Begin Again novel Chapter 28

Gibby was waiting for her at reception when they reached the penthouse office.

Liam vanished off somewhere, and Eden was relieved he's not her boss. For a second there she was starting to believe he's the Dragon the older woman had warned her of.

Gibby led her through a maze of offices and boardrooms and held the door for her as she ushered her inside a cosy four-seater meeting pod.

"Please sit, Ms McBride," she waved at one of the empty chairs. "I'm sorry I couldn't meet you earlier. I was trying to get your access ready."

Eden smiled, "please call me Eden, and I kept myself entertained. I love the interactive map on the ground floor."

"That's Mr Anderson's baby. I believe you've just met him," Gibby chuckled. "He thought it would be an awesome idea to give people a glimpse of what we do here. I must say it's a hit with all our visitors."

Of course, Eden thought. No wonder he seemed chuffed with her response earlier when he asked her about the map.

A soft tap on the door pulled Eden away from Gibby, and she turned in time to see a tall, slim woman—probably around her age—with smooth russet skin and eyes so light they glowed a golden hue. She gave new meaning to that Beyoncé song. She was flawless head to toe. Her long faux dreads, light makeup and tailored power suit were pure perfection. Her Jimmie Choo shoes as well were to die for.

"Hi," she said in a nasally voice and the biggest smile as she set a tray of refreshments—takeout coffee and bottled water—on the table, and extended her hand. "I'm Clara Winston. I believe we'll be working together."

"Eden McBride," she said as she shook her hand. "I can't wait to learn from you."

Clara radiated joy and warmth, and being in her presence was like basking in the sun. Her light shone so brightly, Eden could tell she was meant for greatness.

"I can't wait to work with you as well, sister-wife," she chuckled. Her laugh was as pretty as her voice.

"Right," Gibby cleared her throat. "If you guys are done fangirling, I need to brief Eden on today's orientation."

"Sure thing, Gibby," Clara smiled at the older woman and winked at Eden before she eased out of the room.

"Very well then let's begin." Her new boss nodded when they were alone.

The door flew open again, and Liam strolled in. He pulled one of the chairs and dragged it to the back of the room, away from them.

Eden glanced at him, wondering why he was sitting in. She's a junior assistant; there was no reason he should be in here.

He may as well not have sat in, though, since he was enamoured with his phone from the moment he sat down. His hot 'Babe' had all his attention, and the thought annoyed her to no end.

"—Eden?"

She blinked and smiled sheepishly. Her orientation was not off to a good start. She'd missed everything Gibby had said while she fumed about Liam's 'Babe'.

"Could you please repeat that?"

Gibby pursed her lips. "Well, I was saying after your training, which will run concurrently with the handover, you'll report to Mr Anderson."

Eden stared at her blankly, confused as fuck as to why she thought she'd be reporting to Liam.

"Can you say that again, please?" She said softly, pushing up her glasses.

The look in her boss's eyes told her she was beginning to doubt her hearing. Eden didn't blame her at all; she was starting to question her auditory functioning as well.

But she still needed clarity and maybe sort out the misunderstanding so she can breathe again. She'd applied for a junior assistant role, and she expected her junior executive boss to walk in at any moment now and whisk her off to one of the lower floors where she'll sit with the rest of the drones and paper pushers.

"Which part?" The thin line was back on Gibby's lips, and her eyes narrowed to angry slits.

"My reporting line," she said. "I thought I report to you, but I'll be serving one of the junior executives."

"On your very high salary?" Liam snorted.

Out of the corner of her eye, Eden saw his hawk-like gaze was firmly on her now. She'd finally managed to steal his attention away from his 'Babe'. But, as she felt the hot flush creep up her neck and cheeks, she realised she didn't want it or anything else to do with him for that matter. His very presence here was messing with her sanity.

"I'm Mr Anderson's assistant. After I leave in two months, though it might be longer judging by the scope of the handover, that will be your job. So, meet your new boss," the older woman said impatiently, nodding at Liam, who in turn waved at her.

"Hi," the familiar small smirk he'd worn in the elevator was back, taunting her.

Eden ignored him and stared at her hands on her lap.

She desperately needed this job. In exactly two months, her first big girl mortgage payment would be due. But now karma or fate or kismet or whatever you wanted to call it had decided to play a very twisted joke on her.

Admittedly, she was curious about Liam, and maybe to such a ridiculous point she'd hoped to see him and maybe tell him about Aiden.

But to work for him? Hell no!

She didn't sign up for this.

Gibby cleared her throat. "You'll have to manage Mr Anderson's daily schedule and coordinate some aspects of his personal life. In a nutshell, you'll be his work wife, know him more intimately—"

I don't want to be his work wife, and I already know him intimately thank you very much, Eden wanted to scream. But, she chewed her lower lip slowly, trying to find the right words.

"I think there's been a misunderstanding."

"What misunderstanding?" Gibby asked. "You signed the contract; you were happy with the job."

"I applied for a junior assistant role," she explained.