Capítulo 13: 12. Exception
To Arik:
I won't be able to make it, Mr. Rioflorida. I have an emergency at home.
"Thought you had plans tonight?" Oliver greeted me as I descended to get some water.
I ignored him and headed for the fridge. "I put Ariah to sleep. It's not that important," I replied.
I didn't bother waiting for Arik's response to my text because I had no intention of going anyway. It was late, and I didn't want to waste my time on him when I should be focusing on Ariah. Besides, why did he want to talk at night?
"Are you sure? It might be important," he continued teasing, so I looked at him.
He had a slight smirk on his lips, clearly teasing me.
"He could've set an appointment if it's really important," I answered, taking a seat on the high chair at the kitchen island and glancing at him. His meaningful smirk was still there.
"What's with that smirk? You're so annoying," I remarked.
Oliver burst into laughter, leaning on the island and staring at me. "Tell me, do you have plans on introducing Ariah to him?"
"Of course not. Why would I do that?" I denied it, but my heart immediately opposed that statement.
"But what if Ariah asks to meet her father?" he asked persistently.
I froze, staring at the glass of water in my hand.
I wasn't prepared for that question. I thought I would agree without any hesitation when it came to Ariah. That if she asked me to meet her father, I would immediately give it to her because she deserved it.
But why do I feel scared? What is it for?
"Depends... If she asks. But she has not yet..." I stammered.
Oliver sat beside me and poured wine into a glass he had been holding since earlier. I just looked at him as he took a sip.
"Aren't you curious about how Arik will react when he finds out? You didn't have a relationship back then, right?" he asked.
I shook my head and stood up. "You have too many questions. I'm going to sleep. Will you accompany me to my conference tomorrow?"
"You just don't want to answer it," he whispered and grinned again.
"I should go with you. My client will be there. Florida INC. might be there too, so be ready."
I furrowed my brow. "Huh? Why? Their company isn't involved in that event, right?"
His expression suddenly turned serious after he finished the last sip of wine. "Arik made many changes in Florida INC., Celeste. The moment he stepped onto that stage, many things changed. That includes the Yuchengco company."
It stuck in my mind. In the past few days, since Arik returned, my questions have multiplied, especially regarding what happened to the Yuchengcos and their founder. How he ended up with that illness? I have no idea.
"Ma'am Celeste, you have a meeting with Sy Corporation after lunch and then your conference. Will Sir Oliver be attending?" Pau greeted me as she placed the coffee on my table.
"Yes, Pau. Why?"
"I'm just relaying the message from Ms. Isabella Yuchengco."
That caught my full attention. I paused in my writing and looked at her.
"Why is that?" I asked, surprised while feeling my phone continuously vibrating.
"Isabelle Cosmetics is one of Sir Oliver's clients, Ma'am."
Before I could ask Pau any further, my phone rang loudly. Annoyed, I glanced at it and without looking, I answered the call.
"Hello?! Who the hell is this?" I blurted out and stood up. I walked out while holding the phone to my ear.
"Celeste."
I momentarily froze in my tracks upon hearing that voice. I looked at the caller and cursed under my breath when I saw his name. I headed straight to Oliver's office.
"I'm sorry..." I muttered. "Yes, Mr. Rioflorida? I'm sorry about that. This is my personal number, and I wasn't expecting any calls right now." I lied.
In fact, I had been waiting for his call since last night, thinking he would respond to my text, but apparently not.
"I'm sorry. Am I disturbing you?" he asked gently as if being very cautious.
"Uh... No. Not at all. Do you need something?"
"I received your message last night and couldn't reply to it. Anyway, can we talk now? Do you have time?" He paused as if thinking for a moment. "No, erase that. I'll set an appointment to have a meeting with you. Is that okay?"
I bit my lower lip. I was already in front of Oliver's office and couldn't bring myself to enter completely because I could feel my cheeks heating up.
Why didn't he mention the reason for not replying to my text last night? And why does his voice sound so beautiful on the phone?
"Celeste?" His voice is husky, pulling me in just like before.
"Um... Yeah, sure. You can just come to the office. I don't have any scheduled appointments until lunchtime. It's fine."
Only then did I realize what I had said? I just shook my head and entered Oliver's office without knocking.
"Are you sure? I thought I still need an appointment to talk to you. Am I an exception to that policy?" He said breathily.
My whole face heated up again. "Just... You can just come here so we won't have to talk too much, Mr. Rioflorida," I said, looking around Oliver's office.
I froze when I saw who Oliver was talking to. They were both looking at me.
"Alright. I'm on my way now. See you." Arik muttered something I couldn't even hear.
"See you, Mr. Rioflorida," I replied and ended the call without averting Isabella's gaze.
What is she doing here?
Oliver stood up and kissed me on the cheek. "She's my client," he whispered, so I nodded.
I ignored that and turned to him.
"I just wanted to say something. I'm sorry for budging in here unannounced. I didn't see Apple outside," I mentioned, referring to his secretary.
"What is it?"
Before I could respond, there was a knock on the door. Oliver opened it, and Paula peered in.
"Ma'am Celeste, Mr. Rioflorida is here. He's asking for you."
I was taken aback. What? He just said he was on his way. How did he arrive so quickly?
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder