Soon, Clarissa received the name list of the cast. Glancing through the list, she noticed a majority of experienced actors. The rest were young, budding actors with excellent acting skills.
Jamie’s name was on the list too, though she was only a supporting actress. It was still better than being an extra.
Nevertheless, Clarissa had no comment on this.
Later, the crew started preparing for the shoot, but she didn’t join them. In the meantime, the woman had her hands full with the collaboration with Olive.
Arriving at the office of Olive’s children’s foundation, Clarissa met people who were willing to help needy children with all their heart and soul. Everyone in the office was in full swing.
Standing among them made Clarissa feel ashamed.
I’ve always considered myself a loving and soft-hearted person. Nonetheless, I’m nowhere near these people.
As she told Olive about her guilt, the latter shook her head in disagreement.
“Clarissa, it’s amazing that you have compassion for the children. In this world, every single person has their own struggles and hardships. Many are bustling about, yet living a mediocre life. In my opinion, it’s a blessing and privilege to be able to help others. To be honest, I didn’t set up this foundation for a noble cause. I did it simply because I lack nothing. Perhaps some would rebuke me if they heard these words, but that’s the truth. Therefore, having compassion is good enough.”
Clarissa was blown away. The last time she saw Olive, she discovered that the latter was a gentle and interesting woman.
And that feeling grew stronger when she met the woman again today.
Perhaps a noble person like Olive no longer cares about superficial things. I truly admire and envy her. Every now and then, I found myself unable to get rid of my selfishness and hypocrisy still.
“Ms. Schloss, regardless of the reason you started this foundation, you’ve helped countless people wholeheartedly. That’s truly honorable.”
“Not really. By the way, I’ve read your book. It’s so impressive and touching that I teared up. I wish we can create for the children the pure and wonderful world presented in your book.”
Olive’s compliments made Clarissa bashful.
“I was inspired to write this story after becoming a mother myself.”
“Yeah, I heard about it from Joshua. It’s a shame that he isn’t lucky enough to have a wife like you.”
“What? Ms. Schloss, he’s only joking. Please ignore it,” Clarissa explained with embarrassment.
I never thought Ms. Schloss would bring this up.
Olive chuckled at her words. “I’m not joking. Judging from your book and writings, I can tell that you’re a kind person with virtues and principles. No man would ever let go of a woman like you. I bet your husband is very proud of you as well.”
Clarissa’s cheeks turned as red as a tomato. She then said shyly, “Honestly, I think so too.”
The other woman gave her a warm smile. What a lovable woman. It’s a pity that she’s married. When is my son going to settle down and find a good wife like her?
“Let me show you our workflow so that you know where your money will end up.”
“There’s no need for that, Ms. Schloss. I believe in You.”
“Despite the trust between us and the donors, our foundation keeps a detailed record of every donation. Every year, we give every donor a blow-by-blow account of where and how their money has been utilized, as well as the remaining amount, if any. Transparency is our priority. Hence, there’s no need to feel shy. Let’s go. After that, we’ll discuss the giveaway of your books.”
Later, Olive showed her around, explaining the workflow and the operation of the children’s foundation. Each person was playing their role. This wasn’t just a place where they give the needy people a hand, but it was more like a company. Only when it was managed decently, would they be able to extend their helping hands to more people. Otherwise, despite their passion to help others, they might not be able to do so, if the organization was in a mess. That would be such a waste of their efforts and money.
“Ms. Schloss, are you going to that mountain area recently?”
Shaking her head, Olive replied straight away. ”I won’t be going there for now. The New Year is around the corner, so I have a lot on my plate now, because I have to come up with an annual report. Besides, there’ll be quite a number of banquets and annual dinners at year end. This is a golden opportunity to secure more funds for the foundation, as people tend to be more generous at this time. It won’t be as easy to ask for their donation at any other time.”
Clarissa grinned. “Ms. Schloss, how about posting it on my Twitter? Maybe the donations won’t be much, but I believe some people are willing to contribute. What do you think?” she suggested.
“Of course. Thank you, Clarissa”
Since then, Olive was akin to a goddess in Clarissa’s eyes. The woman’s talents and character set a new benchmark for her, and she was aspired to be as capable as the woman she admired.
At home, the woman could hardly contain her excitement. I have not felt this way for so long.
It was said that when a person found a goal, only then would he be more passionate and motivated to scale new heights in life. These are the exact emotions that were raging within Clarissa’s heart now.
Even when she was spending time with her son, the woman was particularly cheerful, allowing him to have more desserts than usual.
“Mommy, you’re the best. I love you so much!”
While expressing his love, the boy savored every bit of the sweet and creamy taste of his favorite chocolate as it melted in his mouth.
Leaning close to him, Clarissa wiped the chocolate stain off the corner of his lips. The mother-and-son duo was on cloud nine, smiling brightly at each other.
Later, she accompanied her son to play with some educational toys. Soon, the boy brought her to the yard for a play-fight. If he were a girl, I wouldn’t be as exhausted. She would be happy with playing house or Barbie dolls.
The woman had stopped exercising a long time ago, so her stamina wasn’t strong enough for a strenuous play-fight. Once the boy grew older, there was no way she could play this game with him.
Huffing and puffing, she struck her flag and sat on the grass, playing dead and refusing to stand up.
Scampering over with his toy gun, he checked on his mother for a moment. ”Mommy, let’s do it again.”
Exasperated, Clarissa said, “Darling, Mommy is dead, so I can’t play with you anymore.”
“Mommy is so weak.”
“I…”
She was at a loss for words.
However, Damian hadn’t had enough, so the maid play with him for a while longer until he felt contented.
At night, Clarissa complained to Matthew.
“Our son is too active and energetic. I can’t handle it anymore. Please think of a way.”
Wrapping his arm around her, he glanced at his son, who was engrossed in his cartoons with his eyes glued to the TV. The man lowered his hand, giving her a peck on her forehead. “We can send him to kindergarten.”
“Kindergarten? Isn’t he too young for that?”
“No, I think he’s old enough to attend the classes. He’s more mature compared to his peers. Besides, he can choose the classes based on his preferences and stop attending them whenever he wants to. Let’s find out his interests. Then, we’ll bring him to explore different kindergartens and let him pick the one he likes. I’ll get someone to compile the information of the best kindergartens.”
Clarissa gave it some thought and agreed with him.
Initially, she had been stressing over which preschool should he attend next year. Now that Matthew took it upon himself to help Damian pick his preschool, she had one less thing to worry about.
Now I know the advantages of having a man. I don’t need to worry so much.
Clarissa flashed Matthew a grin. Pouting her lips, she kissed him on the mouth and said coyly, “Honey, you’re so amazing!”
Her sudden enthusiasm overwhelmed the man. His dark eyes flickered, then his gaze darkened.
Looking down, he leaned his face closer to hers, and the tip of his nose brushed against her cheek. The man tilted his face slightly, and his warm breath caressed her ear. The woman’s body couldn’t help but quiver at the sound of his tantalizing voice.
“Clare, I’ve always been amazing. Why don’t you praise me in the same voice tonight?”
In a second, her cheeks flushed bright red, and her entire body heated up.
Imagining the scene as requested by Matthew, she was overcome with shyness.
The woman shoved Matthew away and turned around. Just when she was trying to regain her composure, she found her son staring at them with his big, bright eyes.
Clarissa couldn’t feel more abashed.
Looking away from her son, she covered her face with her hands and scurried away.
Suddenly, a titter escaped Damian’s lips. His eyes curved into crescent shapes.
However, Matthew seemed completely at ease. With his arm folded, he stared at his son’s smiley face and questioned, “Damian, why are you laughing?”
“Daddy, is Mom going to give birth to a baby girl?”
“Do you want a younger sister?” The man raised a brow at him.
Damian hesitated for a moment, shaking his head. “I don’t know if it’ll be fun to have a sister.”
Does he mean that he only wants a sister if it’s going to be fun?
“Of course, it’ll be fun. She’ll be adorable and pretty too.”
“Really? Okay, I want a sister then.”
His tone sounded vaguely reluctant.
Nevertheless, Matthew was satisfied with his answer.
“Hold on. Who told you that Mommy is going to give birth to a baby girl?”
Blinking his big eyes innocently, he gave it some thought and answered, “Uncle Ryler said that I’ll have a baby sister if you and Mommy kiss.”
The man’s eyes twitched. “Why did he tell you that?”
“Because I told Uncle Ryler that You and Mommy kissed each other, but you didn’t kiss me.”
The man was rendered speechless.
