Aiden's POV
As I stepped into the office, exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. The long drive, combined with the emotional toll of the day's events, had taken its toll. I dropped into my chair, letting out a deep sigh.
"Ava?" I called out, my voice calm despite the fatigue.
"Yes, sir?" she replied, her voice professional as always.
"Sir, should I get you a cup of coffee?" she asked, noticing the tired look on my face.
"No, Ava, I'm fine," I replied, waving my hand dismissively.
"How about a light massage?" she pressed, her eyes sparkling with concern. "You look stressed."
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, fine. That could help."
Ava moved behind me, her gentle hands finding the knots in my shoulders. Her touch was warm and soothing, easing the tension that had built up over the day.
"Ava?" I asked, my voice relaxing into the massage.
"Yes, sir?" she replied, her hands never stopping their gentle pressure.
"What happened when I was away?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
The massage paused for a moment before Ava replied, "Well, sir, the rest of the meeting didn't exactly go smoothly. The board members were quite angry that you stood them up."
I let out a low curse, feeling a headache brewing. "I'll just have to apologize to them at the next meeting."
Ava's hands resumed their gentle pressure, but her voice was hesitant. "Uhm, sir? I don't think that's going to be enough."
I jerked upright, my exhaustion forgotten. "What do you mean?"
Ava's eyes met mine, her expression serious. "It seems your father called one of your partners during the meeting. I'm not sure what he said, but it didn't look good."
My gut twisted with unease. My father was already making moves? "What?" I growled, my anger rising.
Ava's hands dropped from my shoulders, and she took a step back. "And, sir? One of the board members is still waiting for you in the conference room."
I was on my feet in an instant, my exhaustion forgotten. "Meet me there," I barked, already striding towards the door.
I burst into the conference room, my eyes scanning the space until they landed on Mr. Charles, one of my top shareholders. He occupied my usual seat at the head of the mahogany table, his expression unreadable.
"Ah, Mr. Brooklyn Jr.," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You're here."
I forced a polite smile, trying to conceal the tension in my voice. "Mr. Charles, how are you?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Cut the pleasantries, boy. You stood us up in the meeting because of a phone call. That's unacceptable."
I took a deep breath, attempting to placate him. "Look, Mr. Charles, I apologize for my absence. It was an emergency."
Mr. Charles's expression turned skeptical. "Save it, Brooklyn. Your actions speak louder than your words."
I felt a surge of frustration, but I bit back my retort. "How can I make it right, sir?"
Mr. Charles leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a hint of malice. "Your father called me earlier, offering me a lucrative business deal if I partner with him."
My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with the implications. My dad was making moves, trying to undermine me.
"I assure you, Mr. Charles, you don't want to do business with my father," I said, trying to reason with him.
Mr. Charles raised an eyebrow. "And why's that? His proposal seems quite attractive."
I gritted my teeth, searching for the right words. "My father's business practices are... questionable. I promise you, partnering with him will only lead to trouble."
Mr. Charles's expression turned thoughtful, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd gotten through to him.
"I'll give you another chance, Brooklyn," he said finally. "But if you slip up again, I'll pull out. You're on thin ice."
I let out a silent sigh of relief as Mr. Charles departed, leaving me feeling drained but determined. I turned to Ava, who'd been watching the exchange with interest.
"That was close," I muttered.
Ava nodded, her expression serious. "We can't afford to lose him, Aiden."
I nodded in agreement, my mind already racing with strategies to prevent my father's sabotage. I pulled out my phone and dialed my personal lawyer's number.
"It's time to take action," I said to myself, a sense of resolve hardening within me.
"Is it ready?" I asked when he picked up on the second ring.
"Yes, sir," he replied.
"Bring it to my house tomorrow," I instructed before hanging up.
The rest of the evening flew by, and soon I found myself driving home, the darkness outside a reflection of my mood. I stopped by my favorite restaurant to grab some ice cream, hoping the sweetness would calm my nerves.
As I waited in line, a realization hit me: I was no longer alone in my house. Hailey was waiting for me, and I needed to get her some ice cream too. I ordered an extra scoop and headed home.
When I arrived, I found Hailey sitting on the couch, lost in thought. She looked up as I entered, and I rushed over to her, concern etched on my face.
"Hailey, are you okay?" I asked, setting the ice cream down on the coffee table.
She handed me an envelope, her eyes serious. "Someone left this outside the door," she explained. "I don't know what it means."
I took the envelope, my heart sinking as I pulled out the small card inside. The words "Be careful who you trust" were scribbled on it in messy handwriting.
I looked up at Hailey, trying to reassure her. "It's probably just a wrong delivery or a prank."
But Hailey's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "Do you know who could have sent this?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
I shook my head, trying to brush it off. "No, not at all."
But Hailey's expression told me she wasn't convinced, making me pull her into a comforting hug.
"It's okay…. I'm here now." I said reassuringly