Clarissa had wanted to turn him down, but her voice had left her when her eyes met Matthew’s sharp ones.
Ellie, on the other hand, was clapping with joy.
“That’s great, Uncle Matt. It is decided then.”
Instinct told Clarissa that there was something dangerous about his gaze when he quirked his lips.
She mustered her courage, wanting to reject his offer again, when his phone rang.
Matthew rose to his feet, then left for work after answering the call.
With the conversation finally ended, Clarissa went completely limp as she slumped against Ellie on the couch. “Why did you say that? Do you hate me so much?”
Ellie laughed out loud. “Look at you, getting all shy. My uncle is your uncle. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We’ll just get him a little something in return once you find yourself a man.”
Clarissa stood up; her eyes rounded. “Is that even the point?”
“Then what is it?”
The point is, how could you get him to introduce me to a man after he saw me in only a bath towel and what I did to him when I was drugged?
Nevertheless, Clarissa kept those thoughts to herself. It wasn’t something to be proud of.
That night, she stayed with the Tysons at Ellie’s insistence.
The latter’s parents were familiar with Clarissa because she was Ellie’s only decent friend back in college, and they liked her a lot. Given that Matthew didn’t return that night, and Clarissa’s natural ability to get along with elderly people, her stay with the Tysons was considered a comfortable one.
Nevertheless, Clarissa couldn’t seem to fall asleep. She got out of bed in the dead of night and went down to the living room, thinking about her mother and the Garretts.
She was never a worrywart. If the Garretts were to continue to treat her as a fool, she would go with the flow and leave them behind.
As she was deep in thoughts, a wave of sleepiness came over her. She was about to head for the stairs when a tall and dark figure almost made her scream.
“Who’s there?”
Clarissa’s heart dropped when she saw Matthew, dressed in casual clothes, walking out from the shadows.
How long has he been standing there?
“I’m sorry to bother you, Uncle Matthew.” Clarissa deliberately addressed him as such, wanting to get away from that awkward situation as soon as possible. “I just came down to grab a drink and I’m on my way to bed now. Good night.”
With her entire body tensed up, she was about to walk past Matthew to head upstairs when he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Clarissa froze on the spot.
Whether it was accidental or intentional, she could feel the man brushing her wrist with his fingers.
“Do you need anything from me, Mr. Tyson?” she asked, trying her best to stay calm.
Matthew could see the caution, anxiety, and fear in her eyes.
Is she really innocent or is she just too good at acting?
Just as Clarissa thought he was about to do something to her, he suddenly let go of her wrist and put his hands in his pockets as though nothing had happened.
“What aren’t you calling me ‘Uncle’?”
Matthew knew Clarissa had only called him that because she was afraid he would cross the line with her.
“I just couldn’t get used to it for a moment. If there’s nothing else, I’ll-”
“Ms. Quigley,” Matthew interrupted her hasty farewell. “If you don’t mind, could you pour me a glass of water?”
What?
He ignored the shock on her face, walked over to the couch, and sat down as though he was accustomed to being served.
Helpless and unable to refuse, Clarissa went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water before heading back to the living room.
She was going to put the glass down, but Matthew had already reached out to take it from her hand. Their fingers touched.
Clarissa withdrew her hand in a flurry. She dared not look at him.
“Well… I’m gonna go back to bed then.”
Clarissa was even more anxious. Turning around, Matthew’s deep voice sounded from behind her.
“Just say the word if you’re ever in need of help, Ms. Quigley. I can give you a hand.”
What is that supposed to mean?
“Thank you, Mr. Tyson, but I’m doing fine. Have a good rest and good night.”
She clambered up the stairs and returned to her room, heart pounding in a frantic tattoo.
Meanwhile, Matthew was still in the living room, mulling things over.
Clarissa’s an attractive young lady. Isn’t this too much of a coincidence that she showed up before me and is Ellie’s best friend? Is she trying to approach me or the Tysons?
Hah, your true colors will be revealed soon enough.
