“You’re not the type to compliment me, so what’s going on?”
“C’mon… there’s nothing wrong with complimenting my friend. And you look great, especially when you pair it with your sister.”
“It was a coincidence,” Alice said, looking away.
“You don’t like it? Is that why you’re pissed-because hers looks better?”
“She’s just trying to gain attention. She’s an attention seeker.”
“And she got it, didn’t she?”
Alice turned to Thalia, glaring at her. “What do you want?”
“C’mon…” Thalia chuckled. “I overheard your conversation with Victor.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
“No, of course not. I was just passing by,” she said with a shrug. “And I happened to hear your accusation against your sister-the one you slept with her husband in their home.”
“She’s not my sister.”
“Oh, is that what gave you the right to ruin her marriage?”
“And what’s your business with that?”
“You know, I care so much about you, and I see that others aren’t being honest with you. You’re playing with fire, Alice.”
“Whose fire?”
“Stop what you’re trying to do. You ruined her first marriage, don’t-“
“Ahhh!” Alice shouted, fuming in anger. Her words were getting on her nerves. “Can you just learn to mind your own business? I didn’t ruin any marriage. I was just trying to avoid it, and now I’m ready for it. It was always mine, and I’m going to take it.”
“Even if the fire burns you?”
“How can fire burn fire?” she said with determination. Her eyes widened with utmost desire and greed. “If I can’t have him, then no one will.”
Clarisse watched as Christian headed toward his room after arriving from the party. She contemplated whether to tell him what was on her mind, but when he noticed she wasn’t heading to her room, he stopped in his tracks. He turned back to her and saw her looking at him.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Y…yes,” she hesitated. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“For what I did to the dress,” she said, heaving a sigh, expecting some harsh words as she braced herself.
“There’s no reason to be sorry for making it more beautiful,” he said, and walked inside his room, leaving Clarisse feeling disappointed.
She walked briskly to his room.
“Why? Why aren’t you angry? I ruined the dress, and I’m sure it cost a fortune…”
“Yes, it does,” he cut her short, walking toward her.
Wondering what he was up to, her curiosity started to settle in when he flicked her forehead.
“Ouch!” she winced, looking up at him, taken aback. “Silly girl,” he said softly, walking away as he took off his suit. “I said you beautified it, not ruined it.”
“Why are you so nice?” she asked.
He wasn’t expecting the question, but he wasn’t surprised either. “Do I need a reason to be nice to my wife?”
“Everyone has a reason for being nice. So, what do you want from me?”
Christian smiled, sensing her newfound boldness. He preferred this side of her, much more than the timid side that was always apologizing. “What do I want from you?”
“Yes, what do you want?”
Christian laughed. “What can you offer?” he asked, turning to her with his hand tucked into his pocket.
“Huh?” She was taken by surprise by the question. “That’s right, what can I offer?” Her face dropped as she thought about it.
“Let’s start with the right question,” he began. “What do you want?” he asked her.
“I don’t want anything,” she said, not looking at him.
“You want something, and I know it. I’ve been meaning to ask, how did you make that dress?”
“I just cut it,” she replied.
“That’s not just cutting a piece of fabric off. How did you do it?”
“It’s my… talent.”
“You are talented with a wonderful skill. How did you sew it?”
She didn’t understand the reason behind all the questions, but she answered anyway. “With my hands, with needle and thread.”
“Your hands? You don’t have a machine?”
“No.”
“Can you use one?”
“No.”
“Do you wish you had one?”
Clarisse sighed. “It’s just a dream. I dream of becoming a fashion designer, but… I don’t have what it takes.”
“How about I make you a famous fashion designer?”
She looked up at him, not believing what he had just said.
Not getting a response from her, he continued, “You need money, connections, and materials to become one, and I’ll provide them for you.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want it. I don’t want your money to become famous, and I don’t want your connections to reach a higher status.”
He smirked, pleased with how the conversation was unfolding. “Bullying, lies, defamation, maltreatment, violation, and assault,” he said, looking at her. “What did you do when you experienced all of that?”
She was speechless, glaring at him, wondering what he was up to.
“Can’t talk? What will you do when you experience it again?”
“Hm?” he beckoned her to continue, but she couldn’t.
“I want to stand up for myself. I’m not going to let anyone trample on me.”
“I’m asking you, what will you do? Do you want to enter the world with no plan? Do you think this is child’s play? Bullying is everywhere. You’ll always be threatened, and you’ll be envied if you do better than anyone. How will you stand against your family alone when they stand up against you? Do you think you can do it all alone?”
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.