Simultaneously, admiration and amusement colored his eyes at how she quickly managed to fabricate a story without stammering.
He underestimated Emerald. He had seen Emerald twice at his father's mansion before they got married.The imprinted impression in his mind that this woman was timid, boring and dimwit"Alright, let's go now. We'll have dinner before going home," Jim easily believed Emerald.Jim picked Emerald's handbag from the vanity table and held Emerald's hand as they stepped out of the room like there was no one with them.Ignored by Emerald who used to give all her attention to him as if he was the center of her world, Clayton felt like his heart plummeted to the sea of despair, drowning him.Now, she wouldn't even want to have a glimpse of him as if she was afraid to get dirty by simply sparing him a glance.What's more she already moved on with her life and found someone.After that night, Emerald vanished again and Clayton could not find her.Three best private investigators were commissioned by Clayton to search for Emerald. They have searched high and low, leaving no stones unturned but to no avail.Nostalgia and regret were Clayton's companion all year round.Each night he comes home from work, he would rest on the couch reliving how Emerald used to take care of his needs.No matter how late he comes home, Emerald will wait for him.Humans are like this, they begin to notice and appreciate the things they used to take for granted when they're no longer there.It was too late for him to realize that he had a hidden gem in his house, waiting for him to discover.In order to cope up with his sadness, Clayton buried himself in work and was able to transfer the company headquarters to the financial center of the country.Westfield was the economic powerhouse of the country. Many had tried to gain a foothold in this city but a very few succeeded.However, Clayton's huge empire wasn't on par of the three families who held the key to this city.The Kingston family, West family and Jackson family were families who had been at the the top of the pyramid held that position for a century now.But amongst the three, Kingston was the most powerful family.Clayton was seriously tapping on the keyboard when someone barged into his office.Infuriated by being disturbed, Clayton gave that person a death glare."Woohoo!" His cousin Red who just came back from abroad lifted his arms as if in surrender."What a warm way of welcoming me!" Red said his jolly voice had a mixture of complaints.Clayton's anger subsided however annoyance still lingered on his face. This cousin of his didn't fail to annoy him."Why are you here? What do you want?" Clayton's voice was cold as ever and Red wondered when this cousin would learn to be warm."I have this girl I want to court, but grandpa said that you have to assess if she passes the standard," Red was helpless against this.If only he had the status of his cousin he wouldn't have to ask permission before courting a woman.He was just only two years younger than Clayton and yet he had to seek his approval to woo a woman."I don't have time for that," Clayton went back to his work, trying not to stand and throwing his cousin out of his office.However, Red didn't easily give up and persisted. "Just this once, I'm begging you. After this I won't pester you."He was confident that he could gain the woman's heart. So, this was the only time he would bother Clayton.Exasperated, Clayton nodded."I'll text you tonight," Red left light-heartedly, imagining the girl's exquisite face.Clayton wondered why they were in a race track, his knowledge about his cousin is that he likes models and not a pit crew team member."Where is she?" Clayton was a busy man and had no time waiting, he just wanted to get it over and done with."She'll be done with her practice soon," Red answered while he had his eyes on the speeding car using a pair of binoculars.Red handed Clayton one of the two pairs of binoculars he brought. "Use that!"He wanted to show to Clayton how impressive the woman who took hold of his heart was.Clayton was surprised that the girl was a racer and his sight followed the speeding car on the racetrack.Clayton jaw dropped as the car cruise the race track at a breakneck speed.Although Clayton wasn't a racing fan, knowing that a female was driving in a lightning speed picked Clayton's curiosity so much so that he lost track of time."Awesome! That's my girl!" Red proudly exclaimed when the car stopped in the pit just a few meters away from where they stood.The lady driver pushed her body up the cockpit and stepped down with her helmet still on her head. She was talking with the pit crew team with her back at Red and Clayton.One of the pit crew team removed her helmet and her long wavy blond locks cascaded down.Clayton frowned as he was reminded of Emerald's lustriuos wavy blond hair.A dull pain spread in Clayton's chest remembering his estranged wife. Until now there was no breakthrough in his search for his wife."Emerald!" Red called out, causing Clayton to stop dead in his tracks.Emerald? Did he hear it right?As if the world came to a complete standstill when the woman who had her back on them turned.Emerald recognized that voice. It belongs to Red, one of her male friends. With a wide and bright smile she turned towards Red, but quickly her smile faded away as soon as she caught sight of the man beside Red. "You did great!" Red raised his hands with thumbs up and he walked near Emerald. "How long have you been here?" Emerald asked, ignoring the man standing next to Red. Clayton wanted to engulf her into his embrace. But held back as he didn't want to make another mistake that would cause her to run away again. Unconcealed adoration and longing danced in Clayton's eyes as he stared at the woman he had been searching for a long time. Last time, he saw her in an evening gown which stunned him. Today, she had the same effect on him even when clad in a race suit. "An hour?" Red said as he looked at his watch. Emerald nodded and acted normal as if she was unbothered with Clayton's presence. "By the way, I would like to treat you for lunch together with my cousin here," Red poin
Emerald didn't slap him when he forcefully kissed her a year ago but what she said was worse than a physical slap.Clayton couldn't say anything to refute her. He had it coming. If he treated her differently. Respected her even though their marriage was an arranged marriage it wouldn't arrive at this point that Emerald would treat him as a scumbag. It was all his fault. "I agree with Shannon, you have a great taste. I remember when we were abroad when I got sick and you took care of me. The food you cooked or bought was superb!" Red had shining eyes as he reminisced about those time he had with Emerald. Bile of jealousy was surging into Clayton's throat from the pit of his stomach when he heard Emerald took care of his cousin. Clayton wanted to shut Red's mouth to stop him from blabbering."Fine, fine, I'm going to order food for you," Emerald chuckled.Red really wanted to gain Clayton's approval and he was confident that Emerald wouldn't fail to leave a good impression on Clayt
Up close, Red could see Emerald's nervous fidget while seated on the bench outside the emergency room.Self absorbed, Emerald wasn't aware that Red was closely observing her. Unable to hold back, Red opened his mouth to speak out his observation. "It seems that you and my cousin have known each other." Emerald snapped back from her musing, abruptly turned her head so that it hurt her neck a little. "Nonsense, I don't know him," Emerald just hoped Red would believe her and ask no more questions. "The way you called his name felt like he's someone close to you and why did you cry?" Red couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something between Clayton and Emerald. "I was the one who ordered the food. And if he died, who would be held responsible? The time his life ends, so does my career. Do you understand it?" Emerald stood up, feigning anger so as not being interrogated again.Comparing the two cousins, Red and Clayton both are good looking men but Red was inferior when it co
Without making a noise she closed the door. She's no longer Clayton's wife so she has no right to make a ruckus. It's Lizzy's role anyway. Speaking of Lizzy, she came as soon as Emerald turned her back. Lizzy didn't notice her as she was busy answering a call while making her way to Clayton's room. Lizzy stood rooted on the floor upon seeing Clayton being hugged by a woman while he slept. "What are you doing here?" Her loud voice woke up Clayton. The antihistamine Clayton took made him sleep soundly and wasn't aware that Shannon came in the middle of the night. Clayton was so shocked that he froze and was unable to push the woman hugging him. Lizzy pulled Shannon's hair making Shannon fall from the bed. Lizzy took advantage of it and sat on Shannon's body while slapping her. "You whore!" Fully awake, Shannon fought back. As a woman who was used to manual work, Shannon was strong and agile, hence she overpowered Lizzy. She flipped Lizzy around and was now on top, reversing the s
Emerald parked her car and alighted from the vehicle. And then, strolled towards her apartment building. As she was entering the lobby she heard someone calling her. She turned towards the source of voice and saw Red. He was standing beside the guard. "What are you doing here?" Emerald asked as she approached Red. "It's been a while since the last time I saw you," Red said, looking at her with pleading eyes. Considering that Clayton was not with him, Emerald had no reason to refuse him. She only avoided Red because she didn't want to cross paths with Clayon again. What she witnessed in the hospital altered her decision. Initially, she accepted the fact that she and Clayton will eventually meet again because of Red. But seeing how Lizzy went berserk when she saw Shannon lying on the hospital bed with Clayton, she feared that she would be misunderstood by Lizzy and create a scene. She knew Lizzy was not afraid to hurt her as she tried to do it multiple times. She was fortunate
It was really Clayton and not a product of her imagination. Emerald, however, kept her mouth tightly shut and refused to talk to the man. A glum settled on Clayton's chest as Emerald regarded him as some stranger in the street. As though a large rock was pressed against his chest making him difficult to breathe. Emerald wondered who he was going to see at this time of the day. It was nearly midnight. With a chiming sound, the elevator stopped on the 20th floor and opened. Placing a hand on the elevator, Clayton gestured for Emerald to step out first before him. Raised and taught by her parents to be polite and grateful, Emerald said, "Thank you." Though she said it in a polite tone, it was tinged with distance and alienation. Wistfully, Clayton watched Emerald walk away as in reliving the day she walked away from his life. Why didn't he realize sooner that he fell in love with Emerald? Didn't they say that regret always comes at the end not in the beginning? But Clayton was
"Woah! You did it Emerald!" Emerald's coach was so happy that she beat her record yesterday. Her team was rooting for her to qualify for the main race. They were confident that she could achieve it. "Let's call it a day. See you tomorrow," Sean said to Emerald before leaving. He was in a hurry to leave as he needed to catch up and pick his wife from work. "Bye, Emerald," Jonas, Shannon's cousin, bade his goodbye and grabbed Shannon's wrist as if he was afraid that Shannon would blurt out unnecessary things. "See you tomorrow," Emerald replied, Jonas gave a thumbs up. Emerald took off her helmet and left the cockpit simulator. She felt the need to have a shower first before leaving as she was sweaty after hours of rigorous practice. Ready to leave the center, she went down to the parking area and rode her car. Nearly an hour, she arrived at her apartment complex. In a good mood that all was going well with her training and practice, Emerald hummed a song as she strolled from h
"What are you doing in my kitchen?" Emerald followed him to the kitchen. "Didn't I say, I am going to cook dinner?" Clayton rolled the sleeves of his shirt, ready for action. He then took Emerald's apron. Instead of scolding him, a ghost of a smile was etched on her lips seeing him in a small apron. He looked funny but it did nothing to decrease his attractiveness. He became charming even more. Emerald protested no more. She sat on the chair. "Are you sure you know your way around the kitchen?""You'll see," Clayton took ingredients from the fridge. Clayton caught sight that she yawned a few times while washing the vegetables. "Go and take a nap, I'll wake you up when I'm done." "Okay," Emerald, feeling really tired, did not refuse and went to lay on the couch in the living room. In no time, Emerald drifted off to dreamland.Once in a while, from where he was, Clayton would glance at her.Fulfilled that he was able to do the same to her, Clayton's smile deepened. Clayton saunte