THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 435: There’s Still Someone 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 some quality time with Steffan, basking in the beautiful natural air from the sea, but there were some things she needed to sort out before the wedding which was in two weeks time.
Top on her list was her meeting 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 meeting, she stopped by Empress Brews to handle some 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 me 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 came, Ms Cheryl had been filling me in on what you asked her to do and I think it’s the perfect approach."
"Once we finish here, I’ll arrange a meeting 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 menu 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 meeting with friends, as you can see," she replied. "What brings you here?"
"I’m also meeting someone, 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, meet Cheryl Moore and here is Ariel, my wonderful friends and family."
"Why make it sound so pathetic to have me 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 element but something came up that took me out of town," George said regrettably.
Cheryl’s beautiful face spasmed in a smile. "You flatter me."
"But it’s the truth," George insisted with sincerity.
"There’s still someone you haven’t said hello to," Lauren subtly nudged George when he seemed 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 remembering 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 moment 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 mentioned Ariel’s last name when she was doing the introduction. It could only mean that this was not their first time meeting 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 confirmed 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 welcome to join us."
"Yes, we do mind." The three girls said almost at the same time.
"I... I ... I mean, your client... " Ariel quickly tried to come 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 mean... is that, your client might be arriving anytime 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 amusement as he noted her unease.
At this stage, Lauren was sure that something was definitely up with the two. George was not one to tease the women he came across like the way he seemed to be enjoying teasing Ariel.
He has always had his guards up with most women, 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 me yesterday. I was counting on you to give me some moral support," Lauren asked in a bid to steer the conversation.
