40: WHO IS THE FATHER?

WHO IS THE FATHER?

Clifford then jolted from his seat when he heard the shriek from a child and calling his name. Then he saw a child came running to him, grinning.1

"Uncle Cliff!" The child called him again.

"Clark? What are you doing here? Who is with you?" Clifford looked at the child with concern.

"I'm with my mom, come I want to introduce you to her and to my grandpa and grandma and uncle Lance." The child pulled his coat, urging him to stand up.

Then Gary cleared his throat. The child and Clifford looked both at him with the same gesture. He almost lost his breath when he saw their stares.

'How could this be? Why are they looking alike?' His jaw dropped, and his eyes enlarge even more his pondering.

"Who is this cute little guy we have here." Miss Reiley then asks, looking so amused with the child.

The child smile and answered.

"I'm Clark Howard, please to meet you." He acted as if he is of the same age as them.

"Ooohh.. he is so adorable.." Miss Reiley was about to pinch his cheeks when Clifford blocked it and held both of the child's shoulders, and leveled his eyes to him.

"Where is your mother?" Cliff asks.

Before Clark could answer, someone from behind him talked.

"I apologize for my son's behavior, Mr. Briggs." Ingrid said, blushing, and wanted to just evaporate in thin air.

The questioning look on Clifford's stare could never be denied, and she absolutely understood it. But what puzzled her was the weight of his gaze that she needed to evade and shift it her son.

"Are you acquainted with uncle Cliff, mom?"

"Of course, he's my boss, " the child smiled and jumped up and down as if he receives a reward. But the mystery is,

"Why do you know do him, son?" It was Ingrid's moment to be confused.

"I told you already, mom, many times, that he is Tristan's uncle." Her son reminded her.

Out of embarrassment, Ingrid ignored Clark, and she glanced at her boss companions.

"I am so sorry for disturbing your meeting." She said apologetically. Vanessa Reiley was the one to reply.

"What an adorable child you have, you and your husband is lucky to have him. I'm Vanessa Reiley."

"Ingrid Howard, oh, I've no husband by the way and it's a long story. Nice meeting you. Vanessa Reiley? The same owner of famous clothing brand?" Ingrid smiled at the woman in a business-like manner.

While Clifford wanted to ask Ingrid so badly who is the father, but he just keeps it to himself.

"It's a family business not mine alone." The woman replied.

Unknown to anyone, Ingrid observed Vanessa Reiley. She is indeed a beauty, a woman oozing with appeal even just in her business suit.

'No wonder, she could seal the deal in an instant.' She sighed to herself.

However, when she noticed that her boss was in the middle of signing the contracts...

"Clark, come on now." She said, warning her child, and with a slightly firm grip, she holds her child's left hand, gesturing to go. Clark is so disappointed that it makes him pout his lips.

"By the way, where are Mr. and Mrs. Howard?" Cliff suddenly spoke as he stopped withdrew from signing the contracts.

"They're over there. We are having our lunch with Lance."

Unexpectedly, Cliff stood up. In one swift movement, Gary took the documents from Clifford's hands. Then, he held the child's small right hand.

"I'll go with you to greet your parents." He said as he smiled at Clark. Ingrid was bewildered and glared at Cliff's handsome face down to the hand which held Clark's.

Without knowing they already made a scene in the restaurant, slowly the diners started to look at them. They look as if they are a couple quarreling over something.

"What are you doing, sir?" She feels aghast at what he said, especially that he holds his hand as if he is the father.

"I already said it. I'll go with you to greet your parents." His voice void of emotion.

"Mr. Briggs you still have papers to sign." Gary barged in, but he just rose his free hand up to dismiss him.

"It can wait. Gary, kindly accompany Miss Reiley in her lunch first, then make sure that she'll go home safe and bring the documents in my office. Please excuse us, Miss Reiley."

"But, Mr. Briggs–" The annoyed Ingrid wanted her boss to stop his foolishness. The deal with Reileys must be important than greeting her parents.

"And you Ingrid should address me in my first name when we are outside work. Is that clear?" His voice is full of authority that it left her mouth fell open.

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