Are you kidding?
Matthew was taken aback. He did not expect his offer to be taken seriously.
It was a joke that he had cracked in the hopes of making Clarissa laugh to kneel on a keyboard or a washboard.
However, Clarissa had taken his word literally. She had even volunteered her own keyboard for his perusal.
She presented her keyboard to Matthew with a straight face. “It’s a pretty expensive keyboard, I got it specifically for work. If this won’t do, I’ll go out and buy a washboard.”
Matthew was convinced that his years of having a poker face had led him to nothing but trouble.
His beady eyes studied Clarissa’s, searching for a twinkle of mischief in hers. To his horror, he did not find anything. She really was dead serious.
The couple faced each other as the atmosphere grew tense. However, Damian seemed to be enjoying himself. Covering his mouth in a failed attempt to disguise his laughter, he surveyed the increasingly awkward scene with interest.
Matthew was thinking hard of something to say to get out of this awful situation. After a long while, he spoke.
“Darling, I really must get to work.”
Clarissa simply laughed. “Kneel when you get home, then.”
Matthew chuckled nervously. “Well, I’m off to work,” he mumbled before leaving in a hurry.
Clarissa watched Matthew’s departing back, convinced that he was trying to get away from her as quickly as he could. It was the first time she had seen him lose his cool and run away from a confrontation.
Clarissa giggled uncontrollably, unable to hold it in any longer. That seemed to embolden Damian as he let loose as well, though not quite understanding what was so funny to her.
At noon, Clarissa had tidied up a little before heading out to her event.
Damian had been most supportive. As Clarissa revealed herself in full make-up, the boy couldn’t stop applauding and praising his mother’s beauty.
“Mommy, you’re so pretty!”
“Is that so? I think I’m pretty too,” Clarissa mused. “Too bad your father doesn’t know how to appreciate beauty like this. All right, I’m heading out now. Be good, Daddy will be home soon. I’ll be home later tonight.”
Damian sat on his little stool with his chin resting on his palms. His lips were pouted in an adorable manner.
“Mommy, I would like to come with you.”
“But I’m going to work, Damian.”
“I won’t bother you,” said Damian quickly. “I’ll just be sitting quietly in a corner.”
Clarissa shook her head vigorously. “No. I don’t want people to know that I have such a cute son. What if you get kidnapped?”
Damian folded his arms, looking grave.
“Oh, my darling. How are you this adorable?” Clarissa hugged her son once more, unable to resist his charm. After walking a few steps, she doubled back and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m sorry, darling. I really couldn’t take you.”
“Hmph!” Damian turned and walked away from his mother without another word. Clarissa glanced helplessly at Mrs. Lawson before departing.
Clarissa attended the television festival with Yael and several other colleagues. Though she was never keen on attending red carpet events, the organizer had sent her such an enthusiastic invitation that she did not have the heart to reject. She had also caved under the pressure of her colleagues from the studio who had wanted to join in on the fun.
The colleagues from the studio had originally intended to attend the event on a low profile. However, due to Clarissa’s natural good looks, the attention of the crowd soon fell on her and her companions, despite the attendance of other more extravagantly dressed and made-up female celebrities. The reporters snapped photos indiscriminately as everybody was looking gorgeous. After all, any one of them could turn out to be famous one day.
Clarissa maintained her smile for the cameras, albeit reluctantly as she was not used to this sort of attention. Hanging on tightly to Yael, she hurriedly crossed the red carpet and into the venue.
“It’s freezing out here and my idol hasn’t even shown up yet,” came the grumble of one of the adoring fans.
“Yes, it is cold tonight. But it’s well worth it to be able to meet my future husband.”
“Exactly what I mean. By the way, did you see that beautiful woman who had just passed by? Do you know who that is? The host has not made any introductions yet. Do you think she could be a newly debuted star?”
“I have no idea. She looks very fresh though. Not to mention the shawl over her dress, very smart move to not expose anything.”
“Why would it be smart? It’s common to show some skin in an event like this. She’ll stand out as a weirdo.”
“Who knows? I’ve taken a photo of her on my phone for some research on her identity when I get home. I think she’s gorgeous. The aesthetics of her face appeal to me a great deal.”
The fans discussed animatedly about Clarissa as they tried to deduce her identity. However, there was one person in the crowd who knew exactly who she was.
Terri was a big fan of Clarissa. With her attendance at events like this such a rare occurrence, Terri would not miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her idol in the flesh.
It was beyond her wildest dreams to see Clarissa again after that time at the airport when the latter was accompanied by her young son. She recognized Clarissa, though she did not dare say how she did.
Terri was willing to bet that Clarissa’s photos would not be circulating the media by the following morning. With such good looks, why would she cover herself up in this manner?
She surmised that Clarissa’s husband was of a highly possessive nature, as no other explanation seemed likely. He probably didn’t want the public ogling at his wife.
How romantic of him, Terri thought in admiration.
As Clarissa sat herself down in the event hall, she realized that only Yael was assigned next to her. Her other colleagues had to sit all the way at the back.
The people who surrounded Clarissa were celebrities of varying ages within the industry. She had also recognized several prolific screenwriters and authors with whom she was acquainted. Clarissa merely exchanged smiles by way of greeting as they were not close.
“There are plenty of CEOs next to me,” Yael whispered. “Do you see them? They’re here to invest in the production of films and television just like ours.”
Clarissa glanced over to where Yael indicated and met their gaze. Startled, she smiled awkwardly back at them. One of them took it as a sign to initiate a conversation.
“Ms. Fleming, Mrs. Tyson, pleasure to meet you.”
With the ice broken, the rest took the opportunity to introduce themselves.
“Mrs. Tyson, how do you do?”
They know who I am! Am I really that famous?
Clarissa felt out of her depth. As she was reliant on their capital for her television series to move forward, she was forced to socialize in a setting that was unfamiliar to her.
“Hello, how do you do… Oh, you are too kind… I’ve heard that the series you’d invested in had raving reviews… Yes, talk of the town, it seems… Sold out everywhere! My word, you have a good eye for promising talent. Say, would you be interested in investing in my series? Oh, nothing is set in stone yet, just an idea that I have…”
It was in this manner, coupled with Yael interjecting helpfully at intervals, that Clarissa was able to obtain the name cards of several prominent investors. She was thrilled by their infectious enthusiasm in collaborating with her.
It was half the battle won by obtaining the confidence of deep-pocketed investors. With a massive budget now in hand, all that was left to do was to assemble a crew, cast the actors, schedule the shoots, manage the back end, and various other menial tasks. That was Yael’s forte and will be handled by her.
Soon, Clarissa and her new acquaintances settled down as the event was about to start. It’s not a wasted trip, after all. Clarissa was very pleased.
It turned out to be an enjoyable night even if Clarissa had not managed to secure the investors. The host appeared strict with banter thrown in occasionally. He was especially interactive with the attendees, which was when the subject of Clarissa came up.
“I have been informed that we have with us here tonight a star whose presence is a most delightful surprise. Being possibly the most envied woman of recent times, her husband has made headlines for being protective of her, as I’m sure you have all heard. As for the lady herself, my word! It’s the first time that I’ve laid eyes on such exquisite beauty. She’s gorgeous and also a very promising screenwriter. If I were her husband, I would never let her out of my sight!”
It was clear to the attendees that the host was referring to Clarissa. As the crowd buzzed with curiosity, she felt anxious at the probability of the cameras turning toward her. The host gazed in her direction with a playful grin on his face.
“All right, all right, settle down. I know you are all dying to know what she looks like, aren’t you? Well, no dice. Let’s talk about another screenwriter instead. He has been on a creative streak this year. His numerous television series had…”
The public watching the live broadcast, who had been on the edge of the seat with anticipation from his description, wanted to yell at him for abruptly changing the topic.
At last, the host returned to the topic of Clarissa. “I am aware that our viewers at home are disappointed. But as you all know, the husband of this fine lady was trending on the news. What a romantic gesture of dominance! Hence, to appease this powerful man, we won’t be able to show her off to you for you to ogle at her. Think of it as us defending you from his wrath! Haha! I’m just pulling your leg. All right, now, for the moment we’ve been waiting for all night…”
Clarissa’s nerves were strung to the extreme by the levity of the host.
Yael on the other hand found it highly amusing. “I’d thought that you’d show up here tonight covered from head to foot. But I guess it’s not so different from what I expected seeing the unnecessary shawl draped over your exposed shoulders. You’re quite the obedient wife, after all.”
“What?” Clarissa protested. “I’m just afraid of the cold, that’s all. It has nothing to do with him.”
“Ha! I’m sure you’re right. I think, given the number of clues dropped by our host tonight, an observant viewer would be able to tell which one is Mrs. Tyson out of all the ladies here tonight. Look around you. All the women are exposing one part of their body or another. All except you.”
Is it really that obvious? Clarissa thought anxiously. Hmm… It does sound plausible for someone to deduce my identity.
Everybody would be under the impression that I had caved to my husband’s demands. Bloody hell, all I wanted to do is to keep warm tonight! It has nothing to do with being afraid of him.
Clarissa had a nagging suspicion that this was Matthew’s master plan all along. Keyboard or washboard, he is going to have hell to pay when I get home.
At that exact moment, Matthew, who had arrived at the event with Damian, suddenly let out a sneeze. “Daddy, Mommy is thinking of you,” Damian piped up immediately.
“I think so, too,” Matthew said gloomily.
But probably not in a very flattering way, he added privately.
