After the movie, it was half-past eleven.
Stella stated, "I need to go home now."
“I'll send you,” Clarence stated in low tones.
“Okay.”
Clarence stayed mute for the entire journey. The film seemed to have a profound effect on him.
Stella smiled as she rolled down the window, letting the chilly breeze brush her face.
After some time, when the car arrived at the Steward's residence, Stella unbuckled the belt and
reached for the door.
She turned as soon as her hand was on the handle and said, "I'm going."
“Would you like me to send you in?” Clarence said slowly.
“... Forget about it,” and she got out of the car.
She came to a halt after a few steps and turned to face Clarence, who did not appear to be going.
Stella believed she heard someone using the lighter as she walked away.
Clarence was, in fact, smoking.
Clarence swiftly waved his palm in front of her, attempting to sweep away the smokes noticing she
came back out of a sudden. “What made you turn around?”
Stella fixed her gaze on him, her hands resting on the window frame next to him.
Clarence was perplexed.
After seeing that movie, the way she looked at him felt odd. Being gazed at made him feel uneasy.
Stella inquired, "Something troubling you?" when he tried to look away.
“What could trouble me?” Clarence defended himself.
“An internet test claimed that if a pair stares at each other for more than fifteen seconds, they will start
kissing, but you were avoiding me, is anything troubling you?”
“Was that a hint?”
“Err…”
Her remark was cut short by a hand placed behind her neck and a set of lips with a slight cigarette
smell pressed against hers; the kiss quickly became intense.
Clarence let her go when the cigarette bud almost burnt off. His fingers caressed the back of her neck
as he asked, "Come back in and continue?"
Stella pushed him away, saying, "In your dream!"
“You were the one who started it.” Clarence gave a kind smile.
“I was only...” Stella gave up and stared at the cigarette box. “It should be me who is unhappy, not you.”
“I feel terrible for you,” he murmured as he took her hand in his.
“It was just a movie; why were you so serious?” Stella stated.
“Nothing. Sometimes I feel sorry for you.” Clarence elaborated.
“Sometimes?”
Was not it always the case?
Stella closed her mouth as she saw Clarence's stare.
She then drew her hands back, saying, "Don't waste your time here, I'm going in."
Clarence locked his gaze on her and drew her back down for another round of kisses. “You may go in
now,” he said after a little moment.
“Quit smoking,” she said as she was about to walk away.
“All right," he answered.
Stella worried and stretched her hand, "Give it to me."
Clarence placed the lighter and cigarette box on her palm.
Stella grinned and said, "Okay, I'm going, be cautious on the way home."
Clarence smoked only when something was truly troubling him.
She had no idea why a movie had such an influence on him though.
“All right,” Clarence said.
Stella went in with the cigarette and lighter in her handbag.
She didn't drive tonight, so she walked.
As she walked, the street lights on both sides abruptly went out, and the surrounding area went black.
A brilliant light flashed from behind her as she attempted to turn on the torch on her phone.
She turned and saw that it was the lights from the vehicle behind her. Stella's face lit up when she saw
this.
She continued walking forward without reaching for her mobile again.
The lights from the car were enough to guide her through the entire walk.
Although she was walking alone on this route at this hour, she didn't feel lonely but felt safe instead.
Soon she arrived at the garden with lights and texted Clarence that she arrived.
The vehicle lights went off a few seconds after she texted him.
Stella set her mobile aside and saw the study room was wide open as she came up the stairs.
She wasn't sure if it was a habit or a preventative precaution, preventing her from entering. But the
study room was always closed and only opened when Charles was around.
Stella took a glance around, quickly entered her room, and locked the door before entering the shower.
A maid emerged from around the corner after Stella went into her room. The maid headed to Phoebe’s
room and knocked on the door.
“Come on in,” Phoebe said.
“Ms. Steward,” the maid greeted as she entered.
“Is Stella home?” Phoebe inquired, flipping through a magazine on the sofa.
“Yes, she just went into her room.”
“Didn't I tell you to turn out the lights?” She was quick.”
The maid stumbled, didn't know what to say. “Err…”
Phoebe smirked. She was well aware that it was something she would prefer not to hear.
“Did you, as I indicated, leave the door to the study room open?” Phoebe went on.
“Yeah, yes. Ms. Radomil peeked into the study room just now; she knows it's open.”
While browsing through the magazine, Phoebe laughed and said, "Keep an eye on her and tell me if
she enters the study room."
“But Master Steward isn't home, and if he finds out...” the maid was concerned.
“There is nothing to worry about.”
After that, the maid remained silent and dropped her head.
“You may go out now. Stella is smart; she will enter only when no one is around. Stay awake tonight
and keep an eye on her nearby the study room.” Phoebe gave the order.
“Yes.” The maid responded.
“Get out now.”
After the maid had departed, Phoebe threw the magazine on the table impatiently.
Stella had something she could use as leverage against her, which led to her defeat the last time.
But now she had security cameras put in the study room so that as soon as Stella stepped inside, she
could use this as an excuse to throw her out of the Steward family.
Stella had no opportunity of retrieving any information as well.
Stella had no opportunity of retrieving any information as well.
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