Clara's POV Derek looked up as he saw me approaching. I noticed a look in his eyes that I hadn't seen before. I couldn't pinpoint what it was. He quickly masked it as a smile formed on his face.He met me halfway, walking over to approach me."You look gorgeous," he said, stopping me in my tracks. He went on to place a gentle kiss on my arm."Not too bad yourself," I giggled.He hooked his arm into mine and walked me to the car."Where are you taking me?" I asked curiously."Don't worry, it's a surprise," he answered. He opened the car door as he gestured for me to step in.I stepped into the car and buckled my seatbelt.The rest of the car ride was silent as we listened to some music. I looked out the window, trying to figure out where we were heading. I didn't recognize any of the buildings. I was just going to have to wait; the anxiety was killing me.It must have been over an hour when the car finally slowed down.It looked like an isolated ranch with a big open field and hills b
Clara's POVI was reminded of what I had promised myself. I told myself I wanted to tell him the truth. The time wasn't the most convenient, but there he was. Maybe this was my only chance with him to sit down and tell him everything. That would be the gift I'd give myself to free him from all this.I took a final deep breath before approaching him. Layla was not going to be happy about this.I cleared my throat, grabbing his attention. "Could I please speak to you for a second?" I asked. A worried look swept across his face.It wouldn't be easy doing this, but it needed to be done."How about we take some pictures instead?" He asked. His face was back to normal as if he hadn't heard anything.He gestured at a photographer a foot away. Before I could respond, a camera flashed in my face as Derek wrapped his arm around my waist. It must have lasted for at least a minute."Excuse me, I'll be back in a second." Derek excused himself. He took his cell phone out of his blazer as he stepped
Clara's POV Derek stepped onto the stage, accepting the mic from the MC, who then walked off the stage.Everyone focused on him as he brought the mic closer to speak."Before I met Clara, my life was black and white. Till you brought so much colour and so many other things I will never forget and forever cherish." He paused. He stared at me intently from the stage.This was his reaction?I just told him the one truth that could shutter everything, and this was his reaction. Did he not care that I lied to him? Had he already known?“Clara, could you please come up to the stage?" Derek called out.I stood frozen and unable to respond. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. Everything in me told me to walk away and run out of this venue and never return.But the crowd began closing in on me and cheered, everyone yelling my name in unison as they clapped.Before I knew it, my mother was behind me. Rubbing my shoulders, she encouraged me to walk to the stage.The crowd cheered eve
Clara's POV "Why did you do this?" I managed to ask. I looked into his cold stare. My voice must have squeaked, but I got a sentence out.His anger worsened, his cheeks turning into a brighter shade. "Let go of me," he demanded, his voice forceful. If it were possible, I would have grabbed his arm even tighter. I had avoided this conversation for a long time, but it was about time it happened.Some guests had left the hall and were now watching Derek and me as the murmurs continued. But I didn't care. I needed an explanation from him, and I would get it. Maybe he'd finally hear mine, too.Derek pulled his arm away from mine forcibly. I thought he'd walk away, but he didn't. Instead, he grabbed hold of mine and pulled me away towards a door I hadn't noticed had been there earlier. It blended in perfectly with the wallpaper.We stepped into the room. It looked like a study, with a desk and bookshelves. I didn't bother taking in the rest of the room.He let go of my arm as I stood behin
Clara's POV "I didn't mean for things to end up this way, and I wanted to tell you. If you already knew, what else did you expect from me?" I answered, my voice low and in a whisper."That you'd at least have an ounce of decency to say it to my face. That's the least you could have done, right?" He answered. "I realised something. It's not that you are just a coward, but you would happily continue lying to my face." He paused. "I don't even know if anything about you was ever real, every moment we spent together. I now realise it was all just a part of your act." He added.I didn't know if his words hurt because they were coming from him or if it was that there was a small chance that what he said about me may have been true.I shook my head. The tears somehow found their way back to my eyes.It hurt me more knowing that this was what he thought of me. By then, I could only stare at my feet on the ground. He was right; I was a coward, and I shouldn't have done this. If I could turn b
Derek's POVI rushed out of the building and went straight to my car. I couldn't stand to be around here anymore.This place was far too small to contain Clara and me. Despite seeing Vincent behind me, I walked faster and hopped into my car. I knew exactly what he would say with that judgemental look he had.I don't know why I felt this way. I thought I'd feel much better after this, that I'd feel liberated and be able to smile again. Instead, I felt sick to my stomach. I tried to assure myself that this feeling would soon pass.I drove to my country house right outside town. It was the only place I'd be able to be alone for a while, and that's what I needed. It took me nearly two hours to arrive.The house was silent, as expected. The house staff only came here twice a week, which was mostly empty. I haven't been here in a while, mostly because I'm out of the city most of the time, and it's inconvenient to travel here from work.I took my jacket off, placing it on the floor. I tried
Derek POV I tried to convince myself I wasn't doing it for her but to get one less psychopath off the streets."They found the guy," Luke paused again. "He was found badly beaten, and he is in critical condition." He explained.I took a long sigh. If that guy dies, we may never know why he did it or if someone else was behind it. But who would want to kill Clara? Maybe she pissed off an old boyfriend."Let me know if there's anything else I need to know," I replied. "Can you do me another favour?" I paused. "I did something stupid. I'm going to need you to have many pictures and videos deleted," I asked. I proceeded to explain the rest in detail. I wouldn't have any of those pictures and videos spread around that the guests took. I didn't care what he had to do to ensure that. My conscience wouldn't let me live.I was never going to have the photographers publish any of those photos. I just wanted her to feel the pain I did. But the damage I caused was far deeper than that. I wouldn'
Clara's POV I placed my hand over my mouth in shock as Ivy walked over to me and hugged me."I can't believe you guys did all this," I said, almost in tears."I know that technically, it isn't your birthday today, but since the last one didn't go too well, we thought we might celebrate it today," Ivy said, holding me tighter."If you are going to cry, we are all going to start crying, too," Ivy said, rubbing my back."You should make a wish." Mom approached me with the cake. I blew out the candles. I wished for more happy days just like this one. "You are going to have so much fun. We can have a sleepover and dance all night, and we are all going to get drunk." Ivy cheered. "Except for Katherine, she is still underage." She added slowly."Mom is going to get drunk?" I chuckled in disbelief.It was surprising enough that she got drunk with Layla. I never imagined her doing it again."I wasn't always boring, you know. How do you think I had two babies?" Mom asked nonchalantly. I can a