Chapter 6

Mrs. Peters didn't find it funny at all but she assumed her son must be playing some kind of game. He appeared to be in a good mood but still, he shouldn't joke with something so weighty like this.

“Alex, what sort of joke is this?” She asked, hoping that Alex would confess that it was a joke too.

“Joke? I'm playing no jokes, Mum. Didn't everyone want me to get married? This is my wife-to-be, only a few preparations left.”

Clara, who had been listening to all that was happening, quickly adjusted her position and sat upright. Mrs. Peters had been condescendingly looking at her all through the discussion, though she hadn't said anything to her yet.

To Mrs. Peters, Clara was too small to have that conversation with, she rather have it with her son.

“I know you are cracking one of your jokes again. I'm here for a reason.”

Alex Peters didn't react in the manner that his mum predicted. His gestures just showed that he was very serious about what he said.

“Mum, why should I be joking? Everyone wants me to get married and she's right here.” Alex spoke confidently, turning his gaze to Clara in a way to make her relaxed.

“That will never happen! Speaking of the reason I am here, I found a lady for you. Since it was so difficult for you to pick a noble lady since that lady left you, I found one.” Mrs. Peters continued, her tone was serious this time, more like she yelled but that didn't shake Alex.

“Her name is Annie and she has been out of the States for five years. I privately looked into her background and she comes from a noble family, she hasn't been in any scandals, and guess what? She agreed to return just to meet with you.” Mrs. Peter explained. Her tone wasn't as serious as it was before. 

It was more like she wanted to convince Alex but the only reason Alex still stood was because he didn't want to disrespect his mother.

“Mother, you mentioned it is difficult to find one and who is the lady next to me then?”

“You little thing! What are you doing here while I'm trying to have a discussion with my son?  get out of here?”

Clara bowed her head, she wasn't used to the rich people’s lifestyle, and truth be told, Mrs. Peter's presence frightened her a lot.

How was she going to tell her that she wasn't even interested in this whole thing and that Alex dragged her to this place?

She decided to keep quiet, it wasn't in her place to relay that kind of information and since she didn't plan on having anything to do with this family, it would be good if she remained silent, Mrs. Peters might label her a liar also.

Clara bowed her head while moving toward the door but Alex held her wrist again. “Don’t move an inch, I brought you here so don't move an inch.”

Clara would have left if Alex said just that, but because he was holding her, she couldn't leave. She couldn't look up either.

“Mum, I appreciate your effort in helping me to look for a wife. However, it is useless since I have one now.” Alex sounded off again.

Mrs. Peters raised her brows this time in shock, she clenched her fist like she was going to hit someone but managed to control herself. Then suddenly her phone rang,

“Excuse me,” she murmured to Alex and put the phone close to her ears.

“Mum, Did you see it on the news? Is the flight delayed?” The female voice at the end asked but Mrs. Peters dismissed her, promising to call back.

“Did you see that Alex? Annie was making arrangements already? You Wouldn't have her embarrassed this way. She is a public figure and in one way or the other, if the information leaks, we would be in trouble.”

“I guess you are the only one in trouble, why not stay with her since you care so much,” Alex replied and from his mum's reaction he regretted being too harsh, but nonetheless, she caused it.

The drama wasn't ending anytime soon so Alex held Clara and they headed towards the door. Though it was his house, he wouldn't watch his mum keep making Clara uncomfortable. They would rather leave the house until she was gone.

“You dare not walk out on me, come back here!” Mrs. Peters yelled but the sight of Alex and the girl had faded away. 

Mrs. Peter swore that not when she is alive will she allow her son to marry that good-for-nothing lady. And whatever the lady had done to him will clear off very soon. At least, she knows her son too well.

Alex had held Clara till they were out of the house. Clara instantly yanked her hand away. “I guess you are taking me home now?” she inquired of him.

Alex reached out for her wrist again and held her till they got to the car. He just ordered his driver to drive them somewhere but Clara seemed not to be familiar with the place.

“You still haven't told me where we are going this time.”

Alex didn't want to have her worry so he just gave her a reply. “Clara, I'm sorry for what my mum did back there. Don't pay attention to her words, she's like that sometimes but I will handle it.”

Clara looked at Alex in a supposedly awkward manner. That wasn't the answer to the question she had just asked him. Alex understood that gaze so he began again.

“I only figured out how uncomfortable you were in there and since she wasn't planning to leave, I decided we would go strolling for a while. We don't really need distraction planning this marriage.”

Clara smirked for a reason best known to her. She had not expected that reply, rather had she digested it too.

“What?” Alex called into question authoritatively as though Clara didn't have a say.

“I’m sorry Mr. Alex, but I'm not interested in being your wife.” Clara replied. 

Yet, why does she feel bad telling him that? He was just a stranger she had just met. Why does she feel like she was doing something wrong?