Chapter 1
Aurexon Corporate Building.
Clarissa finished her work at eight in the evening, fighting exhaustion as she rushed out of the office. Just as she reached the building’s entrance, her college class monitor called.
“Clarissa, where are you? Everyone’s here except you.”
“Sorry, I’m almost there,” she answered hurriedly, climbing into the Uber she’d booked earlier.
Tonight was the third anniversary reunion for Clarissa’s university graduating class, held at Crystal Palace–the most upscale entertainment club in Los Angeles.
She’d worked overtime, but fortunately, the venue wasn’t far from her company–just a fifteen–minute taxi ride away.
After her hectic day, she felt completely drained and wanted to zone out for a moment. But as soon as she closed her eyes, her phone chimed with a notification.
Clarissa picked up her phone to find a WhatsApp message from her aunt.
[This blind date prospect has excellent credentials–he owns several properties across Los Angeles! To be honest, though he’s thirty–seven, divorced with a child, he specifically chose you. Tomorrow’s Saturday. Will you meet him?]
Too tired to read further, Clarissa replied directly: [Auntie, I already have someone I like.]
Her aunt, sensing evasion, immediately sent a voice message in response.
“You’ve been saying that since you graduated college! If your parents hadn’t died young, who would worry about you? You always waste my good intentions with your excuses!”
Clarissa lowered her eyes, thinking to herself that she wasn’t lying. She really did have someone she liked–from age seventeen to twenty–five.
Her aunt continued ranting.
“Ask yourself honestly, haven’t we treated you well in the ten years since your parents died? Your
16:41
Agreed to Marry for Convenience.
they
uncle has always been afraid of letting you down, ying you go without t
“How your under’s mine is seny, This wind date is one of your wre’s best you marry tám, he could help support our family Bavlness. Why are you being so RÉKAT
There were several more voice messages, but Clariana dyed being
She called the woman back, keeping, briet, “board, the person 1 like foart bad either. We already dating”
Yes, a month ago, she had started dating, the men the secretly loved for eight years.
Clarissa struggled to suppress the ripples stirring in her heart.
The woman on the phone sounded wall confined and daplemed, “When did this happen? What’s his situation liker
His situation? He lacked noting–weakly, powerted, with a handwomw face to watch
He was like poison coated in honey–knowing it shondert be tund, you finding it irresistibly sweet
She and Brady existed in completely different works.
Her personality was so bland and quiet that people easily overlooked her,
Yet somehow, these two completely different people had graters together a month ago.
“Say something! Who exactly is her
Clarissa replied: “He’s my high school classmate. After 1 werd abroad, we both got into Oxford University’s Business School, even ended up in the same class
“What a coincidencer
Clarissa gave a self–deprecating smile. Not a coincidence at all.
Chapter 2
Cha