, Emma. Glad to have you on board.” His voice is gruff, he sounds anything but glad to have me on board. He rushes past me and down the hallway.
Just as the door to his office closes I let out a sigh. My heart is beating hard in my chest, and my palms have gone sweaty. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Why did that make me so nervous? I feel like I’m doing something wrong but I’m trying to help. Victor’s face floats into my mind and I shake my head. I’m just being paranoid.
The phone rings and I answer.
“Manhattan Aesthetics, how may I help you?”
“Emma, it’s Stuart. Can you come to my office please?”
“Sure thing, I’ll be right there.”
I put down the phone and stare ahead into space. He definitely did not look happy with me looking through those files, maybe he’s calling me over to his office tell me off. All of a sudden my heart is beating again and my leg is jumping up and down. I’m nervous.
I stand up and straighten my skirt. I crunch my curls and check my lipstick in my pocket mirror. Setting my shoulders back, I take a deep breath and head to his office. Before I can knock on the door, it swings open.
“Emma, come in,” Doctor Yates says without looking at me. I glance in the room and see him. Elliot, sitting in a seat across from Dr. Yates’ desk. I shuffle in and glance over at him. He stares straight ahead and doesn’t stir when I sit down. Fine, I think. Be that way.
“Emma, I called you in here with Elliot to let you know I’ve selected you to accompany him to the conference next week. It’s a wonderful opportunity and I think Elliot could use the help preparing his presentation.”
“Stuart, like I said earlier, there’s no need. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Dr. Yates holds up a hand and Elliot stops talking. “Doctor Davis,” he says in a hard voice. “This is an important event and we need to represent the practice to the best of our abilities. Emma here has shown some initiative, I think it would be a good help for you and a wonderful experience for her. I won’t here any more complaints. Now Emma,” he says, turning his gaze to me. “Please continue to come in early, but go see Dr. Davis. Your filing project can wait until you get back.”
“Fine.” Elliot says. He puts his hands on the chair’s arms and pushes himself up. His cologne fills my nostrils when he brushes past me. It’s spicy and musky and it sends a thrill through me. He leaves the room and takes my breath with him. I glance up at Dr. Yates. Is he serious? A two day conference across the country? With Elliot Davis??
The thought of being alone with him for two days simultaneously fills me with dread and a deep sense of excitement. I wonder if he would still be so rude when we’re outside the office.
“Thank you, Doctor.” I finally say to him.
“It’s my pleasure,” he responds, softening his eyes. “Make sure that man does the best he can.”
I smile. “I will. I’ll get back to my desk now, I think the first clients are arriving soon.”
He waves a hand to dismiss me. I walk out of his office and close the door behind me. Dr. Davis’ office is just two doors down. I glance in that direction and take a step towards him, and then pause. You know what, he stormed off and obviously doesn’t want my help, and is hell bent on being as rude as he can to me. Let him struggle as much as he wants to. I’ve got work to do. He doesn't’ deserve my help.