Today Claudia didn’t go on a date with Harry because she was preparing to perform at the upcoming music festival. When she entered the luxurious building of the Scarlet Community association, Claudia only hoped that Davina wouldn’t force herself to attend the meeting too much. Moreover, she was a witness to what Davina did last night which was very life-threatening.
Luckily, when she entered the room, Davina didn’t show the bridge of her nose. Claudia smiled with relief then took the seat next to Clarissa.
"I thought you wouldn’t come, Claudia!" greeted Clarissa pinching Claudia’s cheek a little energetically.
Claudia narrowed her eyes. "Isn’t it more likely that you were too lazy to come because you were busy dating Kyle?"
Clarissa’s eyes widened. She immediately covered Claudia’s mouth with her palm while looking at her friends who were glaring at her now.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"So, now you are busy dating a handsome man who is no less handsome than Harry?" Arabella asked in a tone like she was interrogating a suspect.
"It turns out that what I saw at the dance party was true. Clarissa is secretly dating someone," added Alice, also reacting shocked.
Clarissa’s eyes were fixed on Larissa’s face, who was holding back laughter. "You think the same thing, Your Majesty?"
Claudia folded her arms. "But, if you are really dating him, why be shy? In fact, we all really support your relationship. "Moreover, Kyle is a good person and Harry’s close friend too."
"Yes indeed. But more likely..."
Larissa rolled her eyes. "Even Claudia’s love story is simpler than yours, Clarissa."
"I like Kyle. But he doesn’t necessarily like me."
"Oh my God! It turns out you’ve grown up, Clarissa!" Arabella cheered, clapping her hands.
"I’m worried I’ll be rejected twice in my life."
Claudia patted Clarissa’s shoulder with a confident look. "I’m sure Kyle really likes you too. Because I see his gaze every time I’m with you."
"Even though you’ve only seen it once while riding. At that time he really cared about me, especially when it was raining."
"What did he do?"
"Anyway, since then, I like him more and more." Clarissa looked down while pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
*****
When Kyle’s team and Harry’s team competed on horseback and split up to explore the forest and river area, suddenly heavy rain poured down even though the sunlight was quite hot. Clarissa feels annoyed every time she gets caught in the rain because she easily catches colds. Even so, she still followed Kyle who was still struggling to reach the finish line.
Suddenly Clarissa sneezed in the middle of the road where there was no shelter. Hope they can reach the finish line earlier so they can take shelter in a closed place.
"Are you cold?" Kyle asked, suddenly making Clarissa startled.
"My nose just itches. We’d better keep going."
Kyle laughed awkwardly as he stopped his horse suddenly. "You sneezed at the wrong time."
"What?"
Kyle got off the brown horse, then stretched out his right hand. "Let’s just rest for a while. You’ll catch a real flu if you get caught in the rain."
"But, then you will lose to Harry."
"Do I really think this competition is serious? Why are you so stubborn when you yourself are in trouble?"
Clarissa exhaled in resignation as she held Kyle’s hand tightly, letting Kyle lift her body down the horse. Before she got there, Kyle treated her like a princess. Kyle took off his jacket and then covered her body, which was starting to shiver.
"Just put on my jacket until the rain stops."
"But then you’ll get a cold."
"I actually feel hot. It’s better for you to wear it."
Kyle took Clarissa’s hand through the forest which was deep enough to rest while waiting for the rain to stop. They sat on a large rock under a tree, Clarissa still hadn’t said a word because she was tired of being easily carried away just because a man treated her sweetly.
"Why are you silent?"
"Yes?" said Clarissa, confused.
"I won’t scold you. Why were you so afraid of me earlier?"
"That’s because–"
"Are you afraid that I will act like Harry who rejected you in such a humiliating way that time?"
Clarissa’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "You saw him at that time?"
"Yeah, I saw it from start to finish. You are humiliated by many people because you don’t know yourself. If I were you, I would be embarrassed too." Kyle stroked Clarissa’s head, gradually making Clarissa’s heart pound. "You don’t need to worry. That doesn’t mean I’m laughing at you. I actually pray for you that you will find a man who is much better than him in the near future."
"But who?"
"There definitely is and you just have to wait."
*****
Clarissa only briefly explained what she experienced while riding. Remembering that moment managed to make her cheeks turn red. Alice could only shake her head at her friend, who easily fell in love with a man, even though she really supported Clarissa and Kyle’s relationship getting closer.
"Kyle has given you a love code," said Alice straight to the point.
"But, does Kyle really love me too?"
Claudia narrowed her eyes. "Do I need to ask Harry for help too so you can be with Kyle?"
"No need. I don’t want to bother him anymore after he saved my life that time. Besides, Harry can’t be relied on when it comes to romance."
Suddenly Davina appeared with a faint smile as she entered this room. Claudia greeted her arrival with a glare as she walked quickly towards her.
"Davina, why have you come?"
"It’s impossible for me not to join you in practice."
"I heard your story from Claudia. "Indeed, you should rest first, Davina," suggested Larissa with a worried look.
"I am truly fine now, Your Majesty. The criminals are dead and I am very grateful to the hero who saved my life last night."
Remembering the figure of the hero who recently appeared amidst the problems faced by the members of the Scarlet Community made Alice frown. "I suspect that the hero was Harry."