VI

Over three months ago the crash made headline news and no comfort had been brought to the family since then. The black box had been recovered yet it was too damaged beyond repair to gain an useful information from it. Only one body had been unidentified in the crash as the co-pilot, and Juliet still held out for hope that her son had miraculously survived. Her constant denial kept her sane, as she wouldn't believe he was dead until she had a body to bury.

What Sydney had kept from Juliet and her daughter's was that when she was informed of the identity of the co-pilot and the state of the black box, were both torn to pieces by bullets. This didn't provide her any comfort, as she sat in the CEO's chair. True to their word Sydney had been made CEO of the company and were rather impressed and shocked by her first choices in the role.

Firing several heads of office who had been too corrupt in their paychecks, made others nervous, knowing she was ready to protect the company at any costs. Already the business was making great progress and any past thoughts of financial troubles seemed impossible. Wanting nothing more than to make Andrew proud, Sydney still kept to the habits of working early mornings and late in the evenings, to ensure everything was in order, the only problem was that she was struggling to find a suitable secretary.

Every applicant that had applied was only interested in Andrew and lacked experience and professionalism that Sydney was looking for to represent Hamilton Incorporated. Placing another applicant file in the recycled bin, Sydney took a large drag from her coffee staring out of the glass office at the city below.

"Miss. Winters your last applicant is ready to see you" Sarah spoke. She was the main receptionist in the main lobby and was filling in until a suitable replacement could be found.

"Thank you Sarah bring them in" Sydney allowed before getting up from the desk and walking around ready to greet the new applicant.

"I'm Meg East, pleasure to meet you Miss. Winters" Meg boldly introduced herself, as Sydney shook her hand and gestured for her to sit down before returning to her desk. Meg had candy apple red hair and grey eyes that seemed to stare into your soul for your darkest secrets. Sydney sniggered to herself; looking at the woman in front of her she knew that Andrew would have been jumping for joy at the sight of a sexy redhead.

Opening her file in front of her, Sydney did a quick scan of her credentials occasionally glancing up at the woman shifting in front of her. She had ticked several boxes in Sydney's mind already by having the appropriate training as well as a strong reference from her previous employer. Closing the file and folding her hands in front of her she looked at Meg who raised an eyebrow.

"Why should I hire you Miss East?" Sydney asked her as she noticed that the question had taken her off guard. Sydney wanted honesty from her applicants, not them trying to sound absolutely perfect, that would get her and the company no where.

"I'm not going to sell myself like those outside and pretend to be absolutely perfect. I'm good at my job, I'm organized and have a very good memory. One thing I can promise is that Mr. Hamilton won't be an issue. I have no attraction towards him what's so ever" Meg informed, her tone strictly professional making Sydney smile slightly liking her straightforward honesty.

"Miss. Winters there is one thing you should know before you hire me" Meg spoke causing Sydney to lean back in her seat with amusement.

"And what is that Miss East?" She asked interested.

"I'm gay" Meg was bold and straightforward with her answer. Sydney could tell that she wasn't ashamed of her sexuality and that many businesses in past must have caused her trouble.

"Will that affect the way you work?" Sydney questioned as Meg merely shook her head.

"Well then I see no reason why we should have a problem Miss East. Welcome to Hamilton Incorporated" Sydney smiled standing holding out her hand, as Meg eagerly sealed the deal by shaking it in return.

Meg easily began to fit into Hamilton Incorporated and the structure of the business. Meg soon knew everyone's business and everything that resided in the office. Sydney found it useful and to her advantage as she knew that Meg would never gossip about her behind her back, or release any confidential information. However Meg did have a tendency at times to let things slip or she was unable when in Sydney's presence to hold her tongue. Sydney mainly found it amusing and learnt more about her employees through Meg than she thought possible, but she knew that when required Meg could be very professional.

Time flew away quickly and before Sydney knew it she had been CEO for just over a year and had successfully brought the company to being a multi-billion dollar business. This achievement hit the front pages of the newspaper whilst the mystery of the crash grew furthur and furthur towards the back of the paper until it vanished. Even though the main investigation had been closed, Sydney still had private investigators searching for any sign of Andrew. She knew that eventually Juliet would break and that her grief would eat her up. She only hoped she could provide some comfort to her and her family.

"Miss Winters?" Meg knocked as Sydney looked up from her document peering through her glasses on the edge of her nose.

"Yep?" She questioned as Meg walked inside scrolling on her tablet.

"I have Doc waiting downstairs to take you to your dress fitting and Zoe called stressing over wedding details again" Meg complained causing Sydney to chuckle.

"Thank you Meg. The wedding is only another month away, do you think you can survive until then?" Sydney chuckled causing Meg to roll her eyes and storm away muttering under her breath. Sydney was one of Zoe's bridesmaids, one of seven. The wedding had been constantly delayed in hopes that Andrew would be found as Zoe desperately wanted her brother to give her away, but eventually Derek grew impatient and they set a date in Paris.

Everything was prepared, the cake, the flowers, the lists, music, everything but the bridesmaids dresses. No expense was being spared for the wedding, especially as Zoe had her sister design her wedding and bridesmaids gowns three times already. Slipping her feet back into her heels and rubbing the back of her neck, Sydney got ready to face the battlefield with the terror of the enemy, Zoe Hamilton a stressed bride......