We came back the day after to be welcomed by Meg and Alex at our home.
"Alex, we bought you a gift," I said while handing him a wrapped gift box.
"Wow thank you, Benny,"
He quickly unwrapped the gift. The look on his face was priceless.
"Hmmm.... " was all he said.
"Oh.I forgot to get you a dinosaur,"
"BEN!!!" he jumped out to hit me.
"Thank you for remembering me," instead of hitting me he hugged me.
We talked for a while when my parents came in with homemade dinner for us.
"My my, where is the dragon?" asked my father, winking at me.
"Uncle, do you really have to," cried Alex.
"This is your signature, my son,"
Making us all laugh for some time.
While the ladies flocked to the kitchen. We gathered outside with Markus.
"Ben, I did investigate what you asked me to," said Alex.
"What did you find out?"
"Your guess is right someone is really trying to make a fuss," He said a bit worried.
"Son, do you mean about the media fuss?" asked my father concerned.
"Yes, uncle. I mean this is not the first time he went out of the country, but they all keep on making headlines,"
"hmm...did you find who did it?"
"No uncle, none of them opens up about who told them to do this," said Alex.
"We will have to be on our toes. I feel like someone is keeping tabs on everyone close to you, sir," said Markus after some thought.
"Bernard, dear," said my mother looking for us.
"We are here,"
"Do you know what Mr.Wong gave Little Bud,"
"Hmm...." my father looked curious.
"He had given her a lavender jade bracelet, A family heirloom, as a gift of the friendship of Mr.White,"
"What a generous man. We must do something for them too," said my father.
"Yes dear," and she took us for dinner.
No one knew about me and Sarah coming to the office today. So everyone was surprised to see us at the office. The whole morning went on going through the week's work and the progress. But the worse part was how to handle the gossip about Sarah being a mistress.
"What can we do about these rumors, Ben? If this goes on she will have a hard time dealing with it,"
"Maybe I should address the issue straight, and I have a plan,"
"Ok, I will arrange a meeting after the lunch break," said Ben.
I went and peeped into Sarah's room. She was looking at a drawing but her look was deceiving.
"HI," I said going in.
"Hmm...."
"Are you ok, love?"
"Ben, about the gossip, what.."
"Shhh...I will take care of it.." I said expecting a smile on her face. I was about to give her a peck on her cheek, someone knocked on her door.
I pretend to look at a drawing and make some notes while keeping an eye on who came in. It was Penny a new recruit. I had seen her being really interested in Sarah's matters. SoI had a camera installed secretly to just to figure out that Penny had been spending time in Sarah's office during the time she was with me on vacation.
This Penny joined the company about two months ago, the same as the time of the Alexander project. According to Markus, some rumors and doubts had started to speculate after she joined. So we had her phone tapped and followed her till now. It seems she has some connection with an associate of Liam.
After lunch, everyone gathered in the conference room,
"Thank you for gathering here everyone. I have an announcement to make for you." I said looking at everyone.
"After I officially informed that I was married, there had been many rumors going on. These rumors seem to affect the work as well. Getting to the point, my wife doesn't like to be known by the world as it will affect her life. So I respect her decision. I know all of you have been bad-mouthing Sarah, who had been an excellent person who had contributed a lot to us with her design skills. Let me clarify something, for the last time, Alex and Sarah are best friends for many years we are like family. My wife knows about our friendship and she really loves Sarah as her own sister,"
I looked at everyone, they looked a bit worried. As they have offended Sarah very much. I looked at Sarah, who stood near a corner away from others.
"For your future rumors, I will let you know that Sarah will accompany me and my wife to my home in the coming months to help me out with the new projects, as I plan to work from home to maintain the secrecy of the designs. Now you all may go back to your work,"
I left the room. Leaving everyone more confused. But I hope this will help to stop spreading rumors about her and everyone will know that we are working remotely. And this might stir up some rumors in the entertainment news. As well as provoke whoever is trying to make trouble.
"Hmm.... She is already busy sending a message to someone," said Alex, who had been monitoring Penny from, afar.
"Can we trace who she's messaging?" I asked as I am a bit worried about what they might do next.
"Markus will look into it,"
"Ben doesn't let anyone know that I am doing the final concept design of the Brinston project from home,"
"Ok, don't worry I will look into the matters in here and let you know,"
Sarah came in with a design proposal in hand.
"Ben can you go through this check if this is correct,"
"Ok dear,I will give this to you in an hour," I said taking the drawing from her.
"Alex,"
"Yes, Little Bud,"
"Can you check the budget for the Mackingson project please,"
"When do you need it?" he asked already engrossed in something on his phone.
"Tomorrow,"
"What!!! No way,"
"Please Alex, I will get you some homemade snacks," she said knowing his weakness.
"Hmm... ok then, consider this is done "