Liz's POV
Two weeks later I was here entering my new workplace in the heart of London. The last office building was nice, but this one was very unique and beautiful. I took the elevator to the 27th floor so I go see the CEO.
"Mrs. Danielson?" A tall, lean figure stood up from his black big chair extending his hand.
"It's Brown, that was my husband's surname and I am divorced now," I told him shaking his hand.
"Well, that is noted. I am Dean Parker. Thank you for coming. We are excited to have you. Mr. Kingman mentioned a lot of good things about you. Take a seat. " he said offering me the chair in front of him.
"Thank you," I said with a smile. We talked about everything work-related and he offered to show me my office so I followed him. I remember how Mr. Kingman had his private elevator at the headquarters but here everybody uses the same elevator. We went back to the 26th floor and I couldn't help but smile after seeing my office. It was big with a glass table at the center and a large chair behind it. It also had a nice couch against the wall and a few vases by the window. If I look outside the window, I can see the city as well as the London Bridge. Only my office and the finance department offices are on this floor so I feel a bit out of place because most of the people I will be working with are a floor down from me.
"So, your assistant will be here in a minute, he has been handling everything before you came." Mr. Parker said.
Wait, did he just say he? I didn't hear him well because I was busy admiring my office.
"Excuse me Mr. Parker, my assistant is male? I asked.
"Dean, please. Just call me Dean and yes your assistant is male. He is a good boy, fresh out of college but he sure gets the job done. Will that be a problem Ms. Brown? He asked.
"Of course not, I just didn't hear you well the first time. Just making sure I heard well." I lied. I have never had a male assistant, much less fresh out of college who probably has so much to learn around here. I am not that patient and I just hope I don't make the poor guy quit on the first week.
The CEO left and I decided to walk around the floor. I came to a stop when I saw a group of 4 ladies talking in front of me.
"The Managing Director is finally here." one of them, with blonde hair said.
"The American?" another asked.
"Yes. Mr. Parker just took her into the office. I do not get why she gets the biggest office on the floor when we even got the CFO on this floor, but no, the office was reserved for her instead." the blonde one spoke again
"From what I hear, apparently she is really good, that's why she was transferred here from the headquarters." girl number 3 said.
"Guys, you look like you are throwing shades to the woman you didn't even meet yet. We are just assistants and can we just do our jobs." another one said.
"Rhea, you are always going against us. You are no fun." the blonde spoke again. They all laugh at the girl that said something that made sense. Their accents give me a headache.
"Excuse me, "I spoke for the first time and got their attention. The looks on their faces were priceless. I continued, "This American has a name. It's Elizabeth Brown. Everyone calls me Liz, if not Ms. Brown. As far as the office is concerned, if you want it, you can have it." I said.
None of them replied, they all went in a certain direction and I smiled. I am not evil, but I am not a good person always. I had to make sure that my presence is felt, then I will start warming up to them. I don't smile on the first day of work.
"Mrs. Danielson," someone spoke behind me. I turn around ready to tell whoever it is, s to never call that again in the loudest way possible, but I found a young man standing there with specs and a tie that is out of place.
"You must be my assistant," I said and paused for a while.
"Yes Ms, Damien Parker. I am your assistant. Would you like anything?" he asked.
"Damien, huh? Any relation to Mr. Dean Parker? I asked.
" Yes, he is my uncle," he replied.
"Well, I want two things, one, It's Brown, not Danielson, that was my husband's surname and the marriage ended, so they need to change the name at my office door, and second, I want a meeting with the management team in two hours. When I say the management team, I mean everybody, even the assistants." I told him.
He left in a hurry and I decided to head back to my office. I could hear footsteps behind me but I continued walking. There was a knock at my office door just when I was about to sit down. Looked like the person was kind of following me.
"Yes," I said and a man entered, so I continued. "Hello," I greeted.
"Hello, Ms. Brown. I am John Wade, Chief Financial Officer. Nice to finally put a face to a name." he extended his hand.
"Pleasure is all mine. I have to admit though, you seem to be the only one to get my name right around here." I said.
"I might or might not have heard you explaining it to your assistant," he said.
"I see. So you are the one with a nosy assistant. She might have or might not say that you deserved this office more than I do." I said.
Why the hell did I just say that?
I think I was trying to make a conversation and the words just slipped. His face changed and we'll it's out there and I just can't change it.
"Cheryl? Well, I apologize. I didn't know anything about it." he said.
I felt bad, but there was nothing I could do.
"No, it's okay. I forgot about it already." I said.
"If I heard right, you are divorced. How long have you been married?" he asked.
"Not long," I said briefly.
"What happened?" he asked
"Mr. Wade, your name is the only thing I know about you, so I don't seriously want to talk about my private life with my colleague, especially one that I just met," I said.
I hope that was a bit polite.
Before he could say anything, Damien came to tell me that the Management team was waiting for me in the conference room.
"Mr. Wade, it looks like that is a conversation of another time," I told him picking up the file I got from Mr. Parker so I go through everything that happened before I started working. I was here for two weeks just settling in before I showed up for work but the company started operating a month ago.
The meeting wasn't long, just getting to know every team member and then bringing me up to speed with everything that happened before I started work.
After lunch I looked through all the papers I got from the meeting till around 3 pm when Erastus video called me.
"Good morning," he said.
"It's afternoon here Mr. I am good, how are you?" I asked.
"Whatever, it's 7 in the morning here, so it's morning. I am all good. How's your first day of work?" he asked.
"Not as busy as I thought it would be. Are you driving?" I asked.
"Yes, but don't worry I am almost at the company," he said as if it's okay to be on a video call while driving.
"I wanted to show you my office, but I will just wait until you park the car," I said.
"Nope, I am sure the office is nice and big and it suits you. I want to know if you have gone clubbing yet," he said.
"Really? Why do you want me to go to a club so bad?" I asked.
"I don't know, maybe you will meet that guy that will offer to buy you a drink. It also starts with a drink, then you know..." he said.
"Oh goodness. I think you and Rose have been watching too many romantic movies. I am still getting the hang of driving around these London streets, but I will sure see if I will go to one." I told him
"Good. Or maybe there's some good looking guys man in your office you got your eye on?" I don't know if it was a question or a suggestion.
"Oh come on, I haven't even been here for a day yet. You need help." I told him.
"I am trying to help you, friend, because you need to get back out there. Your divorce story would make a great ice breaker on a date," he said and immediately hung upon him. He talks too much nonsense. The mischievous side of Erastus is a bit much.
He immediately sent me a text message with a lot of laughing emojis.
The day soon came to an end and I headed to my empty apartment. I found it already furnished, with black furniture, white walls, and tiles. No paintings or pictures on the wall and I just didn't have time to add anything else. It had a fresh look at it and I wanted to keep it that way. There's only a picture of Laura and I at the moment at the coffee table.
I was taking the key to my apartment out of my handbag when a lady in her fifties maybe came out of the next apartment.
"Hello dear. I didn't know we had a new neighbor," she said smiling.
"Hi," I said with no idea what else to say.
"I am Layla, I live next door with my four boys. Nice to meet you," she said.
"Liz, the pleasure is all mine," I said extending my hand but she hugged me instead.
"So where are did you move from?" she asked.
"California."
"Oh, that's a big move. Any reason why?"
"Work," I said briefly.
"I see. How about you join us for dinner, get to know your neighbors a little bit?"
"Thank you, but I wouldn't want to impose," I said.
"What imposition? I am sure the boys will be just as thrilled as I am to have you over. I know you are probably going to order your food if you don't come." she tried to convince me.
She was right about one thing though, I was going to order.
"Alright. Thank you." I said.
"Good. Do come, dinner will be ready in an hour or so," she said and turn to leave.
I went into my house, changed, and headed over to her house so I help her out in the preparation of dinner. I am not the type of guest that sits and waits to be served. Plus I had nothing to do.
After the first knock, a young man probably my assistant's age opened the door.
"Hey," I said passing by him into the house. He didn't even say I should go in, but in my defense, he did not say anything either, he just stood there smiling.
"Hello! You looking for Cole?" he asked.
"Who is Cole?"I asked raising my eyebrow at him.
"My big brother. His many girlfriends come by from time to time," he said shrugging.
"I don't think that's any of your business to talk about my girlfriends....." another guy came into the living room, turned out to be the Cole the other guy was asking me about and he stopped when he saw me in their living room. "Hi," he said.
"Hello. Well, no, I am not looking for Cole. Your mom invited me for dinner so I am early so I can help out. I am Liz Brown, your new neighbor." I told them
"Oh right. I am sorry Ms. Brown. I am Lee, and that's my brother Cole who you should never listen to because he is an egotistical maniac." he said.
I couldn't help but laugh. I just met these people and they already remind me of my brothers.
"Don't mind Lee, he is just mad 'cos I got game and he doesn't," Cole said.
"Stop harassing the beautiful lady." another voice came in. He continued, "I am Will, the good looking one in the family." he took my hand and kissed it.
"Oh come on Will, she is so older than you," Cole complained.
"Looks like you ain't the only one with the game, huh Cole?"Lee asked laughing.
"I am pretty sure I am older than all of you. So where's your mom?" I asked.
"In the kitchen with Harry. He is the eldest, so he gets to help mom with dinner." Will said leading me to the kitchen. I didn't know everyone else was followed shortly.
"Well, today I am here, so I get to help Layla out," I said entering the kitchen.
"Liz, you are early," Layla said enthusiastically.
"I came to help Layla," I told her.
"Mom, I didn't know we are having a guest over." a guy, who I am pretty sure is Harry said.
"We are. She is our new beautiful neighbor who two of your younger brothers can't seem to leave in peace. " Lee said pointing at Cole and Will.
"I see. I am Harry, I am the eldest of them. Welcome to our home." he said.
"HI, I am Liz. Thank you. Now, you guys go ahead, I will help Layla out." I said.
Yes, I was here giving orders in someone's house.
"Thank you," Harry said yanking off his apron and leading all of his brothers out of the kitchen. Now that I think about it, I haven't been this happy ever since I moved to London.
"Sorry about their behavior. That's what I live with every day." Layla said.
"It's okay, I have three brothers myself and I understand. I am pretty sure I can handle them." I told her while cutting some vegetables.
We cooked dinner discussing how I was settling in here and how work was going, you know just those typical mom and daughter conversations.
"So, Liz, you married?" Harry asked. I saw how Layla gave her son a very bad stare as if trying to tell him something. I did not tell her anything about my divorce and I was so much afraid of that question.
Do I lie or do I tell the truth?
"Umm, I was. I have divorced actually." I said honestly. Somehow I just couldn't find it in me to lie to these wonderful people. Everyone stopped eating and looked at me.
"What?" I asked because I did not understand why all eyes were on me.
"Nothing, I am just surprised that someone was dumb enough to let someone like you go," Cole said.
"What do you know Cole. All you have is your big mouth and a lot of girlfriends." Will said.
"At least I have girlfriends, you don't even have one. Just a few days ago, mom and I were discussing how worried she was about your sexual orientation." Cole fired back at Will.
Will took his glass of water and poured it all over Cole. "Take that sucker. And for your information, I am straight, I just don't go for any girl, like you do brother," he said.
"Okay, that's enough boys. We have a guest over. Behave yourself or you are all grounded." Layla said.
"Mom, don't you think we are way old to still get grounded?" Cole asked.
"No, as long as you live in my house, I can ground you. If you have a problem, get a job and get your place as Harry did, young man." Layla said.
"Sorry, mom," Cole said.
This whole time I was trying to contain my laughter.
"Sorry Liz, I take that question back. So you work for Capricorn?" Harry asked again.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"Lee Googled you when you were in the kitchen," he said.
"Snitch!" Lee hissed.
"Yes, I was transferred here from the headquarters in the states. I am the Managing Director."
I said.
Before anyone could say something my phone rang and realized it was Laura.
"Excuse me, it's my daughter," I said leaving the dinner table.
Did I just tell them I have a daughter? I am dishing out my private life tonight.
I talked to Laura for a few minutes and told her I will video call her in an hour.
Coming back to the kitchen I could hear them talking a bit lower so I stopped and listened.
"....no way. She is divorced and has a kid. I think she is being honest." Harry said.
"There's no way she can be divorced and look like that," Cole said.
"So what do divorcees look like?" Will asked.
"I don't know, definitely not that hot. She doesn't have custody of her daughter, so how is she not depressed and drinking her problems away?" Cole said.
"What if she is the one that asked for a divorce. Not everyone gets eaten up by their problems, and she does look like a strong woman. So if she is here, it's probably for a fresh start,
so Cole, you might want to stop using the word hot." Harry said.
I was trying so hard not to laugh because I could blow my cover.
They are one hell of a family.
"Guys, stop. Can we stop talking about her, she could walk in any minute now." Lee said. That was my queue to enter.
"Who could walk in? You guys expecting someone else?"I said with a neutral face like I did not hear a word of what they just said.
"Nobody dear. Is everything okay with your daughter? I have always wanted a daughter, but God just gave these four big mouths. " Layla said.
"She is good. She calls me every day to talk about her day." I said focusing on the food. I haven't eaten home-made food ever since I came to London.
"I see, how old is she?" she asked again.
"She is 12," I said.
"Damn, and how old are you?" Lee asked. Even he was surprised by his question, so something tells me he didn't mean to ask that question out loud.
"Well Lee, let's just say I am old enough to have a 12 years old daughter," I said.
The rest of the dinner was finally about me asking the questions. I found out Harry is 32 years old medical doctor, who was left at the altar by his fiancée.
Cole is 25, who still has no idea what he wants to do but studied media and journalism.
Will is 22, still in college studying Business Management and Lee just started College studying art. He gave me a beautiful picture of a flower he painted. It was very beautiful even though I had no idea what type of flower it is.
I only know the daisies that I love, and the roses that I hate.
I went home and called Laura. I was very happy, and the Walter's are a beautiful and happy family that I am sure my stay in London will not be boring.