Free Unworthy by Elaine May

I’m thinking?  What is he, a mind reader?
         “And I meant what I said, Grace.” He takes in a deep breath while his eyes remain on mine.
         “I need you. I want you to be my P.A.” Oh God, I can’t get my head round this, he could ask anyone, but he’s asking me. Why? What’s he got planned? If he wants to turn me into a laughing stock then I can do that on my own. I’ve already done it.
         “Why?” I ask nervously and he moves back against the back of his chair as he puts his hands on his lap.
         “There’s something about you, Grace Ford, and I think we could work well together.” I reach for my glass to take another sip of wine; I think I’m going to need it.
         “What would I need to do?” I ask, just as the waitress comes back to our table to take our order. I don’t listen to what Samuel orders, but I ask for the same as I keep thinking of what I would have to do as Samuel’s P.A. I’m going to have to spend all my time with him, how on earth am I going to be able to do that without losing my marbles? I won’t be able to do it. It just can’t be done; the man is too handsome even for someone like me who has never been interested in the opposite sex before. I can feel the bile rising up my throat, threatening to embarrass me further. I just need to go, go back to my wonderful job as an intern.
         “Don’t think about it, Grace.” And he places his hand upon mine, watching me intently.
         “I know you want to run off, Grace, but I can’t see why”
          “I…I.Um.” I can’t get the words out and I just look at him looking as stupid as ever.
         “Why can’t you see what I see? We would work great together and I really need you to help me understand what’s going on at the office.” I don’t say anything; I just seem to sit there mute like an idiot.
         “You could ask anyone, Samuel. Why me?”
         “I think I have already answered that. To be honest with you by the end of next week we will be losing a large amount of staff and I need someone who I can trust help me get this part of the company back on track and I think that’s you.” He looks at me intently as I think over what he has told me. This thing that’s going on within the company is obviously big and if he wants my help this could really help with my career and help me get my dream of a house quicker. I can see him reach into his suit jacket pocket and pull something out as he hands it to me.
         “That’s a contract I pulled up. When we finish off here, why don’t you take the rest of the day off and go home and have a look through it. Don’t rush in tomorrow, just get there in time for lunch and we can make a start in the afternoon.” He takes a breather and then starts up again.
         “Just so you are aware there is a clause that you are available whenever I need you. You will have to give up your job at the club.” Without thinking I just respond with
         “I never liked it there anyway.” Why did I say that? He didn’t have to know that.
         “You didn’t belong there. You’re too sweet, Grace.” Our eyes meet together again and I don’t know how long we just sit there looking into each other’s eyes until the waitress comes by with our food.  I eat it, but I couldn’t tell you what it is, I just keep thinking of what Samuel said to me. I wonder if he means it or if he’s just being nice to me just so I will work for him. There are so many other people he could ask, but he asked me and I can’t seem to get my head over it. No-one has ever been nice to me before, the only thing that has ever been aimed at me is hate and anger and I don’t know what to make of it. How am I going to cope with being close with him everyday? I must be pulling the elastic at my wrist too tight because all of a sudden I can feel the pain and all the thoughts that have been racing through my mind make me feel ill and I