Vanessa Reiley was on the meeting when she received the picture message from a friend. Her eyes enlarge when he saw Clifford"s back walking side by side with a woman and what surprises her more was the child he was cradling. She struggle for breath at the sight of it and at the thought of him having a secret son.Knowing this friend of hers that once she caught something to talk about she will eventually post it to the social media. She automatically searched the internet and was even more shock of the effect with just a single photo of them. Suddenly, without thought, she stood up and walks out in the middle of the meeting without care if the board will make a fuss out of her action. She is so determined to know the details; she immediately went to her office and on the spur of the moment called the sender.
"Dona, what did you just sent me?" she feels indignant.
"Oh, it"s Clifford and I think he has a secret wife and son." Dona giggled because she loves mocking Vanessa since she does not like her.
"He is single and unattached! Don"t give me that information! Where did you take that picture?" her annoyance slowly building up.
The woman"s mockery all the more grew.
"Well, we"re in this very beautiful and romantic place in Maldives. You know what, when I saw them? Clifford"s face was so gentle, far from the cold and distant aura he is always projecting. He seems like a loving father and a doting husband..."
Dona"s company was in awe when they heard her remark and silently talked to each other regarding her statement and then they busy themselves sharing on the social media about what they have heard and attached the photo as well.
"Arrrggghhhh!! Liar! You are such a tale bearer! I will never ever believe you!" she screamed. Dona on the other hand laughed at her.
"We"ll, I am not vying for your approval, let the picture speaks itself and let the social media roar." She laughed mockingly and she hangs up.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" she squealed.
It"s a good thing that her office is sound proof that her secretaries will not hear and witness her crazy side. She throws a gla.s.s on the wall and it shattered instantly and her hands dripped in blood.
"You are mine Cliff! It"s me or no one!" she hissed.
....
Upon entering the penthouse suite, Ingrid"s mouth slightly dropped of its beautiful craftsmanship and iconic design. A floor to ceiling windows, it has two bedrooms, with sophisticated dining room that is served by an in-suite kitchen, an 80-inch screen which could be converted into a cinema. Without care, she strolls inside the bathroom and she huffs when she saw chic and seductive freestanding stone bathtub. The room gives a feel of luxury with a touch of midcentury modern furniture.
Clifford gently positioned the child on the bed. "daddy..." the child mumbled in his sleep, he paused and smiled on the child. Then he kissed the child"s forehead and caressed his face.
He stared at the child for like eternity; he seems to him that this child fills in the emptiness he feels in his life. It"s as if that Clark is one of the missing puzzles in his life. He sat down on the chair near the bed and both his hands strokes his face as if he is washing it, wiping the overwhelming feeling he has when he is with the mother and son.
Ingrid entered the bedroom and stopped when she saw Clifford sitting on the chair.
"Cliff–err, Mr. Briggs, I thank you for carrying my son..." he only stared at her and slightly opened his mouth wanting to ask her something.
He stood up and put his hands on his pocket. "I have something to ask you, Ingrid." He seems very serious which makes her stiff and her defenses started to rise.
"What is it?" she went to their luggage, she sat on the chair and started to open it, as way of evading his gaze.
"Who is Clark"s father?" her hand automatically stopped opening the luggage and glance at him.