ARMAND'S POV
When I arrived home for dinner, I noticed the way Aunty Monica Payne, Brenda Marlucky, and Vikylou Salane's eyes pierced at me, and knew that Mark had already spilled the beans and that I had hired Eli Marks as my secretary. I chose to ignore the looks as I sat at the head of the dining table and ate in silence amidst the sighs that came across the dining table. My adopted sister Jessel ting suppressed laughter was evident as my cousins Michael, Duncan, and Simon's heads were lowered as they ate in silence and dared not say a word since their mothers were present.
After dinner we all settled in the living room, Aunties expressions were a mix of concern and exasperation. I sat near the fireplace visibly uncomfortable under the weight of their collective disapproval.
"Do you have something to tell me?"
Monica Payne, my eldest aunt, with silver-streaked hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, was the first to speak. Her voice was sharp but controlled, each word carefully measured. "What on earth were you thinking?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing. "Hiring someone from the Marks family? It is not just a bad decision; it's a reckless one. Do you have any idea how this could blow up in your face?"
Beside her, Vikylou Salane, my middle aunt, known for her passionate temperament, shook her head vehemently. "This is not just about a job; it's about principles and trust. You have placed yourself in a position where someone could leak the secrets of the company at any time. Have you thought about the risks involved? This could jeopardize everything you've worked for!"
The youngest of my three aunties was Brenda Bichen, with a softer but equally firm tone, added her voice to the fray. "We're not just worried about the practical side of things," she said, her gaze softening slightly as she looked at me. "It's also about how this reflects on you. By hiring someone from the Mark & Wills Foundation, you're sending a message that might be interpreted in ways you can't control. People will talk, and not all of it will be favorable."
I understood as their voices raised and fell, their collective scolding created a whirlwind of advice and caution, making it clear just how serious they were about the choice I made this afternoon.
"Aunties, why don't you let big brother explain himself "Jessel Ting my adopted sister winked at me.
"What is there to explain? I hired him because he needs the job "I responded without a care.
"Armand "Aunty Monica Payne seethed.
"You let a wolf into the company and soon he will bite "Aunty Vikylou Salane raised her chin.
"Unless Armand did it on purpose" Aunty Brenda Marlucky's eyes bore at me.
I chuckled at how accurate she was and then nodded in response.
"Why?" It was Jessel Ting who yelled in shock.
"Because I want to see what Gregory Mark's plans are "I shrugged.
My brother Mark James, his assistant Bruno Dirk, and Maximillian Theo all walked into the living room.
"James, what garbage did you feed our Aunties?'" My voice rose.
"You hired Eli Marks as your new secretary "James responded defiantly.
"I did. "I nodded. "I was not planning to hide anything from all of you. Eli Marks will be working for Armand Inc., do not give him a hard time and assist him as much as you can "
"Are you possessed?" Aunty Vikylou whispered.
"Just do as I say. I am off to bed "I stood up and majestically walked out of the room and heard my cousin Simone whisper "We better listen to Armand and squash all the gossip that will hit the company tomorrow. "
I smiled on my way to my bedroom, took a shower, and settled on the bed. A knock on the door interrupted the deep thoughts that razed my mind, and I sat up and spoke up" Who is it?"
"It's Maximillian, Chairman Armand" He responded from behind the door.
"Come in "I answered as he opened the door and closed it and walked into the room. "Chairman Armand, you asked me to report his movements, he left work, passed by a liquor store, then went home to his mother in the outskirts of Utah, had dinner, and then went home "
"How many guards have you assigned him?" I asked as I leaned on the headboard and stared at Max.
"Three guards, Chairman Armand" Max responded.
"Add one more, to shadow the three guards "I instructed Max.
"Noted, Chairman Armand" He nodded and turned to leave but I cleared my throat to indicate I was not done with him. "Is there anything else that I can do for you, Chairman Armand?"
"I want security in Eli's office to be tightened. All conversations were recorded and his computer tapped. You make sure that you monitor everything that he does is recorded and filed. All the files that he handles from now on should have a trail. "I instructed Max.
"Yes, Chairman Armand," He answered.
"How Idle is Mark that he had time to come and inform Aunties about my office affairs?' "I raised my eyebrows at Max.
He bowed his head in embarrassment and never offered an answer.
"Go to bed" I raised my hand dismissively and Max nodded as he left my bedroom.
In the quiet of my bedroom, I wrestled with the emotions, savoring the bittersweet nature of the feelings that Eli brought. The unexpected spark into my life, a reminder of the uncharted territories of my cold heart. As the night deepened, I slid down on the bed and allowed myself to embrace this new, delicate sense of possibility. I knew that there would be complexities and uncertainties ahead. I closed my eyes and willed my body to sleep.
Early the next day, I arrived at the breakfast table and found everyone already seated and having breakfast.
"Good morning "I spoke up as I slid down on the chair that was set at the head of the table.
"Good morning, Armand "They all piped.
"An invitation came in for us to attend the campaign fundraiser for Senator Davis Liam. We must not show that we have a grudge against him and hence I will be attending it with Bruno and Jessel Ting "My brother Mark spoke up.
"They sent an invitation. To whom?" I raised one eyebrow as the maid poured me a cup of coffee and served me breakfast.
"They sent the invitation to the Chairman's office "Mark responded.
"Oh, so why are you attending when they invited me?" I chuckled.
"Oh Boy "Aunty Brenda Bichen suppressed laughter rose after she spoke up.
"You want to go?" Jessel Ting's eyes lit up and she looked at me with excitement.
"Mmmmh "I nodded and sipped the coffee after taking a bite of the sausage and bread placed on my plate.
"Did you hit your head somewhere "Aunty Monica Payne demanded.
"No. I got tired of taking a back seat. From now on, I will attend all the events and deal with everything and anyone who dares confront me. "I declared.
" Armand, this has nothing to do with Eli Marks right?" Aunty Monica Payne asked.
" Nothing." I lied and sipped my coffee knowing well that this had everything to do with Eli Marks.