Chapter 18 Sandy’s Target

Two days in the restaurant were divine. Clara felt so special to have that beautiful moment in her life. Did her mom actually do some magic like that godmother in Cinderella tale? She ironed and folded the jacket that Alex gave her that night. He is a nice guy but yeah with lots of secrets. She totally forgot about Elena who was furious with the fact alone that Clara is no longer fearing her.

The next good thing is she got selected for the interview. It's her first day. She informed all at the dining table that she would be joining her work today. No one opposed her idea which elated her like anything.

"Hi," Clara turned to see Edward there.

"I am sorry for that day. I didn't know. Moreover, I don't drink often. So, it gets out of control whenever I am drunk" Edward scratched his head. Clara stayed silent as she was just noticing him.

"By the way, you are perfect for my brother," Edward laughed.

"I mean, someone should be beside him to tell him that not everything would go as per his wish. He can't rule everything." Edward whispered as Clara smiled at his words. Yeah, that is true. Alex had that aura that he was above everything and he could manipulate everyone. Edward has sharp eyes and he knows that Clara is not someone who can easily be manipulated.

"Let's just forget that. I am embarrassed to even look at you" Edward spoke again as he could see her hesitate more. She smiled and nodded. She took her belongings and left the home early so that she wouldn't be late on the first day.

*****

"Alex will drop you" Frank spoke at the end of the discussion as Clara dropped her shoulders in dismay. She doesn't want to be highlighted in her new company. If Alex accompanied her, she would grab attention for sure. She dislikes them.

"At least dress up yourself properly. You are not Clara Taylor. You are Clara Fernandez." Sharon didn't want to sound harsh as she was known for her polite and soft nature in the family. But with Clara, she doesn't want to care. This girl is not right for her family.

"I am Clara either way," Clara mumbled in a low voice. Grace smiled at her.

"You look pretty in everything" Grace cupped her cheeks. But yeah, everyone agreed with Sharon's words. Clara wore simple pants paired with a plain shirt. Even though she idor'écrcrássy attor'erégarn;t srlendor'écr'Jerbo Starrudiorlin is worth

"But you should" Sharon's words stopped midway as Mathew stopped her from saying anything.

Clara didn't like how Sharon mentioned her dress. Even though it was a fact, she felt too angry about how they only worried about their family name.

Alex and Clara left the home after breakfast.

"Don't worry about me. I shall take a cab." Clara didn't get inside the car as Alex frowned.

"Did you change once again after the trip?" he asked instantly. This girl is just like the seasons of the year. How can someone change their attitude all the time?

"I mean, I don't want anyone to find out about you. You are" Clara mumbled, not able to find the correct word to describe him. Is it handsome?

"Famous?" He helped her with a smile as she nodded with relief. She doesn't have any intention to tag herself as Fernandez. Alex understood her worry as Mac already said that Clara lived in a shell till now. She is not known to the world like Elsa.

"Yeah, as you know I am too hot." He mumbled as her cheeks turned pink with his words.

"By the way, you are perfect in this dress. Don't take my aunt's words to heart. She speaks very frankly but never hurts anyone intentionally" Alex was amused at how he spoke to her. But again, Clara is someone who managed to get his attention since they met.

"You can call me if you need anything," Alex replied and left in his car, leaving her to go to her company alone. Clara started to believe that her happy days had come at last. Even though she has no hope in this marriage, she is not threatened by anything. Skyline enterprise "How can this be possible?" Everyone is wondering about the same thing.

"It was the dream project of our boss. He spent a lot of time just finalizing the theme. Then, how can he just appoint anyone from outside as head designer?" Diya was unable to understand the reason behind it.

"We all hoped that it would be you" She added to the girl next to her who had been silent since the news broke. Her stare was sharp and full of anger.

"Layla, relax. It's not yet official. I am sure the boss has better reasons for it" Nathan D'cruz, creative director of the team, consoled his sister who is the head designer of all exclusive projects. Moreover, she is favoured by the boss many times because of her family reputation and of course because of her talent too.

"I don't care about that project now. All I care about is if it's not me, I will completely ruin this project" Layla spoke, crushing the bottle in her hand.

"I guess the girl is here." Someone announced the news. Everyone came running to the reception area to see who the girl was. It's hard to get selected by Sandy Williams even for a small clerk post but this girl managed to crack the prestigious position without any effort.

"Excuse me, I am Clara," Clara told the lady in the office room, not sure of what surname she should use here. Should she say, Taylor? Or Fernandez?

Everyone in the office looked at Clara and there was no way they could turn their heads away from her. She hasn't carried anything so special but still her simple and natural look made the girls jealous and boys drool over her.

"Boss is here" The security guard exclaimed loud enough for everyone to get back to their seats. Layla stood there to confront him for such actions.

Clara felt everyone's stares over her and she hated that the most. She quietly sat there as told by the reception girl.

"Boss, miss. Clara is here" Sandy heard his assistant telling him. Miss. Clara? That will be more interesting. She didn't disclose that she is Alex's wife.

"Give her the details of the project and let Nathan lead her." Sandy gave the instructions and left for his cabin through his private elevator without Clara's notice. Oliver came to Nathan and Layla.

"She is newly appointed." Oliver tried to deliver the message but Layla interrupted him.

"Did she get selected for the new project?" Layla asked directly.

"The project is Boss's dream project. He won't select anyone that easily. He already planned something to select team members as per their quality of work. So kindly wait for his official announcement" Oliver warned Layla not to spread rumours unnecessarily. Even Oliver is clueless as to how anyone can know this even before Sandy made it official. He told Oliver just before that he would select Clara for the project and the rumour has begun already. But he can't let anyone badmouth his boss. He will surely ask him to do something so that the selection seems fair.

*****

"I don't think I have given you an appointment to meet me?" Alex barked suddenly, making Elsa walk back in fear. He was always very calm and polite when talking to her. But yeah, she should know what would happen when you betray the great Alexander.

"Listen, Miss. Taylor. I don't have time for your melodrama or any of your fake stories. You will be the model for this year. But I can't guarantee if your actions provoke me to do otherwise" Alex dashed the door to her face and left the cabin. Elsa has never felt humiliated like this in her entire life.

But she is not the girl to give up so easily. She needs to get back his trust so that she can get what she wants.

"Skyline is working on their new project, Classy Sparkles" Mac informed Alex as he fisted his hand in distress.

"The one which we three dreamt to make happen together" Mac added with a sadness-filled voice. Whatever happened was not supposed to happen and Mac always wished to have their old days back.

"It will surely hit the market with the theme which we decided back then. But I wonder

if he uses the same theme or not" Mac is damn involved that he failed to notice the fire stares of Alex which alone can cause a volcano.

"Guess you don't need your pay for this month." Alex started as Mac looked at him with wide eyes. That will be a big punishment for talking about it.

"How about you raise my salary for what all you are making me do?" Mac was annoyed this time. Alex raises his eyebrows at him.

"I followed your wife like a teenage stalker to fetch information for you. This needs a huge pay to keep them secret from your family and wife. Isn't it?" Mac asked with the same raised eyebrows as Alex gawked at him.

"That too a smart lady like Clara, it's hard to follow her " Mac pouts when he recalled the incident earlier the day.

"She knew that I was stalking her so she smartly made me confused and left," Mac recalled how she escaped from his eagle eyes.

"So, there is no way I am giving you a raise in your pay unless you find out where she is working," Alex yelled. He doesn't want to ask Clara as he already told her that he would not interfere in her personal matters. But he felt some sense of responsibility towards her. Maybe because he is her husband? He didn't know that he could feel this way towards anyone other than Rose.

"One more thing" Mac was hesitating to tell this since he came but couldn't gather the courage.

"There is a rumour that we will collaborate with Classy Sparkles. As the name has our brand's name and their theme name, the rumour has been circulating and I have received so many calls to answer about the same." Mac spoke in one go. Of course. If the project name is Classy Sparkles, they would suspect the same.

If Sparkles and Skyline collaborated, it would be a rocket hit even before the release. Alex crushed the paper there with the rumour thing alone and Mac sighed tiredly. He even wanted to suggest the same to Alex. But seeing his anger, Mac knew better to even breathe in that room.