"What about him, Aunt Rose? Is there something wrong?" Lance became worried.

"Ahh nothing, John and I need to talk about it privately, if you don't mind." Rose squeezed the man's hand indicating that they need some time alone.

"Yes, I understand, Aunt Rose. I'll leave then because I also have to prepare for the dinner tonight." The man hurried off and went back to the hotel.

When the young man left, Rose faced her husband with a serious look on her face.

"John..." she called him with anxiety in her voice.

"hmm... I have to call my men yet. I am still hesitant to do it because I fear that Ingrid will get mad at us again. You know our daughter very well, she does not want to be her decision to be preponderate by anyone without consulting her."

"Yeah, you're right. But could we just do it discreetly? I am so bothered by the fact that..." Rose did not finished her statement went Clark come into their sight.

"Grandpa, where's mom?"

"I think she's preparing for her date tonight." John replied smiling.

"Date? What is that grandpa?"

"Ahh, it's like this, uncle Lance invited your mom for a dinner date tonight, it's only between a man and woman, doing things like eating, having a nice time together, talking and there could be some dancing, too."

"Oh. I want to have a date, too." The couple chuckled.

"Only if you are older, darling." Rose told the child and embraced him. "...why are you so adorable, my boy. I really love to cuddle you." The child chuckled when his grandma tickled him.

"Stop it, grandma hahahahahha" the child shriek in laughter while John was so amused on the child.

"By the way, when will be your birthday, Clark?" the child counted using his small hands.

"I think five months from now, grandpa. Do you plan something for me?" the child's tone of voice is excited.

"What do you want to do on your birthday, by the way?"

"Mmmm.... can we go to the beach with mom, grandpa, grandma, granny Len, grandpa Clint, my bestfriend Tristan and uncle Cliff! That's all I want for my birthday, grandma."

"That's it? No toys? No big parties?"

"Nope, grandpa."

They were surprise on the child's simple request because most of the child in his age would really demand for big parties, lots of toys and lots of people to be invited especially their playmates and cla.s.smates.

"How about your cla.s.smates?"

"Ahh, we will just treat them at school. We'll bring foods for them, that's all. I just want to have a simple birthday, grandpa..."

...

Ingrid went to her walk in closet and chose what to wear for tonight. She saw a red halter bodycon dress that emphasizes her curves and she decided to partner it with a pointed toe barely there heeled sandals in nude.

While she was looking at her outfit for tonight, she reflected why she accepted Lance invitation for tonight because she knew that deep within her that she is not easily persuaded with some fancy dinner dates especially if the man she just met recently. She knew what Lance is planning, maybe because she did not want to shame her parents that's why she consented it.

Though she noticed how gentle Lance is towards her, he also tried to get Clark's affection and is caring towards her parents, it's as if that he is their son. But despite what she observed, she could not easily give her heart for him or to anyone just so easily the reason that it was broke twice.

She reminisces about her first love. She was on her first year in college when she met and fell in love with Sheldon Mesley. He was the school's best athlete and she was the smartest in their university. They became cla.s.smates and he courted her, she gave herself a chance to experience to be in a relations.h.i.+p so they became a couple.

A month after, when she and Liane was on her way to the comfort room she overheard a conversation among the boys and she heard Sheldon's voice. She stopped on her tracks and eavesdropped.

"What did I tell you? Ingrid can be an easy catch." He laughed so loud. "...where's my five hundred bucks?"