Chapter 26: Chapter 26

"When women are encouraged to be competitive, too many of them become disagreeable."

-Benjamin Spock-

***

Clara was washing her hand when she heard a creaking sound from the door. It was Jovanna. Clara had not previously noticed that she was there as well as one of the guest, she was a bit nervous around her due to how their last meeting ended but she tried to keep her cool and minded her own business. Jovanna walked beside her and pretended to wash her hand as well. Their reflection was both seen the mirror. Clara finished first and pulled her body away and wanted to walk away when Jovanna could not even bother to hide her dislike for Clara anymore.

"You must feel really great about yourself, having a great man like Raphael backing you up." Jovanna accused with a low and cold tone.

"Excuse me?" Clara turned her head yet her body stood still. Jovanna did not even bother to turn to face her when replying with an even more venomous phrase.

"You know, Raphael is ... charitable. He is willing to pick up a nobody like you. But it appears to me you are just taking advantage of his kindness, you should be ashamed of yourself" That night after she was back from Raphael's house, the inner investigator in her surfaced and she did a background check on Clara, because she wanted to know what sort of woman would be capable of winning his heart, and truth to be told, she was slightly disappointed when she found out about her background, Clara was just a simple vintner's daughter, compared to her, she was practically a no one, why would he fall for her? It made absolutely no sense.

On the other side, Clara would have never guessed that from such a sweet face like Jovanna's could spit out such piercing and degrading words. Clara had never picked fights with people before, it was in her nature to be peaceful and avoid conflicts, but since she had managed to kick someone out before, she had learnt how to defend herself.

"I do not know what your problem is, but it sounds like envy to me. You are just envious   because Raphael chose me instead of you, maybe you should work on your personality first, then maybe you will also find someone who would love you beyond your looks, now if you will excuse me."  Clara replied with class and sass, and left Jovanna on her own. She headed back to her seat with a flat, almost emotionless expression, although she managed to confront her with grace, she was not going to lie, Jovanna's words were getting in her head. Doubts started to appear in her mind, what if she was right, what if Raphael was only being charitable to her? What would become of her then once Raphael decided he did not want her any longer? She would live, that's for sure, but what would she feel like inside? Would she be the same? A million questions rushed through her mind, because he might be kind to her then, but nothing truly lasts forever, do they?

On the other table Jovanna had also returned, her face looked like she had just been dumped on the street, there was no light in her eyes, she looked bothered, a slight frown appeared in between her forehead. Her eyes appeared dark and dangerous, she was silent, but everyone could sense there was something wrong with her. As soon as she was seated, she bit her lips in vexation. Laurent wondered what had happened in the restroom, but whatever it was he knew Jovanna was the first to cause it. Perhaps her intention had backfired on her. Of course, he could not ask her about it since it would only add fuel to the fire.

"Here, have a drink." Laurent held out a glass of sweet wine to her, but she brushed it off and gulped down a glass of orange juice instead. If no one was looking, she would have thrown a tantrum, but Jovanna had an image to maintain, she would not lose her temper in public for a mere nobody.

Corentin noticed Clara was awfully silent after she returned from the bathroom.She looked upset. When no one was looking, he slipped a piece of paper on her side of the table containing his number with a small note.  If you need to talk, here is my number.

She turned her head toward his direction to see him with a comforting smile. For a brief second, she had some doubts about taking in the paper, eventually she still took it and inserted it in her purse. If they were going to be friends, there was no reason she shouldn't have his number. Clara turned to Raphael to see if she was paying any attention but he was busy talking with a man from the other table.

When the wedding reception ceremony had come to a near end, Clara felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned to the woman who had been seated near her on the table beside her, the one she had not noticed much since she did not really blend in with the rest of the group. She was a classical French beauty, her reddish ginger hair was styled up in a wavy hair up do, she was wearing a burgundy dress with pearl accent across the top part of the dress, her greenish blue eyes made a contrast with her peach pale skin. It was not every day that she saw someone with her features. She flashed a soft friendly smile toward Clara who was looking questioningly at her.

"My name is Renee, Renee Roderique." she introduced herself. She reached out her hand to Clara who accepted it with hesitation.

"Perhaps we can be friends?" she offered. There was no beating around the bush. She just went at it and declared her intention right off the bat. She was not sure if she appreciated her method but at the same time she took it into consideration.

Friends, huh?

Clara was not someone who would trust another person easily but after what she did in Raphael's case could she really have her guard up anymore? Besides, Renee did not seem like a bad person in her eyes, yes, she had no idea who the woman was, but she would have plenty of time to get to know her. It might not be the wisest decision to merely accept a stranger's invitation of friendship, but alas, what could she possibly lose?

She nodded and the two exchanged friendly smile. Renee gave Clara her number on a piece of paper. That night Clara would have to add two more numbers on her contact list. Inside she was still unsure if it was exactly the best decisions.

Raphael and Corentin were exchanging silent glares toward each other they did not even notice that Clara was having that conversation with Renee. Therefore, none of the exactly had any awareness of the new acquaintance their beloved just made.

After giving their blessings to the married couple, Clara and Raphael went home, she said her goodbye toward Corentin, who, at the moment, had full confidence he would be receiving a call from her soon, Raphael acted like nothing was happening over there, he would just let the night slide through and silently prayed Clara would not meet Corentin ever again, because he did not like how they acted around each other.

That night, after what appeared to be a long day, Clara cleaned herself up and crawled to her bed but not without a million thoughts circulating around her mind. Clara had fallen asleep with Jovanna's words replayed in her head like a bad music she could not get rid of. She was starting to have doubts about Raphael. He had known everything about her but it seemed like she knew nothing about him. It bothered her a lot, but she ended up burying it deep in her heart.