Chapter 281 - Fake girlfriend (3)

Sarah stormed into Jeff's office. No one stopped her from entering. Steve was with Jeff inside the office, and secretary was on a task to find out who the pretend-girlfriend is.

Jeff looked at Sarah and realized in an instant that she found out about that fake girlfriend and that she is furious.

"Sarah, let me explain.", he spoke with urgency.

"You know that there is something to explain?" Sarah slowed down but was still advancing towards Jeff steadily.

"I know there is a misunderstanding..." Jeff stood up abruptly and stepped behind his chair. He found that Sarah is too close.

Sarah took a deep breath and stopped. "I'm listening... ten seconds."

Steve didn't understand the situation, but he saw Jeff being defensive. 'Just what is going on here? Is Boss afraid?'

Jeff was in a full-blown panic mode. He hoped that his explanation will be enough to pacify Sarah. "There is a woman who says that she is my girlfriend, but that is not true."

"Martha Hindin", Sarah said.

Jeff was not sure he understood. "Who?"

"Martha Hindin, from marketing department." Sarah expanded.

Steve thought the name sounds familiar. He looked at Jeff's schedule which was on a tablet in his hands. "Boss, you attended a meeting on Tuesday 10:30 AM. She was presenting financial data for marketing department."

"So, you know her?" Sarah's eyes flashed.

Aiden rushed inside, "Sarah, wait!" He stopped in his tracks when he saw that they are only talking, and awkwardly smiled.

Steve was suspicious even more. 'Just what on earth is going on here? Why is Boss hiding behind chair from Sarah, and then his brother enters in such a manner?'

Jeff shook his head. "I don't know-know her. She works here and did a presentation. I don't know why she is claiming to be my girlfriend!" He hoped that Sarah will see that he is telling the truth.

Seeing that Jeff is puzzled with the situation, Sarah calmed down.

Jeff's secretary returned. She peeked in the office and saw that everyone present is someone her boss trusts, so she decided to speak up. "CEO White, I have information related to person who says she is in a relationship with you."

Jeff called her in. "Come and close the door. Everyone here can hear what you have to say."

She closed the door and looked at everyone present before starting. "It's employee Martha Hindin. She is one of leads in marketing department, focusing on finances. Her office is on fifteenth floor. Few days ago, she started talking how you are interested in her, and then it escalated from there. Now there are even rumors that she will give a statement to the media vouching that you are not... mhm... that you are not... gay."

Aiden chuckled and sat on the sofa. He was entertained by this whole situation.

Sarah gave Aiden a scolding look.

"Thank you, you may leave..." Jeff told his secretary. His expression didn't reveal what he is thinking.

Secretary swiftly left and closed the door behind her.

Jeff sat on his chair and rubbed his temples. "How troublesome..."

Sarah looked at Jeff. "What are you going to do about it?"

Jeff shook his head. "I don't know how to deal with this... any suggestions?" He could deal with many things, but a rumor-spreading woman from the company? This was his first. While his secretary spoke, Steve handed to Jeff Martha's employee information. Her performance reviews are good, she recently got promoted. Can he fire her because she is spreading rumors? Rumors are not enough to fire someone; he could get into legal issues if he does that.

Sarah looked at Jeff who was obviously lost, not knowing what to do. She decided to suggest a solution. "Tell Anna."

Jeff frowned. He didn't want to involve JoAnna into troublesome things. Especially not something related to his work. "No."

Sarah explained: "If you do something, you are aware that she can easily label you as a bully. That is why you don't know how to handle this… However, if you do nothing, this Martha person will continue. You lose either way. This is a fight for women. Tell Anna. She will know what to do."

Jeff was still not convinced.

"You don't believe me? Ask your brother... when someone tries to claim him, who is the one that chases all the wanna-be-girlfriends away?" Sarah proudly lifted her chin.

Jeff looked at Aiden, waiting to hear more from his brother.

Aiden nodded and said dotingly. "She is right... very efficient... fierce. You will be surprised."

Sarah liked that he praised her like that and leaped next to him on the sofa. He put his arm over her shoulder, and they looked at each other in the eyes, slowly inching one toward other. It was obvious that they are about to kiss.

Jeff cleared his throat. "This is my office, and these are work hours. Go back to work."

Sarah and Aiden laughed. "Yes, Boss!" They exclaimed in unison and walked out of Jeff's office.

Jeff rubbed his temples again. "Acting like teenagers..."

"Boss..." Steve spoke in quiet voice and pointed at the door. "Miss Hill..."

Jeff looked at Steve guessing what he wants to say. "Yes, Steve... my girlfriend is Sarah's sister."

Steve solemnly nodded. Now he understood why Sarah was upset to hear that another woman says that she is Boss's girlfriend. But he still didn't understand why it looked that his Boss is afraid of Sarah...

...

That evening, after dinner, Jeff sat on the sofa in the living room and called JoAnna to join him. "Anna, honey... I have something to tell you. Promise me to listen until the end and not come to any conclusion before I finish."

JoAnna agreed and listened to his story about Martha Hindin, how she is talking at office that she is dating Jeff, and even claiming that she is woman in tabloid photos... "...and Sarah told me to tell you, and you will know how to deal with her." Jeff finished.

Jeff watched JoAnna with anticipation. Her eyes were closed, and she rubbed her chin slowly with a lot of force. She was silent for few minutes before she opened her eyes.

"This woman says that you belong to her?" JoAnna spoke more to herself than to Jeff, and her hands clenched tightly into fists.

JoAnna was sitting in silence for few minutes before she asked him, "At what time do employees at White corp. head out for the day?"

"Around six."

JoAnna nodded. She had a plan. "Tell Steve to spread around that your girlfriend will come and visit you at five, through main entrance."

Jeff's eyes lit up. "Really? You will come and visit me tomorrow?"

JoAnna smiled and made a small nod as a response.

"Should I do something?" Jeff was excited to see what she planned.

"Just act normal." JoAnna's smile widened. "But keep your calendar free after five, if possible."

"That will not be a problem. I have something planned for tomorrow." Seeing that JoAnna was about to ask about his plan, Jeff interrupted her. "Don't ask, it's a surprise..."