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?”

“Nope, just checking in. You coming to the Nightshade Bar? Edwin’s treating.”

Ten minutes later, at the Nightshade Bar, Chase slid a drink over to lan and grinned impishly. “You look like you’ve been dragged through the mud. Trouble in paradise with Clara?”

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

“Oh! Look at you, falling ‘hard‘ for her, aren’t you?” Chase emphasized the word with a smirk, his expression a blend of mischief and nonchalance.

lan kicked him lightly under the table, none too gently. “Get lost!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll back off. Just a friendly heads–up, if you’re serious about Clara, 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 lady.”

lan’s brows furrowed deeply. “I told you she’s not a threat, but Clara won’t believe it.”

“Which woman would? Heidi’s been your childhood sweetheart, and y’all have had a marriage pact since you were kids. You think any girl would be cool with her man always running back to his old flame?”

lan pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag, the shadows in his eyes growing darker. “I and she-

Before he could finish, the private room door swung open. Edwin walked in, arm in arm with Heidi. “Sorry, guys, Heidi wasn’t feeling great, so I brought her along. Hope you don’t mind.”

Chase shot lan an apologetic look and chuckled awkwardly.

“Do we mind? Of course not. Your sister is like my own. Heidi, come sit by me.”

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

She took the seat next to lan and placed a small, elegant box in front of him. “lan, last time you stood up your girlfriend to save me. She’s not mad at you, is she?”

lan replied coolly, “No.”

“Good. I got her this lipstick as an apology. If there are any misunderstandings, I can explain it to her myself.”

lan didn’t even glance at the gift as he rejected it. “No need.”

At his words, Heidi’s eyes brimmed with tears. “lan, are you upset because I keep bothering you? I don’t mean

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to, but sometimes, when I have an episode, I can’t help but call you.” Tears fell down her cheeks as she spoke.

lan stole a glance at her, his expression tightening. He pocketed the lipstick and said softly, “I’ll accept it on her

behalf.”

Heidi’s mood brightened as she poured lan a drink. “Try this, lan. My brother got it at an international auction, a vintage from ’82.”

As she handed lan the glass, her fingers unintentionally brushed his wrist. lan pulled away instantly, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. “Just put it down here,” he said flatly. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Heidi masked a flash of coldness in her eyes, reverting to her sweet, compliant demeanor.

Edwin raised his glass to lan. “I’ve yet to meet your girlfriend. Bring her around sometime.”

Chase’s grin widened. “Might be a bit difficult now. They’re having a spat.”

Edwin, noting lan’s dark mood, added, “A little argument is nothing. Just butter her up. A bit of sweet talking usually does the trick. Just don’t end up like that guy I saved the other day–his wife was bleeding out after a miscarriage, and he wouldn’t pick up his phone while he was with another woman.”