45: EXCLUDING MARRIAGE

EXCLUDING MARRIAGE

"Thank you, dad! What you said means so much to me" the words she longed to hear from her dad for a long time have come true.1

She never thought by just merely accumulating something like this on her own could somehow alleviate their gap for the past years she's been absent from their presence.

"Feel yourselves comfortable, dad, mom, Lance. I'll go to the kitchen to supervise the preparation."

"Can I help you?" Lance volunteered.

"If you want…" without hesitation, Lance stood up and go with Ingrid to the kitchen. While her parents were busy playing with Clark.

"You got a lovely home, Ingrid." The man said with positive reception.

"Thanks, Lance. This is the product of my hard work and determination." She replied, beaming in delight.

"Yes, I could see that. Your future husband is very lucky to have a wife like you, you're good at business and in domestic chores, too."

"Hmm, about that, I doubt it,"

"What doubt? Why?" confounded by her statement.

"My life has been whole, I have a loving son, a great career, a house, plus me and my parents already patched things up. It would be selfish of me if I ask for more. Besides, I planned everything, excluding marriage. That's why I decided to have Clark." She said frankly.

"Woah! What a bold move…" Lance said in awe, but he was saddened by her declaration of having no plans for marriage.

He wanted to ask her why she decided to settle in that concept, but de doesn't want to appear prying or too eager. It might ruin his chance. So he just shut his mouth.

When they reached the kitchen, the house helpers were all busy preparing the food to be served. However, she decided to put the food in the garden since she felt like eating outside the house.

"Jeri, I've decided that we eat outside, tell the others to lit up the candles and dim the lights in the garden." She smiled as she imagined having a cozy dinner with her family.

"So you like outdoors, huh?" Lance commented while having mental notes of her likes and dislikes for his future reference.

"Ahh kinda, only if the ambiance is suggesting it…"

Out of the blue, Ingrid's phone rang. She saw her boss's name, Clint Briggs, on the screen. She furrowed her brows upon reading it and hurriedly swiped to answer the phone.

"Hello, Mr. Clint?"

"Hi, Ingrid, sorry if I disturb you, but may I ask if you're with your parents?"

"Yes, sir, do you have plans tonight with them, sir? Should I call on them now for you to talk?"

"Where are you now?" his tone was somewhat hinting at something.

"We're at my house, sir…"

"Ohh.. I thought you're in the hotel, I would love to invite your family for a dinner with us, but I forgot to inform you earlier. I'll just–" Ingrid barge in.

"If you want sir, you could join us for dinner, though, it's just a simple meal.."

"Oh, I fear that I might interrupt your intimate dinner…" he said as if he is hesitant but also expectant that Ingrid should insist.

"No, no. It would be an honor if you'll join us, sir.." her voice sounded like a loving daughter. "Besides you are dear to my parents, so that's not a big deal, sir."

"Really? I'll bring the best wine John liked. We'll be there in any moment… Bye!"

"Let's go back to the living room, I'll inform dad and mom that Mr. Briggs is coming to joining us."

So when they get into the living room, her parents were in happy spirits when they knew that the Briggs will join them at dinner. They hurriedly went to their room and changed clothes. Ingrid decided to sponge bath Clark since they were all out all day, and she feels sticky, also. But then Ingrid remembered Lance and asked him if he would like to change some clothes or a shirt.

"I've specifically prepared clothing for my visitors in case that they need one, since I always make sure that I am ready for any emergency. If you want I can lend you all you need if you feel sticky due to of our today's trip."

"You do? How amazing?" Lance's admiration for Ingrid grew deeper. Furthermore, he could not wait for the day to honestly confess to her what he feels about her.

"It's nothing new; I believe you do the same, right?" she said inquiringly.

"Ahh yes.." Ingrid then led him to a room, and when they opened it, he saw well-arranged clothing for men and women.

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