139: DARLING, IT’S BEEN A WHILE

DARLING, IT’S BEEN A WHILE

It was Vanessa's turn to be surprise.1

Ingrid covered her mouth.

"But Cliff, I mean, Mr. Briggs, I know Miss Reiley would mind this sudden plan, and besides I still have some important tasks to –" Ingrid went back to her business like impression.

"Enough! Miss Howard. My decision is final. The details of my decision will be discussed after this meeting. So to end this early, I think we should move on to where should we going." Clifford walked ahead but still his hand clasps onto Ingrid's gently dragging her behind him.

Ingrid's situation was now reversed. Instead of Clifford playing along with her; it was her who in turn played along in the end. She felt that somehow Clifford did it on purpose and as for the reason, she has a small hint but she's still uncertain. Since she is here, she'll just go with the flow. She needed to know Vanessa Reiley, too, because she has an ill feeling towards the woman.

'I know that she only brings havoc in this relationship.' She could not allow that history repeats itself.

Ingrid looked around to see if there are any suspicious people looking at them and then again, their presence captivated the mall goers. All were looking to them with wide eyes and surprised.

"Hey Mr. CEO are you confirming the rumors are true about you and the lady you're holding hands with?" someone from the crowd shouted and all the people around them murmured and talked among themselves, some who passes by stopped and looked at their direction.

But they did not bother to stop nor entertain the one who questioned them. They keep on walking until they finish the work.

Vanessa's focused dwindled, her anger piled up and she is so close to scream and lose control.

As they enter the CEO's office of the Veanco Corp, Vanessa received a call that which abated her raging emotion.

"Paul..." her voice did not conceal her excitement instead she talked out loud. "Where are you? I'm with Mr. Briggs and Miss Howard..."

....

Paul has just finished his meeting when he remembered to call Vanessa. He then dialled her number while loosening his tie and sat down. Vanessa immediately answered his call and informed him where she is and who's with her.

"Ingrid Howard? You're with her? Where are you?" Paul stood up from his seat when he heard Ingrid's name.

"Veanco Square, and I think you should better be here. There's an important and urgent matter that needs to be discussed."

Paul sensed some trouble in Vanessa's voice. "Okay, be there in a bit."

They both hang up the call and Paul changed his clothes and then ordered to get the car ready.

"We're going to Veanco..."

....

When Ingrid heard the man's name, she started to sweat and felt uneasy. Different emotions stir up in her heart at the thought of meeting Paul Keller again after all the years they've broke up.

She could not figure out if she feels angry, disgusted, hatred and fear or is she feeling all at the same time.

Clifford sensed her uneasiness that he came to her and asked,

"Are you okay with meeting with him today?" he gently whispered. The sound of his voice soothes her and gave her that sense of concern and protection.

Closing her eyes she nodded and then gazes at Clifford straight to his eyes.

"I'll be okay." She sips the water served to her to quench her dried up throat.

In contrast, Vanessa was sipping her tea happily.

'It's payback time, Ingrid.' she mused.

Within thirty minutes Paul Keller arrived leaving Ingrid in a daze and shock. He was ushered by Gary and it was Vanessa who went to him and greeted him warmly.

"Paul, finally you're here. I've been trying to call you earlier but I could not get through." Vanessa was smiling from ear to ear and could smell her revenge as she talk to Paul and then made side glances at Ingrid's direction who seemed unable to speak.

"Mr. Briggs, it's nice to meet you again, I apologize for not being here earlier, I was caught with the strenuous meeting." He shook hands with Clifford and then immediately shifted his gaze to the woman beside him.

"Ingrid, darling, it's been a while." The man looked at Ingrid possessively and his gaze is burning with desire.

Ingrid narrowed her eyes at the sight of him and in a blinking of an eye a crisp sound of slap fall on the man's flawless face. The slap was as loud as a clap that stung Paul's face that it left a red welt behind.

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