"A penny for your thought, Miss Howard..." Ingrid suddenly jolted from her seat when she heard the deep and mesmerizing of Clifford. Her mouth fell open as if seeing a ghost.

"What are you doing here?" she automatically asked after regaining her surprised composure.

"I am here to inform you that I'll be going ahead of you first, because the client will arrive earlier than the schedule, I believe you are informed already about it." She nodded.

"Yeah, I just received it today." She lowered her eyes and busied herself again.

Clifford pursed his lips before he continued speaking.

"Uhm, my private plane will go back immediately after they send me. So, just inform them ahead of time on your preferred schedule."

"I'll be using your private plane? Isn't it impractical? It's much better that I'll just board on a plane." She subsequently took the intercom and was about to call Daisy when he was stopped by his firm hands.

"What do you think you are doing?" she angrily glared him, and then squirmed from his hold.

"You know perfectly what I'm doing. It' already settled. Don't refuse to comply. It's an order." Then he walked away. However, when he reached the door, he turns to her again.

"By the way, did you already consider my offer in bringing Clark along?"

"Huh? Ahhh, n-no, not yet." She lied and the same time she felt uneasy doing it.

His gaze deepen that seems examining her through and through.

"Whatever you decide, it's all up to you... but– never mind. I'll leave then."

Her emotions are in chaos. Emotional dilemma is much more complex than that of in business.

"That is why I hate such things..." she mumbled.

She shrugs the unwanted thoughts first and decided to put her focus on the presentation.

It was the first time that Daisy witnessed that the CEO himself went over to the EVP's office without prior notice. Because mostly, it was the CEO's secretary would inform them and not personally himself.

Looking at her boss' blank facial expression, it seems that she is not affected by his presence. But she noticed that in her eyes an unknown emotion flickers. Daisy is not used to see that on her boss as she was on guard and never showed emotion to any stranger only to whom she trusts.

...

Clifford arrived at the Komu Hotel and Resort in Maldives. He arrived much earlier than the couple so that he will be the one to welcome them personally. He already reserved the presidential suite for them, as well for him and Ingrid.

He was wearing a light blue linen s.h.i.+rt, Khaki pants and a dark brown boat shoes. He looks so relaxed while sipping paloma. The women in bikini are starting to come across him and one by one or in a group displaying their bodies in front of him. Some even winks gesturing an invitation, and to avert from their stares he wore his Prada Aviator sungla.s.ses.

Instead of being bothered by them, he smiled at the thought of Ingrid.

"What have you done to me, Ingrid?" he shook his head when recalled how she squints angrily in front of him. How aloof she is but he is so moved by how she loves her child, her parents and the people around her. He has that deep longing that somewhat urging him to be part of her.

He then heaved a deep sigh when he remembered Clark and silently prayed that somehow Ingrid would bring the child. He was almost tempted to go over the child and personally invite him so that Ingrid could not refuse but he held back because he does not want to manipulate things.

Moments later, the hotel staff informed him that the couple arrived. He automatically stood up and wore a smile before he meets them.