Startled, Clara jerked away from him, her heart racing with panic. She stood up quickly, fumbling to close the buttons on her blouse, her back turned toward the door just as her father appeared.
Richard stopped in the doorway, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of Adrian in Clara’s room. "Adrian? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion.
Clara turned around, her blouse buttoned hastily, and forced a smile. "Adrian was helping me with my homework," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, though her heart was still pounding in her chest.
Richard eyed them both, his gaze lingering on Clara before he turned to Adrian. "Adrian is a busy man, Clara. You shouldn’t be bothering him with things like that," he said, his tone sharp.
Adrian, always composed, offered a small smile. "It’s fine, Richard. I’m always pleased to help Clara whenever she needs," he replied smoothly.
A tense silence hung in the air, thick and heavy. Clara avoided her father's gaze, praying that he wouldn't ask any more questions. Adrian stood up, sensing the weight of the moment, and cleared his throat. "I should be going now," he announced, breaking the silence.
Richard nodded stiffly. "Yes, of course."
As Adrian walked past Richard and out the door, he shot Clara a quick, meaningful glance. She gave him a small, nervous smile before he disappeared down the hallway, leaving her alone with her father and the heavy atmosphere of the room.
The next day, Clara arrived at school with her thoughts still tangled in the events of the previous afternoon. Her father almost caught her and Adrian together and she had no idea what he would do if he ever find out about them — all she knew was that it would be catastrophic. As she walked through the school’s hallway, she tried to push those thoughts aside, focusing on the day ahead.
She was at her locker, gathering her books for the next class, when Elena appeared beside her with a bright smile on her face.
“Clara, good morning!” Elena greeted her, her voice cheerful and full of energy.
Clara smiled back, though her heart was still heavy. “Good morning, Elena.”
Without any preamble, Elena reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek white envelope, sealed with the Caldwell family crest. She handed it to Clara with a grin. “I’ve got something for you.”
Clara took the envelope, puzzled. She glanced at the crest, her mind racing. This was no ordinary invitation. She carefully broke the seal and slid out a beautifully embossed card. The words “Caldwell’s Annual Beneficent Ball” were printed in elegant gold lettering.
Clara’s eyes widened in shock. “Elena… is this—?”
“Yes, it is,” Elena said, almost bouncing with excitement. “It’s the invitation. It’s next week, and you’re coming!”
Clara stared at the invitation, disbelief washing over her. The Caldwell’s Annual Beneficent Ball was one of the most prestigious events in the city, where the most influential people gathered to raise money for charity while flaunting their wealth and power. Clara had never been invited to anything like this. Her family’s modest financial situation had always kept her at the periphery of such elite circles.
“Are you sure this is for me?” Clara asked, still dazed.
Elena nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely. My father and Henry personally asked me to deliver it to you. They’re both very excited about having you join us. They really like you, Clara. My father even mentioned how great it would be to have you in the family.”
Clara’s heart skipped a beat. The implication of Elena’s words was clear, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She smiled, trying to mask her nervousness. “That’s very kind of them. I’m honored.”
Elena beamed. “Of course! We’re thrilled to have you. It’s going to be an amazing night. And guess what? Adrian Belfort is one of the main donors this year, so he’ll definitely be there too. He’s your uncle, right?”
Clara’s breath hitched at the mention of Adrian’s name. Her mind raced, trying to process what Elena had just said. Why was she mentioning Adrian? Did she know something? Was it just a coincidence? Clara quickly composed herself and replied, “Adrian… Of course, he’s my step-uncle. My father’s stepbrother.”
Elena’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Really? I didn’t know that!”
Clara nodded, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to Elena’s interest in Adrian. Her mind started to spiral, wondering if Elena had somehow pieced together her connection to him. But then she chided herself for being paranoid. People at school loved to pick on her implying she was fucking him because of the car he gave her, but no one knew the truth. Elena was just being friendly. There was no way she could know.
“Yeah, it is,” Clara said, trying to sound casual. “He used to live in Europe, but he’s been around for a while now.”
Elena seemed satisfied with the answer and changed the subject with her usual enthusiasm. “Anyway, we need to go shopping for the perfect dress and shoes. And a complete spa day to make sure our skins look perfect!”
Clara hesitated. Shopping for a dress for such an event would be expensive, and she wasn’t sure she could afford something that would match the grandeur of the ball. But then, she remembered the black Amex card that Adrian had given her, tucked away in her purse like a secret.
After a brief internal debate, Clara nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You’re right. We should definitely go shopping.”
Elena’s face lit up with excitement. “Perfect! Let’s go after school. We’re going to be the prettiest girls at the ball.”