"The breakfast is ready and I might as well invite you." He pokes his head to the direction of the bed. "...and I guess, Clark is still asleep. Care to join me? I need something to tell you. Important." Ingrid felt the urgency of his voice. She nodded and went with him.As they sat, both are trying to sense each other, wondering who will have the guts to speak first. Waiting for the other to open up, since their talk earlier are still fresh from Ingrid"s mind. Their little talk gives her warm, a.s.surance and strength that anything could happen but she knows someone is backing her up, someone she could rely on, someone she could... trust?
She shivered at the thought and she shakes her head trying to slip it past from her head.
It was Clifford who broke the silence.
"Your parents are in town. They"ve arrived earlier and they are here to talk to you and then me. We will meet them when we are ready to leave."
"What?! Why are they here? Why am I not informed?"
"It"s an emergency. We"ll know when we get there. The moment that report went out, both Briggs" and Howards" stocks slightly dropped. So I think that"s the reason."
"This is driving me insane! You said it was a positive one," she said accusingly. His demeanor darkened and did not dare explain further.
"When are we gonna go to the clinic?" she thought for a moment.
"Don"t you dare divert our discussion, Clifford. What is exactly happening?"
"The stocks went down up until now and your parents wanted to know the truth directly from us and our parents wanted to do something that even I have no idea about." His face is full of exasperation. She frowned, knowing that her parents would again suggest marriage.
"..and in my opinion, we really need to go to that clinic. Because this chaos started in that clinic six years ago and whatever the result, I am willing to take responsibility."
"I have no definite plans yet but as soon as possible. Take responsibility for what?"
"To take responsibility for being Clark"s father."
Ingrid suspected that there is something Clifford not telling her.
...
The clock strikes ten o"clock in the morning and the Briggs and the Howards waited patiently for their arrival. They transferred to Briggs" mansion to have an intimate discussion. As much as Helen wanted to exclude Lance, she could not do so out of courtesy to the Howards. But she will not allow it that he will join the discussion.
"Clint, I plead that this should only be exclusive for us. I don"t want "anybody" that is not involved in this to join our private talk."
"Yes, I know that."
Clifford, Ingrid and Clark arrived at the mansion. They were greeted by the servants and the butler ushered them to the living room. There they saw the family sitting looking so serious.
"Young Master and Young Miss Ingrid and Little young master Clark has arrived." The butler announced. All of them looked at them and it was the mothers who stood up and welcomed them.
The women kissed their cheeks as greetings and diverted their attention more on Clark who is more than willing to accommodate the two grandmothers.
"Ingrid, it"s been a while... I am hoping you are fine." Lance walked to her side and had a cheek to cheek greeting. Clifford"s gaze darkened.
"What a surprise you are here, Mr. McNaught? I thought this is just a family affair?" his voice sounded sarcastically, they shook hands and he gripped Lance hands tightly.
"I was worried about Ingrid, so I volunteered to come, to know what I can offer to help." He also tightened his grip to Clifford, challenging him.
"Oh, is that so? I guess, there"s no need, we can take good care of it, right father?" he said staring at his father.
His father veiled his laugh in a cough, "What a clever, possessive man." He thought.
"Ah, yes. I apologize, Lance, but I think we should have a private talk with these two first and we"ll let you know about it, okay?" Clint apologetically said.
"I understand, Mr. Briggs. Just tell me what I can do. I"ll excuse myself first."