Chapter 5: Tough Morning

Remi’s POV

I’m dreading the day ahead. Not only is it my first day on the job as the PA of Gray Wilder, a known playboy, and famous rockstar, but I also have his warning from last night stuck in my mind, replaying countless times to the point I can remember the shape of his lips as each syllable is pronounced.

My hands grip the steering wheel so tightly they turn a pale shade of white as I drive through the streets of the most famous neighborhood known for housing the most exclusive A-list celebrities and the richest people in Los Angeles. I have never felt poorer driving down a street of houses than I do at this moment.

“Your destination is on the left,” my GPS cuts through my internal crisis, reminding me that I’m at Gray Wilder’s house. Ava couldn’t help but ask what felt like a hundred questions as I was walking out the door this morning, wanting to know Gray’s address or what we’ll be doing today. I couldn’t answer any of it because of the contract I signed, but now I’m going to dread every morning if they are the same as today.

When I pull into the long driveway leading to Gray’s house, my eyes widen as I take in the stunning sight before me. This isn’t a house, it’s a whole a*s mansion. The white exterior complements the brown roof tiles, making the mansion appear even larger. What shocks me the most isn’t how wide the property is or the fact that it looks like it could house someone’s entire extended family, but the pool that acts as a moat to the house. I can’t keep my eyes off the multiple sun lounges lining the pool as I walk up the pathway to the front door.

I knock on the door expecting to see Gray so we can go over the schedule for today, but instead, I am met with his bodyguard Glen who I met once when I was at the office yesterday. He is a tall bald man who I think stands at around 7’0” with the way he towers over me. His arms are as thick as a tree trunk and his dark eyes are intimidating.

“Hi,” the words escape in a whisper. “I’m here to see Gray. I’m his new PA.”

Glen looks me up and down for a moment, as if trying to remember me from the previous day, and steps aside to let me inside. As I walk into the foyer of the mansion, my jaw almost hits the floor as I take in the marble tiles on the floor, the dark gray walls, and the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the front of the house that makes it feel like a beach house. Oh, how it would be nice to be rich.

“Gray is still asleep,” Glen says from behind me. “His room is at the end of the hallway.”

I look toward the large staircase leading to the second floor and take a deep breath. Gray wasn’t kidding when he said I’m going to have a tough time this morning getting him up and ready for this day. I’m not at all prepared to get a grown man out of bed at 9 a.m. but if I want to keep this job then I have no choice.

I quietly ascend the staircase and follow Glen’s instructions to walk down the large hallway, passing many closed holding the secret as to what is behind them. Once I reach the closed door of Gray’s bedroom, I take a second to prepare myself for what I could be walking into. After all, this is Gray Wilder’s bedroom.

The first thing I see when I walk into the large bedroom is the multiple empty liquor bottles strewn across the light brown carpeted floor, leading to the wooden king-sized bed frame where two bodies are lying amongst the black sheets. There are items of clothing lying on the floor and I just know I’m going to be dealing with two naked people.

My feet pad across the carpet as I get closer to the bed. I see Gray lying on his stomach with his cheek pressed into the pillow and his arms crossed under his head. After a quick glance at the person beside him, I conclude that it’s the blonde-haired woman from the night before at Astro Lounge.

I inhale sharply before bending toward Gray’s sleeping body. His curly hair is a mess over his eyes, concealing the scar I know is hidden under the mass, and his full lips are puckered slightly as soft snores escape. I almost feel bad for waking him when he looks this peaceful, but there is a lot on his schedule today and I’m not about to be late on my first day on the job.

“Gray.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

I clear my throat and try again. “Gray, wake up.”

“Mmm,” Gray mumbles in his sleep, and relief consumes my body because this may not be as hard as I had thought.

“You need to get up,” I say a little louder this time, and the woman beside him stir. “Gray, get up. You have a full schedule today and we can’t be late.”

When Gray doesn’t respond, I try again. Frustration is beginning to build within my chest along with annoyance. “Gray, get up!”

To my relief, Gray’s eyes flutter open and he stares up at me sleepily. He blinks rapidly as if trying to see everything around him more clearly, and then a lazy smile spreads across his lips. “Good morning, Rainy.”

“It’s Remi,” I say through gritted teeth, annoyed that he continues to get my name wrong and is acting smug knowing that he’s getting under my skin. “You need to get up, now.”

“Right now?” He says and turns to his nighttime friend. “I was hoping to have a little fun before breakfast.”

I scoff and roll my eyes. “You’re such a pig. We don’t have time for you to continue your activities from last night. We have to leave in thirty minutes to go to a television interview, so you need to get up.”

“You’re no fun,” Gray rolls his eyes and uses his strong arms to pull himself into a sitting position. I try not to look at his tight muscles rippling under his skin, but it’s too hard to look away. I’m not strong enough.

Gray throws back the bedsheets and exposes his manhood without warning. I squeal in shock and spin on my heels to look away, my heart pounding in my chest, and my ears burning with embarrassment. “Are you insane?”

Gray’s deep laughter ripples behind me as I listen to his feet pad across the carpet to the adjoined bathroom. “You loved the sight. Admit it, Rainy.”

I roll my eyes and continue to stare at the wall instead of turning around. I hate to even admit this to myself, but he’s right. From the small glimpse I saw of his manhood, I’m rather impressed. Gray Wilder is packing.

“Shut up and put some clothes on. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Gray ignores me as I slide across the room with my back facing him because I have no idea if he’s put any clothes on, and as much as I would like to sneak a peek, I control myself and rush out of the bedroom into the hallway.

Once I’m in the exquisite kitchen, I feel like I can finally breathe again. I’m too shocked by what just happened to admire the large space with its marble countertops and two fridges, so I sit at the kitchen island and stare at the marble wondering what the hell just happened a minute ago.

Gray f*cking Wilder is insane.

A few minutes pass by when I hear footsteps approaching the kitchen. I look up to see Gray enter the kitchen and head straight to the pot of warm coffee that Glen must’ve brewed earlier before I arrived. Thankfully, Gray is dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and a leather jacket thrown over his shoulder despite humid morning air. His hair is barely styled, and his features look tired compared to how mischievous they were only moments ago. Despite looking unkempt and tired, he still looks effortlessly stunning.

“I’m so f*cking hungover, Rainy, so please don’t lecture me about anything that has to do with my appearance or the state of my bedroom. I had a f*cking good time last night, so sue me.”

I frown slightly as he turns to face me, leaning his back against the counter as he sips the hot liquid.

“Why would I lecture you? I barely know you. All I needed was for you to get out of bed, and it wasn’t as hard as you said it would be, so I can’t complain.”

Gray stills the coffee mug before it reaches his lips and stares at me thoughtfully, barely blinking. I try not to focus on the intensity in his eyes as he watches me or the way his hair falls over those green emeralds, making them harder to see. Instead, I focus on the wall beside him and ignore the way my skin feels hot to the touch.

“Tell me, what is a girl like you doing in a job like that where you have to deal with a rascal like me?”

That’s not what I was expecting to say, but I’ll take it because this job will be ten times easier if we can get along, so any chance I get to talk to Gray without him being a jerk is an opportunity I will seize.

“Well, I got fired from my previous job and needed something to bring in money for bills. My dream is to become an author, though. I won’t be your PA forever if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Gray scoffs and shakes his head, turning his attention to the window beside him. “There is no point in dreaming, Rainy, because life is a motherf*cker and all it ever does is let you down, reminding me how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of everything.”

I lick my lips, letting his words settle over me like a cloud of smoke. “What do you mean–”

“Well, would you look at the time,” Gray says as he looks down at his wrist where a watch should be. “We need to get going otherwise we’ll be late. You don’t want that on your first day, do you, Rainy?” Gray smirks as he walks past me and into the hallway.

“It’s Remi,” I growl but it falls on deaf ears because Gray is already gone.

I exhale sharply and let my head fall into my hands. Today is already off to an interesting start.