Page 15 of Guarding the Billionaire

Before she could argue I added, “And starting tomorrow we’re going to work out before we go to your office.”

Flora

Iwas quickly learning that bossy was Teresa’s default tone. Instead of responding to her, I just headed downstairs and grabbed my bag out of the closet. My phone beeped, letting me know that the car had arrived.

“Our ride is here,” I said, heading for the door.

As I put my hand on the knob, Teresa pulled me back.

“I need to go first,” she said firmly.

“Is that a vampire thing?” I asked in confusion. “Like how you can’t come in unless you’re invited?”

“No, it’s a bodyguard thing.”

Teresa took a step out the door, her head swinging from side to side as she looked around. Satisfied that it was safe, she gripped my elbow and led me to the car.

“Wait.”

She grabbed a small black device from her pocket, walking all the way around the car with it before tapping on the driver’s side window and exchanging a few words with the driver. Completing her circle of the car, she moved close and whispered in my ear.

“It’s free of explosives but there might be listening devices, so keep things superficial.”

Good Lord, was this my life now?

I scooted into the car, greeting the driver as Teresa slid in from the other side. We rode in total silence to my office.

I took a deep breath as I walked into the familiar high rise that housed Meyer Beauty. It was twelve stories high, housing not only our corporate offices but also our product testing labs and classrooms. The outside of the building was shiny, making it look almost like a big mirror with the Meyer Beauty name and logo in large letters across the very top.

“Good morning, Miss Meyer.”

Both the men at the security desk stood up to greet me.

“Good morning Earl. Ben. This is my new personal assistant Teresa. Can you make her a security badge please?”

“What access level, Miss Meyer?” Ben asked.

“Unrestricted.”

Ben’s eyebrows rose slightly, the only hint that he was surprised by my response. We were fanatical about security here and very few people had full access to the building. Corporate espionage was very common in the beauty industry.

“Yes ma’am.”

After taking a quick photo of Teresa glowering, Ben handed her a badge and lanyard.

“Here you go, Miss.”

“Thanks,” my bodyguard grunted.

She jerked it over her neck like it had offended her and we headed for the elevator.

“My office is on the top floor,” I said as I scanned my badge to unlock the elevator.

As soon as I got off the elevator there was a flurry of activity. My assistant was standing near reception waiting for me, iPad inhand as she rattled off my schedule. I introduced them to Teresa as we strode towards my office.

“Um, Miss Meyer, are you unhappy with me?”

I sent Amy my assistant a small smile. “No it’s not that. I think supporting me is getting to be more than one person can handle, so you’ll continue with phones, scheduling, the mail, while Teresa will help with meeting notes, my personal tasks, and whatever else I need.”

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