C3 CHAPTER THREE - PRICE OF CLOSURE

“Ma’am, please come this way.”

A Waiter beckoned to Gretchen, who was still too stunned to speak or move. Her wavy blonde hair and white dress, a short flared Christian Dior dress, was drenched in gazpacho.

She wasn't expecting that move from Clarissa. Almost everyone in the restaurant had recorded the fight.

Gretchen was embarrassed and was relieved when the Waiter helped her vacate the scene.

“I’ll pay,” Clarissa said to the second Waiter as she watched Gretchen leave the VIP booth. She referred to the champagne and the gazpacho and handed them her black card.

Clarissa exited the restaurant, glaring at anyone who dared to stare at her on her way out. She didn't care if the paparazzi had recorded the tantrum.

There was one more task for her. It was to dump Rob.

Clarissa drove down to Rob’s apartment for the second time that day. She drove so fast that she got a warning alert from the GPS.

Getting there, Clarissa came out and slammed her car’s door hard. Then, she briskly walked to Rob’s door. She rang the doorbell consecutively and stopped when she heard Rob scuffle to the door.

“Mon Cherie! Why are you here? I was about to come pick you up. Your dress looks ruined. You don't look ready. Wait, did you get my voicemail?” Rob asked, with urgency in his voice.

“I will not be going to dinner with you, Rob. If you're wondering why, I don't have to go.” She replied calmly and sat on the couch nearest to the door.

“What do you mean, Clarissa? You know how important today is. I have to meet with the CEO of Wellington Inc. You can't do this, Clarissa.”

“I can do whatever I want, Rob. It doesn't matter.”

Perplexed, Rob paced around the living room, not knowing what to do. He needed Clarissa tonight.

Rob stormed into his bedroom and wondered what could have gone wrong. He picked up his phone and decided to text Gretchen. After all, they were friends, so Gretchen should be able to coax her.

He rummaged through the sheets before he could find his phone. Fuming, he unlocked his phone and started texting Gretchen.

She had dropped a text on WhatsApp hours ago. Rob grinned when he saw the text.

********

Clarissa decided to cool off steam. She wanted to turn on the TV but decided not to when she saw his laptop on the table in the living room.

She opened it, turned it on, and clicked on Netflix. She decided to watch a reality show on his laptop.

After five minutes of staring blankly at the screen, a notification from WhatsApp caught her attention. Rob had his iPhone linked to his Macbook. It was from Gretchen, and she quickly opened it.

GRETCHEN: I had a super great time today. I can't wait to see you again. I need some more of you soonest.

ROB: I bet you did Baby. (wink)

GRETCHEN: We need to talk ASAP, Rob! Where are you??

ROB: I’m getting ready to head out for dinner with her. I need to meet with Wells.Inc tonight, and I need her to be there. But she won't budge. Can you perhaps call her? Coax her, maybe?

GRETCHEN: NO, Rob. WE NEED TO TALK NOW.

ROB: What’s up with you, Baby? Are you jealous right now? Come On, remember all the publicity I’m getting from her and how it's crucial for my businesses. We must get her to see Wellington tonight.

GRETCHEN: Ditch the bitch already, Rob! I can give you the publicity you need too!

ROB: Lol Baby, we both know she’s top-notch. She’s famous and influential. What do you mean?

GRETCHEN: You will find out soon. Meet me at mine, TONIGHT.

ROB: But give her a call at least, please.

ROB: Baby, you there??

Clarissa stared at the screen, stunned.

Although she had realized earlier that Rob may have been using her influence, confirming it directly vaguely surprised her. She read it over again, struggling to believe that Rob, whom she loved and gave her all to, had such intentions.

Shortly after, Rob returned to the living room and saw his laptop open in front of Clarissa.

“Clarissa, what's going on? Are …” Rob stopped when he saw his WhatsApp conversation with Gretchen on the screen. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath.

“You are a fucking coward, Rob. A selfish punk and a liar. All you ever care about is yourself! Guess what? I’m done with you!” Clarissa shouted at the top of her voice, throwing the expensive diamond engagement ring back at Rob.

“Please, Clarissa, I can explain. It's not what you think.” He replied, perplexed.

“Shove your explanation up your ass, you son of a bitch!” Clarissa swore at him and stormed out of his apartment. She ran to her car, holding back her tears, and drove off before Rob could meet up with her.

“Stupid Mothafucker!” Clarissa swore as tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

Still driving, she dialed Jane’s number. Her manager picked up, after the third ring.

“Hello, Ma’am, Good Evening!” Jane greeted cheerily.

“Hi, please put up a break-up post on my page. ASAP,” Clarissa replied curtly, struggling to keep her voice from breaking.

Silence …

“Hello Jane, you still here?”

“Ah… Yes Ma’am. It is just surprising. I mean, Mr. Gregory sent in gifts to…”

“Yes, I know, right? I will mail you the caption right away. Use any of our pictures from the last event we attended together. It’s a temporary post, and we'll take it down in a few days.” Clarissa said in a rush, cutting off her manager.

“Noted Ma’am. I will do as requested immediately.”

“I won’t be at work tomorrow, so postpone all shoots scheduled for tomorrow. I’m taking a week's break. I will let the agency know. That said, I won't entertain any interviews regarding this. Thank you.”

“Alright. Ma’am, are you okay?” Jane asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I will be okay, Jane. Have a good night.” Clarissa replied and hung up.

Clarissa said to herself as she put her phone on DND. “Let’s go home, Clarissa”.

********

“Arrrgghhhhhhhh!” Rob bellowed his head in between his elbows, ruffling his permed dark brown hair in the process.

His phone rang. It was the CEO of Wellington Inc. Rob hissed when he checked the time, the time was a quarter past 9.

Quickly, he rushed back to his apartment to grab his keys and suit jacket. He was leaving, forgetting to use the perfume he had bought for the occasion. He quickly grabbed it and used it on his way out.

The restaurant was only ten minutes away from his apartment. At 9:30 pm, he walked briskly into the restaurant, briefly stopping to rearrange his permed hair.

He quickly scanned the restaurant and saw the CEO at a table in the VIP section. He squeezed his eyes in exasperation and sighed before walking in.

“Good Evening, Mr. Wellington. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting. I had to attend to something urgently,” Rob said, trying to maintain his calm demeanor.

“I understand, Mr. Gregory. I see. That must be why your fiancee couldn't make it here tonight.” Mr Wellington replied.

“Yes, she is a bit under the weather. Flu Sir …, she’s down with Flu.” Rob stuttered.

“Well, I’ve got to go right away. I’m afraid, I won't be able to sit for this meeting, Mr. Gregory. Let’s reschedule this meeting.” The CEO rose, extending his right hand for a handshake.

Stunned, Rob shook the CEO’s hand. “Kindly let me know when will be best for another meeting, Sir.”

“Talk to my Secretary, Jennifer. She will update you on that. Enjoy the rest of the night, Mr. Gregory.” The CEO replied and left the restaurant hurriedly with his aides.

Rob felt defeated and ordered whiskey and rum. He was going to drink his frustrations away.

He loosened his tie and gulped down his drink. He brought out his phone to text Clarissa. But he realized she had blocked him on WhatsApp.

He sighed loudly, ruffling his permed hair once more. He then sent the text on Instagram, hoping she hadn't blocked him there. Just as he was about to DM her, his eyes caught a post from a popular blog in NYC.

It was a video of Clarissa pulling Gretchen’s hair. She grabbed a bowl of broth from a waiter’s tray and poured it all over Gretchen. Rob stared at his screen in disbelief.

The caption read: Popular celebrity photographer ‘Clarissa Earhart’ also known as industry angel, and her friend and colleague, an upcoming photographer ‘Gretchen Austin’ were found in a brawl in a restaurant in NYC. Fans are confused, as details of the dispute remain unknown.

The post had 100k likes and 6 thousand comments already. Rob smelled trouble. He suddenly realized what the CEO had hinted at earlier, why Gretchen insisted on meeting, and why Clarissa’s dress had stains.

“Shit, Shit, Shit! We are fucked!” Rob exclaimed, slamming the table. He was starting to sweat.

He hurriedly paid his bill, grabbed his car keys, and drove to Gretchen’s apartment.