The atmosphere gradually became awkward, and Tobias couldn't hold it in any longer, frowning as he glanced at me.
Puzzled, I looked up. "Hmm?"
The reporters exchanged glances, hesitating to withdraw their microphones. The new publicity opportunity seemed to be slipping away...
"Recently, Prof. Dorne has made significant breakthroughs in the collision of color palettes and the improvisation of brushstrokes..."
A clear, bright voice suddenly interrupted.
I looked up to see Clara, dressed in a sleek moon-white dress, walking gracefully and confidently towards us. In just a few sentences, she had perfectly responded on Tobias's behalf.
The originally displeased expression on the man’s face lit up.
He was looking at her in a completely different way.
Clara’s stunning poise contrasted sharply with my awkwardness.
Reporters flocked to her, and Tobias's gaze followed her like a shadow. As he moved on to review his other new works, he didn't even notice I hadn't kept up.
This bargirl was indeed clever; she had memorized the information I anonymously sent her in the morning thoroughly. She seemed overly eager to become Mrs. Dorne; it was almost comical how she had followed my lead so blatantly.
I didn’t see Tobias again until the night ended.
I only received a text saying he had something to attend to and that I should take a cab home by myself.
This was the first time in eight years.
With a cold smile, I was about to leave but caught a glimpse of him at the stairway corner.
Curious, I followed, only to see him kissing Clara passionately, pinning her against the wall in the stairwell.
Tobias's voice was breathless. "Clara, you're really different today."
"Do you like it?" Clara's face blushed, her voice delicate and tender. "Ah... Wait, yesterday... I accidentally washed off Bella's portrait from my back..."
Tobias was deeply infatuated. "It doesn't matter."
"But didn't you say..."
"I'm saying it now, it doesn't matter."
"Prof. Dorne, this is the first time you haven't..."
Excitement overwhelmed Clara, but Tobias stifled her words with a more fervent kiss.
Silently, I paused the recording, saving it with a blank expression.
My heart ached dully, a bit nauseous, yet there was a subtle anticipation of complete separation.
It wasn’t until 2 AM that Tobias quietly entered the house.
He lay down on the bed without even showering and quickly fell asleep, evidently exhausted.
The next morning, he had completely forgotten his promise to take me to see the doctor again.
During breakfast, he stared at his WhatsApp chat, a smile in his eyes.
Buzz.
A message appeared on the anonymous account I used yesterday. "You were right! You must be a die-hard fan of Tobias's work!"
I responded coldly, "Yes."
$1000 transferred.
Clara's excited and audacious message followed. "I'm hiring you as my consultant. Whenever Tobias has new works, you must send the interpretations to me immediately!"
I clicked to accept.
At the same time, I accidentally heard Clara’s voice from Tobias's phone:
"Tobias~ It's all your fault. I'm still lying in bed, unable to get up. You left too early last night; otherwise, I would’ve wanted more..."
"Crash" the sound of utensils clashing.
Tobias hurriedly turned off his screen.
He looked up at me in a panic, finding me mechanically spooning porridge into my mouth, my expression vacant. Relieved, he sighed.
