Episode 6: Too Close To Ignore
588 Words
“Here is your coffee, sir.”
Arielle placed the tray gently on the small table beside Jay’s bed. The scent of coffee and warm cinnamon rolls filled the room.
Jay stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks.
She walked to the wardrobe, picked out two ties, and turned to him. “These would match better.”
Jay glanced at them, then at her reflection. “Which one?”
She chose one and stepped closer. “Turn a little.”
She moved in front of him, lifting the tie to his collar. Her fingers worked slowly, carefully, fixing the knot in place. He could feel her breath against his neck.
Jay stilled.
His eyes shifted to the mirror, watching her.
“Done,” she said softly, stepping back.
He cleared his throat and walked to the table.
He took a sip of coffee, then another.
“You made this?”
“Yes, sir.”
He picked up a cinnamon roll and tasted it. It was better this time.
He set it down. “My schedule.”
Arielle opened her notepad. “You have a board meeting by nine, a finance review before noon, and a meeting for the charity gala by one.”
She flipped a page. “Your mother is stable this morning. The doctor said she’s responding well to the medication.”
Jay nodded once.
“You also have …”
His phone rang.
He glanced at it. “Please wait outside.”
“Yes, sir.”
She stepped out quietly.
Jay answered by the window.
He listened, expression calm.
“Nothing?”
A pause.
“Alright.”
He ended the call and stood still for a moment.
No real information about Elle.
It was strange. He didn’t even know much about her himself, just pieces.
His phone was still in his hand. He typed quickly.
I’d like us to have dinner at my place this evening. I’ll send a car.
He sent it, then walked back to the door.
“Arielle.”
She stood up immediately. “Yes, sir.”
“Let’s go.”
The office felt different.
With Daria gone, everything now rested on Arielle.
She handled it, not perfectly, but well enough and Jay noticed.
The rest of the morning moved quickly, and there was barely time to breathe.
Soon, they left for the charity gala meeting at a different location.
Arielle sat beside him again, arranging documents and taking notes before he asked.
Mark stood nearby, stepping in when needed.
When the meeting ended, Jay stood, ready to leave.
“Jay, my boy.”
He stopped.
Frederick approached him with a faint smile. “You’re improving.”
Jay’s response came immediately. “Why does that interest you?”
Frederick studied him. “Mhmm. Still feisty. I heard about your fiancée, how is she?”
Jay’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t share details about my personal life.”
“I see. We’ll meet again.”
Frederick smiled and walked away.
Jay watched him go.
Frederick was his uncle, his late father’s brother. After his father died, he believed the company should have been his. He always saw it as his brother’s hard work. What he didn’t know was that Olivia had funded it from the start.
When Jay inherited the company, Frederick never accepted it. His disappointment slowly turned into resentment.
“Sir.”
Mark’s voice pulled him back.
“He’s up to no good,” Mark said quietly as they walked. “I’ll tighten security.
“Do that.”
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