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40|Is He Mine?
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Eden reported for her official first day as Liam's assistant very early as instructed. He expected her at 6:00 AM she was there at 5:00 AM.
After her customary stop at Ted and Jim's post at the entrance and they exchanged pleasantries, she headed straight to the CEO's floor. Now that she had her access card, she didn't have to deal with the five Sandys at reception.
The place was still empty, no one around yet to welcome her, so she mindlessly wandered the hallways, looking for her office.
Liam and the two other executives, Julian and Matthew Anderson—she assumed were relatives of his—had the biggest offices. The smaller ones belonged to their army of assistants, but none of the doors had her name.
She stopped at the reception area and pulled out her phone to call Gibby, but she was distracted by Brenda's text, updating her of their plans for the day.
Aiden was still sleeping, and they had an exciting day planned with a trip to the park two bl
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Begin Again 41|A Missed Chance
His question was so unexpected for a mindblowing nanosecond Eden didn't know what to say or how to react as her mind raced in a million directions. —This is her chance to come clean, tell him about Aiden and offer him visitation on weekends. She won't ask for anything from him, only that he doesn't upset the nice life she's built for herself and their son. And she's more than happy to leave his name out of the birth certificate if that's what he wants— "I guess he's not," Liam carried on cooly, not allowing her a moment to process his question, let alone give him an answer. "I mean with your track record, who knows how many other men you've been with since that night." Eden didn't know why she was shocked, she shouldn't even be hurt by his words, considering their showdown just days ago and how savage he was. But she was hurt. And she was shocked. This time, though, his words didn't have the power to render her speechless and send her
Begin Again 42|Panic Creek
Determined to put her anger and hurt feelings aside, and feign amnesia over the breakroom incident, Eden sat up and took off her glasses and wiped them with the hem of her dress before she snapped them back on. She was about to annoy Liam again and ask him for help with accessing her laptop when Clara and Gibby arrived to save the day. Clara granted her initial access and reminded her to change her password, while Gibby briefed her about Liam's schedule for the day. As part of her training, she had to sit in all his meetings for the day, coordinate his gym visit with his personal trainer, arrange his lunch, pick up his dry cleaning, and type up some reports and presentations. Eden thought it's too many tasks for one day, but she didn't dare complain. Not after her salary demands. She was still going through his schedule when the two men she saw with Liam at Crush last night stopped by her desk. They chatted with Gibby and Clara for a b
Begin Again 43|Reassigned
The door was wide open, but Eden knocked anyway. She didn't think she can walk into Liam's office willy nilly, and since she hasn't had a chance to go through the Company Protocol document, she'd rather err on the side of good manners. "Come in and shut the door," Liam said from behind his desk. "Yes, Mr Anderson." Eden complied, noting the bareness of his office. He'd taken minimalism way too far in her opinion. But then again, what does she know about decor? She's just a children's book illustrator now moonlighting as a personal assistant. An inexperienced, ill-equipped and painfully underprepared assistant. Besides the mid-century black leather couch, her other two bosses currently occupied, the only other visitor's seat in the room was the Hawker egg chair in front of the floor to ceiling bookcase. Business Insider magazines lined the glass coffee table, and a bold-patterned rug served as the room's centrepiece. A few impressionist
Begin Again 44|Extreme Reaction
Both Julian and Matthew unleashed their wrath on Liam as soon as they were alone in his office once more. Their daily check in to discuss operational issues was suspended for the moment as they spent a good few minutes going off at him.Julian, usually the more amiable of the two brothers, did not mince his words. He found Liam's actions extreme and reprehensible at the very least. "I don't care what Eden did, that was uncalled for, it's her first day you could have cut her some slack!"Liam refused to back down even when he knew his cousin is right. "Why the hell should she get a free ride? Because I slept with her once? Because you think I feel something for her? You both know if it were any other employee, they would have been fired on the spot.""That's not the point here," Matthew jumped in as he pushed his cup away. "Look, we get it, you have to treat her like any other staff member, but don't you think you were a little harsh on her?""No! She almo
Begin Again 45|Hot Connexions
Eden felt the other assistants' pitiful stares the whole time she followed Matthew down the hall to his part of the floor, and she wanted to cry all over again.They'd all heard Liam's very loud meltdown.She wouldn’t even be surprised if she's already the subject of group chats and chain emails, or the inspiration behind a meme or two floating around.She'd seen such situations play out at Van Holt Industries, when senior executives would go apeshit on junior staff members over the smallest, sometimes ridiculous mishaps and the whole company would rehash the incident for days.Eden knew, though, her blunder was far from a ridiculous mishap.The thought that she almost killed Liam chilled her to the bone every time her mind wandered back to that terrifying moment in his office.Maybe working so closely with him wasn't such a good idea.It's becoming more apparent the longer she stayed that they'd kill each other at some point. M
Begin Again 46|Not A Funeral Home
After her morning session with Gibby the next day, Eden returned to her office to find more flowers waiting for her on her desk, and a bunch of curious assistants crowded around her broom closet. "Aren't you quite the smash hit? You haven't been here a full day, but look at the bouquets you've amassed!" Matthew's assistant, Lucy, drawled as she picked up the card from the newest bouquet—peach Calla Lilies this time—and read it aloud. "'Looking forward to coffee with you. I.J.'" Eden sensed the other woman doesn't like her much, and she had no idea why considering they've only just met. When Matthew made the introductions yesterday afternoon, Lucy had brushed her off with a condescending nod and an insincere smile. Eden had thought she was being paranoid and had chalked down the cold reception to her being overly-sensitive from her run-ins with Liam earlier. But now, she wasn't so sure if her still-delicate emotional state had anything to do wi
Begin Again 47|Company Protocol
Despite her thorny start at Anderson Logistics, Eden settled into her new role in Matthew's area with no issues. She'd worried she'd have a hard time getting used to a 9 to 5 desk job, but both her new boss and Brenda made life easy for her. Matthew was a dream boss to work for. He never made any unnecessary demands on her. Never screamed or lost his shit with her even when she fudged crucial reports a few times. He was also kind enough to let her finish work at 4:00 PM every day so she can rush home to be with her son. Brenda was another gem. As her live-in nanny, she not only looked after Aiden but took care of the chores too, something Eden appreciated greatly because all she had to do when she got home was to spend time with her little boy or trudge through her home improvements. By the end of her first week in her new job, Eden had repainted the bathroom and toilet with the help of tons of DIY videos on YouTube, and the guys from the Bathroom Pla
Begin Again 48|First Official Assignment
Isaac was as gorgeous—in real life— as his Hot Connexions profile photo. He had smooth russet skin, deep-set hazel eyes and a strong aquiline nose and square jaw, his hair was cropped short in a fade haircut. But it's the dimples that almost made Eden want to change his application from handyman to boyfriend. As a former college fly-half for Rock Union University, he also had the body and the height of a Rugby player. It helped that he was clean shave as well. Eden liked them clean-shaven. Like Liam. Isaac was the perfect gentleman, too; he held the door and chair for her and was attentive to her every need. The more time Eden spent with him, the more convinced she was that something was wrong with him. But thirty minutes in she still hadn't found any serious flaws other than being a once divorced single parent to a three-year-old baby girl. "So did you handle your divorce?" Eden was curious to know when she learned he's a divo
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Begin Again 196|We'll Always Be Together
[Six Months Later]... After months of preparations, Eden's weeklong exhibition at Fugue was a smashing success. She even managed to sell two of her paintings. But with all the smiling and pandering she had done to Rock Castle's uber-rich, she would not have expected anything less. So when Saturday rolled around, the only thing she wanted to do was to crash on the couch and put up her feet. Not a lot for a girl to ask. But she wasn't destined to enjoy the little things in life. Having tried every trick in the book to get her to give up her spot on the couch and leave the house with him, Liam finally let the cat out of the bag. Her friends had tasked him with the sacred job of dropping her off at Heat for a surprise baby shower. Eden didn't want to go anywhere, but she would never hear the end of it if she didn't show up. So she threw on a pair of black leggings—the only thing in her closet that still fit her— and Liam's denim
Begin Again 195|Begin Again
As Liam watched Eden slowly make her way to him, he was overcome with emotion. The whole day he had tried to keep it together, and he had lost track of the number of times his cousins had had to stop him from running to her guest suite to see her. And now that she was here, and they were so close to the start of their next chapter, hard as he tried to blink away his tears, Liam couldn't. He choked back a sob, unable to believe how lucky he was. He had never seen that many brides before, but Eden took the number one spot from the few that he had. She looked incredible in her dress, a vision of grace and elegance and beauty, exactly how he imagined a real-life princess would look. But then again, she was his Princess, his hell, his paradise, and her slow progress down the aisle wasn't working for him. He crossed the room in few quick strides, and in a heartbeat, he had her in his embrace as he kissed her fiercely, much to everyone's surprise and cheers.
Begin Again 194|First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life
Wedding fever hit town as soon as the press release about Eden and Liam's impending nuptials went out. For days the announcement, posted on Anderson Logistics website and all the company's socials, was the number #1 trending topic on all social media platforms. The internet was in disbelief. Thousands of Liam's adoring fans couldn't accept that the day they had dreaded was finally upon them, and the Three-Month Prince was officially off the market. Well, almost off the market. Like most people who have an unhealthy obsession with their idols, they had to share their outrage and sadness with strangers on the internet. Overnight, Eden became the villainess, the woman who had ruined all their fantasies, and they couldn't understand why, out of all the beauties in the universe ready to fall at his feet, Liam would choose her. She had to have used some kind of witchcraft or love spell on him, they said. And when Sienna's exposé on t
Begin Again 193|Something About Almost Dying
Liam headed straight to his study as soon as they got home and spent almost an hour on the phone with his father. Like he'd expected, Clarke was against the meeting and even more disturbed when he brought up the idea of dropping the charges. "Are you insane?" His father barked on his end, and if they were in the same room, Liam knew he would have likely throttled him. "We almost lost you. You almost died! How can you even think about this?" "What other choice do I have, Dad? He's watching Eden. We're getting married in three weeks. I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder. What kind of life will that be for Eden and our children?" "James told you there's a way to handle this. Aleksei and his brother are dogs. They should be put down." "And what will that make us?" Liam asked sadly. "I didn't call to ask for your permission. I was simply informing you the meeting with Andrei is happening." He clicked off before his father could pus
Begin Again 192|Finish Strong
The botanical gardens were in the northern part of Rock Castle, and on a good day, it would have taken them under ten minutes to get there from Van Holt Industries. But, it took them almost twice as long because, by the time they left the doctor's rooms, every man and his dog was out and about, running their morning errands. By the time they arrived, the place was almost packed to capacity. Everywhere they turned, they were greeted by people on their picnic blankets with their wicker baskets; others were on camping chairs under big shady umbrellas, already sipping beers and turning sausages and steaks on their braai stands even though it wasn't even 10:00 AM yet. "Look at this place," Eden murmured, her eyes flitting everywhere. "We can't let Aiden out of our sight. I don't want a repeat of the aquarium. What if Aleksei is here?" "He's in jail, remember?" Liam reminded her as he lifted her chin. "He can't hurt us." "But his brother is around—"
Begin Again 191|Too Many Expectations
Liam never thought he'd survive two weeks in hospital. But he did. With lots of patience, tons of reports and proposals to keep him sane and an endless supply of meds to ease his pain. Before he knew it, the dreaded family fun day, months in the making, finally snuck upon them. However, Anderson Logistics' big day coincided with his hospital release and their first check-up with Dr Emily. Eden was highly strung, anxious out of her wits when she came to pick him up. "There's so much to do today," she wrung her hands as they watched James scoop Aiden up and grab Liam's travel bag. It was amazing how much stuff he had managed to collect over the past couple of weeks. His duffel bag was now heavier than it was when Eden first dropped it off. "Tell me what's wrong," Liam said as he wheeled himself around the room and paused in front of her. He didn't need the wheelchair now, but he found it very comfortable, way better than sitting on the stiff bed. "So, what's wrong?" he pulled her do
Begin Again 190|We Don't Kill People
The thought of spending an indefinite amount of time in the hospital did not please Liam at all, so as soon as they returned to his ward after their brisk walk, he tried every trick in the book to get Eden to speak to the doctors and get them to discharge him. But she refused to do his dirty work, much to his dismay. He thought she would want him home as soon as possible. "Whose side are you on?" He glared at her. "Yours, of course. I don't want to take any chances, you know," she said as she helped him up on the bed. Their son was now sitting on the floor, craning his neck at the blank TV screen in the corner and sipping his boxed juice. Liam had never met a kid who loved TV as much as Aiden, and he wondered if it was normal. Maybe spending all that time with Brenda during the day wasn't such a good thing. Maybe he needed to start going to school to get his mind stimulated. "I'm someone's fiancée now, you know, and I need the groom pr
Begin Again 189|It Will Always Be Yes
Later that evening, when Eden walked into Liam's ward with Aiden in her arms, she was surprised to find him clean-shaven and fully clothed in joggers, sneakers and a hoodie as if he was ready to go somewhere. "Dad!" Aiden shrieked with joy as soon as he saw his father rolling around the room in a wheelchair. Liam roared right back at him, his voice thundering through the room as he opened his arms. "Kool-Aid!" Eden set their son down, and he ran to his father. Liam scooped him up despite his visible agony but yelped out in pain when he tried to throw him up in the air. Eden was instantly at his side, worry dancing in her eyes, the travel bag in her hands falling at her feet with a dull thud. Aiden, too, look just as concerned. "I'm okay," Liam assured them, but the anguish on his face told a different story. "Why are you even out of bed?" Eden scolded him, much to Aiden's disapproval. "Mom, no!" He shook his hea
Begin Again 188|A Lifetime Of Kisses
Eden looked up, startled out of her mind to see his eyes were open. "Liam!" She was instantly on her feet and kissing him on the lips as she sobbed so loud she thought she'd wake the patients in the neighbouring rooms. "Oh my God, it's true. You're awake! I was starting to think they lied." "If you keep crying, I might just pass out again!" He growled and patted the empty spot on the bed. "Come here!" She sank beside him, and he drew her closer and placed his hand on her tummy. "How's my little warrior?" Eden burst into tears again at his words. "You heard everything I said that night?" "Of course I did," he smiled tearfully as well. "I may have been dying, but I'm not deaf, you know." "And you're not angry?" "Why would I be angry?" Liam asked. "Because you just found out about Aiden and now—" "Now our family will be complete," he pulled her down, and she nestled in his arms, careful not to touch his wound. "I l
