In a brief moment of distraction, Clara seized the opportunity to slip away.

"Mr. Garcia, stop being such a nuisance, following me around like a shadow," she said without looking back.

By the time he regained his senses, Clara had already vanished, leaving only her grumbling complaint echoing in Matthew's ears.

'What a self-romanticizing woman. Why would I like her?' he wondered.

Matthew watched Clara's receding figure, a wave of discomfort surging in his ...