The Return (De Laurel Trilogy #1)

34

"It's nice to be back in this office." I stretched my arms out. "It's been days!" I yawned, looking at Allie. "Tell me, Alliana." I folded intertwined my fingers together. "How has it been when I was gone? Hm? Was there any ruckus of some sort?" I raised a brow and narrowed my eyes.

"No, madame." She stuttered. "All has been great, actually. All the staff was working in the same pace as they do when you're around. No sort of ruckus, nor chaos happened. Non at all madame." Her voice was slightly quivering.

It has been a day since the interview and no paparazzi, not one has came to ask me questions. Except for the usual that just take pictures of me. But, the ones asking questions? None.

It was about five in the afternoon and it was about an hour before going home. I was incredibly in a very bad mood and anything at the moment can make me snap. For some reason, everything just irritated me.

"Then why are you stuttering, Alliana?" I then leaned back in my chair and folded my arms beneath my chest. "Are you sure there were no ruckus? Even in the slightest bit? The staff have been awfully quiet since I arrived. Let me ask you again, Alliana. Was there any ruckus, chaos, problem, or even just a slight misfit that happened while I was gone?"

Actually, I knew that there was something that happened. Two staff members quarreled over to what type of cloth will they be using for a client's dress. I knew about this since I had the security camera monitoring in my house and of course, in my office. I also knew this because simply, I was their boss.

Allie sighed before talking. "I admit, madame. I cannot cover for Marieen and Faive anymore." She shook her head. "One of the dresses that you have instructed them to make was well, uhm, difficult. The silk, which was the main type of cloth had types. They had argued over to which type of silk to use until it resulted into a cat fight. Both were bloodied up when in was done." She explained, her voice turned into a whisper everytime.

"Why did you cover for them?" I once again raised a brow, my voice cold and stern. Allie kept quiet. She was fiddling with her bracelet while breathing heavily. She was also sweating profusely. It was a torturous moment of silence for her. "Alliana!" I slammed my hand at the table, making her flinch. "Why did you cover for them?!" I asked once again.

"They begged me," She stuttered. "I was going to call you but they held me back and begged me not to do so. They said that they will get fired if I told you." She explained. "They pleaded and even knelt in front of me until I said yes." I saw that tears were threatening to flow out from her eyes.

"Out." I pointed towards the door, making her look up.

"Ma'am?" She stuttered, not being able to move. I massaged my temples before deeply breathing in and deeply breathing out.

"I said, out!" My voice boomed, it echoing through my office. "Get out, Alliana or I will not hesitate to fire you this instant!" I threatened, glaring at her.

She quickly took her clipboard and tablet to scurry away, As she closed the door, I sighed heavily. Why can't anything go right? Should I perhaps already start looking for a new assistant? No, Alliana was too difficult to find. All my other past secretaries were stuck up that only wanted to work for me because I was famous. Allie on the other hand was the one perfect to rely on. But, why was she acting like this for the past few days? Damn it!

"Ugh!" I groaned, clenching and unclenching both of my fists. "Damn it! No one does anything right these days!" I whined. "That's it. I need alcohol."

I first contemplated if I should call Nic or just barge right in his club. I also thought of calling Gigi to drink with me, but I presumed that she was her busy with her appointments.