Skipping dinner was second nature to Clarice. And now she woke up to a naked body covered only by the blanket. She looked around, not finding Joshua by her side, but she did find a special note on a small piece of paper.Baby, last night was a beautiful night, just like the nights we used to have. When you wake up, eat a lot considering you didn't eat last night. Then, forgive me if I have to leave while you sleep, work is waiting for me. I love you, as always. "Tsk! Work or Zoya waiting for you?" asked Clarice, shaking her head.Although she was annoyed at the thought of Zoya and Joshua's past, she was smiling silly because of what they had done together. His heart was even pounding just thinking back to what they had done last night. They made great love, but Joshua always took it slow because of Clarice's pregnancy condition.Amidst her silly smile, she started to feel hungry. Clarice got up, grabbed her clothes, and tied her hair. She brushed her teeth as well and then walked
"I thought she knew that my decision to marry Clarice was to stop doing it with her!" Joshua said under his breath.He put it away in his drawer and chose to compose himself after feeling indirectly humiliated by his secretary.He began to think that if Zoya demanded sex from him again, then he would have to find a way to keep Zoya submissive and not threaten him to spill the beans. Because after all, he knew how sneaky Zoya could be when someone didn't do what she wanted.Even though Zoya had never disobeyed him, Joshua felt that he had to be careful of her.His cell phone rang while he was thinking about Zoya, and it was from her calling.Joshua picked up the call silently."Did you get my package?" asked Zoya, by way of greeting. "Well, I'm sorry, Joshua. Yesterday I delivered it in a semi-conscious state, I mean, my head was spinning and I needed to make love to someone.""And did you find that someone?" asked Joshua, in return."Of course I did. I came to the club and with one fl
New York was a city that Clarice had missed for a long time even though she had only been away for a few weeks. She might be exaggerating, but no one really leaves their hometown after living there for so long.She breathed in the fresh New York air as she stepped off the plane. Her face was radiant like her life was back and this was where she had many memories that she couldn't forget but kept in her heart.Her husband's hand held hers as if he was afraid she would run away, even though Clarice would never try to run away again once she knew she loved him. But that's how predictable her husband was.They were picked up by their mansion's private driver, Vico. The car left the airport area and a sense of calm set in."Did you enjoy your vacation, sir?" asked Vico, as he filled Joshua in on the conversation."Yeah. I enjoyed it. No one knows, right?""No one, sir."Clarice didn't really know what they were talking about, but she deduced that what they were talking about was that no on
Clarice had an astonished expression on her face as she looked at Joshua. A few minutes ago, she remembered very well how annoying her husband was and almost made her want to be angry with him. But at times like this, he looked like he was addicted to something, which made him not want to stay away from her."You look surprised, Baby," Joshua said. His voice sounded heavy and holding something back.Joshua really did seem to be holding himself back from temptation so that it wouldn't be like he was taking back his own words, which were that he wanted to make love to Clarice, but he chose to pretend he didn't want to.He did this so that his relationship with Clarice could truly be harmonious. He was just trying not to fight anymore because if they were to fight until Jessy's engagement ceremony, then that gap would be used by Terry to make Clarice believe her words."I'm surprised at your mood swings, Joshua," Clarice replied.They both leaned against the edge of the bathtub. Their ey
"So this is what you've been doing lately, Jessy?! Finding out who the woman I told you about it?" asked Tristan as he found a small note about the details Jessy had made in her notes about the woman Tristan had told her about.Tristan was almost angry with her because he didn't want Jessy to know who she was. "Why did you have to write all this down, Jessy? I thought I could trust you to—""I was just curious," Jessy replied quickly. Her voice sounded shaky and she bowed her head. "And I apologize if my ways were really annoying."Tristan looked down at the woman before him and was truly sorry that he had snapped at her. But that was because he didn't want Clarice's identity to be revealed and make his plans fail, including if Joshua found out."I told you, she was gone. And there's nothing between me and her.""But you talked about her like she is so special to you. You know, someone special, will always make you smile when you tell them about her."Tristan was at a loss for words.
Sitting together with someone who had been in your heart was strange. Especially when their story ended in a forced manner, which at the time, their feelings were still intertwined and hard to let go of.Clarice might have been able to behave normally, but not Tristan. He was much more silent, chatting when one of them asked him to. Clarice, on the other hand, tried to make conversation because she didn't want to appear nervous and stiff in front of Joshua."I thought you guys would only show up when our engagement started," Jessy said, in the middle of them enjoying their lunch."Of course not. We were just walking around and I happened to be hungry, so I decided to have lunch at your restaurant," Clarice replied.Joshua just smiled as the conversation calmed him down. He knew what Clarice was doing, that she didn't want to look nervous in front of him. And her efforts really made Joshua feel like he should appreciate it.In a way, Joshua glanced at Tristan who was silent and didn't
Joshua took out his rarely touched cigarettes from his special, expensive-looking cigarette case. Tristan glanced at him and was quite surprised to find out what kind of cigarette case Joshua had. He didn't usually smoke, but he had smoked once in a while. He could also buy a cigarette case like Joshua's, but for him, it was a waste of money considering he very rarely smoked.Joshua held out the cigarette case to him so he could smoke it too. "Well, I came here not knowing that you were here. As my wife said, it was her wish to have lunch at Jessy's restaurant," Joshua said, telling him."I know. I believe her.""You believing her means you believe she loves me already?" asked Joshua, without looking at him.Tristan was silent for a few moments. His body stiffened when Joshua said that. He was reminded of his last conversation with Clarice when he had called her believing Joshua wouldn't find out.Joshua chuckled when he felt his silence and didn't answer his question. "I won't be ang
The engagement day had finally arrived. The decorations used were completely nude in color, which Jessy really liked. Moreover, the engagement was held in a hotel lobby where only certain colleagues and big family were invited because she wanted this engagement to be an engagement full of many moments that she would remember.Jessy looked beautiful in a long dress that looked simple but really showed her sexiness. Her hair was curly and the sides were pinned to the middle. And her head looked like a crown like a princess.Before starting the engagement, she greeted several guests who came, including family, friends, and co-workers. Not forgetting that she also met some of Tristan's friends and Tristan's big family.Tristan himself felt grateful because at least none of his friends or family knew Clarice. Because if they got to know her and met at his engagement ceremony, things would totally fall apart.But Tristan couldn't lie that he was waiting for Clarice's presence. He wanted to
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