Chapter 155 An Early Morning Smell Of Hypocrisy

The morning at Ian's place started with the sound of a phone ringing echoing. He was in deep sleep that he couldn't even hear the irritating sound. But he felt a smack on his naked shoulder countless times till he woke up.

"What?" He grumbled.

"Your phone", Mona said from beside him in an irritated tone.

"Hm? Oh", he finally heard the ringing. He reached for it from his night stand and swiped to answer.

"Hello?" He cleared his throat when his voice came out groggy.

"Did you see them? Which one do you like?"

He fell into confusion as he removed the phone from his ear and looked at the caller ID, it was Nora. He put it back to his ear.

"What are you talking about?" H

"Are you serious? I sent you pictures and you haven't seen them? How could you do this to me? I'm in a freaking crisis!"

All the sleep disappeared from her alarming tone. What was so urgent?

"Hold on", he said before going to her inbox. He read her messages and looked at the pictures she sent. He facepalmed.

"You called me at five in the morning to help you pick out an outfit?" He was in disbelief.

"It's important", she said through gritted teeth. "Now help me choose!"

He sighed, "The first one. What's the occasion?"

"We're going to visit Emily and her man", she said with obvious excitement.

"Why do you sound happy?" Ian found that odd. Shouldn't she be as disappointed as he is? It's why he had not bothered to visit her because he didn't think he could handle the sight of the couple. A mischievous giggle erupted from Nora's end causing Ian's eyes to narrow as he realized something.

"You can't like two people at once", he disapproved.

Nora sniffed around and hummed before she mocked, "Is that an early morning smell of hypocrisy?"

Ian subconsciously glanced at the naked form of Mona sleeping beside him. Things had been going so well lately until the news of Amy's husband's arrival reached him. The woman was a constant bother in his life and the fact that he couldn't have her just made it even harder for him to completely let go.

"I have to get ready for work", he said bitterly before he hang up.

He remained unmoving, staring into space as his hand angrily squeezed his phone hard. Mona stirred as she pulled the sheets up to cover her body. She took in his side profile, he was clearly upset. She was able to pick up on their conversation even in her sleepy state thanks to Nora's loud voice.

"So that woman's husband is in town", she stated.

Ian peeled the covers away and walked out of bed going to the bathroom. She didn't bother admiring his naked form as she too felt upset. She had a long way to go with him. Can't Amy just disappear from their lives?

Meanwhile, the said person was comfortably sleeping in her bed. She turned to sleep on her side and winced at the sun light flooding into the room. She rubbed her eyes as she slowly sat up. The other side of her bed was neatly done like no one had slept there.

'Was it all a dream?' she mused.

And the house was too quiet. She picked up her phone and saw the time. It was a little after seven. Was she really alone? Did she imagine everything that happened over the past few days?

"Is that my job or yours? I want a summarized report in ten minutes!"

She heard Zach's voice echo from outside her room. She got out of bed and was about to open the door when she remembered the two visitors they had. She put on a fluffy baby pink robe and fluffy flops before going out.

Her face was puffy from the sleep and she subconsciously run her fingers through her hair trying to fix it when she saw Zach. He was in a black polo shirt and black sweats. His eyes lit up when he saw her. She quickened her pace and walked over to the sofa he was seated.

"Good morning", she said while hanging an arm over the chair.

"Come here", he reached out a hand to her and brought her onto his lap. "Good morning cupcake", he kissed her belly making her smile. "And good morning beautiful", he pecked her lips with his arms hooked around her waist.

She looked around the house and towards the spare room.

"They're gone. Xav had an emergency meeting and George had some work too", he said.

"Ah! You should have woken me up." She felt bad that she hadn't seen them off after last night. They were really good company.

"Don't worry, they understood. And they couldn't leave without preparing a little something for you", he nodded towards the counter they had had dinner last night on.

Amy gasped in surprise as she took in the covered dishes. "They didn't have to..."

He brushed her hair with his fingers before letting his hand settle on her back. He too thought his brothers took really kind on her. She now looked at the paper work spread out on the coffee table as well as a tablet.

She sighed. She had been short sighted in wanting him to stay. It was now she realized she had selfishly taken him away from a lot of his responsibilities. By the time they go back, he must have a mountain of work waiting for him. And they would have to trouble George to come over when needed which isn't the meaning of laying low when they take into account their current situation.

"What are you worried about?" His hand went to caress her belly.

"I've taken you away from work.." she didn't know what else to say to express her disappointment in herself. What would people say about a chairman who just disappeared and left things for his P.A and the C.E.O to handle?

Zach's chuckled, "Is that it? Will you feel better if I tell you I have work here too?"

"The one George brought you yesterday?"

He shook his head. "Not that. I've decided to use this stay to personally oversee a project we're running."

Amy's brows rose showing her piqued interest. And he continued, "A few months back I secured a land here in West Village through a bid, we're building a hotel and resort on it."

He chuckled, "Now that I think about it, it's the same land that Parton lost to me and went after me for." He caressed her cheek, "I wouldn't have met you if not for him."

Amy smiled when she heard this. "Do you think we were too hard on him?"

"Do you?" He countered with brows raised.

"No", they said at the same time making them laugh.

She stared at him, taking in his sharp features. She cupped both his cheeks as she let herself get lost into his intense blues. He was such a breath taking sight for her. How was she so lucky to fall for such a man and him reciprocating those feelings? Her brows went up when he suddenly pouted his lips.

"I thought you were going to kiss me?" He pouted again.

She giggled from his childishness as she shook her head. "I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

"So?" He wasn't bothered.

She was about to respond when her phone suddenly beeped. She raised her index finger excusing herself before taking the phone whilst on his lap. Her fingers tapped the screen a few times before her brows furrowed in displeasure.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Someone is looking into me..... Not as Amy Harper but.... Jennifer Harper", she showed him the screen.

He looked down at the screen and his brows furrowed too before they exchanged a look. Who could possibly be looking into her other identity? Zach, as much as he hated it, he knew..... But what he didn't understand was.... Why?