Chapter 39

Aiden's point of view

'Maxwell, as I told you yesterday, we are launching new products for our hotel branches'

'Follow me' I guided him around the spacious room which had all our products displayed 'as you can see the team has placed the ranges in the appropriate section.

'For example,' 'come closer... here are the hand cream section, over here are the hand wash products'

'We have the body wash section there and body cream over there beside it' I motioned to the different products. 'We separated them to show the difference in sizes within a range. We are aware that not everyone wants or needs the same size and also our customers can take a bag of products as a parting gift from our hotels'

Not waiting for his response, I said ' if you turn around over here this is all the different ranges.

'I want this to be shown first in the leaflets and website' I explained directing his action to the section where all the products from hand wash to body creams were placed.

'So, I'm going to need you to take a few pictures, different lighting, then show them to me. Once I am happy with them, I will direct it to the department in charge of this project'

'Alright sir. Thank you so much you have no idea how much you have saved my company'

'As in' I asked wanting to know if what he just confessed to meant more.

'Unfortunately, I have not been able to find work that is of course before Susan hired me... before Susan directed me to you and got me hired by you'

'Well, I have to get going. I will be at my office if you need anything. Ask a member of staff for a beverage if you need one' I explained to him before taking my exit and leaving him to complete the task.

I made my way over to my office which will not take me long to get to since it was close to the room I was in previously.

Everything in the office continued as usual. All except for the rumors concerning Ava and how she is no longer working with us.

It had only been a day since the incident yet the news at the office spread quick and everyone had their various speculations.

Of course, no one dared to come to me direct to ask in fear of being fired also. The only person who seemed to be bold enough was Susan yesterday, but she believed she had a legitimate reason which was concern for Ava's wellbeing.

Since yesterday Susan has been the one to assist me with a few things in the office.

I am yet to get a new personal assistant not because I can't hire one immediately but because I want to keep my eye on Susan.

Having her pose as my part time PA for now allows me to observe any suspicious behavior.

Of course, she may be completely innocent in this and I may be off the trail completely, but I have to start somewhere.

I am still debating whether or not to get a private detective.

Since this morning I have had Susan do a few office work for me. Of course, I couldn't get her to do everything Ava did because for one she is not skilled as a PA and two she is also the receptionist meaning she also had additional work.

So, her plate is extremely full at the moment, but she doesn't seem to be complaining in fact she gave me the impression she loved her newfound position.

I can't help but notice that she seems to have a smile on her face more often than usual.

Then again it has only been twenty-four hours so that is not enough time to judge but I thought it was rather off.

Perhaps it's because she is desperately trying to please me since she's doing two jobs or it's deeper than that.

I was about to unlock my door when I heard Susan speak behind me.

'Mr. Morgan would you like anything. As you can see there is no one here so I have time to complete any task'

I turned around and saw her standing four feet away from me with her hands in front of her.

Of course, she had a smile on her face. I haven't seen anything but a smile since yesterday. She looked me in the eye awaiting my response.

'Susan I'm perfectly fine'

'I saw files on your table earlier perhaps I can organize them so that it's easier for you to work through them' she exclaimed desperately trying to look for a task she can complete for me.

'Susan as I explained before I am content for now. If I need anything, I will let you know. Stay at your desk and wait for visitors to arrive so that you can attend to them'

A fraction of her smile fell but she adjusted it to its original position before it could be noticed 'that's okay sir. I'm available when you need me'

'Alight Susan' I replied back before turning around once more to enter my office.

Susan was right, my desk had files all over it. It seemed like it was never ending. The more I get through the more there is to go through.

I let out a sign and walked to my desk. I placed myself on the seat and reached into my pocket to pull out my phone.

I looked to see if I had gotten any messages back but there was nothing which I half expected but I was hoping I would get a text back.

Since last night I've been trying to reach out to Ava, but she has of course been ignoring me. I've called texted and even emailed but not a thing back.

She clearly doesn't want anything to do with me but I'm afraid if she keeps ignoring me things won't get better.

The board members are not taking this likely at all. If news gets to my father things will get ugly.

Of course, they must go through me first before they can go to my father since I'm the current executive director but with what is going on anything is possible.

It will not take long before the tabloids hear of this if they haven't already and with my father, he keeps up with the world around him.

Anything seriously negative concerning the company he is immediately on the phone contacting who ever can give him further details.

He is the last person I want knowing about this.

I decided to call Ava's number one more time. I listened as the familiar buzzing noise continued to play.

Each one that went by I became hopeful that the next would be the one I heard Ava's voice instead, but I was incredibly disappointed.

I texted her for what felt like the hundredth time before placing my phone back into my pocket.

I picked up the phone in my office and proceeded to call her. Hoping she would pick not knowing it's me.

To my dismay that didn't work either.

There was a knock on the door.

'Come in'

I watched as the door swung open revealing Maxwell who looked extremely excited.

'I've finished taking the pictures' Maxwell announces while looking through them on his camera making his way over to where I sat.

He stood beside me and brought his camera closer to me so that I could see the first shots he took.

'These are the ones I took with normal day light'

I took the camera from him to get a better look.

'You press over here to show the next picture and over here to go back to the previous' he explained pointing at the direction sections of the camera as he spoke.

I looked through the first few shots and I must admit they are not bad. He truly captured the products well, but I wasn't satisfied with them.

I proceeded to look through more of the shots he took.

'These are the ones I took with the blinds closed and the camera flash on' he further explained as he placed his hand on my shoulders.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable I shifted my body a little bit that did not help or give him a hint.

'Maxwell, can you move your hand' I asked sternly.

'Oh, sorry sir I didn't realize' he explained laughing nervously.

I ignored it and continued to look at the pictures.

'So, Maxwell, you mentioned you were not working for a while before I hired you' I asked recalling his exact words to me in the other room.

'Yes sir, I was out of work. As you may know the photography business is dying out slowly so finding someone who wants to enter into a contract with me and someone, I can work with constantly is extremely difficult'

'So, what did you do to support yourself during periods of no employment?'

'I complete a few photography sessions here and there. Just to take some pictures for people but it was once off'

'Alright. How long have you had your company for?'

I've asked this question previously, but I wanted to catch him in a lie.

'I've had it for about five years now' no lie detected.

After looking through them and being satisfied with the outcome of most, I said 'Maxwell have the shots with the flash on and the shots you changed the lighting printed and back at my office today' I demanded as I gave him back his camera which he took from my grasp.

'I will have them printed right away. It will not take long sir as my home is close by' he explained as he hurriedly took his portfolio and his camera in hand.

I should be back in thirty minutes he exclaimed before closing the door behind him.

I picked up the phone and rang the receptionist desk ' Hello' Susan's voice echoed through the phone.

'Susan I will like a cup of coffee black no milk nor sugar bring it to my office when you are free from the attending to visitors'

'I'm free now, I will have it over to you in a short while' Susan replies immediately.

She said she was free but yet I hear people's voices in the background.

Not wanting to bring it up as I was desperate for coffee. Only coffee can help me get through this awful day.

I feel like I've gotten nowhere. No obvious clue on who to watch nor have I gone through the paperwork currently on my desk.

I can't help but feel today was unproductive. Ava May never want to speak to me and I may never get to the bottom of this growing problem.

I need a break.

There was a knock on the door which I gave the person permission to enter.

Susan immediately came rushing in with a tray in her hands upon hearing my invite.

She walked over to my desk again with an unavoidable smile on her face.

'Here you go sir' she spoke as she placed the tray in front of me on my table.

'I thought you'd like to have a few sandwiches and biscuits since it's been a while since you've had your last meal' she spoke as she proudly pointed and the different items on the tray.

'That's nice of you Susan'

'Thank you sir' she exclaimed looking pleased with herself.

'You may leave now' I told her.

'Alight sir I will be back to take the tray' she exclaimed making her was to the door and closing it behind her.

Once I was alone, I reached for the cup of coffee and took a sip out of it. I relaxed as the familiar taste hit my taste buds.

I picked up a biscuit and bit into it.

There was another knock on the door.

Assuming it was Susan I told her to come in. To my surprise it was a member of the board of directors.

He peered his head through the door and said 'Sir you have a meeting right now'

For heaven sakes why didn't Susan inform me that I had a meeting at this very moment.

I placed the coffee down and asked 'is there anything I need to bring as you know my PA was fired so everything is a bit hectic at the moment'

'You need to bring a few documents that was given to you to be previewed in advance of this meeting' Mr. Williams said.

'What is the name of the meeting so that I can try and find it'

'The title at the front reads 'Quote Tech Zone' in bold. Since that's the company we are dealing with today'

'Let me help you find it as we are already late' Mr. Williams suggested as he left the door and made his way to my scattered table.

We were both searching for the document that Ava had probably informed me about and I had told her to leave on my desk as I do with the other documents.

There was a knock on the door once again without waiting for a reply the door opened and Maxwell walked right in with his portfolio.

'Sir I have the pictures printed out' he said as he walked towards the desk.

'Maxwell as you can see, I am extremely busy right now. I have a meeting I was not aware of and I have to be in attendance at this exact moment. If you could drop the pictures on the cabinet right over there' I pointed towards the cabinet on my left 'I will go through them when I have the time'

Upon hearing my instruction, he reached into his portfolio and took out the pictures he had printed out.

He walked over to the cabinet and placed them on top.

'Sir I will be back tomorrow and hopefully we can discuss more' he said turning around and heading towards the direction of the door.

'Maxwell before you go, do you mind taking this tray to Susan as I have no time to. You will find her at the receptionist desk' I asked while lifting the tray towards him.

' No problem sir' as he reached out to take the tray out of my hand.

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Hey everyone, chapter 39 is officially out!!! What is your opinion of Maxwell? Susan is looking a little bit too happy for someone that has just lost a work mate. Ava still doesn't want to talk to Aiden. Unbeknown to her Aiden is actually trying to do something and her ignoring him can be extremely detrimental. Do let me know what you guys think and who you think is behind this.