"Really?" Clifford let off an amuse smile to his impeccable wife. "...you're so confident in teasing me and seducing me earlier, but why do I feel that you're nervous now?" the enjoyment in his eyes grew more as he walks closer to her.

Ingrid felt like a bunny trapped by the wolf which could be devoured any minute now. She bit her lips and thought of ways to escape or makes a little diversion for his advances. While Clifford loves the look on his wife's face that he wanted to tease her a little bit more.

"Wait, wait what did Gary tell you about earlier that made you so annoyed?" Clifford is already five steps away from her but she is unable to move, her feet seems like being glued on the floor.

"Hmmm... do you really wanna know what makes me annoyed?" Clifford's eyes narrowed maliciously.

"I think, I don't want to know.." Ingrid struggled hard to move her feet because deep inside she wanted to be imprisoned by her husband's embrace again. Heaven knows that she might not be able to restrain herself if this intimate tease will be prolonged.

So Ingrid took a step to go away but to her dismay and delight as well, Clifford caught her hand and pulled her to his chest.

"Don't go just yet. Stay here for a while..." the man's voice becomes hoa.r.s.e. He smelled his wife's hair, kisses her forehead, her pink cheeks, her nose and then....

"Oh Cliff... one last kiss please? Just a kiss." she pleaded.

But what she didn't expect is the force that Clifford placed on their kiss. It demands, it pulls her closer to him, it entices her to give and receive something special and wonderful.

'Oh I don't want this to end...' Clifford thought.

'This is just so good.. so right...'

It was Clifford who finally pulled away slowly and gently which takes great effort to control himself.

"Hmmm.. this place isn't right for us, love. You deserve only the best." Ingrid's mouth opens as though she wanted to protest or say something but she just closed and then pursed her lips and nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. This is not the right time and place. We deserve the best." Ingrid grinned.

Clifford heaves a long sigh as he stared helplessly at his still bewildered wife. He chuckled as he shakes his head in disbelief. Before he released her from his clutch he cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

"By the way, we'll be appearing in a renowned TV show this coming Sat.u.r.day. Dad arranged it for us instead of some press conference."

"We'll appear in a TV show? oohhh!! I hate being interviewed..."

Ingrid seldom appears in any interviews, all the more in TV shows.

"Well, it won't be bothersome since I'll be the one to answer most of the questions." Clifford winks at her but Ingrid just shrug.

"Okay, as you wish. I really have to go, my love..."

Ingrid fled hurriedly. But before she opened the door she turns around and send off a flying kiss to him. Her heart thumps so fast that she had to stop halfway to her office and touch her chest to calm down her raging heartbeat.

"Silly!" she mumbled to herself but she couldn't help but smile.

Clifford's eyes glued to the door. He only comes back to his senses when he heard his phone rings. John Howard's name appeared on the screen which he immediately answers.

"Sir..." he didn't know how to address his father-in-law yet so he just addresses him formally.

"Sir? Is that how you call your father-in-law?" John softly chuckled. "..call me dad or father, Cliff. You're now my son-in-law.."

"Oh, sorry, father. By the way, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Nothing... I just want to invite you, Clark, Ingrid and your parents to come here in Vienna to witness the grand opening of our resort sometime this week or next week."

"That's awesome! Yes, I'll tell Ingrid and my parents about it, I'm sure they'll be delighted, dad..." Clifford becomes excited to visit where Ingrid grew up.

The two men talked for a while before they decided to end the call.

♥...♥...♥

"Good evening, everyone! Tonight is an exceptional night as we're able to interview the most elusive and most successful owner and a boss behind the renowned beauty products around the globe. I know everyone of you here is excited to see our very special guests."

The audience cheered. The male host is known to be straightforward during his interviews and cloaks it with humour. He's well-respected in his field and is the sought after male host even in other countries.

"Before we welcome them, let's watch this."

The VTR showed Clifford Briggs, his appearances, his images and then Ingrid Howard as well. They also showed their involvement of the gossip that made them even more popular as of the moment.

"Please help me welcome, the new CEO of Briggs and Briggs Company, Mr. Clifford Briggs and the company's EVP, Miss Ingrid Howard."

The audience clap their hands and some whistled as they entered the studio.

Clifford wears a pink long sleeved s.h.i.+rt, an overcoat, khaki pants and a brown leather shoes. While Ingrid wears a baby pink knee length dress, with black accents on its neckline and waistline and nude pumps. They both wear their rings and no one seemed to notice it.

The host stands up to welcome the guests and made cheek-to-cheek greetings.

"My... what a stunning couple we have tonight, ooopppss, I mean guests.." then the male host laughs.