"Well, I'd love to prove to you that not all men are like that, they, I mean, some may do that but there are still men out there that are exempted to such, how should I call that, umm... ident.i.ty?"

Ingrid's brows rose. "Well, I guess you are almost close to the truth, but regardless, I just can't afford to lose myself, my heart to such men again. Never again should I trust men. They are all liars." She firmly said.

"Woahh, fierce!" he teased. "So tell me, what's your story? I bet a million that there are plenty of reasons why you become bitter to us men. I would love to know your story, that is, if you don't mind?"

Ingrid did not respond but only stared on the beach. Then suddenly she looked at Clifford who is patiently waiting for her to act in response.

"Why? Why would you like to know?" she asked but there are no emotions that could be seen in her eyes.

"Believe me or not, I want – no – I need us to be friends, for work's sake, for Clark's and especially for us, our sake."

"I only need few friends; I have no room for you. And why Clark is included?"

"I know you still have, can you just open it up a bit. I am not monster, Ingrid. I am not the same random men you knew before. And I never let any woman cry, but they do cry, and I don't know why? But as for Clark, whether you agree or not but, we both know that he regard me as his father and it would be an honor for me to grant Clark's desire." He smiled charmingly.

Clifford himself was blown away by what he is saying. He did not know what got into him. He now, to some extent, realizes why he does not want to be involved with just random women. He respected women in general, most importantly his mother. But he could not fathom their ways. They were just giving him headaches. They nag, they demand, they want to be in control, they cry without logical reason and he hated it.

But the woman in front of her is a self-made woman. She knows what she wants, what she needs and how to get it. And that just amazes him. He had never met such kind of a woman who is pa.s.sionate about what she is doing. It will take great effort to fully gain just her trust.

'Well, I could not blame her, she's been through a lot and she needs someone who could support her emotionally, someone as tough as her, someone strong someone like....' he trailed off his thoughts and contemplated about her response for a moment.

"So, how can I gain your trust?"

"Why would you?" she blurted out.

"Well, I guess, because someday you need it?" He said meaningfully.

Ingrid could only watch the man before her wide eyed. Her heart beats faster like it's being chase by someone. He seemed like a different man she knew. What she sees now is a dignified man, a responsible man who is not capable of breaking anyone's heart. He is far different from what she reads on the print media and some interactions they had.

Ingrid remembered his father's words when she was a little that imprinted in her mind even as to this day.

"My precious daughter, if one day you will find a man whom you will love. Look at how he treats his mother because he will treat you the way he treated her."

She slightly opened her mouth to ask Clifford, but suddenly someone called her attention.

"Ingrid is that you?" Ingrid closed her slightly opened mouth and turned around to the owner of the voice.

She furrowed her brows because she is not familiar with the man before her.

"It's me, Sheldon, Sheldon Mesley..."

Ingrid's jaw dropped.