Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 31

Montecarlos

I was fixated on Rusty, my eyes locked onto him during the ongoing conference meeting. Arik was sitting in front, close to me, and I noticed the intense look he gave the guy.

I don't know how or why, but he suddenly showed up here on behalf of his father again. Maybe he wanted to talk about what happened.

But why now? It's been days since I had an accident, and he suddenly disappeared. Why is he showing up only now?

"Excuse me, Ma'am," Paula interrupted, and I lifted my gaze to her.

"Sir Liam is outside. Sinabi ko na lang na maghintay siya dahil hindi ka puwedeng umalis sa meeting," she said, surprising me.

Liam? Bakit sabay-sabay silang nagpapakita ngayon? Sana naman ay huwag nang sumabay pa si Hannah o Isabella. I think I need to ban them from Percepta.

"Thanks, Pau. It's almost over anyway. Who's with him?"

"Ma'am Isabella, too."

My lips parted. I just mentioned her.

"Ms. Fuentebella, will you be attending the gala night next week?" Olive Laurenti, a well-known businesswoman in the industry, suddenly asked me.

We're around the same age, and it's amazing how she built her own name without her family's influence.

"Uh, yeah, I heard about that. I'm not sure, but I'll try. I have a lot to take care of right now. There's one case I will be handling, and I want to focus on it," I replied, glancing at Arik.

He smiled at me, leaning back in his swivel chair, his gaze fixed on me intently. Para niya akong tinutunaw sa paraan ng pagtitig niya. He even licked his lower lip while clenching his perfect jawline. What is this guy thinking now?

"It would be a shame if you didn't come. It means you'd be the only one missing from the historic gala night of prominent businessmen from different countries. It's also an opportunity to meet the Montecarlos," Olive continued.

"Oh, that name always gives me goosebumps."

I heard various comments when Olive mentioned it. I looked at Arik, and it seems he has a different feeling about that name too. When I turned to Rusty, I saw him smirking.

"Family of crazy people," he whispered, but I heard it clearly because he was close to me.

"Montecarlos?" I muttered. "Who are they?"

I remember hearing that family name before. It's Hannah's family name, if I'm not mistaken.

"Yes, Ms. Fuentebella. I don't think Mr. Rioflorida here has introduced his stepsister's family name to you. They are based in the UK and just recently migrated here to continue their rendezvous. I heard the couple is looking for someone," Rusty commented.

I shifted my gaze to Arik, and he just shrugged. I sighed, ending the meeting before the conversation could go elsewhere.

Habang pabalik ako sa opisina ay nakita ko pa sina Liam at Isabella sa hallway na tila may seryosong pinag-uusapan. Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at dumiretso na sa opisina. Arik followed me a minute later.

"What's that guy doing here? Why do I always see him in the investors' meetings?" He asked me straight away.

I looked at him, irritation evident at the mention of Rusty. "He's representing his Dad's company, Arik."

"It's been weeks. Nasaan ba ang tatay niya?"

"I heard he hasn't returned from Japan yet. Is there a problem? Is this about what he mentioned earlier? Do you know something about that certain family?" I couldn't help but ask him.