Chapter 11 Invite Me In

• Yvonne left in a huff.
• Clarissa exhaled sharply and put on her accessories again. She checked her reflection in the mirror and clenched her fists to cheer herself up.
• “Clarissa Quigley, you can do it! Don't be afraid!”
• She forced a smile and patted her cheeks in encouragement. I'm still a pretty pixie!
• When Clarissa walked out, she ran into a man who was walking out of the restroom, too.
• It was Matthew. He had a cigarette between his slender and long fingers. His side profile was indifferent.
• Stunned, Clarissa couldn't help but wonder if he had overheard their conversation inside.
• Her cheeks flushed as she greeted him guiltily. “Uncle Matthew.”
• Matthew brought the cigarette to his lips and took a puff. As the smoke surrounded him, his gaze landed on Clarissa.
• Feeling uncomfortable, Clarissa offered him a smile.
• “Uncle Matthew, I'll take my leave first.”
• Matthew put out his cigarette and stuck both hands in his pockets before leaving.
• Clarissa was dumbstruck as he left ahead of her.
• Was he waiting for me?
• I don't think so.
• Ellie held on to Clarissa tightly for the rest of the party, determined to introduce her friend to every eligible bachelor.
• The results were great.
• After all, Clarissa was a beauty and Ellie's best friend. She was actually overqualified for the men at the party.
• When the party came to an end, Ellie saw someone and left her friend in Matthew's hand.
• Silently, Matthew unbuttoned his collar and rolled his sleeves up. He shoved one hand into his pocket lazily.
• “Let's go.”
• Clarissa trudged after him cautiously.
• When the elevator arrived, they walked in. There were many people taking the elevator alongside them, so Clarissa was squeezed into a corner.
• Matthew stood in front of her. There was some space between them.
• When the elevator stopped at another level, more people entered. He had no choice but to prop his arm against the wall and inched nearer to Clarissa. It seemed like she was in his embrace.
• Immediately, Clarissa felt herself heating up. She took in Matthew's cool scent as her mind became dizzy.
• Towering above her, Matthew's gaze darkened at the sight of her reddened ears. His free hand balled into a fist as his heart fluttered without warning.
• In less than a minute, the elevator doors opened. Everyone filed out slowly. Once Clarissa was freed, she scurried out.
• After entering his car, she folded her arms obediently.
• Silence ensued. Clarissa stared ahead quietly, but she could feel Matthew's lazy gaze on her.
• Her heart started thumping nervously while her cheeks heated. Clarissa tried to look out of the window, but it did nothing to cool her down.
• “Feeling hot?” Matthew questioned.
• Clarissa's heart skipped a beat. “No, not really.”
• “Did you find someone you like at the party?”
• “Huh?”
• Clarissa was still in a daze. Looking up, she met Matthew's gaze. She promptly looked down.
• “No, I don't know them well. They are good, well...”
• She was spouting nonsense by now.
• Matthew's lips lifted in a smirk. “Yes, you need to get to know them. Don't decide recklessly.”
• He was speaking like an elder giving advice.
• Clarissa nodded obediently. “Yes, Uncle Matthew.”
• “Did you keep in touch with Harvey Narman?”
• “Well, no.”
• Back then, Harvey couldn't stop talking to Matthew. When he left, he didn't even remember to get her contact number. She wondered if he didn't take a liking to her, or Matthew was too imposing.
• “Mr. Narman is an excellent man. I don't think he fancies me.” After a moment of silence, Matthew spoke. “If you fancy him, I can arrange for another blind date.”
• “No, no. That wasn't what I meant.”
• Matthew raised a brow. “Are you sure you don't fancy him?”
• “Yes. I don't fancy him.”
• “Okay!”
• Clarissa didn't know what he meant by that, but she dared not probe further. All she wanted was for the ride to come to an end.
• Luckily, Matthew said nothing else. Upon arrival, Clarissa alighted from the car in a hurry.
• She remembered her manners and bade Matthew goodbye.
• “Thank you for giving me a ride home, Uncle Matthew. Goodbye!”
• Matthew said nothing, so the driver didn't move.
• The man gazed at her through the window wordlessly. The pixie-like young lady seemed extremely enticing under the moonlight.
• As he made no move to leave, Clarissa waved at him.
• “Goodbye, Uncle Matthew.”
• Finally, Matthew curled his lips up and inquired, “Won't you invite me to your house?”