Chapter 454 Lousy Old Man
When Wrenna went home to the Jackson family on the weekend, Damian didn’t join her as he was busy with work.
Hence, Henry was upset over the matter.
Although he knew that Tyson Corporation was expanding rapidly and Damian’s schedule was packed, he still chose to be peeved over it.
“Wren, go back and tell Damian that he’s not welcome here anymore. I really don’t want to see his face.”
No matter what, there was no way Henry would ever like Damian.
He felt that Damian didn’t deserve his daughter. In fact, Wrenna’s devotion to Damian had only served to intensify his jealousy.
Giggling in delight, Wrenna sat down by Henry’s side and held his arm. She purred, “Dad, Damian is really busy. Not that you’re not aware of it. So, don’t be angry. Remember I promised that I’ll cook something delicious for you? What would you like?”
“Don’t change the subject. He-”
Before he could grumble any further, Yaala cut him off.
“That’s enough. What are you ranting about? It’s obvious that you’re jealous. Damian is a good husband. So what has Wren being dutiful to her own husband got anything to do with you?”
Yaala had a point. Nevertheless, Henry could only frown at his daughter to express the frustration he felt. After that, he turned to Yaala and smiled obsequiously.
Just when Wrenna was chuckling, Yaala didn’t let her off.
“And you, why are you treating Damian so well by getting up early every day? You have lost a lot of weight. Who does he think he is to deserve this?”
Yaala felt bad for her daughter. After all, Wrenna had feelings for Damian ever since she was a teenager. All she wanted to do was to marry him. Hence, by the time she reached the legal age for marriage, that was what she did exactly. Unfortunately, by doing so, Yaala felt that her daughter didn’t amount to much.
Luckily, Damian was a good kid. Or else, she wouldn’t have agreed to it.
Wrenna smiled with her eyes in response.
“Mom, it’s not tiring at all. Furthermore, I’m trying to lose weight. Don’t you think my face looks cuter now?”
Just as she spoke, she cupped her face with her hands and let out a cheeky smile.
Yaala snapped. “I’m sure you know the answer. There’s no need to ask me.”
After sticking her tongue out at her mom, Wrenna got up and rushed into the kitchen. The last thing she wanted to hear was her parents complaining about Damian again.
After that, Yaala gave Clarissa a call and invited her and Matthew over for a meal.
When both of them arrived, Yaala noticed that they weren’t as intimate as they used to be. One was walking in front while the other was behind. Both had equally glum looks on their faces.
Matthew’s expression had always been cold since he was young. However, for Clarissa to have the same look on her face meant that she was upset about something.
Yaala knitted her eyebrows.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked Clarissa directly.
Agitated by the question, Clarissa sat down and retorted, “What do you mean what’s wrong with me?”
Yaala laughed brazenly. “Whenever both of you argue, aren’t you always the cause? Matthew has always been the one to pacify you. Hence, what else could it be other than you being angry over something?”
Clarissa was peeved. “Fine, Ms. Zaha. I can’t deny that was the case in the past. However, haven’t you realized Matthew is becoming more stubborn as he grows older? Now, he always thinks I’m wrong and goes against whatever my stand is. Perhaps, he resents me for my age and intends to leave me for someone younger.”
Stumped, Yaala shot Matthew a glance. He had heard what Clarissa had said but chose not to rebut her.
With a frosty expression, he cut a stubborn figure.
Yaala sighed. “No wonder people say that the elderly behave no differently from kids. Now that we’re old, it’s common for us to grow more obstinate. Just look at Henry, he’s the perfect example of this.”
Clarissa clearly understood what Yaala was trying to convey.
However, she snorted in response. “Matthew is doing it on purpose. However, I’m not going to play along with him.”
Without looking at Matthew, Clarissa got up and headed into the kitchen. However, her mood improved when she saw the daughter-in-law she adored. Hence, she helped Wrenna prepare dinner there.
Throughout the evening, Damian didn’t show up at all.
Consequently, Clarissa complained about how irresponsible he was and even called him to give him an earful. When she turned and saw the look on Matthew’s face, she then vented her frustration on him.
“It’s all your fault. Damian isn’t like me at all. It must be because of your genes.”
Everyone was stunned by Clarissa’s temper.
Yaala broke out into a smile at once. “All right now, Clarissa. Stop making a fuss. When Damian was young, you kept insisting that he took after you.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but feel upset.
Yaala whispered to Wrenna, “Don’t worry. Those two will be fine by the time they go back home. Trust me.”
After glancing at her mom and Matthew’s stern-looking face, Wrenna couldn’t stop herself from feeling concerned.
However, there was no need to feel that way.
Later in the evening, Damian came to pick her up while Matthew and Clarissa returned to Zen Highlands together.
In the car, Damian explained with a smile, “There’s no need to worry. Mom and Dad have always behaved that way throughout the years. Every time they argue, they will end up reconciling. In fact, they will grow closer after that.”
Wrenna was amused. She couldn’t fathom how Clarissa and Matthew’s relationship could improve from such an incident.
Meanwhile, Clarissa remained silent in the car. Given that Matthew didn’t say a word, she too kept mum.
Both of them were giving each other the cold shoulder.
After they got out of the car, Clarissa hurried back into her room with Matthew following her from behind. Just when he was about to enter, she slammed the door in his face, locking him outside.
Matthew’s eyes glistened as he stared at the door.
A brief moment later, he opened it and saw Clarissa sitting by herself fuming.
Matthew didn’t cajole her right away. Instead, he changed his clothes before swaggering up to her. Taking a seat beside her, he fell into momentary silence.
“Ahem…”
At that moment, he finally uttered, “Clare…”
“Clare…”
Clarissa was being difficult on purpose.
“Don’t call me that. Doesn’t it make you cringe at this age?”
Matthew furrowed his eyebrows. “I’ve been calling you that our entire lives. What’s there to cringe about?”
Clarissa was stumped. “Hmph, what do you want?”
“Are you still angry?”
“Haha…” Clarissa sniggered.
Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on Matthew.
Letting out a deep sigh, he tried to hold her hand but she retracted it instead. Moving to another side, he held her hand so tightly that she couldn’t pull it out the second time.
Instead, she glared at him. From Matthew’s perspective, Clarissa’s temper did not mellow with age at all.
After being spoilt by him over the years, she was just as stubborn and easily agitated in front of him.
Although she was an influential celebrity in public, she was still Matthew’s little sweetheart at home.
Hence, he couldn’t help but beam when he saw her icy expression.
However, his smile had infuriated her further.
“What are you smiling about? What’s with that smug look of yours?”
Matthew stroked her face. “I’m just happy that I’ve married a good wife.”
Clarissa pursed her lips. “Hmph, flattery is of no use. What’s wrong with you, you stubborn old man? Don’t think I’m powerless to do anything about it. If you continue to go against me, I will divorce you and find another old man. Among the old ladies now, I’m still quite the catch. I-”
Clarissa ranted on until she saw Matthew glaring at her furiously.
This old man hasn’t lost his domineering aura with age.
“Why are you stopping?” Matthew plainly asked.
Clarissa turned her head away. In truth, she was feeling a little guilty.
Gripping her fingers tightly, he growled, “If you continue spewing nonsense, I’ll teach you a lesson.”
“Come on, Matthew. I know how capable you are. What sort of lessons are you going to teach me?”
Just as she spoke, Matthew pulled her into his embrace. Placing his hand on her hips, he pinched it with just the right amount of strength.
Jolted by it, she blushed at once.
“Matthew, stop fooling around. We’re too old for this…”
Matthew chuckled in a deep tone.
“I didn’t do anything.”
Although he didn’t, the mischief behind his action was obvious.
After spending so many years together, they no longer fooled around as often. Nevertheless, they would still do so after demonstrating their affection for each other.
“Enough.”
Before Matthew got carried away, she put a stop to it. With a stern expression, she explained, “I understand why you’re giving me the cold shoulder. But, you’re nothing but a stubborn old man. Why do you need to harden your stance whenever I’m upset? It just makes things worse.”
Clarissa felt that it was better that she clarified her thoughts. However, she was still concerned that Matthew refuse to give in.
“I know, but Damian is already thirty. There’s no need to worry about his feelings getting hurt.”
Despite not saying it explicitly, Matthew was accusing her of spoiling Damian.
With her lips twitching, Clarissa couldn’t think of anything to retort.
That’s true. He is already thirty. It wouldn’t be right for me to continue protecting him as if he was still in school.
“Fine. You’re right.”
Clarissa finally relented.
“However, why can’t you tell me properly. Why do you need to give me the cold shoulder?”
Matthew chuckled. “Who started it first?”
“You!”
Clarissa was not the least bit remorseful.
With a twitch of his lips, Matthew relented.
“Fine, I started it. I’m sorry.”
“It was your fault in the first place. Next time, remember this lesson and stop getting on my nerves. You’re not a kid anymore. If you were, I would definitely cheer you up. But, you’re just a stubborn old man.”
Despite her complaints, the adoration in her tone was obvious.
Pulling her into his arms, Matthew leaned in to kiss her gently. He added, “Don’t keep calling me old man all the time. I’m not that old, all right. I can even…”
He whispered the rest of his sentence into her ear.
Clarissa rebuked him in embarrassment, “You dirty old man.”
