Unexpected encounter?

Laila's POV

"L, we have a problem." Paige said    when she entered my bedroom.

I'm currently laying on my bed, reading the book of Julia Quinn.

"What?" I asked and gave her a quick glance. She seem really worried. I put my book down and face her.

"Your father called." That's all it takes for me to be alarmed.

"Why? Did something happened?"

"Well, nothing happened... but he said he's coming over to visit."

"What?!" I exclaimed.

No he can't be here. All these years I always made sure that they won't come and visit me here. That's why I always go to them every 3 months to see them and for them not to worry. They shouldn't be here. Them being here is a big NO NO, I can't be seen in public. Especially Mr. Grant, he will know exactly who I am. This is a disaster.

"He said that he will be here for business and he wants to check on you." I did not respond to Paige instead I grabbed my phone and dialed my father's number.

After several rings he answered.

"H-hi dad? I-I miss you. I'm coming over tomorrow."

"Hello Munchkin, I miss you too. No need to come over, I'm going there in 2 days. Didn't Paige tell you?" Paige raised her eyebrow.

"Oh, you are? Why?"

"I have a business with my old friend there. That was a good proposal and I can keep myself to say no, will you accompany me? I want you there." He said in a cheery voice.

"Yay, can't wait Dad! See you." When Paige heared my response she backed away enough for my father not to hear and laughed hard. I glared at her.

"Okay, see you. Love you."

"Love you too Dad." Then he hung up.

"That went well." Paige said smiling. I just throw a pillow at her.

**************

My father is coming today, I told him that I asked my driver to pick him up as I can't be seen in public. Him being the former Prime Minister is not a job for private person, so as expected he was welcomed by lots of reporters.

I am currently watching the news while my father answered them as short as possible. After an hour they arrived at my penthouse near the airport. I can't let him near my other apartment as it is private that only Paige and I know that I own it.

"Hi munchkin! Are you feeling okay now?" He embraced me and kissed my cheek. I eyed Paige a confused look.

"Y-yes dad. I feel great. I rested."

"That's good, ever since you're a child, you always have stomached. Are you eating well?" I almost choke from what he said.

"Yes, of course Dad. I feel great. I might have eaten something bad this morning. Where is Beatrice?" I asked to avoid any further question from him about my health. I'm not comfortable lying to him. Hypocrite

"She can't be here, she has lots of meeting to attend to."

"I see. Well, I'll see her next month anyway." I ushered him to set on the sofa.

"I already have my luggages in the hotel, I came to see how you're doing... and I want you to accompany me later this evening." He said while getting the tea that Paige made for him.

"Where to?"

"We're having a dinner with the Vice President and his wife." He said.

   shit!

**********************

Alaric's POV

I have all the information I need to know about the mystery woman I saw twice that I can't get off my head. I have the folder within my reach, but it feels somewhat wrong, I feel that I'm envading her privacy.

Hell you are!

I glanced to the folder many times as if, it is calling my name to take a peek, but my conscience is killing me. I'm so used of having people investigated, as part of my daily life, I can't trust anyone. But with her, it feels wrong. I feel like if I want to know all about her I need to know her myself.

Urgggghhh!

It's been few weeks the last time I saw her, but I can't get her off my head. I had sex with different women for the past few weeks. Mostly models, but every time I close my eyes all I can see is her. Her face, her rosy lips, her long shiny hair, her olive skin and I swear I heard her laugh. I imagined her being the woman I'm having sex with, but after I found my release I feel empty. I feel like I'm falling in a bottomless pit.

God! I'm going crazy! Is she a witch?

I can't even check her name, even checking her name feels wrong. I only provided the plate number to my Private Investigator and asked him to send me the file once he had all the information I need, and here it is. Within my reach.

Groaning, I put the folder back to my bottom drawer and went straight the board meeting.

When I reached the boardroom, they all fell silent. All the members of the board eyed me like a prey.

Being the usual me. I directed the meeting to its agenda.

"So.. I have all the contracts drawn and reviewed. All I need is his signature. He agreed to meet my father and I, tomorrow for dinner, he will sign the contract then."

I heard the board applauded and congratulated me for another success that will surely bring them millions within few months of this merger. Job well done indeed. Almost all are excited except for one person, which is the bastard who always question my decisions.

I swear if he's not my father's brother I would have punch him in the face.

"We should celebrate once the contract is signed. Without that, it's still considered a piece of paper." He said smirking.

This bastard!

"Oh, don't worry Mr. Maxwell, it is sealed. He is a man of honour. I also assured him that this would benefits both of the company." I smirked. He just gritted his teeth and stayed silent. After discussing other topic I adjourned the board and went back to my office.

I need a drink!

********************

Laila's POV

"Are you sure about this?" Paige ask with worried expression.

"P, it's just dinner. They don't know me. It's you who need to stay out of the radar." I said assuring her that all is good where in fact my beating heart is killing me, hence the invisible sweats forming in my forehead. If without my lipstick I'm sure they might think I'm a zombie for being so pale.

"I know. I'll stay at the apartment for now." She sigh

"Alright, dad is outside waiting for me. I'll see you later."

When we reach the restaurant I saw the Vice President with his wife acting happy. As if nothing happened few weeks ago.

Oh these ostentatious couple!

They stood up when they saw us approaching their table.

"Your excellency, thank you for accepting my invitation." Said Mr. Vice Pres.

"Oh, please call me Victor. Prime Minister is for old days." My father responded while shaking his hand.

"Thank you, then please call me Adam, and this is my wife Amanda." My father shook her hand too.

"Oh, this is my only daughter Laila. She accompanied his old man tonight."

"Hi, pleasure to meet you Mr. Vice President and Mrs. Saunders." I smiled politely though inside I'm having a storm.

"Please call me Adam, and my wife Amanda." He said eyeing me from head to toe.

Geez! This pervert old man!

After the formalities we started to order our dinner, my dad is a Vegetarian so his plates looks like a farm now. I ordered steak for myself. They also ordered red wine.

While eating dinner, I almost choke from my wine when Amanda spoke.

"You really look familiar Laila."

      Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Are you a model?" I laughed nervously then sighed in relief.

"Oh, no. I'm not. I'm a college student."

"I see. You look very pretty. Do you have a boyfriend?" I can feel as if she has meaning behind her words.

My father just laughed and answered for me.

"Oh, no. My munchkin doesn't have a boyfriend." He said with gritted teeth.

After the long and boring conversation they had, they finally bid their goodbyes. On the way to the car my dad sighed in relief.

"Dad? Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.

"That bastard Adam has the nerve to look at you, I heard rumors that he is in to  younger woman but I never expected that he will disrespect you infront of me. He will pay for this!" He said clenching his teeth.

"Calm down dad. Don't let them get to you. I'm okay" I squeezed his hand.

"I know, he will never get a support from me. I knew that they invited me to ask for support during his candidacy. I only agreed out of courtesy then he disrespected me. Hell with him."

That's good news then. I don't need to see them again. Phew

***

He dropped me off my penthouse and informed me that we're having dinner with his best friend Nicholas tomorrow night. I just nodded and when they left, I went into my car and drove to apartment where Paige is currently in.

She was furious when I told her what happened during dinner and threatened to release all the dirty little secrets we have at our disposal against the Vice, but I talked her out of it. We need to make sure that he will not win for President. I need to make sure.....

******************

Alaric's POV

"Any news about our mystery woman?" George ask while starting the thread mill. I glared at him

"First, she is not our mystery woman." I gritted my teeth.

"Geez! Couz. Calm down, you and your possessiveness!" He laugh.

"Tell me about it, I think that woman is a witch. I can't get her off my mind." I hissed.

"You're whipped man!"

"Shut up George! You're not helping. I need to go. I'm having dinner with my new business partner in few hours."

"Okay! Good luck." George almost shouted before I closed the door.

******

I've been looking forward for this merger to happen for few months now. I was relieved when I saw the news that he's already here since yesterday. All I need to do is focus and seal the deal.

"Dad? You ready?" He just nodded.

My father might not always around but he never failed to check on me. We're not close as father and son but I don't despise him as much.

We arrived at the restaurant and was ushered to sit on our table.

After 15 mins I saw the Prime Minister walking with a beautiful woman in his arms.

Isn't she too young to be his wife?

They slowly approach us while we  stood up and waited for them and that's when I realized that the woman in Prime Minister's arm is not just any woman. She's my mystery woman.

Am I imagining things? Is she real?

Why is she with the Prime Minister? Is she married to him?

Is she the new wife? His wife?!!

I've been in deep thought that I didn't hear my dad cleared his throat many times. Then I heard a chuckle.

It's coming from her!

My father tapped my shoulder and that's when I realized that I was gawping at her.

"Son? Are you okay?" My dad asked. I cleared my throat many times trying to composed myself from embarrassment. I can feel my ears heating up. That's when I heard her laugh again and she snorted.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. Its just that this is the first time I saw a man blushed!" She exclaimed while laughing hard and she even pull her head back clutching her stomach.

Great! Just great! I look like an idiot now. Shit. Shit.

Then the Prime Minister glared at her. She put her hand on her month and tried to suppress her laughter. I should feel offended but I didn't, I'm actually happy seeing her laugh.

I need to have myself check! Something is wrong with me!

"I am sorry for my daughter's behaviour Compadre, Mr. Maxwell." The Prime Minister apologized.

Daughter!

His daughter! Phew.

"That's alright Compadre, it's been so long my friend." They embraced like brothers who haven't seen each other for a long time.

After they embraced I was shock when her daughter embraced my dad.

"I missed you Uncle Nico, it's been awhile. I'm starting to think you don't want to see me." She pouted.

God! She's cute.

"Silly! You know I can't beat you every time during Polo, so I avoided you instead." My dad said while laughing.

Damn! My dad laughed. He actually laughed!

Why are they acting like old friends? Are they this close?

I felt a little pang of jealousy seeing my dad laugh because of her, but I ignored it.

After their short banter my dad introduced me to his friend and his daughter.

"Your excellency, please call me Alaric," I said extending my hand to shake his.

He happily shook my hand and tapped my shoulder. I suddenly feel warmth inside.

"Call me Victor, your father and I are bestfriends since highschool, he's basically a family. And this is my daughter Laila." He said amusement is showing in his face.

Laila

Laila

Laila. Snap out of it Alaric!

The name that I've been yearning to know, to hear. My mystery woman has a name and I can finally complete her face in my imagination, she has a GREEN EYES.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***