The Billionaire's Widow

32

Paige’s POV

“Is Bobby ready yet?” Hailey asked right after the meeting ended. Earlier that morning, she’d told me to cancel all her appointments and make one with Audi Manhattan instead. Just like that.

She must really want a new car, I thought. And it must be something special if she cleared her entire schedule for it.

“Yes, he’s in the lobby waiting for you,” I replied.

“For me?” She turned sharply, and for a second, I saw that powerful, no-nonsense boss I first met during my interview—the version of her that had been missing for a while now.

“You’re coming with me,” she said plainly.

“Oh, um… let me just grab my iPad.”

I scurried back to my desk, picking up my bag, phone, and of course the iPad I always had on me. Being Hailey’s assistant was a full-time gig—even outside of working hours. Google was practically my best friend. Whether I was tracking down late-night taco spots or begging a flower shop to stay open an extra ten minutes for a last-minute bouquet, I was always on call.

Not that I minded. Honestly, I loved the job. I got to travel, eat amazing food, and be around wealth and power every day. I always felt like I was living in two worlds—mine and hers.

I caught up with her in the lobby thanks to her private elevator. And yes, I have access to it now. Long story short: one day the staff elevator broke, and I had to climb fifty floors to deliver her coffee… which, by the time I arrived, was cold. She was not impressed.

She didn’t even yell. Just pulled out her phone, typed a few things, then dragged me to the private elevator, scanned her palm… and then mine.

“There. From now on, use this one. Let’s see if you’re late again—or bring cold coffee and blame it on the stairs.”

Very Hailey of her.

“I’m ready now,” I told her, matching her stride.

The car ride was silent. She was busy scrolling through her phone, probably looking at cars. I peeked—yep, definitely car shopping.

When we arrived, a tall, well-dressed man greeted us.

“Mrs. Anders, it’s always a pleasure.”

Of course, I thought. She’s a regular.

“Bruce,” she smiled. “Good to see you.”

“Right this way. I have a few models in mind you might like.”

He led us to a stunning collection of pristine cars. I tried not to drool. I was still months away from affording my first car, and here I was walking through a sea of luxury like it was nothing.

“What color are we looking for today?” Bruce asked.

“White,” Hailey said.

I blinked in surprise. White?

“What?” she asked, catching my expression.

“I just… you usually go for black.”

“I know,” she said. “But this one isn’t for me. It wouldn’t be right to choose a color I like over what she likes.”

She?

“Oh. It’s a gift?”

She nodded with a small smile.

Bruce stopped near a row of white vehicles. “These are some of our finest. Want to take a look?”

Hailey walked between the cars, examining each one carefully. “None of these are quite it.”

“Can you give me a name or description?” Bruce asked.

She just shook her head. “Let’s keep looking. I’ll know it when I see it.”

And so we did. For thirty minutes.

I took a few selfies along the way (because why not?), but mostly I was tired, hungry, and annoyed. These cars were gorgeous and completely out of my league.

“Hailey,” I finally said, “you’ve seen a ton. Just pick one already.”

She sighed. “Fine. Which one do you like?”

“Me?” I laughed nervously. “None of these are in my budget. I can’t even afford to dream about them.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re not paying, Paige. Just imagine you could—what would you pick?”

Bruce looked at me too, and suddenly I felt like I was being tested on Top Gear.

“What if I choose one and the real owner hates it?”

“If you choose one you genuinely love,” she said, “she won’t.”

Oh. She. So definitely a woman. Maybe her best friend? Someone close.

I glanced around, taking my time until my eyes landed on a beauty.

“Wow,” I breathed. “What Audi is that?”

Bruce grinned proudly. “That’s the 2020 Audi S6 Prestige. Sleek, powerful, and one of our top picks right now.”

“It’s stunning,” I said, walking up to it. “It’s classy, clean, and honestly the exact type of car I’d love to drive. Plus, it’s white—which is my favorite.”

“But probably way too expensive for me,” I muttered, already trying to look away.

“Wait,” Hailey said, turning to Bruce. “How much?”

He replied, “Eighty thousand five hundred ninety-five, ma’am.”

My heart sank.

“What?!”

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