well, at least they two become so close ...
Three days with Tristan ... never before had Clarice been so close to a man she had only met since the death of her boyfriend. Tristan was gentle with a much different character than when they first met. He didn’t show much of a caring side, but he understood what Clarice needed. Three days with Tristan could even make Clarice slowly accept Joel's death. But Clarice still considered Joel her boyfriend because she still loved him so much. She could only accept his death with the little she felt. Now, there were four days left when she would face Joshua again. She felt so heavy to face him, especially with her closeness with Tristan just now. It felt like she was betraying him even though they were not in a relationship. Tristan kept asking if Joshua was seeing her or not, but Clarice always replied that Joshua wasn't seeing her, which was true. Joshua had promised Clarice that he wouldn't see her until the week was up. "I won't see you for a week until you come and tell me your
Clarice woke up from her sleep when she realized that she had been sleeping on the sofa all night. She blinked her eyes and gathered her strength before moving to do some activities. That day was her day off, she should have been able to wake up later, but somehow she woke up so early that she couldn't go back to sleep. The gift Joshua had given her was still in her hand and she had unconsciously carried it with her all night to sleep. When she realized it, she put it away and then stood up from the sofa while stretching her muscles. "It's a nice day, but I don't know what to do today," she said, as she opened the balcony window of her room. Clarice made coffee for the first time in her apartment. Clarice's late boyfriend used to drink Joel's specialty coffee, but now she was going to carry on Joel's activities, knowing that coffee wasn't as bad as she thought. While waiting for the coffee machine to start, Clarice tidied up her apartment, which she found quite messy. She was us
Tristan's words were no joke to Clarice. Because Clarice did make a mistake for him, she didn't tell Tristan about Joshua and her university reunion which even had Joshua in it. Somehow Clarice didn't want to tell him and that was what made her feel guilty. "Why are you silent? Did you make a mistake?" asked Tristan who noticed Clarice's silence. Clarice was taken aback. She shook her head quickly, not wanting to create a suspicion that would make her feel even more guilty. "N–no. I–I just miss Joel," Clarice replied, softly. Tristan sighed. Whenever Clarice discussed and mentioned Joel, it made him feel even more jealous and resentful. He knew there was no point in feeling that way when he knew the person she longed for was dead. But it still meant that Clarice still had Joel in her heart. The reason Clarice always used Joel's name was to avoid any suspicion. Because it proved to be true when she saw Tristan's expression when she mentioned Joel's name, he changed. He seemed
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" asked Clarice, shocked. She couldn't show her surprise and couldn't deny that the news had completely made her forget about Tristan. Her heart was beating fast just hearing his name mentioned along with the news of his unexpected presence. Clarice had only expected that Joshua would not be able to attend due to his busy schedule, just like in previous years. Even when friends sought him out, he always apologized for his absence. Unless it was because he didn't want to see me with Joel ... Clarice thought. "Are you really surprised by his presence, Clarice?" asked Kristi. "I thought you were surprised because he's Joel's big brother, but I get the feeling there's something else about your expression." Clarice blinked her eyes repeatedly. She bit her lower lip because of her fear that the closer the time got, the more it would seem like she would die of a heart attack. "That's because he's Joel's big brother, yes. But–" "But there's another story between
JOSHUA PULLED CLARICE'S HAND OUT. They were now face to face in a place where their college friends didn't see them, but of course, many of them were curious about what happened to the two of them. "Well, let's talk. What do you want to talk about, Clarice?" asked Joshua, calmly. "Aren't you the one who wanted to talk to me? That was just an excuse for Kristi to leave me, I know you're a man who can't be denied." Joshua smiled wryly. "I don't like you wearing clothes like that." "It's not what I wanted!" "But you can say no. You know, you almost seduced a few guys in there, including ... me." Clarice swallowed. How could she get out of Joshua's sight if it was like this? She didn't even have a change of clothes and she certainly hadn't thought of anything like this. "There's a clothes shop nearby, I'll take you there," Joshua said suddenly. He pulled her hand back to the car park, but this time Clarice stopped him by dismissing his hand. "No!" Joshua's eyes darkened.
SHE STAYED WHERE SHE WAS WHEN SHE HEARD HIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Her expression couldn't lie that she was completely shocked. Although she knew that on the seventh day, she would answer that she would become his wife, but who would have thought that in this reunion event, Joshua had trapped her without her being able to refuse or get angry. Her life has completely changed since Joel's death with Joshua's sudden presence making her unable to move. Plus Clarice had no one but herself and her weakness really couldn't help herself. "C'mon, Clarice ... why are you being so quiet?" Joshua's voice startled her, but she moved closer until she stopped right in front of him with a look that was hard to express, but she was disappointed in him. Joshua's hand slipped around her waist, the first touch Clarice felt, making her body stiff and strange. "Yeah, as you heard. We're engaged and about to get married. I know our engagement is a family affair. But you won't be missing our wedding," Joshua
"Explain to me, Kristi!" said Clarice, grabbing her hand. Right now she just wanted to talk to Kristi, she wanted to know if Kristi knew all about Joshua's plans or not. "I don't know, Clarice. I only found out when Edo told me when Joshua was with you. If I had known from the beginning, I would have told you." Clarice sighed, looking frustrated. She looked away from where Joshua was because she knew he was still watching her. "I'm really stuck and can't do anything!" Kristi felt bad that she couldn't help her friend after seeing how frustrated Clarice was. Everyone here knew how powerful Joshua had always been, of course, they didn't speculate because they knew what Joshua was like. They all even knew that there was something strange about the way Clarice looked at Joshua. Her look of fear towards someone who threatened her. But again, no one could do anything but watch and enjoy the show. "Did he hurt you?" asked Kristi with concern and worried. Clarice shook her head. J
THE KISS ENDED WHEN JOSHUA PULLED AWAY. He was still watching Clarice's flushed face under the streetlight with her eyes closed. Joshua smiled at Clarice's expression as he could sense how Clarice was enjoying the kiss without rebelling or resisting. Meanwhile, when Clarice sensed that the kiss was over, she caught her breath and then opened her eyes. From such a close distance she could see Joshua, handsome and ... charismatic. "You seemed to enjoy it, Clarice." His words jolted her out of her slumber and into full consciousness. She sat up straight and the chair Joshua had pushed back returned with a triumphant smile. "You took a chance!" said Clarice, venting her nervousness and annoyance. But Joshua didn't say anything back. He just smiled and drove back to the car. He didn't want to talk too much when he was with Clarice, because if he did, then his happy expressions would be obvious and he didn't want Clarice to take advantage of that and oppose him. "There will be no mor
Clarice cried after she heard the judge's decision that Joshua's sentence could not be commuted or even reduced. Because Joshua committed a murder that left two victims dead, Joshua was sentenced to life imprisonment.Clarice immediately left the courtroom and chose to take a deep breath of air outside. Her body shook with unceasing crying. Her chest felt so tight that she couldn't bear to see Joshua in person forever.Then Darren came and touched her shoulder. Clarice immediately turned around and looked at him. "What?" she asked."He's waiting for you. Meet him, I think he wants to have you at a time like this. He needs you, Clarice."Clarice almost refused. Yeah ... she wasn't in the mood to meet her husband for now, but what Darren said was true. She just needed to strengthen her heart more to face her husband.A big part of Clarice also blamed herself because if she hadn't told Joshua that she would be relieved if he confessed at the police station, then the life sentence wouldn't
A month without Joshua in her life still leaves Clarice struggling to cope with new days. She continued to visit the prison and even the phone calls from Joshua came every day. Clarice always considered her visits to the prison as a form of encouragement for her even if it only lasted for a few hours, because she was honestly never satisfied with that limited communication.Her relationship with Darren was also still going on as it should. Clarice continued to think of Darren as her mentor while Darren always secretly monitored Clarice's condition when she was away from him because he thought that was what Joshua wanted from Clarice; to be safe when she was away from him.Clarice finally managed to understand some of Joshua's work after a month of learning from Darren. She was glad that she understood so quickly that she didn't have to keep calling Darren or meeting him because all she wanted to do was get away from Darren.Joana had even started living at the Mansion as well so they
Darren put Clarice on his bed. He took off her high heels and covered her with a blanket. Sighing and massaging the bridge of his nose, he stared at Clarice for a few moments. He felt that this was the first time he would have a special relationship with his best friend's wife. All this time he had been with other women who were different and single of course. Then fate made him have to have business with Clarice. Joshua's offer was tantalizing, any man who saw Clarice would immediately want to agree to the offer. But his little heart said it was difficult."How can you share your wife with me just because you're in jail, Joshua?" he asked as he looked at Clarice who had fallen asleep due to drunkenness. "What if I fall for her, Joshua? Doesn't that make our friendship break?"This time Darren restrained himself. He rolled out the bed cover on his couch and picked up a pillow. He lay down on it and closed his eyes to sleep.The next morning Clarice woke up, opening her eyes slowly. S
Clarice drove her car to the prison where Joshua was. She had the desire to visit Joshua every day when she finished work or when she was free. Unfortunately, she didn't bring Axcel this time as she went straight to the place. She smiled to herself just thinking about seeing Joshua. She even tidied up her appearance and wanted to show off a little to Joshua that she was now a career woman. Even though Clarice was still upset with Joshua about the talk about Darren and her, she was still going to see him.Clarice waited in the meeting room with her body sitting up straight and her heart beating fast."Hey, gorgeous," greeted Joshua who Clarice had been missing for the past day.Clarice stood up and hugged him immediately. She even aggressively kissed him blindly, not caring about some of the other visitors.Joshua then pulled away realizing that Clarice's lust had peaked. "Hey, are you alright, Clarice?" Joshua asked. They ended up sitting together, side by side with Clarice's head on
"Alright, Clarice ... based on the expression on your face, I think Joshua told you about you and Darren things. Is that right? I mean, no offense because I was told by him too so as not to be surprised if something happens between you two," Joana said quickly in one breath.Clarice's eyes widened in shock. "He told you that too?! What the hell is he doing?! I got so upset when he said things like that to me. I mean ... How could he—"Clarice chose not to continue because she was honestly embarrassed and didn't know what to do. Just the thought of her being with her husband's best friend made her shudder with horror because it was tantamount to cheating on her."Look, Clarice ... I've been in the position of not being able to have sex a few times. So sometimes I choose to have one-night stands with other men on different nights. I mean, I just want to say that staying horny is not fun."Clarice sighed as she rolled her eyes. Her hands were clasped around her waist and she seemed to be
Accompanied by Joana and Darren, Clarice entered the police station and began to meet Joshua who was now wearing an orange suit which means he was now a prisoner. Clarice, Joana, and Darren stood tensely as they waited for Joshua to appear. Although there were chairs and tables, they were not interested in sitting down until they saw Joshua in person.Joshua arrived shortly after they had waited. Handcuffed and then released to meet his friends and family, the warden left him behind."Boss … I'm glad you okay," Joana said, sounding sad."Joshua, I'm going to try to get you out of here as soon as possible," Darren said without any reply.There was only Clarice who didn't say anything but remained silent with her body trembling and her eyes filled with tears.Joshua looked at her with a smile that was so strange to Clarice's eyes. Yeah ... they looked at each other but Clarice saw a different smile from him. A sad smile that Joshua had never shown in his life."No hugs for your now con
Her eyes flickered as she sighed looking up at Joshua. And Clarice knew the meaning of that look, that Joshua wanted her to talk about what she was feeling. "So," Joshua said with a sigh, then sat back in his chair, "what haven't you told me about how you feel lately, Baby?"Like she was in a game where she had to choose one or the other, Clarice really couldn't choose. She was so reluctant to even tell him what was bothering her that her tears came, falling.Joshua quickly stood up and his burly hands touched her wet cheeks and wiped them. "Hey, what have I done to make you cry, Baby?"That was the problem. Clarice's lips were almost closed and she couldn't open them. She couldn't say it because she didn't want to hurt his feelings."Look, if something is bothering you lately, you should tell me immediately. And if it's because of me, I'll be prepared to listen.""That's the point, Joshua! I can't! I can't tell you how I feel these past few days!" responded Clarice quickly. "I can't
The year of Axcel's birth was the biggest celebration Clarice has ever had in her life. She didn't even expect that her son's birthday would be celebrated as big as her wedding with Joshua But she's happy that it was the celebration he deserved.Although Clarice initially told Joshua that there was no need for a big celebration, Joshua made their son's birthday celebration a big one with the help of Joana who was always ready whenever Joshua needed her."So, what about all this? Do you like it?" asked Joshua, whispering at her side.Clarice smiled without looking at him but at the festivities of Axcel's birthday."It's too much. But I'm happy. Well, I don't even know if Axcel understood his birthday or not because he's only one year old."Joshua put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. "It doesn't matter if he understands or not, the important thing is that we try our best for him, Clarice, and we made a picture moment with him.The smile on Clarice's lips was always ther
They returned to the mansion just the two of them. This time they again left Axcel at Harry and Flora's house because Joshua felt that he and Clarice needed to rest without interruption.Actually, Clarice had never minded Axcel's presence at the Mansion even when she was tired. But she knew that she couldn't defy Joshua's orders which sometimes she really couldn't refuse."Would you like a warm bath? I'll prepare it for you, Clarice," Joshua said, looking at his wife with a tired face."Hmm, yeah. I think that's a good idea. I'll rest for a while until you finish preparing the warm water," Clarice said.Joshua watched her until she lay down on the bed and then he went into the bathroom and started preparing the bathtub for them to soak in together.When Joshua came out of the bathroom, he saw Clarice already asleep on the bed, snoring softly. Joshua didn't have the heart to wake her up because Clarice looked so peaceful in her sleep.Joshua then decided to take a shower first to clean