Author's Notes:

Before anyone asks "Dude! Do you write stuff THIS fast?!" I'm just gonna say right now that I already had this chapter uploaded on the site, and was planning to publish it another day, but after seeing this story in the feature box after JUST putting this on the first day, I HAD to upload the new chapter to celebrate.

Thank you all SO much for your support, and liking "The Model's Secretary" enough to get it featured. I am truly honored for this achievement, and I promise to make this story more awesome as I work on future chapters. Thanks again for giving this a read, and I hope you enjoy.

This is Dudeler signing out.

The high volume of Skillet’s “Awake and Alive” from my ipod attached alarm clock abruptly woke me up from my sleep. I groaned not only from the noise, but from how tired I still was. I struggled to put the music on snooze before I sat up, and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes while I try to wake up. Once I properly turned the alarm off before it would start back up in another couple minutes, I checked the time, and it read 5:15 a.m.

Ugh, so fucking early, and I only had about four to five hours of sleep last night. I shouldn’t complain though, because I set my alarm to this time for a reason. My conversation with Fleur’s manager last night prompted me to get up this early, not even taking another couple of minutes to sleep after it first went off.

[Last Night, 12:00 a.m.]

“So… YOU want to be Fleur de Lis’ new secretary huh?” The manager asked with a raised eyebrow as we were sitting in the living room. I was sitting upright and attentive next to Fleur on the couch, while her manager, who goes by Shining Star, or Shiny as Fleur would sometimes call her, sat across from us on a leather chair.

“Yes,” I replied. I had to admit, the introductions were very tense when the three of us were in the room. I could tell when Fleur told Ms. Star how she offered me the job, she was NOT pleased by the news. My new friend tried to explain to her how she has seen me so far over the evening, and even gave her the copy of my resume to show my general information. It seemed to have caught Ms. Star's attention, but she was still not amused, especially considering how Fleur didn’t come to her first after all that had happened. She was reminded of how I saved Fleur’s life, and brought up the point on what would have happened if I wasn’t there. I just stood there and tried to look as professional as possible while Ms. Star scanned me. She just asked me and Fleur to have a seat, and there we were. As far as I knew, we were pretty much having the interview at that very moment, and I had to do my best to answer what I could without going off.

Ms. Star took another look at my resume after she asked, making sure what she had read before was some kind of joke or something before looking back to me with a critical, yet deathly glare. “Why did you save Fleur in the first place?” She asked.

“I just did the first thing that came to mind ma’am,” I answered. “I had no expectations of anything afterword besides whether she was okay.” I felt some rustling to the side of me, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it.

“And you had NO idea who she even was?”

“No ma’am.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been in Equestria for only a day, and besides looking into a little of your culture from the guidebook, I had no other resources on what the latest trends were here.”

“Why did you come here?”

“I thought it would be nice to live in a new environment different from my previous one.”

“What were you planning to do here?”

“Before I met Fleur? Live in a stable home with a good paying job, and make the most of what I had.”

“I hear your kind eats meat as part of your diet. Are you planning on anything with us?”

“SHINY! That is VERY rude and inappropriate to ask!” Fleur interjected.

“It’s fine Fleur, I got this,” I said to Fleur while still looking at her manager with a small smile on my face to display my confidence. “While it is true that we eat meat, we also eat vegetables as well. We’re called omnivores back on my world. I understand some of your subspecies here are more predatory than others, and I assure you, I have no interest in eating pony meat. Personally, I was actually hoping to change to a healthier diet while staying here, getting the iron and protein I need from nuts, beans, eggs, and fish.”

“Hmm…” She kept looking at me with a critical, yet skeptical expression before continuing. “What are your best traits as an employee?”

“Organized, creative, friendly, and hard-working,” I answered.

“Where do you see yourself ten years from now?”

“Hopefully still living in Equestria as happy as I can be.”

“What can you provide if we appointed you as our secretary?”

“I’m good with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint on my laptop, so I can print off daily or weekly tasks and appointments Fleur would need to get to; I can record future events she would get called for; while living here, I can cook meals that would fit her diet; and most importantly while I make going through daily tasks easier for Fleur, I wish to get to know and make friends with her, and even you as well Ms. Star.”

That seemed to get Shining’s attention as her eyes widened at my last statement, probably caught off guard that I was that forward in making friends with Fleur, and even her despite the skepticism. Personally, I was even surprised I was that forward, and I’m not sure that came out on its own, or it was something to get Ms. Star interested. Though I was still looking at the surprised employer, I could tell Fleur next to me smiled judging by a sudden sense of warmth that radiated from her.

Shining took a moment to scan myself once more while mentally going over everything I had answered for her before she took one more look at my resume. “Well, it seems you show SOME promise from what I could see here,” she commented. “But before I make my final decision, I’d like you to go through an initiation, a probationary period if you will, starting tomorrow morning at 7:45.”

“That sounds reasonable Ms. Star,” I answered. “I can manage that.”

“Alright then.” She gets up, and fixed her glasses before looking at me with that same look of skepticism, and held out her hand. “I’ll explain the details of your first assignment tomorrow. Until then, I suggest you get much rest Mr. Shore… You’re going to need it.”

“Will do Ms. Star, and thank you,” I replied as I stood up, and shook her hand. Her grip was strong as she kept staring at me, but I tried to even the odds with my own strength before she released the handshake.

“Fleur, I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening,” she bid as she walked to the door.

“Yes… You too,” Fleur replied before Ms. Star opened the door, and practically slammed it behind her as she left.

Not a moment too soon later, I collapsed back on the couch next to Fleur with an exasperated sigh. “She’s going to make road kill out of me. I’m sure of it,” I said.

“I assure you, Shiny’s usually a better person than this,” Fleur said. “That question about you eating us was uncalled for though.”

“Is she usually like this with your past secretaries?” I asked.

“She was… More professional compared to what I’ve seen tonight,” she replied. “Now that I think about it, she wasn’t exactly fond of you humans coming to inhabit our world once she heard about it. Plus, she’s not exactly fond of stallions due to some of the staff members she came across making cat calls at me during my photo shoots, and my… Past experiences in romantic relationships.”

“Great, and I’m pretty much the entire package in her eyes. That’s DEFINITELY reassuring,” I said.

“Actually, you might have gained some of her attention,” she commented. “Because of her dislike in stallions, she’d pick mares over stallions to work with me on any given day. She’d give them a chance at the interview, sure, but she would hire a mare the following day.”

Sheesh, I know some guys can be bad, but isn’t that kind of discriminating? Are there laws around here that don’t allow that?

“You must have caught her off guard when you mentioned making friends with me and her,” she continued. “If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t have given you a chance to get into an initiation.”

“Well whatever she has to throw at me, I’m going to take it head on,” I said as I got up from the couch with a determined expression. “I’ll do whatever it takes to gain her approval. I’m not sure how good the job market is here, but I’m not going to let her demeanor get to me. I’ll make sure my work ethics will knock her… Well, I would say socks, but you ponies don’t usually wear them right?

“Some places we don’t,” she replied after she giggled. “Most mares around here though would usually wear some slippers with stockings while they go out for the evening. Some of us wear socks indoors from time to time, especially during the winter seasons.” She then surprised me by hugging my side. “Try not to overdo it tomorrow alright? I know you’ll do great.”

I smiled before returned the hug, my confidence rising a little from how Fleur trusts me from the sound of it. “I’ll try. Thank you Fleur.”

[Present, 5:20 a.m.]

And after a quick shower, clean up, and setting my alarm, I woke up here only a couple hours later. I know this is WAY early by my standards, but I need to make sure I give Ms. Star a good impression with however much time I have.

I stretched and popped out my stiff bones after the sleep last night before I punched into my open palm.

“Okay, let’s get started,” I said to myself before I started my morning routine. I began with a quick, yet clean shave without cutting my skin, as I’ll need to look my best like Fleur does in the modeling industry. After applying deodorant and brushing my teeth, I put on a different set of formal-casual attire than yesterday: a pale purple, vertically striped button up shirt, white tie, black slacks, socks, and shined shoes. I took some pomade to style and spike my short hair into a European Mohawk before I put on my watch, and saw that the time was 5:55.

Alright, making good progress. I’ll start making a good, healthy breakfast so we’ll start the day with some good energy. I think omelets with coffee or tea sounds reasonable.

With the plan in mind, I quietly went back to my room to grab my laptop with attachments in a case before I got downstairs without risking to wake Fleur.

Three veggie omelets later, I set them on a cooking sheet, and put them in the oven with a ‘Keep Warm’ setting. I checked my watch, and it was 7:00 before the kettle on the stove started whistling from the scalding hot water. I didn’t find a coffee maker in the kitchen, so I assumed Fleur must have been a tea person. Good thing I like them more myself. I turned the stove off, and the whistle died down immediately before I went to the cupboards and got three mugs.

A yawn caught me off guard before I turned, and saw Fleur in a pale purple bathrobe with cotton fluffs at the trimmings. She looked different without her make-up and groomed mane and tail, but that didn’t dwindle on how attractive she still looked. “Ozzy, when did you get up?” Fleur asked tiredly while rubbing her eyes.

“About a quarter after five,” I answered, which seemed to wake her up in shock. “Just thought I make use of my time and get things started this morning. I got hot water ready for tea, and today’s breakfast special is veggie omelet.” I used a mitt to take the cooking sheet out of the oven, and placed two of the prepared omelets on separate plates before I put the third back inside, still keeping it warm for the third person to come by at any time. “Here you go Fleur, I hope it’s to your liking,” I said as I passed her a plate.

She seemed to be surprised as she still kept staring at me before she looked at the food on her plate. “Um… Thank you,” she said before she prepared a mug of hot water to brew some tea. Fleur then grabbed a seat on one of the stools in front of the kitchen counter. It was big enough to make a small table, probably for some mornings when she didn’t have time to enjoy a bigger breakfast than what I had made, or when she wasn’t expecting any guests. She took a fork and knife to cut a piece of the omelet as I prepared my own by drizzling some ketchup on top while I waited for my own tea to brew in the mug. Fleur took a bite of hers, and after a moment of chewing her eyes widened in shock once more before she swallowed. “Goodness, this is very delicious,” she praised.

“Thank you. I’m glad you liked it,” I replied with a smile before I started eating my own breakfast. We sat and ate quietly while we waited for Ms. Star to come around until around 7:40 when she came inside.

She looked tired as I could see bags under her eyes, despite the glasses keeping them covered. Her attire was the same as yesterday, only more cleaned and pressed, which made me wonder if she had more than one set in her wardrobe. She looked towards the two of us with an unamused expression, but I gave the best smile I could muster under the circumstances. “Good morning Ms. Star,” I greeted as I got up and walked to the oven. “I took the liberty of preparing breakfast this morning. I hope veggie omelet is good with you?” I took out the cookie sheet, and turned off the oven. The omelet was still warm, which was good on my part as I set it on a plate.

Ms. Star walked over and prepared her tea before I gave my plate to her. She had the look of skepticism like last night, but her tiredness made it look like it was hard for her to maintain it. She sat on a stool next to Fleur before she cut out a piece of the omelet, and tried a bite. Fleur had a hopeful look in her eyes as she watched her manager and friend. It was actually kind of cute at as they looked like she was expecting Ms. Star to have a shock on her face from the taste like she did. Ms. Star paused for a moment after she swallowed, her expression still looked tired, but that skepticism lessened a little as she turned to me.

“I don’t like mushrooms, but it seems… Adequate enough,” Ms. Star said.

Well, it’s better than nothing I suppose. I’ll have to make note on her dislike of mushrooms though.

Ms. Star took a couple moments to eat her food while Fleur and I enjoyed our tea before she finished, and wiped her mouth. She then took out a small black notebook from inside her coat pocket, opened it up to a certain page, and fixed her glasses. “Alright, since we’re all here, I’ll discuss today’s schedule,” she said before I took a note pad and pen from my laptop case, prepared to take notes. “I’ve been getting numerous calls last night and this morning about the carriage incident yesterday, so the first thing we’ll be focusing on is heading to the news station to address the situation, and we can get all of that behind us.”

That must be why she looked so tired this morning. Taking all those calls by herself must have been exhausting. Wonder if she even got to bed last night?

“Next, we have a meeting at 10:30 in Maretoria’s Secret’s building to discuss Fleur’s involvement in this year’s summer swimsuit collection in their catalogue,” Ms. Star continued as I wrote down the major, general details in my notepad. “After lunch at 11:30, we have a photo shoot from 12:30 to 2:30 with Equestrian Eagle to pose for some of their summer collection products. From 3:15 to 5:30, we have another photo shoot with Mare de Fur’s Shampoo for advertising their newest fur cleaning product. Finally, we have Fancy Pants’ birthday party at 7:30 to the rest of the evening to mingle, take up future meetings, positions, and—“

“Shiny, I know what you’re trying to do, but this is my brother’s birthday we’re talking about here,” Fleur interrupted. “He’s coming back after his three day business meeting in Manehattan, and I want to not only spend time with him and not worry about work, but also introduce my new secretary here.”

Wait, today’s Fancy Pants’ birthday? Talk about bad timing on my part. After all that’s happened with the carriage incident yesterday, I wondered why he hadn’t shown up after I heard about him. At least I know now though. Crap, and I bet his parties are all the rage in this city, and I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb.

“Also, I’d like to help Ozzy pick a present for Fancy’s birthday since this is only his second day here, and I’m sure he’d like to bring something for the occasion. Isn’t that right Ozzy?” Fleur asked with half-lidded eyes, and a smile while looking towards me.

And I need to get a present as well. I was going to ask that myself, but thanks for putting it out there Fleur.

“Y-yes, I’ve only heard a little of Fleur’s brother, and he sounds like a great ma… A great stallion,” I corrected. “I’d like to meet him myself.”

Ms. Star sighed while rubbing her eyes before jotting something down in her notebook. “Very well, and I suppose by the time we get there, the party will start to get good,” she said. “Since you’re SO new to Canterlot, let alone Equestria, here’s how things are going down: you will address Fleur as Ms. De Lis in public, you will record notes to important information that involves Ms. De Lis’ career, you will NOT speak until you’re addressed, you will NOT go off by yourself besides the bathroom—in which you let me know so I know where you are—you will act and look professionally, and you will NOT do ANYTHING that will embarrass Ms. De Lis, and ruin her standing as one of Equestria’s top models, or Celestia help me, I will wring your neck hard enough to pop your head off, and sell off your internal organs to black markets. I will decide by the end of today whether or not you’re fit to be Ms. De Lis’ secretary. Any questions Mr. Shore?”

My whole body was trembling from hearing Ms. Star’s threat before I gulped. “U-um… C-can I ask questions about anything related to the appointments while I’m there Ms. Star?” I asked.

“If it helps you not look and act like a complete foal, then be my guest,” she replied.

Good, because I wasn’t sure what I would I need to do if I didn’t ask, yet not have freedom to speak.

“Alright, if nothing else, Fleur, get yourself ready, Shore, clean up the breakfast, I’ll call our personal driver to come pick us up at 8:50. Chop chop, and let’s move!” Ms. Star exclaimed before she left the front door.

I sighed a breath in defeat from the high tensions in the atmosphere. “I’m so dead,” I said hopelessly before something soft and warm wrapped around me.

“Don’t worry sweetie, you did wonderful,” Fleur said. “It may not look like it, but though she doesn’t like mushrooms, I could tell she really liked your breakfast.”

She probably knows her manager better than I do, because I barely saw ANY kind of change in her expression before she commented my cooking.

“And her death threat?” I asked with a shake in my voice.

“Probably still cranky from lack of sleep last night, but your case is better compared to what she said to guys in staff from other companies that hit on me.”

What could be worse than popping my head off and selling my internal organs? Wait, I take that back, I don’t think I’d rather know.

“And despite how she wants you to address me, remember that at the end of the day we’re still friends alright? I’ll help you getting into the loop on how things work in Canterlot as we go along the day, okay?” She asked with a warm, comforting smile which just melted my tensions and weight on my shoulders from looking at her.

“Y-yeah, thank you Fleur, I really appreciate it,” I said with a small, yet nervous smile.

“I’m going to get ready then. Be back soon~,” she sang before she walked upstairs to her room as I watched her.

Man, somehow Fleur’s voice and friendly nature just calms me down a lot. Despite the hell I’ll probably go through, just knowing I could make her smile like she did back there just makes this worth it.

I quickly got to clean the dishes and kitchen ware from breakfast before I looked through the notes I wrote that detailed the schedule Ms. Star addressed me. I looked up in thought as I took notice of this world’s similar implications to mine in equine form such as Maretoria’s Secret, and Equestrian Eagle. Just knowing we would be working with those groups and a company of a shampoo product today got me to think about what Fleur would be doing in all of those situations. Posing summer dresses and gowns in a beach-like setting, bikinis where the top would accent her soft, tender breasts, and how her bottoms might get cutely wedged between her cheeks under her tail, how she would wash herself under hot running water—

WAIT! WHAT THE FUCK AM I EVEN THINKING ABOUT?! AND WHY ARE MY PANTS GETTING TIGHTER?! For fuck’s sake man, this is your boss, friend, and a PONY you’re thinking about here! Get those damn thoughts out of your head right now man! You shouldn’t even be THINKING about something like that with a friend you’ve just made! You are NOT going to let her godlike attractiveness disrupt your thoughts, and you are DEFINITELY NOT going to think about ANYTHING of the sort!

I hit my forehead on the table repeatedly, trying to erase the images in my head, and replace them with pain. A voice from outside of the kitchen stopped me midway.

“What are you DOING Mr. Shore?” Ms. Star asked before I turned to her.

“Uh… Just psyching myself up ma’am,” I replied, to which she raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “May I ask something Ms. Star?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

“Yes?”

“The places we’re going for the photo shoots,” I said. “Should I be in another room while they’re taking pictures of Ms. De Lis? I’m sure she’ll be constantly changing clothes in a dressing room during Equestrian Eagle’s, but I mean she’s going to be… *ahem* Naked in Mare de Fur’s right?”

“Well of COURSE she’s going to be naked in Mare de Fur’s photo shoot, models do that all the time, and I’m sure it’s the same way with you humans back on Earth,” she replied. “They’ll use the one pic that shows the least of Fleur’s private areas to post for their ads in magazines. As for you being in another room, that will be a no, because you need to write down any notes our case manager will say about any future appointments with their company and the like. Why? Do you have a problem with Fleur’s body?”

“No no! It’s nothing like that at all!” I exclaimed while shaking my hands out front. “I just figured she would need the privacy, and thought the other male staff would leave as well.”

Ms. Star sighed frustratingly while rubbing her eyes under her glasses before looking back up. “As much as I WANT to have only mares in the room, there are members on staff that work the best in handling equipment such as cameras, backdrops, and lighting, plus there's potential investors who might take interest in having Fleur on board for their own advertisements. Most of the time, they act professionally with nude mares in the room, but of course there’s one or two from time to time that would have some ideas in their perverted heads, and would even try something with the female clients. That reminds me, you BETTER not try anything with Fleur as well if you know what’s good for ya.”

“I wouldn’t think any of it,” I replied.

“I must say however, though you may be new to the modeling industry, you’re the first stallion, or man, I’ve seen who would take Fleur’s privacy into consideration. What’s your game Shore?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, Ms. De Lis is a friend of mine, and I thought friends usually put other people, or ponies, first before themselves. Is that not the case?” I asked. “I mean seeing how you devote so much time and effort to help with Ms. De Lis’ career, I’m sure you care for her a lot, and the two of you have gotten to be close friends correct? I kind of admire that in a pony.”

Her eyes widened in shock with a very subtle hint of pink in her cheeks, and a twitch from one of her pony ears before she coughed and cleared her throat while looking to the side. “Y-you could say that, yes,” she answered.

Huh, so she DOES have a soft spot under that cold, hard shell of hers. If I could even make Ms. Star blush, then I’m sure I can get through this okay. Plus she actually looks kind of cute like that.

“Sorry for the wait!” A familiar voice exclaimed. Ms. Star and I looked up the stairs, and saw Fleur coming down in a white sun dress with violets embroidered on the side while its vines stretched and intertwined around the hem. She had her mane and tail fixed, wore the same colored eye shadow as yesterday, and eyelashes that didn’t stand out too much, but it was just enough to see she worked on it. She also had a violet purse, and matching slippers that clacks slightly as she walked. “Ready for the day!” Fleur exclaimed.

“Wonderful, you look fabulous,” Ms. Star commented with the first smile I’ve seen from her, which I probably won’t be getting anytime soon. “Come on come on, chop chop, we haven’t got all day, and I’m sure it’s going to be a long one,” she said as she led Fleur out, and I grabbed my laptop case and notepad before I followed suit.

This is it. My test of being Fleur de Lis’ secretary begins now. You’ve come this far Ozzy, and it’s time to tread onwards to the first day of my new future. Let’s do this thing.