Chapter 69

69 69. Cracked Disguise

“Paula Anderson? Anderson is the owner’s name, no?” the front desk girl asked again. Her brows frowned, recalling something.

“Yes. She is the daughter of the owner,” the visitor explained. He looked relieved when the front desk girl finally understood him. He was afraid that his English was too fast and difficult to understand. But now he realized that was not the problem.

She then asked the visitor to wait for more. “I will ask Mr. President. Maybe he knows something about it.”

Just when the front desk girl was about to dial the number of Kato’s office, Paula ran into her while wide-eyed the visitor, demanding him to shut his mouth.

“I know her! I know Paula!” Paula said, raising his voice. “Paula is coming next year. She planned to visit earlier but postponed her visit due to personal reasons.”

The visitor was about to say something but Paula stepped on his foot to force him to close his mouth. She quickly turned to him.

“May I know your name, sir? I will tell her about your sudden visit,” Paula smiled at him, asking him to get along with her act.

“What is-”

“How about if we talk in the cafeteria over there?” Paula excused herself and then quickly dragged him away from the front desk.

.....

The view of a young woman in a beige pantsuit dragging a man in a dark brown fancy designer coat could be seen for a while.

“Sam, seriously!” Paula ranted, bringing Samuel to the cafeteria, and sat him down at the corner. “Oh, it was close!”

“Could you explain to me? What is happening here?” Samuel snarled at her, demanding an explanation. “You are Paula. The owner’s daughter.”

“You are the one who should explain to me. What are you doing here? You almost ruined my plan!” Paula exclaimed. She then explained further to Samuel and gave him a concise order of what he was allowed to do and what not.

“Oh, I am so sorry, I don’t have any idea about that. Nobody told me about it,” Samuel pleaded. He felt so guilty about that. “Please forgive me!”

Paula inhaled deeply. She then went to the cashier and ordered two cups of coffee and some snacks to relieve the tension. She didn’t expect the stupid living thing in front of her to do an unwanted surprise visit to the office.

“What do you want, Sam? You can call me first if you want to come and visit. Don’t make a dramatic appearance at the office. You know I am busy,” Paula kept ranting while setting the drinks and snacks on the table. “Drink it while it’s still hot!”

Both took a sip of hot coffee in silence. Samuel realized that he was not only making one mistake. He made her mad at him in an instant.

“Paula, I just ... I want to see you in person. You know that we have no chance to properly say goodbye. You were supposed to attend the farewell party,” Samuel said with a regretful expression.

Paula took more sips and then replied, “Sorry. But I had to do that. The others must be sad, no?”

Samuel nodded. “Especially me,” he added cutely, making Paula chuckle in response.

“You are really something, aren’t you? You wronged me and kissed me without my consent, but you still have the nerve to bring your ass to see me,” She said, continuing to giggle uncontrollably.

Samuel smiled faintly. “Do you know? Karma indeed exists. Days ago, a wasted girl forced a kiss on me and you know what? She slapped me just after the kiss, saying I was the one who violated her. That was the worst thing ever I have experienced,” Samuel told Paula about his encounter with Clara.

Paula could only burst into laughter in an instant. “Served you right!”

Samuel stared at Paula’s happy face in awe. The woman he loved was gorgeous and adorable her way even if she was wearing humble clothing to make her disguise look even more convincing.

“Look, I have to go back to the office. Can we continue the chat after my work is done?” Paula asked.

“Fine. Do you mind if I pick you up after work? We can have dinner together in a restaurant,” Samuel said, almost begging her. He was beyond happy when Paula agreed to the plan although she wanted them to meet at the restaurant.

“Remember, I am Eva Morgan here,” Paula said, sneering.

***

That night, Samuel was wearing a black Armani suit. He also bought a bouquet of red roses and waited for Paula at a fancy restaurant.

Before long, a tall blonde white woman in a white dress entered the restaurant. The waiter guided her to Samuel’s table.

“Paula, you look gorgeous in that dress,” Samuel complimented her, handing her a big bouquet of red roses.

“I know it. I look good in everything,” Paula said, smirking at him. However, she kindly accepted the bouquet. “Red roses?” She examined the bouquet and looked at Samuel’s appearance. “Is this a ... date?”

Samuel shook his head. They ordered some food and exchanged small chats while eating. However, he almost forgot that Paula was pregnant.

“Sam, I am not drinking,” Paula said, throwing him a sad smile.

“Ah, sorry, I forgot that you are pregnant!” Samuel regretted his action. “Don’t blame me, please! You look so lean, nothing like a pregnant woman.”

Paula chuckled lightly. “Early pregnancy is always like that! Wait until my third trimester. I will look like an elephant.”

Samuel shook his head, smiling faintly. “In my eyes, you will always be beautiful.”

Paula was a little shocked by how Samuel treated her. She thought that she already gave him a clear rejection. How could he still try to woo her?

“Samuel, I am sorry, but maybe-”

“Wait!” Samuel rose from his seat and walked to the pianist and politely asked the pianist to let him play the piano.

The restaurant went silent after Samuel’s fingers danced on the piano. It was a beautiful piece of classical music. Puccini, O Mio babbino caro.

Like the other people at the restaurant, Paula enjoyed Samuel’s music. However, she was afraid of something. Something that should never happen in a public place.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present this music for the most beautiful woman in my eyes, Paula Anderson,” Samuel said, directing his sight at Paula.

Everyone at the restaurant clapped their hands but Paula and one other person.

The other person walked closer to Paula’s table and glared at her in disbelief.

“Paula Anderson?”