Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Romeo flashed a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry, Clark. The only person who can ditch me in this lifetime is Bella.”
“What are you talking about? You’re making my sister sound like some heartbreaker!”
At the end of the clear glass walkway, they stood side by side ina huge heart-shaped structure, chatting and laughing as they admired the distant scenery.
That evening, as Romeo dropped the siblings off at the Reflections Villa, he noticed a Rolls-Royce parked at the entrance.
There must be guests.
“I guess I should leave then. Don’t want to intrude on your folks,”
Romeo addressed Bella before him with a tender smile. “Get some rest.”
“Sure, drive safe.”
“Will do.”
Witnessing their reluctance to say goodbye, Clark suddenly felt like a third wheel.
Inside the villa, Louisa greeted the young woman with a beaming smile. “Crystal, you look even prettier than the last time I saw you.”
“You’re too kind.’ Crystal Temple lit up the room with her vivacious energy. “Actually, without makeup, you’re naturally beautiful, Louisa.And with makeup, you are like a goddess descending to Earth.”
Louisa chuckled, thoroughly flattered. “Your silver tongue never fails to charm.”
“Flowers can’t hold a candle to you, Louisa. A blooming bud lacks your grace and elegance, a fully bloomed flower isn’t as breathtaking, and a wilting flower is simply no match for your timeless beauty.”
Louisa laughed heartily.
“Crystal has always been lively and intelligent. She brings joy to everyone around her, Kenneth proudly shared with his old friend Alger Temple. “Having her at home is like having a warm coat on a cold day.
She makes life so much warmer.”
“Ha! Our ‘warm coat’ has some leaks, I’m afraid. Just graduated, and she’s already thinking about Clark.”
“Haha, what did Clark do to deserve such attention.” Kenneth laughed heartily. “He went out with his sister this afternoon and hasn’t returned yet.”
Just as he finished speaking, a servant reported, “Mr. Clark and Miss Bella have returned.”
Crystal’s eyes lit up with anticipation as she turned towards the villa entrance.
“Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Allow me to introduce you to my recently found daughter, Mirabella Collins.”
Louisa gently held Mirabella’s hand and introduced her to the Temples. “Bella, this is Alger, Celeste, and their daughter Crystal.
Crystal is older than you, so you should call her ‘sister’”
“Alger, Celeste, Crystal, it’s a pleasure to meet you all” Mirabella greeted them politely.“Is that Bella? She’s so pretty!” Celeste Temple scanned Mirabella from head to toe, clearly pleased with what she saw. “I wonder which lucky boy will end up with her.”
“Isn’t she supposed to marry into the McMillian family? She and Romeo would make a perfect couple.
Not bad.” Alger nodded in approval.
“Bella, you’re even prettier than Starmoon, the girl who broke the internet on Facebook a while ago. I’m so happy to meet you. I’m a friend of your brother, Clark.”
So this Crystal was here for Clark?
“Alger, Celeste, long time no see.” Clark gave Crystal a brief look.
“Made it, huh?”
“I didn’t know you were so protective of your sister.” Crystal’s smile was radiant. “Heard you took her out?”
“I just went along for the ride, really. Played the role of the third wheel.”
“It’s been a while, but Clark, you’ve become even more handsome.”
Celeste’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I bet there are many girls chasing after you.”
“I’m usually busy with work.” was all Clark could say.
“Crystal has also been busy with her studies. Now that she’s graduated, she wants to return home to help run our business.
Since she’s our only daughter, Alger and I plan to groom her to be our successor.”
The moment Clark heard that, he realized the implication was that she intended to stay in the States for an extended period.
“Clark, it’s been a while since Crystal visited us. Why don’t you show her around our garden? We’ve planted a variety of new flowers lately. Maybe Crystal will find a few varieties she likes and can take some back to cultivate.”
Clark could only respond, “I promised my sister, Bella, that I would take a walk with her, right, Bella?”
Mirabella was speechless.
Since when?
Clark’s pleading gaze fell upon Mirabella.
Louisa was half-skeptical, “Didn’t you just finish walking with your sister?”
“No worries, I can accompany Bella for a walk too; Crystal chimed in, causing Clark to pause in surprise.
“Well, then you guys should get going. I’ll have the staff turn on the garden lights,’ Louisa urged.
With a radiant smile, Crystal linked arms with Mirabella, “Bella, I heard you just moved back. How are you adjusting?”
Mirabella nodded, taken aback by Crystal’s warm demeanor, “It’s been fine.”
“I heard you used to live in Summerfield, too. It’s been ages since my last visit. Maybe we could go shopping together sometime?””Bella is quite busy.” Clark came to her aid, “Between school, other commitments, and a fiancé who needs her attention.”
“What about you then?” Crystal looked up at him, hopeful.
“I’m rather busy myself.”
“Well, we can always plan a date once you’re both free,’ Crystal maintained her hold on Mirabella’s hand, grinning, “We can go shopping and try out some delicious local food.”
“Sure; Mirabella agreed just as her phone began to vibrate, “Excuse me, I need to take this call.”
Clark wanted to tell her not to answer it, but seeing that the caller was Romeo, he could only plead with his eyes for her to return as soon as possible after the call.
Mirabella found the whole situation amusing. Was Clark intentionally avoiding Crystal? Was he not interested in her?
“So Clark, what have you been up to lately?” Crystal took the initiative again. “I heard there have been fewer criminal cases recently.”
“I’ve been spending time with my sister.”
“I understand young girls quite well. Next time you two go out, you can invite me along. I promise to make sure Bella has a great time.”
“You really plan to return and settle down here?” Clark asked again.
“Yes, this place is my home. I was always planning to return.”
Clark didn’t know what to say to her. As he was in deep thought, Crystal asked again, “Do you guys have any plans for tomorrow?””Not sure yet.”
“What does Bella like?” Crystal continued to inquire, “Are there any places she’s been wanting to visit?
Or anything she’s particularly interested in?”
Clark was stumped by the sudden barrage of questions.
“Don’t tell me you don’t even know what your sister likes?”
In Clark’s memory, the only thing that genuinely piqued Bella’s interest was Romeo. Only when Romeo’s name was mentioned did her eyes light up. No one else or anything else could stir a ripple in her heart.
“It seems like you don’t know much. I’ll ask her myself later on.”
As soon as Mirabella hung up the phone, she saw her mother waving at her, signaling her to come over.
Mirabella strolled over with a puzzled look, only to be hushed by her mother, Louisa, “How is it going with Clark?”
Mirabella glanced at the distant figures and whispered, “Are you trying to set them up?”
“Ever since Crystal was a little girl, I’ve watched her grow up. She’s so innocent, brilliant, and smart.
You couldn’t find a single flaw in her background, character, or education.”
Louisa seemed quite fond of the girl. “Most importantly, she’s been in love with your brother Clark for over a decade, everyone’s noticed. When she was in primary school, she said she wanted to marry Clark when she grew up. We thought it was just a child’s innocent words, but after all these years, she only has eyes for Clark. I think they make a great pair.”
“But it seems like Clark isn’t interested in her?”
“Your brother Clark needs someone to give him a push from behind, or else he’s going to be too slow.
She’s been making all the moves, yet he doesnt know how to respond.” Louisa was exasperated.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.