Chapter 11&12 ; The Scandal
1861 Words
¶ A LUXE Ventures
The low hum of the city filtered through the tall windows of his office, but Alex Grayson barely heard it. His fingers tapped idly against the edge of his desk as he leaned back in his chair, gaze fixed through the glass wall that separated his office from hers.
There she was.
Ava.
Her head was bent, fingers flying across the keyboard, concentration stitched into every delicate feature. She was too damn composed for someone he’d spent weeks trying to rattle. He’d been cold. Arrogant. Intentionally dismissive. But she didn’t flinch.
Not once.
She took everything he threw and threw nothing back. No complaints. No weakness. No disrespect.
She didn’t fold.
And that… annoyed him. No—worse. It intrigued him.
His eyes narrowed slightly, trailing the curve of her jaw as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She had no idea he was watching, yet she still managed to command his attention.
He watched her stand up, straightened her skirt and headed to he's office door.
A soft knock.
The door creaked open, and there she was—stepping in, notebook in hand, eyes clear.
“The Chairman is here,” she said, her voice as even as always.
He gave a short nod. “Let him in.”
She turned to leave, and he watched her again—just for a second too long.
Outside, the door clicked shut behind her.
Alex sat up, straightening his cuffs as the handle turned again. Ava greeted the Chairman respectfully, her voice soft through the crack in the door. He heard his father respond, “Is he treating you well?”
There was a pause.
Ava didn’t speak, only smiled gently and stepped aside to let him in.
But before she moved away completely, her eyes flicked toward Alex.
He was already looking at her.
Caught.
She blinked once, then turned and walked back to her desk. Calm. Untouched. Unbothered.
Alex exhaled sharply through his nose and turned his attention to his father.
But her image stayed burned into his mind.
Damn her.
The office door shut with a soft thud as Mr. Grayson Dolan stepped in, his tailored suit crisp, his presence loud even in silence. He didn’t head straight to the desk. No—he strolled to the liquor shelf like he owned the damn place. Technically, he did.
“I hope you’re not overworking the poor girl,” the Chairman said as he poured himself a glass of sparkling water. “She looked like she’s seen things.”
Alex didn’t look up. “She’s my secretary. She’s supposed to see things.”
Mr. Grayson chuckled. “God, you’re still as cold as a Siberian winter.” He sipped. “But listen, I’m serious. Are you treating her well?”
Alex’s jaw twitched slightly. “Dad…”
“I’m just saying. Because Natalie was bad doesn’t mean every other woman is. You have to put that behind you.”
At the sound of that name, Alex’s eyes darkened. A storm cloud rolled behind them.
“I don’t care about Natalie,” he said flatly. “And I told you not to make Ava my secretary, but you did anyway. I know exactly what you’re trying to do. But it won’t work.”
The Chairman smirked, full of fake innocence. “What? Me? I would never meddle.”
Alex gave him a deadpan stare. “You’re always meddling, Dad.”
*
Ava’s heels clicked lightly against the marble floor as she walked back to her desk, her heartbeat still annoyingly off rhythm.
She didn’t miss the way Alex had looked at her before the Chairman entered—like he was trying to read something in her. She hated that it made her spine tingle.
She sat down, exhaled slowly, and opened her laptop.
Focus.
But even as she tried to organize the documents for the gala, her ears were half-tuned to the conversation happening inside that glass office behind her.
She couldn’t hear the words—thankfully—but the sight of Mr. Grayson laughing with Alex, then gesturing animatedly, reminded her of how different they were. Alex was stone; his father was warmth. Somehow, Ava found herself stuck between both.
She rubbed her temples, then reached for the gala guest list.
Her mind flickered back to the fitting the day before. The dress. The look on Alex’s face when the stylist revealed it. He hadn’t said anything, but she’d caught the pause in his breath.
Had she imagined it?
“Ugh,” she whispered under her breath, shaking her head. “Snap out of it, Ava.”
Men like Alex Grayson didn’t get affected. They calculated. Observed. Controlled.
Ontop of that she wasn't even he's type!?
“An overly hot, egoist that's what he is” Ava muttered feeling her chest tighten at the thought.
And she was just a piece on his very expensive chessboard. Nothing more.
—♣
Mr. Grayson walked toward him, dropped onto the chair across the desk and crossed one leg over the other, he's walking stick clutched tightly.
“Well, she’s not bad, you know. I dug into her background—don’t give me that look, you would’ve done the same. She’s intelligent. Sharp. Grounded. I won’t appreciate you bullying her.”
Alex’s mouth twitched. A smirk formed.
“Bully her? Did she tell you that?”
“She didn’t need to,” the Chairman said, wagging his finger. “But I know you are.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I’m not a high school kid, Dad. I just gave her work. As my secretary. To test her capabilities.”
Mr. Grayson burst out laughing. “That sounds exactly like something a high school kid would say.”
Alex leaned back, exhaling. “Then fire her.”
“No.”
“Of course not.”
They stared at each other for a second.
Mr. Grayson sipped again, then set his glass down with a theatrical sigh.
“Anyway,” he said, straightening a bit, “about the gala…”
Alex raised a brow. “What about it?”
“I assume you’re ready,” the Chairman said, eyes narrowing just slightly. “This year’s Luxe Charity Gala is going to be massive. We’ve got international press, brand executives, politicians, sharks, old enemies pretending to be friends… you know, the usual beautiful crowd.”
“I’m aware.”
Mr. Grayson leaned forward, voice dropping. “And you’re taking Ava, right?”
Alex blinked. “She’s attending as my assistant.”
“Not with you?”
Alex chuckled. “She’s going as part of the company, not as a date. Don’t start.”
Silence.
The Chairman sighed, sitting up.
“Just don't make the same mistake I made Alex..... you don't have all the time in the world, And besides I heard the board members have been discussing something very unpleasant ”
Alex raised an eyebrow “Let me guess... they want to take my position?”
“So you know and you aren't doing anything about it?”
“Thats simply because this company can't stand without me ”. Alex muttered looking unbothered and the chairman chuckled.
“But you do know what they want Alex...The Diamonds have been looking for a way to make me and the board members vote you out.... you know the rules ”. The chairman said seriously before leaving and Alex sighed tiredly.
The board members including he's dad had been finding a way to get him to date but he doesn't want to.
“Soo annoying ”. Alex mumbled trying to relax he's head.
Just then a soft knock sounded and Ava stepped in.
“Sir, the board members called for an emergency meeting... And a rumor has been circulating ". Ava stated looking distressed as she handed Alex a tablet and Alex's eyes twitched .
”HEADLINE; ALEXANDER GRAYSON IS GAY!!
Photos of him intimate with another guy filled the screen and he's eyes darkened.
Not to talk about the comments.... The internet was on FIRE!
*
¶Board room
Board members mumurmed among themselves.
”How can he let this happen!“
”Maybe,he is gay“. Mr diamond sneered trying to get other members to agree with him.
He was the chairmans elder brother.
He got married to a woman their late father didn't approve of and he took the company from him and gave it to Dolan (the chairman) and what made it worst was that he had three girls and one son as the last born who was only twenty years old.
He had been finding a way to make Alex look unfit for the position and the newest headline seemed like something that can help.
”But he was once rumoured to be dating Natalie Portman, the superstar model “
”That was years ago and besides their relationship didn't last “
The Chairman's secretary stepped in and cleared he's throat "The Chairman is here”
And the murmuring reduced.
The chairman took he's seat calmly and Mr diamond glared at him.
“Arent you going to address the issue? This scandal has brought dirt to the companies name,we lost over a billion dollars within few hours ”. Mr diamond said and some of the board members nodded in agreement
“We all know Alex Isn't gay, but well he would address this himself ”. The chairman said seriously and Mr diamond laughed dryly
“Then where the hell is he?!”
*
¶Alex's office
“How disgusting!,my dream guy being gay broke my heart ”
“This has to be fake, he's too hot to be gay ”
The comments section was on fire, the accusations of him being gay broke half of the girls heart in the city.
Alex dropped the tablet, he's eyes unreadable as he stood up.
Ava took the tablet and followed him out of he's office and Thompson ran to him whispering things into he's ear as they headed to the boardroom.
Ava couldn't calm her racing heart.
"This is bad.... VERY bad“
'He can't be gay' she said to herself as she tried to look professional but deep down she felt kind of hurt of the possibility of him actually being gay.
¶Diamond's Mansion
”Did Dad have to go this far!?”. Angel screamed at the top of her voice.
“I don't think this is dad's doing ” Gabrielle mumbled.
“That means...he is gay?!” Angel said her voice barely above a whisper.
Angel is the second daughter of the Diamonds,she has been In love with Alex since for ever , even though they were kind of cousins, she didn't care.
All she wants is HIM.
Gabrielle was the last daughter and doesn't really give a damn about anything....or anyone...
“Angel, calm down... maybe this is just a scandal trying to bring Alex down... the man is too Hot to be gay and you know it”. Gabrielle said patting her back gently and Angel smiled
“Yes...it has to be ”
- Writer
