Free Amaryllis by Nikita Lynnette Nichols

amazement.
    â€œYeah, I told you it wouldn’t take that long. It’s what I do.”
    â€œAmaryllis, I can’t believe you were able to complete all of this so quickly. How fast are you?”
    â€œApproximately seventy-eight words per minute.”
    Michelle’s wheels were turning. “Do you feel well enough to be put on my payroll?”
    â€œYeah, I think it’s about time I got back into the swing of things.”
    â€œGreat, you’re hired and you start tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. What was your pay in Chicago?”
    â€œMichelle, I don’t expect to be paid. You’ve already done so much for me. Room and board is more than enough.”
    â€œAmaryllis, nobody in their right mind works for free. Of course I’m going to pay you. Besides, your story will change once you see all the duties Chantal had. She was my right hand woman who practically ran the firm in my absence.”
    â€œSpeaking of Chantal, she called right before you came home.”
    â€œGreat, I’ll call her, then you two can talk. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind briefing you on what you need to know. I pay her twenty-eight dollars an hour. Is that suitable for you?”
    â€œYou pay your secretary that much, Michelle?”
    â€œChantal’s worth it. I couldn’t function without her. She’s my eyes and ears.”
    â€œHeck yeah, that’s suitable. It’s a whole lot more than I was making in Chicago. You better be careful, Michelle, you’re spoiling me. I may never leave you now.”
    â€œYou’re my sister, girl. I love having you here. I just hope you can handle the work load.”
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    After just three hours behind Chantal’s desk, Amaryllis was fit to be tied. Michelle said that Chantal had her hands full, but she didn’t tell Amaryllis that she was a superwoman. Back in Chicago, all Amaryllis had to do was pay Bridgette to take the load off of her, but here in Reno, she was on her own. No wonder Michelle paid Chantal so generously. Looking at all of the work, Amaryllis thought Chantal was probably underpaid.
    At noontime, Amaryllis took a break and looked away from the computer screen. She had to blink about three or four times to correct her vision. Her fingers were cramped and her legs were numb from sitting in one position for way too long.
    Michelle came out of her office and approached Amaryllis. “How’s it going, honey?”
    Amaryllis was in a funky mood and decided to tell her sister a thing or two about abusing employees. “Let me tell you something, Michelle. All this work you have Chantal doing is ridiculous. No wonder she took an early leave. And I bet she was paying someone on the sly to help her out.” Amaryllis held up her fingers for Michelle to see them. “Look at my fingers; they’re crooked.”
    Michelle caressed Amaryllis’ fingers. “Come on, it’s not that bad, is it?”
    â€œIt’s worse than bad. How could Chantal handle all of this?”
    â€œI don’t know, but she did. And thanks for typing that brief for me last night.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. What time do you have to be in court?”
    â€œThree o’clock this afternoon. Has James called?”
    â€œNo, he hasn’t called at all today.”
    Just then the elevator doors opened and James stepped off displaying a picture perfect smile and a dozen roses in his hand. He walked straight to Michelle and kissed her lips.
    â€œHello, gorgeous.”
    Michelle smiled at his smile. “You’re the gorgeous one.”
    â€œNot me, you are.”
    â€œNo, you are.” Michelle turned to her sister. “Amaryllis, this is James, the love of my life. James, this is my baby sister, Amaryllis.” She was so happy to finally introduce the two.
    James took a single rose from the dozen and presented it to Amaryllis. “Here’s to the second most beautiful woman in the