Page 61 of Love your Billionaire Boss

Kenny glanced at the dessert table and saw Cleo’s assistant stacking plates and carrying them to the kitchen. Had she left? There was no way. Not with everyone asking for her info. This was her big break. He continued searching the room, but she was nowhere to be found.

He spotted Kev walking unsteadily from the kitchen area. He was holding a bag of ice to his head and muttering to himself. He must have had one too many and clocked his head on something. But then, a wave of nausea washed over Kenny and he didn’t know why. He took a deep breath to settle his stomach.

Suddenly, he felt like a big coward for not talking to her. He had so many opportunities to set things right. He could have texted her or called her. He could have gone to the bar and visited her. He could have walked the ten feet to talk to her face-to-face tonight. Now he had missed his chance, and the full weight of it was hitting him.

Feeling a surge of courage, and slight panic, he walked over to the dessert table where Cleo’s assistant was busy stacking plates. He cleared his throat nervously. Her assistant looked up with a smile that quickly disappeared when she saw him.

“Can I help you?” she asked curtly.

“Yeah. I was wondering where the head baker was?”

She ignored him and continued clearing the table.

“Er, I’m Kenny.” He held out his hand.

“Elle.” She shook his hand before briskly taking her hand back.

“So, can you tell me where your boss is?”

“Cleo.”

“Hmm?”

“Her name is Cleo, but I think we both know that.” Elle stacked a few trays and made her way to the kitchen.

Realizing this wasn’t going to be easy, he followed her.

“Let me help you with that,” said Kenny as he jogged to keep up with her, reaching for the stack of trays.

“I’ve got it.”

They walked into the kitchen and Elle set the trays down on the counter. Kenny glanced around and realized Cleo wasn’t there either. A stack of folded pastry boxes lay on the counter neatly, but her pink chef coat was thrown on the counter carelessly. Elle turned to leave the kitchen and go back to the party.

“Wait. Please,” pleaded Kenny.

She turned to face him, shooting him a sharp look. She put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows questioningly.

“Where is she?” he asked softly.

“Cleo left,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Wait, what?”

“Yeah.” Elle shrugged.

Kenny couldn’t believe she had left. He had missed his chance and now he was kicking himself. He tried to hide his disappointment, but failed miserably.

“That’s too bad.”

“Is it?” Elle said sarcastically.

Kenny was starting to wonder if Elle was merely Cleo’s assistant or her good friend. Judging by her attitude and the lack of information she was providing, he assumed the latter. She probably knew everything. She probably hated him, and with good reason.

Ignoring his thoughts, he said, “Yeah. There are a few guests wanting her info for events.”

“She’s fresh out of business cards.”

Kenny gave a solitary nod and chewed the inside of his cheek. They stood in silence for a minute. Clearly, this was going nowhere. He would have to find her himself.

---