Chapter 6 - Choose Clothes

Logan smiled again, which did not help my nerves. I looked down at the ground, feeling too nervous and shy to meet his gaze. “I like your pitch. I need to prepare for a date right now, will you help me get ready?” Logan asked. My eyes darted up to his. I was completely stunned. I hadn’t even prepared a formal pitch, I thought for sure this was going to be my last day as a potential candidate. I never would’ve guessed he’d offer me a special project over the others. “Yes, absolutely,” I said. “I would be happy to.” “Great. I’ll have my driver pick us up out front right soon, I just need to go to my office for a moment first. Meet me downstairs in five minutes,” Logan walked out of the room before I could respond. I gathered my things and followed after him, careful not to look at the other candidates, because I wasn’t sure I could control my face and I didn’t want to gloat at them too quickly. When we arrived at the mall I was a little in shock. I imagined he would take us to some very high-end retailers, not these places where us common folk shopped. “I need you to help me pick out an outfit,” Logan said as we exited the car. “Here?” The question came out of my mouth before I could stop it. I clamped my hand over it, kicking myself internally for questioning him. “I uh…want to keep a low profile in front of my new wife,” he said as we walked towards the mall’s entrance. He held open the door for me once we reached it. “Oh, while we’re on the subject, if you ever meet her, don’t mention that you’re my subordinate.” “Yes, sir,” I said. I didn’t fully understand it. If she was his wife, why the weird secrecy? Wouldn’t she know who he is and how rich he is? But it wasn’t my place to judge. My only job here was to help pick out clothes. Logan looked at the mall directory and led me to a store that was entirely mens wear. We were greeted by an employee when we entered. “Can I help you find anything today?” “Yes, we are looking for suits, ties, dress shirts, and shoes,” I answered. “His measurements are…” I pulled open my notebook and read aloud, “chest is 42 inches, waist is 32 inches, hips are 38 inches, inseam is 34 inches, neck 16 inches, shoulders 20 inches, and biceps 15 inches. He wears a size 14 shoe.” The salesman pulled a notebook and pen from his jacket and quickly jotted down the numbers. “Very well. Please have a seat, I will pull some options for you,” he said. “My name is John, by the way.” “Thank you John,” Logan said, then turned his attention to me. He raised one eyebrow. “How in the world do you know my measurements?” I smiled. “Well sir, that’s just a basic duty for all secretaries.” Logan smiled back. As that moment, John returned with three suit options: a black one, a gray one, and a forest green one. “Right this way sir, the dressing rooms are over here.” Logan and I followed him to the dressing rooms. I sat outside while Logan tried on the first suit. After a few minutes, he came out wearing the black pants and dress shirt, holding just the tie and jacket. He stood in front of the trifold mirror at the entrance of the dressing rooms, admiring himself. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also admiring him. I jumped up after we both had a moment to look him over, eager to do whatever it took to impress him and really land that position as his assistant. “Can I help you with your tie?” “Yes, thank you,” he said. I tied his tie then moved around behind him to help him put on his jacket. My fingers tingled when they grazed his skin. My heart pounded. I was barely touching him, but just that was enough to leave me a bit dry-mouthed and sweaty. I stepped away from him as soon as his jacket was on and took several deep breaths to calm myself. What was with me? Whatever it was I needed to get it under control. Logan made it clear he wanted boundaries with his secretary. I didn’t want the same fate as Elena. “How do I look?” He asked. That question was not helping me. He had somehow made an average department store suit look like it had come from a high-end store. Like it was stitched by God himself just for him and his physically perfect body. Calm. Down. “You look great sir. It really suits you,” I said. Then I quickly added: “Pun not intended.” He laughed. “John? I’ll take all three, thanks. And I’ll wear this one out if that’s alright.” John ran over. “Absolutely sir. Let me get the others into bags and I’ll meet you at the counter.” The wait for John gave me time to reflect on what had me acting like Elena all of a sudden. I decided to blame it on the ex. If he hadn’t left me the way he did, I wouldn’t have developed this sudden desperation for human contact. Although Logan is slightly to blame here too. I wouldn’t feel this way if he didn’t look that way. Several minutes later, Logan and I were back in his car. He gave his driver the next address for us to go to. As the driver pulled out of the parking lot, Logan grinned at me. “I’m taking the two of you to meet my new wife.” I smiled back at him. Maybe this would help me to stop acting so ridiculous around him, seeing him with his significant other. I pulled the other ties we had purchased from the bag, and laid them out on the seat, just in case Logan decided to switch his out for another. He watched me, seemingly impressed at my attention to detail. We pulled up to a plain concrete building with a sign that read, “Sunset Studios.” It was a little run down, to my surprise. Was his wife in here? I was also struck by “Sunset Studios.” The name sounded familiar, like someone had mentioned it to me recently. “Wait here,” Logan said. He sounded a little nervous, which I found odd. “I’ll be back soon for the two of you.” Logan returned to the car about an hour later. His expression was solemn…not what I expected to see after the excitement he had shown for his wife over the course of the day. The driver stepped out of the car to open Logan’s door. Logan sat down and slammed the car door behind him. “To the office,” he said quietly after the driver re-entered the car. The driver looked at me and I just shrugged. He put the car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot. Did he fight with his new wife? What in the world happened in there? I just prayed that whatever it was, I wouldn’t get blamed for any of it.