I was tapping away at my computer, pretending to be busy, when my office phone started ringing. I glanced at it, to find Roger’s number on the screen. I sighed, wondering what it was he wanted this time, then answered. “Hello?”

“Will you please come into my office?” he asked.

I knew he would either want coffee or maybe he wanted me to run home and start cooking his evening meal, but either way it wasn’t going to be pleasant. I just had a feeling. I walked slowly to the office, almost as if I was going to the guillotine, then peeked my head in his door.

“What may I help you with? You want your shoes waxed? Or maybe the floor?” I put on a smile and he just chuckled. He understood my sarcasm, at least that was a plus, so he wouldn’t fire me on the spot.

“Neither of those. Although, my shoes could use a waxing,” he teased.

I rolled my eyes very discreetly, so he wouldn’t see.

“Okay, then what do I have the pleasure of doing?”

He reached for a piece of paper, then handed it to me. I looked at it and in bold print was the name, Trevor Wild, following by the name, Mercury Wild, and then a phone number. I knew the name obviously and I knew the place, but I was still confused.

“What is this?” I asked.

“It’s your first job,” he said.

My jaw dropped. I’m surprised that I could lift it back up without help. “Um…my first job?” I asked. “You mean…a consulting job?”

Roger nodded. “Unless you don’t want it. Unfortunately, there is no one else, as everyone else is booked with clients, but I’m sure Mr. Wild will understand.”

I looked at the information again. I was really torn, because on one hand, I was finally getting my big break, but on the other hand, it wouldn’t be easy to work with the guy that seemed to catch my breath every time I looked at him.

“No! I’ll do it,” I quickly stated.

Roger smiled. “I thought you would. He’s expecting a text with a time to meet up with him tomorrow. I’ll leave that up to you. You will still be expected to come into work each day and make sure nothing else is happening, but I know that this will require lots of work. I have the utmost faith that you can do it.”

I nodded, heaving a sigh.

This was finally it. I was going to be given my big chance. I just couldn’t believe my luck was that my big chance was with Trevor Wild, Billionaire and Entrepreneur of Mercury Wild. I wondered what kind of assistance he needed, because by the outsider’s perspective, they were fine. I thanked Roger and headed back to my desk, with Trevor’s number in my hand.

I fished my cell phone out of my desk drawer, already anxious to get started. I put his number in my contact list, then sent him a text message.

 

Jasmine: Hello, my name is Jasmine Washington and I received your name from my boss. I would be happy to help you out in whatever time would work best for you. We can meet tomorrow. Please advise me of your availability.

 

That seemed professional enough. If I was being honest, I was a little nervous about my first job. I wanted it to go perfect, but it was really all new territory for me. Trevor’s response was quick to arrive.

 

Trevor Wild: Hello, Jasmine. Thank you so much for getting with me. I look forward to meeting you and getting this started. I will be at the club starting at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Any time after that would work. Thanks again!

 

Jasmine: I can be there at two thirty. I will see you then. Thank you!

 

I slipped my phone back into my desk drawer and felt excited about my first job. I wouldn’t tell Trevor he was my first case, but I wanted him to be satisfied. Two thirty wouldn’t come soon enough.

 

***

 

I pulled my jeep into the parking lot of the club at five minutes until the meeting. I had a notebook and pen in hand and I wanted to look the part, so I had dressed in pencil straight skirt and a white blouse, with a jacket that was buttoned over it. I could hear the clicking of my heels on the pavement, as I nervously approached the club.

The parking lot had a few cars, but it was still early, so I didn’t question where all the activity was. I opened up the door and was greeted with just a hostess standing there, as opposed to the two employees that opened the doors on Saturday night.

The hostess smiled. “Good afternoon! Just one today?”

I had to smile, because she didn’t question if I was a member. It was surprising to think that I actually looked like I belonged there.

“Actually, I’m just looking for Trevor Wild. I have a meeting with him.”

“Ahh…yes. You must be Mrs. Washington.”

I smiled, blushing slightly. “Ms. But you can call me Jasmine.”

The woman smiled and nodded her understanding. “Follow me!” she said.

She led me through the club and I took a chance to look around, seeing it all really for the first time. This wasn’t a place I was allowed to walk freely around, so it was nice to get a feel for the atmosphere. When we got to the bar, we bypassed it and went through double doors. The closer we got to an office, the more nervous I became. But there he was. Trevor was seated behind a desk, typing on his computer, and there was a tug at my heart as I saw him.

“Jasmine Washington is here, sir,” the woman said, introducing me.

Trevor looked up and the minute his eyes met mine, recognition flashed in his facial features.

“Thanks, Layla,” he said, glancing at Layla for a minute. She nodded and dismissed herself and then he looked back at me.

“Hmm…” he then chuckled softly and stood to his feet. “I guess we’ll formally be introduced then. As you know, I’m Trevor Wild and you’re Jasmine Washington.” He stuck out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance, Mrs. Washington.”

I looked at his hand and then up at his eyes that were staring back at me.

“It’s Ms. Washington and please…call me Jasmine.” I shook his hand. His grasp was firm, yet comforting. I slowly pulled my hand free, because I could have been lost in that moment for hours, then cleared my throat.

“So, I don’t have all the details of what you’re actually looking for, but do you mind giving me a tour of the place and we can hash all that out?”

“Of course,” he said.

He walked around the desk and led me out of his office, to where we started a tour. He showed me everything from the various rooms that housed more gambling machines, to the rooms that were used for parties of different degrees. As we walked, he shared his story, about how he didn’t know when it happened but along the way they slowly started to falter in sales. He always thought they could pick back up, but then credit cards were being overcharged and shipments were now being missed and he feared for the sake of his business.

We went upstairs, to a whole other layer of the club that I hadn’t even known had existed. It seemed this club was a hub of activity, or at least should be, because of all the features there were.

“Members have started canceling their memberships,” he said. There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

When we walked down the stairs, I turned to him.

“Mr. Wild,” I started.

He shook his head. “Please call me Trevor.”

I continued. “Trevor, I won’t say that it will be an easy task to get things back to where they were, but I do believe that it’s doable. Just trust that I will do everything in my power to make it work. We’ll get it there. I promise you.”

He smiled and we headed back to his office. Once there, I put my purse down and looked around. “We first need to start with your bookkeeping. I need to see important receipts and documents for the last year would be a good starting point.”

He gave me a sheepish grin and I really wondered what that was all about, until he led me to a filing cabinet. At least the cabinet was labeled with a breakdown of three months at a time in each drawer, otherwise I might freak out before I even started.

He opened up one drawer and it was just layers and layers of bills, receipts, orders, etc. all just thrown in it. I pulled out a handful and just looked at it, the months were all thrown together and it was a jumbled mess. I looked up at him and he smirked.

“Yeah, I suppose organization skills isn’t my strong suit.”

I nodded. That was an understatement. “Well, this could take me at least a week to go through,” I looked over at his desk that was just a few feet away. “I’ll try not to be in your way or anything.”

He shrugged. “I understand. Take the time you need.”

I looked back at the drawers and took a deep breath. I hoped I didn’t get myself into a world of trouble, because I was already feeling a tad overwhelmed, but I would persevere and get through it. I just had to.