Don't Love Me

Prep Work

Jessica turns out to be a huge problem. Her only goal at work is to become Mrs. Conti, which means she expects me to do the work of two people. What's even worse is that, when Mr. Conti does a morning brief with her to go over his schedule she spends the whole time trying to flirt and writes nothing down. It's always a huge guessing game trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing.

I've been here about a month now and I've learned to read Jessica's moods. Today, she's smiling, so Mr. Conti has an event he needs to attend and he doesn't have a date. He never has a date. Somehow, every time, Jessica talks herself into thinking that Mr. Conti will ask her to accompany him. She spends all week with her head in the clouds, finding the perfect dress. She is sometimes able to get a ticket to the event and she'll come back on Monday talking all about how they connected at the event.

Once she sits down, I walk over to her desk with a notepad ready to get as much information as I can so I can piece together the rest.

"Hey, Jessica, what are we doing this week?" I ask.

"Oh, you know, the usual," she says, still daydreaming.

"Jessica, you need to write notes," I respond, exasperated. "We've gone over this. That is not enough to work with. Please tell me anything you can remember. I'm assuming he has an event this week?"

"Yes," she says excitedly. "The annual Leukemia Foundation Gala."

I nod, making a note. I'll look up the event but I'm assuming it's black tie, so I note down that his suit needs dry cleaning.

"He also mentioned making copies of a report," she says, almost like a question. It's the Bransen report. The whole office has been working on it for two weeks, making sure it was ready on time.

"Something about the jet," she says, and I can tell I'll be losing her attention soon. "Oh! And some French people are coming."

That's all I get before she leaves to go make a personal call. I check the schedule to see how many people will be attending the Bransen meeting and make a few extra copies. I also noticed the meeting runs through lunch, so I arrange lunch through our normal caterer.

The jet is a pretty easy issue as well. We have a company that charters the jet when it's not in use. I check the schedule with them and see that the 'French people' Jessica mentioned are flying in on Mr. Conti's jet and the arrangements need to be made and sent to their assistant.

Jessica returns hours later with Mr. Conti's lunch. She disappears all the time, but she never misses an opportunity to interact with Mr. Conti. The only time I've entered Mr. Conti's office was when he wasn't there. The only interaction I've had with him was when I brought the coffee to him on the first day. I still make his coffee, of course, because Jessica seems to be allergic to work. She gave me his coffee order the second day and made a threat about how it had better be perfect so as not to embarrass her.

I'm able to get the contact information for the French clients coming in next week from Claire. I spend the week coordinating with their assistant. Mr. and Mrs. Losange will be visiting Ombra for the first time and staying for a week. Jessica took over making an itinerary for Mrs. Losange, who is not involved in the business. She's treating this like she is Mr. Conti's wife and she will be entertaining the wife of a business partner. It never gets old watching her level of delusion, but at least she helped for once.

By the end of the week I'm exhausted, but I know I will have the whole weekend free since Mr. Conti will be visiting family on the weekend.

Jessica did manage to get tickets to the gala and spent all night posting to i********:, but I have a good laugh when I get an email from the dry cleaners notifying me that the suit was never picked up, meaning Mr. Conti didn't attend the event in the end. I guess I shouldn't keep saying that Jessica has no work ethic. She is amazingly persistent when there is something she wants.

After a relaxing weekend, I wake up early on Monday to get ready for work. I get to work extra early so that I can make sure all last-second preparations are made. I communicate with the airport to confirm when they land and I talk to the hotel to make sure they get the right room. Everything in the office is ready for their arrival as well.

Mr. Conti arrives before Jessica and I notice him looking at her desk in displeasure.

He looks at me and asks, "Are we all set?"

"Yes," I respond with confidence, "They've landed and will arrive here in an hour. Caterers will be here in 45 minutes to set up breakfast and Mrs. Losange will be able to check in as early as she wants. Her room is already available."

He nods. Then continues into his office.

Jessica arrives 30 minutes later and I immediately know why she was late. She is dressed impeccably well but a bit over the top for the office, and I am almost positive she had a hair appointment this morning. She spends all her time cleaning her area. She refuses to help set up the food because she doesn't want to mess up her clothes or smell like food. She's being so vocal about how important it is for her to make a good impression, so when she stays in the office while I set up the conference room, I'm relieved.

By 10am I'm back at my desk and ready to greet the Losange's. I have no idea that, despite all my efforts, Jessica would still manage to mess it up.