No Strings Attached

Chapter 4

After the crushing weight of her sorrow began to lift, Clara quickly packed her belongings without a backward. glance and walked out the door, leaving her past behind.

Elsewhere, a sleek black Rolls–Royce Cullinan cut through the silent streets like a bolt of lightning.

lan’s mind replayed Clara’s resolute face as she uttered the words “We’re breaking up” over and over. All because he missed her birthday, all because of a little jealousy, she was ready to call it quits. He mused that he might need to get a handle on her fiery temper.

Frustrated, lan yanked off his tie and tossed it aside. His phone rang several times before he finally picked up. “What’s up?”

A rascally, carefree voice came through the speaker. “What took you so long to answer the phone, buddy?.”

“I’m driving!”

Chase let out a mischievous chuckle. “With Ms. Clara? Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Got nothing better to do?”

coming to the Nightshade Bar? Edwin’s treating.”

the Nightshade Bar, Chase slid a drink over to lan and grinned impishly. “You look like you’ve been dragged through the mud.

a frosty look. “Ever heard, ‘a lovers‘ quarrels brings them closer?”

the

lightly under the table, none too

you better draw a line with Heidi. Don’t go running every time she calls. Otherwise, don’t come crying to me if you lose your

she’s not a threat, but Clara won’t

had a marriage pact since you were kids. You think any girl would be cool with her

out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag, the shadows

the private room door swung open. Edwin walked in, arm in arm with Heidi. “Sorry, guys, Heidi

lan an apologetic look and chuckled awkwardly.

course not. Your sister is like my own. Heidi, come sit by me.”

smile was gentle and pure, belying any ulterior motives. “You’re right under the AC vent. It’s too cold.

next to lan and placed a small, elegant box in front of him. “lan, last time you stood up your girlfriend to save

coolly,

this lipstick as an apology. If there are any misunderstandings, I can explain it

even glance at the gift as he rejected