Matthew leaned in and planted a long kiss on Clarissa’s lips. “Deal,” he breathed out, his lips still hovering over hers. “We shall decide immediately after Valentine’s Day.”
Clarissa agreed as she dared not push her luck further.
“Okay. Immediately after Valentine’s Day.”
For now at least, she could go through the next few months without stressing on this subject.
She would leave the stressing out for after Valentine’s Day.
Matthew was quite satisfied with this response. In all truths, he had not expected her to give him her answer right there and then, but now he knew he would receive an answer after Valentine’s Day. At the very least, Clare is no longer objecting the idea of marriage and would be considering it.
She had intended to break up with him earlier, but it seemed like she was slowly starting to envision their future together.
This was something Matthew was working hard for—the vision of them in the future together.
Clarissa, however, thought she had temporarily dodged a bullet.
After dinner, Clarissa went to the bedroom mysteriously, as if hiding something. She waited till Matthew came out of the shower before shoving something in his face. To his utmost dismay, in her hands was an exact copy of the hooded fluffy bear onesie, except this time it’s larger in size.
Matthew’s eyes twitched upon seeing the outfit, catching sight of the anticipation on Clarissa’s face. She walked in front of him, hugging the onesie, eyes twinkling like a pet begging for treats.
“Uncle Matthew…” cooed Clarissa coquettishly.
A chill crept up his spine.
Clarissa grinned from ear to ear like the Cheshire Cat, eyes glinting mischievously. “Ta da, here’s your prize for guessing correctly—I mean, overhearing the conversation!” she teased. “Matching pajamas! Here, this one’s yours. Try it on! If you think it does not fit, I promise I won’t force it on you.”
“It doesn’t fit!”
Matthew objected without hesitation and walked right past Clarissa out of the bedroom. Persistent, Clarissa trailed behind him like a puppy tailing its owner, the pajama still in her hands.
She took a seat beside him, nudging him with the outfit. “Uncle Matthew, check it out. The seams are neat, the fabric is very comfortable too. Ellie tailor-made these specially for us, nothing like those cheap products in most stores. It’s one of a kind and the quality is top-notch. It is definitely not gonna ruin your reputation as President of Tyson Corporation. Moreover, you haven’t even tried it on, how do you know it doesn’t fit?” Clarissa pursued with her eyes wide and lips pouty.
Frustrated, Matthew tugged his hair away from his face, glaring at her. “I don’t need to try it on to know it doesn’t fit me. This is not my style.”
“Ugh, you only have one clothing style. What’s the harm in trying a new look once in a while?” retorted Clarissa playfully.
“No.”
“Please,” Clarissa continued to pester Matthew. “just this once Uncle Matthew… Mr. Tyson… I shall personally be at your service…”
Her coquettish voice was driving him insane!
Frowning, Matthew yanked Clarissa towards himself in retaliation, causing her to lose balance and fell into his arms. Clear laughter filled the room as Clarissa continued to urge Matthew relentlessly.
“Come on, just this once.”
All of a sudden, the corners of Matthew’s lips turned from a scowl into a smirk. “You know, I had originally intended to let you rest today, but since you’ve proposed such a generous offer… how could I refuse? Alright, just this once…”
Before the sentence ended, Matthew grabbed her cheeks in one hand and leaned in for a heavy, passionate kiss. His other hand wandered and caressed her entire body, attempting to strip off the outfit. After a moment of frustration, he finally discovered the zipper in front of her chest that went all the way down.
Clarissa squirmed in his arms, her face turning red. “When I said ‘at your service’, I meant helping you change into the outfit,” she protested.
“No need for that,” smirked Matthew. “I’m satisfied just by seeing you wearing it. Besides, looks like this outfit isn’t so bad after all…” he hummed.
Truth to be told, he did not think much of the outfit. At first glance, all he saw was Clarissa covered from head to toe with no skin on show.
After discovering the design of the zipper, however, he changed his mind on the outfit.
Matthew could finally accept the outfit, albeit begrudgingly. At least taking it off would be a breeze.
In the end, Clarissa still failed to get Matthew into the matching outfit as she’d hoped.
She had been looking forward to seeing an adorable Matthew. Now, however, not only did she not succeed her “mission”, she was even being pinned down by Matthew.
For the next few days, Clarissa continued to put on the bear onesie, in hope that Matthew would finally be swayed by the cuteness and put on the matching onesie with her. As a result, day after day, Matthew undressed her with just one pull of the zipper. In the end, Clarissa put away the outfit in frustration, never to wear it again.
Matthew looked rather disappointed to see Clarissa wearing her normal pajamas. “Not wearing the silly bear onesie anymore, Clare?” he teased.
“Well, guess I put on the ‘silly’ in silly bear,” snapped Clarissa, irritated.
Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she huffed in annoyance, “It’s gone. I have thrown it away. I’m never wearing that ever again.”
I’m really gonna be a dumb bear if I continue to.
Seeing the disappointment written on Matthew’s face, Clarissa’s lips twitched in response.
How many of her plans backfired on her? Even Clarissa herself had lost count.
Every single time she tried to get him to do something for her, Matthew would be able to turn the situation around somehow, one way or another. And yet, she still tried time after time. How stupid can I be?
Gotta be more than cautious next time, I can’t afford to lose more than what I’d expected again! Clarissa pursed her lips together, scolding herself internally for her stupid idea.
Time flies. In the blink of an eye, winter had arrived.
During this period, Clarissa only stayed in Zen Highlands. She was busy with writing new works and meeting deadlines without moving an inch of her body, aside from her fingers. Matthew even had to drag her out for walks after meals.
Every winter, she would live her life as though she was in hibernation.
Thus, leaving the house during winter is an absolute torture for Clarissa.
Alas, there would be times where staying in is not an option.
One day, Jamie made a temporary stop in D City. Jamie invited Clarissa out for a meal as they had not seen each other for quite some time, Clarissa agreed out of curtesy
Jamie had recently starred in a reality show, boosting her popularity up a notch. She had gotten famous enough to have her own personal chauffeur and assistant. It seemed that Jamie was one step away from becoming a celebrity icon, exactly as she had hoped for.
To hide from the gazes of prying paparazzi, Jamie had arranged to meet up with Clarissa in a well-hidden restaurant.
Clarissa noticed a different aura surrounding Jamie the second she laid eyes on the latter. I guess fame really does change a person. Clarissa noticed Jamie’s makeup was done in a more exquisite manner, seemingly enhancing Jamie’s natural beauty a lot more than before.
“Congratulations Jamie! You’re this close to success!” winked Clarissa, grinning while pinching her fingers together.
Jamie giggled in response. Huh, she still has the same giggle. Guess some things never change. Clarissa smiled, seeing Jamie in such a cheerful mood.
“Stop teasing me, Ms. Quigley,” laughed Jamie. “I still have a long way to go. Speaking of which, I’m still waiting for you to star me as the female lead in your next movie, Ms. Quigley.”
“Deal, if there is another opportunity!” laughed Clarissa in response.
The pair sat together, exchanging conversations and stories, from the happenings of the past to the latest gossips.
“I bumped into Mr. Cooper at the airport once, he seemed to be in a huge hurry. Did you contact Mr. Cooper recently, Ms. Quigley?”
Clarissa shook her head apologetically. “I’ve sent him a message once or twice, but we haven’t caught up with each other in a while, neither virtually nor physically. Is he trying to go overseas for further development? He must be busy, huh?”
“Mm hmm! Mr. Cooper is so awesome, I heard he’s almost made it to Hollywood!” Jamie sighed dreamily. The corner of her lips quickly drooped as she heaved another sigh, “When will I ever catch up and be with Mr. Cooper?”
Clarissa arched her eyebrows in response. “Catch up with Mr. Cooper?”
Jamie’s face felt warmed as she felt a blush crawling up her neck. Silence ensued.
“Oh, I see how it is!” winked Clarissa at the now red Jamie.
Panicked, Jamie quickly pleaded, “Ms. Quigley, it’s just an unrequited crush of mine. Please don’t let Mr. Cooper know!”
“Okay, my lips are sealed,” promised Clarissa, her hand following the motion of a zip across her lips. “But you have to promise me you’ll try your hardest every day. You’ll get there some day, I’m sure of it,” she continued.
“Really?” Jamie asked, her eyes widened with hope.
“You’ll never know if you don’t try! Besides, look at you! You’re young and gorgeous with an amazing personality! Although you’re not as famous as Ryler Cooper right now, you will in the future. Plus, you both work in the same industry, meaning you’ll have tons of common topics with each other. Whatever it is, you have my support,” encouraged Clarissa as she gave two thumbs up to Clarissa.
“Thank you, Ms. Quigley! It’s great to have your support! Alright, I will try my best!” beamed Jamie.
Seeing how much more youthful and beautiful Jamie looked as love and admiration showed on her face, Clarissa smiled to herself, her heart full of genuine blessings. Ryler is such an amazing person. He deserves someone like Jamie—someone that will treat him well.
“Oh, that’s right!” exclaimed Jamie suddenly, changing the subject. “I saw Shermaine too, she’s in a crew next to mine. People are saying that she’s like a landmine, yelling at everyone and everything out of nowhere for no reason. No one really knows why she’s so agitated, isn’t she getting married soon? Looks to me like she has just been dumped. Rumors had it that any hopes she has of marrying into a wealthy family has gone down the drain, and that her so-called ‘fiancé’ never had any relations with her in the first place.”
Clarissa lifted the corners of her mouth into a faint smile, saying nothing in reply.
“I saw her from afar once, they weren’t kidding when they say she’s like a ticking time bomb. She looked like a tiger that wanted to swallow me alive,” shivered Jamie. “Her glare looked as though she could slice you up to pieces. How can someone that scary be allowed in public?”
This was enough to make Clarissa laugh. “What she looks like has nothing to do with us, nor how she chooses to act. However, you might come across her quite often, unfortunately. My advice is that you stay far away from her as long as it’s possible.”
“I shall keep that in mind, Ms. Quigley.”
Clarissa and Jamie continued to talk for hours. As the pair got ready to leave, Jamie offered to take Clarissa home, wanting to talk to her for a little while longer.
Agreeing to the offer, Clarissa let her driver drive back to Zen Highlands by himself, assuring him that she would arrive not long after him. While seated in Jamie’s car, Jamie wanted to ask Clarissa more about Ryler, naturally.
Of course, Jamie was curious about Clarissa’s life too, after seeing the latter having her own driver.
“Wow, what a good upgrade, Ms. Quigley!” fawned Jamie.
“It’s my boyfriend’s,” explained Clarissa casually, not trying to hide the fact.
“Hah! I knew it!” quipped Jamie. She then quickly stuck out her tongue sheepishly, “I have been wondering if you have a boyfriend, but I didn’t dare to ask.” Without missing a beat, Jamie continued praising Clarissa, “You’re such a belle, Ms. Quigley. It’s not surprising if you have a boyfriend. In fact, it’ll be a surprise if you don’t have a boyfriend. I wish you two all the happiness this world can offer!”
“Thank you, you should give your best effort too…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Jamie cut her off and bombarded Clarissa with questions. “Mmm, I will! Tell me, Ms. Quigley. It’s no secret you and Mr. Cooper were neighbors when you were kids. What do you know about him? I won’t ask a lot, but I want to know his favorite food, his hobby, his favorite color…”
Before long, the car pulled up to the driveway of Clarissa’s house in Zen Highlands. Jamie was reluctant to end the conversation, but she had run out of time and would have to contact Clarissa some other time.
Upon entering the house, Clarissa looked around in confusion. Seeing Julia, Clarissa called out to the housekeeper, “Mrs. Lawson, where’s Dylan?”
Perplexed by the question, Julia asked, “Didn’t you asked Dylan to fetch you back here, miss?”
“Oh, umm, my friend actually offered me a ride home, so I asked Dylan to drive back here before us,” answered Clarissa.
The two of them continued to stare at each other, confused. After a moment, Julia picked up the phone and dialed Dylan’s number.
After a few beeps, it connected. However, instead of Dylan being on the line, it was someone from the hospital who picked up.
Clarissa’s heart stopped. The hospital?
Why are there so many accidents lately? Julia and Clarissa rushed to the hospital after hanging up the call. Matthew arrived at the hospital entrance at the exact same time as the two.
The trio found out there had been a car accident. The car driven by Dylan was hit head-on by a truck coming from the opposite direction. The situation was quite grave. They also found out that the truck driver had been arrested, but there was no further update.
Clarissa could hear her own heart pounding as she shivered, leaning deeper into Matthew’s tight embrace. With a trembling voice, she kept asking, “Dylan will be fine… Nothing bad will happen to him, right Matt?”
“Of course!” answered Matthew confidently, holding her tightly, in attempt to sooth and comfort her. In reality, he was even more shaken up by the accident than Clarissa was. Fear pulsed through his veins as he tried to keep a calm exterior.
What would have happened if Clare was in the car too…
