Paul"s sudden appearance creates havoc in her life, as she already built up again her life that has torn apart after their break up. But fate is so cruel, he showed up when she already has moved on and is starting anew.Clifford instructed something to Gary and then he bid goodbye to them and left.
"Ingrid, open the door for me, please..." the woman jerked from her seat when she heard his voice. Then slowly she opened the car"s door as her hands trembles.
"..why are you trembling, my sweet? What"s wrong?"
Clifford pulled the woman to his embrace, caressing her back to comfort her. Ingrid stood still and did not respond because she liked the feel of the man"s embrace.
His embrace gave her sense of protection. She loved the feel of it, she could be fragile and yet brave, too because she is leaning on a strong arms that she knew won"t let her go.
This time, she"ll start to trust him and to open her heart for him, again. She knew she doesn"t love Paul anymore but she needed to be honest with Clifford not just because of their seven months agreement but because she wanted to do it for herself, she wanted to be free. Free to love and free to live her life. Seven months will pa.s.s by quickly and she wanted to be ready by that time.
"My sweet Ingrid, are you, alright?" his voice is full of concern
He then led her to the pa.s.senger"s seat, fastened the seatbelt and he walked back to the driver"s seat and started the engine.
As Clifford drove off, he"s sensing the woman beside and finding some words to say that may not irritate her.
Ingrid just stared outside the window and did not say a single word. She is confused where to start. Her thoughts were disarrayed. She doesn"t know where to start but then she gathered all her strength to speak.
"Won"t you ask me why I did that to Paul?" Ingrid could not look straight to the man"s eyes she feared what might she"d see in those eyes.
Clifford stopped on the side of the road and faced Ingrid.
"hmmm... I won"t force you to do things that are against your will. I told you, share it with me when you"re ready."
He wanted to reach out to touch Ingrid"s face but he stopped mid air and just clenched his hand tightly.
"Cliff, I"m ready..." slowly she faced the man beside her but her eyes are still fixed on the floor.
This time, Clifford reached for her hands and squeezed it gently. "I"m here to listen."
Ingrid gulped before she speaks.
"Paul and I met years ago in Genovia. I was just starting my career and still adjusting my life away from my family. Liane would always encouraged me to have fun, have some date, but no one sparked my interest at that time, though." Ingrid paused and then she continued.
"When I was promoted, I became the representative of that company and was a.s.signed to appear to some events, conferences, parties, etc. And in one of those occasions, I met Paul Keller. He was so gorgeous at that time that he caught my eyes. On that event, I was to present the new product our company. After my presentation, someone introduced us to each other..."
....
"Hi, I"m Paul Keller and I"ve been dying to meet you earlier but I saw that you"ve been busy talking with people earlier." she blushed.
"Ingrid Howard, the pleasure"s mine, sir." And they shook hands. Paul seemed reluctant to let go of her hand but he did anyway.
For the next moment, they"ve grown comfortable with each other. Their topics evolved around the company, politics, celebrities, science, ideas or anything that seems they both enjoy talking about. They did not notice that the event was almost over.
Normally, after her presentation, she would pay respects to some important people, later she would find a way to go to the bathroom and then leave the place. But now, it"s different. Paul Keller was different from the boys she knew. He is a man.
After their meeting, she would always look forward to meet and talk with him, until they started dating and then fell in love, or so she thought. She fell in love with his charm, his intelligence, his ideas. after a month of courtship, they"ve become a couple. However, she never asked him about his life but she doesn"t care because she trusted him.
But one fateful day....