Chloe walked away again and went to another corner, gazing at a poster with a pre -school child playing on the sand.
"Baby, what do you think the child is doing? " Jane said as she picked her up in her arms to keep her eyes at the level of the poster.
"Baby...play...sand. " Jane's heart sank as she watched her reaching out happily at the poster. Five -year-old children can already carry on a conversation. They don't only answer questions easily and logically but they can already express their feelings and ideas.
"Can we play again? "
"Yeah. " Chloe then slid out from her arm and went back to the table, gazing at the boxes with a sense of longing in her eyes to touch it.
Jane glanced up at Ajie, who was lounging lazily at the couch, silently observing them.
"Coffee? " Ajie caught her eyes and gave her a pursed smile. Noticing her uncomfortable gaze towards him, he nodded in order to break the tension.
Jane went back to Chloe first and instructed her to arrange the blocks with the numbers and arrange it as much as she could. There were over 100 blocks but she did not expect much that Chloe could arrange it all.
Giving her time, she stood up to answer the need of this man whose presence now made her knees tremble.
She went inside a room and when she returned, there was already a tray in her hand with a steaming cup. The tempting aroma of a freshly - brewed coffee quickly diffused all throughout the room making Ajie look up in her direction. She placed it on a two-seater coffee table by the window and gestured for Ajie to come over.
Ajie came forward and sat elegantly on one leather chair, crossing his knee over the other. He picked up a stirrer and dipped it in the cup, stirring the coffee lightly. Jane also placed two big slices of blueberry cheesecake in the center of the table, obviously for him and Chloe.
"Do you really stock sweets here in your office? " He asked, pretending he was worrying about her consumption of too much sweets.
"Sometimes. "
"Watch out. Sweets can spoil your efforts in dieting. " He chuckled lightly as he saw that she stiffened up.
These awkward reactions of hers only started when she confessed her feelings towards him. She no longer held a long eye contact at him, making him a little amused. How he wished he could turn back the time when Jane could freely express herself! How he wished he had not forced her to confess if this would only create a gap between them. He loved her presence and there was never a dull moment with her around. He felt a sense of discomfort deep inside. Was it only pity?
"Can you, please, join me here? It feels so lonely to have coffee alone."
"I'm done. "She replied, avoiding his eyes.
"Then just stay with me. Let's talk"
He insisted, fixing his gaze at her.
Jane gave out a sigh and suddenly glared at him. "Adrian, you're distracting me. Remember, I'm evaluating your child. "
"I'm sorry. "He responded with a teasing smile, not sorry at all.
Jane rolled her eyes, to his amusement, then she went back to Chloe and watched her admiringly. She was very fast in turning the blocks and arranging it from the first number down to 100!
"Wow! You're so brilliant like auntie! You did it so quickly, my love! " Chloe smiled shyly but proudly, still without a word.
"Can we play some more? "Jane asked excitedly with glowing eyes.
"Yeah! " Chloe responded with equal degree of excitement as Jane showed. Her eyes also widened and her face flushed, making her look prettier and lovelier.
"Let's go! " Jane then stood up and held out a hand to her.
Jane then turned to Ajie. "Jie, if you have important appointments, you may go as this will take us long. "
"I have but my daughter is also important. " He answered as he glanced up from a magazine he was reading.
" You also have nothing to do here. Will call you up once we're through. "
"Where are you going? "
"To the playroom. "
"I see. " He then looked back down on the magazine from where he left and his brows instantly knitted.
He was reading the latest issue of Forbes, an American business magazine. Published bi-weekly, it features original articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science, politics, and law.
"Rina DK Builders, Inc. (formerly Gretel Shipping Lines Shipyard) is going to announce soon their ceremonial launching and maiden voyage of their first mighty creation of a luxurious, modern day cruise ship.
Expected to be the world's second most largest and most luxurios cruise ship in the world, it's maiden voyage will take the route towards the CEO's most loved homeplace, The Philippines.
AJ & J Builders, Inc., the world's top producer of luxurious superyachts, has not formally announced yet the details of the launching of their first state-of-the-art creation, the world's most largest and most beautiful cruise ship.
For those who wanted to be a part of it's memorable maiden voyage from Turkey to the Philippines, booking schedules are now open to the public...."
Ceremonial ship launching is the naval tradition in many cultures wherein a vessel is transferred to the water. It has been observed as a public celebration and a solemn blessing. The process also involves traditions intended to invite good luck, such as christening by breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow as the ship is named aloud and launched.
Ajie thought he had no competitor during the launching. What shocked him the most was the fact that Rina DK Builders, Inc was not heard before and this was absolutely a new company.
He called up Mr. Lopez right away and his answer hit him like an explosives into his brain.
"Son, I've lost track of the latest update lately but as what I have just learned, Rina DK Inc. is owned by Louise Dioko himself... "