The twins called out cheerfully while running toward her, each trying to be faster than the other.
"Babies..." Clara instantly bent down with a smile and wrapped her arms around both kids, however, her confused gaze was fixed on the guy who was standing against his car and staring back at her calmly.
"Mummy, Daddy is here... See?" Mia tugged at her arm and Clara snapped out of her reverie then slowly stood up with them in both arms and watched as the guy started walking toward her.
"Clara." Carl stopped in front of the girl who was looking down and little Lea extended her arms toward him and he carefully took her.
"You're back"? He greeted softly and Clara slowly nodded while biting her lips then she started walking toward her apartment and he followed behind her in unhurried footsteps.
Carl's soft gaze was fixed on her back as she stopped in front of the door after they reached the apartment while she unlocked it and they silently walked inside.
He carefully dropped the kid he was holding then changed his shoes after watching her also changed her shoe.
The apartment was silent except for the chattering of the twins who had already ambled inside the living room.
Clara slowly glanced up at the guy and noticed the small smile on his face. She sighed inside then also gave him a small smile and they both walked inside the living room.
She went directly to the kitchen then came out shortly after while holding a glass of juice on a small tray.
" Thank you," Carl muttered softly with the smile still on his face and watched as she slowly nodded.
After giving him the juice, Clara cleared her throat and said, "Excuse me." Then walked toward her bedroom while his gaze followed her back again. Then he chuckled softly.
It seems like she's not mad anymore. After drinking the juice, he dropped the glass back on the tray which was on the table, then turned his attention toward the twins.
_____
Walking inside her bedroom, Clara placed her back on the door with a hand splayed on her chest as she tried to control her erratic beating heart.
She gazed up at the ceiling for a long time and sighed for the umpteenth time, then changed out of her clothes and went inside the bathroom.
After coming out, she took her time to change into her pajamas and carefully dried her hair while staring into the mirror in a daze as many thoughts ran through her head.
She could hear the sound of the doorbell ring from the living room after some minutes, and she hurriedly turned off the hairdryer and dropped it down, before using a rubber band to tie her hair into a ponytail.
Rushing out to the living room, her gaze landed on the guy who was coming back from the door and her eyes darted around the empty living room. "Where are the babies,?" she asked with a small frown and Carl chuckled.
"Their mother had just come to collect them," he explain softly and Clara slowly nodded with an "Oh" sound.
She walked toward the table where the now empty glass of juice was then picked the tray up and started walking in the kitchen's direction and Carl also followed behind her, after removing his suit Jacket.
Clara started washing the glass after going inside the kitchen and she glanced sideways at the guy who had started arranging the ingredients and she could also notice slight fatigue in his eyes.
"Big brother... Don't bother... I'll cook," She said softly and watched as the guy slowly shook his head with a smile.
"No, I'll do it," Carl replied calmly then smiled at her and turned his attention back to the vegetables.
He paused for some seconds as the girl had suddenly taken the vegetables and started washing them, then a small smile appeared on his lips and he picked up the other ingredients.
"Clara, about that night..." He turned to her after some time as she carefully cut the vegetables.
Clara paused and also turned to him. "It's alright... I understand that it's not your fault," she muttered with a small smile and slowly turned back to the vegetables.
"Mm." Carl beamed with another chuckle and also turned back to what he was doing.
They both cooked silently with Clara, handing him some ingredients now and then While Carl did most of the work, all along, they would glance at each other with the smiles still on their faces.
After they were done cooking, they ate the food silently on the dining table then some minutes later, Clara cleared her throat and dropped down her spoon. "Ehmm... Big brother, about the comics..." She trailed off as she watched the guy also dropped his spoon and focused his attention on her.
"Thank you," she muttered softly with a smile, then turned back to her food.
"Mm." Carl nodded and said, "Don't mention it... Anything for you."
Clara slowly shook her head with a soft giggle then heard him continued.
"Are you sure you don't want to work there anymore?" He asked carefully while watching her calm expression as the manager had informed him that she had suddenly quit.
"Yeah." Clara nodded affirmatively and chuckled again. "Besides, I'm earning a lot from the comics," She added with a smile while giving him a knowing look. She couldn't believe how dumb she was, not to have noticed it earlier. Because there is literally no company that would offer her such a huge amount that even surpassed her salary for a simple comic. It had to be this guy's doing.
Watching her expression, Carl also chuckled and carefully spoon a portion of the food then extended it toward her.
Clara who was still lost in her thoughts subconsciously opened her mouth then started chewing it slowly with a small smile. and after swallowing the food, she instantly came back to her senses and gasped softly.