The conversation between Audora and Daniel stopped as soon as Clarissa entered the dining once again. It made her feel as if she had interrupted something very important but Audora gave her a warm smile to ease her discomfort and confusion. Daniel groaned inaudibly as Audora stepped on his foot after a while, bringing him to order. He hadn't even agreed to whatever she was suggesting and she was already concluding. This was what he should avoid without hesitation but Audora wouldn't let him. Once again, he refused to budge. Audora's smile became pronounced when she stepped harder this time making him yelp.

Clarissa blinked in confusion. "Are you okay?"

"Sure. Sure, I'm fine." He replied before sighing in defeat. Walking over to her, he took her hand in his and walked out of the place. While she, stunned to the core, followed him leaving Audora to smile in success.

---

They continued the car ride in silence. After a while, she couldn't take it anymore. She was hoping he would at least say where they were headed or give her a reason for taking her away from home but it seemed as if he had no intention of doing either. She stole a glance at him but his attention was mainly on the road.

She sighed. "Are you going to tell me where we are going?"

He told her, "Relax, we're only going to visit my grandmother's grave. I don't know why my sister insisted that I take you along and really, I don't want to know but I would appreciate if you give me my space when we get there."

Oh, so that was what that scene was all about, now she understood. At least he wasn't asking for too much. All he was asking for was space, she could do that.

"That won't be a problem, I'll do just that."

He was already too upset with himself that he had forgotten their normal tradition to visit her yearly because he was too preoccupied with work.

As the aspiring CEO of JK groups, he has piles of files waiting to be attended and he couldn't spend anymore time wallowing on empty thoughts and allowing himself get distracted. He stole a look at her before looking back at the road.

---

It was sunset and the view from there was quite beautiful. She found a place to sit just before the water and she caught herself admiring the sky. She smiled to herself loving the view of that particular evening. Just sitting there and doing nothing got quite tiring and so, she let herself think away.

Sighing loudly, she wondered what her cousin would be doing. She should be having lots of fun with her lover now compared to her. This is karma taking turns on her. When she decided she needed a distraction from Daniel, she went ahead to date Nicholas, the guy that always wanted her attention. She thought she could forget about the moments she spent with Daniel but the result was quite unsettling.

Times like this made her remember every detail of it, the times her cousin stood him up. He wasn't the rude and bossy kind of person for his billionaire status, and that was why she fell so quickly. Thinking of it now, Clara ditching him so many times, could have been signs. Signs that she couldn't pull through with the marriage.

Here she was now, in a wedlock with the guy she was secretly crushing on, what does fate have in store for her? Her thoughts gradually drifted to Nicholas. She wondered how he would be feeling. She hadn't seen him for quite a while now. Had he given up on her and sorted a new life for himself? Maybe he already accepted the fact that she couldn't be his anymore.

She smiled when she realized she had been playing with her wedding ring unconsciously. She stared at the ring lovingly silently wishing that their relationship could be normal. She pulled it out and it slipped through her fingers and fell right into the water.

She cursed, "Shit! This cannot be happening to me why does it have to be the ring?!"

She panicked. What should she do?

She thought about it for a second before taking off her shoes and diving into the lake even though she knew that there was only but a slim chance of getting it back.

She combed her hair in frustration when she emerged all soaked, she cursed again.

"Rissa?" The tingles that erupted everytime he mentioned her name was something she couldn't comprehend. Forgetting that, he was there quicker than she expected and now, there was no better excuse for her clumsiness.

His eyes widened on seeing her in the lake when the heavens were already threatening to pour than rain.

He shrieked. "What in heavens name?!"

"I lost it, I lost my ring to the water. One minute it was in my hands and the neck it's in the water. I can't believe I let it slip."

"Get out of there, you're going to get a cold!" She was already shivering and so, she complied and got out of the water.

"You lost it, we'll get a new one, you shouldn't come down with a cold because of it."

It was worth it!

What made her put on a hopeful smile was that, he cared.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what you were going to think-"

"I left you for sometime and look at what you've done to yourself." He sighed before saying, "let's go home already."

---

"How cold are you?" He asked but mentally face palmed himself for asking such a question.

She replied still, "Very." She hugged herself hoping to rid herself of a little cold.

"Just wait a bit, we'll soon be there." He stole a glance at her hoping he could drive fast before she freezes to death but it was like today, luck just wasn't on their side. His eyes widened as the car slowed down until it came to a stop.

"What went wrong now?" He looked at her mentioning, "I'll be back, give me a minute."

She gripped his arm. "But it's cold out,"

"I'll be alright," he told her before walking out of the car.

Few minutes later he had come back completely drenched from the rain. "There's something wrong with the battery. Plus we have a flat tyre, I'll try and see if I can get Noah to come give us a lift." He said to her but she didn't even have the strength to alter a word of reply to him.

He just didn't know how to help. Right now, all he could do was assure her that she was going to be okay. She had taken off her wet clothing and wore only his white sleeve shirt which seemed to have impressively cover half of her thighs.

"I couldn't get any signal." When she sneezed he knew her cold was a bad one.

He thought for a moment just staring at her wouldn't help and so, he joined her at the backseat.

"What....what are you doing?" She asked as she watched him dry himself with a towel he always leaves at the back of the car. The towel she had used... but that didn't stop his shivering. At that moment, he was more concerned about her.

"I heard once, body heat works," she couldn't believe her ears. "You shouldn't mind because you're literally freezing and I can't let you freeze to death." He said to her gently placing her head on his chest.

Growing fond of his shirtless body, she snuggled closer enjoying the feel of his body on hers. If this was one of those 'once in a lifetime thing,' she should at least make the best of it.

He smelled her hair, rude, yet he was addicted already to the strawberry scent it carried. He had once thought about holding her, so this was how it felt.

so comfortable....

"I know you think that I have something going on with Thia," he started after a while. Her silence showed that she didn't want to talk about it. Like he said, she thought, they were only having a public relationship, not something real so others will not dig up their dirt when they weren't looking. So why does it matter to him?

He sighed. "You should know I'm not that kind of person," He paused but she still didn't utter a word. "You have to believe me."

"It still wouldn't matter if I did, would it?" She finally said failing to meet his stare. "You said to act together in public, what if it wasn't me but someone else that was at the door, what would they think?"

"I know what you saw and trust me, there was nothing going on. I happened to be distracted to even notice her come in. I mean she did say she knocked but I guess I was too occupied to notice. The next thing I knew, she was all over me, I'm telling you nothing happened."

She met his stare hard. "That wasn't what I saw-"

"And that's because you were there at the wrong time, you saw things different from what was happening!"

Clarissa looked away from him. "Well, you could tell the same thing if it was another person at the door."

He cursed. "Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me? Look, it's one thing to force you to marry me then it's another to betray my vows to you." Has he ever given her an iota of doubt? No. Even when he was engaged with to her cousin, she didn't see him hang out with other girls...well other girls except her. She could say she was.... convinced?

She found his eyes again which never left hers waiting for her to say something to ease his worry at least. He never knew she was struggling with catching her breath that seemed to hitch each time his husky voice was involved. Not knowing why but his eyes did something extraordinary to her, something she could very much explain, something she had always experienced every time she linked hands with him. As much as he saw it as a friendly gesture, she left it that way. She subconsciously ogled him, taking in every features of his face before her eyes landed on where it wasn't supposed to, his lips.

When she met his stare again, dancing in them were amusement. But the truth was clear, not only her got lost in his charm. His amusement started to fade when his got drawn to hers too. His Adam apple bopped as he swallowed nervously leaning slightly...

She didn't really expect what happened next. She sneezed-

"Let me warm you up." He said acting as if the staring contest never happened. He pulled her back to him planting his chin on her head returning to the comfort of that strawberry scent. She shut her eyes tiredly and he didn't even know when his eyes began to shut too.

---

The morning fast approached and the morning rays from the sun woke her from slumber. She was too tired to lift her lids.

Soft mattress,

Hairy legs...very very hairy legs. She wanted to rub them all day.

Wait a sec.....

She opened her eyes at once only to meet the chest of a muscular someone.

"Shit!" She pulled away as fast as she could and she heard him chuckle. It was then she met his stare. There he laid, magnificently propped on an elbow just staring at her in amusement.

"Morning to you too,"

She gulped as she clearly remembered her rubbing her legs against his hairy legs. On impulse her eyes darted to his legs only finding him in boxers and T-shirt and when they found his eyes again, her stare met his again only to meet the cocky smile he always carried around.

"How did we...you know....how did we get here?" She tried before clearing her throat.

"You sleep quite deep. I got the call and we got a lift." He answered with a shrug and she nodded.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with an expression she noted as concern. She sneezed in reply and he chuckled.

"Clearly not alright." He concluded.

"I thought about taking you along with me to see a friend but it's still cold out and you should rest." He told her as he sat up from his pose and got out of bed. She saw his muscles flex and she looked away.

"Who is this friend of yours.....that you're going to see?" She asked curiosity getting the best of her. She was literally expecting him to just ignore her but surprisingly, he didn't.

"Austin, an old friend just flew into the country after a long time, i might as well pay him a surprise visit." Her eyes dilated in recognition.

"The brown head, hazel eyes?" He returned to her from where he was picking out a shirt and khaki shorts.

"Yes, and how do you know him, have you two met?" Daniel raised a brow at her obviously not expecting her to know his best friend so soon.

Except they had a connection...

She once again looked at him meeting his curious stare. "Yesterday actually, when I went to the mall with your sister. We talked, he seemed pretty nice and funny too." She answered with a smile forming on her features at the memory. She clearly remembered being introduced to one other Blondie, what was his name again? Henry, she recalled, perfect! Daniel had really nice friends.

"Should I be worried already? How long did you guys talk?" He said walking away from her going back to the dressing room to get ready for the day. She could sense a change in the atmosphere even though she couldn't see his face any longer.

"No, not that long....we just talked." And she got no reply after that.

Confusing,

Did what she said upset him?

Applauds...

The congregation applauded them until they took their seats. As young as Frederick could get, he was handsome, looking a lot like his breathtaking son and Kara, wasn't looking any less.

Daniel, on the other hand, had climbed up the podium to welcome everyone to this auspicious occasion. It was made grand and the welcomed guests were wholly wealthy that one couldn't help but feel very courteous and if possible, nervous too.

"Good day everyone, I'm glad you could all make it. I welcome you all to the 13th anniversary of Mr. Frederick Thompson and his wife, Mrs. Kara Thompson...."

Daniel wasn't oblivious of the stares he was getting. He wasn't supposed to be the centre of attraction yet the ladies never fail to notice his attractive physique and alluring voice. He had met the stare of one of the hundreds but failed to hold it for it drifted over to those with captivating blue eyes. For a second there, he made no move to look away making people anticipate his next words. He just gave a silent sigh and concluded.

"I'm indeed grateful that you all came to celebrate with us and so, i implore you to make merry for as long as you stay." He said finally before receiving a round of applause.

For one third of his way back to his seat, his eyes were on her. For goodness sake, her dress would have been less revealing and her lipstick mild. It was like she was bent on seducing him today. He shook his head at his incoming thought. What if she wanted to? It couldn't be possible. Still, if she were to make a move, he wasn't sure he would find the courage to refuse her. She was looking perfect in that red dress with that split running up her thigh. It made him want to....he looked away from her, praying he was able to occupy his mind with something else.

She looked away too, in a rush to calm the unsteady beat of her heart. Her eyes landed on someone else in the process, the eyes she thought she could forever avoid.

---

Clarissa stood, staring at herself in the mirror, taking note of who she had become. A girl with a man every lady had their eyes on. Was this what she really needed? The last time she took a proper look at the mirror, she was still a teenager. A teenager who wanted to enjoy every bit of her teenage life but never forgetting that she was also the same girl that let her parents decide everything for her, mainly because she never had the courage to tell them what she actually wanted. She was also the same girl that let herself make a mistake even though she knew what she was doing was totally wrong.

Loving her cousin's ex wasn't what she foresaw, particularly when her cousin hadn't had her fill with him. Yet, she couldn't help it. Her sister Mia was right. She had a knack for taking things that belonged to other people. Mia said this on their fifteenth birthday when the boy they were both crushing on got to give Clarissa her birthday gift way before her. Mia had made a mountain out of a molehill considering that she practically liked him first. It made them almost never get along. Unfortunately, Mia died 4years later, on her way back from the United States where she applied for her degree. The plane shattered and exploded on crashing that they never discovered any bodies.

Clarissa turned to the sound of the door opening, her mom walked in. Lisa paused after shutting the door taking in her daughter's state before she plastered a smile on her face and walked towards Clarissa.

Clarissa never missed out the way she dressed. She must be feeling so proud that her daughter was infact a billionaire. Her dress stood out, she would have thought it to be more expensive that hers but considering the dollars Audora spent, she doubted.

"Darling, I missed you." Lisa said pulling her daughter in for a hug. Clarissa shut her eyes and welcomed the hug. Even if her mother had persuaded her into something that changed her life for the 'least best,' it had been long since she hugged family. She couldn't help but immerse herself in the comfort of her mother's arms.

"Mother," she finally said. "How was your trip to the Philippines?" Lisa finally released her hold on her walking to the sink next to her.

"It was fun. How is it going over here? I mean to say, are you alright?" Clarissa forced a smile.

"What can I say? Things aren't that bad mom." She turned fully to her mother and said; "For now I'm okay, I mean things haven't gone bad, I'm managing?" She shrugged.

"You worry too much my dear, everything will be alright."

"That's the problem, why wouldn't I worry? It's my life we are talking about here."

"What do you mean? Why would you worry? 'This' is every girls dream!"

"That is the problem mom, I never wanted this! You did all this and didn't for once think about how I would feel about it."

"How can you say that? Of course I thought about you and that is why I suggested it. Didn't the decision I made change your life for good? Look at you looking pretty and all that. All I did was for you, you should be grateful."

"I understand what you did mother, and I am grateful for that but can't you see that this is what I've being trying to avoid, this kind of relationships, I know it's going to work." Lisa frowned. "What if Clara comes back and-"

"She's never coming back! Don't you see, life has given you an opportunity, I only wish you could see it."

---

"Are you alright?" Daniel asked her.

She forced a smile on her face and replied; "Yah, never felt better." It was then he was convinced that something wasn't right and he couldn't be wrong about this.

"If you say so then." He answered. "Do you want to dance?" She thought she hadn't heard correctly. Right now the guest applauded his parents as their music ended. It was now time for them to take the stage. He stood and held his hand out to her and she took it with hesitation, following him to the dance floor.

"You know, I like your choice of gown," That got her to finally stare at him and she did something that he always seem to like, she blushed.

"Oh, I'm glad you like it-"

"Let me take a guess, Audora picked it for you?" He guessed and she cracked a smile. He took her away from him with the length of his arm only for her to come back to him with her back against his chest and his hands around her waist. He breathed in her addictive perfume and smiled too.

"Yeah, she said you were going to like it." She confessed with her face slightly turned to his.

They moved, swaying gently to the music. "Well I won't lie I do love the dress." His hands tightened on her waist just as his thoughts got drifted away to her lips. She allowed him take in her scent as she felt the need to arch into him. She unfortunately locked eyes with Austin who couldn't contain his grin at the both of them. But just as Daniel noticed, he took her back to face him.

"I don't want you staring at anyone but me." He stated not taking his eyes off her for a moment.

"Even though he's just a friend." He finished.