Clara's POVOur front entrance and our little gate were both open. When I first entered the house, everything was in disarray: documents were scattered across the floor, the table was turned upside down, and the couch had been pushed to one side."Mom," I exclaimed. I went where the noises in the kitchen led.With a panicked voice, Mom said, "Clara, step back." Katy was standing behind her, tears welling up in her eyes.I spotted Dad at that point, looking around the kitchen wildly. His entire body shook, and he exuded restlessness and agitation. I saw the beads of sweat on his brow. This was terrible; he was going through withdrawals once more. This indicated that he was in a desperate situation and would stop at nothing to obtain money so that he could purchase booze.The drawers of every cupboard were ajar."Dad, what is going on here?" I said something.He halted his movement to look at me."Don't try to father me; I'm not your dad. Your mother is a whore who has no idea who y
Clara's POV"Where were you?" Marcus said again.My mind went blank: why was he searching for me? Wasn't my termination sufficient?"I was just ..." I said incoherently."What were you exactly? Seeking to take a day off? You let me down just when I thought you were the least pitiful worker I've ever had." He said. I was stunned and stood there. Did that imply that I had not been let go? And what about the entire Derek incident?"I want you to know that you may bid your job farewell if you don't show up tomorrow. Perhaps I ought to assign your work to someone who is more eager to complete it." He said. "Be there at eight a.m. sharp." He went on.Marcus had ended the call before I could muster the courage to inquire.I was still processing his statements ten minutes after we had spoken. Did he mean what he said? Would my job truly come back to me? Derek's reaction gave me a good idea that I wouldn't be getting my job back. Well, miracles do happen.******Getting out of bed this mornin
Clara's POV"Your boyfriend was here yesterday, and I allowed him in because he said he had a surprise for you. It wasn't easy getting him past all those guards, so you really owe me." He clarified.Ivy's mouth dropped open as the revelation struck both of us.Ivy snapped, "You idiot," and smacked the back of his head. "So you are the one who let him in, how could you?" She said, She was still slugging his arm."Come on, did I do something wrong." He talked while deflecting all of Ivy's smacks with a single hand."You-shouldn't-have-let-him-in," Ivy said, smacking him in his sentences."I see you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," said Jeremy. Raising from his chair, he fled from Ivy.Marcus came in, so I didn't have much time to get over my astonishment.Marcus said, "If not for the girl who forgot she had a job," as he walked up to our table.The other workers became terrified of him, and as they all walked to their stations, the room gradually began to empty."There has b
Clara's POVAs I inserted the garment into the machine, I nodded."If I were you, I would just exercise caution. You are aware of the tale of these wealthy elderly men, and you can never be certain of their intentions." She said,I said, "I'm sure he was just being polite."Marcus snapped his fingers and stepped in."Hurry up, what are the two of you still doing here?" He said.Marcus could hardly be avoided; he was there everywhere. There are moments when I feel like he's watching the monitor wherever we are all the time simply to make us feel bad."Maybe we wouldn't be so slow if there was someone for the laundry and we didn't have to clean up the guest's room and do laundry here," Ivy said."Excuse me?" Marcus said.Fortunately, Marcus was not in close proximity to us. Ivy swiftly took her words back."Nothing, boss," was her response.Marcus said, “Clara," and I stopped dead in my steps. "I need you to clean up Derek's room before he gets back once you are done with what you are d
Derek POVI massaged my neck softly as I sat back in my chair. This has been a stressful week, and I had another busy one. Everyone has only been able to provide justifications, and I cannot handle ineptitude.I thought about that girl from two nights ago again. I have no idea what occurred that night. I should have recalled her that night if I could recall anything. She was incredibly seductive and difficult to overlook.She was seeking my money, and she had failed at it. Therefore, I needed to stop thinking about her.Luke came to my door and knocked."Your mother phoned, sir. She responded, "You must bring a girl home; it's time to fulfil your half of the bargain." He said.I averted my gaze.I said, "Tell her I'm busy." "Also, let the architects know I want to view their restoration plans right now."Luke said, "Sir, they still have one more week to work on that project.""Alright, let them know that I'd want to view it by the end of the day.""Just to wrap up, Madison is ready. I
Derek POVDad said, "I still find it surprising that you chose to invite someone over." "Like, a genuine lady?" Mom inquired. "Derek, I always thought you had a vivid imagination as a child; you may be seeing a lady."I said, "Yes, mother, that is a genuine lady."To get me through this evening, I would require a big drink."So you're not going to get your helper some clothes so he can pass for a woman? You two are together all the time." Grandma told me.I argued, "No, grandmother, she's genuine." She had to be sincere, indeed? There has to be a genuine person there someplace below all those silicone breast and lip injections."Are you one of those wealthy guys that pay ladies to be with them, please?" Lucy laughed.Dad said, "I don't know why you still distrust our son—he has my nice looks." "Those were the days, I recall when I was his age. Every woman I..."His idea was cut short as Mom scowled at him."I find it surprising that he chose to attend," Mom said, shifting the topic
Derek POV"I was beginning to believe you were sleeping here since you didn't have a residence." Granma pretended to chuckle.Madison seemed uncomfortable and unsure of her response.I said, "I suppose I should drop you off at home."I got out of my sofa.Grandma said, "You should remain, son. I have something important to tell you." "You may have her driven home by one of the drivers." She recommended it.With a nod.Maddison followed me to the door."Having you here tonight was a pleasure." My lips found hers.I waited until the vehicle was securely filled with her. I stood outside in the chilly wind until the driver had left the yard.I knew I would get an earful as soon as I walked back inside the home."What were you thinking? Her name contains the word mad." Lucy gave me a shoulder smack. I said, "Well, she just happens to be what I like."Lucy said, "And when he chose to drop out of medical school, I believed my son was a failure." At me, Lucy shook her head. She escorted her
Clara POVYes, that would be Derek Montenegro.Before he could further identify that it was me, I hurriedly pulled myself together and stood up. I withdrew from his embrace and turned my head to face the corner.I hit the floor button that was closest to me.He said, "I'm sorry about that, Miss."My hair hung down the sides of my face, and I maintained a bent head.He leaned over to my side, and I noticed. I freaked out; maybe he wanted to see my face and find out I was lying. I made every effort to look away from him.He leaned back and shifted to his side as his hand went for the elevator controls and pressed the button for the top level.Safe was I. Until today, anyhow.As soon as the elevator doors opened, I hastily exited.After the elevator doors shut, I exhaled deeply, like I had just finished a marathon. I was holding my breath without even realising it.For an instant, I thought about using the stairs rather than the elevator so I wouldn't run into the danger of running into