Raine woke up early, getting ready for work.  She had a feeling that her bodyguards gave a detail report to Monroe about what happened last night.   Raine just hoped that Monroe wouldn’t question her about it or mention it.

Last night her thoughts and feelings ran wild for hours until early morning.  She only had two hours of sleep before her alarm rang and she got up to start her training as the next CEO of Evermore.  

Once clean and dressed, she made her way downstairs to have breakfast with her grandfather and thankfully they said their “Good Mornings” and ate silently.  

They rode in two different cars on the way to work and arrived at different times.  Monroe arrived first and entered the company through the underground parking lot, while Raine arrived last and walked through the front doors.  

Her arrival caused a stir among the employees.  Her face had been plastered all over the newspapers, on television, on websites that she had become a familiar face to the public.  The topic of Addison becoming the next heir of Evermore Corporation was widely discussed along with the company’s politics, stocks, and future trajectory.  

Mable stood inside of the entrance and greeted Raine.  Although she was leading Raine and her bodyguards to the private elevators, she was still a step behind Raine.  

When Raine exited the elevators, there were six other secretaries who were waiting by their desk.  Mable quickly introduced each person to Raine then lead her to her new office.

Raine reorganized her desk before joining Monroe so she could shadow him throughout the day.  

The day passed by quickly for Raine.  It was her first day, so most of the time, she sat next to Monroe and listened.

When work was done, Raine and Monroe went out for dinner with some of the employees that held a higher position.   Because Raine had sat next to Monroe throughout the day and did not smile at anyone, most of the employees were wary of her.  Even at dinner, she kept to herself and only answered questions that were asked from Monroe.

Raine sat back silently and watched everyone that was invited to the dinner party.   She wanted to observe them so she could have a detail understanding of the power dynamics within the company as well as where each person’s alliance lies.  

She was being calculative towards her mission and wanted to ensure that nothing happened to Monroe and the Evermore Corporation.  

“Addison.”  Monroe said as he leaned over to her.  “Are you alright? You didn’t eat much.”  

“I’m fine Grandpa.”  Addison answered. “I have another dinner to attend to after this.”  

Monroe looked at his granddaughter and hoped the other person she had plans with was not with the Leafheart boy.

Monroe pushed his lips together in discontent, however he didn’t say anything.  

Raine felt her cell phone vibrate and took it out.  It was a message from Silver to confirm their dinner soiree at one of Silver’s many family run restaurants.  Raine quickly confirmed her presence at their meet up and placed her phone back inside of her purse.

“So, Addison, I heard you are an artist and was planning to join the Creative Department.  Do you still plan to submit some of your work and ideas for development?” Phil asked.

Raine turned towards the Vice President and looked at him silently for longer than necessary.  Silence made people uncomfortable, however to Raine, it didn’t matter to her.

“Of course.”  Raine finally said. “However I won’t submit anything for the time being, seeing how I have to follow in my Grandfather’s footsteps.”

“Hahaha.  That’s great Addison.  Your ideas and art work is one of a kind.  It would be a great addition to the growth of Evermore Corporation, however your words are true.  Your objectiveness to manage the Evermore Corporation, not only brings me great pride and relief, but also comforts everyone who works for Evermore.”  Monroe said.

“Yes.”  Phil said with a smile.  However Raine could see his eyes didn’t mean what he said.  “We all look forward to the results you bring to the company.”

Raine grabbed her wine glass and drank it slowly, completely ignoring Phil and his laser eyes that glared at her.   

After dinner, Raine parted ways with Monroe and was driven to Silver’s family own restaurant, The Harvest Moon.  

Craig and Silver were already chatting and waiting at the best table in the restaurant.  When Raine arrived, Craig stood up and pulled out Raine’s chair and helped her sit down.

“I’m glad you could make it.”  Craig said as he looked at Raine with worried eyes.  While Silver smiled warmly at Raine, however it had a look of guilt to it.  “We didn’t think you would want to meet up with us again after what happened yesterday.”  

“We’re all adults. We make our own decisions in life. ”  Raine said as she drank the wine that was just poured into her wine glass.   “Besides, I’m not so small minded to cut off all relations between us just because of what happened last night.”  

Raine looked back at Silver.  Silver had been staring at Raine the whole time.  Her glare at Raine was heated and held many meanings behind them, however she didn’t voice her feelings.  Raine wasn’t a mind reader so she turned her attention back to Craig.

“And from what I could see from where I stood, you and Silver, both had a great time together.”  Raine told him. “I just hope the two of you don’t hold it against me that I didn’t join in.”

“Of course not.”  Craig quickly said however he felt disappointed that he missed a great opportunity to have a threesome with Silver and Addison.  “But may I ask, why you stopped and left last night?”

“I wasn’t in the best state of mind to join in with the both of you.” Raine confessed.  

“Is it because you have someone else?” Silver asked softly.  

“Had.”  Addison answered.  “The correct tense is ‘had.’  His passing happened a long time ago, however it still feels as if it happened yesterday.  And with the passing of my family as well… it wouldn’t be fair to anyone of us, if I gave anyone of you the wrong impression.”  

“What’s his name?”  Silver asked.

“Does it matter?”  Addison said softly.  “He’s dead and our memories together haunts me wherever I go. I’m clearly not over him, but saying his name out loud makes it more difficult to move on.”

“I’m sorry for your lost.”  Craig said as he placed his hand on top of Addison’s hand and squeezed it.  “I’m sorry that you have experienced so much death around you, but if you need anything, Silver and I are here to help you whenever you need us.”

Addison gave them a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes.  

“Thank you.”

“What was it about him that you can’t forget about?”  Silver asked urgently.

“Silver!”  Craig sternly said.  “Don’t push Addison to talk about him.  It’s clear that she’s not ready to speak to us about him.”

“What?  I just want to know how great of a man he was that made my Addison so sad.  I want to know how wonderful those memories are, that it makes my Addison think about it constantly. She’s my friend as well.”  Silver said as she sneered. “I’m just curious at what kind of a man he is that even after his death, she is still haunted of their time together.  So much so, that she can’t even move on with her life.”

“Silver!”  Craig warned her.  

“How chivalrous of you to rescue the damsel in distress.”  Silver retorted as she drowned the rest of her wine, after she rolled her eyes at him. With her empty glass she placed it gently on the table and glared at Craig.  “Are you going to play the nice guy now and try to win Addison’s trust. Comfort her until she feels safe within your presence. Then slowly seduce her with your actions of roses and thoughtful gifts.  And when she’s finally in your bed, are you going to give it to her, like you gave it to me last night?”

Raine wanted to give Silver a compliment and drink a toast to her in that moment.  If she wasn’t Addison at the moment, she really felt that she and Silver would get along and be great friends.  

However as Addison, Raine had to keep Silver and Craig at a distance.  They were still a liability towards her mission.

“Pffft.”  Raine let out a laugh as she covered her mouth.  “You guys are still the same. Loving and fighting like cats and dogs.”  

“Addison.”  Craig began to say however Silver interrupted.  

“Don’t be a fool around Craig.  He’s not as nice as he seems.”

“Excuse us.”  Craig said as he stood up and pulled Silver out of her chair.  Craig led them towards the kitchen, while Silver turned back and smiled at Addison.  

“He’s just taking me to the back for a quick fuck.”  Silver told Addison. “He thinks if he gives me a good fuck, I’ll calm down and listen to him.  As if a good fuck can make me not do or say anything I don’t want to. He can’t stand me, but he can’t get enough of me either.”

Craig began to walk faster as they left Raine alone.  It was when she was finally alone that Raine let a genuine smile shine through.  Silver was a riot. She liked Silver’s personality very much. There was something about Silver that made her feel comfortable.