Worst Social Climbers

"Don't mind them," Cassandra said, waving her hand in the air, making me look up as we waited for the CEO's elevator to arrive. "I swear they get worse every year."

"They?" I asked as I tried my best not to glance at the gossiping gaggle of women by the reception desk. I assumed she meant them, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. 

"The receptionists," she chuckled as she tilted her head as if to gesture to the group. "They think that the quickest way to get close to the CEO or his heirs is by working here. They are idiots."

I was shocked at the blunt way Cassandra was speaking, I had expected my cousin's secretary to filter her words a little more. 

Then again, she was Lexington Durfort's secretary and my cousin rarely filtered his words.

"I'm just glad you arrived in time to save me," I said as I let out a breath and the elevator doors opened.

She gestured for me to enter as she looked at me from head to toe before pressing a button.

"Pretty sure you could have handled them on your own," she pointed out as the elevator smoothly ascended. "You look like a tough one, you'll fit right in, Lilith."

I smiled at her, glad we were getting off on the right foot. I didn't want to be on bad terms with someone Lex trusted. 

"Janet isn't an easy one to deal with either," I grumbled, realizing too late that I had said Janet's name when I wasn't supposed to know who she was.

Well, my Grandpa hadn't exactly stipulated that I wasn't supposed to recognize people I knew from when I was Lilibeth. I just didn't want to take the risk.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing. 

I was thankful that she let it pass and chose not to ask whatever questions were lingering at the tip of her tongue because I was sure she had questions. 

I could see it from the way she looked at me, she wanted to ask how I knew Janet and I wasn't too sure what to tell her.

I was saved by the ding of the elevator as we reached the second to the highest level of the building.

"Welcome to Durfort Inc., Lily!" she gestured toward the hallway. "Let me show you around."

We stepped out of the elevator and walked through the hall. 

I knew exactly where my cousin's office was, it was one of the corner offices, the one he got because he lost a bet with me. I won the best one from him three years ago, my office was bigger and had a breathtaking view of the city and the bay beyond it. 

Grinning at the memory I hadn't realized that we had stopped and I almost bumped into Cassandra.

She introduced me to Lex's two other secretaries and to the rest of his team. They all welcomed me happily telling me about how good of a boss Lex was. 

I couldn't help but feel proud of my cousin, the people who worked for him were happy and they respected him, a far cry from his normal playboy image. 

"I'll give you a tour of the other floors," Cassandra said after I dropped my stuff off on my desk. It was immediately outside of Lex's office, the closest desk to him. 

"Don't you have a lot of work to do?" I couldn't help but ask, concerned that she would be in trouble with Lex.

"Nah, Mr. Durfort is coming in late today, he said to make sure you were familiar with everyone," Cassandra shrugged as she pulled me to follow her.

Suddenly, she stopped outside the area that was meant to be mine.

"Ummm, this place is empty," I pointed out to Cassandra as I looked around the area. 

"For now," she answered. "Mr. Durfort isn't the heir to Durfort Inc. like everyone assumes, I think that's something you should know early on."

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

"He has a cousin, according to the boss she's smarter and has a better temper than he does," she chuckled. "For Lexington Durfort to say someone is better than him makes me wonder how amazing that woman is."

"Where is she?" I asked, wondering what excuse Lex and my grandfather gave.

"Studying, but Mr. Durfort told me she'll be back soon," Cassandra explained.

Studying, I was definitely studying those three years, learning how big a mistake I had made by choosing Jason over my family, over everything that was once my world.

"Anyway, I just wanted you to know that, let's go," she said as she led me away from the corner office.

For the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon, Cassandra introduced me to the different teams in the building. I knew it was crucial as Lex's secretary that I knew the important teams in the company, without a doubt, I'd have to work a lot with them in the coming months.

We were about to go back up to Lex's office when Cassandra pulled me aside to a secluded corner.

"I know this might be rude to ask, but is Janet targeting you for some reason?" she questioned, making me stand frozen in shock.

I thought she had let it pass, but it seemed I was mistaken.

"You don't need to tell me, but that Janet is bad news," Cassandra's words allowed me to relax a little bit, but for some reason, I felt the need to come clean. "She's been causing trouble for years, I heard she even tried to hit on Mr. Durfort."

"The older or the younger?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Both," Cassandra chuckled. "Unfortunately for her, neither of them are interested in her."

And yet Janet had the gall to accuse me of being a social climber when she should have looked in the mirror.

"She's my ex's step-sister," I confessed. "Ex-husband."

"Oh," Cassandra gasped. "Who left who?"

"I did," I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

Janet probably needed me more than Jason, and by walking away she lost a crucial source of blood.

"Good for you, if her brother is anything like her," Cassandra said with a wink. "I think we're gonna enjoy working together, Lily."

I hope we did, cause if Cassandra had any plans of staying in Durfort Inc. longer, I would definitely try to pry her away from my cousin.