Chapter 37 Business Trip
"Sir, here is the lunch," Audrey said, carefully placing the paper bag containing Elliot's favorite menu on the desk.
Elliot was still busy with the report he was checking. Without shifting his gaze, he said curtly, "Take one."
Audrey paused, her eyebrow raising slightly. "What do you mean, Sir?"
Elliot's gaze finally shifted, looking at Audrey, who was still standing silently with a confused face.
"It seems like you've been losing focus often lately, haven't you?" Elliot's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the tired look on his secretary's face. "Too much work, or because of someone else's presence?"
Audrey was slightly taken aback by the insinuation. Her back tensed, but she covered it with a small smile. "I don't understand what you mean, Sir."
"Take one," Elliot repeated, more firmly this time. "You need energy to work."
"I've already had lunch, Sir," Audrey quickly excused, although her voice sounded unconvincing.
"Do you think I don't know?" Elliot cut in sharply. "Your lunch is still left on the desk. You haven't even touched half of it."
Audrey opened her mouth to object, but finally, she only let out a small sigh and nodded. She reached for one box from the paper bag. "Thank you, Sir," she said softly, turning to leave the room.
"Sit," Elliot suddenly said, stopping Audrey in her tracks.
Audrey turned, confused. "Excuse me?"
"Sit," Elliot repeated, pointing to the sofa in the corner of the room. "Eat there and finish it."
Audrey looked hesitant, clearly uncomfortable. "But—"
"No buts," Elliot cut in again. "Sit."
Reluctantly, Audrey walked to the sofa and slowly sat down. She opened the lunch box and began picking up small pieces with her spoon, but her movements looked awkward.
The room fell silent. Only the sound of the reports being flipped by Elliot and occasionally Audrey's spoon touching the lunch box could be heard. However, Elliot's gaze occasionally darted toward the woman, watching her every movement.
"Why are you eating like a baby bird?" Elliot suddenly asked, without lifting his gaze from the documents.
Audrey stopped chewing, her eyebrow raised. "Baby bird?"
Elliot closed the document in front of him, now looking directly at Audrey. "You're just moving the food from the box to the spoon, then back to the box again. It keeps going like that. You're not really eating."
Audrey slightly lowered her head, her face starting to flush. "I... I'm not used to eating in front of you, Sir," she replied softly.
"Get used to it," Elliot replied without hesitation.
"What do you mean, Sir?" Audrey asked, looking at Elliot confusedly.
"From now on, every lunch break, you will eat here," Elliot stated firmly. "I want to make sure you're actually eating, because I don't want my secretary to collapse in the middle of work."
Audrey was stunned by the command. She tried to read Elliot's expression, but the man looked too serious.
"Continue eating," Elliot commanded again, his tone full of authority.
Rather than tiring herself with thought, Audrey finally complied and continued eating with awkward movements.
Meanwhile, Elliot leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand. His gaze never left Audrey, and a faint smile formed on his face without him realizing it.
A sudden knock on the door broke the silence. Elliot immediately straightened up, composing his usual expression. "Come in."
Stu entered with quick steps, his face looking slightly troubled. However, his steps paused momentarily when he saw Audrey eating in the room.
"Sir, regarding the business trip to Riverton..." Stu tried to focus, although his eyes occasionally glanced toward Audrey. Curiosity was clearly visible on his face.
Elliot raised an eyebrow, sensing something was wrong. "Tonight, right?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You can't go?" Elliot guessed.
Stu was surprised, but finally nodded. "I apologize, Sir. My wife was admitted to the hospital, and her condition is critical."
Audrey, who heard that, immediately wanted to respond, but Elliot's sharp gaze stopped her. She could only continue eating with difficulty, trying to ignore the increasingly tense atmosphere.
Elliot closed his eyes for a moment, then said, "Show me my agenda while I'm there."
Stu quickly handed over the gadget he had prepared.
Elliot examined it quickly. The schedule was very packed, and it was clearly impossible for him to leave without an escort.
"Is there no one who can replace you?" Elliot asked, his jaw slightly clenched.
"All the personal assistants have other important agendas, Sir," Stu answered hesitantly. "Except..."
Elliot stared straight at Stu. "Except who?"
Stu swallowed, seeming hesitant to answer.
"Except who?" Elliot repeated, his voice sounding demanding.
"Except... Audrey," Stu finally answered, almost whispering.
Elliot was silent for a few seconds, his gaze immediately shifting to Audrey, who was now sitting still, holding her chopsticks tentatively.
"You shouldn't go," Elliot finally said, breaking the silence. His voice sounded slightly annoyed. "Your condition is not fit."
They were in the VIP Lounge at the airport, waiting for the departure of the plane that would take them to Riverton tonight.
Audrey looked up, looking at her boss with a faint smile. "But you can't leave alone, Sir."
Elliot snorted softly, folding his arms across his chest. "You think I can't handle it myself?"
Audrey raised an eyebrow, slightly hesitant before answering softly, "It seems so."
Elliot suddenly leaned forward slightly, his eyes looking intently at Audrey. "What do you mean?"
Audrey looked calm with her professional smile, although a nervous feeling began to creep into her chest. "I apologize, Sir, but you often focus too much on the big things and forget about the small details. I just want to make sure everything runs smoothly."
Elliot fell silent, staring at Audrey for a long time. Her words just now sounded like an insinuation, but he knew Audrey didn't mean to challenge him.
The woman was right. Elliot was often too busy leading strategy and neglected operational details.
"So you think I'm incompetent?" Elliot asked, still sounding defensive.
Audrey quickly shook her head. "It's not like that. I just... want to ensure you don't have to bother thinking about small things. That's my job as your secretary."
Elliot leaned back again, his gaze fixed on his secretary. He let out a long sigh, his fingers tapping the armrest of the sofa. "Are you sure you can go?"
"I'm fine, Sir," Audrey answered briefly, although her voice didn't sound convincing.
Elliot observed the face in front of him. The faint dark circles under Audrey's eyes and her slightly stiff posture were so clear.
"Are you sure you're fine?" he muttered sarcastically. "If this is what you call fine, I can't imagine what you look like when you're truly sick."
Audrey bit her lower lip, restraining herself from replying further. She knew this was not the right time to argue.
Elliot sighed again, taking his coffee cup. "Drink something. You look like you could pass out at any moment."
"Thank you, Sir," Audrey said softly, following her boss's lead to take her own coffee cup. Elliot's words sounded more like a command than concern, but she appreciated it anyway.
A moment later, the boarding call for the flight to Riverton was heard.
Elliot stood up first, straightening his jacket. "We're leaving."
Although Audrey felt slightly weak, she tried to follow Elliot with quick steps, determined not to show weakness in front of the man.
Meanwhile, Elliot truly disliked this situation, where Audrey looked unfit but was forced to travel.
Though his heart didn't stop grumbling, Elliot was slightly relieved, at least Audrey was by his side if something happened.