He stared into space and stood up after some time feeling slightly sober then changed into his pajamas.
' I have to make her mine.' he thought inside while staring at her contact expressionlessly, and started devising a plan in his head.
********
__ City M __
Clara stepped into her apartment building with Jack following behind her, and a smile bloomed on her face as they ascended the stairs. The one week she had spent in the hospital felt like forever and She heaved a sigh, feeling refreshed and energetic.
" Feeling so excited.?" Jack chuckled behind her and shook his head. He was thankful that her cheerful demeanor was back.
" Uhh uhh, I'm so happy. . . I can finally go back to work.". She turned back and nodded frantically with a smile, displaying her two cute dimples.
" hehehe, that's great, " Jack said as they both entered her apartment.
" Oh, wait." Clara suddenly blocked his way when they were about to enter the living room.
" You've got no male shoes,? hehe, don't worry, I'll walk barefooted," Jack said, and squatted down to remove his shoes.
Clara sighed worriedly seeing that he had misunderstood her and glanced at her messy living room. " Ehm, can you wait outside for a bit. . . please?".
" Huh?." Jack looked up confusingly and his gaze darted to the living room. " Oh, it's no problem, " he said and laughed softly.
Clara heaved a sigh of relief and was about to open the door when Jack walked past her into the living room. " Huh?, wait wait. . .". She quickly followed behind him.
" W..what are you doing.? " she stared at him in astonishment as he started tidying up the room.
" You're still sick, sit down and let me do it, " he replied softly as she tried to take the vacuum cleaner from his hands.
" But Jack__"
" It's alright Clara, sit down and rest, " he said pleadingly and Clara finally gave up with a sigh. Not believing that the great CEO of Ning enterprise was cleaning her apartment.
After Jack was done, he sat down with a satisfied smile and Clara handed him a glass of water.
" Ehm, what would you like to eat, " she nervously asked thinking about the one packet of noodles that was left in her kitchen. She had forgotten to purchase groceries as her mind was only occupied with Carl. She sighed inside and quickly retained herself before her thoughts could wander again.
" I've ordered for food delivery, It will arrive any moment from now, " Jack said and put down the water glass. He felt she was not strong enough to cook in the kitchen yet.
" Mmmm." Clara nodded and smiled gratefully, feeling relieved then took the glass and went inside the kitchen.
After she came back, she saw Jack on his phone, then went inside the bedroom to take a quick bath. She stared at the pajamas in her for a minute and sighed then quickly changed into it, knowing Jack was still waiting in the living room.
" Did you reach her,? " she asked after coming out of the bedroom.
Jack looked up and saw that she had changed into purple cotton-loose pajamas. He gawked at her as the color emphasized her fair and flawless skin then quickly averted his gaze.
" No, her line is still switched off, " he answered with a frown and wondered what was wrong with Mira. As she didn't return to the hospital nor make a call after that day.
Clara sat down with a sigh, finding her friend's behavior weird. They had been trying her number since then but couldn't reach her. She hoped nothing was had happened to her.
They suddenly heard the doorbell ring and broke out of their thoughts. " Lemme get it.". Jack stood up and walked toward the door.
Clara's brows knitted and wondered who might be looking for her at that hour, then her eyes brightened as she saw the twins running toward her with Jack and Lara following behind them.
" Mummy,"
" Mummy,"
Little Lea and Mia both squealed happily at the same time and snuggled to her sides on the couch.
" Careful babies, remember aunty is sick,". Lara cautioned and shook her head with a chuckle. Remembering how the kids were adamant to stay with her when they visited the hospital.
" I miss you too babies, " Clara smiled cheekily and kissed both kids on their cheeks.
Jack smiled and watched with a dreamy expression as both kids rested their heads on Clara's arms and Lara glanced at him then chuckled softly.
" What,? If you want, I'll generously let you go with them, " Lara whispered playfully and giggled at his embarrassed look.
Jack's chuckled awkwardly and he scratched his neck, feeling embarrassed that he was caught. " Oh. . ., is it Clara?." He heard the woman added again and his ears started turning pink.
Lara looked at him and laughed heartily which drew Clara's attention. " What's funny, " she asked confusedly.
Lara shook her head while suppressing another fit of laughter then sat down beside one of the twins. " It's nothing, he__".
" Ehm. . . Clara I need to go, I forgot to take care of some things at the company, " Jack said anxiously and quickly stood up.
" Huh,? okay. . . good night." Clara nodded with a frown.
" Good night uncle, "
" Good night uncle, "
Both twins said and stood up then hugged him. " Good night babies." Jack grinned and hugged them back with a chuckle.
After Jack left, Lara turned to Clara and softly said, " It's good to see you back Clara, please make sure you take very good care of your health from now on, okay?.".
" Mmmm, thanks Lara. . ." Clara smiled softly and nodded.
After conversing for some minutes, Lara stood up and bid her goodnight leaving the twins as they were persistent to stay behind.
The doorbell suddenly rang which Lara opened on her way outside, then Clara saw her coming back with two boxes of pizza in her hand.
" Yay Pizza."
" Yay Pizza."
The twins chorused and Clara laughed and took the boxes from Lara's hands. " thank you, " she said and Lara smiled and bid them goodnight again before leaving the room.