Vincent quickly composed his reaction and cleared his throat. "By the way, you didn't answer my question, what were you talking to yourself Miss Clara and who are you scared of?" he asked changing the topic.
Clara's smile disappears in a second with her eyes glowing wide like a bulb. She thought after getting his perfect coffee, he would let her go but he again brought up the topic.
It was already so embarrassing for her to get caught by a stranger and now he was demanding an explanation.
"T-Talking, who?! I wasn't talking by myself" She tried to use an alibi to get out of this mess that she caught herself in and for that, she had to look convincing.
Vincent tilted his head observing the girl who just lied right in his face. He had been watching her for some time. Though he didn't hear her in the beginning, he was quick to hear her last.
"Is that so Miss Clara?" he asked rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Clara bobbed her head like a kid, hoping he believed her but what came next took her by surprise.
"Then why are you sweating as if you are lying," he asked pointing at the sweet buds formed on her forehead.
'Damn..." she cursed shutting her eyes. 'How can I not notice them' she thought and quickly put on a fake smile, giggling like a fool.
"Hehe.. this " She wiped off the buds and looked at Vincent who had been enjoying every second of his interrogation and said," It's because I am feeling hot" She lied again, still smiling.
Vincent bobbed his head in understanding," I see..." he said looking at the air-conditioner that was turned off and he smirked.
"Hmm... it's quite hot here, just like this hot coffee in my hand" he said playfully.
"I hope you enjoy your coffee sir" Clara bowed down politely before she walked past Vincent and rushed out from there.
Watching her run away like a scared kitten, Vincent's lips curled up in amusement as he took another sip from the cup.
"Perfect..." he said looking in the direction from where Clara walked out.
*****
Escaping from facing another embarrassing situation, Clara rushed back to the cabin. Entering inside she closed the door and turned back leaning on the door with her eyes closed.
"Phew... That was so close" she mumbled under her breath unaware of the sharp eyes that threw daggers at her.
Feeling the sudden change in the air, she opened her eyes only to find Adrian staring at her with piercing eyes.
"Ahem..." clearing her throat, she passed a polite smile and dashed back taking her seat and facing another embarrassment.
Adrian on the other hand was surprised to see her smile at him when he was expecting her to avoid him.
Getting suspicious about her behavior, Adrian was about to question her when suddenly Clara's phone began to ring and she flinched in surprise.
Clara had forgotten to turn her phone on silent during office hours, picked up the phone from the desk to turn it off but the name that flashed on it made her stop.
'Abby' she thought looking at the caller's name and frowned.
Clara had strictly warned Abby not to disturb her during office hours, so why was she calling? Did something happen there, she thought, and her forehead broke into a sweat again, thinking about something bad.
Her heart began to race, and her hand holding the phone began to tremble. Should I take the call, she thought but then she remembered and her eyes snapped at the man who looked at her with an annoyed expression.
A lump formed inside her throat as she fought to gulp it down when their eyes met. "C-can I answer this call" her voice cracked as she asked and the frown on Adrian's forehead deepened.
The way anxiousness marred her face, Adrian couldn't bring himself to stop her. Nodding his head he gave her permission to take the call.
Clara quickly picked up the call and walked out of the cabin in a hurry while Adrian could only watch her leave. Something about her made him fall into deep thought.
'Who was the person calling her and why couldn't she ignore the call?' he thought when suddenly he remembered something and his face turned ugly.
Gnashing his teeth, Adrian felt his body boil up in anger and he quickly looked away from there.
****
Clara quickly rushed to the balcony and picked up the call anxiously," Abby, is everything alright there? Why are you calling me at this hour" she kept blabbering, getting worried over the unexpected call.
"Mama..." a soft voice came from the other end of the call and Clara froze.
The fatigue on her face slowly flattered and she blinked her eyes, as a smile broke on her face.
"Mello," Clara spoke as her heart filled with happiness listening to her son's voice after so many days. Her eyes welled up as his face flashed in front of her eyes and she felt like running back to him and take him in her arms.
This was the very first time she had left him alone under Abby's care hoping to come back once she found the person who sent her the letter. But everything changed and she had to stay here for some time.
"Mama" she again heard him say and this time she noticed the sadness in his voice. Her heart broke, and she suddenly started feeling guilty.
"Mama, don't you miss Mello" he sounded upset as he asked her.
"I do, baby. How can Mama not miss you" she said wiping off the tears that streamed down her eyes.
"Then why aren't you coming back to Mello? Aunt Abby said Mama got a new job there and she would be staying there for some time. But Mama, Mello wants to come and stay with you" he said in his childlike voice.
Clara let out a chuckle when she thought about the face he would be making while dictating Abby's words.
"Mello wants to be with Mama, but then what about Aunt Abby? You will leave her alone and come to Mama. Won't she get upset with you for ditching her" Clara knew Mello wouldn't argue with her when she would bring Abby's name in between.