Chapter 2. The Stranger

After Clara returned from work, she found out that her best friend hadn’t returned.

She had been living together with her Maya in this small apartment ever since they graduated from college and came to the city. They grew up together in the same province and attended the same schools from kindergarten to college. They were like real sisters and some people always thought that they were twins because of their similar physiques even though they didn’t look alike.

Maya had informed her yesterday that she was going on a date with her boyfriend. She picked up her phone and decided to give her a call.

Ring-ring-ring…

The phone rang many times but there was no answer. Then she decided to send her a voicemail and just as she was about to hang up, the door opened and Maya entered with a sad expression. She dropped her bag on the floor and slouched down on the couch.

Clara frowned and wondered why she was gloomy. She sat down, placed her hand on her shoulder, and asked in a worried tone.

“Maya what is wrong…?? Why are you looking like this, did something happen between you and Ken?”

Maya sighed and looked up with tears streaming down her face. She sniffed and turned to Clara with bloodshot eyes and said, “Sorry to make you worry, Clara.” she paused and wiped her tears then continued in a barely audible voice.

“It’s not about Ken. He and I are doing fine…” She hesitated and went on. “Remember I told you that our company had opened a branch in City X.”

“Yes. Is something wrong?” Clara frowned and said while handing her a handkerchief. She had a bad feeling about what her friend was going to say next.

“I’m one of the employees that will be transferred there.” Maya held Clara’s hands and continued.

“I don’t want to leave you alone here but I don’t have a choice… I spoke with the manager and he said there’s nothing he could do.”

She remembered how she begged the old man but he didn’t even glance at her and told her that it was either she transferred or quit the job.

After hearing what her friend said Clara sighed and hugged her. “It’s okay, don’t cry. I’ll be fine,” she said and looked up and smiled at her, masking her sadness.

“Isn’t it your dream to set up your own fashion company in the future? Besides this is a big opportunity for you…”

she paused as if she remembered something and asked hurriedly.

“Have you told Ken already? Isn’t his grandparents also living in City X?”

“Yes. He told me that he’ll also move to City X next month to manage his grandfather’s company.”

“That’s great. See? you won’t be alone and Ken loves you so much I know he will take good care of you.” Clara clapped her hands and said happily.

‘How I wish I could find someone like Ken,’ she thought dreamily.

Maya chuckled and pouted her lips. “I thought you were going to say you will miss me and beg me not to go. And here I am crying over you… Hmph.”

“Of course, I’ll miss you, Baby. Don’t worry, whenever you’re sad, think of me and I’ll appear like a fairy godmother.” Clara stood up and walked in front of her dramatically imitating a fairy. They both laughed and hugged each other.

Maya told her that she would be leaving the next morning as the company had already made every arrangement for them.

***

Cha Mansion.

Carl was sitting on a sofa in the large study room, which looked more like a library, facing his father who summoned him a while ago.

His father Henry Cha a middle age man who shared many similarities with his son is one of the richest men in the country, owning thirty percent of the companies in Country Z. He was a ruthless businessman who only believed in perfection.

He looked at his son who was facing him with a frown and said, “Mr. Lu’s daughter will come back from abroad next week. I have set up a date for you two to meet.” he paused and sighed. “Don’t disappoint me this time. She’s a very good girl from a reputable family and if you marry her it will be beneficial for both our families.”

Carl’s eyes narrowed at his father’s words. He already saw this coming. He stood up to leave, and in a nonchalant tone, he replied, “Not interested.”

“You…” his father was enraged.

“Why won’t you go? You’re not getting any younger. When I was your age I already had your brother.”

He also stood up, pointing his finger at Carl. “Can’t you learn from your brother? He already has a fiancé and here you are without even a girlfriend.” He patted his chest and sat back down.

When he heard his father mention his brother, Carl chuckled and left the study room without giving the man another glance.

When Carl came out of his father’s study room, he saw his step-sister running towards him.

She held his arm and pouted. “Big bro, take me with you, please, please, please. I can’t live here anymore. Father has been setting me up on blind dates since I came back and I don’t like any of them. Huhuhuhu… I don’t want to live here anymore I’m too young to marry pls take me with you,” she said hysterically while making a pleading gesture.

Carl sighed and patted her hair. Seemed like his father was so desperate to have grandchildren that even his eighteen-year-old sister would not be spared.

If there was one thing he hated in this world, it was to see his cute little sister sad. He was about to open his mouth and talk when someone suddenly barged into the living room.

“Hahaha. With you acting like this who would want to marry you,” Zach said and ruffled her hair.

“Don’t mess my hair.” Shaking off his hand and rearranging her hair, Lucy turned to her big brother and sadly said, “See? Everyone is bullying me in this house. Just because he puts a ring on some girl’s finger, he’s proud that he has a fiancée. Who doesn’t know that he’s a Casanova? I’m sure half the girls in the entertainment industry are wearing the same ring.”

“You. Come here,” said Zach and he tried to catch her. Then he saw the cold look his brother was giving him. “This is not fair, Big Bro,” he whined while glaring at his little sister.

Lucy hid behind her big brother and made a funny face and mouthed “Serves you right” at him before running to her bedroom after saying “Big bro, find me somewhere to live or I’ll pack to your apartment tomorrow.”

“What brings you here, Big bro, did father set up another blind date again?” Zach asked while trying to suppress his laughter.

Without looking at him Carl walked out of the mansion.

“Wait for me.” Zach ran after him and rushed inside his car just as he was about to take off.

Without looking at his brother, Carl drove out of the mansion.

***

After sending off her best friend, Clara stood in front of the airport facing the busy street and stopped a taxi.

Just as she was about to enter she noticed that she had lost her bag. She apologized to the taxi man and decided to walk to her apartment which was a thirty minutes’ walk from the airport.

“I guess today is not my lucky day.” She let out a sigh while strolling down the street and thinking about how her life was going to be now that she was alone in this city without her best friend.

Clara was lost in her thoughts when rain suddenly started pouring.

“Oh no, what do I do.” she looked around and saw a coffee shop nearby she quickly covered her head and ran to the shop’s entrance to find shelter from the rain.

After standing there for some time with no sign of the rain stopping, she started to feel cold. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt today which barely concealed her from the cold and with her clothes drenched it only got worse.

Inside the coffee shop, a guy was sitting on a stool sipping his coffee while facing the entrance. Then he saw a girl through the transparent glass doors running towards the coffee shop and stopped at the entrance.

He observed her for a while and when he saw her shivering, he stood up impulsively and walked out of the coffee shop.

“Miss, are you alright?” he approached her and asked.

Clara looked up and saw a strange guy standing in front of her. He was tall and handsome and wore a grey suit which added more to his charisma.

“Yes,” she answered and stared at him with her round eyes that were milky white which made her small round face look more adorable.

When he saw her from afar he didn’t know that she was so beautiful until now seeing her up close. He removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around her, smiling warmly. “You’re shivering. Where do you live? Let me drop you off.”

Clara felt uncomfortable. He was a stranger after all. However, she decided to follow him after contemplating for a while, instead of staying in the cold.

Clara followed him to his car and he drove her to her apartment. All the way there, she was feeling uneasy and none of them spoke a word to each other.

After reaching her apartment building, she got out of the car and turned around to thank him “I’m so grateful, thank you so much.”

“No problem,” he answered her with a smile and added, “Don’t go out like this next time. The weather is unpredictable these days.” he paused and fished out a business card from his suit jacket. “Here is my business card. It was nice meeting you,” he said and then drove off.