No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 276

Sasha waved her hands dismissively. "No, you must have me confused with someone else. Dr. Chase, the director wants to see me. I'll be right back." Watching Sasha beat a hasty retreat, Wilfred mused, "I've definitely seen her before. Just can't put my finger on where. Damn this memory, it's getting worse."

Chase chuckled teasingly, "Maybe it's for the best your memory's slipping. You might forget about trying to set me up in that arranged marriage."

"That's not something I'll forget. Grandpa Wilson has come all this way. I owe him an explanation. His granddaughter's right here in Northbridge. One of these days, I'll coax her over for a meet-and-greet, and we can talk wedding dates."

"You meet with her if you want. I'm too tied up." With that, he left some instructions with the nurse by his side and headed straight back to his office.

Grandpa Wilson had been in the hospital for a few days, and Sasha had sneaked peeks at him several times without being caught. On the day of his discharge, she wanted to take one last look but unexpectedly saw Chase standing in the room.

Grandpa Wilson watched him with a calm demeanor. "You really don't want to meet my granddaughter? She's quite a looker, you know. She used to love playing with you as a kid."

Chase smiled nonchalantly. "Grandpa Wilson, those were childhood days. We had so many kids running around the complex back then. I can barely remember who's who. Besides, I've got my eye on a lady already. Please don't trouble yourself on my account."

Grandpa Wilson raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? Or is this some story to dodge the arranged marriage?"

"It's true. She's a colleague and quite the beauty. I appreciate your trust in me and your willingness to match your granddaughter with me, but it just isn't the right fit."

Grandpa Wilson shook his head in disappointment. "Alright then, I'm not stuck in the old ways. I'll talk to your grandpa about calling off the marriage. From now on, whoever you marry is your own business." Sasha, witnessing her grandfather's disheartened gaze, felt an indescribable emotion swell in her chest. She quietly slipped away from the doorway of the hospital room.

On Christmas Eve, a heavy snowstorm blanketed Northbridge. All flights were grounded. Ian's plans to come home for Christmas were dashed.

Clara stood on the balcony, her heart souring as she heard the news. Her voice grew muffled. "Alright, then I'm off to bed. I won't wait up for you."

lan, spotting the glisten in her eyes, cracked a smile. "Missing me, are you?"

"Not at all," Clara shook her head.

To say she wasn't longing for him would be a lie; she'd been missing him since the second day he left on his business trip. Had she not been swamped at work, she would have flown out to see him. Now that his return had been anticipated, being told the flights were canceled sent her spirits crashing down.

lan comforted her softly, "Babe, I'm sorry. How about you hit the sack, and maybe when you wake up, I'll be home?"

Reluctantly, Clara let out an 'oh,' but she knew all too well the snow wouldn't let up anytime soon. Even if it did, the overseas flights would take hours upon hours. Christmas would be long gone by then. After hanging up, Clara stroked Snow's head and said without much enthusiasm, "Looks like Daddy can't be with us this Christmas, I'm quite bummed out."

Snow nuzzled Clara's leg and whimpered softly in response.

Clara and the dog lay together on the balcony's couch, drifting off to sleep. Time passed indistinctly until her phone suddenly rang.

Clara, groggy and eyes still closed, fumbled to answer. "Hello?"

lan's deep, magnetic voice came through the speaker. "Clara, you asleep?"

Clara hummed a response, her voice raspy. "Are you on the plane now?"

Hearing her voice, lan's Adam's apple bobbed. "Babe, I hear Northbridge is buried in snow. The roads are all jammed, and I'm afraid I can't make it back." Suddenly, Clara's nose tingled with the onset of tears, and in a kittenish voice, she called out, "lan."