RUMOURS AND GOSSIP

One hour later, I arrived at the Arman Inc., office building, and strode towards the executive suite. My heart skipped a beat, and I knew it was because Eli Marks had already arrived in his office and I was eager to see him. The campaign fundraiser for Senator Liam was tonight and I planned to attend it with Eli by my side just to get a kick out of Gregory Marks.

I walked to my office and the sight of a cup of coffee on my desk indicated that Eli must have checked with the security team to inform him just as I entered the building and rushed to place the cup on my desk. I walked over, picked up the cup, and sipped the coffee and my eyes voluntarily shut from the aroma that was almost indulgent as the coffee flowed over my mouth. It offered a gentle warmth that spread through, soothing and energizing all at once. He had made the cup of coffee just how I liked it, a perfect balance of taste and sensation, which left me with a feeling of contentment and a smile as I savored every last drop.

I placed the cup back on the table and walked to Eli's office. He was seated at his desk, immersed in his work, his focused demeanor a stark contrast to the frenetic pace of the outside world. His suit was a sleek, professional ensemble that highlighted his natural elegance.

I leaned on the door, taking in the sight of Eli with a mixture of admiration and longing. I left the door and approached his desk with my heart racing just a bit faster than usual.

"Good morning," I spoke up.

Eli looked up and then stood up hurriedly and responded "Good Morning Chairman Armand.

"Tonight, we have been invited to Senator Liam's Campaign fundraiser" I announced and watched the way his face could not mask the displeasure of my words.

"Do you need me to accompany you?" He asked but the words came out through gritted teeth.

"Yes. It's important we attend the event this year "I added and watched the way his shoulder sagged in annoyance.

He nodded and answered "As you wish Chairman Armand. Will that be all?"

"For now," I nodded and turned to leave his office as I felt a pang of anger, that he was dismissing me.

"Chairman Amand, I am not dismissing you, I just wanted to know if you needed me to do anything else?" Eli's voice rose from behind me.

Had he read through my disappointment? "I will inform you if anything else is needed" I spoke up and hurriedly rushed back to my office. The day went on with a blur and it was Jessel Ting who came knocking sometime in the afternoon.

"Brother" She waltzed into the office and perched herself on the empty seat next to my desk.

"What do you need?" I never raised my head and continued to work on the laptop.

"The gossip is too juicy. I sent my people to investigate, and do you know what they say? That Eli seduced you "

The hand that was typing on the keyboard paused for a minute and then I continued typing and asked "Seduced me? How could he seduce me? I am way older than him?"

"Bro, you are kidding, right? Do you even look at yourself in the mirror? If it weren't for your crunched face and dictating eyes, you would be declared the most handsome bachelor in Utah. "She huffed.

Her statement made me smile and I finally raised my eyes to her and asked, "What else did they say about your bro?"

"They say that you hired Eli to spite Gregory Marks "She leaned forward on the desk. "But I told them you are not a petty person. That is when I heard the story that you saved Eli Marks from his father's claws two years ago."

"Did I?" I leaned back on the leather chair and smirked.

"I did a background check on Eli. I found out that he is a man who stands out not only for his exceptional intellect but also for his refined professional demeanor. Even as your secretary he will bring in a unique blend of brilliance and poise to the role. He graduated top of his class in law school and passed the bar with high honors and his professors adore him. His appearance is always polished, with an attention to detail that mirrors his approach to work, and this is what the recommendation letters from his internship say. I sneaked into his office and his desk is a model of organization with a few well-chosen personal items, which shows his preference for both efficiency and elegance. And to top it all, he is only twenty eight years old" Jessel Ting stated.

"And in conclusion?" I raised one eyebrow at her.

"You hired him for his excellence and brilliance" She smiled and winked at me.

"Is that all you found out when you did a background check on him "I drawled.

"His mother was the secretary of Gregory Marks. Her family is a bunch of bright and genius people. She is a financial genius whose youth was taken away by that bastard and she gave back to Eli. Her brother is Sean Edins, the head of the automobile industry in Utah. That is where Eli's brilliance comes from "Jessel praised him.

The buzzing on my phone interrupted my conversation and the caller ID was Max "What is it "I spoke up when I connected the call.

"Chairman Armand, I am at your house, which suit should I bring you for tonight's event?" He responded.

"The gray crisp Armani suit "I responded.

"Noted Chairman Armand "He acknowledged.

"Next time, let Eli do this kind of errands "I added and disconnected the call and watched the way Jessel's eyes widened, and she stood up to leave.

"See you later at the event. I want to be there to keep my ears and eyes open and hear all the gossip about Chairman Armand and his new secretary Eli Marks. "She bounced us out of the office, and I wondered when she would ever grow up.

An hour later, Max arrived at the office with my suit and after a change of clothes, I pressed the intercom on the phone and instructed Eli "Come to my office."

"Yes, Chairman Armand" The response came through as I stood up and walked to the window to stare at the clear sky of Utah. In less than a minute Eli had arrived in my office, and he spoke up" Chairman Armand what do you need?"

I turned around and Eli had changed his suit to a gray one with white lines and it fit his body like a glove. He wore a black shirt inside and he had not buttoned the last two buttons at the top. I was stunned for a second as my eyes raked his body up and down and then spoke up "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Chairman Armand" He answered and added a nod as I watched him rub his hand on his sides anxiously.

I picked up the phone from the desk and stated, "Come on, I am sure everyone is waiting for my arrival."