Clara's Confusion

"I knew you'd be here, Adrian."

Clara was taken aback as an elegant woman approached her boss, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

However, Adrian's reaction was starkly different as she extended her hand toward him. “It's nice to see you again. How are you?”

Oddly, the CEO ignored her and walked away, searching for an empty table.

"I’ve reserved a VIP room over there –"

"No need, I’ll stay here."

Drawing a breath, feeling ignored, the woman glanced briefly at Clara before pulling something out of her purse. "You're his assistant, Adrian? Could you please order drinks from the front?"

Who was this woman?

Clara stared at the exclusive VIP card she was handed. Owners Clarissa!

Clara felt a sense of familiarity. She planned to search for her on Baidu once she had the card.

'No way! Clarissa is a gold mining entrepreneur and owner of a globally famous app. If that's the case, she's probably very close to Adrian.'

After putting her phone away, Clara bought the best drinks in the cafe using Clarissa's gold VIP card and returned with three drink tumblers to the table where her boss was sitting.

"You look better now, what did you eat?"

Her thoughts swirled as she saw Clarissa deliberately hold Adrian's hand, lingering.

"Miss Clarissa, it seems you have an important purpose. Can we just get to the point? Besides, my secretary has arrived with the order you requested."

Clara felt uneasy as Clarissa scrutinized her from head to toe, as if judging her worth. "Secretary?"

Why did Clarissa seem to be taking her in, then scoffed, as if Clara was not on her level?

"What do you think, Miss Clarissa?"

The woman massaged her forehead, narrowing her eyes at Clara with an expression of disdain.

Clara realized her presence was unwelcome and tried to de-escalate the situation. “I’m sorry, Miss Clarissa, is something wrong? You don’t like the drinks I bought?"

"I'm not sure if Adrian's secretary is you, will this be beneficial for the company?"

Offended by Clarissa's response, Clara questioned her. “What do you mean?”

The woman stood and moved closer, saying, "Don’t be so professional! Do you think you’re worthy of accompanying Adrian wherever he goes?"

“That’s enough, Clarissa!" Suddenly, the table was pounded hard, the silence in the room was deafening. "Is this why you came here? Did I invite you?”

"But-"

"Just leave, your presence isn’t wanted. Or we’ll leave.”

“We?"

Clara was still confused, why was the woman so against her? She even received a bewildered, mournful look.

As her boss stood and moved to take her hand, Clarissa scoffed before rising from her seat. "If I had known, I wouldn't have come all this way just to invest in your company."

Being continually ignored, Clarissa became increasingly upset. At first, she'd hoped that Adrian would hold her back and say, "Don't leave," but it seemed impossible now. Adrian was even clearing a path for her to leave.

When the woman’s back was no longer visible, Clara lowered her head in fear, having driven away her boss's client. "Mr. Adrian, I'm so sorry--”

“Thank you..."

Clara furrowed her brow, confused. "Why? I even-"

“Thanks to you, I'm saved from that woman?"

“You mean, Miss Clarissa?” Clara was increasingly confused.

"Right, but there's something more important. Can I confide in you?"

Clara laughed, trying to process what her boss meant. "I'm just an employee, will you really trust me?"

"Who else would I talk to?" Clara looked around as Adrian spoke, raising an eyebrow.

Seeing Clara’s readiness, Adrian began to tell her about his marriage and his accidental encounter with his wife cheating on him with another man.

"Clara nodded, understanding. "I guess your relationship is complicated. Are you sure you're seeing your wife?"

"Of course!" Adrian slammed his fist on the table, his voice brimming with indignation. "Do I deserve to be with a cheating wife?"

Why was this question also directed at her? Clara felt that her boss's situation was uncannily similar to her own, even though she hadn't actually seen her husband cheating.

Adrian knew that, as her subordinate, Clara couldn't possibly make any decisions about his problems. But being near Clara, Adrian felt oddly comfortable.

Clara began to think. Should she also complain about her husband to her boss now?

She was lost in thought, oblivious to the fact that Adrian was taking a picture of her. If not for the flash, Clara would not have noticed that she was being photographed. "Mr. Adrian, what are you doing?"

Suppressing a smile, he turned his camera away. "You're beautiful!"

Clara was taken aback. Did he just call her beautiful? Should she be flattered?

The sound of shattering glass startled them from their reverie. A waiter had dropped an empty glass right next to her and apologized profusely.

Clara was worried that Adrian would be angry, but her prediction was wrong. The man, who usually seemed cold and distant, was now smiling like an angel.

Though confused, Clara resumed her drink, not daring to ask any questions.

Meanwhile, Adrian, who had been busy with his phone, suddenly stood up. "Clara, I have to leave for a sudden emergency. You can take a taxi home, right?"

Clara looked at her silver wristwatch, then nodded, realizing it was time to leave work. She frowned as she watched her boss hurry out of the café. "Strange."

Not wanting to appear awkward sitting there alone, Clara also wanted to leave. But before she could fully leave, her eyes caught something on the floor. "What's that?"

Clara picked up a charm bracelet with the initial 'J' on it. "Who does this belong to? Could it be Mr. Adrian's?"

She put the bracelet in her bag before leaving. "I'll give it back to him tomorrow when I see him at the office..."

 ***

"Ma'am, young Master Adrian just arrived."

"Really?" Joanne, who had been knitting, opened the window curtain with sparkling eyes as she saw her grandson getting out of the white SUV.

Looking at his serious face and dignified movements, Joanne was sure that her grandson must be in trouble.

When the door opened and the well-dressed man entered, Joanne turned and greeted him. "You're home? Your mood seems off, what's wrong?"

Adrian untied his tie and walked slowly to the sofa, letting out a sigh. "Grandma, can I ask you something?"

Joanne looked up. "What is it?"

"It's about Lara. Should I start the divorce proceedings now?"

The middle-aged woman's face turned dark. "You want to divorce Lara? Don't even think about doing anything without my permission."

"But—"

"Where would my face be then? Mr. Lara's kindness saved my life, we can't let people say our family doesn't know how to be grateful."

Adrian sighed and pulled out his phone. "Grandma, look yourself. Lara hasn't even contacted me or apologized after being caught with another man. Don't worry, Grandma, I won't be a lonely old bachelor. Besides, there are other girls waiting for me."

Joanne averted her gaze, her brow furrowed in anger. "There are many beautiful girls out there, but Lara is still the best in my opinion. Think carefully about your plan so you won't regret it later. I'm sure Lara must be busy with something."

Adrian pursed his lips in despair. "Then what should I do, Grandma? I'm not sure our relationship will last."

Joanne stared at him sharply. "Don't rush into anything. At least don't give up before you find the answer. Or, do you want me to take away all your privileges?"