Clash Into Clasp

CHAPTER 26 - Guarded

At EDA, Carl was greeted by a wide smile from Mrs. Cole. "Good morning, Carl!"

There's something in her smile and countenance that seeing her, Carl instantly knew that something good happened.

"Morning too, Dorothy. Is there some good news?" he asked looking at her.

Dorothy smiled sweetly. "Why didn't you tell me that Alexis is already your girlfriend?"

"What?" He was surprised and frowned. "Why did you say so?" As far as he remembers, last night, Alexis didn't give him an answer.

He received another teasing smile from the woman. "I think you have not seen it yet. Come, take a look," Dorothy then beckoned him to look at her computer.

With intense curiosity, he obliged. After he went near, the headline from the monitor caught his eyes instantly -"EDA President Carl Anderson Seen Dating in LA." He instantly moved nearer to read it carefully.

He was surprised to see the video of him with Alexis and Natalie and also the picture of them at the Spear's company, at LA with Miss Dallas and at the French restaurant. But he was astounded when he saw the last picture of them on the plane.

"You're very sweet in there," Dorothy commented with a radiant smile.

Becoming speechless, he read the last words of the article - "With these evidences, who will still disagree that this couple is in a relationship?”

A smile formed on his lips. Whoever arranged this had somehow made his heart flutter, especially that last picture. Perhaps he will give the one who took that picture an incentive.

"So, she is your girlfriend now?" Dorothy asked him with intense interest.

He pulled his hand from the mouse and sighed when he remembered Alexis' reaction last night. "No," he spoke as he straightened his coat. "Not yet," he continued. He is still determined to get her.

"Yet," Dorothy nodded with a smile. "But you asked her, didn't you?"

"Yeah, just last night," Carl told the truth. When it comes to Dorothy, he cannot hide anything anyway.

"And she didn't answer you, yet?" Dorothy looked at him, closely watching his countenance.

”Yeah. She said she needed time to think and pray," he replied as he began to walk toward his office. He feels gloomy again at the thought of why she still needs to think about it.

Dorothy nodded again. "Be positive, I know she will say yes," she encouraged, seeing how his countenance fall.

Carl gave her a glance and a quick smile. ”Please do pray for it."

"Of course, I will," Dorothy nodded sincerely.

"By the way, is she in?" Carl asked after he remembered.

"Nah, she sent an email requesting a day off. She said she had a headache," Dorothy responded without looking at him.

Carl only nodded then stepped into his office as he fished his phone out. He closed the door and dialed the number of the woman that instantly caught his concern right now. He wanted to know how is she doing. Is her headache severe? Maybe she needed to go to the hospital.

Frustration aroused in him when the number cannot be reached. He redialed but it only went to a voice mail. It only made him worried more. Did she shut her phone down?

He sat on his chair and breathed out a sigh. He remembered Adrielle. He searched for her contact number and then dialed it. It was quickly answered. "Hello, Mr. Anderson?" the sweet but wondering voice of Adrielle came in.