The Billionaire's Widow

4

Chapter 4

Hailey’s POV

"There you are," Brooke said cheerfully. "I have a surprise for you." I placed my purse on the sofa beside me.

"Should I be worried?" I teased. She giggled, shaking her head.

"Nope. Come on." She grabbed my hand and led me to my room.

"Okay, don’t tell me you’re getting me dressed to go out with you." I laughed.

"That’s a lovely idea, but it’s a Monday night, my dear friend. I’m not that crazy." I giggled, shaking my head.

"Now, I know you’re tired and you need to relax, so I ran a bubble bath for you with some soothing oils, and downstairs a masseuse is waiting." She kissed my cheek.

"Thank you so much, Brooke." I smiled warmly.

"You’re welcome. Enjoy."

Paige’s POV

My alarm blared, jolting me upright. "Shit!" I groaned, dismissing it with a slap. I seriously need to consider hiring a human alarm—maybe they’d be more gentle. "As if that exists. Or does it?"

Dragging myself into the bathroom, I washed up and started getting ready. First day of work, and I already felt drained—probably because I barely slept. Stephen had stayed late, and we’d spent hours catching up, mostly on his hectic life.

I settled on black tailored pants that made my legs look longer and my figure slimmer. I paired them with a polka dot blouse and slipped into white heels. Mrs. Anders had made it clear—my wardrobe had to be "on point."

Makeup on, signature red lipstick applied—because it always made me feel put together—I added some mascara to highlight my grey eyes, grabbed my purse, and headed to the kitchen. I snatched a couple granola bars and bolted.

Can’t be late on day one.

Traffic was a nightmare. What should’ve been a 25-minute ride took 35. I arrived at AC at 7:50 a.m., paid the cabbie, and sprinted toward the elevators.

"Come on," I muttered, tapping my foot as I hit the up arrow.

"Hi," a man beside me said, holding two coffees. "I noticed you’re new here. I’m Cedric."

"Paige," I replied quickly, glancing at my watch. Five minutes to eight. The elevator arrived and I darted in, jabbing my floor button.

"You should take a deep breath. You look like you’re about to faint."

"I’m fine, thank you," I said, counting each second until I reached my floor.

At 7:58 a.m., I made it. Spotting no one in the office through the frosted glass, I sat down in the chair outside.

A soft chime signaled another elevator’s arrival. I looked up—expecting her—but the main one stayed shut.

"Good. You’re on time," a voice startled me from the side. She emerged from a sleek elevator I hadn’t noticed. Her private one. "Come in."

Hailey’s POV

"You can sit," I said, setting my bags down at my desk.

"Thank you, ma’am."

"The desk outside is yours. You’ll be working from there. Everything you need should be set up. If something’s missing, let me know. Understood?"

"Yes, ma’am."

I handed her a phone. "Any calls that come through on this, you answer. No personal calls allowed. You’ll use it for work-related tasks only. Your personal phone is to be on silent during work hours."

"Okay."

"Good. Now, I need you to reserve a private lounge at the carnival starting at 1 p.m. for my kids. Make sure Bobby picks them up from their grandparents' place and drops them home afterward."

"Yes, ma’am, but—who is Bobby?"

"My driver. His number is saved in that phone. All essential contacts are already in there. Also, ensure Charlotte, their nanny, goes with them. Their grandmother seems busy today."

"Got it. I’ll take care of it right away."

"Good. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up. You can go."

As she headed to the door, I added, "And well done with your dress code. You actually look like my assistant."

She smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Anders."

Paige’s POV

I knocked gently and stepped in when she called.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Anders, but your mother-in-law Karen called. She said your kids can’t go to the carnival today."

She frowned. "Did she say why?"

"She told me to tell you to look at today’s date."

Confused, she checked her phone—and her eyes widened. "Oh shit!"

She grabbed her things. "Where’s Bobby?"

"He’s on his way."

"Tell him I want him here in the next five minutes."

"Okay." I hurried out, grabbed my bag, and dialed quickly. "Hello? Bobby?"

"Miss Carson." He sounded like he was driving.

"The boss needs you here in five minutes."

"Understood." He hung up.

"He’ll be here in five," I informed her.

"Good." She marched to her private elevator. "What are you waiting for?"

I ran to join her. She placed her hand on a sleek black panel. It scanned her palm. When the green light blinked, the doors opened.

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