The Lies I Believed

New Management

"Hi, welcome to Luxury Therapy, where your comfort is our concern."

They must have hired a new receptionist. I don't remember seeing her the last time I was down here. Or maybe I just didn't notice her. It was like that when Taylor was hired. She proved to be more than receptionist material, so she was promoted when I moved.

"Oh, Mrs. Monteil, do you want me to call up and tell them you're coming?" she asked.

"No." I leaned on the front desk. "...Lara. Pretty name. When did they hire you?"

"About a year ago."

"Oh, nice. Don't you ever want more than a desk job?"

"Of course, but I need flexible hours. I have a son."

"Darn." I sighed. "I will have a few openings in New York soon, but I see that moving will be a hassle with a kid."

"...New York?" Lara froze. "I've always wanted to go to New York. Never had the funds."

"I mean...the offer still stands, if you ever decide to go. I could hook you up with a place to stay and a babysitter. If you want, I could send you a list of the openings. No desk jobs. I've reserved them for a few people."

"Thank you, Mrs. Monteil. I'll definitely think about it."

"I'm leaving at the end of the week. Just ask Mr. Henderson to shoot me a text."

"Ah, but what if Mr. Henderson is out for the week?"

I turned around to find Dexter standing behind me. We hugged and it felt like I was hugging my own father. He had always been a father figure to me. Since my divorce and my move, he's been looking out for me and the company. If not for him, I think I wouldn't have moved to New York as fast as I had.

"Dexter, it's so nice to see you again," I gushed. "How long has it been? You look so good."

"You don't look too bad yourself, Lexi." He chuckled. "Where's Asher? I thought he would have come along."

"Ah, he had a few things to do back home, so he took our son and flew back this morning."

"Oh. I've been...great. It's honestly refreshing seeing you again. Taylor is enjoying her new position. I can't believe she's just one step closer to taking my job."

"Aw, Dexter."

"I would love to stay and chat with you, but I have a few errands to run." Dexter hugged me again. "Taylor is actually in the conference room on the sixth floor. We just finished a meeting."

"When will you be back?" I asked.

"Probably in the late afternoon. The wife wants me to pick up a few things for her and the grandkids."

"Oh, okay. I'll see you later this week then. Tell Hollie I said hi."

"Will do." Dexter looked over my shoulder at Lara. "We have a few VIPs coming in pretty soon. Dylan should be down here to handle them once they've checked in."

Dylan still works here? I'm more than surprised. I thought he would have left after Dawn. He was a traitor in some way or another. Seeing that no one else knows the real reason Dawn ran after me to New York, they probably don't know about what he did. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised Dexter promoted him. He didn't really offer anything to the company.

"I'll make note of that, sir." Lara nodded.

Dexter began walking out of the lobby. I reminded Lara of the deadline, then proceeded to make my way to the sixth floor.

As a young adult, I hadn't been too fond of heights. The idea of being higher than the third floor made my stomach turn. And to think I was almost able to get over it over the past couple of years. Yeah, that didn't work out. My fear isn't as bad as it was the last time I was here, but I still fear the thoughts that come afterwards. Who thinks of jumping as often as I do? And I'm inside the building!