Chapter 17

Ava scooted over beside Audrey who was busy browsing her computer on the couch. Ava stared at her friend who was not giving her any attention but continued working on her computer. Ava tapped her fingers on the table anxiously and kept looking at her friend.

"What! Why do you keep on staring at me?" Audrey finally said.

"So, you're not going to tell me how your date at the event went two days ago? Come on, I'm dying to know already, and why do you have to be so busy. Come on tell me." She whined.

"So you are inquisitive, I'm just wondering how long will it take for you to finally bug me about it." She laughed bumping her friend.

"It was great. I met his father who is just like him. Exactly like him. Ethan seemed to try and make me as comfortable as he can. You know how I feel being in a crowded expensive places... Then, we sneak out halfway the event to get ice cream instead. I know, doesn't sound like him at all... He's nice, funny and charming. He's not what I thought he was. It's like he has two different personalities. He's even nice to his driver. It's weird how he can yell at his employees and be so kind to his driver. Isn't it weird?" She said while her phone buzzed and she held her finger up to tell her friend to hold her thought.

"Hello? What! What? How- So what does that mean? We always check on everything and we've not changed anything. Alright, contact Mr Patrini. Thanks." She hung up the phone in disbelief.

"What happened? Who was that?"

"There are numerous guests from the Loyd's event experiencing food poisoning. I made sure that our food are always fresh and we practiced high standards of hygiene. I don't understand." She muttered.

"What are you going to do? Are they suing you or anything? Can they even do that?" She asked.

"They can sue us... and everything I build... People are not going to trust us anymore. I need to talk to all the employees and figure this out first thing in the morning. I need to inform Ethan about this." She said, closing her computer and walked into her bedroom.

The next day, Audrey drove to her office and gathered all her employees to have an emergency meeting regarding the issue. The meeting went on for two long hours of questioning, explaining and brainstorming on the possible solution. They called and questioned on all their food and beverage suppliers used that day. A staff came into the meeting room and informed that there was someone representing Food and Drugs Administration who wanted to talk to them.

"Hi, I am Audrey Bouquet, the owner of Bouquet Catering. Can I help you?"

"Good afternoon Miss Bouquet, I am Sean Keels from the FDA. I've been informed that there is a case of food poisoning from the Loyd's event at the Loyd Hotel three days ago and you are the caterer for the event. I am here to inspect on your kitchen and storage situation to report back to the FDA. I hope you understand." He said showing his identification card proving that he was from the FDA.

"Yes, of course. May I know the number of people who are affected?" She asked feeling more agitated.

"I have not received the exact number yet, but we are looking at, at least a dozen people." He replied and was lead to the kitchen. He checked the kitchen and storage areas thoroughly while jotting down notes on his clipboard. He also asked list of questions regarding the food, beverages, chefs, waiters and the events. After series of questions, they were finally done and he left, leaving her feeling remorse and apprehensive.

Audrey picked up her buzzing phone and answered.

"Audrey, are you alright?"

"Ethan, I just talked to the FDA. They are still confirming on the number of people affected and searching for the source of the problem. I'm really sorry, Ethan. This never happened before. I am so sorry that it happened at your event." She said in regret.

"It's fine. My PR are handling it and I'm sure there's an explanation for this. I've called my attorney to assist you anyway he can as well. Perhaps we should have a meeting regarding the matter at my office." He pointed out.

"Yeah, alright. Thank you."

He hung up the phone and pondered why was he so worried about her wellbeing, he should know by now that he should keep his distance away from women. He was not going to risk himself being vulnerable but there was something about her that made her stood out from all the other women that he met. We're just hanging out, nothing serious so there's nothing wrong with that, right?