Chapter 235: Put Two and Two Together
** Eli **
When Eli arrived at his office that morning, the first thing he made sure to check off his list was to get his personal driver back — he had no plans to let Harper return to her apartment ever again without him, and the prospect of sharing a ride to work with her every morning was just so luring that he had to secure it as fast as he could.
Even if the action would come at a price ... which manifested itself soon in the form of an invitation to chat in his father’s office.
"I swear I didn’t leak any intel, boss." Justin gave him an innocent look when he hung up on his father’s summoning over the phone. "HR has to push the paperwork for the driver’s reassignment, and I heard that the various famous scenes you made in Hawaii have finally made their way around the company through broken-hearted gossips. I suppose it’s simply about time that our CEO puts two and two together now."
Eli darted over a dark glance. In all honesty, he didn’t care all that much if his assistant had been double dipping and doing the whistleblower’s job on both sides. It worked to his benefit in the end anyway and saved him the effort of explaining the inevitable to his manipulating father. But if that was really Justin’s role here ... then he was going to pay for daring to receive Harper’s grateful smile this morning like he did anything to deserve it!
With that thought, Eli strode to the CEO’s office with a blackened expression. Perfectly fitting for a talk with his father.
Much to his relief this time, the old man didn’t bother with small talk as usual when his audience entered the room. "I assume you’re aware of what we are here to talk about today." He glanced up from the oversized mahogany table. "Take a seat."
"No need." Eli crossed his arms, leaning against the closed door behind him. The last time he was in this office for a serious chat, he had sat for too long and let his guard down by giving the conversation too much consideration that it didn’t deserve. It was a mistake that almost cost him the love of his life, and he better be hell sure not to repeat it again.
His father, as always, frowned at his attitude. Though the real topic was apparently important enough for that minor offense to get by. "You might have noticed that there has been a rumor going around the company," he began, "which started upon your venture team’s return from the kickoff event in Hawaii. Related to you and a certain Miracles employee."
Eli rolled his eyes at the stilted phrasing of that statement. "Yes, a certain Miracles employee whose name you better start getting used to saying. And yes, if you prefer an official announcement rather than a rumor, I can make that for you right now — not that it is any of your business, but I am in a relationship with Harper McKenzie."