Chapter 117
Aria’s POV
Aiden didn’t throw away the invitation after all. He didn’t stop me from attending Claire’s birthday party, but with one condition-he’d accompany me that evening.
I had zero objections to this arrangement. Claire’s attitude toward me was… concerning, to say the least.
Sigh. The burden of being too attractive, I guess.
As for Claire? She was so worried I might not show up that she actually sent a delivery guy to remind me about her party at the crack of dawn!
I opened the door, listened to the delivery guy’s message, and just stood there speechless.
Seriously? Who does that?
I’d barely closed the door when I spotted Aiden walking out, briefcase in hand, already dressed impeccably for work. God, those legs in those tailored pants… “Who was that?” he asked.
I quickly snapped my gaze back up to his face. “Just a delivery guy p>
Aiden’s dark eyes studied me. “Delivering what p>
Yeah, I know. Ridiculous, right?
I was relieved to see Aiden looked just as annoyed as I felt.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. “I’ll come home early this afternoon p>
“Mmhmm p>
I nodded, pulling the door open again. His driver was already waiting outside with the car. I hovered by the doorway, expecting him to leave.
Instead, Aiden looked down at me with an unreadable expression. “Aren’t you going to say anything p>
Say what exactly?
The corners of his lips curved up slightly, his eyes softening. “Call me if you need anything p>
“Oh, right. Sure thing p>
What could I possibly need while lounging around this massive house like a jobless bum?
Well, actually-something did come up!
After waking from my afternoon nap, I suddenly remembered that Claire had personally delivered her birthday invitation. I couldn’t just show up empty-handed, could I?
But I’d completely forgotten about getting a gift since I’d left the whole birthday party thing in Aiden’s hands. And honestly, would Mr. CEO Even-My-Socks-Are-Designer remember something as trivial as buying a birthday present?
It was already too late to go shopping myself. After considering several options, I decided my best bet was to ask Aiden for help.
Hey, why not use the perks of having a husband with an ultra-competent secretary?
I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.
Aiden’s POV
The Carter Industries executive boardroom was silent except for the sudden vibration of a phone that immediately caught everyone’s attention.
I glanced at my phone screen, my expression softening when I saw who was calling.
With one last cold look at my incompetent staff, I picked up.
“It’s me,” I answered, my voice naturally dropping to a more gentle tone than the one I’d been using with my executives.
“Aiden, I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?” Aria’s sleepy voice came through the line.
“Not at all,” I lied smoothly, watching my team fidget uncomfortably around the table.
“Good, I was worried I called at a bad time,” she said, sounding relieved “So, I just realized I don’t have a birthday gift for Claire. We can’t just show up empty handed to her party, right? That would be rude p>
“I’ll take care of it,” I assured her, not ready to end the call just yet. “Did you just wake up p>
“Yeah, just woke up. I’ll let you get back to work now. I’m going to practice piano for a bit p>
“Alright p>
I hung up and raised my eyes to the room, my expression hardening again as if the call had never happened.
“Well? Are you going to continue, or should I assume that after two months, this useless proposal is all you’ve managed to produce?” I asked coldly.
I stood
my
significant progress in
two months, you can all pack your things and find somewhere else to work next year content
“Ifing my phone away.
With that, I pushed my chair back and left the boardroom, Lucas trailing behind me
like a shadow, careful not to draw my irritation.
I stopped abruptly in the hallway. “Lucas p>
He jumped slightly, clutching his documents to his chest. “Yes, Mr. Carter p>
“Claire Bennett is having a birthday party tonight. I need you to prepare a gift and have it on my desk within two hours p>
Lucas, who had clearly been bracing himself for criticism, looked momentarily confused by this request.
“Sir, should… should we inform Mrs. Carter about this?” he asked hesitantly.
The moment the words left his mouth, I could see regret wash over his face.
I fixed him with a steady gaze. “What do you think, Lucas p>
He looked absolutely petrified, like I’d just asked him to choose between cutting off his right or left hand.
I’ve noticed Lucas analyzing my relationship with Aria. I can practically see the questions swirling in his mind.
He’s been with me for years and
knows I had virtually no contact with
Aria before the accident Yet here,
am, spending millions on her
rushing home when Thomas confronted her.
After visibly cycling through several potential answers, Lucas ventured cautiously, “I
think Mrs. Carter should know, don’t you agree, sir p>
I gave him a pointed look. “If you already knew the answer, why ask the question p>
Without waiting for a response, I stepped into the elevator, leaving him standing there looking like he’d just escaped death.
Preparing a thoughtful birthday gift in three hours might be challenging for Aria, but it was routine for my efficient secretary.
I told Lucas to have the gift on my desk by 5:30, but by 5:00, he had already delivered a beautifully wrapped package.
“Mr. Carter, here’s the birthday gift for Miss Bennett as requested. It’s the new quilted designer handbag from the latest Armani collection,” Lucas explained.
I barely glanced at it. Whatever Lucas chose would be appropriate he knows how to handle these matters.
“Noted,” I said simply.
Taking the cue, Lucas quietly left my office.
Twenty minutes later, I picked up the gift bag and headed out. It was time to go
home to Aria.