Chapter Seven

Leena

I took a two-day break from work. It wasn't in the plan initially but I got cold feet at the last moment. I didn't think I could look George in the face and work closely with him when I recall what has happened between us.

The images of that night lingered in my memory, fresh and clear. The unbridled passion we shared, our bodies moving like they were familiar with each other. But try as I might, I couldn't remember how we ended up in that bed together.

I decided to go to the office today since George won't be coming around. It would allow me to get back to a sense of normalcy until I have to see him again.

"Good morning Miss Kensington" I was greeted with smiles as I arrived at the office. Anna gave me, the schedule of the day and I glanced through it.

"No meetings today?"

"I thought it would be good to give you one more day of rest before you get back into it."

"That's very thoughtful of you Anna but you didn't have to do that. With our new corporation..."

"Genna handled everything. You don't need to worry about that"

"Oh. She is such a lifesaver" I muttered. We'd hardly communicated in the last couple of days and I made a mental note to send her a gift and thank her for all that she does for me.

"Okay. Let me get started on internal affairs. Any document submitted for review?"

"I'll grab them for you," She said and left while I settled in my office.

The door opened a moment later and George walked in instead of Anna.

My heart skipped a beat and I jumped to my feet.

"What are you doing here?"

"I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to be here," He said smirking. 

"I didn't say that. You weren't supposed to be here today"

"I'm guessing that is why you came in today"

"Of.. of course not" I denied his allegations. He scoffed.

"Of course. I'm only here to drop this off. It's the merger plan, go through it" He said and walked out of my office.

I recovered from the shock of his visit and buried myself in work. With nothing much to do for the day, I went home early.

Revna was waiting for me with a note from Genna.

"Did you have fun at Aunty Genna’s place?" I questioned and she smiled excitedly.

"You have to come with me sometime" I laughed.

"Of course I will. I'll go and change and we can hang out together" she nodded excitedly.

I dialed Genna’s number as I walked into my room. It goes straight to her voicemail but I'm puzzled. All my attempts to communicate with her have failed. I wonder why that is. I tried again multiple times but it was the same each time.

The next morning, I dropped by her place but I found it locked. I head straight to the office while trying to call her. As soon as I got into the office, I was met with strange stares. I got up to my office, ignoring the stares but wondering why this strange stress.

"Miss K" Anna rushed to me

"You need to see this" She handed the tablet and I read the news in bold headlines.

"IS THE LEENA KENSINGTON SLEEPING WITH RICHMEN FOR GIGS" My eyes widened, underneath the scandalous heading is a picture of me and George outside the hotel from that night.

The picture gave a clear view of my face but deliberately blocked out his face.

"What the fuck?" I shouted in anger.

"It showed up on the entertainment news this morning. Everyone is talking about it."

"This is insane. Such stupid rumors, have you contacted them? I want it taken down immediately or they'll be talking to my lawyers"

"I feel going through that route will only make things worse," Anna said

"What do you suggest I do. I can't have those lies being peddled about me, and have you seen Genna?"

"She hasn't come in today. What if you do a live broadcast? With the man in the image... deny the allegations" I shook my head.

That was even more ridiculous. I didn't have the power to fight that blog but I knew who could and that person just happened to be on the cover of the news with me but had his face conveniently blocked.

This was his fault I clearly said that we should go our separate ways but he insisted on dropping me off.

Did he have something to do with this?

"Where is Mr. George?"

"In his new office.  He...."

"I'll be right back"

I stormed it of my office to the elevator. I had deliberately given them a floor to work on whenever they were over her because that meant I wouldn't have to run into him.

I punched the button on the elevator and the doors opened. They had barely shut when it stopped and George stepped into the elevator.

"You're just the person I was looking for" He stopped the elevator.

"Is there a problem?" He cocked his head to the side as he drew closer, invading my space.

"Don't pretend" I snapped, refusing myself to be carried away by whatever tension was between us. He could tell me that he hadn't seen the news.

"Did you have anything to do with it?"

"You think I'd pay a blog to publish something like that?"

"I don't fucking know. Why was your face blurred out"

"You were obviously the target, someone wanted to teach you a lesson by spreading a rumor" I scoffed at him.

"The fake parcel from the hotel staff who knew your name?" The whole incident was weird but who could it have been? I have no enemies or anyone who would try to attack me in this way.

"I have never had this issue until I met you, maybe this is about you" I accused but he scoffed.

"I'll get rid of the news for you... On one condition" I raised a brow.

"What?"

"Have dinner with me"

"Yeah.... So there will be other pictures of me in the news with an even more ridiculous headline. No way, I think it's best we stay away from each other and focus strictly on work"

I restarted the elevator and the ride down was awkward and filled with silence.

When it stopped at his floor, he stepped out but he didn't walk away. He turned to look at me.

"Think about it" I pressed the button to close the elevator, just before it shut. I read his lips as they move.

"You are mine Leena"