Addison refused to open her eyes. The ice picks of pain boring their way through her head confirmed she had consumed far too much alcohol the night before, but when she inhaled, and the hotel’s familiar aroma invaded her senses, she breathed a bit easier. At least she had made it back to the suite that had become her home.

Like a nomad, Addison had traveled across Europe, visiting one Kane office and then another while she debated on which would fill her needs. She created havoc in each and every one as she bellowed and scowled about the amenities until she finally settled in Spain...with her new PA in tow.

When Addison left England, she had done it alone. Refusing to relocate, Millie had stayed behind, but not before subjecting herself to one of Addison’s temper tantrums. Vases were broken, and foul language was spewed, but in the end, beaten down by her endless arguments with Joanna, Addison folded her hand, and a deal was struck. Millie would remain in the London office and act as a conduit for Addison while she was abroad, and taking her place as Addison’s personal assistant would be Lydia Patel.

Lydia had begun to thrive at Kane Holdings and while Addison was clueless, Millie was not. The tears once shed by the novice junior secretary had long ago dried up and in their place was a blend of confidence and willingness to learn, which reminded Millie of her younger self. Early to work and eager to take on more than her fair share, Millie saw the younger woman as her eventual replacement, so when Addison announced her relocation, Lydia was the obvious choice.

Stepping up and stepping up nicely, Lydia had learned from the best when it came to handling Addison. When the woman howled, Lydia turned a deaf ear, and when employees were sacked for no reason other than Addison’s foul mood, Lydia countermanded the order, gave them a day off, and calmed the feathers of her ruffled employer just as Millie had done for her so many months before. Whatever hours were needed, Lydia worked, and no matter the task, Lydia accomplished it, and in less than two short months, before Addison could reach for a pen, Lydia was handing her one.

Addison had never included Millie when invitations for business lunches or dinners were made, but as time went on Addison found herself craving Lydia’s companionship. There was comfort in having the woman with black hair, fair skin, and green eyes sitting to her left, and while no notes were ever taken or meetings scheduled, more times than not Lydia found herself enjoying Addison’s company at almost every meal.