Page 19 of Painted Truths

“So what if I’m boring and set in my ways. I happen to like being a wallflower, thank you very much.”

Nola’s voice crackles over the video chat. “Liv, your name might sound like it, but you most certainly haven't figured out how to live. We’re just giving you a little push to get you closer to your best self, okay?”

I huff out a laugh, knowing they’re not too far off from the truth.

“Okay, okay. You win. Wax me up, Scotty.”

Several hours later, I’m primed and ready to take on the world—even if I am walking like a cowboy.

In fairness, I have always tended to my own maintenance. Although, in my defence, I wasn't a Yeti down there, but hello? An upbringing of repression ring any bells?

Let's just say it definitely wasn't as bald before as it so surely is now.

Ouch!

But despite my reservations and empty purse, the whole process makes me feel like a new woman, so when Monday morning rolls around and the time comes to leave for my first day as Alex's PA, I feel amazing. I've decided on a long-sleeved black silk blouse that's unbuttoned to show a hint of cleavage, paired with a black leather pencil skirt that comes to just below the knee. I've chosen black patent heels with a bright red sole, and to tie the whole thing together, I've added a matching bright red lip.

I've automatically opted for muted colours or neutrals, but this job is for the new me, and the new me loves her red lip, thanks to Jo's encouragement.

Throwing a black tailored winter coat over my arm, I make my way out of the building, buzzing with nervous excitement.

It doesn’t take long to realise that Alex had sent a driver for me, even though I told him I had no problem catching the tube. I've met the driver, Samuel, on several previous occasions, most recently last week when I had dinner with Alex, so I greeted him with a small "Hi!" and a big smile, knowing Alex's feelings would be hurt at my slight if I declined his gift.

Traffic is light, so we make great time from my apartment right to the doors of the DeMarco Holdings building in the city proper.

"Goodbye, Miss Parker. I shall be available at your discretion throughout your day, courtesy of the DeMarco family, so please call if there's anything you need."

Handing me a card that presumably has his number on it, Samuel nods sharply and gets back into his seat, smoothly pulling out into traffic before I can utter a single word.

Shaking my head, I turn from the sidewalk and make my way inside the building, where I see Alex waiting for me with that signature grin on his face.

I can't help stopping dead in my tracks to take in the absolute elegance that is the foyer. High ceilings and an oversized matte black reception desk take over the majority of the floor. There are art deco light fittings interspersed along all the varying shades of grey walls, and to the rear of the space, there is a long row of elevators with throngs of people milling about.

As I'm taking this in, Alex has grasped hold of my elbow and has begun steering me to a set of elevators set slightly away from the rest.

"These elevators are for management only, Liv. You'll need this code to ride." He stops to key in 8-4-9-1 before continuing. "You will get a weekly email from building security advising you of the newest code. And you’ll be introduced to Tim Nash and the guys in the security department later today. They'll need to get you set up with a work ID and all that stuff, okay?"

I nod slowly, taking it all in as the elevator smoothly whisks us past umpteen floors.

"What floor are we going to?"

"Good question. This elevator and the one beside are reserved strictly for employees needing access to floors 25 and 26, which are the top two of the building. That's where you'll find all management have their offices. In addition, DeMarco Holdings owns the entire building and operates all divisions of our international branches from these offices. But in reality, you won't need to venture much further than the twenty-fifth floor, Liv. That's where my office is."

The elevator stops, and we disembark into an ample open space with a reception desk directly in front of the elevator doors. An obscenely gorgeous and utterly fed-up-looking redhead is filing her nails at the desk. Dressed in a skin-tight pencil dress that dips so low at the front, I swear if I looked closely, I'd see her belly button; she's so beautiful she could have been recruited off Victoria's Secret.

Blowing out a breath without even glancing up, we are greeted with, "Good morning. Welcome to DeMarco Holdings Management Division." Her voice is monosyllabic and sounds like she's two seconds from launching herself off the top of the building.

"Good morning, Andrea. I'd like you to meet my new Personal Assistant, Olivia."

Andrea just about manages to tear her eyes away from her blatantly fascinating nail filing to give me the once over. But, whatever she sees, she obviously finds it as dull as the rest of her surroundings as she returns to her task with a barely mumbled, "Hey."

Alex glances at me, rolling his eyes, to which I just grin.

To each their own. Another one of Father T's favourites.

We make our way across the open area with several doors lining it. Outside each door is a small desk space with a chair and all the tech stuff needed by a PA. It is still early enough that the rest of the staff hasn't arrived, so I have plenty of time to settle in and get my bearings.

Alex stops as he reaches the fifth office on the right. I smile like a proud big sister when I see his name and title on the door.