CHAPTER SIX — ASHWIN'S SECRET FAMILY.

Chapter 06.

ASHWIN'S SECRET FAMILY.

Julian's POV.

Walking into my office, I loosened my tie while Adrian followed me in.

“What would you have me do about the photos sir?” he asked as he closed the door, and quickened his pace to catch up with me. “It has been making the headline for over an hour now. I could arrange for it to be taken down if you want me to.”

I stopped in my tracks, and turned back to face him.

“Is that the best thing to do right now?” I rolled up my sleeves, and hung my hands at my sides. “Do you think that's going to help the situation?”

“I don't know, sir.” he shook his head. “But we have to do something about it.”

“You should have made sure those photos weren't leaked to begin with.” I said. “My phone has been blowing up since I left that hall.”

I brought it out from my pocket, and tossed it on my desk. Of course, I knew that there had to be cameramen present in the hall. But that was all for show. The plan was to delete the photos after they were taken.

Somehow, one of them must have left the hall without deleting the photos. Or perhaps, lied that they deleted the photos, but didn't actually do so. Besides, the question Lily asked just made it worse. And that had caused a lot of reactions. I sighed, and turned around as I pushed my fingers through my hair.

“Did you check with the cameramen before leaving the hall?” I asked, looking over my shoulder. “Did you make sure that the photos were deleted?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then how exactly did the photos get out?” I asked, turning to face him with my hands in my pockets. “One of those men must have lied to you. Or you didn't check well.”

“I did, sir.” he replied, his gaze downcast. “I made sure they deleted all the photos right in front of me. So, I also don't understand how the photos were leaked.”

“Of course, someone must have leaked it.” I sighed. “We will just have to find whoever is responsible for leaking the video.”

“And then what?”

“I have to know why whoever decided to leak those photos did.” I said, settling on my chair. “There must have been a reason why they did what they did.”

“So, if I find whoever did it, do I ask them to take the photos down?” he asked.

“No, no, there's no point.” I said, shaking my head while tapping a finger against the desk. “The photos are out there already. Taking it down would only draw the attention of everyone including Mr Kimura. I don't want that.”

“So, you would rather have it on the internet?” he asked, sounding like that's a terrible decision to make. “It doesn't look good. The headline says it all.”

“Ashwin's secret family, huh?” I scoffed. “This is bigger than I thought it would be. However, I can't make a rash decision now. It would only affect me later.”

Just then, my phone began to ring again. I took it from the desk, and glanced at the screen. It was a call from Evie. I stared at my phone for a few seconds, torn between accepting or declining her call.

Eventually, I dropped my phone on the table, and scrubbed my hands over my face. If anything, I knew that it was only a matter of time before she would call me.

“Damn it.” I ran a hand through my hair.

“Are you going to keep ignoring her calls, sir?” he asked.

“Yes, that's what I plan on doing.” I replied. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, sir.” he shook his head. “I just felt like she has something important to say to you.”

“I don't think so.” I looked at my phone as her name remained on the screen. “If she has anything to say, then it has to be about the leaked photos. And I'm not ready to answer any question about that.”

“So what do you plan on doing, sir?”

“I plan on leaving.” I righted myself from my chair, and picked up my blazer which was on the headrest. “I can't stay here anymore.”

“I am sorry sir, but you can't leave now.” he said, standing in my way.

“And why is that?”

“There are reporters everywhere.” he said. “They have been waiting for you to come down, and say a thing or two about the photos.”

“And what are they still doing out there?” I asked. “Why haven't they left yet?”

“We tried asking them to leave, but they wouldn't.” he replied. “They have refused to leave without hearing you say something about the photos.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” I muttered under my breath as I dropped my blazer on the armrest of my chair. “So, what? I'm just supposed to sit, and wait here till they leave?”

“I am afraid so.”

“No, that's not possible.” I said. “I can't stay here. So, go out there, and make them leave.”

“We have tried to make them leave sir, but they just wouldn't leave.” he said. “I don't think there's anything we can do.”

“If it means involving the cops, then do so.” I spoke through my teeth. “I don't care what you have to do, or how you've to do it. I want them gone. All of them.”

“I don't think involving the cops is a good idea sir.” he said, shaking his head.

“There you are.” Bernard said as he walked into my office.

“Give us a moment.” I said, looking at Adrian.

He bowed, and made for the door.

“What is going on?” he asked, looking me straight in the eyes. “Ashwin's secret family? Are you kidding me right now?”

“I understand how you feel about this sir.”

“No, you don't.” he snapped. “You have no idea what this means. Just yesterday, you were single. A divorced man, and then today, you're married, and you even have a daughter, does that make any sense to you.”

“I know it doesn't make any sense.” I said, in a soft voice. “But I had to do what had to be done to secure that deal.”

“You had to do what had to be done to secure that deal?” he narrowed his gaze, and then scoffed. “Is this some kind of joke or what? Does this deal look like some joke to you?”

“No, it doesn't.”

“Of course, it does!” a flash of temper lighted his eyes as he slammed my desk with a hand. “You have no idea what you've done. What if kimura decides to withdraw from the deal, what are you going to do about it?”

“I won't allow it come to that.” I said. “I will find a way to resolve this.”

“And how exactly are you going to do that?” he asked, raising a furrowed brow. “Have you seen the number of reporters waiting outside? Of course, you haven't. I barely made my way in here in one piece. I'm sure they are going to rip you apart with questions when you decide to leave.”

“I am sorry.” I said, lowering my head.

“Sorry won't fix this.” he spoke through his teeth. “You have just three days to fix this, or I'll handle it myself.”

That said, he exited my office.