" I don't need to waste my time here. Here, you're also invited... As the CEO's assistant which you would only be." She retrieved a card from her purse then tossed it in front of her.
Clara's eyes widened and she felt her whole body stilled as all the phone call's conversations slowly registered in her head. The woman she had just called now was Carl's mother right?
Her eyes darted to the suite door which was suddenly opened and watched with shock as his sister walked out of it with a glass of water in her hands.
" Huh?" Lucy glanced up with a gasp and her eyes darted between Vivian and Clara.' Oh no.' She slowly looked down and sighed inside as her thoughts drifted to the things that happened this morning when her uncle suddenly called and asked to proceed with the wedding's preparation.
Vivian took the glass from the girl's hands and slowly sipped the water then placed the cup on the table. " I'm in a hurry... The bride can't be late. Oh, I'm the bride, right? Hehe..., And make sure you clean this! " she said nonchalantly while pointing to the glass then grabbed Lucy's hand and sauntered out of the office.
Clara stood motionless in the same spot for a while then slowly bent down and picked the card with trembling hands.
Her heart thumped rapidly as she carefully opened the envelope and in the next second, her vision became blurry as tears gathered in her eyes after seeing the contents.
She bit her lips with a sniff then slumped down on the couch. ' w..what is the meaning of this... Carl is getting m..married?' And that lady that claimed to be his fiancee, it was true?'
'No, this is all lies__ But the employees__ ' she shook her head and looked down at the card again after wiping her tears.
She was still in her thoughts when her phone started ringing and she quickly retrieved it from the bag.
" C..Carl?" She muttered expectantly but heard another voice from the other end.
" Clara! What is the meaning of this? Why is your boyfriend suddenly getting married?"
" Maya?" She muttered in astonishment then quickly glanced at the contact name. But how did she know?
Her grip tightened on the bag and she sobbed silently. " M..Maya, how did you__"
" It's all over the news Clara, shit, are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?" Maya's agitated voice cut her off from the other end.
'News!?' Clara gasped and stood up with a jerk. Was that how the employees knew? She heard shuffling from the other end then came Ken's voice.
" Clara, I'm sure there's some kind of misunderstanding... you have to calm down."
" What calm down Ken! Shit, I can't believe this."
She heard Maya's voice again and bit her lips.
" It's alright Maya, you have to calm down... I.. I can handle it, " she said softly and sniffed back her tears.
" Clara?" Maya's voice softened and she sighed. " Take it easy dear..."
" Okay, " Clara whispered then ended the call.
She sat down again then dialed Carl's number which rang for a long time before going to voicemail.
' Why isn't he picking?' She sniffed again and dialed it several times then finally gave up and slowly stood up after picking her bag.
********
__ Cha Mansion __
The huge mansion was bustling with giggles and laughter as the servants carried different items around, from decorations to chairs and tables.
Zach paced in front of the huge door and would glance toward the gate now and then, while Mira silently stood in a corner while watching him with a sigh.
They were both summoned to the mansion this morning to be suddenly met with this shocking sight.
She sighed again and slowly walked forward then held his arm." Zach, have you called Big Brother, " she said softly and he turned to her then nodded.
" Yeah, he's on his way," he replied with a sigh while his eyes darted to the gate again.
" Okay..., let's go inside. " Mira pulled him slightly and he shook his head.
" I'll wait here for him... You should go inside. Okay?" he turned to her and Mira slowly nodded then left his arm and walked inside with a sigh.
Zach sighed again and snatched a plastic chair from one of the servants who scurried away, then sat down.
Some minutes later, he spotted his brother's car speeding inside the mansion and sighed in relief then quickly stood up and hurried toward him.
" Big bro, what is all this about? Did father inform you? How did it get all over the news? "
Carl stopped in his footsteps and his fists clenched. " The News? " he turned to his brother who quickly nodded.
" Yes, and even invitation cards were made. How can they do all this in one night?" Zach added with knitted brows.
Carl's expression darkened further and a cold glint flashed through his eyes. It was not their father. " It is step-uncle." He chuckled then strode past his flabbergasted brother.
" Damn it!." So It all makes sense now. So it was their step uncle's doing. He shivered at the thought of the cunning man and rushed behind his brother.
_____
Carl strode inside the living room and headed toward the study room where he knew his father would surely be.
He slammed the door open and was instantly met with three gazes; his father, Vivian's father, and grandfather who was his stepmother's father.
" Don't just stand there, come inside, " his father commanded sternly but couldn't hide the hint of happiness in his eyes.
Carl's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists hard and he glanced at the older man whose gaze was fixed on him then walked toward the couch and sat down beside his father.
" Grandfather." He greeted the old man who replied with a nod then gave his step-uncle a fleeting glance without a word while the middle-aged man scoffed back.
" Father, what is the meaning of this?" He turned to the man beside him and said in a low tone filled with anger.