“Whyhim?” she’d asked, disbelief sharp in her voice.
The truth? The salary is double what I’d expected. More importantly, it’s temporary, and it covers several months of treatment for Mom. I have priorities; my personal history with Silas doesn’t change that. He’s a necessary evil for the time being. It’s not about forgiveness or forgetting—it’s about survival. That’s the only reason I’m here.
Silas doesn’t show up until noon, which gives me hours to settle into my new role. The phone rings non-stop—appointments, rescheduling, client inquiries—but I manage to keep it all straight. I’ve already left notes on his disaster of a desk, setting up everything for his evening meeting, and the sheer satisfaction of bringing some order to his chaos fuels me.
Today is also the Walker siblings' quarterly meeting. Every three months, they gather to discuss company movements, new investments, and long-term projections. I know this because I’ve been pestering Silas all week for details. He’s good at being vague, but I’ve pieced together enough information to prepare for tonight.
The stakes are high, not just for the company, but for navigating the volatile dynamics of the Walkers. It’s obvious they love power, and Silas thrives in the unpredictability of it all.
But I don’t.
By one-thirty, I close my laptop and head to the kitchen for a quick break. A few coworkers Stella introduced me to earlier this week are already there. Stella had mentioned that only a handful of people in the office are “worth getting to know,” though she’d joked that her pregnancy hormones might be clouding her judgment. I’m still trying to figure out who fits that description. In the kitchen, I spot three employees: Erica from Marketing, Daniel from Human Resources, and Dulce from Investments.
“Hey, Lauren! Come eat with us,” Dulce says, waving me over to an open spot beside her.
I hesitate for a split second before nodding and smiling at her. The kitchen is a bright, cozy space with a large white table that seats at least eight, always buzzing with activity. I sit down between Daniel on my left and Dulce on my right, with Erica across from me.
Social interactions like this have always been challenging for me—navigating them feels like trying to walk a tightrope. But I’ve been working with my therapist to manage situations like this better, so I force myself to engage.
I open my lunch container while they chat.
“I heard they always stay at the Ritz,” Erica says, her voice full of intrigue like she’s telling some grand secret.
“They do,” Dulce replies in a bored tone, poking at her food.
I eat quickly, keeping my mind on the clock. I’ve only got an hour before I need to prep for the afternoon and staying on schedule is how I keep my nerves in check.
Daniel catches my eye with a smirk, leaning slightly toward me. “Forgive these two, Lauren; they’re total gossips.”
“Hey!” Erica shoots him a mock glare, but then grins. “We’re justinformed.”
“Are you guys talking about the meeting tonight?” I ask, trying tosteer the conversation toward something more work-related. Instantly, their eyes light up.
“Oh, that’s right! Lauren, you’re Mr. Walker’s new assistant!” Erica exclaims, her enthusiasm almost overwhelming.
“Tell us—what’s on the agenda for this quarter? I heard last time they wrapped up with a quick trip to Vegas.”
I frown slightly, feeling caught off guard by the way they talk about the Walker brothers. It’s almost like they’re discussing celebrities, not business executives. Silas and his brothers were popular back in school—everyone wanted to be close to them, to be part of their world. I’d only crossed paths with Luca a few times because he was “friends” with my sister, and even then, I always suspected his kindness toward me had more to do with his interest in Emma than anything else.
“I don’t have access to what they do outside the office,” I say, keeping my voice neutral, professional. “Anything beyond that is their business.”
That’s not entirely true, of course. I know they’re planning to go out to dinner after the meeting, and I’ve been organizing their schedules all week, but I feel uncomfortable sharing any details. Even if it’s just small talk, disclosing Silas’s plans feels ... too personal, too familiar. I can still hear my sister’s voice in my head, warning me about getting involved.
“Well, whatever it is, it’s probably more interesting than what we’re doing,” Dulce jokes, rolling her eyes. “You’re in the inner circle now.”
I stiffen slightly at her words.Inner circle?It doesn’t feel that way to me. Sure, I’m organizing Silas’s schedule, but I’m here for the job, the salary, and my family—not to get close tohim. Not after everything.
Erica looks visibly disappointed. “Stella used to tell us all the juicy details,” she says with a shrug, like a child who didn’t get their way—though I’m pretty sure she’s at least thirty.
I highly doubt Stella was as friendly with anyone here as Erica seems to think. “I’m sorry, but Silas didn’t share anything else,” I reply, refocusing on my lunch, trying to dodge their prying questions.
“Silas?” Dulce asks, suddenly putting down her phone, her eyes widening.
“My boss,” I respond automatically. Isn’t that who we’ve been talking about this whole time?
“Yes, but no onecallshim that around here,” Daniel says, leaning in slightly as if revealing a company secret. “If he’s cool with you calling him by his name, great, but …”
I blink, confused by the sudden shift in tone. “It’s his name. Why wouldn’t he be comfortable with it?”
