Planned Baby novel Chapter 34

“I miss you too Hadley!”

My eyes widen upon hearing the name of the girl. I was curious about her for a while now, I can’t believe that she was in front of me now.

I feel weird for some reason. My heart is beating so fast and my body feels so weak. This feeling is different from what I felt a while ago when I signed the contract with Mr. Schulz.

“Who is she Quen? Don’t tell me you have a girlfriend now?” Hadley said while clinging her arms on Mr. Schulz.

“No, silly! She is Ms. Penelope Cabello, the CEO and President of Cabello International Corporation. I signed a contract with them today for Schulz Tech office building here.”

Hadley looks shocked from what she heard from Mr. Schulz. Seems like Mr. Schulz did not tell her about the possible partnership with my company. Good thing we already signed the contract before she came. I have a hunch that she can influence Mr. Schulz’s decision on this project.

She went to me. “Hi, I’m Hadley Adelson. How are Kade and his kids doing?”

“They are doing well.”

She smiles at me. “Glad to hear that. If it’s okay with you, I would like to invite you for lunch with Quen.”

I wanted to say no, but how can I say no when I just signed a contract with Mr. Schulz?!

“Sure.” Then I smile at her, though I know that my smile looks fake.

“Great! Let’s go Quen!”

Mr. Schulz can’t do anything but follow what she wants. He looks at me with an apologetic face, then he mouthed “sorry.” I just nodded at him to assure him that I’m fine with it.

Hadley was the one who chose the restaurant while Mr. Schulz and I were following her.

“I heard so much about you,” Hadley said to me after we gave our orders to the waiter assigned to our table.

I just smile because I don’t know what to say or how to react to what she just said.

“Well, I admit I became interested in you because of your relationship with Kade.”

“I don’t have any romantic relationship with Ulie.” I corrected her just in case she assumes things.

I know I sounded guilty. I knew I somehow ruined their supposed marriage, though it was an arranged marriage. At first, I thought that she was cool with it, but when I found out that she was in love with Ulie, I am not sure anymore.

She looks happy from what she heard from me. I guess it’s safe to assume that she still has a feeling for Ulie.

“Noted on that.” She joked then continue with her speech.

“Anyway, I became interested in you since then. I heard many things about you, especially your project with LHI and Hearst. I must say that I’m impressed! I’m sure Quen feels the same way that’s why she gave this project to you.”

“She’s really good. Those malicious issues before were all crap.” Mr. Schulz said.

I smiled at him. I feel fluttered from all this. “Thanks, Ms. Adelson and Mr. Schulz.”

“Stop with your formalities Penelope, you can just call me Hadley.”

“Hadley is right. You can call me Enrique or Quen just like what other people call me, or if you want you can be formal with me only when we are dealing with the business but outside the project just call me by my first name. Don’t make me feel old when I am not that old yet. We are the same age if I’m not mistaken.”

“Sure Hadley and Enrique.”

Our orders arrived but Hadley still keeps on asking me things about me, my work, and my family.

“I heard you are close with the Escarrer family.” Hadley finally asks about the Escarrer.

For some reason, I had a feeling that what she wants to ask from me is not about my work but my relationship with Escarrer and the twins. And I guess I’m right.

“Yes. It’s not hard to be close with them. They are all nice. I treated them like my own family.” I honestly told her.

“But how did he know about your pregnancy?” Hadley can’t help but ask.

“LHI Resort project happened. That is the time I found out that the guy I had a one-night stand with is Ulysses Kade Escarrer. I wanted to back out from the project because I’m scared that he will find out about my pregnancy.”

“But you didn’t back out.”

“Because I can’t take for granted all the hard work my people give to achieve our company’s goal. And Ulie will still find out about my pregnancy even if I didn’t do the project.”

“Penelope is right. The media expose her pregnancy. Even if she back out from the project, Ulysses will still look for her.” Enrique explained to Hadley.

“I didn’t know he already has a fiancé. I just found out about it after he knew about my pregnancy. I told him that he can continue your wedding but he said that he already made a decision.”

I guess this explanation is enough. Hadley is right, I owe her an explanation. She was the victim here.

“But why is Kade not marrying you yet?” Hadley asks again.

“I don’t want to.”

Hadley's eyes widen. “What? Are you for real?!”

“I don’t want him to marry me just because of the kids. It’s not fair for the both of us and even to the twins. I think the twins deserve an honest relationship, not an obligated one.”

“Again, Hadley I’m sorry. Because of me, you lost him. If I can do something to help you or just anything. I am willing to do so.” I offered her with pure sincerity.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Then help me to convince Kade to marry me.”