"DADDY??""Ahh yes, mom, my Daddy Cliff. I heard that mister expert said that he is my byoliti – what"s it called again?" Clark looked at his daddy who seems so amused with him.
"Biological father." Clark could not utter it and his daddy softly laughed.
"Oh yeah that. He is my father." Clark said seriously while pointing at Clifford.
Ingrid felt dizzy again and she touches her forehead. "Oh G.o.d! It is not a dream..." she mumbled.
"Yeah, fortunately it isn"t a dream..." Clifford heard her mumbling.
"Sis...? how are you feeling now?" Ingrid looks at her best friend, her eyes are pleading for rescue and Liane understood what she meant.
"Ford, I think I need to take Ingrid to the room first." Clifford just nodded knowing that the ladies some s.p.a.ce to talk.
The experts went their way and were sent back to the lab by Vladimir"s men.
On the other hand, after checking that Ingrid is okay, the rest of them went to the study and waited for John.
Clifford tried to help Ingrid to get up but she only angrily glared at him and only Liane a.s.sisted her to get up. When they reached the bedroom, Ingrid exhaled very deep as if there is something in her lungs that hinders her proper breathing.
"Sis, I lost to the agreement." Liane knew about the agreement already the last time they talk.
"Shh... just don"t think negative just yet..." Liane a.s.sured her best friend. "...we may never know where this new road will lead you. But, wherever it is, it"s a sure fact that someone will always be there for you. Let tomorrow worry itself..."
"Thank you sis... but what should I do? How shall I face him?" Ingrid has so many inhibitions. Liane snorted and shakes her head.
"There"s nothing to worry about facing him. Besides, it is him who should think about that. Why? Simply because he just came into your life. I mean, look at your life, isn"t it at its best even before he came, right? Whether he appeared into your life or not you still have the best life this world could offer... you have at the peak of your career, a loving family, me of course! And your adorable Clark."
Ingrid pondered about what her best friend and did not say a word.
"You don"t have to prove anything to him, or be anxious about anything. Instead, it should be him that must prove himself worthy to enter your life."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it doesn"t mean that when you agreed with your dad that you will marry Clifford if it is proven that he is the father of your child, that you will easily marry him."
"And?"
"Well, to prove himself worthy, he must go through some challenge..." Liane"s eyes gleam with so many mischievous ideas, her hands rubs each other as if ready for some challenge. "...and one of it is that he must gain your trust, court you properly and the rest will be later hahaha. After all, Clark wasn"t procreated naturally." Liane winks and then laughs at her advice.
"What a very clever woman are you, sis!! I love it!" Ingrid was thrilled at the idea that she will not easily get married.
"But, hmmm, just don"t play too hard to get and don"t be an easy catch either. Just be modest of everything. Set some realistic boundaries. Have some date, have fun, but please don"t let your emotion trick you. Just like..." Liane paused and did not finish her sentence.
"Yeah, yeah... thank you sis. You are the best!"
.....
John left Lance in the garden because he was summoned to have a meeting with the others regarding the result.
The Howards and the Briggs waited for the private investigator, Mr. Vladimir to report what happened.
"Master, the culprit of the letter stealing still stood on his ground that he did not meet the mastermind behind this. We have already done some background check and he has no criminal or civil cases even minor offense. He said that he was just desperate at that time because he needed some money for his ailing mother. So, we sent him to jail and had already filed a case, but we somehow seen a connection between him and a certain Maya Holmes. The culprit and Miss Holmes are distant relatives."
"Maya Holmes? The reporter?" Rose reacted.
"Yes, mistress, that woman."