No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 103

The silence inside the room came to an abrupt halt upon hearing those words. It seemed as though the person inside was wrestling with how to reply.

lan's lips curled into a sly grin. "You think coming back to share my bed and whip up some breakfast will get you off the hook? Clara, you're far too optimistic." He shoved the door open. Ready to pin Clara against the kitchen counter and give her a piece of his mind, lan froze at the sight of Greta's face. "What are you doing here?" Greta, spatula in hand, playfully smacked lan's cheek, "Still hungover, huh? What kind of dreams are you having this early in the morning?"

Being mocked by his own sister darkened lan's expression instantly, "Why are you in my place?"

"The nerve you have to ask. If it weren't for me, you'd be toast!"

"Where's Clara?"

"Clara? She couldn't care less about you."

"That can't be. I clearly remember her bringing me home."

"That was Heidi, and you nearly messed up big time not recognizing her, didn't you know?" lan stood petrified, his long, knobby fingers clenched into fists.

Greta offered a sheepish grin. "If you can't forget her, why hurt her so deeply? lan, sometimes a man's pride means he'll end up alone. Out of pity, I made you breakfast. Enjoy it by yourself." With a jingle of her car keys, she was gone.

lan felt an inexplicable sense of loss. Sitting at the table, he stared at the array of breakfast items without an ounce of appetite. He suddenly craved Clara's minestrone soup, or her beef empanadas. Even a simple bowl of creamy pickle soup would be more appetizing than what was in front of him.

When Dawson walked in, he found lan lost in thought over the untouched breakfast. "Mr. Hayes, is the breakfast not to your liking?" he inquired.

lan's cool gaze met his, "I'm not hungry. You have it."

Dawson waved off the offer. "I'm stuffed. My girlfriend made me pancakes and an extra couple of eggs. I couldn't eat another bite." He patted his round belly for emphasis.

lan felt like Dawson was rubbing it in. Just as he longed for Clara's breakfast, here was Dawson flaunting his girlfriends' culinary skills.

His stare at Dawson turned unfriendly. "Feeling lucky now that you have a girlfriend?"

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Without hesitation, Dawson nodded. "Absolutely. Someone to look after you, warm your bed. Life's good."

Glancing at lan, he jabbed, "Mr. Hayes, you had the same with Ms. Clara, didn't you? And my girlfriend's not even as nurturing as Ms. Clara, yet I'm this happy. You must have been even happier before." Lately, lan felt his assistant deserved a good punch. Dawson was always salting his wounds. His icy eyes pinned Dawson as he asked, "Are you happy?"

"Over the moon, Mr. Hayes. Maybe you should find a new girlfriend?"

Before Dawson finished, lan drawled, "There's a project in Antartica that needs signing. You'll go in my stead. It won't be long, just over a month." A mischievous smile played on lan's lips as he grabbed his jacket and headed out.

Dawson stood stunned for a moment before chasing after him. "Mr. Hayes, can I go somewhere else? Even a shorter trip would do. How about a week?"

"Two months," lan replied, expressionless.

"But my girlfriend-"

"Three months."

Dawson clamped his mouth shut, his face a picture of misery as he got into the car. He was certain his boss was suffering from a bad case of heartbreak. Ian couldn't stand to see others doing well.