My One And Only CEO
Chapter 22: Blissful Encounter III
Chapter 22
After Clara introduced them, they instantly confirmed their doubts and Jack’s expression darkened further.
Clara wondered what was wrong with both guys and couldn’t take it anymore.
“Jack,” she called out in a hushed tone, slightly irritated.
They immediately returned to their senses after hearing Clara’s voice and Jack reached out his hand and plastered a fake smile on his face then said, “Nice to meet you.” ‘again’ he added inside then squeezed Carl’s hand tightly.
Carl squeezed his hand too and with an intense gaze, replied, “Mm, me too.” He felt an indescribably ease in his mind as if some heavy weight was lifted up when he heard that Jack was only her friend. However, another thought came to his mind and he wondered curiously, ‘When did he return?’
Clara watched helplessly as both guys stared at each other like enemies and thought whether they knew each other. She noticed their knuckles turning white and realized that they were squeezing each other’s hands. She gasped instantly and said awkwardly, “Ehm… Carl, we’ll be on our way now.”
The men released each other’s hands and Carl replied, “Okay” before turning to her with a slight smile. He still had a chance and he was very happy.
Jack frowned at the soft gaze the guy was giving her. And he took Clara’s hand then strode away angrily.
Carl scowled and watched silently as the girl was being pulled away. He then stared at Jack’s back and sighed heavily.
“Jack, what is wrong? Do you know Carl?” Clara asked him worriedly while she was being dragged away. Her eyes darted back and she saw Carl staring at them. She gave him an apologetic smile and waved her free hand at him.
Jack answered her question with a “Yes” and slowly released her hand. “I’m sorry,” he said and gave her a timid look. He just couldn’t control his anger whenever he saw Carl, remembering what happened many years ago.
Clara smiled lightly and softly replied, “No problem.” She had guessed that there was something between them and didn’t want to probe further. She followed behind him and they walked towards the entrance of the amusement park heading to Jack’s car.
Carl smiled and waved back at her then continued staring at their back until they were out of his sight. He sighed and took another direction heading to where he had left Lucy.
Inside Jack’s car, Mira was sitting in the back seat lost in her thoughts while the twins were playing beside her.
‘Isn’t he the one that made me go through all that? Why does he want to apologize now?’ She dazedly stared outside the window and a tear trickled down her face. Her thoughts went back to those happy times they were together and wondered what went wrong in the end. “Everything was your fault, Zach,” she whispered subconsciously and was suddenly jolted back when Lea tugged at her arm.
“Auntie, help me open it please,” the little girl said and handed her the water flask.
Mira quickly wiped her tears and turned to the girl with a smile before opening the water flask’s cap.
Clara and Jack soon arrived and they entered the car. Clara turned to the backseat with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. “Mira, was the roller coaster ride fun?”
Mira glared at Jack who had started the car and knew he had told Clara. She smiled apologetically at her. “I’m so sorry,” she said and lowered her head in guilt.
Clara chuckled and replied, “It’s okay.” She remembered how she got into trouble and still wondered why those burly men had stopped following her.
“Geez, Clara, don’t be too nice. You should reprimand her,” Jack said and gave Mira a provocative look from the rearview mirror.
“Clara, I don’t like your friend!” Mira said with pouted lips and glared at Jack.
“I don’t like ugly babies too,” Jack replied humorously.
“Hey, I’m not a baby.” Mira pouted then widened her eyes. “Wait, did you just call me ugly!?” And they continued bickering while Clara laughed heartily.
Carl walked towards the place he had left Lucy and spotted her from afar eating ice cream on the bench that he had sat on before. He was surprised at how obedient she was and wondered where Zach had run off to.
“Big bro, here here.” Lucy spotted her big brother and waved at him happily while putting down the empty cup of ice cream. “Where did you go, Big bro? I looked for you everywhere,” she murmured and pouted her lips while staring up at him with shining eyes.
Carl smiled and ruffled her hair. Looking at his sister’s eyes now, he remembered Clara’s clear and round eyes and found them similar. He chuckled thinking that he had started hallucinating again.
“Big bro, why are you smiling?” Lucy looked at him excitedly. “Did something happen? Tell me. Tell me. Tell me,” She asked repeatedly and Carl smiled and said, “Mm” then ruffled her hair again.
“Where is Zach,” he asked her, to change the topic.
“He probably wandered off to chase after some girls,” Lucy replied nonchalantly while rearranging her hair. “Ouch.” she suddenly winced and turned back angrily.
“Little cat, gossiping about me again, huh?” Zach appeared from behind and knocked her slightly on the head with a devilish grin.
“Big bro, he is bullying me.” Lucy pouted and held Carl’s arm tightly while sticking out her tongue at Zach.
Carl ignored their squabbling and sauntered towards the entrance while they followed behind him.
— That night —
Clara was laying on her bed happily and staring at the contact on her phone’s screen.
Her eyes lingered on it for a while and a wide smile was plastered on her face.
She squealed inside and rolled on the bed, then quickly dialed a number and called her best friend.
“Maya, you can’t believe what happened today,” she said happily the moment the call went through.