Clarissa alighted from her ride alongside Gina as both of them entered the restaurant.
Within the private lounge, Ryler was sitting there waiting for their arrival.
Seeing her entering alongside Gina seemingly surprised him.
Removing her coat as she sat down, Clarissa grinned and explained, “Gina here acts as my bodyguard.”
Ryler could not help but felt curious as he queried, “Are you under threat?”
Not wanting him to worry, she was at a loss of what to say.
Finally, she explained, “Matthew’s the one who’s not at ease. Just think of Gina’s presence as a companion whom I can chat with whenever I’m bored. We get along pretty well.”
Ryler felt relieved at her explanation and decided not to pursue the matter further.
After all, many wealthy people liked having bodyguards or some skilled personnel around them. A fact which was not too surprising, really.
Gina sat down and was quiet throughout the whole time. She did not even interrupt their conversation, merely munching on her food..
Meanwhile, Ryler and Clarissa were both chatting and eating at the same time.
“Have you brought up the matter about your wedding with your grandmother?”
“Yep, I mentioned to her.”
“That’s great. So, you are going to forgo the engagement and just move straight into the wedding?”
Clarissa hesitated and said, “I have never thought about these details before. I think I’ll just forgo the engagement. Don’t think it’s necessary anyway. We’ll just directly get wedded.”
“True that. Just discuss between the two of you and let me know when the time comes. I’ll be leaving D City in a while, but I’ll definitely show up for your big day.”
Clarissa grinned, “Ry, thanks a zillion!”
“Are you thanking me?” Ryler was grinning from ear to ear. After all, their relationship had moved way past those genteel formalities.
“Alright, I admit I’ve said it wrongly. We’re way past that after all.”
After that, Clarissa brought up the matter with Jamie.
“So, are you still seeing Jamie…”
Shaking his head, Ryler answered, “Clare, you’re too curious. I’m merely friends with her by the way.”
For some reason, his face became solemn upon saying that.
Clarissa pursed her lips and cursed inwardly at her own insensitivity. “Alright.”
This explained why Jamie was not looking too happy that night. It could be that she was frustrated at the lack of progress in her relationship with Ryler. Perhaps she was outrightly rejected by Ryler himself.
Right after they finished their meal, Clarissa received a WhatsApp message from Jamie. Speaking of the devil…
Jamie wanted to meet up with her.
Looking at Ryler intently, she told him of Jamie’s intent.
Ryler did not stay for long and quickly left. When Jamie came in, she only saw Clarissa.
“Ms. Quigley, I have something to ask you .”
Jamie looked a bit tired and haggard. Staring straight into Clarissa’s eyes, the former seemed conflicted and filled with untold complications.
Clarissa was slightly taken aback. However, she concealed the doubt in her heart with a smile. “Please have a seat first. Have you had your meal yet? Feel free to tell me your problems. I’m all ears and won’t hold anything back.”
Ignoring Clarissa’s words of concern, Jamie sat down heavily and jumped straight to the point.
“Ms. Quigley, The person Mr. Cooper likes is you, am I right?”
Clarissa had not anticipated such forwardness. Her eyes widened as she stared straight at Jamie in shock.
“Jamie, I grew up with Ryler. I am very familiar with him. If we were meant to be together, we would’ve been in a relationship a long time ago. I wouldn’t be with Matthew in the first place. You’re reading too much into the situation. Since you like Ryler, just try your best to win his heart. Whether he accepts you or whether he has someone else in his mind has nothing to do with me. This matter is something between both of you entirely.”
Clarissa felt that she spoken her mind in the most tactful manner possible.
After all, the matter between Jamie and Ryler had nothing to do with Ryler’s feelings towards her at all.
In fact, for Jamie to bring this up directly with her was just too impolite.
Clarissa herself tried not to mind too much about it.
However, Jamie pushed the matter more. “Ms. Quigley, I’m sorry. I’m just too emotional. I know for a fact that both you and Mr. Tyson are deeply in love. Yet, Mr. Cooper rejected me because he…”
Jamie had wanted to say something but did not complete her sentence. Instead, she suddenly grabbed Clarissa’s hand and eagerly begged, “Ms. Quigley, can you help me? Since you’re so close to Mr. Cooper, I’m sure you can help me talk to him. I really like him. Please… Ms. Quigley.”
Troubled by the request, Clarissa frowned. She quickly pulled her hand away and sat up straight, keeping a distance from Jamie.
“Jamie, Ry and I are just friends. Even with our many years of friendship, I have no right to butt into his personal relationships. I’m sorry that I can’t be of any help. However, I do feel that you’re a good girl. Should Ry accept you, it’ll be a blessing to him. Conversely, if he doesn’t, it’ll mean that he doesn’t have foresight. That’ll be his loss, don’t you think?”
Clarissa said all these with a tinge of jocular tone trying to ease the situation.
However, Jamie’s expression darkened.
She stood up suddenly and stared into Clarissa’s eyes vehemently before saying, “Ms. Quigley, I’ve misjudged you.”
Right after, she turned and walked away in a manner as if she were the one who had been ill-treated.
Meanwhile, Clarissa felt trapped, as though she were the villain in a televised drama.
She was rooted to her spot for a while before she finally shook her head and sighed. Looking at Gina knowingly, she got up and walked out as well.
“Gina, you tell me. When a woman fails in her relationship, why does she have to blame it on another woman? Actually, a relationship is something between a man and a woman. I am sure there may be external causes, but aren’t the internal factors be of utmost importance? I totally do not expect Jamie to act in such a way.”
Casually, Gina replied, “That’s a problem with personality.”
Nodding in agreement, Clarissa remained silent. After all, the matter between Jamie and Ryler was not hers to meddle in. Surely, Jamie would come to her senses soon after her anger had subsided.
…
Lately, Clarissa had been relatively free. After submitting her script, she let her hair down.
Stepping into the studio in person, she told Yael that she would never ever work on a script during the holidays in such a cold weather. Also Valentine’s Day was approaching too.
Therefore, having passed up her script, she had decided to take a break to rest.
Yael magnanimously agreed with her decision and heartily said, “Yes!”
Clarissa was surprised. “Haha… Yael, you’re just so kind. How come you’re so accommodating today?”
Looking up, Yael snidely teased, “Oh? Are you complaining that I’m too kind? Then, I’ll…”
“No… please don’t! I take back my words!”
Clarissa hurriedly clarified, “Hehe… I’m just expressing my eternal gratitude. Yael, you’re so kind-hearted. Bless you!”
Yael chuckled, which was a rare sight, before saying, “Alright. I’m not that magnanimous. I just know that you need time to prepare for your wedding, am I right?”
“Ah?” Clarissa was taken aback.
Mandy, who overheard the conversation, exclaimed loudly, “Clarissa’s getting married? A wedding in the making? Ahhhhhh… How come you never mention such a huge event to us? You’re so heartless!”
Twitching her lips, Clarissa retorted, “Mandy, you’re overreacting. Fancy you using such a word on me. I’m hurt, you know.”
Mandy laughed, “C’mon! Just let it go. Clarissa, you’re really getting married soon? To whom?”
“…”
Everyone’s eyes were trained on her, staring at the fool in front of them.
Feeling embarrassed, Mandy spoke up, “So what? I’m just too excited!”
“What for? You’re not the one getting married,” came the reply.
Christian grinned and said, “Clarissa, you’re getting married to Mr. Tyson, right? When’s the date?”
“Not yet. We’re still in the early planning stage. Not too sure yet.”
“You’ll invite us to your wedding, right?” Mandy asked nervously, fearing to be left out and not being invited to attend.
Clarissa hugged Mandy and replied with a smile, “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you out. When everything is set in stone, I’ll inform you all.”
‘That’s awesome! Congratulations, Clarissa!”
Later, Clarissa exited the studio and proceeded directly to the top floor.
Today was not the day to linger around and let herself be fondled. She was called up here by Matthew for an important matter.
She had no knowledge of what the matter was about, however…
“What’s with this mountain of stuff?”
Clarissa stared blankly at the piles of wedding-dress-related photos and catalogs on the table. She felt overwhelmed by the sight.
She pouted as she tilted her head to look at Matthew with puppy eyes. Matthew got up of his seat and walked over to her.
As per his habit, he hugged and kissed her for a while before sitting down with her.
“I know it’s a lot. However, these materials are the best ones they can come up with. Since we’ll only get married once, shouldn’t we be more meticulous for our big day?”
His deep black eyes were filled with earnest care. Looking at him, Clarissa was deliriously fascinated once again.
After a while, she snapped out of her delirium and turned her head away in embarrassment. Her blushing face was flushed and red.
“Alright. I’ll go through everything slowly. What are these by the way?”
As she said that, she flipped through the samples and catalogs, trying to hide her love-struck embarrassment.
Matthew chuckled lightly in his baritone voice, lovingly rubbed the lobes of Clarissa’s ears. He did not leave her side but leaned in deliberately, wanting to see her blush and acting all awkward.
As Clarissa was browsing, she could feel his scent closing in more and more.
Unable to resist anymore, Clarissa turned towards him and wrinkled her nose. Reaching out, she pushed him away on his chest.
“Go and do your own things. Don’t bother me here. Shoo, shoo…”
Matthew pretended to sulk, “Bother you? Since when have I done that? Clare, I didn’t even say anything!”
Clarissa frowned and did not say anything, her cheeks slightly red.
That little gesture seemed to communicate silently to Matthew.
However, Matthew merely raised his eyebrows, as if reluctant to accept her signal to leave.
He was enjoying the whole process thoroughly as he found her reactions exceedingly endearing.
Clarissa gave up in the end and said, “Shoo, just go away. You’re not the one having to choose. Don’t impede my decision process.”
“I know you’re having a hard time making up your mind. But…”
“But what?”
“I just want to kiss you.”
As he said that, his big hands held Clarissa’s face as he kissed her passionately.
This was actually his intention to call her over. Browsing these catalogs and samples could be done anywhere. After all, where else could he get all physical with her in private if not in his office?
Later, Clarissa flipped through the catalogs and samples while glaring at Matthew from time to time.
In response, Matthew met her glaring eyes with his gentle smile.
She finally gave up. She was never a match for Matthew’s cheekiness.
Pretending to be fuming, she stopped stealing glances at him.
Immersed with browsing through the mountain of catalogs, she was drinking in the details of different wedding styles and localities as much as she could. From ancient castles to tropical islands…
All these photos containing all sorts of successful grand weddings…
All these were out of reach should one be poor…
Forget it.
She stopped sighing.
Grinning to herself, she recalled her initial dream wedding—a mere simple banquet in a hotel of some sort.
Now that she was on a whole different level, she would definitely want a romantic and grand wedding—just like any other girl would.
Of course, she was no exception.
