"Grace, how can you say this? Can't you convince the boy? What is the meaning of this? Do you ever want to come to peace with father? An opportunity is presented to you and you're speaking about love."
The couple glanced at each other and sighed inside. Too bad they can't talk about Pearl, as their son had told them to keep it a secret for the time being.
"We know that Vivian had been in love with our son since they were teenagers... But let's face the reality... We're also doing this for her good." The man sighed again while his wife slowly nodded.
Clenching his fists, Vivian's father flared up. "Grace, you're going to regret this... Do you want father to disown you forever? Then so be it. You can't find any family in this city with more status that you can match your children with. How can you speak about love when there's fame and dignity?"
"We're so sorry brother, we're very sorry." The woman sighed heavily and by then, a tear had already streamed down her face. Her heart ached for the poor girl who had waited for her son for twenty tears. However, he had fallen in love with her long-lost cousin. She couldn't imagine how she would feel when faced with this news. This is all twisted.
"Grace, y..you." Vivian's father scoffed and stood up with a jerk. His expression darkened further, seeing that convincing the couple was futile.
Scoffing again, he strode out of the study room then slammed the door with a bang.
"It's alright Grace... Don't cry." The man sighed again after glancing at the door then turned to his wife.
"What do I do Henry... This... This is all twisted, and if the truth comes out__" The woman sobbed and buried her head on his chest as he patted her back.
"It's alright Grace, everything will be fine... Don't worry." He repeated and watched as his wife looked up at him with teary eyes.
"Henry, don't you think we should inform father?" She muttered in a hoarse voice and the man shook his head slowly.
"Let's trust our son Grace... Let's trust him," he replied with another sigh, still patting her back and she slowly nodded then buried her head back on his chest.
She hopes their son would find those men soon.
********
Walking back from the manager's office with a document in hand, Clara sighed contentedly with a grin then sat down on her swivel chair.
The man is really nice. Ever since she returned, she noticed that he would give her a small pile of works and would frequently pass by her cubicle to check on her.
"Clara, what are you thinking about?"
A female voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts and she placed the document on the table then looked up with a soft smile and watched as three girls walked inside her cubicle.
Oh, right. She had also noticed that even the employees are super nicer to her since she returned.
"Chloe, Linda, Ashley," she greeted with a smile and the girls smiled back.
"Uhmm... Clara, can we speak with you for a moment," the girl called Chloe asked sweetly with the smile still on her face while the other two girls nodded.
"Huh?... Okay." Clara nodded with furrowed brows and watched as the girls walked closer.
Linda cleared her throat and softly muttered, "Clara, you know you're the only female employee that is very close to the guys, besides Mira."
"Yes, Clara... Can you do something for us please?" Chloe seconded with a sweet smile and Clara's frown deepened.
"What guys? Who are you girls talking about?" She asked slowly and the girls chuckled awkwardly.
"Derek."
"Harry."
"Ben."
"Huh?" Clara was confused for some seconds then her jaw dropped.
She watched the girls' expressions and quickly understood what they were about to say.
"So... Clara, can you please help us?"
"The guys thinks that we're not serious."
"Yes, they thought we're joking and always turned us down... Please help us, Clara."
Since they don't get to talk or fantasize loudly about the CEO who they had already come to terms with that he was forever out of their reach and could only worship his looks.
They had pieced back their broken hearts together and decided to let them free.
Clara's widened eyes were still fixed on the girls and she sighed exasperatedly. "Girls, I don't think I can__"
"Please Clara..."
"Yeah, help us please."
"We're very serious."
The girls pleaded sweetly and Clara felt like crying. 'Argh!' Why can't they take care of it themselves. Why are they dragging her into this? Does she look like a matchmaker?.
Thinking about matchmaking, her thoughts drifted to someone and she sighed heavily.
"Clara, what is wrong?"
"Why are you suddenly gloomy."
"Don't you want to help us?"
"Huh?" Clara broke out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head. "No, no... Of course, I'll help you, we're colleagues after all," She muttered rapidly with a chuckle then sighed in relief as the girls' expressions brightened.
"Thank you, Clara."
"You're so wonderful."
"Yeah, we're very grateful."
The girls smiled at her gratefully and Clara nodded with a half-smile. How can she possibly do the matchmaking thing? Well... She could just try her best.
"Clara, can we please have your contact?"
She heard one of the girls said as her thoughts wandered again then she nodded absentmindedly and handed them her phone.
After they were done, they happily gave her the phone while thanking her again then skipped out of her cubicle.
Clara sighed inside, still thinking about last night and a small smile appeared on her lips after remembering the dream she had. 'He had really come back' she chuckled and remembered the words he uttered to her before she woke up.
'After I return, there's something I want to ask you.'
She giggled, then placed a hand on her chest. 'When would he return' she wondered, as he had finally come to her dreams after a long time.