"Clara… Who are you?"
The East Garden was a masterpiece indeed—sprawling hedges, marble fountains, rare flowers that shimmered like glass in the sunlight. Kai walked in slowly, shoes crunching over the gravel path, eyes darting left and right.
At exactly 3:00 PM, he spotted her. Sitting on a white bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, legs crossed, sipping from a glass bottle of pure sparkling water.
Clara.
She looked like something out of a painting—jet black hair tied up in a messy ponytail, round glasses perched on her nose, and an expression that was both calm and calculating. Her outfit was neat but simple—just a flowy top and jeans. Nothing screamed "wealth," yet she looked at home in this expensive setting.
(Damn, she's cute)
She spotted him and waved casually. "You're late."
Kai blinked. "It's 3:01."
"Exactly," she replied with a sly smile. "Tony Bellingham is never late."
He forced a laugh and sat beside her. "Maybe I'm trying something new, gotta be creative."
Clara tilted her head, studying him. "You are acting different."
Kai stiffened.
Crap. Not her too.
"You're quieter," she said. "Less arrogant. And you didn't try flirting with me the moment you showed up."
Kai blinked. "Wait, I usually flirt with you?"
Clara raised a brow. "There it is. That wasn't a joke. You really don't remember, do you now?"
Silence.
She leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing. "Tony, you sure you okay?"
Kai swallowed. His mouth was suddenly dry. "Let me ask you something weird. Just… go with it, okay?."
Clara folded her arms, curious. "Go on."
"If someone… woke up one day in a body that wasn't theirs—like in a rich guy's body—what would you say?"
She didn't even flinch. "I'd say it sounds like one of those light novels I read."
(All these reincarnated novel)
Kai blinked.
"And then I'd say it's impossible—unless you believe in reincarnation, or brain transplants, or simulation theory." She gave him a sideways glance. "Why?"
Kai laughed nervously. "No reason. Just asking."
Clara was quiet for a moment. Then she leaned back, arms stretched along the bench.
"You're definitely not yourself today."
He hesitated. "Is that a bad thing?"
She looked at him—longer this time. "...No. It isn't really. It's just… I don't know. It's a little bit Refreshing."
They sat there in silence, letting the petals drift around them like confetti from a festival. Somewhere, a bird sang.
Then Clara broke the silence.
"You have to go to the penthouse later. Your dad's having a private dinner with some foreign investors. Big deal. You're expected to make an appearance there."
Kai groaned. "Another awkward dinner?"
(Great..... That's just great!!!!)
Clara smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll be there. I'm his assistant, remember?"
Assistant? Damn. No wonder she knows so much.
And she's cute.
(FOCUS, Kai. No time to be thinking bout cute girls)
He stood up. "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll try not to call anyone 'bro' this time."
Clara laughed. A real laugh.
"Yeah… maybe stick to 'sir' and 'ma'am' for now."
As Kai(Tony) walked away, one thought lingered in his mind like a whisper:
She suspects something. She might even know something.
(And I think I....i think Tony needs her on his side, )