Scarlet Truth

Four

Clara Daniels

The moment we were done with the meeting, different thoughts were running through my mind.

Did I do well!?

Did I just meet Mr Astor?

He gave me a handshake! Oh my days!!

Hope I didn't look nervous?

I replayed the whole thing over and over in my head, the way I spoke, the way I presented each dish, was I calm? Even though I could hear my heart pounding so loudly.

No picture I'd seen of him prepared me for this. He looked way better in real life.

***

We packed up and went downstairs. Mason ordered our ride. Mr. Wilson tapped me on my shoulder.

“Clara, you were brilliant there.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said softly.

“You were.” He paused, took a few notes from his wallet, and handed them to me. “Here. Take this.”

I froze. “Sir, I…..”

“Don’t argue.” He cut me. “Consider it an advance. If Astor gives us the contract, there will be more.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“When we get back to the restaurant, you can go see your mum, okay.”

I nodded.

***

I could smell the disinfectant as I walked through the hospital corridor. I went to Mom’s ward and saw Nadia sitting by Mom’s bedside, gently wiping her forehead.

“Clara.” Her face lit up when she saw me.

Mom was still unconscious, but the doctor had assured us that she would come around.

“Hey.” I sat beside her. “How was Mom today?” I asked.

“She moved her hands a bit, but she had not opened her eyes,” Nadia said as she wiped her tears.

“She will be fine, okay,” I said in a shaky voice.

“I brought some money, Mr Wilson gave it to me.” I pressed the money into her hand.

“It will help, but we still need more,” she said, sobbing.

“I know.” I tried to smile. “But one step at a time.”

Though mom was semiconscious, she looked stable. The wheezing and the fever have gone. At least she looked better than the last time. That made me calm. Nadia and I stepped out into the corridor.

“I bought food.” I took out the food that was in my other bag and handed it to Nadia.

“Thanks.” She brought out the spoons and water.

“Do you ever get tired of the way things are for us?”

I sighed. “I am tired. But what can we do? We just have us, and we need to be strong for ourselves.”

"I mean… we are young, Clara."

"We should be thinking about dreams, love, career… but all we do is survive," Nadia sighed.

"Things will change for us soon."

"I know we cannot be like this forever," I said optimistically.

Damian Astor

The sound of my alarm woke me up from my restless sleep. I reached out and turned it off. All through the night, Clara's eyes, voice, confidence, and style lingered in my mind. I pushed the thought away and got up.

I was done dressing up, I wore my Rolex wristwatch and my cologne. I could smell the aroma of toast from my kitchen downstairs.

“Good morning sir.” My housekeeper greeted me with a warm smile.

“Morning Martha,” I replied.

“Here's your toast sir.”

“Thanks.”

Martha has been working with me for three years now. She's in her fifties, she comes four times a week to clean and prepare meals. She rarely spoke unless necessary.

I made my way to my lobby. It was 7:45am. My driver, Henry, was already waiting in the parking lot.

“Good morning sir,” he collected my briefcase and opened the car door for me.

I nodded and sat in the back seat.

The drive to the office was smooth. We got to the main door of the Astor's group.

“Good morning sir.”

“Good morning Mr. Astor.”

I was greeted by different staff members as I walked down the marbled floor to the lift area.

“Good morning Mr. Astor.” My secretary greeted me as I got to my office.

She brought in a cup of coffee as she always does.

“Mr Alex will be here by nine o’clock sir,” she reminded me.

I nodded.

My mind drifted to Clara again. I could not shake off the feeling that I had to see her again.

“Sir, Mr Alex is here,” my secretary said over the intercom.

“Lead him to the conference room.”

I got to the conference room. Nicholas was already seated.

“Alex!"

"Good morning," I said, offering my hand to him.

“Good morning sir,” Alex answered.

Alex has been sending investment proposals for months now. He is the CEO of Q.Solar Energy. Nicholas and I were considering his terms.

He pitched his plans to us again.

“Mr Alex, Astor Group is proposing 60-40, that is, 40% for us,” Nicholas interrupted.

“Mr Nicholas, let's make it 70-30,” Alex replied.

“Why should we give you this contract and why 70-30?” I queried.

"Because we have been in this business long enough, we can deliver,"

Alex sat up straight. Our revenue for a year might match the top 5 competitors, but our 30% output will bring Astor more profit than 60% of these small firms.

I was impressed by his confidence.

“Noted,” I said firmly.

“We will reach out soon,” Nicholas said.

***

“Hello, meet me downstairs, I'm going out for lunch,” I said over the phone to Henry and hung up.

Nicholas casually walked into my office.

“Damian, what are you having for lunch?”

“I already have plans.”

“Really?"

"Can we go together?" Nicholas asked.

“No. I'm going to Le Petit to see things for myself.”

“Huh?"

"Le Petit?" He looked confused.

“Yeah, you heard me.”

“Damian…” he said slowly. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Nicholas asked as I adjusted my tie.

“It is just lunch,” I said.

“Hmm, is this about Miss Clara?” He smirked.

“Bye Nicholas.” I left him at the office.

***

The restaurant was smaller than I expected. It looks cozy, intimate, and has a warm ambiance.

And there she was.

Clara Daniels.

She did not see me at first. She was speaking to a waiter, and her hands were moving as she gestured to a table. She looked really beautiful and professional.