PROLOGUE

APRIL

ONE YEAR AGO

My title is April Van Houten, and I’m the worst, apparently. Nobody desires to work with me, so I do all the pieces alone for essentially the most half. I hate it. Have you learnt how freaking lonely it will get speaking to nobody however my dad and mom every day? I had some informal associates in faculty however haven’t stored in contact with a single one among them. We simply led completely different lives. Mine is fairly fucking lonely. However sufficient of my self-induced pity occasion. I’ve received shit to do and never quite a lot of time during which to do it.

I’ve at all times identified my dad wasn’t my organic father, and it’s by no means mattered to me till now. My dad and mom weren’t capable of conceive naturally, however they actually needed a child and determined to make use of a sperm financial institution. I’ve identified this. Lately, I discovered my mother’s paperwork from the clinic they used, and there was an odd letter from the donor. I need to admit that it has me curious. I’ve finished what I can from right here, however my dad, Harrison, instructed me that in six months, he was stepping down as CEO of Van Houten Meals, the place I’m at the moment the COO. If I’m ever going to do something about it, now’s the time. Quickly, there might be none. I’ve been getting ready for this position my complete life. I bear in mind going to board conferences with him once I was barely taller than the convention desk. He indulged me, his solely baby, and gave me all the pieces I ever needed. I really like that man greater than something, however I need to know my organic father. My mother carried me, they usually each love me a lot, and I really like them greater than something, however I really feel like the largest bitch on this planet as a result of I nonetheless really feel like I’m lacking some big a part of myself.

“Hey, pumpkin,” Dad says as he comes via my open workplace door. He seems drained, and his usually pristine swimsuit is wrinkled. No matter he has to say isn’t going to be good. He gives me a smile that, regardless of his temper, reaches his eyes. He actually does love me, and I really like him. I really feel responsible for wanting to hunt out my organic father. I

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” I ask as I end up my welcome e-mail to our latest consumer, The Jorgensen Restaurant Group, headquartered in Minnesota. I’ve been working with our acquisitions division for months making an attempt to get them, and we lastly fucking did. They’ve twenty-two eating places within the US alone, and it’s an enormous win for us.

“We have now to fireside Jonathan Huxley.” The CFO. A fucking creep of the very best caliber.

“Why? And may we even try this?” I ask, serious about contracts and such.

“We don’t have a selection. Not solely has he been skimming cash, however his secretary has come ahead with some fairly surprising allegations. Not that I don’t assume they’re true.”

“In fact she has. This can be a nightmare. Has he been escorted from the constructing?” Motherfucker. I knew he was unhealthy information. The fallout from this might devastate the corporate. There are thirty thousand staff to consider.

“He’s been arrested. For each incidents.”

“Good. So now we start the hunt, appropriate?”

“Sure. The board has already introduced forth a number of candidates.”

“Alright. We’ll go away it of their arms then.”

“Sounds good. How’s the assistant search going?”

“It’s not,” I grumble. My former assistant received married in March and by no means returned after her honeymoon. She ghosted me, and apparently, all the ladies I’ve interviewed instructed HR I used to be supremely troublesome or some variation of the phrase after they declined the place. I had no concept I used to be troublesome. I at all times thought I used to be laid again and, like tremendous chill, however I suppose not.

“It’ll all work out, pumpkin. I do know it.” I imply, he’s proper. It at all times does, however does it should suck getting there?

“Thanks, Dad. Lunch?”

“Positive. 12:45?”

“Sounds good.”

I watch as he leaves. I believe his retirement plans received pushed off, and issues round right here received lots more durable.

It is time to buckle down, discover an assistant who can work with me, and get this firm again on monitor. Then I’ll fear about my bio dad. Yeah, that appears doable.

PROLOGUE

KENDRICK

SIX MONTHS AGO

My title is Kendrick Roman, and I’m the non-public assistant to essentially the most amazingly infuriating lady I’ve ever met. Did I point out I’m in love along with her? Did I additionally point out I’m not actually her PA, however she doesn’t know that? No? Nicely, let me clarify.

This firm had courted me for half a yr. For that period of time, they adopted my profession, talked to me about my future, and stored monitor of my progress. Lastly, six months in the past, they introduced me in and provided me the corporate’s CFO place. The CEO and his spouse defined to me that he was retiring, and their daughter could be taking his place. I assumed they needed to make sure I used to be okay working for a lady however that’s not a problem.

I shook their arms and walked to HR to get began. I spent two hours there reviewing the required paperwork and guaranteeing all of the i’s had been dotted and t’s crossed. The girl gave me the corporate guide, confirmed me to my workplace on the ground beneath the CEO, and gave me my tag for my parking spot.

On my manner out of the door, I spotted my pockets had been left within the HR convention room since I needed to give them my ID. Turning round, I walked again the best way I got here, walked into the room, and grabbed my pockets after thanking Nikki, the HR supervisor, for retrieving it for me. I used to be strolling out the door when all the pieces round me stopped, and this stunning, blonde, leggy Goddess entered the room. She barely spared me a look, making my abdomen harm till she rotated and smiled at me, gifting a lone pet like me along with her heat.

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