“Alice?” Patricia called anxiously, knocking on the door. After several minutes of knocking and coaxing, Alice finally opened the door for her. Patricia walked in, sat down on the bed, and found Alice sitting there, clad in a white bathrobe.
“What happened, Alice? Are you okay? Did Christian do anything to you?” her voice was filled with anxiety. “You should have reached out to me last night.”
“I wanted to, but I was afraid I’d interrupt something. The plan might have worked, and I didn’t want to jeopardize it.”
Oh, yeah. Jeopardize me begging an ugly stranger to sleep with me, she thought, gritting her teeth. “What exactly happened, baby?”
“It was a failure. It didn’t work out.”
“The seduction? How? What happened?”
“What happened is that he’s head over heels for her. He doesn’t see anyone else. He called me names just because I made a move on him. It didn’t have any effect.”
“How is that possible? Did you do what I taught you? Show him your body and you know…”
“I did all that, Mom,” Alice yelled. “I was just making a fool of myself. He didn’t even spare me a glance.”
Patricia could see the pain in her daughter’s eyes and hear it in her voice, and it pierced her heart.
“Is that why you didn’t come home last night?”
“Could there be any other reason?” Alice looked away awkwardly. Patricia bit her lower lip.
“Very well, then. We’ll do this the hard way. We can’t give up. Your father’s company is facing some challenges. If he doesn’t get the investment, we might face bigger consequences. And also, we can’t let her succeed in taking what belongs to you. Leave it to me. I’ll take care of it.”
“What will you do?”
“I told you, I’ll get you inside the house. Then, you’ll have a proper advantage.”
“How will I get into the house when she’s there?” Alice asked, confused.
Patricia smirked. “We take her out then. He’s resisting you because she’s alive.”
Alice smiled, fully understanding her mother’s plan. Clarisse’s existence was a constant thorn in her side, a shadow that blocked her path. But she couldn’t let her die just yet. No, she needed to make Clarisse face the humiliation she had put her through. It was one man who had taken advantage of her, but now, Alice would sit comfortably, legs crossed, watching Clarisse be torn apart by four men who would take turns with her. She would record everything and send it to her husband, who dared to speak highly of Clarisse.
“Not yet, Mum,” she said, facing her mother. Her eyes gleamed with mischief, and her lips curled into a devilish smirk. “I have other plans.”
“What plan?”
“We shouldn’t just give her death. That’s too simple and safe. Let’s give her something worse-an everlasting humiliation that’ll drive her to take her own life with her own hands.”
“And what is that plan?”
“Watch and see, Mum,” she said, picking up her phone to dial Victor’s number.
“Hey, baby,” his voice sounded irritating to her ears, but she forced a smile.
“Hi, sweetie. I’m in urgent need of your help.”
“Anything for you, princess.”
“I need four men. Thugs, street guys, anyone. Just four-brutal and merciless, willing to do anything for money.”
“What… do you need that for?”
“Will you help me or question me?”
“Of course, I will. When do you need them?”
“As soon as possible, even today, if possible.”
As the light of dawn crept through the curtain, Clarisse stirred in her sleep with a soft groan. She wanted to go back to sleep, but the moment was ruined by Clinton and the maids. They spread the curtain wide open, letting more light into the room and blinding Clarisse, who winced as she hid her head under the pillow. She had become a lover of sleep, thanks to the comfortable room, the large, soft bed, and the pillows that accompanied her. She wasn’t used to sleeping well and was savoring the moment she had missed for years.
“Why now?” she mumbled under the pillow, desperately wanting to continue her sleep.
“Good morning, ma’am. It’s almost midday, and I want to remind you that you have a date today.”
“Ugh! How could I forget?” she said under the pillow. She had thought about it until she fell asleep. Men like Christian were the dinner-date types, so she wasn’t in a hurry. “Isn’t that tonight? I still have more time,” she said in a pleading tone.
“I’m sorry, but it’s a daytime date, and you’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”
“What?!” she sprang up, her eyes wide open. “Now? Who goes on a date early in the morning?”
“I’m sorry, but…” Clinton said with a smile, “It’s already past 11.”
“Past 11? Already? Did I sleep that long?”
“I’m afraid you did. I heard you stayed up late last night, which means you didn’t sleep early and that’s why you’re waking up late.”
Clarisse hid her face in embarrassment. “Okay, I’ll get ready.”
“We’ll have the maid help you get ready.”
“No, thanks, that won’t be necessary. I’ll do it myself,” she said, feeling uncomfortable with the maids dressing her every time.
“Very well, ma’am. If you need anything, please kindly call on me,” he said, bowing before leaving with the maids.
Why are we going now? I don’t even know what kind of date we’re going to, she thought as she got out of bed to take her bath and get dressed.
Clinton watched Christian as he kept checking his looks and outfit in the mirror. He looked incredibly attractive in black pants, a white hoodie with a black jacket, and white sneakers. He put on his shades and smirked, nodding his head in admiration as he stared into the mirror.
Clinton was surprised to see Christian dressed in a casual yet classy outfit. He looked even more handsome in it, like an actor who had bewitched the industry with his appealing features and elegantly proportioned looks. Deep down, he wished he were his biological father, smiling at the thought of how much he would showcase and brag about him.
Clinton cleared his throat, stopping his admiration, and shot him a questioning glare, which Christian didn’t miss.
“What kind of date did she say she likes to make you dress this casually? I’ve never seen you dress like this unless you’re not leaving the house.”
“It’s required,” Christian replied, putting on his wristwatch.
“How can the person who told you her kind of date not know what date you’re going on? She woke up late.”
“She probably forgot.”
“Huh?”
“How do I look?” he asked, turning to Clinton, who eyed him from head to toe.
“Are you going on a movie date?”
“You ask too many questions, old man,” he said, looking away and smoothing his hair once more as he glanced into the mirror. He smiled inwardly, the thought of giving her what she wanted filling him with a sense of fulfillment.
Meanwhile, Clarisse pulled up the tight jeans to her waist and zipped them up, then put on a fun crop top and white sneakers. She looked at herself in the mirror, contemplating. She looked casual but beautiful, making the outfit appear more elegant. But she decided to add a little bling by putting on minimalist stud earrings and a bracelet.
“This should be okay. It isn’t some kind of elaborate dinner date, right? Let’s just go and come back,” she said to herself in the mirror as she tied her hair into a ponytail.
Just then, she heard a knock.
“Come in,” she permitted, and Clinton strode in.
“Are you ready, ma’am?” he asked with a beaming smile, seeing her outfit and noticing the similarities. It confirmed that she must have truly told Christian the type of date to go on.
“Yes… How do I look?”
“Stunning, ma’am,” he replied genuinely, but Clarisse nodded awkwardly. It felt weird to her.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.