"What do you think is funny, Mr. Briggs?!" she really felt like punching this man.

"Oh my Ingrid, you're jealous! And you're jealous with that woman?" he teased.

"Excuse me? I'm not. She's... she's just giving me some unspeakable feel!" she tends to find fault.

But Clifford could really feel her jealousy and he was rejoicing deep inside. So for not spoiling the moment, he didn't insist.

"Okay fine. But look at me first." Ingrid leisurely met his pa.s.sionate gaze. "... you don't have to be bothered by that 'unspeakable feel' that woman is giving you, because I don't regard her as a woman who's worth my careful and undivided attention. She neither can reach up to your place in my heart, my sweet, nor stand a chance to replace you."

Ingrid froze at what she heard. 'Did he really mean that?' she mused but she could not utter it.

"But what is she doing here? Why is she always around wherever you are? Is she stalking you or something?"

"I don't have answer to that."

"Why did you allow her to keep close to you? Why did you allow her to kiss you on the cheeks?" her tone seems like a child who nags her parents.

"Oh! But I think it happened only twice, mind you she always does it in a spur of the moment which leaves me caught off guard. She's a business partner as well, so I really didn't paid attention to it. However, I didn't know that it's a big deal for you so I'll do something about it, don't worry." He rea.s.sured her.

"Hmmp!" she squinted and Clifford laugh.

"We'll have the reason to get closer effortlessly today, Ingrid, and I know we'll both enjoy every bit of it." he said and winked at her.

Ingrid rolled her eyes, but deep within her she knew what she felt for that moment. She's relieved but guarded against the looming attack of Vanessa whom she really feels that won't give her a peace of mind.

She really felt that there is something off with Vanessa but she couldn't just figure it out. Especially at that moment, Vanessa's face darkened as she stared at their direction. Ingrid then automatically scans the place to find where Clark is. She's relieved that he saw him with Tristan and their cla.s.smates.

"Ingrid, I'm really confused about Clark's behavior today..."

"What about him?"

"He seems strange... he didn't... I mean, he seems distant and... guarded." Clifford grumbled. "...did you tell or instruct him something about this event?"

"Ahh, yeah... I did... but I didn't tell him to do that."

"What did you tell him?"

"Can we just talk about it later? The activities are about to start, I wanna win, you know!" she diverted Clifford's attention and she runs ahead of him to where the games to be held.

"Hey! Wait for me..." he fetch Clark and Tristan and followed where Ingrid was heading.

The fun activity started. The first game is the famous dodgeball with a twist. Each team are tied with a string on their hands, that if one member of the team is. .h.i.t by the ball, they will all be eliminated from the game until only one team is left. The teachers are the ones who throw the ball at the teams.

Clifford had the freedom to put his arm on Ingrid's shoulder or her waist. He's been enjoying the physical contact they've been sharing. While Ingrid was struggling to focus on the game because Clifford's touch sends some s.h.i.+vers to her spine again. He's touching her back, her shoulder, her waist. And what irritates her is that she's enjoying it as well.

As they waited for the ball to thrown again, he said in a whisper, "I'm starting to love this game..." he was just standing behind Ingrid and he could smell the sweet scent that emits from Ingrid's hair.

"Oh! shut it! Concentrate, will you?"

Clifford's team won this game. The children shriek in happiness.

"I told you, Clark, we'll win." Tristan said proudly.

"You're right, Tristan!" Clark nodded in agreement.

"All because of my uncle." Tristan then hugged his uncle's thigh.

Clark's eyes s.h.i.+fted from his best friend to his father. Clifford heard what his nephew said. So he scooted down to level his height to the kids and said,

"Oh, I didn't do it alone, Tristan, we all did our best that's why we won." He ruffled his nephew's hair then his attention is turned to Clark's side.

"You're amazing on the game, son. Very well played." He smiled.

"Thanks..." and he whispered, "daddy.."

.....

Not faraway...

Vanessa's usually brown eyes were now pitch black. She is still fuming with annoyance when she witness what happened during the game. How Clifford touched Ingrid and how delighted Ingrid appeared.

"Hey! Look at those two, isn't it strange? The child really bears a resemblance to Mr. Briggs. I'll bet a million that he's his son and by the looks of it, Mr. Briggs had a secret affair with the child's mother..." one woman commented.

Vanessa angry musing is interrupted and her eyes burning with fire when she heard it and without thought she b.u.t.ts in.

"I think you should watch over your mouth, you're old enough for gossip. And for all you know, you can be criminally liable for it." She stood up and left the group with surprise.