Chapter 18
After a brief moment of affection, Seraphina and Clarence went out for dinner. But right after they ate, Clarence seemed ready to leave.
Seraphina asked, “Are you leaving now?”
Clarence smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You want me to stay?”
“Nope…”
“No?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Um… Didn’t mean that…” Seraphina mumbled, her words trailing off as she pouted, giving him a playful and reproachful look. It was the kind of expression that made him want to smile.
Clarence felt a flutter in his chest as he gently brushed Seraphina’s cheek, his voice softening “Just five more days, and I can stay with you. But for now, I don’t want to affect you before your exam. I’m worried that if I sleep beside you, I won’t be able
to….
He didn’t need to finish his thought, but the implication was clear.
Seraphina felt her cheeks flush again. In just five days, she would truly be his woman… Her heart raced, a mix of nervousness and a hint of excitement blooming within her.
Clarence wrapped his arm around her. “How about walking me to get my car?”
“Okay,” she replied with a smile. Then, they took the elevator downstairs.
Outside, the neighborhood was buzzing with neighbors out for an evening stroll after dinner. There were even some elderly folks exercising, and various sounds filled the air. Clarence held Seraphina close as they walked along the flower path, looking totally like a couple. The streetlights stretched their shadows as she cradled in his embrace, creating a cozy, sweet picture.
Seraphina barely reached Clarence’s shoulder, and she looked petite beside him. This was the kind of genuine simple life she wanted to keep living. They walked in comfortable silence until Clarence’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and say it was Catherine calling, while Seraphina didn’t see who it was.
Clarence didn’t hesitate, keeping his arm around her as he answered, “Hello?*
“Have you had dinner yet, Clarry? Catherine’s voice was sweet.
“Yeah, just finished,” Clarence replied in a light tone.
“Did you eat at home?”
“No, oul.”
“With a client or something?”
Clarence didn’t answer her question but asked, “Where are you?
“I’m at Harmony Medical Center, just wrapped up a shoot. I was about to take off my makeup and thought I’d call you,” Catherine replied.
Clarence said, Tm at Harmony Residences.”
That’s so close. I’ll come find you
after work.
Chapter 18
“I’m about to leave.”
It was a polite way to decline. Catherine pouted slightly and replied, “Okay, then. I’ll go take off my makeup. Drive safely.”
“Sure.”
On the shooting set. Catherine stood in her nurse’s uniform, pondering with her phone in hand. ‘What’s Clarence doing at Harmony Residences? Even though it’s a posh neighborhood, it doesn’t seem like a place where his friends would live!
After hanging up. Clarence and Seraphina had made it to the entrance of the complex. Clarence’s car was parked under a nearby tree, somewhat discreetly, but it was still shiny enough to draw the neighbors‘ attention. The luxury vehicle glittered under the streetlights.
“Let’s stop here. Go back and get some rest early,” Clarence said, pausing in his tracks.
Seraphina nodded without a word. Clarence wrapped an arm around her neck and leaned in for a kiss. Her heart fluttered, and she instinctively dodged. “There are people around.
Their striking looks had already drawn glances from the neighbors. Displaying such intimacy in public would only attract
more attention.
“Why care about them? We’re above board,” Clarence murmured, leaning in slightly and gently pressing his lips to hers. What was meant to be a quick peck turned into a deeper, lingering kiss, reluctant to end.
Seraphina’s heart raced, and she screamed in her mind, What a charming man! He must like me, right?‘
After Clarence pulled away, Seraphina looked at him with eyes brimming with emotion. She hesitantly asked, “Do you, do you have a girlfriend?”
Although she didn’t know who was on the other end of the phone call, the tone suggested it was a girl.
Hearing her question and seeing the emotion in her eyes, Clarence withdrew the warmth on his face, replaced by a hint of coldness. “What are you after?”
Seraphina was stunned, her mind racing. I was just asked. I don’t want anything
His mouth turned up in a chilling smile and he said, “Don’t cover things that don’t belong to you. Falling for me is the stupidest thing you could do in this world.”
Seraphina was left speechless. His words were like ice water poured directly into her heart on a freezing day, chilling it through and then slowly fracturing it apart.
He had been tender and protective, and she had naively thought he liked her. It turned out to be all for show… As soon as she touched a forbidden area, all that warmth could be retracted in an instant, replaced by a calculated coldness.
She had always reminded herself to follow the rules of the game, yet that kiss had completely clouded her judgment.
“Good, that’s better. Clarence’s voice remained devoid of warmth. He gave Seraphina a pat on the shoulder and said, “Go
back.”
“Okay, Seraphina’s smile cooled off as she spoke indifferently, “bye.”
Clarence didn’t respond but just turned and walked away.
Seraphina thought. What a decisive turn. I should really be thankful for the cold water he has just thrown on me. It has thoroughly awakened me.
Across the street, a white Mercedes slowly approached. Catherine, sitting in the driver’s seat with sunglasses, watched Seraphina enter the complex. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. She had seen from afar the moment
13:30 Tue, Oct 29 B G G
Chapter 18
Clarence and Seraphim kissed goodbye.
The next noon, Barbara invited Seraphina to have lunch off campus. As the SAT drew nearer, everyone’s nerves were wound. tight: almost all their time was devoted to studying, with only the lunch hour free apart from sleeping.
Just reaching the school gate, they heard a commotion. A crowd of students was shrieking around a car.
“What’s all the fuss?” Barbara glanced at the commotion, and suddenly, she started screaming, “Oh, it’s Catherine, right at our school gate! Wow, so many people are asking for her autograph. I… Yet she didn’t finish her words.
She had been about to say “I want to go too, but then she remembered Seraphina’s situation with Clarence, and the words caught in her throat.
In the crowd, Catherine, dressed in white leisure clothes with a baseball cap, still stood out with her celebrity charisma despite the casual outfit.
Seraphina’s fingers twitched at her side, a brief spasm, but she quickly composed herself.
SEN
