"Huh? you're not mad." Her eyes brightened and she sighed in relief. She thought he was going to scold her.
" Mm." Carl chuckled and paused then continued some seconds later. " You and Jack. . ., what is your relationship?"
" Huh? Jack?" Clara frowned and wondered why he had suddenly asked that question. " We're friends, " she replied softly while her thoughts drifted back to Jack as she remembered she had left him waiting for her outside the restaurant.
Carl's expression softened and he sighed inside. Maybe he still had a chance. he even let out a chuckle and stood up then grabbed his car keys. " Mm. Let's go."
She tilted her head while finding his actions weird. ' what is wrong with him?' she wondered and quickly followed behind him.
The ride back to her apartment was peaceful as Clara was wondering about his sudden change in attitude and would glance at him now and then. She peeked at him again and noticed that the small smile which had been on his face was still there.
Her eyes darted forward and she also beamed. ' he looks more handsome when he smiles. Awwn so cute.' she bit her lip to stop herself from chuckling.' Argh, control yourself, Clara.' She chided but couldn't wipe off the smile on her face. Her heart swelled with happiness as Mira's case was finally resolved and Carl had not scolded her for breaking the rules. ' I can't wait to see Maya's text... hehe'
Carl glanced sideways and watched the cute dimple that had appeared on her cheek which he yearned so much to poke. He sighed in relief and watched ahead while driving slowly to savor that moment which felt just like the time in the amusement park.
They soon arrived at her apartment building and she slowly descended the car. " Wait." Carl stopped her and also got out of the car.
" Take." He handed her a small bag before going back inside, then drove off.
Clara watched with a frown until the car was out of her sight then looked down at the small bag. She opened it and saw a tablet of medicines inside and chuckled. ' He's actually considerate.'
She went inside the apartment building and headed toward Lara's apartment, remembering that her keys were inside the bag.
" Clara? Oh, thank God. Where were you? Jack looked for you the whole night. . ." Lara quickly took her inside while looking at the clothes she was wearing.
" Clara? whose clothes are you wearing. . . wait did you run into a guy last night?... C.l.a.r.a.?..." Lara asked teasingly and watched the blush that had appeared on the girl's face.
Clara shifted on the couch and looked away from the taunting woman awkwardly " I.. I don't remember. . . I just found myself in my boss's__"
" What!? Your boss? Wow. . . tell me, tell me everything that happened." Lara's expression brightened and she cheerfully sat beside her on the couch.
" Argh, it's not what you're thinking. . . I don't remember? She stood up quickly and Lara held her back.
" You really don't remember?." Lara checked her body anxiously with a frown and Clara chuckled.
" Nothing happened, don't worry." She nodded and was grateful that the twins had gone to school as they would have seen how awkward she looked just now.
" That's a relief, never drink too much again. . . I need to inform Jack that you're safe." She quickly stood up and went inside to retrieve her phone.
" Okay." she nodded with a smile and wondered when the twins would return from school.
After a while, she changed into more comfortable clothes which Lara gave her and Jack soon arrived.
He sighed in relief and quickly hugged her which startled both ladies. " Clara. . ." he gazed at her helplessly and sighed again." You really scared me."
" Sorry." Clara held both ears and gazed at him apologetically and Jack chuckled and handed her the bag.
" Don't worry nothing had happened to her. . . hehehe" Lara smiled at him teasingly and he quickly glanced sideways.
Clara searched through the card and gave him the credit card feeling relieved that she hadn't spent his money and he took it with a small laugh. How can she forget everything after getting drunk?
after staying for a while, he bid them goodbye and left as he had a meeting to attend. But was still wondering who the boss that saw her was. ' Hmmm.' He shrugged as the important thing is that she was safe.
********
__ The Next Day __
Clara stared at the message she got from Maya for the umpteenth time and sighed exasperatedly. How can she be able to do those things and would they even work?
' Argh, this is crazy.' She sighed and scrolled through it again. What is with; ' be bold, don't act shy, dress smartly, try to flirt with him, look him in the eyes, don't let him know that you're desperate. . .' and so many other ridiculous things.
' Argh. . . this is killing me. Is she crazy? how can I flirt with him? Am I seeking for death?' She stared in the mirror and groaned exasperatedly. But Maya is an expert in swooning men off their feet. What if she's right. ' Yes, I need to be brave.'
She carefully rearranged her hair and applied make-up then twirled in front of the mirror. ' I hope this would work.' She took a deep breath and stared at her wristwatch then left her apartment.
When she reached the office, everyone's gaze followed her as they gossiped behind her.
" Wow, isn't that the company's beauty?"
" She looked different; I mean her appearance."
" And she's also glowing, did she apply extra makeup?"
" I didn't know her beauty can reach another level."
" And her hairstyle, Wow."
Clara chuckled as she walked past them and entered the elevator. When she reached the CEO's office area, it was the same thing with the secretaries as they watched her with contempt.
" Are you sure nothing is going on between her and the CEO?"
" Hmmm, I hope not. "
" I'm also confused, It's been long now since she became the CEO's assistant"