Begin Again novel Chapter 126

It rained for a week straight following the incident with the burning of the trucks, adding even more gloom to the sadness and depression that had settled over the company soon after Liam had called an emergency meeting to pay tribute to the fallen drivers.

It was almost as if the heavens above felt their loss just as fiercely, and they, too, were in mourning.

Incidentally, the horrid weather coincided with Gibby's departure from Anderson Logistics.

By the third day, when the relentless storm showed no sign of ceasing, all the assistants on the 36th floor began to think that maybe the dark clouds and torrential rains were an omen and a sign that the older woman wasn't meant to leave.

Gibby, though, as she told everyone in her farewell speech, firmly believed the rain was a blessing and a clear sign of all the wonderful things that awaited her in her next chapter and retirement.

There wasn't a dry eye in the medium-sized private room at La Famiglia, as she addressed all the executives and their assistants, thanking them for all their love, care and support over the years. At some point, Julian and Matthew had to jump in and ease the sombre mood with their jokes.

Subdued throughout the whole lunch, Liam finally went to the front of the room and clinked his champagne glass to grab everyone's attention.

Eden hadn't been alone with him since their encounter in his office following the press conference, and not for the lack of trying on her part. He was constantly in meetings dealing with the blowback from the attack or at the police station, following up on the investigation. Even when he was in the office, for some reason, Liam declined all her meeting requests.

She understood he was grieving the loss of his drivers and dealing with a lot, and their disastrous attempt at making love was rightfully the least of his concerns at the moment. But his painfully obvious attempt to push her away cut her deeply. She wanted nothing more than to be there for him, but—

"Poor Dragon," Clara murmured, breaking through her dreary thoughts. "This has to be the hardest week of his life. He not only lost three drivers, but he's about to lose his chief assistant, too."

Eden smiled and nodded because there wasn't much she could add to this line of conversation. So for ten minutes, she forced herself to focus all her attention on Liam's speech as he paid a beautiful tribute to his assistant.

She could see why half the women in the building would drop their panties for him—like she had— at a drop of a hat if he asked. He had charm and charisma to boot, and he knew how to keep the small crowd enthralled as he recounted some of his and Gibby's adventures and shared a few anecdotes from their two-year relationship.

"You were more than just an assistant. You were my friend, my confidante and my second mom," he said, bringing his speech to a close. "I'm going to miss you so desperately. But I hope you and Joseph will be happy down at the Coast. I wish you well in your retirement."

Gibby came up to the front of the room, and they exchanged a long hug, both very distraught. Clara handed them a box of Kleenex someone had had the sense to bring along.

His emotions in check once more, Liam raised his glass, and everyone joined him in his final toast. "To Gibby. May your retirement be your best adventure yet."

The party broke up into smaller groups soon after that.

Liam and the other executive committee members had to rush off to a last-minute board meeting. As the senior assistant now, Clara also had to leave, and Eden found herself in a room full of people she didn't know. She was once again reminded she didn't belong here and had no business masquerading as an assistant, junior or not.

In some ways, she always knew her stay at Anderson Logistics wasn't going to be a long one, and maybe that's why she never really went out of her way to make friends.

But now, hiding in her little corner, looking very much like the wallflower that she was, feeling like an outsider looking in, she wished she'd made an effort.