"By any chance, does she have an ombre maroon hair and deep blue eyes?" Kayden asked and Alynah snapped her head to look at him in shock.
"How...how did you know?" She stuttered.
Kayden looked away and shrugged his shoulders elegantly.
"She saw me and Tulip at Scoop'N Buns, she looked terrified as if I'm a ghost or a demon" Kayden rolled his eyes.
Alynah chuckled soft and then frowned.
"Why is she being too cheeky?" She wondered.
"If you knew she's hiding something from you, why don't you confront her? What if it's an important information you need to know?" Kayden asked, studying her expressions closely.
Alynah sighed and briefly glanced at Tulip before locking her gaze back to him.
"I am not so confident and I'm not sure what exactly she's hiding. Lyra is the only one that supported me when..." Alynah trailed off for a while.
"When no one was there for me" she completed.
Kayden nodded, understanding her words.
Since the news broke out, everything turned upside down. The media ambushed at the entrance of GSG Org, demanding for answers and explanations.
Kayden was walking to and fro in his office when Evan rushed in. Evan had been acting more terrified and frightened since he saw the news. It's like he's even more worried than his boss.
"Sir, the news was taken down but the media is is crazily demanding for answers and explanations. I'm afraid it is affecting your reputation in the business world" Evan panicked.
Kayden paused in his tracks, tilting his head as if he was thinking of something. He then turned to Evan and pointed at him.
"I'm holding a press conference. I need to clarify the issue before the conference ay Italy" Kayden said.
"That's a good idea Mr Hart! Gosh...how comes I didn't suggest this sooner?" Evan slapped his forehead. Kayden shook his head helplessly.
"Go now!" Kayden shooed him away and he scurried out of the office.
The press conference was taking place at Golden Sparrow Enterprise headquarters. The sleek and modern architecture of Golden Sparrow Enterprise, GSE served as a visual embodiment and appealing backdrop. The Golden Sparrow Enterprise logo emblazoned on the wall behind Kayden served as his commitment, transparency and accountability to his company.
Kayden stepped up to the microphone, flanked by his team and executives. The room was filled with reporters and anticipation as their cameras flickered non-stop.
Kayden turned to Alynah, standing beside Evan and she gave him an encouraging nod with a smile. Kayden nodded back and faced the crowd, heaving a deep breath. He began to speak...
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm glad to have you all here today. I am here to address the recent scandal regarding my personal life. I'd like to begin by saying I'm flattered by the public's interest but I'm afraid the spectaculations are getting out of hand" he paused and scanned the room.
"I can clarify that I do know Tulip and I care deeply about her. But I am not at liberty to disclose the nature of our relationship. I'd like to respect the privacy of both parties involved" Kayden said and the room erupted into series of questions and murmurs. Kayden held up his hand urging then to keep shut. The room fell into a hush.
"I understand your curiosity but I'm not going to fuel the rumour mill. I can assure you that my goal is to uplift Golden Sparrow Enterprise and leading it to it's continued success. My personal life will not be a distraction to that"
"I'd like to ask you all to respect Tulip's privacy and let her live her life without undue attention. Thank you"
Kayden concluded his speech and the room erupted into questions and cameras flickering but Kayden remained calm and composed. Evan came up with follow-up questions that guided the conference for a close.
The reporters dispersed and Kayden felt a sense of relief each over him. He had protected both his reputation and Tulip's privacy. But he knew that it will not end this way, his father will not let this pass just like that.
Kayden was talking to one of his Directors when Alynah walked to him, the director bowed and excused them.
"Thank you for protecting Tulip" was the first sentence that left Alynah's mouth and Kayden smiled.
"It's my pleasure. I'm glad I could protect her"
"Can we grab a coffee and discuss some things. A week left for our trip to Italy" Kayden suddenly stated.
"But I...have some work to do" Alynah drawled her words.
"Don't worry, we'll and care of that"
They continued some random talks when Kayden's phone rang. Alynah watched as his Adam Apple bobbed up and down as he gulped, his expression also changed. Glancing the caller ID is enough to change his expression for the rest of the day. It was his father, Mr Reginald Hart. Kayden sighed and picked the call.
"Come home, now!" Beep! The call ended.
There was a certain coldness and authority in those three words. They hold a certain depth of awaiting danger in them. He doesn't need a ghost to tell him why his father called him home after the conference. But he wasn't sure if he's ready to face his father or not.
Kayden slipped his phone into his pocket and looked at Alynah.
"Our coffee discussion is cancelled. Something came up" he stated.
"I understand, Mr Hart" Alynah smiled giving him an assuring nod.
"Let's go, I need to drop you off before I leave" Kayden said but Alynah declined.
"I can go with Mr Ralph, you should get going. Don't worry about me" she tried so hard to convince him. After a lot, he agreed and left with Evan and his driver, Stefan.
Alynah saw the uneasiness and restlessness in his eyes after the phone call. She knew she needed to leave him alone for a while. It's the best for him because being with him at this moment will only keep distracting him and she doesn't want to be a burden.
Kayden's BMW M6 pulled over in front of the giant mansion at Lakewood neighborhood. For some reasons, he was really nervous.