“What else could I be?” Clarissa asked. She giggled softly and reached up to caress his face before continuing in a subdued voice, “I’m your wife, alright?”
Matthew chuckled contently at Clarissa’s compliance. He gave her a quick peck and approved, “Good.”
Although he wanted to deepen the kiss, he held himself back because this wasn’t the right place and time for that.
So instead, he pinched her cheek and said, “I came here to tell you that I’ll be gone for a one-week business trip. I’m leaving right after this. Don’t forget to miss me, alright?”
In an instant, Clarissa pouted dejectedly. It was clear from her soured expression that she didn’t want him to leave. However, all she could do was nod reluctantly.
“Alright. Remember to take care of yourself! Don’t pull all-nighters, and don’t forget to eat your meals…”
Clarissa rambled on in an anxiously fast voice. It wasn’t long before Matthew’s phone rang, signaling that it was time for him to go.
After walking Matthew to his car, Clarissa dragged her dispirited self back to the studio. A gloomy expression shrouded her face as she was still hung up on Matthew’s sudden parting. Despite this, Mandy and the studio’s two newly-signed authors boldly approached her. It just so happened that the two authors were present in the studio today. Hence, they witnessed and became insiders, like the other employees, to this ground-breaking secret—Clarissa really was romantically involved with the President of Tyson Corporation.
“Clarissa, could you get me Mr. Tyson’s autograph when he gets back?” The female author, who goes by the name of Hilda, drooled whilst asking.
The male author reacted much calmer. This pudgy middle-aged man went by the penname of Oz and specialized in the mystery and crime genre. His works had also become quite a hit in recent years.
In contrast with the lovestruck Hilda, he was composed and only gave a mental acknowledgment—Mr. Tyson is certainly a top-tier man.
Some of the employees had overheard Hilda’s question and chimed in, “Why do you need his autograph? You’re only awestruck because it’s your first time seeing Mr. Tyson. Besides, Hilda, you should be more rational. Mr. Tyson is Clarissa’s man. He’s basically family at this point, so stop with your dramatics.”
Hilda couldn’t fathom why the other employees were so unfazed. However, she felt that their words made sense. I’ll probably be like them once I get used to seeing Mr. Tyson in the studio.
“Clarissa! Must you and Mr. Tyson always put on such a passionate display in front of us single people? It’s simply too much to witness…”
“Yeah! You’ve got to put a leash on your man. Restrain him from being so touchy-feely the next time he visits…”
The studio’s employees hopped into the conversation and teased her. Being surrounded by their bubbly personalities, Clarissa found herself cracking a few jokes and giggling along. She no longer felt miserable about parting with Matthew.
It’s only a business trip, after all.
When Matthew was out of town, Clarissa felt bored and had no idea how to pass the time. She eventually decided to take Damian on a dinner date with Ellie and Damon. It’ll be a catch-up session since I didn’t see Damon at the last gathering. Plus, I can finally introduce my little boy, Damian, to him.
“This is your son, Damian? He’s got your pretty looks!” Damon chuckled as he scanned every inch of the boy’s face.
At the same time, Damian was also inquisitively checking Damon out.
Then Damian suddenly retorted, “You’re supposed to say I’m handsome, not pretty.”
Damon threw his head back and guffawed at Damian’s correction. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you? Alright, my bad. I think you’re a very handsome boy.”
“Thank you. You’re handsome too, mister!”
“Pffft!” Damian’s nose scrunched as laughter burst from his chest. “I see you’re quite the sweet talker too. How are you so good with words at such a young age?”
Damon was head over heels for Damian’s puffy cheeks, as well as his quick-witted responses. It was these parts of Damian that made him so loved by everyone who laid eyes on him.
During the dinner date, the three adults mainly babbled about Damian. It was like they could never get bored of the charming little boy. Even watching him slurp on his soup was enough to warm their hearts with joy.
“Since you guys are basically obsessed with my little Damian here, why don’t you each settle down and make one of your own? I’ve realized that life becomes complete once you have a child.”
For a moment, Ellie seemed like she was pondering something. It was uncertain if she was considering having a child or if she thought about something else.
Regardless, Damon shook his head offered a thin-lipped smile. “There’s no rush for that. It would be wrong of me to settle with a random woman simply because I want a kid. That’s too irresponsible to both the woman and my child. Besides, I’m too busy these days. Maybe I’ll think about it when my hectic life calms down a little.”
“Busy? You’re just making excuses.”
Damian overheard and decided to join in, “Yeah, excuses!”
Upon hearing his squeaky voice, the adults at the table burst into hysterical laughter.
Beguiled by the little fluffball of a boy, Damon warmed up to the idea of having a kid.
The rest of their meal went by slowly. Sometime later, Clarissa carried Damian and chatted with Ellie. The women walked behind Damon as he led the group out of the restaurant.
Just as Damon stepped foot outside, two couples approached him from both sides. Damon frowned after realizing that one of the couples was his uncle and aunt—Jacque and Sandra.
Damon wasn’t planning on introducing Jacque and Sandra to his friends. He knew that it would only make things awkward, especially given the circumstances between Clarissa and the other couple.
Jacque and Sandra gaped at how Damon averted them. However, they quickly understood why when they noticed the little boy in Clarissa’s arms.
Is that the rumored son of Matthew Tyson?
Well, I’ll be! Looks like the rumors are true.
“We meet again, Ms. Quigley,” Sandra greeted.
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