“Clare, hold your horses. The media is irresponsibly using a clickbait title to attract readers.”
Clarissa replied plainly, “Putting that aside, did you really meet someone in secret?”
Matthew rubbed his forehead. “Clare, don’t use such language.”
“Then what should I use?”
“Anything but that. When I attended the dinner, Donnie and a few other colleagues were there too. Besides, we were there to discuss work.”
“Fine. I won’t inquire as to why you would need to go a hotel for that. But tell me, who is that girl? She looks awfully familiar.”
Staring at Clarissa, Matthew lifted her hands to kiss them.
“Clare, she is the company’s new spokesperson and also a new signing from the entertainment division. Her father has business ties with us too. He was also at the dinner that evening. His intention was for us to give his daughter special treatment. Given that he is a close associate of mine, I couldn’t turn him down. Clare, you have to believe me.”
When Matthew finished, Clarissa gave him a serious look before snorting in laughter.
The moment she smiled, Matthew heaved a sigh of relief.
“Hahaha… What are you being so nervous about? I have never seen you so worried before. Why would I not trust you?”
“You naughty gal…”
Matthew pinched her on her cheeks. Given that she was pregnant and had been living the good life, Clarissa had put on some weight. Hence, he found the sensation his fingers felt to be satisfying.
“Given that you’re pregnant, I’m just worried that it will upset you.”
Clarissa snorted. “All you care about is the child.”
“I’m concerned about it but even more worried about you. So, don’t misconstrue my intentions…”
Clarissa laughed as she reached out her arms for Matthew to hug her.
“Alright now, I’m just kidding. It’s been extremely boring staying at home all the time. Hence, I needed some entertainment.”
Matthew looked at her affectionately. “Have you had your fill of fun? Can we go eat now? Childish gal?”
“Haha, so what if I’m childish?”
“Nothing. You’re adorable behaving that way.”
Just as Clarissa beamed, Matthew swept her off her feet and carried her to the dining room.
In his arms, Clarissa lifted her gaze at him. “I’ve put on a lot of weight. Aren’t I heavy now?”
“Not at all. You’re light as a feather.”
Matthew naturally knew what to answer when faced with such a question.
Hence, Clarissa pecked him on his cheeks to show her satisfaction. She replied with a smile, “Hubby, that’s the perfect answer!”
Matthew grinned in response. Before they knew it, they had arrived in the dining room and Matthew put her down. He even tousled her hair instead.
“Are you testing me every day?”
Clarissa smiled smugly. “No, I’m not. I’m just fooling around. So, don’t take it seriously.”
With that, Matthew took his seat as both of them ate together. During dinner, he asked her about her day even though they had video called each other during the course of the day. Nevertheless, he didn’t mind hearing it again as he enjoyed listening to her.
After dinner, their routine was to go for a walk for half an hour together. Although the weather was warmer now, the temperature in the evenings was pleasant. Holding each other’s hands, they chatted as they strolled within Zen Highlands’ beautiful landscape.
“Haha… you are of no help to Henry at all!”
“I’m not! At the very least, I managed to say something while Henry didn’t even dare open his mouth. In the end, am I not the one to pick up after him? Moreover, when I asked about having children, Ms. Zaha replied that she would let fate decide. It obviously meant that she was open to the idea. Therefore, Henry should work harder on that. Wouldn’t the problem be solved then?”
Matthew raised his eyebrows when Clarissa finished. “Clare, you’re brilliant! I must inform Henry later. If it works, he will be eternally grateful to you.”
Clarissa was delighted by Matthew’s compliments.
When she raised her chin, Matthew couldn’t resist but stroke it.
She pouted in annoyance. “Do you take me for a pet? Or do I have a double chin?”
Lowering her head on purpose, she tried to stroke her own chin to check. Amused by her adorable gesture, Matthew couldn’t help but laugh.
Clarissa furrowed her eyebrows in response. “What are you laughing at?”
“Hmm, you’re irresistibly cute.”
Unable to resist, he lowered his head to kiss her on her lips. And that was how the half-an-hour walk ended taking longer than it was supposed to.
In truth, this was a common occurrence. Their walks always ended in tender loving moments.
Inside the living room, Catherine looked out from the window, smiling. The sight of them simply warmed her heart.
After having gone through so much, Catherine felt remorseful over her decision to take a harsh stand against Matthew in the early days.
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