how would you feel if someone out there began stalking you throughout your life? just as the same as Joshua?
"You know about that too apparently," Clarice retorted."It's not hard to find out about you. Just don’t underestimate me. And I also know what made you end up drinking coffee."Clarice chose to remain silent because they both knew what made Clarice drink coffee. And of course, it had something to do with Joel. Joshua smiled wryly at Clarice's expression of not looking at him when they talked about coffee. But again he tried not to think about things that would make him go back to being in a bad mood."Can you choose the delicious menu for me?" asked Joshua. He wondered if Clarice knew him like he knew her or not. Because at least they had been in the same situation even if it was with a family gathering."Ah– that," Clarice looked surprised, then she reached for the menu and nodded her head, "I'll pick something for you then."Joshua leaned back straight. His arms crossed over his chest again, watching Clarice without even blinking. He was always in awe of Clarice from every angle.
Clarice bit her lip. She really didn't know that her question wasn't about Joshua's personality, but about what she was really curious about. But like it or not, damn– what Joshua said was right, that she was curious. She wanted to know about Joshua's experience and she also didn't realize the part about his sexual activity.Damn! He must think that I'm a pervert! Her mind, speaking.Meanwhile, Joshua, who was still holding Clarice on his lap, smiled at the expression on his woman's face. He again won the situation that could make Clarice shut up with a blush that could not make him hold back the turmoil of love."But, do you mind if you tell me about it?" Clarice asked."I don't mind. But not in a place like this."Clarice swallowed. "Then, where?""Where it's just the two of us. Well, I want you to eat first since you already fed me."Joshua easily put Clarice down, leaving Clarice with a gasp of surprise and a heart that was beating hard again. She sat back in her chair, trying to
Joshua stood behind Clarice with his arms around her waist in the bridal boutique. He and Clarice were staring at each other in front of a large mirror for their wedding fittings.He had never felt this mesmerized by a woman before. And he was lucky to see Clarice - the woman he had loved for years, about to marry him and wearing this beautiful and elegant wedding dress."You're so beautiful," Joshua complimented her, in her ear.Joshua's compliment made Clarice feel tempted. She didn't know if Joshua was teasing her or really complimenting her. But the compliment only worked for Clarice just for a moment.Yeah ... she thought back to what had happened to her since Joel died. A feeling of sadness welled up in her chest, making her want to cry, but not in front of Joshua. Her life was about to completely change in a few weeks with a man who looked angry but loved her.Looking at Clarice's expression, Joshua could tell that Clarice wasn't willing to marry him. But that didn't matter to
Her words were very motivating for him as well as changing his mood, which had been quite chaotic; hearing it made him reluctant to give Clarice a chance to meet with Tristan. He certainly didn't want to share the woman he loved with another man."Is that enough to make you feel relieved, Joshua?" asked Clarice.Joshua mumbled. "Hmm? Are you deliberately making up excuses to make me feel relieved?" Joshua couldn't imagine what it would be like if Clarice had just made up an excuse to make him feel good."N–no. I don't like making things up to make someone happy. I just want to make sure. Because if you're happy, I'm happy.""And why should you be happy?"There were so many questions that Joshua wanted to know that he se
Amid his anxiety about the night he finally allowed Clarice to see Tristan, he also had to continue working in his apartment facing his laptop.One of his F&B businesses was about to open new stores in several places because of the petition results of the people in New York who wanted new branches in the places they requested. Although it was only F&B, Joshua must be fair in his actions. In his other businesses such as real estate, hospitality, banking, construction, and many others, he had been working with his brain and heart full of passion, and one of the people who motivated him to achieve success and money was Clarice Morgan."Well, it's not hard to do with a pretty messed up mind. I've felt this way many times, and I'm not going to let chaos ruin one of the businesses I worked so hard to build," Joshua said, encouraging himself.
As morning greeted her with light streaming in through the bedroom window, Clarice woke up. Her eyes blinked and when she opened them fully, she was shocked to see a feather in front of her. She inhaled a familiar scent, but she was still trying to figure out in her heart, whose scent it was as if her life had not fully gathered. This scent ... wait! I slept last night after returning from a coffee shop with Tristan. There's no way I slept with him, right? "Good morning, my beautiful lady," said a husky voice nearby. Clarice was startled awake and lifted her face to see the source of the voice. It was her fiancé, Joshua Rich Archer, who was sleeping with her and holding her. No! In fact, it was Clarice who was sleeping in his arms. She just realized that the chest hair she saw was Joshua's and just as she was about to let go of his embrace, Joshua's hands held her waist. "It's so beautiful to see you awake in clothes I've never seen before, Baby," Joshua said, expressing his thou
He didn't pick up Dennise's call and instead rejected it. Of course, she knew what Joshua's refusal would mean if she called him, that he didn't want to be disturbed by anyone. Joshua then put his cell phone on the table and looked at Clarice. "I've never seen anyone holding my cell phone, Clarice. I never even told anyone to, so–" "Okay. I'm sorry. I'm just uncomfortable with your cell phone ringing all the time. So I wanted to pick it up no matter who was calling you," Clarice said, cutting Joshua off. She meant to apologize, but who would have thought that the end of her sentence would hurt Joshua's feelings? Yet, it just showed him that Clarice got angry. No matter who called me? Did she mean what she said? Because when I talked about Dennise, I saw jealousy in her expression, Joshua thought. "Forget it. Now it's your turn to shower," Joshua said, choosing to change the subject. He turned his back on Clarice until he saw her enter the bathroom. Joshua sighed. His body, which
Joshua's face did not stiffen at all at the news. Instead, he relaxed as he watched Dennise finish speaking in front of him. Although he honestly didn't know if it was true or not, he still had to think of a plan so that Clarice wouldn't find out, or anyone else."You're lying to me.""Why would I lie to you? This baby is yours! I haven't slept with anyone but you these past few days, you asshole!""Then what do you expect from me? Marry you? Well, I'm not gonna marry anyone except Clarice."This time it was Dennise who chuckled at how Joshua had rejected her in the first place. Of course, Dennise knew that Joshua wouldn't be responsible enough to marry her and she didn't expect that from him as well."Money. I want you to on
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