Chapter 100: Clara Joins The Family [3]

The conversation flowed with ease as the meal slowly came to an end. Plates that had once been full were now nearly empty, cutlery resting against porcelain as the rhythm of eating softened into something slower, something more intimate.

Clara found herself leaning slightly forward, her elbows tucked close to her body as she spoke, the stiffness she carried earlier long gone.

“And then my supervisor just looked at me and said, ’figure it out,’ like that solves anything,” she muttered, shaking her head lightly.

Ruby snorted, leaning back in her chair with her arms folded.

“That sounds about right. Throw the problem at the most responsible person and disappear.”

Hazel chuckled softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass in slow, absent circles.

“It means they trust you,” she said calmly. “Or they know you won’t let things fall apart.”

Clara blinked, clearly not expecting such a grounded answer.

“I… never thought about it that way.”

“That’s because you’re too busy surviving the moment,” Racheal added gently, her chin resting on her palm as she watched Clara with quiet interest. “It’s easier to complain than to see the value in pressure.”

Almost instinctively, all three girls turned their attention to Damian. They said nothing, but their gazes spoke volumes, sharp and accusing in a way that needed no words.

Clara let out a small laugh and nodded.

“Yeah… that sounds like me.”

Damian ignored his wives’ judging stares and observed the exchange in silence, a faint smile resting on his lips as he leaned back in his chair, his beer forgotten in his hand. The ease between them had grown faster than he expected.

Maybe too fast, yet it did not feel forced.

It felt right.

“So,” Ruby leaned forward suddenly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she fixed her gaze on Clara. “How long have you been working with him?”

Clara paused mid-motion, her fork hovering above her plate.

“Uh… a few months now.”

“And you’ve been watching him strut around the office this whole time?” Ruby tilted her head. “Or did you only start paying attention recently?”

“Ruby,” Hazel called lightly, though a faint smile lingered on her lips.

“What?” Ruby shrugged. “I’m curious.”

Clara’s cheeks flushed faintly as her gaze dropped to her plate before she answered.

“I mean… he’s hard not to notice,” she admitted quietly.

“Of course he is,” Racheal nodded, completely serious. “He’s very handsome.”

Damian raised a brow at that, glancing at her.

“Very?”

Racheal turned to him, her expression calm and unwavering.

“Yes. Very.”

Ruby rolled her eyes.

“Don’t let it get to your head,” she muttered.

Clara couldn’t help herself. She laughed, and just like that, whatever invisible wall remained between her and them cracked a little further.

They finished the last of the meal not long after, the table settling into a comfortable silence broken only by the occasional clink of cutlery.

Hazel was the first to move.

“Alright,” she said as she rose smoothly to her feet. “Let’s clean up before everything dries and sticks.”

“I’ll help,” Clara said almost immediately, pushing her chair back.

“No, no…” Hazel began.

But Clara was already standing.

“I want to,” she insisted softly.

Ruby smirked as she rose as well.

“Good. You’re part of the family now, you don’t get to sit pretty while we work.”

“That’s not what I…” Clara started, flustered.

Racheal giggled as she gathered plates.

“She’s joking… mostly.”

Damian remained seated for a moment, watching them move around the table, listening to the soft sounds of plates stacking, chairs shifting, quiet chatter filling the space.

Then he stood.

“Don’t act like I’m exempt,” he said, picking up a few plates.

“Of course you’re not,” Ruby shot back. “You made the mess too.”

Clara watched the exchange with a small smile as she carefully gathered dishes, trying not to drop anything.

The kitchen soon filled with gentle movement.

Water ran steadily from the sink as Hazel began rinsing plates, her motions smooth and controlled. Racheal stood beside her, drying each one and setting it aside with quiet care. Ruby moved in and out, carrying dishes, while Clara hovered for a moment before finally finding her rhythm.

“I can wash,” Clara offered.

Hazel shook her head.

“You’re our guest.”

“I’m helping anyway,” Clara replied, already stepping closer.

There was a brief pause.

Then Hazel smiled.

“Alright.”

Damian leaned against the counter with his arms folded, watching them. The scene was simple, almost mundane, yet it carried a strange weight.

What he felt was not simple happiness.

It was fulfillment.

The kind that came after finishing a long race, even without coming first. That quiet satisfaction that settled deep within the bones.

He finally had a home.

Not just a place to sleep, but something alive.

Clara stood beside Hazel, sleeves slightly rolled, washing dishes as though she had always belonged there. Racheal hummed softly while drying. Ruby nudged Clara now and then just to tease her.

The entire scene stirred something deep within him.

“Careful,” Ruby said, nudging Clara lightly. “You break one and you’re buying a new set.”

Clara laughed nervously.

“I’ll be careful.”

“She’s doing fine,” Hazel said calmly. “Stop teasing her.”

“I know,” Ruby replied. “I just like seeing her panic.”

“Ruby…”

“What?”

Clara shook her head, smiling despite herself.

“I think I’m starting to understand her.”

“That’s dangerous,” Damian muttered.

They all laughed.

Time slipped by without notice.

By the time the last plate was set aside, the kitchen was spotless once more.

Racheal stretched her arms above her head.

“That was nice,” she said.

“It was,” Hazel agreed, drying her hands.

Ruby glanced toward the living room before looking back at the group.

“Alright, what next?”

Clara hesitated, unsure if she should suggest anything.

Damian noticed.

“How about a game?” he said.

“A game?” Clara echoed.

“Yeah,” Ruby’s eyes lit up. “We have Scrabble.”

Clara blinked.

“Scrabble?”

Racheal nodded eagerly.

“It’s fun.”

“Fun for you,” Ruby muttered. “You cheat.”

“I don’t cheat,” Racheal replied innocently.

“You absolutely do.”

Hazel sighed softly and turned to Damian, noticing his slight confusion.

“She bends rules,” Hazel explained.

“Call it what it is,” Ruby added. “Racheal cheats.”

Clara laughed at the chaos unfolding before her. She was beginning to enjoy Damian’s family far more than she expected.

“I… I haven’t played in a while,” she murmured softly.

“Perfect,” Damian said. “We can learn together.”

“You’re just saying that so you can win,” Ruby narrowed her eyes.

Her words drew his attention again.

“I don’t need help to win,” Racheal shot back, a rare spark of determination flashing in her eyes.

“Confidence,” Ruby smirked. “I like that.”

They moved into the living room together, the energy shifting once more. The board was placed on the table, tiles poured out and shuffled.

Clara sat beside Damian, still a little cautious, but far more relaxed than before. Hazel sat across from them, while Ruby and Racheal took the remaining seats.

“Alright,” Ruby said, picking up her tiles. “No holding back.”

“Exactly,” Clara responded, her eyes burning with sudden determination, leaving Damian unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.

The game began.

At first, Clara played carefully, second-guessing herself, glancing at Damian for reassurance.

“You can place that here,” he murmured once, pointing subtly.

“Oh… right.”

“Hey!” Ruby snapped. “No coaching.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Damian replied flatly.

“You absolutely did.”

Hazel shook her head with a faint smile.

Racheal quietly placed a word down without drawing attention, earning points before anyone noticed.

“…when did you do that?” Ruby frowned.

“I’ve been playing,” Racheal replied calmly.

“You’re sneaky.”

Clara laughed again, softer now, more natural.

As the game continued, the teasing grew sharper, the competition tighter.

At some point, Clara leaned slightly into Damian without realizing it, her shoulder brushing against his arm as she focused on her tiles.

He did not move.

Neither did she.

Hazel noticed. Her gaze lingered briefly before softening as she looked away.

Bam.

Ruby suddenly slammed a tile down and threw her fist into the air.

“Triple word score. Beat that.”

Clara’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter. The challenge, however, was not well received.

“That’s not fair, you must have cheated,” Racheal accused, and Ruby did not even bother denying it.

“Life isn’t fair,” she said, crossing her arms with a proud expression.

At that point, even Damian could not hold back his laughter.

It was the first time he had seen his wives compete over something so simple.

He found them… cute.

However, what he was the most proud of was how well Clara got along with his girls. He appreciated the effort his wives put into making her feel at home.

He wanted to pull his wives aside and give them the biggest hugs and kisses but that will have to wait till later. For now, he doesn’t want to ruin the mood. He just wanted to remain the silent observer who watches his wives and girlfriend have lots of fun.

The feeling he got from this made him feel full.

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