Read Online 21 Steps to Happiness by F. G. Gerson - Free Book Online

time.
    This job, this place, these people, it’s all way out of my league. It’s not at all the way I pictured it, not even in my worst nightmare.
    I pick up the flight coupon. I see Roxanne Green’s bible: 20 Steps to Success.
    I open the book. Roxanne wrote a phone number on the first page. “You can phone me in case of emergency,” she said.
    I dial and I recognize Roxanne’s voice.
    â€œWho’s that?”
    â€œIt’s…Lynn. You know? We met on the plane.”
    â€œMmm?”
    â€œJodie Blanchett’s daughter.”
    â€œYes, I know. Listen, I’m in the middle of something, darling.”
    â€œIt’s an emergency, like you said.”
    â€œDid they fire you already?”
    â€œNo, it’s much worse than that.”
    I am about to cry. I don’t want to cry. That would only annoy her more and she would hang up.
    â€œAre you crying?” she asks.
    No wonder her books are such hits. She reads people’s minds.
    â€œListen to me, darling. Remember what I told you? Step #6.”
    I remember how good and easy it felt in the plane, listening to Roxanne going through the different steps. And how miserable I feel now. I start to cry. I can’t help it. Please don’t hang up. Please!
    â€œCan you read step #6 for me?”
    â€œYes,” I sob. I turn the pages to the sixth chapter. “Step #6. Sometimes it’s hard to be successful.”

Step #6:
Sometimes it’s hard to be successful.
    I’ m eating my fourth croissant, drinking my fifth coffee and I’m pretending to read the same French newspaper for the gazillionth time and there is still no sign of Massoud.
    â€œCan I have another pot of coffee?”
    â€œSorry, breakfast service is actually closed.”
    How rude!
    I look at my watch. I’m the last guest in the restaurant and I’m getting on the waiter’s nerves. I decide to take another look in the lobby.
    â€œHave a good day, mademoiselle, ” the waiter says. Trust me, he really means good riddance .
    I check myself once more before I enter the lobby. Look at this gorgeous young woman. It’s Blanchett’s springtime, I’m blooming. After talking to Roxanne, I went on a shopping spree. The funny thing is, I did find a shop called Basic selling Basic T-shirts.
    I am dressed in the same fashion as yesterday, but with a brand-new pair of Diesel jeans (175 euros), a simple white Basic T-shirt (39,90 euros) and I have a pink H&M scarf (9,90 euros) on my shoulders. I even splashed myself with some Kazo cologne (80ml/39,95 euros). “We American women can get away with everything!”
    Where is everybody? Where is Massoud? How unprofessional of him. I try reception again.
    â€œNo, Mademoiselle Blanchett, there are no new messages.”
    â€œPhone calls?”
    â€œNo phone calls.”
    Aren’t they supposed to be worried about me? I feel like the ugly little duckling, you know, the smelly little girl that nobody wants to play with.
    â€œCan I make a phone call from here?”
    The desk clerk points at the phone booth across the lobby. He doesn’t even bother talking to me. What happened last night? Did I get disgraced while I was asleep, and all of a sudden everybody knows that it’s okay to be rude to me?
    I walk to the phone booth and place my call.
    â€œMuriel B, bonjour! ” says a voice at the other end of the line.
    â€œThis is Lynn Blanchett,” I snap.
    â€œWho?”
    Is she joking?
    â€œLynn Blanchett. From New York. Can I speak with Nicolas, please.”
    â€œMr. Bouchez is not in the office.”
    â€œLet me speak to Muriel, then.”
    â€œMademoiselle Boutonnière is not in the office either…I’m sorry.”
    â€œIs anybody else but you in the office?”
    Silence.
    â€œGoodbye, then.”
    I hang up. I’m so frustrated. I imagine Muriel and Nicolas locked in their offices, shaking their heads. No, no, no!