Author's Note: Those of you who left kind reviews on Chapter 1, Thank you. Please continue to leave them, I'd love to know what you're thinking about the unfolding story. Enjoy!

Emily's heart raced as she rode the elevator up to the 12th floor of the DiLaurentis McCullers Drake offices. She had slept well enough but the excitement to start her new job had woken her up several times throughout the night. When her alarm went off at 6 am she saw Toby had left her another note on the fridge telling her to have a great first day. The doors of the elevator opened and Emily was immediately taken aback, feeling her jaw drop.

"Wow,"

The elevator doors almost closed but a slim arm waved between them, causing them to open up again.

"Incredible, right?" a pride-filled voice asked and Emily's head jerked toward it.

She stepped off the elevator, into what felt like another dimension. Her eyes darted around before coming back to the source of the voice. "Yeah, it is," Emily finally replied.

"Everything is practically brand new, we completely overhauled the floor last year. I oversaw the whole thing. I'm Aria, GLOW's Editorial Content Manager." Aria's voice was light but her eyes beamed, she loved seeing people's first reaction to the GLOW offices since the remodel, and Emily's stunned look did not disappoint. She gave herself a mental pat on the back, if she ever fell out of love with writing, maybe interior design was in the cards. "So, I was told I'd be giving a quick tour this morning but nothing more. Think you could fill me in?" Aria walked further into the massive space, Emily following behind.

"I can try," Emily laughed lightly, it was kinda crazy how quickly things had happened, "I'm Emily Fields, I'm Ms DiLaurentis' new assistant."

Aria's smile faded as her eyes widened with confusion and something else Emily couldn't quite place. "Ms DiLa…Alison." Aria was now the one standing with her jaw dropped. "You're Alison's new assistant?"

"Yes, I had an interviewed with Mrs DiLaurentis yesterday, she hired me on the spot," Emily explained but her words only caused Aria to look even more confused.

"Oh." was all she said, before quickly adding, "That does sound like something Mrs D would do." She visibly shook off whatever thoughts she had and her smile reappeared. "Welcome to GLOW, Emily." motioning to the workspace around her.

Emily's eyes swept across the open area, the walls were blindingly white, providing a blank canvas for colorful accents that livened up the space. Vibrant and strategic uses of color splashed across the furniture, artwork, and decor, balanced perfectly.

"It doesn't really have a name but this is our main workspace, the open layout encourages interaction and collaboration across all the departments. Everyone can work together, and feed off of each other's ideas and creativity. I read that the bright colors are visually stimulating, and enriching but even if that's not true, bright colors make people happy." Aria shrugged as she moved comfortably around the space.

Emily watched as tables of people worked together huddled around laptops, photos, and books. It had been a long time since Emily was part of a team, and she was eager to contribute in whatever way she could. Once past the open workspace Aria and Emily were met with what looked like a row of glass offices. They looked cozy but functional, one was occupied by a guy on the phone, rapidly writing sticky notes and sticking them to the glass walls. Another held a small team of 3, all focused on a whiteboard with different photos, discussing something.

"Sometimes it is beneficial to have dedicated space, so we have the pods, they're great for if anyone needs a quiet space to work or brainstorm without distraction," Aria lingered long enough for Emily to get a good look and then continued walking. "The closet is down this hall, Hanna our Style Director normally comes in around 10, she should be the one to show you around in there. Then there's my office which is this way." Aria continued to lead Emily around.

They came upon a moderate size office, from what Emily could see through the glass windows it was decorated differently than the rest of the floor, it kind of looked like a reading nook.

"You don't ever feel like you're in a fish bowl?" Emily had to ask, it seemed like there were no solid walls or doors on the whole floor, at least not that she had seen yet.

Aria laughed, "I wanted to convey transparency, both literally and figuratively. It's important to me that everyone feels connected and like we're all working toward the same goal."

Aria clearly had thought of everything both big and small and seemed really invested in teamwork and everyone's personal growth. Is this what would be expected of her attention to detail? Emily swallowed hard, nervous that she had nothing to offer the flourishing company. Aria and Emily walked toward another glass enclosure, this one maybe twice the size of Aria's office. It gleamed with importance and stood out amongst the rest. As they got closer Emily was again slack-jawed.

"And this," Aria spoke, her voice holding a tinge of reverence as she opened the door and ushered Emily inside. "Is Alison's office."

Aria gave Emily a chance to take it all in. The office was pristine, past magazine covers were blown up, framed, and hung on the walls. "I didn't know digital magazines had covers," Emily said. She didn't even know there was such a thing as an exclusively digital magazine until yesterday.

"They usually don't, but GLOW's covers are part of what sets us apart both in the digital and traditional space. It's Alison's favorite part of every issue, everything about it has to be perfect."

Emily noticed there were two desks inside the spacious office, one considerably smaller and closer to the door equipped with a phone, computer, and small filing cabinet next to it, otherwise, it was completely bare. "Is this my desk?" She asked.

Aria nodded and then glanced over at the time being displayed on the computer, 8:23. "It is, and you should start making yourself comfortable. Alison will be walking through that door in 7 minutes."

7 minutes? That's very precise. Emily shrugged off her jacket and hung it on the back of the rolling chair at her desk, but then saw Aria pointing to a nearby coatrack and she rushed to hang it there instead. She sat down and logged into the computer using the credentials she received yesterday. All while listening to Aria tell her where the bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, and other areas they didn't get to during the tour were located.

"There's also a pool…if you're interested in using it," Aria offered. "I recognized you as soon as you came off the elevator." She admitted.

"Oh..uh, yeah, maybe I will." Emily fumbled her words, but it didn't matter because the sound of high heels approaching pulled their attention to the door, just in time to see a blonde strolling in.

It wasn't Alison, Emily would have recognized her from the photos she saw online last night. Even with the sunglasses on. The blonde looked up from the floor surprised to see Aria and Emily looking back at her.

"Hanna, what are you doing here so early?" Aria asked, surprised as well.

"Alison called me at the ass crack of dawn…she wants me to go with her to Jemma Wynne this morning to see what they're offering this spring. Is she here yet?" Hanna answered while taking off her sunglasses and looking Emily over, her gaze wasn't scrutinizing just curious. "You look familiar." is all she said.

"Hanna this is Emily, Alison's new assistant. Emily this Hanna, GLOW's Style Director, " Aria introduced us.

"New assistant? I didn't even know she held interviews yet." Hanna quirked her brows.

"Because I didn't. I haven't even listed the job yet," Her voice took them all by surprise.

Emily glanced at the time, 8:30 on the dot and here she was, Alison DiLaurentis. Hanna turned on her heels and stepped aside, allowing Alison to step further into the office.

"Good morning, Ms Dilaurentis. I'm new Emily, your assistant." Emily held out her hand, rushing the words out and realizing her mistake as soon as she said it. "I mean, I'm Emily your new assistant." she corrected herself.

"No, actually you're not. I make all the final personnel decisions for GLOW and I did not hire you. I've never even met you, you're just a stranger standing in my office." Alison's voice was flat her expression unreadable. "I should call security."

"Alison," Aria interjected.

"Mrs DiLaurentis interviewed me yesterday but you're right you don't know me, maybe we can change that now. I can answer any questions you have." Emily said with patience.

"I only have one." Alison took out her phone ready to make good on her threat to call security. "You didn't think it was odd?" She asks.

Confused by the question Emily shakes her head slowly, "I didn't think what was odd…"

Alison rolled her eyes, "Clearly my mother wasn't looking for communication skills." she lets out an annoyed sigh. "You didn't think it was odd that she was interviewing assistants for me while I was out of the office yesterday? You didn't find it strange that you were interviewed and hired the same day to be the assistant to an Editor in Chief you've never met?"

"No." Emily lied.

Of course, she had thought about it. She thought about it when Mrs DiLaurentis crammed her interview, onboarding, and training into one day. She thought about it again when Toby commented on how fast things moved. She even thought about it this morning when Aria, like everyone else up to this point, seemed so confused and surprised by the fact that Alison had a new assistant. She just never let herself think too hard about it.

"So you're stupid," Alison said, narrowing her eyes at Emily.

"Whoa, Alison," It was Hanna's turn to interject. "Mrs D seems like the one you should be talking to about this."

"I will, as soon as we're back from Jemma Wynne," Alison told Hanna. "Aria, be a dear and help Emily gather her things, of course all company property needs to be returned, but" She set her eyes on Emily, "I'll let you keep the complimentary DiLaurentis McCullers Drake water bottle HR so graciously hands out to everyone." Alison leaned in like she was telling Emily a secret, a thin smile playing on her lips as she turned around to leave.

"I guess I didn't think about it too hard because I needed a job," Emily said hurriedly, seeing it was her last chance before she would be tossed out faster than she was hired. "And it's a great opportunity."

Alison stopped and after what felt like a few very long seconds turned around. "So you're not stupid." she looked at Emily as if she saw right through her, "You're desperate."

Emily looked over at Hanna and Aria, both of which seemed to be holding their breath. She closed her eyes briefly, bit the inside of her cheek, and turned her face back to Alison's. "Yeah, pretty desperate." She looked away, it was humiliating but not a lie and that's the only reason she was able to get the words out.

It felt like the air in the room was thinning, Emily kept her head down staring at her ankle boots but she could feel Alison's eyes on her.

"Stupid is a non-starter," Alison spoke, "but desperate…I can work with." something in Alison's tone told Emily she might regret not just packing up her things and leaving right then.

"S-so, I can stay?" Emily asked at the risk of being called stupid again.

"For now, " Alison told her before turning to Aria and Hanna. "I'm going to take new Emily to Jemma Wynne. Hanna since you're here, both you and Aria start finding me options for our June cover model. I've already given you the requirements."

"It would be easier if you told us the concept,"

"Absolutely not. Once we narrow it down, and start reaching out to the agents of our top picks, then and only then will I tell you the concept." The words flowed from Alison's mouth as if she'd said them a thousand times.

Alison's attention turned to Emily, her tone sugary sweet with only the faintest hint of malice, "New Emily?" She started, "Why aren't you calling for my car? I said we're leaving and you haven't moved."

Disinterested in the conversation happening around her, Hanna groaned, "I need coffee."

"Oh, uh, sorry." Flustered, Emily scrambled to gather her things and look up the number of Alison's driver in the system Martha showed her yesterday. Once she found it, she used the company cell to send a text telling the driver to be waiting out front. It felt like only seconds maybe a minute went by but when she looked up Hanna and Aria were gone, probably to get Hanna that coffee, and Alison's gaze bore into her, a mixture of impatience and disdain for already wasting her time.

Emily followed behind Alison as they made their way to the lobby, apparently, Alison didn't let anyone ride in the elevator with her so Emily had to wait for the next one. She made it to the lobby just in time to see Alison getting into a black Audi A8. Emily ran to catch up.

"Sorry," Emily apologized as she ran around to the empty side of the car and slipped in, trying to catch her breath. She looked over at Alison who looked disgusted with how heavy she was breathing. "Sorry," Emily apologized again.

Alison turned her head to look out her window as the car pulled away. Emily was expecting, no, hoping for a quiet car ride to give her some time to think, maybe even do a quick Google search on her phone for Jemma Wynne so she wouldn't be completely clueless when they arrived.

"Do you normally show up to work looking disheveled or did you just want to set the bar low on your first day?" Alison said, continuing to look out the window.

The words stung. Alison wasn't just abrasive she was downright rude. Emily thought about getting out of the car, before the day went any further, before she could be insulted anymore, but she didn't move. "I was told the GLOW office dress code was casual," she replied. During her brief tour, Emily had seen people in jeans, sweaters, sweatpants, and collared shirts, some people seemed very relaxed, others chose to dress up a bit more.

"Casual, not sloppy." Alison turned her head to look at Emily, eyeing her over. "No more hoodies."

"It's not a hoodie, it's a jacket," Emily tried to show where the hood was sewn into the lining of the faux brown leather jacket. Alison wasn't interested. "…a shacket" Emily said the word as if it was the latest fashion trend, hoping that maybe Alison had a sense of humor.

Emily could see she was wrong when Alison gave her an eye roll and looked back out her window. The rest of their ride together was silent, and Emily held her breath thinking if she breathed a little too hard Alison would turn her piercing blue eyes back onto her.

She was able to breathe for a moment when she and Alison arrived at Jemma Wynne. Once Emily spoke to the receptionist they were ushered into a private showroom where Alison was shown an abundance of necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets. Alison was meticulous in looking over every piece, her gaze was critical, going back to look at items several times before deciding to move on. Two women appeared while Alison was fixated on a long gold necklace.

"Alison, lovely to see you again!"

"Truly a pleasant surprise,"

"Always" Alison returned the sentiments…kinda.

Emily watched as the women exchanged greetings, it had only been a few hours since meeting her but Emily found it hard to believe anyone found Alison 'lovely' or 'pleasant'. She thought back to her interview with Mrs DiLaurentis, and how the woman was only concerned that Emily had a backbone and could be a professional. Emily maintained professionalism when Alison embarrassed her back at the office…no, wait, had Alison embarrassed her, or had she embarrassed herself by admitting she was desperate for the job? Emily couldn't decide. She was professional again when Alison took a shot at how she was dressed during the car ride, but she hadn't shown much of a backbone all morning.

Alison and the two women, who Emily was able to infer were the company founders, discussed the intricate details of Alison's choices, bespoke pieces, and turnaround times, all of which Emily paid close attention to. She didn't understand most of it but she knew if she wanted to keep this job she would have to learn. Fast.

"We would love to be featured in GLOW for a second time. We are still reaping the benefits of the first time you decided to show our pieces." One of the founders expressed, and Emily really wished she would have gotten an introduction so she would know who was who for her notes.

"We know it's early but please, a celebratory toast if you will. We won't tell if you won't." The other woman said to Alison as she poured out four glasses of champagne. She handed one to Emily with a polite smile.

"I do love a secret," Alison's smile was small, but genuine, Emily made a mental note of what it looked like.

The three women raised their glasses in a swift, synchronized motion. As the sparkling liquid cascaded down their throats, Emily, too, took a sip, only to be met with a chilling glare from Alison.

"Drinking on the clock, new Emily?" Alison's voice was cold, her expression hard as steel. "On your first day."

Her mouth still filled with champagne, Emily was unsure of what to do as the collective gaze of the three women intensified. Should she spit or swallow? Emily wasn't sure and made the split decision to let the liquid flow back into the glass, thinking it might salvage the situation. "Sorry," she murmured, her face hot with embarrassment.

"Disgusting." Alison's eyes were full of disapproval.

Alison managed a graceful exit, while Emily hung her head and decided she was grateful no introductions had been made. It would only amplify the humiliation she felt. The Audi was outside when they emerged onto the sidewalk and Emily realized Alison must had summoned the car at some point because she hadn't. As Emily reached for the car door handle she prepared herself for the next wave of embarrassment she would feel once they were alone, she pulled but the door was locked and she watched as the window rolled down and Alison leaned over.

"4 hours and 3 minutes," Alison's words we brief and ominous. "That's a new record."

Before Emily had a chance to say anything, ask anything, the window was being rolled back up. 4 hours..and 3, Emily pulled out her phone, it was 12:03. She watched as the car disappeared into the bustling New York streets. 4 hours and 3 minutes, Emily thought and when it clicked she felt so stupid. She had started at 8 am and managed to be Alison's assistant all of 4 hours and 3 minutes before being left in the middle of the street.

Stepping onto the sidewalk Emily knew Alison leaving her meant don't bother coming back to the office. She was sure to get a call by the end of the day from HR informing her that she was being terminated. She paced back and forth on the sidewalk, as her head started to spin with emotions, frustration being the most prevalent. She stopped her nervous pacing deciding she wasn't going to go home and sit around waiting to be fired. She'd go back to the DiLaurentis McCullers Drake offices and turn in her badge herself.