After Sandra left the Zen Highlands, she gave Clarissa another call.
Clarissa would not have anything more to hide since the truth had been laid bare.
“Clarissa, all those rumors out there are pointing at how you’ve forsaken Hilary. I really wanted to clear your name but I was afraid that you might not agree to it. But now that everyone knows the truth, can I clear the air?”
Clarissa still rejected her offer.
“Sandra, to be honest, I do not want to reveal the truth not because I’m hesitant about letting Kayla and James know. I’m just worried about my family, especially Grandma. I don’t want to let her know…”
Sandra wanted to say something but decided to bite her tongue in the end.
Clarissa was a filial granddaughter after all. She was willing to suffer indignation for Catherine.
It was evident that she was treated well at the Quigleys back then. Even though their financials were not too strong, at least she was loved growing up.
“Don’t we have any other choice?”
“Just let it be. I don’t care about what other people say about me. Those are just strangers whom I don’t give a dime about. I only care about those who care about me. Thank you for looking out for me. I’m really doing okay right now.”
“We’re family, Clarissa. You should call me Aunt Sandra, by the way. Mrs. Wynter knows about this too. I guess she will want to meet you.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Clarissa hung up the phone and Matthew kept her phone again after she was done.
“Are you really okay?”
Matthew was worried that Clarissa might be distressed after the Smallwoods visited her.
However, it seemed like she was quite calm and composed.
Clarissa’s lips twitched. “Why not? I’m doing great right now. Don’t worry, but…”
Matthew focused on the ‘but’ and asked nervously, “But what?”
“I feel like eating cherries.”
“Hmm?”
Matthew took a few seconds to respond. “Sure, I’ll send someone to get it.”
Then, he hurriedly ordered his people to get the freshest cherries imported from abroad.
Even though it took quite some time, it was the best that they could find in all of D City.
in just one hour, Clarissa clutched the bowl of cherries in her hands as she relaxed and listened to Matthew recite a poem in another language with his baritone voice.
Clarissa was finally regaining her vitality after the commotion caused by the Smallwoods. She ate more during dinner, and started to feel all bored from getting pent up at home all the time.
“Hubby, let’s go hiking tomorrow.”
Her sudden suggestion surprised Matthew.
A helpless smile fleeted across his chiseled face.
“Clare, is it really okay for you to hike?”
“There’s nothing wrong with my body. The doctor said I’m fit as a fiddle. I’ve been staying far too long at home. I want to go out and breathe in some fresh air. I want to go out and play. Hiking is good exercise, you know…”
“It’s great exercise when you’re later into your term. Honey, you haven’t exercised these three months…”
“If we can’t go hiking, then let’s go for a picnic.”
Matthew glanced outside. The spring breeze was refreshing, but it was still cold outside.
“It’s too cold.”
“Can we go shopping then?”
“The paparazzies are still trailing us. It’s way too dangerous.”
Clarissa glared at her husband, all her sluggish manners dissipating into thin air. She no longer looked laggard. It seemed as if she was fully recharged from the long rest.
“Matthew, then what can I do? Tell me!”
Matthew was amused at the return of her former playful self.
He chuckled and circled her into his embrace. However, Clarissa struggled to free herself.
She protested in his embrace. Matthew relented and let her go immediately, fearing that she might put too much strain on herself.
“Clare, how about if we have a picnic and barbeque at our courtyard, hmm?”
“How is this different from staying home? I want some fresh air, and I want to interact with people and enjoy the atmosphere.”
“Ah, we have fresh air. As for people and the atmosphere, hold up…”
Then, Matthew informed a bunch of people to attend a picnic and barbeque at Zen Highlands the day after.
“Great, now we have all the elements you’re looking for. We have people and the atmosphere. I’ve asked them to prepare everything required. You’re going to be able to enjoy the atmosphere tomorrow, but you can’t eat a lot of barbequed stuff…”
Clarissa thought her husband had turned into a nagging old grandmother.
Then, she continued to munch on her cherries and ignored Matthew.
The cherries were snatched away by Matthew suddenly.
Clarissa met his smiling gaze. “Clare, you should stop eating right now. It’s time to rest. Come…”
Clarissa decided to just tolerate him.
The next day, a bunch of people reached Zen Highlands early in the morning but the organizer was nowhere to be seen.
Julia apologized to the guests and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Tyson is still resting. Mr. Tyson has asked all of you to keep it down. The tools required are all ready for use.”
Jeremy shook his head. “Matt is not skimping on this. Who’s the one wanting a picnic and barbeque huh?”
“I’m guessing that Matt wants to ask us to cheer Clarissa up? You guys should know that those rumors are still not dying down. I really feel like beating those rumormongers and ignorant people,” Yarick said.
He noticed that there were some skewers aside and stood up right away. “Let’s just prepare some food.”
“You only have eyes for food, don’t you?”
They started to barbeque in the courtyard of Zen Highlands, sending fragrant smoke swirling in the air.
Yaala sat aside doing nothing as she chatted with Ellie.
Ellie whispered to her, “Yaala, so you and Henry are an item now?”
Yaala cast a glance over at the charismatic and mature Henry as the man was barbequing some skewers. The man did not forget to wink at her, to which Yaala replied with a smile.
“An item or not; what does it matter? The time will tell if we’re truly meant to be together.”
“Tsk, Henry is going to be heartbroken.”
“I seriously doubt that. This mutually beneficial relationship with no strings attached is what he does best.”
“That’s who he used to be. He’s not like that anymore. I’m afraid that he’s looking for something serious right now. You should look at how adoringly he stares at Damian sometimes, lamenting that he wants to have a son or daughter.”
“Oh, well he should look for another woman who’s willing to bear him children then.”
Ellie was about to say something before Yaala interrupted her. “Ellie, you don’t have to sound me out for him, you know. We can communicate openly with each other if he has something to say to me.”
Ellie shrugged. “Well, it hasn’t been easy on me either. For the record, I didn’t say anything. You’re the one who saw everything through.”
Then, she stood up from her seat and grabbed something to eat. Yarick was a glutton, and Ellie reckoned that it would be wise to tag along.
Damian joined the party and made it even merrier.
Clarissa only woke up just before noon. She peered outside the window and noticed the courtyard was bustling with people.
Not bad, the party’s looking good.
Clarissa changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed downstairs.
“Mommy, you’re awake. Come have some meat, Mr. Yarick prepared this, it’s so delicious…”
Damian did not forget to share the delicious barbequed skewers with his mother.
Just when Clarissa was about to put it into her mouth, she was stopped by Matthew.
“Don’t, Clare. Mrs. Lawson made some sandwiches. It’s better that you eat those.”
Julia brought over the sandwiches that she made after Matthew mentioned it.
Clarissa rolled her eyes at Matthew and said adamantly, “I want to eat barbequed meat.”
“It’s not really hygienic.”
“Matt, what do you mean by that huh? Clarissa, I’m going to barbeque fresh ones for you, just you wait…”
Yarick was eager to show off his good skills in front of Clarissa.
However, one could only witness Yarick doing this right here since nobody would dare to request the powerful man to do anything out there.
However, Yarick managed to earn a warning glare from Matthew for defying him.
Yarick shuddered and asked Jeremy in a small voice, “Was that necessary? It’s just some barbequed meat, and we brought all these, for crying out loud. How could it be unhygienic? What is he thinking?”
Jeremy brushed against his chin and observed as Clarissa made her way to a corner and Matthew trailing closely behind her to coax the woman. Matthew was treating her exceptionally well, and that got Jeremy thinking before he came to a realization.
Then, Yarick nudged at the man and asked, “What are you thinking? I was talking to you, man.”
Jeremy merely gave Yarick a mocking smile before he made his way over to chat Damian up.
He had gotten his answer during his conversation with the little boy.
Then, he peered at Yarick who was still oblivious to the fact, and even tried to sneak some barbequed meat to Clarissa. Jeremy hugged Damian and educated the little boy, “Damian, you’d better not hang out with Mr. Yarick too much. Otherwise, you’re going to become a dumb dumb.”
“Why?” Damian’s big watery eyes blinked innocently as he asked.
Jeremy smiled wickedly. “Because he’s stupid. You’re going to be influenced by him if you spend too much time hanging out with him.”
“But Mr. Yarick is not stupid.”
“You’re still too young to see it. You’re going to notice it when you’re in elementary school.”
“Oh… okay.”
Damian contemplated for a moment and was unsure if Jeremy was right.
Then, he remembered his father telling him that he should keep in mind the things that he could not understand yet so that he could understand them when it was time for him to comprehend the information.
Meanwhile, those who knew what Jeremy was talking about cast knowing looks at Yarick and nodded as they agreed wholeheartedly with Jeremy.
“Matt? I still don’t get it. My barbequed meat is really delicious, and it’s not laced with poison, for goodness’ sake! Why aren’t you letting Clarissa eat them? Don’t you think you’re being ridiculous right now?”
Yarick’s words made the others shake their head.
He’s really an idiot.
