THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 322: Sticky Tape

A few minutes later, she came out of her office and saw a tall, well built, handsome gentleman, exuding the aura of a prince by the counter.

As recognition dawned on her, Lauren’s eyes widened in a pleasant surprise.

Without hesitation, she rushed over to him, and they embraced tightly, their bodies pressed together in a warm hug.

"How did you find me?" Lauren asked, finding it hard to believe her eyes.

"Didn’t I tell you that even if you run to the ends of the earth, I’ll still find you?" George Wellington snickered, the dimple on his left cheek stretching attractively.

That was one thing he shared in common with Lauren and the same thing that also drew him to her like fleas to light.

"Stop bragging, George, it still took you this long to find me," Lauren smirked as she broke the embrace.

Although George was not happy when he suddenly lost the warmth that came with her embrace, he still had to let her go.

"That’s because I wasn’t ready to go after you, yet. Now that I am here, be ready to tolerate this sticky tape for the rest of your life, REN."

Lauren blushed a deep red and turned her face away when she heard the special way George called her. Only George refered to her by that name.

After she gave one of her staff an instruction, she took George by the hand and led him to her office at the back of the shop.

Once inside, she gestured for him to take a seat while she settled behind her desk.

"Please, have a seat, George. Make yourself comfortable."

"That’s what I plan to do even if you didn’t mention it" George looked around the little office in appreciation.

"Nice place you’ve got here."

"It’s my little nest," Lauren said with a note of pride.

Not long after, George’s coffee arrived.

"Hmmmm!" George let out a satisfying moan as he relished the flavor in his mouth, earning himself a hearty laugh from Lauren.

"You’re simply too reliable. You still remembered my favorite blend," he praised.

"Of course," Lauren said flippantly. "Medium roast with a hint of hazelnut – along with a selection of snacks," she announced and they both burst out laughing.

As George enjoyed his coffee and snacks, while they engaged in conversation, catching up on old times, they were completely oblivious of the ruckus their simple act of embracing had caused among the staff members.

"Do you think Boss Lauren should be spending so much time with that George guy? Dr Steffan is still in the hospital..." one of the staff whispered.

In an anxious voice, another staff replied, "I don’t know. They seem so comfortable together. What if.."

"Hey... hold it there. Don’t be too ahead of yourselves." Horatio, the manager interrupted, scolding the first two.

"Do I need to remind you of the deep love between boss Lauren and her fiancée, Steffan?"

The other two bowed their heads as they were rightly scolded. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I agree with the manager," yet another staff said. "Let’s not jump to conclusions. Boss Lauren is devoted to Steffan and we must trust her judgment. Besides, we all know her character, right?"

"We were wrong," admitted the first staff member. "It’s just that that guy is too hot."

Hearing that, her colleague’s eyes lit up. "Did you see his dimples when he smiled at Boss Lauren?"

"I was almost drooling when I saw it," the staff that informed Lauren about George’s arrival whispered.

"I hope he is still single," the first staff asked, earning curious looks from her colleagues.

"What will you do if he is still single? Can’t you see he is way out of your league?"

"Whatever. That doesn’t stop me from loving him."

"Ha..ha,,haaaaa. You are already in love," another one mocked.

"Miss lover, go attend to that customer that just walked in and stop building castles in the air," the manager ordered.

Meanwhile, Lauren and George continued with their conversation, lost in each other’s company until it was closing time.

"Thank you for stopping by, George. It was wonderful seeing you again," Lauren said as she walked with George to the door.

"Haven’t I warned you? You’ll be seeing more of me from now on. Come here," he said and held her in another hug and gently kissed her forehead.

"Bye for now, Ren."

"Bye, George "

Lauren waved until George’s car was out of sight before walking back into her coffee shop. a contented smile etched on her beautiful face.

As George finally left, Lauren’s workers exchanged glances among themselves, especially when they saw the smile on their boss’s face.

While some couldn’t wait to have George visit again, some were happy that he finally left as they saw him as a potential threat to their charming Doctor Steffan who unfortunately could not protect his territory for the moment.

But they were there to help him, right?

One thing that was common among them all was that they were all genuinely happy seeing their boss smiling happily after a long while.

Although she had always tried to look strong, they knew she was having a huge challenge which she never spoke about nor allowed to affect her work.

Instead, she seemed to put all her energy into her work.

As Lauren was waiting for them to lock up, her phone suddenly rang and when she saw the called ID, she instantly gasped.

’Shit, I totally forgot,’ she muttered as she swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Hello, brother Stanley,"

"Where are you, Lauren? Mother and Danny have been looking at the door every now and then?"

"I’m sorry, brother, I’m just closing from the shop, I’ll head over right away."

"Alright."

"Please lock up, guys. I have to hurry home," she instructed the workers after gathering her things into her handbag.

"Yes, boss. Goodnight and drive safely," Horatio said.

"Goodnight everyone"

"Goodnight, boss."

It took her about twenty minutes to arrive at

Her destination.

As soon as she entered the living room, her thighs were instantly clasped by a pair of small hands.

She looked down and saw two large eyes gazing up at her, causing a smile to spread over her face.

"Isn’t this my Danny, the cutest baby on earth? Did you miss Aunty?"

"Yes, Aunty. Danny missed you a lot and I have a complaint too." Danny said with an aggrieved expression.

"Really?" Lauren asked and lifted him up to meet the others. "Let’s go sit comfortably so that we can hear your complaints."

"Good evening mom, good evening, dad?"

"How are you today?"

"I’m fine now that you are here." Sarah said as she stood to hold Lauren in a warm hug.

Sarah frowned, feigning surprise. "Why are my hands suddenly not large enough to hold you, Lauren?"

"Grandma, that’s because I’m in Aunty’s arms," Danny laughed wondering why his grandmother did not understand this simple thing.

"Oh you are there? But I want to hug Lauren as I have something to say to her," Sarah teased.

"Grandma, no cheating. I saw her first and what I want to say is important, right, Aunty?" He turned to Lauren to validate his point.

Lauren was speechless. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. How was she to know if what he wanted to say was important or not? Anyways, she still played along.

"Of course, what my Danny wants to say is very very important."

"Did you hear that, Grandma?" Danny asked, smiling in triumph. "So I have to go first."

"Alright," Sarah gave an exaggerated helpless sigh and went to sit down.

"So what’s your complaint, Danny?" Lauren asked after she was seated beside Sarah, who lovingly held one of her hands.

Danny’s expression turned serious again as he said, "It’s about Uncle Steffan."