Chapter 12 A Sandstorm

Chapter 12 A Sandstorm

…

At The Inn.

Pacing on the balcony, Clyde was holding his phone to his ears. 

“What do you mean by they're canceling the collaboration?”

“Mr. Crawford, we didn't expect it too. They think our offer isn't good enough.”

How? 

They'd worked together for many years. 

How could they suddenly change business partners?

“They'll soon regret it.” Clyde ended the call. 

Someone must be influencing their decision. 

But who?

Clyde's phone rang again. 

More emergency calls.

He cursed under his breath, placing the phone on silent.

Glancing at his wristwatch, Clyde's annoyance increased. 

The sun was already out,

And thirty minutes had passed. 

Even Cora who was stalling had already reached there before him. 

Clyde cursed again. 

He shoved the phone into his pants pocket and left the balcony. 

As he walked out of the Inn, however, Cora's figure approached. 

So soon?

“Why are you back?”

Cora dropped her bag, taking off her sunglasses. “The engagement's over.” She smiled sweetly. “Hard luck. You missed it.”

The engagement was over?

“That's too early.” Clyde stared at his wristwatch again.

It wasn't even time yet. 

“Asher's parents seemed to be in a hurry,” Cora explained. “I guess that's why they rushed it.”

Then she approached him, taking his hands and putting on a disappointed look. “Too bad. Asher's also leaving the Island soon.”

“Did he tell you that?” Clyde frowned. 

Cora nodded and sighed.

But they hadn't even met yet!

Asher knew what he was here for.

He promised they'd meet and discuss immediately the engagement was over. 

Cora went on. “Asher apologized. He promised to meet you at IvoryHills himself.”

Then she threw her arms over his shoulders, batting her lashes and pressing herself to him. 

“So it's useless to remain here… Let's go back,” she suggested. “The weather forecast says there'll be a sandstorm later.”

So his trip was for nothing.

Clyde would have used his time to do something beneficial.

He could be striking another business deal,

Investing in a new estate,

Collaborating with more business partners,

Or dealing with their competitors.

“Tell the pilot to get the helicopter ready,” he instructed Cora. 

She nodded eagerly, her face brightening up. 

Letting go of him, she blew him a kiss. “Will do that right away, Honey!”

Honey!

This wasn't the first time Cora called him that. 

However, whenever she did, Clyde was forced to remember a particular person. 

A woman who dared to run out of his life! 

Shoving that thought aside, Clyde cursed under his breath and followed Cora.

He would never return to this dry Island.

Apart from wasting his time, he had the most bizarre experience.

A bad weather, and a strange girl who called him Daddy.

By the way, why hadn't he seen her again?

Sitting inside the helicopter, Clyde's eyes darted to the windows for the sight of her. 

Well, why did he care?

He should be glad that the little girl didn't come to disturb him again. 

As the helicopter lifted in the air, a strange noise of the wind came from outside. 

Relaxing on his chair, Clyde opened his eyes. 

Then they clouded with fury.

Another sandstorm.

How worse could this day get?

“What's the meaning of this?” Clyde grunted.

Not only was he mad at nature,

He was also mad at himself and everyone.

He shouldn't have stepped foot on this Island. 

“Mr. Crawford, don't worry,” The pilot assured him. “The sandstorm's not very strong. We can get through it.”

Really?

Then why was the wind getting fiercer?

The helicopter seemed to be swaying too, and the windows were blurred by dust. 

Unless one looked closer, nothing could be sighted ahead.

Clyde frowned, squinting his eyes. 

His gaze fixed on the distance, he wanted to believe he was imagining it. 

The figure of that little girl running. 

Why was she inside the sandstorm?