CLARA (MISTRESS) PART 25 ~ PUNISHMENT

On the way to the restaurant, Gerry gave Clara a paper bag. The paper bag said the jewelry store of the same brand that Clara and Gerry had visited this afternoon.

Clara took the paper bag and sure enough inside was a red velvet jewelry box. Clara opened the box.

"What is this?" Clara asked in surprise when she saw the necklace she had tried on this afternoon.

"A small gift. Wear it," said Gerry with a smile.

"But what for? I don't have a birthday," Clara said.

"Should there be a reason to give a gift? It was for you, I gave it because I thought you liked it," said Gerry.

Clara smiled, she didn't ask for the necklace, but Gerry took the initiative to give it. Gerry's attitude is much different from Bram's. Clara wore a necklace. Luckily, that night she didn't wear any accessories. So the necklace completes the look.

***

Clara and Gerry arrive at a restaurant. Clara was a little tense as she was about to enter the restaurant. There was nothing between her and Gerry, nothing more than friends. However, Clara was nervous. For some reason, she felt uncomfortable.

"Clara!"

"Hum?" Clara saw Gerry holding out his hand. Clara understood and immediately put her hand in Gerry's palm. They entered hand in hand.

"Mom!"

Gerry approached his mother who was already sitting in the restaurant. Clara could see that Gerry's mother looked like a socialite. Hairstyles, jewelry, and everything she wears, Clara know all the branded stuff. Yes, of course. Gerry is a businessman and was born into a wealthy family.

"Who is she?" asked Gerry's mother when she saw Clara.

Clara smiled and held out her hand.

"I'm Clara, Aunty. Gerry's friend," Clara said with a polite smile.

Gerry's mother took Clara's hand. She stared intently at Clara's face. Why is it so similar to someone who looks familiar? Gerry's mother felt Clara's face was familiar in her eyes.

"Wait! Are you a fashion designer? I think I've seen you at a fashion show in Jakarta. But when was that? I don't know, I forgot," said Gerry's mother.

Clara smiled.

"Yes, I'm Clara Wibisono," said Clara.

Clara was not aware that Gerry's mother was also at one of the fashion shows that Clara attended. However, because of the many fashions shows that Clara attended, she didn't pay attention to all the guests who attended.

"Wow, then next time you can make me a dress, okay?" said Gerry's mother enthusiastically. Gerry and Clara chuckled.

"Come sit next to me. Thanks for taking the time to come," said Mami Gerry, pulling Clara closer. Clara sat beside Gerry's mother.

"I'm the one thanking Gerry. Because he's willing to invite me to your birthday party, madam," said Clara.

"I didn't think so. It turns out that you are Gerry's lover," said Gerry's mother, smiling.

Again Clara and Gerry looked at each other. Gerry smiled faintly.

"Friend, Mom. Not lover," said Gerry.

"Usually from friends to lovers," said Gerry's mother.

Looks like Gerry's mother likes Clara. She greeted Clara warmly. All of this made Clara's nervousness lessen a bit.

Gerry gave a paper bag containing a gift of jewelry to his mother.

"Look, Mom. That's Clara's choice," said Gerry.

Gerry's mother opened the box, she smiled at Clara.

"Great, Mom likes it. Thank you. And again, you did the right thing by inviting Clara to choose this jewelry. She knows art, her also a designer, she understands the beauty of design," said Gerry's mother as she looked at Gerry.

"I'll be happy if you like it. But sorry I didn't bring any gifts," said Clara.

"It's all right, take it easy," said Gerry's mother.

Clara smiled. They started dinner.

**** After dinner, Gerry escorted Clara back to her apartment. Meanwhile, Gerry's mother came home with the driver.

When going out of the car, Gerry held Clara's hand. Gerry looked at Clara intently.

Clara was surprised when Gerry landed a kiss on her cheek. Clara's cheeks heated up from the kiss.

"Thanks for tonight. I'm very happy, have a good rest," said Gerry with a smile.

Clara nodded amidst her surprise. She got out of the car and Gerry's car left the apartment.

Clara went to her apartment unit. The apartment lights were dim.

"Where's Bram?" thought Clara.

This afternoon, Bram and Clara met in the elevator. Yes, the person Clara saw when she was about to take the elevator with Gerry was Bram. Clara just hoped that Bram wouldn't scold her for seeing her with Gerry. However, the apartment looked dim. Could it be that Bram wasn't in the apartment? thought Clara.

Clara turned on the light. Just one click and the lights in the whole room are on. Clara was about to walk into the kitchen, but she saw someone sitting in the minibar.

Clara saw Bram sitting there. There was also a bottle of drink that accompanied Bram along with a glass of whiskey on the table.

"Bram!"

Clara approached Bram.

Bram still seemed silent, making Clara even more restless. Clara took a glass of water and sat down with Bram.

"Is he your lover?" asked Bram.

"No! He's my friend," Clara said. She hoped that Bram had not misunderstood.

"Is it true?" said Bram.

"Yeah, Gerry just invited me to dinner on his mom's birthday. I just appreciate the invitation," Clara explained.

Bram smirked. That made Clara even more nervous.

"I'll clean my body first!" said Clara and rose from her seat.

Clara was flabbergasted, her steps stopped when suddenly Bram threw the glass in his hand. the glass shattered on the floor. Bram got up from his seat, looked at Clara with a fiery red look.

A slap landed on Clara's cheek, making Clara stagger and hit her head against the bar counter.

Clara held her cheek and looked at Bram in fear.

"Ah... Bram. Let me go!" Clara screamed as Bram pulled her hair tightly.

Bram gripped Clara's cheek tightly, making the pain from the slap grow even more.

"You cheap woman! How many times have I told you not to approach any man! Don't you understand? How should I remind you, Clara? You never listen to me!" growled Bram.

Bram pushed Clara's body hard until she fell to the floor. Bram was really like a lion whose cub was being bullied by a wolf, so he didn't accept being disturbed and immediately pounced on his prey. Clara had made him angry and Bram couldn't hold it in anymore.

Bram knelt in front of Clara. Another slap landed on the cheek that was previously slapped. Bram again gripped Clara's cheek and glared at Clara. Clara winced in pain.

"Listen to this, Clara! One more time I see you with that man, or even with any man, then it's not just what's happening to you now. But, I'm also going to kill your parents and your entire family! Once again! You're making trouble with me, then you will lose everything!" Bram threatened.

Bram pushed Clara's body, making Clara's head hit the floor.

Bram just walked away, leaving Clara with a bruise on her forehead, and a cut at the corner of her lip. her lips even bleed.