“Do you have any siblings, Mr. Mills?” I ask as people pass and stare at us with curiosity. Owen greets most of them with a cheery smile.
“One,” he replies, taking a sip of his second coffee of the day. “Half-brother, technically.”
I wasn’t expecting that. My research didn’t mention any siblings.
“He runs one of the charities. You’ll meet him before the gala.”
“So, I’m hired?” I ask, the corner of my mouth turning up.
He halts, slowly dropping the cup from his mouth, and his lips quirk. “Yes, Miss Riley. You have the job.”
Resisting the girlish desire to squeal, I bite my lower lip. He watches my mouth as I do.
“Thank you, Owen, really.”
His eyes travel to my eyes and hold. “You called me Owen.”
“Isn’t that what you told me to call you?”
He opens his mouth to say something but is cut off by a sultry voice. “Owen Mills. I’ve been looking for you.”
I don’t miss the slight flinch and widening of his eyes. He eyes the woman approaching from behind me. I don’t turn, waiting until she comes into my line of sight to assess her.
“I thought I’d find you here,” she says cheerily.
“Noell, what can I do for you?” Owen’s tone is oddly low, with a hint of anger. Or maybe annoyance? Something else? I don’t miss his use of her first name, though.
She finally pretends to notice me. “Oh, and who’s this?” she asks, staring at me as though I’m an inconvenience.
Owen goes to introduce me, but I meet her challenge and interrupt. “I’m Nora Riley, Mr. Mills’ new personal assistant.” I extend my hand, smiling. At least I think I’m smiling. I could be scowling.
Noell gives me a fake smile, weakly clutching my hand for a split second before dropping it and returning her attention to Owen. The reality is: I’m used to people dismissing me the second they look at me. All I’ve ever been good for is my looks.
“Finally caved and hired a new assistant? Interesting choice, I must say,” Noell drawls.
I scoff, but she acts like I’m not even there.
“The work was getting overwhelming. What can I do for you, Noell?” Owen glances at me, offering an apologetic look as Noell goes off on a tangent.
“The integration of the new companies is starting to become a problem, Owen. We have to do a restructure. The company can’t be profitable if we keep every employee.”
I raise a brow, suddenly much more interested in what this woman has to say.
“Restructure isn’t necessary,” he replies curtly.
“But—”
Owen cuts her off. “Are you not paid enough, Noell? Are you out of a job? This company pays all employeesmorethan they are worth, according to the market.”
“But this company can’t keep affording to do so.”
“Perhaps not. But for now, we have no problem.” Owen acts as if that’s the end of the conversation, returning his attention to his coffee and taking another large sip in a clear dismissal.
Noell huffs in frustration. “Your father was right. You’re going to run this company into the ground.”
With that, she storms off, and I’m left staring at her retreating form, wondering what their relationship is. She’s clearly close to the family, but she also works for them. There's a familiarity that doesn’t exist with the rest of Owen’s employees. And what she said…
Owen pulls me out of my thoughts when he sighs. “Sorry you had to witness that,” he mumbles, rubbing a hand through his black hair, the muscle in his arm tensing.
