chapter thirty

Chapter thirty

Regan got dressed for work after obeying Lucy's command to stay home for at least a week more after his discharge from the hospital. He had happily obliged because that meant he had more time to spend with Elena but today he had to go to work he had missed two weeks and even though he enjoyed spending the whole week with Elena, it bugged him that he let his sister do the whole work. He kissed her goodbye and drove to the resort. The staff were surprised to see him after so long. They had heard of the poisoning but they hadn't expected such a speedy recovery. He walked to his office with his normal demeanor; cold, distant and nonchalant and he paid no heed to the looks on the faces of his workers. He owed them no explanation. His features softened as he passed his secretary's cubicle.

The moment her nose caught the strong scent of Creed Aventus, her head snapped toward the sound of clicking of shoes. He paused in his stride to wait for her very expected outburst. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas candle and a giddy smile crept up to her face. She quickly rose from her chair and wrapped him in an innocent hug. "Good morning, sir." She retreated from the hug and looked at him with happy, childish eyes. It had been very different with him away. Since the day the Leroy family had employed her, the siblings and her had formed a connection.

Regan looked at Arielle with a wormed smiled. The girl had obviously missed him. "Good morning Arielle." He patted her head and walked ahead of her into his office knowing very well that she would follow and she did. She had always been a lamb to him and had secured a spot in his heart. "How has it been around here?" he made his way to his chair and got comfortable.

"Personally, I was terrified when I found out that you were hospitalized. I thought you passed out due to stress. Lucy told me that it was a case of poisoning. I wanted to come over but I had work to do and I couldn't visit in the evening because I didn't know how Elena would take it. Speaking of Elena, I haven't even met her. But I am actually very happy that you are okay." She rambled.

Regan rubbed his temples with his fingers as he smiled. The fat tongue wouldn't take a break but he was used to her running mouth. "You missed me Ari, didn't you?" he chuckled.

"Don't get ahead of yourself sir. Besides, Elena wouldn't be happy with my reply now. And I find it rather heart breaking that you didn't bother to tell me that you both were an item now. Did you think that I wouldn't notice the way she disappeared within her first few weeks of work and then magically, you had a personal chef" she made inverted commas with her fingers, "I am not dumb sir." Arielle said with a pointed look and her hands akimbo.

Regan couldn't have asked for another secretary other than the one who stood in his office at the moment. Arielle was kind, funny, beautiful and smart and for the cherry on top, she was no white lotus. Alongside Lucy, she had shouldered his work when his parents had died and he had no doubt that she had done it again while he was in the hospital. There were very few people that he held close to his heart and Arielle was one of them.

"I am sorry, Ari. I am sure that you will get to see her soon." He knew he couldn't argue with her once her hands had gone akimbo. She was a typical nagging mother hen with that pose.

"That sounds more like It." She harrumphed and raised her chin like a rich arrogant lady.

Regan laughed at her. "Please, enough with the drama Ari. What is on my schedule today?"

A clipboard that he hadn't noticed made its way into his view. "Lucy handled all of the meetings while you were away so you don't have much to do save for the wedding reception preparation that is on-going in the west hall. The interior decoration team is already on it but you need to be there for ….. Final supervision. The couple is related to one of our biggest allies so they requested that either you or Lucy should supervise it personally. The event takes place the day after tomorrow and grace will send you the proceedings. She is the planner for the event." She took a breather and stared at her clipboard for any missed detail.

"Why do you still have that stupid clipboard? I gave you a tablet for goodness sake Arielle." He face-palmed himself, she was impossible sometimes.

"I like the clipboard." She hugged the thing possessively to her chest. "Besides I have entered it into the system, so why carry the tablet around?"

"Does that even make sense?" he asked no one in particular. This girl was a handful.

"The clipboard stays sir." She stated with finality.

"Okay." He said resignedly, "What else?"

"Nothing."

"Okay you can leave now."

"I actually have something to say."

"Sit down then." He loved the fact that she was very respectful. No matter how close they were, she never entered his office or sat down without permission.

She made herself comfortable on the chair that sat across the table from his. "I think Connor is behind the poisoning." Her voice was hushed as she talked.

"Why do you think so?"

"I don't know. I don't like the imp and it was hard for me to miss the way he looks at Elena sometimes. One time, I saw him lurking in the halls. I don't think he is up to any good. And why haven't you involved the police yet?"

"Ari, I know you mean well, but I don't think you should bother with this. I have involved the police. Let them do their work." He replied calmly.