At the studio, Clarissa had received the illustrations from Joshua and was admiring her own caricatures.
She was drawn as a lovely girl with a rounded face and two hair buns in the shape of ox horns. Wearing a traditional white costume and holding a sword in her hand, she looked tremendously cool and adorable at the same time.
Clarissa loved it at first sight.
Joshua said proudly, “I knew it. You’ll surely love my illustrations.”
Beaming with joy, she said, “Seems like you know me well.”
“Of course! Don’t you know me by now? I like you so much, how can I not know everything about you?”
“Hold it right there!”
Clarissa found it so annoying to keep hearing him say that he liked her.
“Don’t keep saying that, I’m married. Moreover, it’s not like you love me deeply, it’s just a crush.”
“That’s not true, Rissa. Can’t other men like you when you’re married? It’s not a sin, is it? Your husband should be proud that his wife is still in demand. It complements his taste and affirms that he’s chosen the right person.”
Joshua was an open-minded person. However, Clarissa did not want to attract unnecessary attention.
Perhaps she was rather conservative in her thinking, she only wanted to focus on the one she loved. As long as the feelings were mutual, nothing else mattered. In fact, infatuation from others would be a burden with no benefits to anyone.
Clarissa nodded. “Joshua, you’ll realize how childish it is to think this way once you’ve met your one and only love. All of your love and adoration should be reserved for the woman who’s worthy of your affection.”
He seemed confused, but Clarissa did not bother to debate further.
Feeling pleased with the illustrations seen thus far, a consensus was reached upon deliberating all relevant details with the publisher. As soon as the full set of drawings were completed, they would start publishing the full series of Clarissa’s work.
The fairy tale that she had auctioned earlier landed in the hands of Matthew. Clarissa planned to print it as a book and gift it to her son as a present, limited edition and not for sale to the public.
However, it would be more appealing to the child if there were beautiful illustrations that go along with the story.
She passed the story to Joshua and tasked it to him, who agreed almost instantly.
It’d be a perfect festive gift to Damian.
She missed Damian so much and yearned to visit W City since she was not too occupied with work recently.
The journey there would only take about two hours by flight.
The more she thought about it, the more resolute she was to leave for W City. Without further ado, she returned to Zen Highlands to pack her things.
Hmm… It’s best I give Matthew a call to inform him about this decision.
“Now?”
Matthew frowned helplessly when he got the news about her impulsive plan.
“Yes, I’m not busy lately, so I’ll get a ticket and leave right away. It’s just a short distance away. Don’t stop me, okay? I want to stay at home and accompany Damian. I miss him terribly. I’ll flip out if you say no.”
Massaging his temple, Matthew replied, “I’m not stopping you, Clare. I miss him as much as you do too.”
“But you don’t have time to go to W City.”
She was packing while talking to him over the phone, “When I get there, I’ll make sure Damian video chats with you often, all right? I’m leaving soon.”
“Okay, I’ll get the chauffeur to drive you to the airport. The flight details will be sent to your phone in a bit.”
Smiling sweetly, Clarissa answered, “Thanks, my dear Hubby, you’re the best. I’ll get going first.”
It takes a lot of effort to hear her address me as ‘Hubby.”
A satisfied smug appeared on his face. He did not hang up but continued to engage in small talks with her. Once she got into the car and settled down, Matthew shared, “Clare, I don’t want to keep doing this with my own son; seeing him via video calls or meeting up once or twice each month.”
Clarissa understood the hidden meaning in his words.
She kept quiet; he did not push her for an answer either.
Shortly after, Clarissa broke the silence. “I know, this is definitely not a desirable long-term plan.”
She sighed. “I was just thinking about this issue a few days ago. Damian will be entering kindergarten next year. It’s best he studies in D City. Most importantly, as a father, you can’t always be absent in his life. It’s not your fault; the problem stems from Grandma and me. Well, don’t worry, I promise you that I’ll persuade Grandma and sort this out before Damian goes to school.”
Her promise gave him a lot of assurance.
“Clare, I must thank you.”
“Huh? Whatever for?”
He chuckled sentimentally. “Thank you for giving me such an adorable and intelligent son. I’ve never had a chance to say this to you. I also didn’t get to thank you personally for your endurance when you delivered our son.”
Upon hearing his sincere words, Clarissa failed to hold back her tears and they streamed down her face profusely.
She did not sob, but merely let the tears streak her face.
“You… Why did you mention all these out of the blue? You made me tear up,” she choked up and responded in a whiny voice.
He laughed. “I just thought about it. All right, I shall stop. Don’t cry, okay?”
“Hmph, you must keep saying nice things like these. However, wait for my return and say it to me again. I’ll be extremely touched.”
“Sure, I’ll do it again when you come back.”
His reply made her broke out into laughter.
Two hours later, Clarissa was back in W City. She could not stop hugging her cute son and showering him with smooches.
“Mommy, Mommy, I miss you so so so so much! I love you very much too…”
It was too sweet to hear these words from Damian. Clarissa’s heart felt so warm.
Staring at his lovely face, she could not stop cuddling and kissing him. She felt that she had the entire world in her palm whenever she was with Damian. Every second spent with the little one was worth much more than anything else.
Then, Matthew crossed her mind. It must have pained him a lot for not being able to see Damian as often as he’d wished.
When Clarissa brought Damian to the kids’ fun land at the mall, she posted him a question, “Darling, tell me honestly. Do you miss Daddy?”
At that time, the elated Damian was enjoying himself on a bumper car ride; nothing mattered more to him than having fun.
“Nope!”
Clarissa’s lips twitched. She figured out it was not the best time to ask him that question. When they finally settled down with no distraction, she made another attempt.
“Darling, do you want to live with Daddy? He can bring you to the shooting range, go on car rides, and put you on his shoulders just like what Jackie did with his dad…”
She gave him a lot of examples and uttered a long list of Matthew’s strengths.
Tilting his head, Damian stared at her and queried, “Mommy, you want me to live with Daddy, right?”
She paused and raised the white flag.
“Yes, Darling, I would very much want the three of us to stay together.”
Damian reached out his hand to stroke Clarissa’s face as if trying to console her. “All right, all right. I’ll do whatever that makes you happy Mommy.”
The way he gives in to me and comforts me… He’s just like an adult trapped in a little boy’s body.
Clarissa giggled at the sight of his chubby face, contrasted with his mature actions. My son is so charming.
She could not help but give him another kiss.
Feeling rather impatient, Damian pushed his mother away and asked, “Can I go play now?”
“Haha… okay, okay. I won’t delay you further. Go ahead and enjoy yourself.”
Immediately, he dashed to the other children and socialized with them. When he met some older kids, Damian would address them politely.
Some kids ignored him, but he would still wear a warm smile on his face, not knowing what it meant to feel awkward.
There were also some friendly children who invited him to play together. He would chit-chat non-stop with them, regardless if the other party understood him.
Clarissa was observing him from afar. Who does this fellow take after? He’s so talkative. Matthew is definitely a man of few words. Hmm… No, I’m totally not loquacious.
After having a great time at the arcade, both the mother and her son enjoyed a meal together.
Clarissa started reminding his son, “When we get home, don’t tell Great-grandma that I want you to live with Daddy. Understand?”
“Sure.”
“When it’s bed time, you can mention that you miss Daddy. Okay?”
“Sure.”
“If Great-grandma appears to be upset, stop after the first mention. Do you get it?”
“Yes.”
“If Great-grandma didn’t pull a long face, you can repeat and say how much you miss Daddy, all right?”
Damian stopped responding. Furrowing his brows, he lifted his head, revealing a greasy mouth filled with food. “Mommy, you’re so noisy. Can you let me eat first and talk later?” he grumbled.
Clarissa was rendered speechless.
Biting her lips, she zipped her mouth at her son’s complaint.
When they finished their meal, Clarissa helped Damian clean his hands and mouth. Then, she put his jacket on for him and was ready to carry him home.
Suddenly, Damian uttered, “Mommy, I’ll tell Great-grandma that I miss Daddy.”
Clarissa turned her head to look at her son, who was sitting at the backseat. He’s so smart. He understands everything that the adults say. Conversely, the adults are the ones who assume kids know nothing. My son is exceptionally intelligent and mature.
