The Secret Heiress Read Online Free Page A

needed to move on and not think about him.
     

Chapter 2
     
    Anna walked the two blocks to the Gala & More office from her new flat. The neighborhood was mixed commercial and residential and wasn’t considered up-and-coming. A couple of the buildings looked abandoned. Yet exhilaration flowed over her, she was starting a new life today. Her cramped, walk-up second-floor flat needed her attention, but it would have to wait.
    Her mobile beeped and she noticed a text from Olivia about attending the fundraising gala at Alistair’s house. It would have been better if she hadn’t told her sister about Alistair. Olivia would relentlessly question it. Tucking the phone back into her handbag, she decided to answer Olivia later.
    Frances Casey had given her a key and told her to find her way around the office. The company would need to relocate in the future if they intended to garner any respect. She had to fight with the old key to open the door. Looking around, she saw junk everywhere, along with piles of paper and trash.
    Turning the lights on, she noticed water stains on the old carpet. A plumber was needed. The receptionist didn’t start until ten o’clock so Anna answered the phone on the fourth ring. She jotted a message down from an irate client. It couldn’t be a good sign. Going into the conference room, she unpacked her laptop and started picking up rubbish. How could the office be so bloody disorganized?
    She needed to find her bearings and throw herself into the chaos. Frances Casey believed in her. She needed to believe it.
    A young woman came in well after ten o’clock and explained that she had childcare issues and that the other employee, Elyse, had taken a few days off.
    The woman said, “It looks better in here. I’m Katie, by the way.”
    “Hello, Katie. I’m Anna but you probably guessed that.” Anna continued removing rubbish. “Did you know that there is a leak?”
    Katie looked at the ceiling. “I think it only leaks when the couple in the apartment upstairs gives their dog a bath.”
    Anna looked at the young receptionist in bewilderment. Water damage was not a good sign.
    She should have worn old clothes instead of a stylish skirt and blouse. Already she could feel a layer of dust and grime on her exposed skin.
    “I may need to reach the owner and ask that the ceiling get repaired.” Anna pointed to the wet stack of tablecloths. “How will these get cleaned?”
    Katie was looking for something on her desk. “A linen service collects items on Wednesday. It should be fine.”
    Anna could feel regret seeping into her pores. “The office doesn’t seem adequate enough to invite in prospective clients. How can Frances bring anyone here?”
    Katie looked sheepish. “She normally meets clients at coffee houses. This building is somewhat run-down and she brings her dog to work so it’s not a perfect environment for meetings.”
    Anna nodded. That explained the dog hair everywhere. She remembered meeting Frances at a coffee house around the corner. She should have asked to see the office. This place was the complete opposite of Blackly Simonson.
    “Right. Well, I took a few messages this morning.”
    She handed Katie a few pieces of paper and tried to decide what she should tackle next.
    “Is there a lunch area?”
    Katie pointed to a corner of the office with an old coffee pot and stacks of recycling. “The coffee pot probably needs to be cleaned. It hasn’t been used recently.”
    “Is there a schedule for the week?” Anna had already made list of upcoming events and started filling in the required tasks.
    Katie looked puzzled. “Usually Frances decides what to do when she gets here.”
    Anna began calculating the cost of a massive renovation along with hiring an experienced assistant. Katie was friendly and upbeat but worked part-time.
    “Do you think Elyse is coming in next week? It’s rather odd for her to be taking time off this week.”
    “Things are a bit up in the air. In fact,