I don't know why people inside the meeting room would look at me and give me smiles and go back to their discussion. They were acted so professionally and their topic is always about the business but I feel uncomfortable because they are looking at me and sometimes, they would avert their attention to me to ask something.
We are currently waiting for Hunter. I wonder why isn't arrived yet? I look at Mr. Navarro with a frown. "Where is Mr. Clifford?" I ask with formality.
"Maybe he's on his way now, Ms.," he answered. I groan.
"Call him or his secretary. Tell him if he wasn't here in 5 minutes, we will start the meeting." He nodded and bowed before standing up. Before I could move my head towards the front, the door swing open.
Hunter is entering the room while fixing his suit. Ms. Cole, his secretary came behind him. Everyone stands up and show respect to him and he greeted them back. He looks in my direction, feeling the dark aura I had today. His smile faded as he made his way beside me. He sits on the chair beside the table.
I didn't greet him. The fact that he left home early and didn't wake me up— and now, he is late— is making me mad at him. I look at the front and to Mr. Lee's secretary. I sighed and started to do her presentation.
Mr. Lee saw my gesture to his secretary. He also gestures to his secretary, maybe telling her to do good. No one might know how I act when I am angry, but the faces they made when they saw me didn't greet Hunter makes me wonder... Is Dad does this kind of attitude too? Like he would ignore the person who's late or who has done something bad?
Probably, now, they think if the secretary failed to do her presentation properly— I would decline the project. I won' decline it as soon as possible and gave her a second chance but now that I am irritated because of Hunter— I can't promise anymore.
The secretary seemed to know what she was doing and acted professionally. She continue her presentation and I got distracted with my irritation right now. My breath hitches as I got amazed by the idea of this project. I lean towards the table and put my arms under my chin— so I could listen to her more. I found the project interesting and while listening to the secretary, I got more excited.
"If we build a building— doesn't it sounds exaggerated?" All eyes went to me. "If we ask children's an orphan, they would choose a house that feels like home. The building doesn't feel like home," I said. I take a look at the picture in the projector again. "Look at that—" everyone looks at the projector and examines the building. "The project is for orphanage kids, not a hotel." I bite my lips. "What if we do small houses with a cafeteria and school? It sounds good for them..."
"It can be. We had a perfect location for it but after calculating the number of orphans in three locations, I think the land we had won't make small houses with cafeteria and school fit."
"The location has a school near there, right?" I inquire. They all nodded. I saw their confused look.
"Okay then, just a cafeteria. I will be the one who's in charge of the child's tuition fee."
The meeting went on, I am so into the project that I can't even notice Hunter and my irritation. It's the best way to freshen up my mind and so if we talk later, I can be in my right mind and feeling.
I and Mr. Navarro went to my office and remind me about tomorrow. "Today supposed our flight to Paris but of course, it got postpone. Mr. Choi already knew about your urgent meeting today." I slowly nod my head. I didn't even realize today is Friday.
He bowed and left. I watch the door closed behind him. The door shut close making me sighed and lean towards the chair. My head was hurting and I felt like I am going to pass out anytime. I am getting irritated. I don't want this feeling.
I want to focus to finish my work today but I am sleepy which is bothering me. "AHHHH!" I stretch my body and let a heavy sighed again. I stand up and drop myself on the couch, laying on my stomach.
I huff the strand of hair that is covering my face and slowly close my eyes to get a nap. I am not comfortable with this position but my body seemed so drained that I can't even move it. As soon as I close my eyes, relaxing— the door cracked open.
"Mr. Navarro, I am tired, don't tell dad about this. Please go back to your des and don't let anyone come inside without my permission..." I turn to lie on my side to get better sleep. I continue to close my eyes and my breath began to get stable.
I feel relaxed in the position but it's still not making me satisfied. I needed to gain my energy back so tomorrow, in the flight, I had my energy. My relaxing moment didn't last minute when I felt a presence in front of me. I feel them sat in front of me— their breath is fanning my face.
I frown, totally irritated. Who the hell dared to move their face near me?!
I open my eyes and got shocked at the wide green eyes in front of me. My breath hitched as I realized it's Hunter. I slightly push him. "Yeah, are you sh*t? I am taking a rest here?" I couldn't help but get irritated after seeing him.
"I wanted to tell you that we needed to talk," he said. My irritation to him suddenly faded as confusion took over me.
"What we needed to talk about?" He tap my feet and made himself sit on the couch with me. I also position myself in a sitting position.
"Ayden would be in Paris also, he had work to do there— and so Dad heard it and he told me to tell you to stay there for a week or two." He scratches his nape while looking at nowhere.
"Why?" I clear my throat and grit my teeth as soon as I realized what he means. "Is this all about Mrs. Eleanor?" I inquire. His silence makes me sure about it. "We already face her, right? She might think we won't be afraid of her because we face her now. We needed to gather some evidence and send it to the police. We can go through it without me running away from her."
"You already know, we already know— she wasn't stable mentally." He looks up at me with those green eyes again. "She won't think of us not afraid of her just because we face her. If you won't run and hide from her, she will easily kill you and your father. So we're telling you this..."
"And you agreed with dad?" He looks down and sighed. I shook my head, disappointed. "I wanted to see what she's capable of. Her blood is also running in me, maybe she still has remaining love for her child, for me." I look down also but also heard him yell.
"You wanted to see what she's capable of? Have you gone mad?" His breath got heavy. "She tried to shoot your dad but you got shot instead. We face her and our life is in danger and I got shot. Think of your choices again, Lia. You're not this. I know you'll gonna think the best decision."
"I already made a decision..." I look back at him with my fuming stare.
"What a dumb decision you've made again, Alexandria! Didn't you learn from your past decision?"
"But you keep on telling me to go overseas to Ayden so you can deal with her, solo!" my voice risen makes him silent for a moment. "You keep on repeating those which I hate. I won't run away from my problems."
"Haven't you still get the idea?" He stands up. "We wanted you to be safe and if Ayden can make you safe and can comfort you— we need you to go there. Her main target is you, so who do you think we're most worried about? Of course, you, Alexandria." He starts to point at me which made me madder. "Okay, let's say you wanted to help, but we don't need your help—"
I had done enough. I stand up, nonchalantly. "Fine, go deal it alone." I walk towards my desk and pack all of my things. I fight back my tears while packing my things. He just stand there, watching me— without doing anything.
I walk out of the room and went to Mr. Navarro's desk. He look at me, shocked and confused. "I will be home today, I am not feeling well. Postpone my schedule next month." I walk out of the office after informing him— I didn't wait for him to answer.
I woke up the next morning when I felt someone is caressing my hand. I groan and open my eyes. They move away from me after seeing me move. I position myself in sitting while rubbing my eyes. I felt the presence going far from me. "Stop right there," I told. I stop rubbing my eyes but still closing them because of the light coming from the window.
I feel my surrounding first if he stops walking and continue rubbing my eyes. I sighed and open my eyes and wait for it to adjust. I turn around and saw Hunter standing beside the door. "I-I came to wake you u-up because your flight is in 8, right? Mr. Navarro t-told me," he stutter.
"Sit down," I ordered. I point the space in my front while he stares at me, dumbfounded. "You heard me." He sighed before walking towards me. He sat in front of me and look down. "I wanted to say sorry but I won't fight for it anymore. I will go to Paris and stay there if that's what you want... But please, be fine... You told me she is not sane, she can kill you right in the stop with dad and your mom— I don't like that happening." My eyes filled with tears and they dropped uncontrollably.
"Don't worry about me, about us." He holds my cheeks and wipes my tears. "You should worry about yourself." He smiles but I can see a pain in his eyes which made me unease to do what they want me to do. "It will only be two or three weeks. We will marry each other so don't be sad..." He smiles one last time.
When I woke up in the morning, I saw no one beside me. I find Hunter but he wasn't in the house anymore. I went to his house and the maid told me that Hunter didn't come there and he leaves the two kids with his mother.
My heart drops after knowing it. I am very sad about what I have known. Why does he have to leave me so early in the morning? Why he didn't wake me?
I went to my house and get ready, I am lazy but still did it. I let a heavy sighed, I don't know how many sighed I let out every second. His car wasn't in the parking lot. I bet he leaves now.I went to the kitchen and saw there's food with a note beside the plate. I went to it and pick the note.
'Good morning my lovely wife. You'll probably read this when you wake up so yeah... I left the house early because I wanted to do the work early so you won't stay there for a week. That's what you want, right? Don't worry about me and your dad, we will be okay— I won't let your dad get injure.'
I smile but there's a tear left my eyes. I stare at the paper with my sinking heart. I can't believe this. I am here, safe while they are there, risking their lives. I sighed.
After eating, I heard a knock on the door. I stand up and went to look at it. Mr. Navarro is standing there, looking professional. His eyes examine me from head to toe. He then stares at his wristwatch.
"We only had 10 minutes before the flight and you're still not done?" I gulp the food I am munching while looking down at my clothes.
"I am ready." I shook my head. "Let me get my things first." I went inside to get my luggage. "I am going to stay there for a week or two. Don't ask why I have so many bags." I walk past him to the car and put the luggage in the compartment. The driver was about to help me but I stop them.
"Mr. Hunter already told me. I contacted Mr. Ayden on the way here and he said he will go to his schedule first. He knows what time we will land there." He walks towards me. I nod my head and went inside the car, following Mr. Navarro from behind.
"Did you and Hunter talk face-to-face?" He shook his head which make me sighed again. "Is he on his company?" He shrugs his shoulder. I let a heavy sighed and lean on the seat while I watch by the window.
Maybe he doesn't want me to interfere with them. He is thinking for my safety— but he is risking his life. I don't like it. It's making me guilty and makes me want to follow him but I don't know where is he.
As soon as we arrived in Paris, I am here in my hotel room... I am spacing out since this morning and I am irritated because I can't focus on my works. I and Ayden meet up and greeted each other.
He told me if I am lonely here, he can take a leave and spend more time with me. Or he will be going to call Shane and book her a flight so she can be with me in the meantime. I am happy because even if we're not blood-related, he still takes care of me. I told him not to worry about me because, after this day, I will be busy. I have so many works here so I had to say focus.
My other appointment will be held here.
Week passed... I wanted to go home but Ayden told me it wasn't safe for me to come home. I am confused, it's been a week already so when will I go home? Hunter said I will only stay here for a week... Or 2 weeks. Do I still need to wait for 1 week to go home?
I felt like time is ticking by so slow.
I open my phone, feeling bored. I don't have any appointments today and I had my day off. I scroll through my social media. Ayden also told me not to open social media. It took me so confused, I don't know what he means by that. But now that I feel bored, I want to use it...
He s not here so he won't know if I open my social media or not.
I smile at the thought of doing the opposite of what he told me makes me feel energized but scared. I continue to grin not until I came up with an article that made my heart sunk and my stomach turns. 
To be continued.