Planned Baby

Chapter 43 UNEXPECTED OFFER

We were having dinner when I noticed Alistair's sad face.

"Hey, Alistair is something wrong? You look sad." I can't help but ask.

"Mom is Auntie Kaela has a boyfriend?" He said teary eye.

I shook my head. "None that I know of. Why?"

"We went to the airport to accompany Aunt Kaela then a guy came. They are arguing but I saw Aunt Kaela's face blushing whenever the guy said something to her. Then they went to the plane together." Alistair started to cry.

I panic when Alistair began to cry. I went to him to console him. I was confused because I am not aware that Kaela is seeing someone. I look at Ulie to ask for his confirmation.

"Do you know anything about this?" I asked Ulie while still consoling Alistair.

He shook his head. "I had no idea. I might ask mom and dad about it."

"Grandma seems to like the guy for Aunt Kaela. She asks him to take good care of her." Amelia said.

She looks happy about it, a total opposite of what his twin brother felt.

"Honey, I know you are sad because you feel like the guy will steal your Aunt Kaela away from you but you are wrong. It doesn't matter if your Aunt Kaela has a boyfriend or not, she will love you just the same." I said to make my son stop crying.

But my encouragement does not affect him. He was still silently crying.

"You should be happy that your Aunt Kaela is seeing someone. Because if she marries that guy then, you will have a cousin very soon." Ulie said instead.

That made Alistair stop crying. He thought of it for a while. He seems satisfied with it. Thank God he finally stops crying. Alistair likes his Aunt Kaela a lot. He became clingy and possessive to his Aunt.

***

I was busy with some paper works when my intercom rang.

"Ellie, someone wants to meet you. She doesn't have an appointment with you. I ask her to set an appointment first but she insists on meeting you now." Luna said.

My forehead creased. "Do you know who the person is?"

"Yes, she was none other than Hadley Adelson. Should I call the police?" Luna said in a sarcastic tone.

I chuckled. "Don't be silly. Just let her come up here."

"Seriously?!"

"We can't avoid her forever. I did my best but she is persistent. We had no choice but to face her." I just told her.

"Ugh! The obsession of that woman is crazy!"

A few moments later I saw Hadley walking into my office. She sat on the sofa near the glass window. I sighed and went to where she chose to sit.

"What brings you here?" I asked her directly.

"We are planning to expand our business here in the Philippines. I want you to be our Architect and Engineer for the project." She said with full confidence.

What she offers me is a big project. If she was a normal client, I will immediately say yes to her, but that is not the case now. I need to think this through. We all know that she has a hidden motive.

I was about to give her my answer when Luna knocked on my office door and went in carrying two coffees for me and Hadley.

"Tell me if you need a backup. I'm just at the door." Luna whispered to me.

I laughed a bit and I gently slap her shoulder. "Don't be so silly!"

She just rolled her eyes and went out of my office. I just shook my head. Luna is always like that, she was very protective when it comes to me.

"So what's your decision?" Hadley said a bit impatient.

I sighed aloud then I look at her intently. "I'm sorry but I need to decline your offer," I said in a calm voice.

Hadley's eyes widen from disbelief. "You dare to decline my offer?! Do you realize how big my offer is and what my offer can do to your company?!"

I nodded. "Yes, I know how big your offer is and the benefits that my company can have when we received your offer. But, we have so much on our table for this year and we can't accompany another big project anymore." I told Hadley.

Of course, what I said is just an excuse. We can always accommodate clients, we are that efficient with our work.

"Is that really your reason?" She said in an arrogant tone.

"What do you mean?" I act confused.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! Don't play dumb with me!"

I still acted confused. "I don't understand what you mean."

She scoffed. "Is that what you did when you stole Ulie from me? Acting dumb so that Ulie will pity you and you will get what you want?!"

"As far as I remember, I never stole Ulie from you because he was never yours," I said because I can't take her insults anymore.

"What did you say?!" She said a bit hysterical.

I just rolled my eyes. "Ulie was never yours. He never loved you."

"He was engaged to me!" She reasoned.

I nodded. "Yes, he was. But it doesn't mean anything to him. Even if he didn't impregnate me, he will never be yours!" I said will full conviction.

"You bitch! Homewrecker!"

"Excuse me? Between the two of us, you are a better fit with what you just said." I answered back with a calm voice.

"What did you just say?! Do you know who I am and what I can do to you and your company?" She said trying to intimidate me.

"You won't scare me with your shallow threat."

She smirked. "Let's see if you can still act mighty after I destroy you and your company."

"If that happens then I will just marry Ulie and be a regular housewife," I said to irritate her more.

She looks so pissed and just walks out.

I acted calm and confident in front of her but deep inside I was scared. What she just said is true. The power and connections that her family has are no joke. She can easily destroy my company if she wants to. Just like what Ulie did to RV five years ago.

My knee weakened from thinking of those possibilities. Luna went inside my office. She looks worried about me.

"What happens? Are you okay?"

I look at Luna a bit teary-eyed. "I think I made a mistake. I push her button too hard. I'm scared." I admitted to her.

"What do you mean? What exactly happens? She went out of your office fuming mad." Luna asked. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

I lower my head while biting my lips. "She offered me a project. Adelson Hotels will expand its business here in the Philippines. She wants CIC to handle the project."

"Did you accept her offer?" She asked in a serious voice.

I shake my head which makes Luna feel relieved.

"I decline her offer of course. Only a stupid person will agree with her. No matter how big and tempting the project is, I will still refuse her, because we know that she was planning something."

"Good to hear that. You better not accept her project. Your relationship with Ulie is on the line. I am sure that is what her after."

"Yes, but she threatens me that she will ruin me and my company! We all know that she can make that happen, with her power and connection, she can easily make that happen!"

"I'm scared not just for myself but for CIC. This is very important for my parents. They entrusted this company to me and this is their legacy. I can't lose my parents' company, Luna." I express my fear to Luna.

"Hush now Ellie. That will never happen." Luna said to console me.

"I'm scared Luna. I don't want to end like RV." I said still in a hysterical state.

Luna cupped my face. "Listen to me, Ellie. Nothing will happen with your company. Ulie will never let that happen. Hadley might be powerful and influential but Ulie has more power and influence than her. You don't need to be scared. Ulie has your back."