Chapter 4 The Day Of The Meeting Arrived

• The day of the meeting arrived. I was dressed so beautifully by the maid. A knee-length sleeveless dress in peach wrapped my slender body. Meanwhile, my hair was left down, with clamp accessories on the side of my head. A jeweled necklace around my neck. I look perfect in the mirror.
• The meeting would be held at a hotel restaurant, Dad said. I drove to the place by myself. Dad went straight to his office, while my two brothers were busy with their duties.
• I was glad that Calvin didn't propose to drive me. I don't know what he was thinking, but there was a good chance he could prevent me from meeting my future self.
• Dad said the restaurant was on the thirtieth floor. So I got into the elevator, which took me quickly to that floor. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped out. There was only one straight corridor with brown double doors at the end.
• There were already two servants standing guard in front of the door. I was stopped by their presence.
• "Do you have the card?" the waiter spoke to me.
• Card?
• I wasn't told that entry to the restaurant required a card. "What card are you talking about?" I asked innocently.
• "Oh, I'm sorry miss. To enter this place, you must have a membership card. If you don't have one, then it's with a heavy heart that we won't let you through," said the waiter kindly.
• I rolled my eyes. Oh father! Why didn't you ever tell me this! So, will the matchmaking plan fall through just because I don't have a membership card?
• I tried dialing dad's number. But my phone wasn't picked up quickly. I snorted in annoyance. "Didn't someone tell you that someone booked a table?" I asked, not wanting to give up.
• The two waiters stared at each other. "If I may know under whose name?"
• "Clara Jaromir," I replied.
• "Oh! Miss Clara. There is indeed a table reservation in the name of Miss Clara Jaromir. Please come in, miss."
• Finally! Why not earlier!
• Once inside, the restaurant was deserted.
• I was directed to a round table by the waiter. Then I sat there waiting for someone to arrive. I was curious. I felt palpitations as to what the man would be like?
• "Clara?" called the crisp voice, making my head reflexively turn from the window.
• My mouth opened, and I was stunned to find out who the man was who came to greet me.
• "You?" I was speechless, as the man pulled out the chair in front of me and sat at the same table as me. There were only two seats at this table where the seat in front of me should be filled with someone I was matched with. Does that mean this man is .... my future husband?
• "You came at my father's invitation to meet me here?" I asked in disbelief.
• "Yes. I am your future husband, Clara," the man concluded. I gaped, then my eyes scanned his appearance. He was wearing a navy blue suit. Shiny black hair in a masculine style. Overall, his appearance was mature and charming. It left me stunned.
• I quickly cleared my throat. "This is our first meeting after several years of not seeing each other," I said.
• "You're right," he replied. "And it makes me feel dazzled when I see you now," the man said.
• "Really? What do I look like in your eyes?" I asked.
• "Like an angel from heaven."
• I chuckled instantly. "Your jokes are pretty good!"
• The man smiled. His face looked friendly. "I'm serious, you look beautiful. This is beyond my expectation. Maybe it's because we haven't seen each other in a while," the man said.
• "You look good too," I replied casually. "How did you get invited by my father as his bride?" I picked up the wine glass and took a sip.
• "It's because we often meet in business meetings. It just so happens that my father and your father know each other as business partners," the man replied.
• Stephen was his nickname. My childhood friend. In fact, he's the only friend I'm really close with. We've lost touch since our first school graduation.
• After we finished eating, we parted ways to go home. Stephen drove me to the front of the lobby. Meanwhile, my private car had already arrived there. We smiled at each other and said goodbye.
• "See you soon, Stephen!" Then I got into the car. Sitting behind the driver.
• "How was dinner?" Suddenly I was startled by a familiar voice. I glanced forward. My breath caught as soon as I realized my driver was Calvin!
• "Brother!" I squealed under my breath. "Where's Mr. Gerry?"
• "He's on leave," Calvin replied briefly. "Move your seat to the front!" Calvin ordered sternly.
• "No way!" I refused.
• The car braked suddenly, making my head hit the front seat. The door beside me was opened by Calvin. "Get out!" he ordered. I glared at him, but then complied by stepping out of the car.
• Calvin immediately pulled my hand, making me walk dragged by him as he circled the hood of the car then he opened another door. "Get in!" Calvin pushed my shoulder. I couldn't resist. I slipped into the seat beside the steering wheel.
• Calvin was back in the driver's seat again. In no time our car was moving smoothly again. There was no conversation between us. The atmosphere in the car was very quiet.
• It wasn't long before we arrived in front of the house. I hurriedly got out of the car. After entering the house, I realized there was no one in our house. At this hour the servants must have gone home. My parents were nowhere to be found. I didn't bother with them, and walked to my room.
• I didn't forget to lock the door. I was afraid Calvin would sneak in. I threw my body onto the bed. On my stomach. My mind drifted to the first meeting with Stephen. I picked up my cell phone, and fell silent.
• I forgot to ask for his number, damn it. We were chatting so much that we forgot that one important thing. "Argh!!! You idiot Clara!" I growled in annoyance. How could I forget to ask for her contact.
• Wait a minute, don't you have Stephen's contact? Just ask him! I typed a short message to my father asking for Stephen's number. After it was sent, I put the phone down and got up.
• I sighed. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was half past ten at night. As usual, before going to bed I would go to the bathroom. Since I hadn't showered yet, I cleaned my body first with warm water under the shower.
• Not taking too long to shower, I put on a towel coat, tying the rope around my waist. Seeing that the glass on the nightstand looked empty, I intended to take some drinking water to the kitchen. It was one of my habits that every night there should be drinking water in the room, to be drunk as soon as I woke up. So carrying the empty glass, I went down the stairs.
• When I reached the bottom floor, I paused for a moment to find Calvin in the kitchen. Should I turn around and wait for Calvin to leave?
• "What's wrong? Come here. I'll get you some water," Calvin said, noticing my presence.
• My feet moved forward. Calvin took some cold mineral water from the refrigerator, he also took a new glass from the cabinet. He poured it until it was full. Then he pushed the glass to me.
• As for the empty glass I brought, it had to be washed. I accepted the glass from him. I took a sip of the cold water that immediately flowed fresh in my throat. Until I felt a pair of hands hugging my stomach, my back pressed against Calvin's broad chest behind me.
• Start again .... Can't this man just not stick to me for a day?
• ***