Chapter 30

Aiden's point of view

Work has been hectic today especially because I had to add tomorrow's plans on top of my already busy schedule.

I yawned feeling tired and feeling the coffee I drank four hours ago start to wear off.

'Come in' I called out after I heard a knock on the door.

'Mr. Morgan. Is there anything I can do for you? I know it's hard since Ava isn't here' Susan said as she came into my office.

Susan has been acting extremely available these past few days. She knows her job isn't to be my personal assistant, yet she continues to ask if I need any favors.

This would be her third time asking if I needed her assistance. She asked two times yesterday and this very moment can also be added to the list.

I have noticed she has been falling behind on her work. Time and time again I see people waiting to be attended to while standing or sitting in the hallway when I leave my office for one thing or another.

I did warn her about her incompetence in the past, but it is now getting to the point where she is not doing her job properly at all nor is, she trying to do it right.

These past few days has not gone as good as I would have hoped. Not having Ava in the office has truly disorganized my plans for the week.

The new assistant that I had hired last minute on a temporary basis isn't entirely awful, but she doesn't know exactly how I prefer things to be organized like Ava does.

If I didn't realize it before now, I do. Ava is a great asset to this company. She knows how to keep me on track and always has my best interest at heart.

Speaking of Ava, I need to check up on her to make sure she is feeling okay at home.

I picked up my phone that was placed beside me on my desk. I texted' I hope you are feeling good today? Work has been hectic, but I should be over at your place at around eight'

I looked at my phone for a bit waiting to see if she would reply straight away.

'Sir'

I turned my head towards Susan who stood there awkwardly watching my every move and waiting for me to address her.

I had completely forgotten she was in the room.

'Susan... I don't need any assistance at the moment. You can go and attend to the awaiting visitors'

'Okay sir' she replied looking defeated turning around to leave the room.

I went back to the paperwork that was in front of me. I was about to fully settle back into the task at hand when I got a notification.

I picked up my phone to see it was a message from Ava. It read 'Hey, I'm great thank you. I have been in bed since so I haven't done much today. I will be cooking tonight so bring an empty stomach'

I didn't realize I had a smile on my face while reading this. Ava's positive and somewhat carefree energy is extremely contagious.

Being around her does something to your soul it's as if both souls recognize each other.

I recall her mentioning she was extremely good at cooking when we had dinner the other night.

Ever since that night I have been eager to taste food from her and tonight is the big reveal.

'Oh, what would you be making Chef Ava' I texted back.

I dropped my phone on my desk once more and continued to do the ridiculous amount of paperwork.

The familiar 'ding' sound went off. I quickly picked up my phone not wasting anytime to see what her reply was.

I opened up the message and it simply said 'steak and chips'

My mouth watered at the mention of steak. I haven't had steak in a long time. If she does this right, I will literally have to pay her to cook for me.

Before placing my phone back on the table, I wrote 'I can't wait to have it'

I honestly can't wait for this day to be over. We also planned a hiking trip which reminds me I haven't had the time to hike in years.

Running this cooperation has been the prime focus. I have had to abandon many hobbies as a result of this company demanding so much of my time.

Ava and I's hiking trip should be a good change for the both of us since I'm assuming, she would want to leave her apartment for a couple of hours.

A sudden thought came into my head. It just dawned on me that I haven't gotten any of the equipment necessary for our hike.

I picked up my phone and immediately called Susan back in my office.

In a matter of moments, she rushed into the room eager to finally be needed.

'I want you to order two hiking equipment and outfits'

Now that I'm saying it, I'm not exactly sure what size Ava wears.

I thought of texting her, but it may take time for her to reply, Susan is her friend she should know since she has gotten her ready before.

'Susan I would like a large in the hiking outfits. Top and bottom. Size twelve shoes'

'Okay sir. What about the sizes of the second hiking outfit, would it be the same?'

'No. The second outfit is for Ava' saying this Susan's eyes perk up a bit 'I am not entirely sure what size it is and since you are her friend, I am hoping you know'

'Yes...sir I know her size and I should be able to find an outfit that fits' Susan exclaimed suddenly looking uncomfortable.

'Thank you, Susan, when you find the outfits that are the right sizes can you send them to me so that I can pick which one is better suited?'

'Yes, sir I will do just that'

'You can leave now'

Without a word Susan turned around and made her way to the door.

I looked at the files in front of me on the desk and immediately started going through the paperwork.

Over thirty minutes had gone by with no interruptions. When I lifted my arms to stretch them, I heard a soft knock on the door.

I stretched fully and slowly placed my arm back on my desk.

I looked towards the door and said 'come in'

Susan once again walked in but this time she held a magazine in her hand as well as her phone.

'Sir you have to see this' she exclaimed as she walked quickly towards my desk. She placed the magazine in front of me with the page she wanted to show opened.

'Sir, this was published this morning'

I took a closer look at what exactly she wanted to show me.

I was surprised at what I saw. It was pictures of Ava and myself. The pictures were taken in the different locations we had been in together.

There was one of Ava and I skating. In one picture in particular you could see that I held Ava by the waist while she tried to keep me balanced as we skated.

By the angle the picture was taken anyone would think the situation was more than what it actually was.

I turned my attention to the picture that was taken of Ava as she was leaving her apartment. In the picture she wore a pair of black leggings and a jumper.

On that particular day her hair was tied up, so it was evident that she wasn't going to work but heading outside for something else.

Who was taking these photos and why are they targeting Ava? I can understand pictures of me on magazines or on the internet but why Ava?

A headline caught my eye 'is this who Aiden Morgan the CEO of 'Morgan limited' is messing around with'

Another on read ' scandal in the office!! CEO can't keep his hand off his PA'

This is utter rubbish. The media can spin whatever narrative they want about me but do not get Ava involved in this mess.

Someone needs to get fired and quick.

'Susan-'

'Sir, there is more' she said as she started pressing her phone screen.

'I saw this too. On 'gossip mag'

She handed me her phone and I looked at the screen only to see more pictures of Ava and I together. The angles that the pictures were taken makes the situation look more scandalous than they actually are. In the pictures it seemed that we were more than just employee and employer.

One picture in particular was of us leaving the hospital on Monday evening after Ava was discharged from the hospital another was of us having coffee in the cafe after ice skating.

'Susan get me the number of both publishers right now' I ordered feeling my blood boiling.

Ava doesn't deserve this type of negative press whatsoever. I wonder if she has seen it. If she has, she would have tried to contact me, which makes me think she hasn't.

I would prepare if she never does, she does not have to see what is being said about her from people who have no clue who she really is.

I will have to call them immediately and have this mess dealt with.

'Susan, I said get the numbers of the publishers or editor. I don't care what number you get I just need to get in contact with somebody right this instant' I barked.

'Yes, sir. I will get the numbers of these magazines' she exclaimed as she made her way outside of my office quickly.

I looked at the magazine in front of me again. I picked up the first half of it and turned it so that I could look at the front.

I had reached my boiling point when I saw that we were on the front page. It was Ava and I at the restaurant from the other night where we had dinner in the fancy French restaurant.

Who is taking these pictures and why did I not notice that we were being followed. This is utterly outrageous.

I bent my head in front of me and put my hands through my hair releasing a frustrated growl. This day truly just took a massive turn for the worst.

The door opened once more, and Susan briskly made her way towards me.

'Sir, I have the numbers of both magazines'

She said as she placed the paper, she had the numbers written in front of me.

'I want you to dial the first number tell them I want to speak to them then hand me the phone' I explained how I wanted this conversation to be carried out.

Susan took the phone that was on my desk. She pressed one of the two phone numbers on the piece of paper. She waited as the phone rang, eventually someone picked up on the other end.

'Hello, Gossip mag limited. How can I help you?'

'Mr. Morgan from Morgan limited will like to speak to the person in charge at your office' Susan spoke.

'Okay, I will transfer you to their line, please wait for a short while' she exclaimed. There was soft music playing through the phone as we waited for the line to be transferred to the head of department.

'Hello, Mr. Johnson speaking' a rusty voice spoke through the phone after the short wait.

'Yes, Mr. Johnson Mr. Morgan will like to speak to you?'

Susan handed the phone over to me and I held it with my hand and said.

'Mr. Johnson. I need you to do something for me'

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Hello, everyone I hope you are well. Chapter 30 is up and I'm excited about this because for a long time I didn't think I would actually write up to this level. I hope you like this chapter. What do you guys think of Susan's behaviour while Ava is gone? Do you think Aiden is overreacting with the magazine pictures or do they really have a stalker? Let me know what you think. Thank you to everyone who has supported and endured this book up to this point its greatly appreciated. If you haven't already, please check out my youtube channel the link is in my bio. See you all in the next chapter!!!