Chapter 8: HIS WOMAN

Larry went back to West Country after he finish all the important works in San Diego. The main headquarters of Williams Enterprise was transferred in West Country. He may still need to fly back in San Diego for time to time since some work operations cant be transferred entirely in West Country. 

He was checking some of the documents that needed his signature when he heard a knocked at the door.

"Come in.." He said. The secretary slowly came up to him. She walks like a super model. If he was a perverted boss he would have jump and touched this woman whose openly seducing him wearing a skimpy skirt and a body hugging low cut neck blouse. She's beautiful in deed but with his attitude seperating work and personal matters this is rediculous and unprofessional. 

"What is it?" He asked coldly and did not bother to hide his annoyance.

"Sir this is the final report for the Australian Fashion show. One of our designers and some models will be part of it." The secretary smiled sweetly but Larry didn't bother to look at her, she sound like a woman asking to orgasm.

"Is there anything else." He asked with a creased forehead and a thunderous voice. The secretary was frightened. 

"None, Sir."  

Once the secretary 's out. He send an email to company's HR and mandated to set a proper Dress Code for the office worker starting tomorrow. He likes fashion but depending on the place and occasion. 

He checked the report. Some details caught his attention. The venue and some people that is part of the organizers. He dialed his PR team. 

"Did we also received a formal invitation for any attendees on the Australian Fashion show aside from the contract models and designers that will participate?" He asked. 

"Yes Sir, there's 4 allotted invitations but we are only sending two. PR Manager Shirley and Troy will be attending." 

"I see, have you confirmed the attendees?" He hope not. 

" Not yet sir, we are waiting for manager Troy to give as a go." 

"Alright that's good, let them know I'll be joining them."  He end the conversation. The person on the other line was shocked this kind of project or event is something that the CEO doesn't usually gets involved too.

The months gone by. Jewel is almost a month near her due date but only Simon and the doctor he arranged knows the truth. Once she deliver the baby everyone will think its a premature baby. Mrs. Hall tried to persuade her and Simon to go back in West Country on her "known due date" so that she can deliver the baby in West country. They agreed but only them knows that she's going to have her baby in Australia prior to that. She already applied for a maternity leave. Although it seems too early no one said a word, she will be the soon to be daughter in law of the Hall Industry anyway.

Now she have a last project to complete before her leave. They designed a stage for one of the most famous Summer Fashion show  this season and it will be held in Hall Amphitheater this Sunday. That day will be the official opening of the Amphitheater as well. She was part of the creative team that works in the interior design of this amphitheater and she was the lead designer. She was proud to be a part of this project before taking her break. 

The day of the fashion show and the Hall Amphitheater opening arrived. There are alot of wealthy and powerful people invited. When Larry's people entered the venue they were very amazed. The interior was a superb fushion of classic and contemporary design. It was very pleasing to the eye.

Larry quietly watch the fashion show with his two PR managers. They didn't announced that the CEO of William Enterprise will be coming with his PR team. The organizer was informed that their attendees will be PR Managers thats why the sit prepared for them is not for VVIP. Larry instructed his PR Team not to reveal his identity.

He scanned all the VVIP guests sitting in front. He did not saw Jewel or Simon among those spectator of the fashion shows. He was so disappointed. The two PR managers with him can sense his dissatisfaction. They don't have any idea what is the real reason their boss is with them. They all know that eversince The William Enterprise added Entertainment on there company's butter the CEO rarely intervene, he has a well versed people who handle this business. He only need to sign and approve contracts for projects, their artist and people. All of their model in the event were doing good including the one and only Fashion designer of Williams group that participated in the show. They received alot of great feedback. The two managers can't pin point what is making their boss unhappy.

" Sir is everything alright?  Troy one of the PR manager asked. 

" If there's anything you dont like or not happy about with our people in this event  pls. do give us the feedback. "  The manager added with an apologetic tone.

Larry was a bit taken a back. He is not aware that his emitting dissatisfied mood and his people was greatly affected. 

" Everyone are doing great. " With a cold serious tone he assured them. " Why can't I see my woman." the thought that should only be in his mind reached the ear of those around him. These people exchanged glances thinking if their boss presence tonight is to support his woman. Who is the mystery woman? They are dying to know, recently he was involved in a love triangle scandal but now he has a new woman. The playboy image of their CEO was escalating faster than a bullet.

The after party of the Australian Fashion show was held in the banquet room of The Hall Amphitheater. Glamorous Models and elite personality was present. Although Simon and Jewel did not watch the main event they heard alot of praises. They asked some people to supervised the show while they are preparing the banquet room earlier. Alot of people also appreciated the venue. The design and concept of the Amphitheater cannot be compared to any other. The positive feed back gave Jewel a boost to her confidence as a designer. This is the first project that she personaly lead. The designers and the entire creative team of Hall Industry was amaze as well she gained their respect with her talent not because she will marry soon the son and heir of Hall Industry. Simon feels bad that after tonight Jewel will take a break and stop working. Mrs. Hall insisted that Jewel should stop working for atleast a year to take care of her baby once she gave birth. Jewel agreed since it all makes sense to her. How could she let her baby in the hands of a nanny while growing up, she had her father and Simon support; she will think of a way to still achieve her career goal while taking care of her child. Right now she just applied for leave after 3 months she will decide if she would resign or not.

Jewel was interacting with the guess cheerfully. She was elegant and vibrant even with a protruding belly. Larry was silently watching her in a corner he was looking intently on her stomach as per his investigator that baby was conceived much earlier than they announced it to be. He knows he was her first man and there's a big possibility that the baby was his. He showed up today to confront her and make her admit who the real father of her unborn child. After seeing how happy she looked at today's successful event he cant bring himself to ruined it. 

He felt numb and everything turns red and orange when he saw Simon get close to Jewel. The man lovingly hooked his left arm around Jewel waist. He also saw how he bend down and whisper something in her ear that makes the woman chuckled. He can't help but wonder if Jewel really love him like what Cherrie insisted.

Enraged he started walking, he grabbed a glass of wine from the waiter who passed by him.

Jewel chuckled when Simon whispered and jokingly asking her to turn off the spotlight. It's because she's been receiving praises from everyone. She then humbly thanked them and the entire creative team. 

Jewel blinked twice when she saw a familiar figure heading their direction. Her legs trembled and she almost lost her balance, its a good thing that Simon held her by the waist that prevents her from slumping down. Simon felt her wobbly legs.

"What's wrong?"  Simon tightened his grip on her waist to support her. His eyes full of concern.

Before she can answer Larry was in front of them.

Simon didn't notice him right away since his looking at Jewel. When he followed her gazed he was greeted by the chilling face of his friend Larry. He was surprised but he didn't show it. He checked the final guest list for tonight but it was never mentioned that the New CEO of William Enterprise is one of the confirmed guess.

" Larry nice to see you here." Simon offered his right hand to shake hands while he was still holding Jewel by the waist with the other.

Larry sipped his wine before accepting Simon's shake hands. His eyes not leaving Jewel's face.

"Congratulations. The show was amazing and I must say the amphitheater was fabulous." Larry smile and glanced at Simon for a seconds before looking back at Jewel. The people around them seems to feel the tension and slowly gave them space.

" Thanks to everyone's effort. "  Simon's smiled. 

" By the way I hope you remember this is Jewel Anderson, my fiancée." He calmly introduced Jewel to test the water. Larry was his friend and he doesn't have any thing against him but he will surely protect Jewel if he deemed hostile towards her. 

" How can I forget, she served me well. " 

Simon did not like the insult behind Larry's remarks. His smile vanished in an instant.

" Really, then let bygones be bygones. What happen between you two is only part of her past and has nothing to do with me." 

Larry didn't plan to insult the woman in his heart. Jealousy gets the best of him and Simon's eager protection pushing it to the limit. Larry's cold eyes shifted to Simon.

" Past? For me its not.. I've been busy but those nights is still part of my present." He stared at Jewel's belly. 

" What are you saying?" Jewel can't stay quiet. Panicked showed in her eyes when she caught Larry's eyes on her belly. Even Simon cant react. Its a good thing people completely ignore their menacing aura although there are some whose curious but did not dared to get near them.

"I'm not here to ruin the night I merely attended to remind you of my existence."

"What ever you want from her Larry its too late, you had your chance."  Simon can see through this man mask but he wont back down easily. Jewel happiness is still the most important.

"Excuse us, my fiancée no longer feeling well. Enjoy the party."  Simon still holding Jewel's waist guide her to walk towards the lounge area. Larry's eyes followed them. He saw when Simon lead Jewel to the door and open it for her. He was a perfect caring man that every woman could fall in love with. He cant accept the fact that Jewel's heart already belong to that man. One thing is for sure now. The panic and fear in Jewel's eye could it be that he really is the father of her child. If he needs to use force to get her by his side he will do so. Even if he needs to use the baby in her womb.

Larry searched for his PR managers after telling them to stay and enjoy the party. He left and went back to his hotel room.

Simon is indeed a good man but he can't let him have her. Jewel is the one for him. What he feels for her now is nothing compared even to what he have with Cherrie before. He was able to let Cherrie go to another man but not Jewel. She was his woman. He will do anything to get her.