Clara replayed the whole conversation with Aiden. She still didn’t know why she had snapped at him. It really wasn't a big deal. He picked her up, went along with her for the taking tasting. Even went as far as tasting all the cake flavors presented to them like a giddy child. It was nice, adorable, and it felt so cute. Clara found it hard to believe he had a sweet tooth. This is Aiden she is talking about.
To be honest, Aiden didn't deserve to experience her whole meltdown. He housed her for a whole week, made sure I felt comfortable, stayed out of her way and was remained very polite. Clara knew she should have apologized, that was the right thing to do. However, she wasn’t sure of how to go about it. She didn’t know what he liked, his hobbies or his favorite things. She really had no idea about anything her husband to be cherished. Clara decided to go about it the mature way. She would apologize to him and ask questions about him. That way, she could get him a gift forIt's been a week since Aiden last heard from Clara, his wife-to-be. After the cake tasting episode, he had made sure to stay out of her way. She left his place without even saying goodbye except for his housekeeper dropping the letter Clara wrote. It was a simple text, where she wrote, ‘Thank you'. He missed her, missed knowing she was in the room next to him. Her scent was everywhere from the sitting room to the kitchen. It was stronger in the room she stayed in. He found himself thinking about her. This morning, he was stuck in a meeting with the board. His presence was for formality sake as it wasn’t a serious meeting. It could have be held without his presence but since he was already there he could not just leave. He was trying to follow up with the conversation but he couldn't stop thinking about Clara. Damn, that woman!His secretary’s name flashed on his phone, he excused himself and picked up the call. He was informed that he had a guest, Clarabel Jones. He ended the call a
Clara had taken two cups of water repeatedly because of how uncomfortable she felt about going over to the Smiths. Her friends might call it paranoia, but she was just unsettled about the whole thing. Firstly, she didn’t mind going out with Mira. After all, Mira was closer to her than the rest. She kept reaching out to her when the wedding announcement was made two weeks ago. The Smiths had checked on her once in a while, but Mira stood out. If the girl had invited her for a one-on-one hangout, she wouldn’t be this tense. Secondly, even though she and Aiden were on okay terms, she wasn’t comfortable with running into him at the house. But what are the chances that Aiden Smith would be in his family house on a Saturday? That man is a busy be. Minus the fact that he had worked out during the will reading, she knew he was still mad about the wedding announcement.She thought about calling Jane, but she wasn’t about to burden her with her issues as Jane had a lot on her plate. Maddison
PROLOGUE Four humans . Two couples. They stood by the edge of the rock, the tides washing up. In their over joyous state, they held different seal stamps and presses it over a thin piece of paper. “Do you think they will acknowledge this sacrilege decision of ours?” The woman with the pepper head asked warily. “They have no choice but to.” Her partner boomed in his intimidating voice. “I agree. The conditions should give them no choices. They must obey.” “I dunno why but I kind of feel like a badass going this. You know, dictating the future and all that.” The smaller lady said in her squeaky voice, almost sounding like a mouse. “We should drink to this. That will make it feel more accomplished.” The quiet man said. “Why don’t you just say you always look forward to drinking? You won’t die.” The first woman chided. “Hmmn.” “How come you haven’t said anything about this?” Tugging on his shirt, the smaller woman asked. “Because I
CHAPTER 1 “I really hate summer.” “Why? You should learn to breathe and enjoy what nature has to offer, Clara.” Clara and her friends were having a sunbath that Sunday afternoon. They had gone for a birthday hang out the day before and decided to stay for a while. “I appreciate nature. I am even a vegan. You are not.” She sipped her orange juice. “Why aren’t you talking, Jane?” Clara asked. “Let’s just say I am tired of hearing you guys argue about what you like or not all day. I don’t want to return to work on Monday. I want this weekend to last forever.” “Trust me, I feel you. Maddison on the other side doesn’t have to work for shit. How nice. No wonder she loves the summer.” “Come on, Clara. It’s not like you work too.” Maddison rolled her eyes. “But I do, I am a proud florist. It’s not much but I make an income.” “I make an income too. By tolerating my parents and their life of drama.” Maddison sighed. “Our parents all have
CHAPTER 2 Clara could feel her arms itch as the sleeves of her dress scraped against it. She wondered the sort of fabrics they used in making these beautiful yet uncomfortable dresses. Can’t clothing industries use soft clothing materials like that of sweatshirts, cotton trousers and the likes? To top it off, the dresses were freaking heavy! She hated going to parties especially parties with her parents. This particular one was an impromptu and not planned, who holds a party on a Monday evening? Oh, she knows. The Smiths. Unfortunately for her, she had gone home to pick up an old vase from her room. “Sweetheart, I didn’t know you would be coming home today. That’s good. You have to go with me to the Smiths. Your father will meet up after work.” “I'm not prepared to party. I just came to pick a vase up. I will be heading back right now.” “Come on. It is important that you come along.” Her mum stopped in front of her and tuck her red hair behind her ears.
CHAPTER 3 Aiden watched Clara as she settled down and put her legs into the pool. If only she knew what would happen in some hours. He could imagine her rage, how hurt and betrayed she would feel. On a normal day, he wouldn’t care about whatever she felt. He had always wondered why she never liked him, he tried everything possible to speak with her at a point. He gave up and started to taunt her. It amazed him that someone in the whole of Los Angeles didn’t like him. When Mr. Jones stood next to him, he nodded his head to acknowledge the man's presence. “Aiden. I hope you are prepared.” “I wouldn’t say I am. This is all new to me. I am definitely not in support of this archaic arrangement.” “Trust me, I am not the happiest person to agree with this. Somethings just have to be done.” The man walked away from him. Aiden had no particular judgment of the Jones. They were hardworking, responsible members of the town. Mr. Smith hangs out with his father
CHAPTER 4 Clara was so exhausted the next thing on her mind was to flop into her bed and get carried away into an island of sleep. But then, her parents thought otherwise. “Clara, dear. I thought your dad informed you that we had a general discussion. Didn’t you tell her, Mark? I think I reminded you at the party.” “Oh. Skipped my mind. What’s up?” She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “Ok.” Her dad sat beside her while her mom sat across her. Clara knew that instant that what she was about to hear was going to blow her mind. She was just sure. Whenever her parents sat in that manner to ‘discuss' with her, it just meant something bad had happened or is about to happen. The last time such happened, it was her kindergarten teacher that had died. She had a great bonding with the woman. When she got back from school, they sat her down and announced Ms. Garter's passing. Clara hoped that wouldn’t be the case tonight. “Who died?” “Died? No o
“What's going on Clara?”“Are you okay?” “What's going on?” That’s a lot of questions. Are we playing twenty questions now, guys?” Clarabel knew she had snapped at her friends.“Sorry.” They both said at the same time.“Relax, Clara. We are really concerned. You should see how you look.” Maddison say as she sipped her chapman. Clara loved the way Jane kept stroking her hair. It was tender and homely. It made her purr.“Clara, love. What's going on? You look like you haven't slept in days. We just met yesterday afternoon so I’m sure you only skipped last night’s sleep. ““I'm getting married.” Clara blurted out. She added no preamble, she just dropped the bomb on both of them.Maddison splurted as she choked on her drink. The looks on their faces were even more shocking than the idea of her getting married. The girl stared at each other before looking back at her. Then, silence enveloped them as they sat in shock.“Is this some sor