Chapter 34

Ava pov

I was in my office when Susan briskly walked in. This was my first time seeing her today as I came into work earlier than she did as per usual.

I was currently organizing my desk and this week, timetable since it was Monday morning. I tried looking through the notes that were left behind from the temporary assistant, but it was no help whatsoever.

'Ava, I'm so happy to see you back at work. I'm glad you are well enough to be back' Susan exclaimed once she saw me at my desk.

'Thank you, Susan. I'm so happy to be back If I am being truly honest I missed work and being in the office'

'I'm sure you did. The office was not the same without you'

I smiled not having any other thing to say to her.

'Since you are alright now, I was hoping to have a little get together. Nothing big, just a night out for drinks or dinner'

She continued 'you have been curious to know who I'm seeing so I finally feel comfortable enough to share and also he really wants to meet you as I have done nothing but sing your praises'

'Oh, that's lovely. I want to meet him; you seem to be happy lately' I noted

'He makes me extremely happy and since you are my friend, I want to finally have a double date. You can invite Damien, or will it be Aiden?' She asked causing me to be a little taken a back.

'It depends who has the time' I spoke dismissing the change of tone in her voice.

'Well, if you know who you will take let me know' she smiled showing all her teeth

' I was thinking it would be great if we had dinner and a few drinks. I've talked to the guy I'm with and he only has time this evening. The rest of the week he is extremely busy' she further explains.

'Alright, I should be able to make it for this evening then. I wouldn't miss it'

'I'm so glad. Hopefully who ever you're bringing can make it to. It would be so fun' she exclaimed enthusiastically but it came out forced.

'I will be taking my leave now, so happy to see you back at the office' she said once again while making her way towards the door.

She opened the door but suddenly freezes 'Ava I am not sure if you are aware but there are pictures of you and Aiden all over the magazines and media'

'Wait what? what do you mean by that?' Confusion was the only explanation to express how I was feeling right now.

'Someone has been following you and Aiden around for months capturing moments of you and him' she exclaimed but surprisingly in a calm manner

'Why would pictures of myself and Aiden be the topic of discussion for these blogs? I'm just his pa'

'Ava, I don't know why. I was shocked to see your pictures all over the tabloids last week'

'Where is the magazine, I want to see them' I almost screamed while speaking those words.

Susan quickly walked out of my office and within seconds was back in with several magazines in her hand.

'Here they are, those are the ones I've seen not sure if there are more magazines or not' she explained while dropping them in front of me on my desk.

In all the magazines Aiden and I were on the front cover. I frantically picked one up and looked through it.

They were saying all types of outrageous stuff about Aiden and I but mostly about me. It is as if they were trying to tarnish my name when they truly don't know who I am.

Some were saying that I was the cause of Aiden and Miranda's break up.

Others were saying that I slept my way to the top.

This is too much. Why would I be a subject of discussion for the media. I've done nothing wrong. I worked hard to get to where I am.

I flicked through serval articles each one getting more and more outrageous than the pervious.

One article claimed that a source close to me told them all of this. They claimed that the source explained to them that I was with Aiden and he was financially supporting me in more ways than paying my salary for the work that I do in the office.

I felt my blood boiling. I didn't know whether to lash out in anger or allow the tears that were gathering in my eyes to fall.

Why am I being put in this situation. Why are they targeting me? Why me? Someone that isn't even on social media. I don't draw attention to myself, in fact attention makes me extremely uncomfortable yet they are doing just that.

'I'm surprised you didn't hear about this sooner. I told Mr. Morgan and I even showed him the same magazines last week' Susan spoke out once again providing me with information I did not know about.

'He did? Why didn't he tell me. I had seen him every day, last week yet he doesn't disclose this type of gossip about me to me'

'I don't know what was his thought process behind that' Susan spoke with what sounded like uncertainty in her voice.

'I need to see him at his office. I'm so angry right now. Why would he not tell me?'

I got up from my chair immediately, rushing out of my office and making my way towards Mr. Morgan's office.

I knocked on the door, I didn't wait for him to answer before I opened it and walked in.

'Ava, how are you? What's wrong?' He looked up from his desk looking confused.

'Why didn't you tell me about what was being said about me in the tabloids?' Cutting straight to the point.

'What do you mean?' He asked confused

'The media has pictures of us and all types of heinous rumors about you and me but mostly me' I almost yelled in frustration.

'Ava, I had that dealt with. Yes, they were making articles and magazines initially but after speaking to a few people they can't mention your name anymore in a negative light. All the magazines from the stores were pulled'

'How did you find out about this?'

'Susan told me' I barely uttered.

'Why didn't you tell me, why would you keep this from me?' I said finding the strength to voice out the anger that I felt within.

'I knew you would react like this. I didn't want you to feel horrible about the lies that are being spread about you'

Aiden walked closer to where I stood and suddenly embraced me in a hug.

'I didn't want you to be consumed with the media and how they love spinning narratives'

'You are nothing like they describe you to be, these people don't know you at all. They just want to sell false lies to the gullible' Aiden reassured while placing his head on top of mine.

'One magazine said they had an inside source'

'I am working on finding out who that may be. Ava, I did not in any way act in a malicious manner when I decided not to tell you. I was doing it in an effort to protect your sanity' Aiden spoke sincerely.

'Is this how it feels for you constantly?' I asked knowing that he is always in the media. Everyone and their momma have something to say when it came to Mr. CEO.

'It takes a toll sometimes especially when you know for a fact that what is being said about you is nothing but lies. I start to question the people around me, but I have to learn how to live with it. It is the less glamorous side of running an empire'

'I would hate that, growing up in the spotlight that is'

It is a nightmare, but every time I come across my name in the media it reminds me that I am still very much relevant. Although I would love for only positive things to be talked about me, the negative can also be a benefit sometimes'

'If you say so' was all I could say.

'Ava if you can't work today it's perfectly fine. You can go home for the day'

'I've only just got here. I think I can survive for today'

'Ava, I'm not giving you an option go home'

'I-'

There was a knock on the door. Before Aiden could answer, the door swung open.

Revealing a frantic Susan 'Is everything okay. Ava you were really upset'

'I'm fine Susan, Mr. Morgan explained everything to me' I replied as I pulled away from Aiden.

'That's great then, Will you still be having dinner with us tonight'

Before I could respond she turned around to Aiden 'Mr. Morgan we are having dinner tonight and a few drinks nothing too much. Ava does not have anyone to bring so if you could join us that would be great'

Susan looked from me to Aiden. I turned slightly and from the corner of my eyes I could see Aiden's hesitation.

'I have piles upon piles of paperwork to get through so attending tonight would be hard, but I will work my schedule to fit it in' I noticed he turned to my direction as he said this.

'That would be great, I can't wait for you two to meet the person I am currently dating. I've told him so much about the both of you and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the great CEO Mr. Morgan, those are actually his exact words' she exclaimed with glee.

'That would be great, I look forward to the dinner then and meeting this person that is a fan of me' Mr. Morgan spoke after Susan had displayed her obvious excitement about tonight.

This should be fun.... It would be highly anticipating meeting this guy Susan has so desperately tried to hide.

Let's see what tonight brings.

--------------------------------

Heyy everyone, I hope you are all well and safe. I hope you enjoyed this chapter I wanted to post a bit more as I have been slacking and I haven't been consistent lately. Tell me what you think so far. Do you still think Susan is up to something still? Or do you think she is misunderstood and is just trying to be a nice person but is misunderstood? Do you think Aiden was wrong for not telling Ava? Let me know what you think. I love reading all your theories. Please like, comment, share and follow. Stay blessed and see you in the next one.