"Mr. Ardekai! I'm sorry, but my assistant did not notify me of your coming today. Sorry for—"
"I was just passing by and taking a look," remarked the attractive man with an athletic figure who stood tall in front of the three of them, and fixed his gaze on Clara.
Daniel glanced at Clara after noticing Richard's gaze. Daniel's eyes blinked. This was the first time he had seen a woman appear so normal in front of a Richard Ardekei. The Trokas women's dream man.
"Indeed. Each of those photos is amazing. Miss Clara." Richard said, a faint smile on his face. The gleam of interest in that man's eyes was as clear as a crystal as he stared at her.
"Clara, this is Mr. Richard Ardekei. He is the president of the Ardekei Group, and the one who selected you as ambassador." Daniel abruptly cut in and introduced the man to Clara.
Clara turned to face Daniel before bowing politely to Richard, her lips twisted into a faint smile.
"I value your trust."
"Oh, no. That's something I should do. Thank you for agreeing to be my company's ambassador. Miss Clara's schedule in America must be really tight, yet you are willing to fly here and represent our company. Thank you very much, Miss."
Richard's lengthy, kind remarks astounded not only his assistant, but even Daniel. Richard and his character were well known to both of them. The man seldom used such lengthy sentences.
Even in meetings, Richard didn't say much. After only a few lines and eye contact, all of his staff quickly understood and answered, with no one daring to query or argue.
But what happened just now? Richard's assistant, Darren, and Daniel couldn't help but stare at the two.
"Mr. Ardekei, I'm simply a model. As long as the job is relevant to my field, does not violate any laws or rules, and pays well. Why not?" Clara stated with a slight smile but a straight face.
Richard and the others were taken aback by the woman's remark. What an honest and direct response!
Daniel pursed his lips and poked his model's arm, who also happened to be his closest buddy. He kept his gaze fixated on her and coded an apology.
"Please accept my apologies, Mr. Ardekei. The photoshoot for today has concluded. I have to excuse myself." Instead of apologizing or modifying her statement, Clara said a farewell. She collected her handbag and gestured to Lucy, her assistant, to follow her.
"That's OK. Please. I can take you if you don't mind."
Daniel and Darren were once again astonished by Richard's demeanor and response. The man didn't seem offended, but rather asked her if she wanted him to drive her home?
"I appreciated your kind offer, sir. We do, however, own a car. Please accept my apologies." Clara bowed modestly and went away without a second thought.
"Hey! You do not have any—"
"Enough! Let's go!" Richard cut off Darren's rebuke with a sharp glance before taking a moment of silence and walking away.
Daniel couldn't help but scratch his head as he saw what was going on, even though it didn't itch. He was perplexed by the unusual atmosphere that had just occurred in front of him.
Clara stood impatiently in front of the studio, waiting for her car. "How come the van hasn't yet arrived?" Clara started looking to her right and left for the whereabouts of the agency car in which she was riding.
"Please be patient. It's on the way." Lucy commented while playing her mobile game.
At the same time, Richard and his assistant had followed Clara and her assistant. They then joined in line, waiting for their car to arrive. Richard smiled and nodded yet again at them.
Clara and Lucy simply nodded, saying nothing.
"Clara! Clara!"
Someone suddenly shouted her name from behind. Clara turned around. From inside the studio, she noticed Daniel racing up to her with an apprehensive face.
"Daniel? What's the matter?" Clara inquired, looking perplexed at Daniel.
Daniel drew to a halt in front of Clara, and looked up to see Richard, whom he hadn't expected to see ... again. He nodded respectfully and turned to face Clara.
"Clara, there's fanatics fan of yours back there. He asked to meet you!" Daniel, out of breath, pointed to the rear as he spoke to Clara.
"Daniel, Clara is exhausted. She doesn't have time for this!" Lucy grumbled.
"If you don't take care of your followers now, you won't have time to deal with reporters afterwards! Hurry up! He had a cutter and threatened to kill himself if you don't want to see him!"
Clara and Richard both gasped. They exchanged glances unconsciously. Clara quickly averted her look and turned to Daniel.
"Where is he?"
"How do you know he's a he?"
"Cut the crap! Where is he?" Clara chastises.
"There. In the backyard. Hurry up!"
Daniel and Clara ran hand in hand. They were both too preoccupied to notice the coldness and sharp sting of Richard's eyes pointed at them.
Clara rushed to the back of the studio, following Daniel before she came to a halt at the stairwell behind the studio.
Her eyes were wide open as she stared at the man standing beside the fountain, holding a bouquet of flowers in his left hand and a cutter in his right.
"I want to meet Clara! Call her right away! Do you want to see my blood? Huh?!" The guy threatens as he places the cutter on his wrist.
Clara took a deep breath and descended the stairs to confront the man.
"I'm here! Put your cutter down!" Clara exclaimed as she stepped over fearlessly.
"Clara! Don't!" Lucy hissed as she grasped her artist's arm hurriedly. Prevent her from moving any further.
Clara, on the other hand, promptly brushed her assistant's hand away and continued to approach the young man.
"Clara! Y-you … finally, you want to meet me." The man's face was adorned with a broad smile. He stared down at the cutter in his grip before lowering it.
"This is for you." He handed Clara the bouquet of flowers he was holding with a beautiful grin and a bashful gaze.
"You threatened to kill yourself just to see me?" Clara inquired with a stunned expression on her face.
The young man in his twenties nodded promptly. "They prohibited me from entering and refused to help me give you this flower. Since your debut three years ago, I've been a fan of yours. There was no other option, so I...." That young man lowered his head and did not finish his statement.
Clara sighed and shook her head. She took a step closer to the young man, accepted the bouquet, and stretched out her arms.
"Come here. I'll give you a hug."
That young man's eyes sparkle with glee and disbelief. He immediately rushed up to Clara, hugged her, and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Promise me you'll never do it again. Got it? Don't play with your life. You only have one life to live. Don't play with it recklessly. Cherish your life and the parent who gave birth to you." Clara said as she released her hug and looked the young man in the eyes.
On the other side, Richard's eyes appeared to be sharper than the young man's. He tightened his fists and gritted his teeth. The man who was the center of many women's attention was now filled with jealously.
Darren senses his boss's chilly aura. He clutched his nape and gulped hard. He didn't even bother looking up. Instead, he took a step back to ensure that he didn't become a target for Adonis' fury.
"Thank you so much. Clara, you are extremely kind," said the young man, smiling broadly.
Cough! Cough!