Chapter 403 - Change Strategy
Clifford brought Zhen-Zhen in his Condo Unit near the Sy Corp Head Office. He was usually going home in Sy Residence but tonight was an exemption because Zhen-Zhen was with him.
His parents were also in the Sy Residence right now so he couldn't bring her there. Besides, he had to be alone with Zhen-Zhen to implement his plan.
Fortunately, there were still ingredients left which he stocked in his refrigerator last week. Zhen-Zhen would use it to cook dinner for him tonight. She already informed her foster parents, Alice and Thomas, that she would be coming home late. She told them that she's currently in her friend's house.
Clifford stayed with her in the kitchen just watching her prepare the ingredients. To make it fast, she just decided to cook Tomato Bacon Pasta.
Clifford was amused to see the way she moved across his kitchen. Clifford also loved to cook but he stopped cooking after he broke up with Olive.
Seeing Zhen-Zhen in his kitchen right now reminded him of the old days. Cooking was one of the bonding sessions between Olive and Clifford before. He taught her how to cook. He remembered how they would tease each other while cooking.
Clifford shook his head, trying to get those memories out of his mind. He didn't want to remember anything about Olive. He needed to focus on the girl in front of him right now.
To break the silence, Clifford decided to open a conversation with Zhen-Zhen.
"Lillie, when you are at home, are you also the one cooking? How about your husband? Does he cook for you?" Clifford asked her. For some unknown reason, he wanted to know how she and Tristan acting when they were at home.
Zhen-Zhen continued slicing the ingredients as she answered Clifford. She was still wearing her school uniform with an apron.
"Tristan always cooks breakfast. At night, we are always helping each other in the kitchen. But once we do that, instead of finishing fast, our dinner will always end up being delayed." Zhen-Zhen giggled after saying that. There was a glowing spark in her blue eyes.
Clifford didn't have to ask why. He already knew the reason why their dinner was getting delayed. Just simply because they were act lovey-dovey in the kitchen.
Clifford wanted to change the topic as he could imagine how sweet and loving they were by just looking at Zhen-Zhen's happy expression. He didn't want to ruin his mood.
He never imagined that Tristan Davis would also cook for his wife. He thought he was the kind of guy who always wanted to be served by his women.
Clifford stared at Zhen-Zhen intently. He didn't know who between Zhen-Zhen and Tristan was the one getting the benefits in this relationship.
He knew that Zhen-Zhen came from a family with an ordinary background. They had a low social status. So he assumed that the reason Zhen-Zhen married Tristan was either because of his handsome appearance and money or because Tristan was able to fool an innocent girl like her. He thought Tristan chose her to be his wife because among his women Lillie was the most beautiful and innocent.
Either way, he was still wondering why the Davis family didn't make an official announcement about his marriage. He was suspicious as to why they were hiding this from the public.
'Are they in a contractual marriage? But Alveena said Tristan looks like he is so in love with his wife. Well, I will only find out once I test Tristan's reaction.' Clifford thought to himself.
"Lillie, if you don't mind… can I ask you something personal?"
Zhen-Zhen paused what she was doing and glanced at Clifford with a questioning gaze.
"Hmm, it depends on the question whether I can answer it comfortably or not. So what is it?"
Clifford looked at her straight in the eyes. He was dying to ask her this question, hoping he would know her genuine thoughts about it.
"It's about your husband, Tristan Davis. Do you really love him? Will you never change your heart even if you will meet a much better person than him?"
Zhen-Zhen stopped again with what she was doing and averted her gaze to Clifford who was anticipating her reply.
"Yes, I love him so much that no one can ever replace him in my heart," Zhen-Zhen answered him straight to the point.
Clifford was taken aback when he heard that. For some odd reason, he felt very disappointed with her answer. He could see in her eyes that she was certain about it.
"But why? I heard he is a playboy. He flirts with a lot of women. He has a bad reputation with them. They even said that he dated every single beautiful woman in this city. How can you love him that much?"
'Is it because of his money? I can also provide you all your needs with my money and wealth. Compared to him, I am a better guy.' Clifford added to his thoughts but he didn't dare to voice it out.
Zhen-Zhen fell silent for a moment. She couldn't understand why Clifford suddenly became interested in her relationship and feelings for Tristan.
"Why are you asking me this?" Zhen-Zhen asked him with a suspicious look in her eyes.
She didn't like the way Clifford talked like that about Tristan. He was clearly emphasizing Tristan's past as if Tristan didn't deserve to be loved by her.
" I'm sorry if I offended you for asking you this. You don't have to answer me if you feel uncomfortable. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I am just curious because you are his wife. Tristan's reputation is very well-known in this city. Are you not aware of that?"
Clifford was thinking that it would be easier to stir a conflict between the husband and wife if ever Zhen-Zhen still had no idea about Tristan's reputation. What if Tristan Davis was hiding his true color from his wife? This was a perfect opportunity to reveal his ugly secrets to his wife.
Fortunately, Tristan had already come clean to his wife. He already confessed to her everything about his past, his 'Cassanova ways', and his reputation with women. Zhen-Zhen didn't mind even if others would talk about Tristan's past.
So to Clifford's disappointment, Zhen-Zhen answered him truthfully.
"To tell you honestly, I got mad at first when I learned about his past. But I realized I don't have the right to judge him. Besides, all those things happened in the past when I had not met him yet. But the most important thing right now is that I am the only woman in his heart."
"My husband already changed his bad habits. He is faithful and loyal to me now. I am also like that to him. We love each other so I don't care about the past. I love him just the way he is, including his ugly past. Maybe that's what we called True love. Do you agree?"
The love and affection she felt toward Tristan were reflected in her clear blue eyes. There's no doubt that she loved him no matter what.
Clifford was dumbfounded after hearing her genuine response. He felt jealous right now… really jealous of Tristan.
'If that's the case then I have to change my strategy. Courting her in the right way, there's no way I can steal her from Tristan. She is so in love with him,' Clifford tried his best to maintain his friendly and approachable vibe despite the fact he was boiling with rage and jealousy right now.