BACK TO THE CITY II

"Are we there yet?" Kaye asked while rubbing her eyes the moment she woke up.

Ivan glanced at her with a tender gaze. "Almost there. Are you hungry?" He asked her as he swerved to the right section of the road.

"I'm fine."

They sunk into silence which wasn't comfortable at all. Kaye was still wondering how what will come out of their vacation now that something happened to them.

Ivan drove the car silently while stealing glances at her. 'Am I really doing the right thing?' Ivan started doubting himself seeing that Kaye wasn't happy at all. She didn't even initiate a conversation with him.

"Kaye?" Ivan tried getting her attention.

"Mm?" Kaye looked at him but her face and eyes were emotionless. He couldn't tell what she's thinking

"I'll be away for a few days since I have a business trip to Singapore so, I wouldn't be able to visit you." He knew that she wouldn't care but he couldn't help telling her, wanting to know her reaction.

Kaye was silent for few seconds before she gave her response. "Take care of yourself and make sure to come back in one piece."

Even though her face was emotionless her eyes were telling him that she cares. Ivan gave her his brightest smile. "Of course. I still have so much to show you."

"Just make sure to come back. People were worried when you left home before."

"How about you come with me? Treat it as a vacation." Ivan suggested but he knew that she would reject the idea and she did.

"I can't. You know I've got to work." Kaye chuckled for the first time within the last four hours.

"Right. I forgot. What about a present? Is there anything you want me to bring?" Ivan retorted to continue their conversation before they would reach her home.

"You."

"Huh?" Ivan was confused with her answer.

"You're the best present. So, make sure to come back so I can see my present." Kaye clarified with a red face while she tried calming her heart.

Ivan reached out his right hand to give her a gentle pat on her head. "I'll make sure to come back. I'll give you a call so you won't miss me." His grinning face made Kaye laugh as well.

"Alright. I'm almost home. Would you like to come inside?" Kaye asked when Ivan was slowing down the car's speed.

"Sorry, I have to decline. Got to prepare some stuff and still have to brief my employees." Ivan responded after parking the car right outside the gate of the Jimenez's mansion.

"Alright. Have a safe trip." Kaye opened the car door. She was about to alight from the vehicle when Ivan pulled her back.

"Wait for me to come home. Don't see anyone else." Ivan whispered while kissing the top of her head. His hug was warm and comforting.

Kaye didn't understand what he meant but she still nodded her head. She could hear his heart beating and she could smell his masculine scent which made her blush even more.

"I'll wait for you to come home." Kaye reiterated for him. She pulled herself back from him to put some distance between them.

Ivan let her go so that she could get inside and take a rest. Kaye got out of the car with her things taken by their guard.

She waved her hand while watching the car go until it was out of her sight.

"Young miss, welcome home." One of their helpers who was returning the gardening tools greeted her.

"Good evening. Are my parents home?" Kaye asked while changing her sandals to her indoor slippers.

"They went out this afternoon. They also said that they will be eating dinner outside." The helper informed her which made Kaye smile.

'They must be on a date.' Kaye commented internally. "It's fine." She walked towards her room with the sandals on her hand. Her backpack was already outside her door so she didn't have to exert so much energy.

She sent a message to her parents to let them know she's home.

Meanwhile, at Ivan's home he was having a last minute conference with the people who would be coming with him to Singapore.

"I have finalized the itinerary for the whole duration that we'll be in Singapore. That includes the tour and time to buy souvenirs and other things." Eva informed her boss. It's one of the good things they would benefit from the company.

Everytime they go on a business trip, Ivan and Alex would allow their employees to go on a tour as well. It's not just pure work. They could also relax.

"That's good to know. We'll have to strictly follow the schedule." Ivan expressed his agreement to Eva.

"Wait, during this trip, did you include a meeting with ACE Corp?" Alex asked Ivan to make sure that everything's planned out.

"Nope. You know what he wants from me. If you agree to marry the chairman's daughter, I would cooperate with them." Ivan retorted with a teasing look.

Everybody laughed at Alex since they knew he wouldn't do such thing.

"Geez dude, don't scare me. I was just asking." Another fit of laughter erupted on the conference call.

"Anyway, it's them who need us not the other way around." Ivan closed the document on his table before finishing the call. "I'll see you at the airport."

"Yes boss." Everyone bid their farewell so that they could take a rest and prepare for the trip.

It wasn't really a large number of people, just four employees from marketing team and R&D team excluding Ivan, Alex and Eva, the secretary.

Ivan called Kaye while packing his things. "I'll be leaving at 9:00 tomorrow morning." He said as he placed his shirts in a suitcase.

"I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow. Am I picking you at Auntie Grace's or at Auntie Yve's house?" Kaye's voice resonated in the room since Ivan put her on speaker.

"At the Hue's." Ivan responded, meaning at Yvonne's house.

"Alright. I won't be late." Kaye retorted as she sucked on her lollipop.

Ivan was delighted to hear that she would be sending him to the airport. He couldn't stop his lips from spreading into a beautiful smile.