Chapter 435: There’s Still Soone You Haven’t Said ‘Hello’ To
The following day, Lauren woke up feeling so much at peace with the world.
She would have loved to go to the beach and enjoy so quality ti with Steffan, basking in the beautiful natural air from the sea, but there were so things she needed to sort out before the wedding which was in two weeks ti.
Top on her list was her eting with Cheryl and Ariel to plan for the forthcoming end of the year banquet Wyatt Corporations was holding the following week.
Before heading to the eting, she stopped by Empress Brews to handle so business. When she finally arrived at The Masters Place, she was slightly behind schedule.
As she approached the reserved table, she noticed that Cheryl and Ariel were already there, drinks in hand.
"Sorry I’m late," Lauren said as she took her seat.
"We understand. As a CEO, you’re always busy," Cheryl quipped with a smile.
Lauren rolled her eyes playfully. "You’re impossible. Anyway, thanks for yesterday. You were incredible in court."
"Do you have to keep bugging
with that? Let’s focus on this banquet," Cheryl replied with a dismissive wave.
Looking up from the note she was taking, Ariel smiled at Lauren in greeting. "Good afternoon, Lauren. Before you ca, Ms Cheryl had been filling
in on what you asked her to do and I think it’s the perfect approach."
"Once we finish here, I’ll arrange a eting with President Jason’s assistant," she continued and tapped on her iPad swiftly. "Here, I’ve forwarded to you the list of the dignitaries expected at the banquet," she said, addressing Cheryl.
"Good. It sounds like we don’t need to worry with you on board," Lauren praised. "We’ll ensure the nu caters to their preferences," she added as she opened the mail that just popped up on her phone. It was from Cheryl, and when she opened it, she saw that it was the list Ariel had forwarded to Cheryl that she sent to her.
"And the press?" Ariel asked, still typing away.
"Jason promised to handle that part," Cheryl supplied.
Their conversation continued, and not long after, their lunch was served just as they settled into the details, a smooth voice interrupted them.
"Ren?" Lauren looked up to see George approaching, his usual charming smile lighting up his face.
"I didn’t expect to run into you here," he said.
"I’m eting with friends, as you can see," she replied. "What brings you here?"
"I’m also eting soone, but he’s running late," George said, glancing at the empty chair beside Lauren.
"Oh,"
"I hope you’re not planning to hide the identity of this charming gentleman from us," Cheryl grinned when it looked like Lauren had no intention of introducing George.
Lauren sighed as if Cheryl had demanded from her a huge task. "I’m sorry. This is George... George Wellington, the president of Barista Royalé who is also unfortunately, my darling cousin. George, et Cheryl Moore and here is Ariel, my wonderful friends and family."
"Why make it sound so pathetic to have
as your cousin?" George groaned before the second part of Lauren’s words fully registered with him.
Turning to Cheryl, his eyebrow rose in a questioning arch. "Cheryl Moore as in ’The Ms Moore?" George asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. Ms Moore of Moore Chambers and the WIFE of President Jason Wyatt," Lauren added, emphasizing on the word ’wife’ in case her cousin starts entertaining any funny ideas.
George chuckled and extended a hand. "It’s a pleasure, Ms Moore.
"The pleasure is all mine," Cheryl said with an equally beautiful smile as she accepted George’s hand.
"I’ve heard all about your unbeaten records, including your latest victory for my little Ren, here. Thank you for ridding her of the parasite that had plagued her life for so long. I planned on being in court yesterday to see you in your elent but sothing ca up that took
out of town," George said regrettably.
Cheryl’s beautiful face spasd in a smile. "You flatter ."
"But it’s the truth," George insisted with sincerity.
"There’s still soone you haven’t said hello to," Lauren subtly nudged George when he seed to be fixated on Cheryl.
But unfortunately, it didn’t go down well with Ariel, who had been praying silently that they would continue chatting on without rembering that she was there.
"Damn, Lauren!’ Ariel swore inwardly.
As if she had heard her silent agony, Lauren looked over at Ariel and could already see her shifting in her seat uncomfortably and wondered what was going on with her.
She had noticed her sudden change in disposition the mont George had appeared at their table.
"My bad," George said and as he turned to Ariel with a knowing glint in his eyes, he extended his hand. "Hello, Ms Stanford. How do you do?" he asked smoothly as he extended his long muscular arms.
Ariel took his hand but her little hesitation did not escape Lauren’s eyes after she realized that she hadn’t ntioned Ariel’s last na when she was doing the introduction. It could only an that this was not their first ti eting each other.
But why was Ariel looking so agitated?
"Mr Wellington," Ariel murmured curtly and made to withdraw her hand barely five seconds after George held it, but George held on to it as if it was his lifeline, pretending he didn’t notice her unease.
When he had confird what he needed to, he released her hand and went on as if nothing had happened.
"Since my client is not yet here, do you girls mind if I join you briefly while I wait for him?" He asked casually.
"No, we don’t."
"You’re welco to join us."
"Yes, we do mind." The three girls said almost at the sa ti.
"I... I ... I an, your client... " Ariel quickly tried to co up with an excuse when she saw she was the only one against George joining them but was interrupted by George.
"What about my client?" He asked with a challenging tilt to his chin.
Two pairs of beautiful eyes in addition to George’s turned to stare at Ariel in confusion.
"What I an... is that, your client might be arriving anyti soon, and what if he doesn’t find you at your table?"
George brought out his mobile phone and waved it casually. "He can always put a call across if need be."
"Oh, yeah." Ariel said and suddenly took it as a mission to know how the lace design of the table cover turned out to be so captivating.
George’s lips twitched with amusent as he noted her unease.
At this stage, Lauren was sure that sothing was definitely up with the two. George was not one to tease the won he ca across like the way he seed to be enjoying teasing Ariel.
He has always had his guards up with most won, which was oddly different with Ariel. And Ariel... she was acting far too out of character, enough to raise suspicions.
She shared a knowing look with Cheryl who had also caught up on the tension between Ariel and George before turning to George.
"So what was so urgent that made you bail on
yesterday. I was counting on you to give
so moral support," Lauren asked in a bid to steer the conversation.
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