3. First meet

Third person's point of view 

Finally, she designed her dress with her mom's fabric. It looked too classy. It was beautiful. Clara's eyes teared up, touching the red fabric in that white gown. She will wear this dress on her birthday. She will be leaving this house that day. The thought made her so happy. 

Her mobile started ringing breaking her thoughts 

She answered the call with a smile. The person calling is the only person for her since childhood. 

"Jason," Clara mumbled. 

"Hey, Cherry, I am back from Scotland," Jason screamed over the call. How she wishes he never went there. It's been a whole year without him, and it was hell for her. 

"Let's meet in our cafe," Jason said as he sensed her silence. She might have so many things to share. She took her purse in reflex. She can't wait even a single second to see him.

***** 

"Did you enjoy my gift?" Xavier asked as Ron sat across him with a beer glass and a sly smile. 

"Than ever," Ron replied as she caressed his lips. They are friends with benefits. Xavier gets financial help from Ron, whereas Ron gets to keep his affairs unidentified. 

"How is Clara?" Xavier asked with the guilt of whatever she was going through. Xavier is Stella's blood brother, and Clara's uncle. But that doesn't stop him from helping his buddy in this cheap affair. 

"She is as usual, very silent, and cautious just like her mom, Stella. She doesn't speak with me. The last time she spoke was about her mom's fashion house, and she was handling them." Ron replied sadly. He didn't like the way Clara distanced herself from him. 

"Mom's part of the property that belongs to Stella would be in her name when she is 23. Did you plan anything to get them to your name?" the way Xavier spoke, he already had a plan, and his smile of him shows that he would benefit from it. 

"There is no way that old woman would let me benefit even from a loophole." Ron groaned in frustration. Stella's mom hated Ron, and that is mutual. They had a love marriage against Stella's mom's wish. 

"I met our lawyer a few days ago for some other personal reasons," Xavier spoke as Ron smirked at him. 

"Personal reasons? The Same reason I am meeting you?" Ron asked as both laughed loudly. Xavier is friends with many big shots only for his club girls. 

"So that helped me to get hold of my mom's will," Xavier replied as Ron got silent all of a sudden. Okay, now it's getting interesting.

"There is a way you can get her properties," Xavier told Ron. Xavier already regretted wasting all his share of properties of his mom, and he had to get help from everyone to run his clubs. 

"Whatever it takes, I will do." Ron got ambitious all of a sudden. Money makes a person do anything to any extent. He doesn't care he would hurt his daughter in this process. He doesn't care about anyone around him other than himself. 

The moment Xavier told what that loophole was, Ron started hatching so many plans. He didn't even think twice to reconsider them. Stella's share of property is too much to consider any silly sentiments. 

****** 

"They asked for your daughter's hand only. Why can't we suggest Elsa for Alex?" Bella asked softly. Ron turned to his wife. She is too naive in this age, and status. 

"I will think about it," Ron replied, and already liked the idea. Building a relationship with Fernandez is not a joke. They asked for this. There is no way Ron would let this opportunity go in vain. His orbs turned dark when he planned something else with this. But will it be successful? 

  

***** 

Two more days passed by with the same discussions.

"Sister, you didn't have breakfast today either?" Alina entered the room as Clara kept the dress inside her cupboard. Seeing Alina, Clara's smile reached her lips.

"Why are you bothering to get me a plate? I am fine," Clara replied with a smile. She is Bella's second daughter. She is like an angel in Clara's life. Alina is much closer to Clara than Elsa. She loved her like anything, and Clara feels sad whenever she thinks about leaving the place with Paxton alone. 

Alina and Elsa are Bella's daughters whereas Paxton is an illegitimate kid. No one except for Clara, Elena and Ron knew about his mother. 

  

"Just that I can eat with you" Alina winked at her sister as she gave the food and took another bite. 

  

"Why did you deny the proposal?" Alina pouted as she showed her displeasure with her decision. 

"Did you know how happy Elsa was? She even asked Dad to propose her marriage to Alex. Do you even know who Alex is?" Alina screamed with a huge frown. 

"Who would even reject him in a dream?" Alina asked, and Clara let out a huge sigh. 

"It would be a perfect fairy tale if you married him" Alina is so sad that how can Clara be so fooled? 

Alexander is known for his handsome looks. He has built a huge business empire. Any girl would die even to come in a rumour section with him. But Clara just rejected that eligible prince charming. 

"I don't need any prince charming to light up my life. I want a peaceful life that I can earn in my capacity," Clara replied plainly. 

  

"But, sister. You should have at least given them a chance." Alina is not convinced yet. 

"Now they are here to announce Elsa's marriage to Alex. Both the families decided on them and have no objection to it." Alina is so sad to announce it. But Clara doesn't feel anything. But yeah, the old lady's face flashed in front of her. Her family doesn't deserve Elsa's type of girl. 

"Dad is calling you both down." Elsa came to call them. Elsa is damn excited to marry Alex. Who wouldn't be? Clara scanned her attire with her makeup and rolled her eyes. Elsa was obviously showing her crush on Alex with how she dressed up. 

  

"We will be there in a minute," Alina announced as she searched for attire. 

"I am okay with what I am wearing." Clara tried to protest. But it fell on the deaf ears of Alina. Can't she at least once act like a teenage girl? 

She chose a light blue knee-length gown with ruffled sleeves. That was one of the dresses that Clara had in her wardrobe. 

Clara changed herself as she knew she couldn't argue with Alina about anything. This little girl has her way with Clara for everything. But she sternly denied even putting compact powder. She doesn't want to grab attention. She doesn't want to look good at all. 

  

Clara came down with Alina. They were discussing business and everything. Elsa blushed, visibly as if she had gotten a jackpot. Clara scanned the room. She was curious to see Alex in person. Clara won't lie that she is not intrigued. She had seen his picture, and of course, she knew how handsome he was. 

Damn, the pictures didn't do justice at all. Clara stopped walking as she looked at the person whose proposal was for her and whom she did reject without a second thought. He is just like a celebrity who had his face done by doctors. Perfect eyes to pair with a perfect jawline. Has Clara seen anyone like this? Hell no. 

  

"Did you change your decision? Just tell me. I will help you get him at any cost." Alina spoke and noticed her stare at Alex. Clara straightened herself as she glared at her sister. 

  

"Dear, how are you?" Grace asked, seeing Clara. Clara replied with a smile. Should she at least use powder? Clara shrugged off her thoughts. Why did she want to impress these people? Damn, she should not think about them. They are distractions. 

After a small exchange of words, Grace took a jewel box and picked up the chain with a diamond locket. 

"This is our family tradition." Grace Fernandez eyed Alex to make the bride wear the set. Alex took the pearl necklace, and that's when he raised his eyes to look at his bride. 

"Make Elsa wear them," Grace again spoke, and he looked at the three girls standing there side by side. 

He should have paid attention to them while they were discussing his marriage. He felt so stupid for not identifying his bride when they were about to get engaged the next day. 

  

He looked at Elsa. She is an absolute beauty. There is no chance anyone would not fall for her. Her smile and twinkling eyes were attracting almost everyone in the hall. Her smooth skin radiates her glow. 

He looked at Alina. He knew that instant, that she must be the smallest among them. 

Finally, he turned to Clara. For a moment, he stared at her. He knew that among these two, one was the girl who had rejected him. But who might be that girl?