In Times of Trouble Read Online Free PDF

elevator when the electricity went out. Confined for hours and not knowing whether or not they’d live to tell about it, they’d shared many personal things with each other that day and bonded in a way that Lisa had never done before with any other female—not even her biological sister. Despite their eleven-year age difference, their friendship was so solid that one would think it stemmed from childhood. No matter what the situation, Olivia never failed to have Lisa’s back and vice versa.
    Lisa’s assistant poked her head through the door. “Liv, I have to go, Megan needs me.”
    â€œAll right, but tell your man I said ‘hey.’ Call me afterwards so I can start planning the bridal shower.”
    â€œBye, you nut! I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up, laughing. “Olivia is so silly.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I wanted to see if there was anything you needed before I go.”
    Lisa loved Megan, who had been working as her administrative assistant since Lisa’s first day at Brentson Technologies. She was a quiet person and always willing to go the extra mile. She looked almost Albino with her pale skin and stringy blond hair. Though Megan always wore a smile, her sadness shone through her eyes. Her sorrow was a result of having lost her husband while he served in Iraq. Now Megan was left to raise their young son on her own.
    â€œThanks, Meg, but I don’t need anything. You can go now if you want. Lord knows you’ve earned the right with all the overtime you put in. I appreciate you staying over with me last week.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œThings should be a breeze from here on out.”
    â€œI can already tell a difference today. I don’t know what you said to Olivia, but whatever it was, thank you. She really got the ball rolling with this new system.”
    Lisa smiled, slyly. “It pays to have friends in persuasive positions.”
    â€œI know. . .it’s so cool that my boss is best friends with Olivia Scott. Her husband is like the go-to attorney for any and everyone on the A-list throughout the country. And I swear she has to be on almost every important committee or board in Columbus. I’m surprised they’re still around here. The media always reports him in some other part of the country working on a case.”
    â€œYeah, well as you know, they both have strong family ties here.”
    â€œEither way, I’m in awe. Olivia is like the Oprah Winfrey of Columbus. And you’re. . .you’re like her Gayle.”
    â€œThanks, but we have our own identities. I’d prefer to be called Lisa.” She chuckled.
    As Lisa’s assistant, Megan enjoyed many of the perks that having Olivia on the board of Brentson Technologies brought with it. Like Lisa, Megan took advantage of things like paid time off work without officially having to submit leave slips or extended lunches. Usually such fringe benefits only extended to company execs, but thanks to Olivia, Lisa—and Megan—got access to special privileges.
    â€œWell, I guess I’ll go ahead and get out of here.”
    â€œOkay, you have a good evening and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    It was about ten after four when Megan spun out of the office and Lisa tried calling home. Surprised that no one answered the phone, she tried calling Chanelle’s cell phone and busted out laughing when it vibrated in her purse. Duh. . .she’d taken it from her. Lisa tried her mother’s cell phone.
    â€œMama, is Chanelle with you?”
    â€œNo. She’s at home.”
    â€œI just called there and she didn’t answer the phone.”
    â€œMaybe she’s in the bathroom or something, but she’s there. I only left a few minutes ago.”
    â€œI was calling to say that I’m not going to be home until late. I’m meeting someone from church.”
    The advantage