Chapter 23:Stay

*Aileen's Pov*

"What do you mean?" I asked and he drew back immediately, his lips slowly parted as he rubbed his chin.

"Everybody knows that Anthony's wife is cheating on him. And many people take that as an opportunity to get to him" he said, his eyes still fixed all over me.

"But you Aileen, you see him every day and yet he's not that closed off from you. What do you think that means?" He asked as he grabbed a glass of drink and went to sit down.

I traced him with my stare and folded my arms defensively "If you're saying what I think you're saying, just save it" I retorted with furrowed brows.

He raised his eyebrows piqued by my reply "Really, you've never entertained the idea of Anthony anyways" he added as he siped some drink from his glass.

"I... I'm just trying to do my job Velmont" I made it clear to him with a dramatic eye roll. And just then, Anthony walked in. "Seems like he's coming from the restroom," I thought as I shifted my gaze to him "Anthony" I called smiling a bit.

"What are you doing here?" Anthony asked, his voice void of emotion.

My smile faded and my face stiffened.

"I'm your P. A" I said, as I placed my hand on my chest "I'll be here whenever you need me" I added with a confidential smile but Anthony's words faded my smile again.

"You only follow my orders and I don't remember inviting you here".

My throat bobbed.

"Come on Anthony, stop being a hard nut to crack. Besides, she's here already and that's all that matters right now" Velmont stated still sipping his drink.

"Yeah, am here anyways. Can I take you home now? You don't seem stable to me" I added, wringing the hem of my shirt.

"No, I don't need your help. Just go home Aileen, this isn't your problem" he retorted with a grin then he turned to Velmont.

"Vel, call Dean to pick me up".

"Anthony, you're dead drunk. Go home with Aileen" Velmont suggested.

"Yeah, can you just come with me, please?". I asked as grabbed his arm to offer support to him. I slowly led him to the door.

"She's just doing her job," he said, almost in a whisper.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing".

******************

Anthony's House

***

I helped Anthony into his house as soon as Velmont dropped us off. And as soon as we got to his living room, Anthony couldn't continue staggering so he retired to his three-seater sofa in his living room.

He played there almost unconscious. I rolled my eyes upwards, "he can be so careless sometimes" I muttered as I bent down and helped him pull his shoes from his feet and adjusted him on the sofa.

I used my fingers to brush his scattered hair backwards.

"Thanks" he said and the smell of alcohol from his breath took over the oxygen.

"Ewww, you reek of alcohol Anthony," I said as I used my palm to cover my nose.

"Yeah," Anthony retorted with a frail smile, his eyes half closed.

I gently patted his forehead "Anthony, you know fully well that you're allergic to alcohol".

He gently opened his eyes and fixed them on mine "Yeah, I know" he retorted.

"Then why did you risk it?" I frowned at him.

"Aileen, can we just forget why I took some? and face the next step?".

"Alright, that's by the way" I slumped my shoulders.

"How about I make you some soup?" I asked and without even waiting for his reply, I went straight into the kitchen to prepare some soup.

Moments later, I brought a plate of hot soup to Anthony. On seeing me he slowly adjusted himself on the sofa.

"Here" I gave the soup to him and I sat down beside him.

"Look, I... I'm sorry for whatever happened. I... I can't really relate, but..., I'm here if you need me" I said with an assuring smile on my lips.

"Just have some soup and ummm..., do you want me to call Dr Evelyn or,.... ".

His eyes widened, "No no no I think am fine. I'm okay, I'm fine really" he said as he scooped out some soup from the bowl.

He paused for a moment to glance at me "The car accident. Were you hurt at all?" He asked as he dropped the soup beside him and grabbed my hands.

"No, no, no I'm. ., I'm fine" I pulled back my hands from his.

"How did you know about that?" I asked as I used my sleeve to cover my hands properly.

"I know everything about my employees". He replied, still staring at me as though he was searching for something.

I chuckled a little bit "Yeah, I'm fine, it's just some small cuts and bruises" I said as I hastily stood up to leave. "I think I should go now".

Anthony put out his hand and grabbed my wrist immediately prompting me to pause "No, stay" he said and I turned to know his reason.

I narrowed my eyes. "Really, why?" I asked, my eyebrows raised.

"No umm, umm" he rubbed his forehead.

"Umm, don't get me wrong Aileen, it's just that you can't get a taxi at this time of the night. Yeah, there are plenty of extra bedrooms on the second floor you can spend the night in one of the bedrooms. Yeah, Safety first". He added with a frail smile then he drew close to me a bit.

"I hope your husband understands" he whispered in a mocking tone.

"Yeah, he's loving and understanding" i lied with a half smile and a brief eye roll.

"Its late and there's no taxi that's it. Nothing special" i thought to myself.

"Aileen, is anything on your mind?" Anthony snapped me out of my thoughts wi th his question.

"Okay yeah, I'll stay. Good night" i said as i left the living room.