Clara's dumbstruck expression made Adrian twitch the corner of his lips. He had watched her greet Anthony so cheerfully but when she saw him, her face turned pale.
'Isn't she happy to see me' Adrian suddenly felt the heaviness wrap around his chest, but he didn't let it appear on his face.
"Ahem! Miss Mathew, I think you should get into the car rather than gathering too much attention" he said looking at the two women who had been staring at them for some time now.
He didn't want anyone to misunderstand his actions and declare him a stalker, because the way they were looking at him, gave him a strange vibe.
Clara followed his gaze and her eyes widened when she watched two ladies eyeing Adrian suspiciously, misunderstanding their situation. Clara quickly forced a smile before she opened the backseat door and jumped in.
Once Clara was inside the car, Anthony too got and started the engine, before she drove away from her residential area.
Closing her eyes Clara heaved out a sigh when suddenly she realized, that she had taken the wrong seat and her eyes snapped open. Slowly turning her head to the side, she saw Adrian next to her.
The contentment on her face soon turned into terror as she watched Adrian sitting still in his seat, while his attention was fully occupied by the tablet in his hands.
"Stupid" she mumbled under her breath, tightly shutting her eyes for being so careless earlier.
"Did you say something Miss Mathew" Adrian's deep voice came from the side and she opened her eyes before she turned to look at him and quickly shook her head.
"No! nothing boss" she denied and watched his lift his brow in suspicion.
"Is that so?" He nodded his head before he leaned back to his and continued," But I heard you calling yourself stupid" his words made Clara freeze in her seat and she looked at him like he had grown two horns on his head.
"Cough!"
Anthony who had been driving suddenly coughed on his remark. "Sorry boss" he apologized looking from the rare mirror and pulling his attention back to the road.
Turning his attention back on Clara, Adrian watched her gasp like a fish trying to defend her words but her mouth ran dry when she watched him curl the corner of his lips upward into a teasing smile.
'Is he smiling at me' she thought and blinked her eyes a few times before she looked at him again but this time she saw his poker face.
"Huh" Confused, she quickly averted her eyes from him, not ready to look at him anymore.
Adrian was very much enjoying pulling her leg. It had been so long that he found himself smiling and again the reason turned out to be the same girl who had broken his heart.
His eyes instantly turned cold before he averted his attention from Clara towards the tab in his hand.
Clara who dared to look at Adrian's side focused her attention on the road and gasped," Aren't we going to the company" she asked when the car took the opposite turn.
"No" came Adrian's plain reply.
Confused at his lack of response, Clara composed herself and didn't ask anything further when suddenly Adrian spoke," We have a meeting with Clifford Quin regarding the designs"
After Clara left, Adrian called Austin asking him to set a meeting with Clifford Quin. He wanted to clear the misunderstanding that had been made from the external factor and also discuss some important things.
"Oh.." bobbing her head in understanding, she finally relaxed a little but then she thought something and was about to speak when Adrian beat her again," Austin is one his way"
Clara was amazed by how Adrian was quick to respond as if he had already read her thoughts. All of a sudden her heart fluttered and a smile appeared on her lips.
After twenty minutes of driving, their car came to a stop in front of the Restaurant. "Dine and Drink" Clara mumbled as a memory from the past crossed her mind and she turned to see Adrian.
"Remember something Miss Mathew," Adrian said before he turned and stepped out of the car.
Clara felt her heartbeat accelerate thinking about the old times, which now turned out to be a useless memory. It was a waste of time for her to run down the memory lane that always hurt her and she did not want to associate with it anymore.
Composing herself, Clara stepped out of the car and found Austin walking towards them. As usual, his bright smile brought her out of the trance and she returned to the real world where her past had no space.
"Boss Mr. Quin has already arrived," he said and then looked at Clara passing her a sincere smile.
Adrian's eyes caught the sight of Clara smiling back at Austin and without wasting a second he began walking ahead.
Stepping inside the V.I.P room where Austin had already made a reservation for them the trio stepped in
"I hope we didn't make you wait Mr. Quin" Adrian's dignified voice caught the man's attention and he stood up reaching his hand for a handshake.
"No Mr. Emerson." the man looked decent enough to keep the professionalism active on his face and words.
Along with Clifford Quin, came his wife who was dressed up as if she was going to some party. She too reached her hand for a handshake as soon as Mr. Quin let go of Adrian's hand," How are you, Mr. Emerson" Her voice held the tone of sensuality, that made Adrian purse his lips making him uncomfortable for some reason and he quickly pulled back his hand.
Clara who stood behind Adrian noticed, how the lady was trying to attract Adrian's attention by purposely making him uneasy.
Before coming here, she had already checked a few details regarding Clifford Quin, a self-made man who made his name in the business world without any external support. He had everything that a person would wish for but this middle-aged man never had a loyal partner and lacked a family of his own.
The woman next to him was his third wife Tiara Elvis and not to mention a wife who was twice less than his age. He met her after his first previous two wives cheated on him for money.
He thought he wouldn't let anyone on after facing infidelity but then she came into the picture, paving her way into his life with her sweet sugary words. And as you can see they have both been married for almost a year.
"I am fine Mrs. Quin" Adrian greeted the woman politely.
"Oh common, how many times should I tell you please don't call me formally? It makes me feel older. Call me Tiara, after all, we both fall in the same age group. Right darling" she said she then turned to Clifford who nodded with a genuine smile.
"Of course," the man said bringing Tiara's palm close to his lips before kissing it gently.
Austin and Clara who were watching the couple felt like eating dog food and they quickly shared a meaningful glance before Adrian's voice caught their attention.