Clarissa visited Mandy every day in the hospital when she was at the hospital.
After all, aside from submitting scripts, Clarissa is free otherwise. During the visits to the hospital, Clarissa always brought homemade meals prepared by Mrs. Lawson for Mandy. Her thoughtful act had earned appreciation from the Channings.
Within a few days, Mandy soon recovered and was discharged.
The police had had their eyes set on the suspects. However, they faced difficulties arresting them since the suspects had escaped away from D City. Even so, the police were confident that the suspects could not hide forever, and justice would be served.
While working for a photo shoot, Clarissa and Ellie chatted about the incident regarding Mandy, reminding Clarissa of the assault Ellie had gotten into previously.
“How did I allow that to slip my mind?” exclaimed Clarissa. “Did you manage to find out who the culprit was behind your assault?” she asked as she was concerned.
Ellie waved her hand dismissively, “That was so long ago, if there were any leads before, it’s definitely gone now. Besides, I have had so many enemies lately that I’ve lost count. Just recently, some b*tch of a shop owner was causing me troubles on the internet. Heck, if I’m not so civilized, I would have ordered someone to beat her up long ago. They’re selling items of low quality at ridiculous prices. I’ve been merciful to not expose them and they still dared to mess with me out of jealousy.”
“What?” This was news to Clarissa. “Man, they weren’t kidding when they say popularity brings trouble. Don’t mind them, they’re just being jealous.”
Ellie snorted. “Oh please, I’m not scared of that b*tch. She pisses me off one more time and I will expose her of selling defective products at full price—I have proof, mind you—and we will see who gets crushed first. Like I said, I was just being merciful.”
Little did Clarissa know, the rumors going round did not stop there. People had been gossiping about Clarissa too. Some said she underwent plastic surgery, some spun tales about how she was sleeping with the shop owner to achieve her status as a model.
All those sickening stories were being speculated just because the public did not know the truth. Ellie did not have it in her heart to tell Clarissa about those rumors as she couldn’t see her best friend getting upset by them. Besides, if they dare to go too far, I will hunt each and every single one of them down.
Oblivious to the situation, Clarissa shrugged, dropping the matter. As long as Ellie could handle herself, Clarissa wasn’t too worried.
After the shoot, the duo headed out the exit together. Upon reaching the exit, Clarissa stopped in her tracks and turned around.
Crash! Right that second, a porcelain vase fell from above landing just behind her, missing her by a hair.
Startled, Clarissa turned around and saw the broken pieces, and so did Ellie.
Frozen in fear, both of them broke into a cold sweat as they registered what just happened.
“What the f*ck? Who the f*ck threw that? Do they have a f*cking death wish?”
Ellie started cursing and yelling out obscenities on the spot, storming upstairs in attempt to drag the culprit out but to no avail. No one seemed to know who threw the vase, they couldn’t even prove if someone even did. For all they knew, it could have been the wind.
The pounding in her heart started to calm down only after a few minutes. Once she was calm, Clarissa dragged Ellie out of the building with the latter still howling vulgarity at no one in particular.
“Hey, it’s ok. Come on now, stop being mad. There was a gust of super-strong wind just now, it might be just the wind,” coaxed Clarissa.
“Motherf***er, do they have any civic consciousness? If I find out who did this, I am going to throw a vase directly on top of their heads! That’s it. I’m gonna file a complaint to the property management staff! Give me a second…” Still fuming, Ellie whipped out her phone.
She was still shaking from the incident.
If Clare didn’t turn around suddenly at the final second, the vase would have crashed directly on top on her head. She could have lost her life!
It was a close shave! Someone would have died from that.
Seated on the wheel, Clarissa listened to Ellie shouting on her cell phone on the passenger seat, ranting to the property management staff relentlessly. After a while, she noticed the change of tone in Ellie’s voice as the latter was finally contented and hung up the phone.
Ellie breathed out a breath of relief, finally relaxing her posture. Looking at Clarissa, she mused, “Next time, wear a helmet whenever you go outside. It’ll be safer,” earning her an eye-roll from Clarissa.
“Oh, stop kicking a fuss out of it,” Clarissa retorted. “According to your suggestion, everyone should wear a helmet outdoor. There are so many people walking below skyscrapers every day, isn’t that a much bigger hazard? Plus, think of it from another angle. What happened just now proves that I have immense luck. It won’t be that easy to take me down.”
After a moment of pondering, Ellie nodded her head curtly. “Thank God. We were very fortunate indeed. I think we should probably offer our prayers more often for more blessings.”
Clarissa smiled in response, amused. “Stop messing around Ellie, it was just an accident. Besides, I’m not one to get into accidents easily, so that was most likely a one in a million unfortunate chance. You were just shocked by the whole incident, so am I. Let’s go eat, then we’ll go home for a well-deserved rest, alright? You’re always anxious whenever there’s new work to do,” suggested Clarissa.
Ellie was starting to believe that she had overreacted. After the two had a meal together, they both went separate ways, the incident soon escaped their minds.
Clarissa drove back to Zen Highlands. Matthew had yet to return.
After a calming shower, Clarissa went on a video call to check up on her grandma. “How have you been, grandma? Aunt Gloria didn’t give you unnecessary troubles again, did she?” asked Clarissa.
“I’m fine, dear, don’t worry about me. How are you and Matthew? Did he mention anything regarding what had happened last time with your Aunt Gloria? Even though he remained silent at that time, it was still quite an embarrassment and looked bad on our family. Huh, why must you bring Matt back here the last time? You could have just come back on your own.”
“Oh, come on grandma, what are you worried about? He didn’t say anything about it, he didn’t even mention it! Not like he can anyway, it’s not really any of his business. Besides, is there any family without issues amongst themselves? Plus, if Matt ever becomes part of the family, he’s gonna find out sooner or later-”
“Wait a minute,” Catherine interrupted before Clarissa could finish her sentence. “Clare, did you mean… you’re getting married soon?”
Somehow, Catherine changed the topic.
Clarissa paused, bewildered. How did we get on the topic of marriage?
Hearing no response from the other end, Catherine pressed on. “Didn’t you say so? ‘If Matt ever becomes part of the family’, how will he be part of the family if you don’t get married? If he doesn’t mind that, then get married soon. Best to do it before thirty and give birth to my great-grandchild soon. Bear in mind Matt isn’t young anymore either, and you…”
“Stop!” exclaimed Clarissa, unable to allow Catherine to go on. “Hold your horses, grandma. What do you mean, ‘if he doesn’t disdain you’? Marriage? A… and giving birth? It’s still a little too early for that,” interjected Clarissa.
“Early for you, maybe, but not for Matthew,” retorted Catherine. “Don’t think you can lead him on and go overboard just because he spoils you. Watch your tongue, will you? Furthermore, you’re twenty-six now and not that young anymore! Didn’t you say his family is quite well off? And he’s so patient with you too. Men like that don’t just appear on your doorstep. The last time we talked, he mentioned marriage as well but was worried that you won’t accept him. Clare, listen to grandma. Matt is a good man, so don’t be stubborn. Do you hear me?”
Clarissa pressed her lips together, pouting. “Oh please, it should be me who would diss him.” Sighing, she told Catherine, “Alright, I get your message crystal clear. I’ll think about it, okay?”
“Well don’t think about it for too long. How about deciding before Valentine’s Day? A spring wedding next year sounds nice…” Unwilling to drop the subject, Catherine continued.
“Um… oh! I’m getting another call from someone. I’ll hang up now-” Knowing that her grandma would not stop urging her to have a child next year, Clarissa ended the video call curtly.
Clarissa stayed seated, staring into space, daydreaming. After that, she burst into a fit of giggles.
Matthew came home to see Clarissa giggling to herself like a madwoman, all the while wearing a hooded fluffy bear onesie. At first glance, Matthew thought she looked very much in character with the outfit—a clumsy and dumb bear.
His eyes swept over the onesie Clarissa had on. Taking a seat next to her, Matthew started fiddling with the bear’s ear on her hoodie.
“Clare, what is this?” he questioned, perplexed.
Sticking her tongue out cheekily in response, she replied, “It’s a home wear Ellie gave me for winter, perfect for hibernation. It’s adorable, isn’t it?” Clarissa smiled, clearly satisfied with the outfit.
“It is quite cute,” answered Matthew against his opinions. Deciding to let it slide, he smiled, ignoring the bear onesie. “What were you giggling about? You looked rather stupid.”
“You’re the one who is stupid.”
Seeing Matthew raising his eyebrow, Clarissa quickly broke into a grin. “I’m joking. Nothing really, just thinking about the conversation I had with my grandma,” she clarified.
“If it’s nothing, then what were you laughing at?” prodded Matthew.
Clarissa shrugged and crossed her leg, hugging them to her body. Her eyes glimmered mischievously as she looked into Matthew’s, feigning innocent.
“It’s a secret.”
“A secret?”
Matthew mulled over in for a moment, pulling Clarissa into his embrace. “Let I at least try and guess what this secret is about?”
Clarissa laughed, “Go ahead,” she challenged. “You’ll get a prize if you get it right.”
“Hmmm…”
Matthew placed his fingers on his chin, looking as if he was deep in thought. His eyes never once left Clarissa’s face. Out of nowhere, he smirked, “Was it about us getting married and having a baby before you turn thirty?”
Clarissa starred at him, dumbfounded.
After a moment of speechlessness, she inquired, “How do you know?”
Matthew guffawed, hugging Clarissa tighter in his arms and tracing her cheeks with his fingers. With traces of laughter still in his deep voice, he answered, “Clare, Darling. I heard your conversation with Grandma on the call before I even entered the door, silly.”
Once again, Clarissa was speechless.
Pouting, she shoved Matthew away from her. “You were eavesdropping on my conversations again,” she huffed in annoyance.
“I plead not guilty, Your Honor!” laughed Matthew. “You’re the one who didn’t see me entering the room, not my fault you’re speaking so loudly.”
“Hmph.”
Unable to find a good argument, Clarissa pursed her lips together, sulking like a sore loser.
Matthew, on the other hand, chuckled lowly. He kissed her forehead, attempting to coax her. “So Clare, do you have anything to say regarding Grandma’s suggestions?”
“I’m not saying anything.”
Clarissa deliberately avoided the question.
Of course, Matthew saw through her immediately.
Pulling her onto his laps, Matthew held her chin and leaned in closer, “Well then, Clare. I have something to say.”
Hmph! Huffed Clarissa once more.
Chuckling, Matthew lowered his gaze to meet her eyes. “Clare, I want to get married.”
His words were met with silence.
Clarissa moved her lips slightly as something flashed across her eyes. It was impossible to tell what’s on her mind.
“Do you agree?” continued Matthew amidst the silence.
“Go away.”
With all her strength, Clarissa stretched out her arm and pushed Matthew aside. “How long have we been together? We don’t know each other well enough, and we haven’t met each other’s parents. Most importantly, you didn’t even propose! Matthew Tyson, did you just tell me you want to get married so casually? Are you serious?”
Matthew, however, did not give up so easily. “If you agree right now, I would bring you to the Tyson residence to meet my parents.”
Clarissa was instantly stunned at his response.
As expected. Thought Matthew to himself bitterly.
Matthew became silent as his eyes turned cold. This time, it was Clarissa who was clueless about his thoughts as she looked at his icy expression.
Knowing it was her fault, guilt crept into her heart. The atmosphere around them turned heavy. After what felt like ages, Clarissa mustered up her courage and mumbled, “Even if I agree to it, your family won’t. Plus, we’ve only been together for such a short time—only for a few months—and we even broke off in between. It’s too rushed for me… Can you… can you at least give me till after Valentine’s Day to make the decision?”
Thinking about her future with Matthew, uneasiness consumed every fiber of her being, instead of anticipation like she’d hoped for.
“J… Just a few more months, please?” stammered Clarissa. “After all, Valentine’s Day is just a few months away. Deal?” she pleaded.
Clarissa stared at Matthew with huge puppy eyes, begging him to allow her more time to consider.
Seeing her pitiful look, Matthew’s heart melted and gave in to her request.
