Chapter 4 - Regret and Nostalgia

Simultaneously, admiration and amusement colored his eyes at how she quickly managed to fabricate a story without stammering.

He underestimated Emerald. He had seen Emerald twice at his father's mansion before they got married.

The imprinted impression in his mind that this woman was timid, boring and dimwit

"Alright, let's go now. We'll have dinner before going home," Jim easily believed Emerald.

Jim picked Emerald's handbag from the vanity table and held Emerald's hand as they stepped out of the room like there was no one with them.

Ignored by Emerald who used to give all her attention to him as if he was the center of her world, Clayton felt like his heart plummeted to the sea of despair, drowning him.

Now, she wouldn't even want to have a glimpse of him as if she was afraid to get dirty by simply sparing him a glance.

What's more she already moved on with her life and found someone.

After that night, Emerald vanished again and Clayton could not find her.

Three best private investigators were commissioned by Clayton to search for Emerald. They have searched high and low, leaving no stones unturned but to no avail.

Nostalgia and regret were Clayton's companion all year round.

Each night he comes home from work, he would rest on the couch reliving how Emerald used to take care of his needs.

No matter how late he comes home, Emerald will wait for him.

Humans are like this, they begin to notice and appreciate the things they used to take for granted when they're no longer there.

It was too late for him to realize that he had a hidden gem in his house, waiting for him to discover.

In order to cope up with his sadness, Clayton buried himself in work and was able to transfer the company headquarters to the financial center of the country.

Westfield was the economic powerhouse of the country. Many had tried to gain a foothold in this city but a very few succeeded.

However, Clayton's huge empire wasn't on par of the three families who held the key to this city.

The Kingston family, West family and Jackson family were families who had been at the the top of the pyramid held that position for a century now.

But amongst the three, Kingston was the most powerful family.

Clayton was seriously tapping on the keyboard when someone barged into his office.

Infuriated by being disturbed, Clayton gave that person a death glare.

"Woohoo!" His cousin Red who just came back from abroad lifted his arms as if in surrender.

"What a warm way of welcoming me!" Red said his jolly voice had a mixture of complaints.

Clayton's anger subsided however annoyance still lingered on his face. This cousin of his didn't fail to annoy him.

"Why are you here? What do you want?" Clayton's voice was cold as ever and Red wondered when this cousin would learn to be warm.

"I have this girl I want to court, but grandpa said that you have to assess if she passes the standard," Red was helpless against this.

If only he had the status of his cousin he wouldn't have to ask permission before courting a woman.

He was just only two years younger than Clayton and yet he had to seek his approval to woo a woman.

"I don't have time for that," Clayton went back to his work, trying not to stand and throwing his cousin out of his office.

However, Red didn't easily give up and persisted. "Just this once, I'm begging you. After this I won't pester you."

He was confident that he could gain the woman's heart. So, this was the only time he would bother Clayton.

Exasperated, Clayton nodded.

"I'll text you tonight," Red left light-heartedly, imagining the girl's exquisite face.

Clayton wondered why they were in a race track, his knowledge about his cousin is that he likes models and not a pit crew team member.

"Where is she?" Clayton was a busy man and had no time waiting, he just wanted to get it over and done with.

"She'll be done with her practice soon," Red answered while he had his eyes on the speeding car using a pair of binoculars.

Red handed Clayton one of the two pairs of binoculars he brought. "Use that!"

He wanted to show to Clayton how impressive the woman who took hold of his heart was.

Clayton was surprised that the girl was a racer and his sight followed the speeding car on the racetrack.

Clayton jaw dropped as the car cruise the race track at a breakneck speed.

Although Clayton wasn't a racing fan, knowing that a female was driving in a lightning speed picked Clayton's curiosity so much so that he lost track of time.

"Awesome! That's my girl!" Red proudly exclaimed when the car stopped in the pit just a few meters away from where they stood.

The lady driver pushed her body up the cockpit and stepped down with her helmet still on her head. 

She was talking with the pit crew team with her back at Red and Clayton.

One of the pit crew team removed her helmet and her long wavy blond locks cascaded down.

Clayton frowned as he was reminded of Emerald's lustriuos wavy blond hair.

A dull pain spread in Clayton's chest remembering his estranged wife. Until now there was no breakthrough in his search for his wife.

"Emerald!" Red called out, causing Clayton to stop dead in his tracks.

Emerald? Did he hear it right?

As if the world came to a complete standstill when the woman who had her back on them turned.