Forbidden Attraction

6. Spy?

Amelia's POV: 

As we stepped out of the room, Mrs. Lowell called out to us. "Good morning, girls!" Her voice was warm and inviting, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Good morning!" I chimed, trying to sound as cheerful as possible, especially with my raccoon eyes still smeared across my face.

She raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down. "Amelia, I think it's about time you start calling me 'Mom' now, don't you think?"

"Mom?" I repeated, feigning shock. "Isn't that a bit sudden? I mean, we've only known each other for... what, a few hours? I feel like we should at least have brunch together first or something!"

Laura burst out laughing next to me, and Mrs. Lowell just shook her head with a chuckle. "You'll get used to it, trust me. It's part of the package deal when you join our family!"

"Right, so I get the 'Mom' title with the house and the food and the—" I looked at Laura, trying to keep a straight face, "—the intense cuddling in the morning?"

"Absolutely! And all the embarrassing family stories that you'll have to endure," Mrs. Lowell replied, crossing her arms and pretending to look serious.

I put a hand to my heart dramatically. "The horror! Is there a training manual for this 'Mom' thing? Because I might need some serious tips. I'm still recovering from the raccoon incident!"

Mrs. Lowell laughed, a melodic sound that made me feel right at home. "Don't worry, dear. We'll work on your 'Amelia Lowell' training together. First lesson: always wear eyeliner with confidence, even if it's a raccoon-style statement."

I raised my eyebrows, grinning at her. "You've got yourself a deal, Mrs. Lowell! I mean, Mom! I'll start my training right after breakfast."

Laura nudged me playfully. "And let's hope breakfast isn't too wild, or else we'll be the ones needing the training manual!"

"Oh, it can't be that bad," I said, trying to sound optimistic. "I mean, how bad can family breakfast get?"

"Just you wait," Laura replied with a sly grin. "You're in for a real treat."

As we settled at the dining table, the aroma of freshly baked pastries filled the air. I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Mr. Lowell cleared his throat, and we all turned to him, ready for whatever announcement he had in store.

"Amelia, I wanted to inform you about your work arrangement," he began, his tone serious yet reassuring. "You will be working for Mr. Dexter, the CEO of Dexter Company."

"Mr. Dexter?" I echoed, my brow furrowing in confusion. "I've never heard of him."

Mrs. Lowell chimed in, "That's okay, sweetie. He's not a household name, but he's well-respected in business circles. The important thing is, he has connections that will help you gather information."

"Connections, huh?" I mused, trying to piece everything together. "And I'm going to be... what? His personal assistant?"

"Yes," Mr. Lowell confirmed. "You'll fit in perfectly as his PA. You're young and fresh-faced, and it'll give you a chance to get close to him without raising any suspicions."

"But how is that going to help with the spying on the opposition party?" I asked, genuinely puzzled. "I mean, I'm pretty sure Mr. Dexter isn't going to spill all his secrets over coffee breaks."

Mrs. Lowell smiled knowingly. "That's where it gets interesting. Mr. Dexter is close with Mr. Raven's family—the very family you'll be spying on. By working for him, you'll have an opportunity to overhear conversations and pick up on anything related to their dealings. It's a strategic position."