HIDDEN PASSION

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Lillian got out of her hotel room after she had made sure that Nathaniel had gone to his room after apologizing to her. She made her way to the room number that Clifford had given to her. It was already very late in the night and she had figured that was the best hour to discuss with the man about helping Nath. And even if she wanted to help Nathaniel, she did not want him to know about it. It would be better if he didn't know.

She had knocked a few times before she heard a reply from inside of the room and the door opened to reveal Clifford. "Hello, Mister Clifford. Hope I didn't disturb your sleep," Lillian smiled as she asked. She was also in the bath robe she had brought from home as well.

The averagely old man smiled in return. "I haven't slept actually. I was working on my laptop," the man answered. "Come on in. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you," Lillian said and went inside while he locked the door from behind.

Nathaniel came in view from where he was lurking with a disappointed look on his face. He had cautiously followed Lillian from behind after hearing her door squeaked open. She had somehow convinced him that nothing was going on between her and the old man, but he had his proof now.

Why would she go into his room at eleven post meridian? And just in that robe that could be taken off with one pull of the strings that kept it together in front?

Hold on.... He paused and took a long look at himself.  "Why am I like this?" he asked himself,but unluckily, he had no answer to his rhetorical question. So, he started walking back into his room. They were leaving the following day anyway. He convinced himself against acting like a jealous lover and just focus more on himself than worrying about a woman who did not even like him a tiny bit.

He had just lost his reason of being there. His hard work in the company had proven to be fruitless. What could he do? He had tried so hard to please the investors, but he was just incompetent. Just like how he had been unable to find the only woman he loved for years now.

It had been five years he had been searching for Lillian and every of his trial failed every single time.  His company was also five years old and now he failed at he big opportunity to grow the firm into what it deserved.

He was just a loser.

He should just focus on his life than worrying about another person. He had enough on his plate that could last him a lifetime already.

***

The drive back to Lillian's company was as silent as a graveyard. None of them said anything,but that didn't stop Lillian from grinning from ear to ear murmuring a song to herself.

Nathaniel decided not to get curious and just focus on the road. She had probably enjoyed herself the previous night seeing as she was so happy.

"Can you stop here?" Lillian sang,pointing to the store in front of them.

He frowned. "Why is that? You're getting off here?" He asked as she unbuckled her seat belt.

Lilly shook her head.  "Of course not. I need to get myself a drink. Should I get you one, too?" She asked and before he could form a reply, she added, "Sorry. I forgot you don't take soft drinks. They don't settle scores with you." With that, she alighted as he parked his car.

Nathaniel was left dumbfounded. He was shocked to know that she was right. He did not take soft drinks. He preferred wine to them. And that was because he always get an upset stomach every time. But, how did she know? He never mentioned that to her.

He could not take his eyes off her as she approached the car with a bottle of Coca-Cola in her hand. What was he missing? Was there something he ought to know about the lady? But, she always decline him the access to get to know her more.

Should he consider a background check on her?

Lillian opened the door and sat down beside him. "Alright, thanks. Let's get going," she said with a broad smile.

Should he just confront her about how she knew that?

She opened the bottle and gulped down some of the drink. "Ooph! I feel good," she said and laughed a little.

Nathaniel resumed driving and spared her a glance. He was suddenly annoyed at her. How could she have the nerve to be showing off her happiness before him when she clearly knew he just failed in getting investors for his company? "Why are in such a happy mood? Don't you even feel sorry for what happened? We failed to convince the investors," he pointed out, not hiding the anger in his voice.

"You seem to be mistaken. There is no 'we' anywhere. You are the one who failed in getting the investors sign a contract with your company, not my company," she blurted out with a glare. Why was he getting mad at her? Was it her fault? 

"What?" Nathaniel exclaimed.

"Stop making it sound as if it was my fault. It's not. a
And how do you even know the investors —" she stopped. She should not leak the truth yet. It would be better if he just found out on his own. "You can always try again. There are tons of investors out there," she concluded.

"Did I hear you say it's not your fault? Do I have to remind you who wished that the trip got canceled?"

"Do I have to remind you who assured you that the investors will choose you?" She bragged.

"And did they choose me? They didn't, for crying out loud,and it didn't even freak you?" Nath voiced out, raising his voice and octave higher.

"Please, shut up and face the road. I'm not ready to die," she said and turned to the side with her back to him.

"Shit! Why the hell did I think you could be her?" He muttered.

She heard him. He said it loud enough for her to hear. And that broke her heart to pieces.m, though she had been relieved he had thought of her as his long lost Lillian. That made her wanted to turn to him that instant and tell him it was all an act. She wanted to tell him who she really was at that moment. She never wanted him to get mad at her.

But there was nothing she could do. Only if she continued that way would she be able to stop loving him. Being friends with him would not do her any good, so that was the best option on her list. She had to stop herself from loving her best friend's man.