Paige was stunned, seeing the man whom she had woken up beside before her eyes. Such a plot twist she wasn't expecting, not to talk of the embarrassing night of almost having a nightstand with him.
That sure doesn't speak well of her. She needed to restrategize, quickly– and there was only one idea that crept in. She had to deny it. Impulsively, she subtly cleared her throat, composing herself as her widened eyes quickly adopted a contemptuous expression to brush off her surprise.
"I don't think we know each other to be acting informal," she pointed, leaning over while placing the documents in front of Clinton and arched back to her initial position.
He scoffed, his gaze briefly tilting away and then back to her. Paige could feel the awkwardness of her bad acting but was also not going to give anything away.
"Did you get something for your hangover?" he snapped, eyes still fixed on the papers.
"No, I– " she began but stopped mid-sentence as his words settled in her mind. "Do you need anything else? If not, I'll– "
Gruur..! The rumbling of her stomach cut her mid-sentence.
Impulsively, she places her hand on her stomach while slightly biting her lips out of embarrassment. She was trying to ignore his question but the enzymes in her stomach wouldn't let her.
Before she could think of fixing her countenance, a hand graps her wrist, pulling her along. "Hey..." she voices while Clinton walks out the door with her.
Kayden was left staring at their backs in awe– not knowing what to say about what just happened. Meanwhile, Paige fidgets in his grip, trying to free herself while they scampered through the aisles.
The scrutinizing gazes of the employees channeled their way as they hurried by. Some broke into small talks that were not audible to them, one could sense what they were talking about. While others just watched and ignored. It looked like they had stirred a new topic for discussion but Clinton was not bothered.
In hurried steps, they walked out the entrance into the open, heading straight to his Blue Mercedes-Benz Sports car.
"What are you doing?" she snapped, finally snatching her hand from him as they got to his car. Instead of saying something, he just sighed– pulling the door to the front passenger seat open. Staring at her, he jerks his head towards the door.
Paige raised her brows questioningly but he was not stirred. He repeated the gesture once again but this time, she glided in after a bit of hesitation. Probably after doing some thinking. It was clear she didn't want to embarrass him nor have him push her around, but then getting some fresh air would do her good. Her hangover was getting worse anyway.
Plopping into the seat, she boggled her seat belt, looking straight ahead without glancing at him as he slid into his seat. The engine roared back to life and he veered into the driveway– zooming off.
------
Itzel flung her legs out of bed, pushing the covers aside, and rose to her full length. "You should get going," she turned back to him on the other side of the bed as she spoke. "I have to get to the office," she added– nonchalantically heading to the washroom.
"So what's your plan?" she heard Nolan say as she stepped in. She had to be ready in the next 10 minutes. TINY TASSEL INC's new line of products was in and as their model, she had to meet the marketing team. "I will think of something," her voice mixed up with the pattering of the showers hitting the hard floor.
"It should be fast," he said, by now out of the bed, getting ready to leave. He had to be in the hospital anyway.
"Whatever," Itzel said in a soft voice as she walked out of the washroom. Marching to her wardrobe. She scans through and settles in for blue flared jeans– coupled with an off-shoulder puff-sleeved crop top. "Let's talk later," she concluded.
They were both running late for their duties. Nolan was the first to leave. After a careful make-up, Itzel also drove off.
☆☆☆☆☆
The sweet scent of varieties of food in the air was like a calming mechanism for Paige. Her eyes scanned around while she sat in wait, surprised there was such a place. It is about five blocks away from the company but how come she never noticed it?
She was lost in her thoughts when a shadow towered over her. Her lips curved in briefly as her eyes nestled on him– following his figure as he settled down.
"You should have taken care of your hangover," Clinton said, his eyes full of concern. Paige scoffed, not buying his genuineness.
"That's not for you to worry about." she snapped. At that moment, the waitress brought in their order, setting it in front of Paige. Surprisingly, it was her favorite – Sweet Chick Waffle, Fresh Berries, Ricotta, Spiced Honey.
-----
Itzel drove through the busy city, bobbing her head to the music in her car. Her dark shades and hat as a disguise. She was only a few blocks away from the company when she decided to get herself a cup of coffee.
Pulling up in the forecourt of MAC & CHESS, she swung her legs out of the car and stepped out. With confidence, she strutted into the building like she owned the place– head high, eyes forward and hips swaying. There were not many people though but enough for her to easily go unrecognized.
"Cappuccino," she ordered as she took her stand in front of the counter. The lady obliged, getting her order ready as she stayed in wait. Unable to resist sneaking a look, her eyes scanned around– registering her environment.
From the distance, a familiar figure caught her attention. "Clinton?" she voices but instantly furrowed on seeing who he was with. As shameless as she was, she trods towards them.
Paige was still in her banter with Clinton when a figure towered over them. Their gaze lifted to the intruder and Paige's eyes instantly turned cold.
"Clinton?" Itzel forced a smile while her eyes glinted with anxiety as she balanced her gaze between the two. "What are you doing here?"
Paige's brows lifted questionably at her question. But instantly understood what was going on just by how Itzel looked at him.