Chapter 46

Clara stood at the entrance of the hotel, staring up at the towering building with wide eyes. The sparkling lights and grand lobby made her feel like she was in a movie. She could hardly believe this was where Andrew had booked their anniversary dinner. She’d never been to a place this fancy before. It was so different from their usual spots—a cozy little diner or a small restaurant down the road. The Grand Pavilion was something out of a dream.

She turned to Andrew, her heart pounding a little faster. “You’re not pulling my leg, are you? This is really the place, right?”

Andrew grinned at her, clearly amused by her surprise. “Of course, it’s the place. I made the reservation a few days ago. Come on, don’t tell me you’re already having second thoughts.”

Clara laughed nervously. “No, not at all. It’s just… I didn’t think you’d go all out like this.”

“Well, it’s our anniversary, isn’t it?” Andrew said with a wink. “I wanted to do something special. Something we’ll both remember.”

Clara smiled, feeling the warmth of his words. She always loved how thoughtful Andrew was. It wasn’t often that he went for extravagant gestures, but when he did, it was clear he meant it.

With a soft laugh, Clara shook her head. “Alright, alright, I believe you. Let’s go inside then.”

Andrew took her hand, leading her toward the entrance. As they walked, Clara’s eyes wandered around the lobby. Everything was so elegant—gold chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, plush red carpets, and walls adorned with stunning artwork. She couldn’t help but feel a little out of place in her simple dress, but Andrew reassured her with his usual calm smile.

As they approached the elevator, a loud shriek suddenly filled the air, making Clara jump. She turned, startled, and saw a woman walking toward them. Clara froze. It was Hayley Monroe.

“Clara! Oh my gosh, is that really you?” Hayley exclaimed, rushing up to her.

Clara’s heart sank. It had been years since she’d seen Hayley. Back in college, Hayley had been the one everyone envied—the girl with the perfect figure, the perfect smile, and the perfect life... or at least that’s what she wanted everyone to think. Clara and Hayley had been roommates for a while, but they’d never been close. Hayley had always been a bit too full of herself for Clara’s taste. She was always bragging about the latest rich guy she’d hooked up with or the designer bag she’d just bought. Clara couldn’t stand her attitude, but she tried to be polite, for the sake of their shared living situation.

Now, here Hayley was, in all her glory. Her dress was so tight Clara wondered how she could breathe in it, and her makeup was caked on thick like she was trying too hard to look perfect.

Clara forced a smile, but there was an edge to her voice when she spoke. “Hayley, long time no see. What are you doing here?”

Hayley laughed, a little too loudly. “What a coincidence! I didn’t know you’d be here too! This place is amazing, right? I come here all the time.”

Clara raised an eyebrow. “Really? I would have never guessed.”

Andrew, who had been standing silently beside Clara, spoke up, his voice smooth and calm. “Clara and I are here to celebrate our anniversary.”

Hayley turned to look at Andrew, a look of recognition flashing in her eyes. “Wait a minute, you’re Andrew, right? I remember you from college. You were the guy who always seemed to be struggling with money. But I guess you’ve done well for yourself since then.”

Clara’s eyes narrowed. She could feel Andrew’s discomfort at Hayley’s bluntness, but he kept his cool.

“Yeah, well,” Andrew began, “things have been better lately. We’re here for a special night. A night that’s about us, not about the past.”

Hayley chuckled, not fazed by Andrew’s tone at all. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say. But I still remember you as the guy who had to borrow money to buy lunch at the cafeteria. You were pretty... well, how do I say this—cheap back then.”

Clara’s face flushed with embarrassment. Andrew had always been a humble guy. He never liked showing off, but Hayley seemed determined to make him feel small in front of everyone.

“Well, people change, Hayley,” Clara said, her voice tight. “We all have to start somewhere.”

Hayley raised her eyebrows, clearly amused. “Oh, no offense! I just think it’s funny how some people think they can escape their past. Anyway, let me introduce you to my husband!”

She turned to the man standing beside her. He was tall, with sharp features and an expensive-looking suit that screamed wealth. His eyes were cold as if he was constantly judging everyone around him.

“This is my husband, Abner,” Hayley said with a proud smile. “He’s the young master of the Brandon family. His family’s been rich for generations, and he’s next in line to inherit millions. Isn’t that amazing?”

Abner didn’t say anything but just gave a slight nod. His eyes flickered briefly over Andrew and Clara, but he seemed mostly uninterested.

Clara forced a smile, even though she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. Hayley was flaunting her marriage to a man with a massive inheritance like it was the most impressive thing in the world. Clara didn’t care about money, but she couldn’t ignore the smugness in Hayley’s voice.

“Well, that’s nice,” Andrew said politely. “It’s good to see you’re doing well, Hayley. And congratulations on your marriage.”

Hayley grinned. “Thanks! I’m really lucky, you know. Abner’s not just rich, but he’s also... well, let’s just say he knows how to treat a lady.”

Clara bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything harsh. It wasn’t worth it. They were here for their special night, and she wasn’t going to let Hayley ruin it.

As if on cue, Hayley shifted the conversation again. “So, where are you two sitting tonight? You probably booked a table in one of the regular sections, huh?”

Andrew raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk forming on his face. “Actually, we have a private table. A very special one.”

Hayley’s eyes widened. “A private table? What do you mean? You didn’t book the normal one, did you?”

Andrew smiled. “No. We booked a table in the Grand SKY, the most exclusive section of the entire hotel.”

Hayley’s mouth dropped open. “The Grand SKY? The one where all the VIPs eat? You? No way!”

Clara couldn’t help but chuckle at Hayley’s shock. She had no idea that Andrew had reserved the best spot in the hotel. She felt a little proud of him.

Hayley seemed to recover quickly, though, and just smiled sweetly. “Well, I’m sure it’s nice. But I still think you should’ve upgraded to a luxury suite. You know, just to make things a bit fancier. After all, you’re in Beverly Hills now. People expect a certain standard.”

Andrew shook his head. “We’re happy with what we have, thank you.”

Hayley shrugged nonchalantly. “Suit yourself.”

Then, to everyone’s surprise, she suddenly started talking to Abner, completely ignoring Clara and Andrew. It was as if she had no interest in their conversation anymore.

Andrew watched this with a bemused smile but didn’t say anything. He wasn’t about to let Hayley’s rude behavior ruin his night.

Suddenly, there was a brief silence, and Andrew took out his phone, tapping the screen with one hand. His eyes met Clara’s for a moment, and then he glanced at Hayley, who was still chatting away with her husband.

Clara felt a strange sense of tension in the air. Something was off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Why did Andrew look so focused on his phone?

Then, the phone buzzed in Andrew’s hand. A message appeared on the screen. He read it quickly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Well, Hayley,” Andrew said in a calm voice, his tone laced with something Clara couldn’t quite read, “I have some very interesting information about you. Would you like to hear it?”

Hayley frowned, her curiosity piqued. “What info?”

Andrew let out a loud chuckle, eyes fixed on Hayley as he began to read from his phone. “Hayley Monroe, 24 years old, graduated from Beverly Hills University...”

Clara's eyes widened as the room suddenly seemed to freeze. What was Andrew about to expose about Hayley?