CHAPTER 88
Inside the suite, Ronald carefully attended to Xander's wound, deftly changing the dressing and helping him into fresh clothes. Once Xander was settled back on the bed, Ronald quietly exited the room.
In the adjoining room, Tiana Reece, Xander's secretary, was on a call when she heard Ronald approaching. Quickly placing the phone down, she turned to face him with concern evident in her eyes. "Mr. Crawford, is Mr. King okay? How serious is his injury?"
Ronald didn't immediately respond to her query, instead issuing a directive in his authoritative tone. "Finish up with those urgent documents and then you can leave."
Tiana, who had brought along important paperwork from the CEO's office, had insisted on accompanying Ronald after learning of Xander's injury. She was keen on ensuring Xander had everything he needed for his recovery.
Unfortunately, Xander was not in the mood to entertain any visitors, so Ronald had to politely escort Tiana out of the room.
Tiana, feeling a bit reluctant and concerned, persisted despite Ronald's dismissal. She craned her neck to glance at the closed door of Xander's suite, her voice tinged with worry. "Shouldn't someone stay back to look after Mr. King? He's clearly struggling with his mobility right now, and it's crucial that he has someone here to assist him."
While someone had been taking care of Xander earlier—Arianna—she had already left abruptly, discarding the nightdresses he had carefully chosen for her into the trash can. Now, Xander's countenance bore an expression of clear displeasure.
As Ronald finished attending to his boss's wound and changing his clothes earlier, he moved with utmost caution, almost afraid to disturb Xander's fragile state.
Now faced with Tiana's persistent concern, Ronald's patience began to wear thin. "Ms. Reece, it's best if you return to the office. I will handle Mr. King's care from here."
Tiana shot Ronald a pointed glare, frustration evident in her expression. She couldn't decide if he was too rigid in his adherence to protocol that he missed her hints, or if he was feigning ignorance altogether.
Despite her dissatisfaction, Tiana knew better than to provoke Ronald. She bit her lip unhappily and murmured,
"Fine, Mr. Crawford. I'll head back to the office now. Let me know if Mr. King needs anything. I'm available round the clock."
Reluctantly, Tiana lingered for a moment before finally departing.
Ronald shut the door with a sigh, his brow furrowed in concern. His boss's charisma was undeniable, constantly drawing attention from women, whether overtly or subtly.
Over the years, Ronald had politely turned away numerous admirers.
Initially, Piper's association with Xander acted as a deterrent, keeping these women at bay despite their longing glances. However, since Piper's reputation had taken a hit, these admirers had become bolder once more.
Each woman seemed determined to capture Xander's attention, hoping to secure a place as the future Mrs. King.
Little did they realize that Xander's heart already belonged to someone else.
However, Ronald couldn't help but wonder... Where had Arianna gone?
********
Ronald navigated the next few days with caution.
Having been by Xander's side for many years, he knew Xander's temperament inside out and was adept at avoiding any missteps.
Yet, during those days, it felt like he was walking on eggshells, as if any small action could set Xander off.
Whether it was the way he handed Xander a glass or the timing of his movements, Ronald seemed to inadvertently irked Xander.
Sure, injured people could be sensitive, and sensitivity often led to irritability and inconsistency. However, Xander's mood swings seemed excessive.
The mounting pressure was becoming suffocating for Ronald. Standing beside the bed, he mustered the courage to speak up, his voice weak with apprehension.
"Mr. King, have I been inadequate in caring for you? Would you prefer if I arrange for a professional nurse instead?"
Xander glanced up at Ronald with narrowed eyes. His voice was rigid as he replied,
"You know how I feel about strangers."
‘Don’t like strangers…’
Ronald murmured the words quietly to himself, the weight of realization settling heavily on his shoulders. As he reflected on the past few days, a sudden clarity dawned on him.
The reprimands and cold treatment from Xander were not due to his caregiving skills, but rather because Xander preferred someone else in that role—someone who wasn’t him, but Arianna!
Ronald felt a pang of regret at his slow realization. If only he had understood this sooner, he could have spared himself the recent ordeal of facing Xander's displeasure.
As a dedicated assistant, Ronald's foremost duty was to resolve challenges for his employer.
"If Mr. King isn't comfortable with my assistance, I'll find someone who fits his preferences," Ronald declared calmly.
With that decision made, he exited the room, swiftly retrieved his phone, and dialed Arianna's number.
