Book 2:17

I throw Sean a questioning look, and he pursed a smile at me.

"I'm sorry, dear. I kept you waiting," was his curt reply.

"Where's the chairman?" I asked, casually, pushing back the welling emotion behind me.

"He left ahead. We should have left together, but some fool cornered me." Sean snorted, and his gaze darkened. I could tell he was in a foul mood.

"What's happening?"

"That woman will never stop until she gets what she wants. I curse the day I knew her!"

Sean put an arm around me as we took the lift down towards the basement parking lot. Before the door closed, I saw the silhouette of Calla emerging from the bathroom. I knew that on the other side of the ladies' room was the gentlemen's room. From where Sean and I stood, I could not tell whether or not the two of them exited from the same room, but since Eric had given me a hint, I could not spare myself from painful suspicions.

I dropped the topic even when we were already in the car because I could sense that Sean was in such a terrible mood. Only when we pulled into the highway, did he break the silence.

"Babe, would you mind if you pack a few of your important belongings so that we could leave for Australia sooner?"

"So soon?" I looked at him, and he threw me a glance. He then focused on the road while his hands were gripping hard on the steering wheel.

"I'm sorry. We will just buy everything you will need there."

Something was indeed troubling Sean because he was always after my comfort. He knew I was already tired, especially that I was pregnant, but he still wanted us to leave right away.

"It's fine with me, but Sean, can you at least tell me what's happening?"

"Calla is already getting crazy in the running after me, and I don't want her to bother us anymore. I could never allow her to hurt you."

"What exactly is happening? Is she flirting around with you while you were in the ladies' room?"

He slammed on the brake, startled at what I said. "What did you say?"

Tears clouded my vision, but I took a slow, deep breath to hold it back.

"I saw her coming out after you from the ladies' room."

My voice quivered, threatening a deluge at the back of my eyes. Sean turned back the engine on, and before the car moved again, he reached for my hand.

"She won't stop because it would cost her life."

Cost her life. What does he mean?

Sean mentioned it before that, according to her aunt, Calla left Eric for someone richer and more influential. Does Sean mean to say that his wealth is Calla's lifeline and that she won't stop until she gets it?

Sean must have understood my confusion since I became silent. "Red, it's complicated. Calla is just a pawn."

I stared at him, wanting to know more, but his look seemed terrifying as he gazed at the distance, enough to make me shut up.

"Catch a nap, first so that you can rest a little."

I closed my eyes, but Eric's voice snarling at someone on the phone whom I understood as Calla, replayed in my mind. I could feel my heartbeats pumping in my ears as I started imagining things that may have likely happened inside the ladies' room. I wished I was brave enough to demand to know what went on so that all doubts in my mind would disappear, but I could never dare at the moment. I seldom saw Sean angry, and I didn't want to become the receiving end of his fury.

As soon as we arrived home, I hurriedly packed important things into our suitcases. I changed into a pair of jeans and a shirt, while Sean did the same.

"Your jacket," Sean called out as I dragged one suitcase out of the room. "Put that down. You can't drag heavy objects."

I was moved. Even in stressful situations, Sean always put me as his priority. Sean caught up with me, and as I stopped to take my jacket from him, he slipped it on me instead. He also put on a bonnet on my head and helped me into a pair of gloves.

"It will be freezing cold. You might get sick."

I smiled and thanked him for his thoughtfulness, and I couldn't understand why my heart easily softened at his affectionate display. He also pulled me close to him and hugged me tightly.

"I'll make it up to you once we are there. And I will finally be able to give you the greatest surprise. that I have long waited to give you."

"I'm scared of your surprises," I chuckled, recalling the shocking surprise that he personally handled TAG Medical Center as the primary shareholder of the institution. And aside from passing Dr. Fabella's leadership to me, he also transferred his share to my name.

"Can't wait to tell you about it," Sean laughed softly. "Finally, you'll get to know who you really are."

I slept throughout our travel. With Sean, who was too protective and caring of me, I felt so safe and carefree. I only woke up when one of the flight attendant's voice echoed above our head, announcing our arrival.

Just as we exited out of the airport towards a waiting car, a man approached us. With just one glance, I recognized him right away as President Ric Abella.

"Mr. Sean Grey, good morning!"

He chuckled loudly and extended a hand. towards Sean. I let out a smile to show my respect. I never expected that I'd come face to face with the president of the country. Though his scandal with Calla marred his image, he still wore an air of authority and power.

"I underestimated your clever ways, Mr. Grey. Do you think you can escape from your sins?"

Sean looked at the president with a scowl on his face. "Don't scare my wife. She's pregnant!"

"Sooner or later, Mr. Grey, she will know who is the person behind your treacherous facade."