Annie.

Clara woke up with a splitting headache and a sore body, the space beside her was cold and neat as if no one slept there and the bed cover was different and clean unlike the previous one that got stained with her blood. she closed her eyes in pain from the light peeping from outside the window. She checked the time on the alarm nearby and seeing it was just few minutes past 6 in the morning she plumped back on the bed feeling tired. She thought about what happened at night and blushed heavily not believing she finally did it and with a total stranger. She stood up to bath when she noticed a small paper on a shelf by the bed side and on it was a finely written eight words. "I prepared a warm bath for you to relax". Her face flushed another shade of red as she thought " at least he has a conscience" then she remembered why she did it in the first place and felt angry all over again.

She entered the bathroom and into the tub already filled with warm water and as soon as her body touched the water a long sigh came out of her mouth followed by a moan. She stayed in for ten minutes before washing up and leaving. She had ordered clothes online before taking her bath so as soon as she left the bathroom the clothes already arrived and she got dressed then she left the suite walking towards the main hall her engagement party took place. Getting closer to the hall she heard a clear voice of James shouting angrily at someone but because she wasn't closer she couldn't make up the words he was saying but getting to the door about to go in she heard Kate's voice comforting him and she stopped to listen to them, " do you think clara saw us and instead of making a scene she ran away", kate asked after making sure there was no one around while james ran his finger on his hair in frustration, " stop saying nonsense", James shouted at Kate leaving her stunned and maybe he felt guilty shouting at her he lowered his tone " i know Clara more than you do and she's someone who doesn't care about anything, and if she really did see us last night everyone would have known of our affair, and too get rid of that pregnancy,i don't want clara asking you questions." James said while Kate nodded absentmindedly. Meanwhile Clara who was outside heard everything felt shocked. She had thought last night was their first time having the affair and now she knew it wasn't, she didn't even know when a tears slipped from her eyes and she had to cover her mouth to stop herself from making a sound. After calming down she walked into the hall her steps slow and deliberate. James and Kate seeing her walk in first had shocked looks on their faces then confusion before running to her as they helped her to a seat. "Clara, how long have you been outside? Where have you been? We looked for you everywhere." Kate asked while beckoning on James to say something. " Yes Clara, where were you? I was so worried, " James said and hugged her but she just felt numb to his hug. Everything from the beginning felt like a lie, his love for her and his promises all felt like insults to her but she didn't push him away, she let him hugged her and after having no reaction he released her and looked at her in the eyes with an hurtful expression. Clara almost laughed out because she knew he wasn't really concerned about her and half the night he must have used it to spend the night with Kate having sex, but she didn't expose him instantly instead she removed his hand on her shoulder and stood up from the chair then she looked at Kate and complained in a pitiful tone, " last night I was looking for you guys and then someone sent me a massage saying you've been kidnapped," she showed them a text message on her phone which she had prepared earlier before leaving the hotel room and she saw both their faces turned dark in rage and confusion." As you can see it says I should come alone with five million dollars else you'll be dead, I was so scared I didn't look at where I was going I fell down and fainted, when I woke up it was already morning and I had to bath in one of the hotel's room and ordered a new dress. I was just about to inform the police when I heard your voice here, I was so scared" Clara said crying and this time real tears came out, she tried not to feel hurt by their betrayal but thinking about how she wholeheartedly loved both of them made her so sad and her tears drew mother James and father James into the hall both having angry expressions on their faces.

Annie, James mother scoffed in anger as she looked at crying Clara and she couldn't take it anymore she had to hit her palms together to make her stop which eventually worked and Clara soon quiet down while sniffing. " What's going on here and why was it that none of you were around the party to toast our guests," Annie asked looking both at James and Clara but none of them replied.

Annie is a young woman in her late 40s but she looks no less than thirty. She alongside her dad founded the sterling group which was later given to her husband to manage after marriage and though she doesn't do much in the company apart from Arthur she has the most highest shares.

She had never liked Clara and after her parents died her dislike for her grew even worse. She believed that a daughter-in- law of hers must be someone from a more prominent family, more powerful than their sterling group.

Seeing James' mom walk closer, Clara couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in her heart.

"Whatever it is that happened it can wait, and yesterday's occurrence we'll discuss it later but now your grandfather was rushed to the hospital this morning we need to go there now", Annie said and walked away while they rushed after her one after another.