Chapter 36—Business Trip

Lena would have knocked but the door to Henderson's room was already open. She walked in and looked around the room but he was nowhere to be found. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, the door to the bathroom creaked open displaying a shirtless Henderson who had a towel around his waist. "Lena, " he muttered, surprise lacing his voice. Even though Lena tried hard to resist, her eyes roamed Henderson who was shirtless, he had water dripping down his chest to his firm abs, she concluded he must have finished having his bath seeing how wet his hair was giving him this cute look. Lena went weak in the knees and her mouth went dry when her eyes beheld a chiselled rock-hard chest, huge biceps and firm abs sculpted like a god. She had seen him shirtless before but the effect was still the same if not more enticing. Lena finally staved her gaze off Henderson and scolded herself. Peering at him that way like he was some candy she wanted to lick was an attitude uncommon to her but with a man like Henderson, it was so hard to resist. "You called for me. I was going to knock but the door was already open. I was just about to leave when you came out of the bathroom, I'm sorry." Lena muttered with her head downcast, she didn't know how to face him when all she had done earlier was check him out like he was some kind of masterpiece. Henderson was confused by Lena's statement, he marvelled in thought 'Why was she apologizing? When she had done nothing wrong? And he never called for her.' A small smile played on his lips as he thought about what the possible reason why she was acting this way could be. He was shirtless! He remembered the first time she saw him shirtless, she had the same reaction. "I didn't call for you, even though I wanted to have a word with you. I wanted to take a shower first. Who told you I was called for you?" "One of the workers, " Lena mumbled this time she lifted her head but still avoided eye contact with Henderson. "You said the door was open when you came in, right?" "Yes, " Lena nodded. Henderson's lips pressed together and a sough left them. "That must have been Cleo's doing. She came in earlier when I was about to go into the bathroom saying she wanted to ask me something, I told her I was going to speak with her once I had taken a shower but she left angrily. I guess she told the worker to call you after that." "Ok. I'll be downstairs then," Lena mumbled. Henderson didn't say anything else because Lena scooted out of the room immediately after she was done speaking. "Cleo, why did you tell one of the workers that Henderson had called for me when he didn't?" Lena questioned Cleo when she walked into the living. Cleo's back rested on the couch and a pissed expression marred her face. "Me?" Cleo sat up and jabbed a finger at herself feigning ignorance. "When did I do that? And why would you think I did that?" Cleo whined crossing her arms around her chest. "To get back at Henderson, " Lena shrugged taking a seat beside Cleo. "Well, I did but after I tell you what Henderson did, you'll see reasons with me. So I took my phone only to find out that all the news and headlines about you and Henderson had all disappeared, " Cleo frowned. "That's a good thing, " Lena smiled but judging by the look on Cleo's face Lena didn't think that Cleo felt that way. "Good, you say? I'm sure Henderson is responsible for erasing the news from the Internet. Just cause he's got so much power doesn't mean he should do that..." Cleo grumbled. "And why shouldn't I?" Henderson's voice echoed in the room making Lena and Cleo turn in the direction of his voice. Henderson was dressed up now, he wore a grey t-shirt which made no effort in hiding his muscular physique. 'He looked breathtakingly handsome, ' Lena scolded herself on the realisation that she was drooling over Henderson once again. "None of those headlines were true, they were just baseless gossip. So I just had to take them out, also because I didn't want Lena's name to be dabbled in the mud just cause she agreed to be my plus one for the event." Henderson stated. Cleo scoffed and stared at Henderson with raised brows, "Are you sure that's the real reason or you are just scared to let out your true feelings?" "You both stop exchanging glances, doing that makes me so upset! You are grown-ups for God's sake, do you really need to see writings on the wall before you agree that you've got feelings for each other? You know what, I'm tired of all of this. Henceforth I'm just going to let you both do your thing and let's see how long it is going to take for you guys to stop feigning all of this ignorance, " Cleo ranted. Afterwards, she sprang up from her seat and strode out of the living room. Henderson sighed when Cleo was gone before he turned to face Lena. "I'm sorry I got you into all of this mess. Cleo can be a handful sometimes," he chuckled. "It's fine, I just wish that she wouldn't be so pissed, " Lena said with a smile. Henderson scoffed and settled on the couch. "I think you need to know, Cleo can be a drama queen most of the time. So don't be bothered about that. And I'm sure she is not going to stop with all her baseless theories, watch her continue with them like she didn't just spew all those words." Lena chortled seeing the expression Henderson made as he talked about Cleo. If she was being honest Cleo was a drama queen. Henderson's eyes were fixed on Lena as she laughed revealing her perfect dentition and beautiful enchanting smile. "Are you okay, Lena?" Henderson suddenly asked which made Lena's laughter die down, she marvelled at what might have given rise to the question. "I'm fine, perfectly fine." "I mean the nightmare, I hope I didn't chase you again..." He joked sarcasm lacing in tone making Lena chuckle as she remembered the words she said to him. Later that evening..... Everyone was shell-shocked by Cleo's unusual silence as they ate dinner. She didn't say a word to anyone, she just kept a blank face. "Cleo, are you ok?" Lena asked looking up at Cleo who was fiddling with her food. Cleo glanced at Lena and forced a smile. "I'm perfectly ok. Don't I look fine?" "Well, it's just that you've been so quiet..." Lena started but Henderson chipped in calmly. "Lena if she says she is fine, then she is. Don't worry yourself about her, she is not a kid." A smirk tugged Henderson's lips as he spoke which earned him a glare from Cleo. Henderson smiled annoying Cleo even more and she rolled her eyes at him but he just ignored it like he never saw it. "There is something I need to tell you guys." Henderson mouthed. Trent, Itzel Lena and Cleo's attention were off their food and focused on Henderson eagerly waiting to hear what it was he wanted to say. "I'll have to go on a business trip." He let out.