No Strings Attached

Chapter 266

Every time he said “I love you,” his actions intensified. Clara finally understood the depth of his love. It was unfathomable, bottomless, and she was utterly consumed by their wild passion.

A night of madness inevitably takes its toll. Clara didn’t wake up until noon the next day.

She felt a soreness in her fingertips, barely able to muster the strength to hold her phone.

Inwardly, she cursed Ian a hundred times over.

Just then, her phone on the nightstand began to ring. Seeing Sasha’s name on the screen, she immediately answered. “Hey girl.”

Sasha’s voice pierced through the speaker, “Clara, your voice sounds rough. Please don’t tell me you’ve actually made up with that scoundrel Ian?”

With a soft “mm-hmm,” Clara replied, “I went to meet his family with him yesterday.”

Sasha’s concern was immediate. “Didn’t his wicked mother give you a hard time? They didn’t hassle you about the pregnancy issues, did they? If so, just say the word, and I’m on my way to set them straight!”

Clara chuckled, touched by her friend’s concern.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. How about you? Keeping up with Dr. Chase?”

Sasha’s frustration was palpable. “Don’t get me started on that jerk. He showed up at my door bright and early, bragging that you and Ian are together, so he’s won our bet and now I have to play his maid for a month. When have I ever waited on anyone, huh?”

Laughing, Clara asked, “So he’s moved in with you?”

“Yeah. He claims his family’s pressuring him into marriage, and he needed a hideout, so he chose my place. Even expects me to cook for him. It’s all your fault I lost the bet. I’m miserable here; you owe me big time.”

“Alright, I’ll treat you to a feast tomorrow, and throw in a new jewelry set for your birthday. How’s that?”

Sasha’s mood instantly brightened. “You are starting to sound like a proper Mrs. Haynes! But remember, Heidi won’t take this lying down. Be careful.”

“I will. Go make your guest some dinner. Let’s hope Dr. Chase survives the night.”

“How can you say that? My cooking isn’t that bad!” Sasha protested, just before the call ended.

Sasha then heard Chase calling from the kitchen, “Sasha, is this what you call dinner?”

Rushing to the kitchen, Sasha saw the nearly charred fish and retorted, “It’s your fault for buying lousy fish. It burns in no time. Clara’s fish never does this.”

Chase, touching his temple in frustration, replied, “So what now? After a seven-hour surgery, you expect me to cook? Don’t forget who’s supposed to be serving whom.”

“Go away! You think you’ve won? Until Clara marries Ian, you haven’t won anything. Letting you stay is me being more than generous.” She stood with hands on hips, head tilted back, lips moving furiously. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Chase pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine, you’re the boss. I’ll cook, okay?”

Slinging on an apron, he took vegetables and meat from the fridge and started bustling about the kitchen.

Just then, Chase’s phone rang. Sasha picked it up and held it to his ear. A firm voice came through, “Chase, my friend has come all the way from Riddleton to arrange a meeting between his granddaughter and you. If you keep dodging us, believe me, I’ll cut you off for good!”