Derek’s POVI must have looked at my watch about five times in the same minute. Why was I nervous? I've made far more risky decisions, and none have ever made my heart beat this fast. The house had already been set, our dinner table was perfect, and the garden was just as I had instructed. Clara would be arriving any moment from now, and I was almost done cooking. Everything was perfect, so why was I this nervous?I wiped the sweat off my brow. Vincent was right; my idea was stupid. What was I thinking about planning a proposal here? Surely, I could have thought of a better idea.I needed to calm down. Hopefully, she had another busy night, and she wouldn't show up.Maybe I should turn off my lights and pretend I wasn't home. But she'd walk in. That's what I get for giving her an extra key.Since we've both been tied up with work, we have dinner almost every evening. It made sense that we'd both have the keys to each other's apartments after she moved out of her mother's.I needed to
Derek POV The things he is willing to do make me sick to my stomach, and I'm finally done. He deserves everything coming to him. I was glad that the trial with Maddison's mother went smoothly. Turns out, there is nothing Maddison loves more than her reputation and money, and for that, she is willing to let her mother rot and make herself the victim.I was finally done with the cooking and dished our food in the dining room.I slipped my hand into my pocket, ensuring the ring was safely secured.Clara voiced her approval. I'd made a Pad Thai dish for her, knowing it was her favourite. I finally influenced her. "If my mom calls, please tell her I'm not pregnant." She stated this in the middle of her dinner.I nearly choked on my food as my eyes widened."Are you pregnant?" I questioned, puzzled. "Of course yes. She came over the other day and found a pregnancy test in my bathroom." She explained."Oh," I noted, amazed. "That explains why she's been texting me a lot more often." I am
Clara's POVI said, "Bye, Sam," and waved to the manager.He saw me race out of the bakery and grinned.I glanced at my watch at 18:30.This meant that I had a mere thirty minutes before I had to start working at the hotel. We had a busy day with a lot of orders coming in, so my shift finished a little later than normal today.I was simply covering for a buddy, therefore today was my final day. This meant I had to hunt for another part-time job because I was back on the job market. I had to leave before I lost my second job, though.The bus was ready to leave when I put out my hand to stop it."Clara," the bus driver grinned as I got on, panting profusely."I'm grateful, Brian," I said.To put it mildly, I was accustomed to being late.The hotel where I worked was a twenty-minute drive away; if I ran quickly enough, I could make it in time. I tapped my foot tensely, counting every minute. It doesn't help that I'm the last one to arrive—my boss has been seeking an excuse to dismiss me e
Clara's POVTaking up the broom, she began cleaning the living room. There wasn't much to do at this place; every day, even when no one was staying in the rooms, they were all cleaned.We had to tidy the bedroom next.Ivy reached over to the nightstand and grabbed up another magazine—this one was another of Derek's. "How is it possible that a guy looks like that, yet no one has ever tried to have his baby," she said.I said, laughing, "Are you still on that?""I mean, look at him. He is practically a Greek god. If I were those other girls, I'd get pregnant and trap him immediately." She laughed."We would have to become millionaires before he gives us a bit of his attention. He is hardly ever seen with a girl in the tabloids." I said.Unexpectedly, I noticed his images in one of my fifteen-year-old sister Katy's adolescent magazines, which she received every month and which were devoted to boy bands. He was the centre of attention for the tabloids. "Maddison must have the right idea,
She was off sprinting to the closet with the dress before I could object.There were several reasons why this was a horrible idea.We had to get the job done because Maddison was probably going to come soon, so I moaned as I finished the remaining tasks. It was a few minutes before Ivy came out of the closet."How do I look?" she said as she leaned against the door."Wow," was all I could say.The majority of her back was seen due to the floor-length gown's sharp neckline and exposed leg. It accentuated every aspect of Ivy, fitting her flawlessly.Ivy said, "Wouldn't it be great to be rich?" "I just looked at the price tag, it costs enough for me to buy myself a decent car." She said,"It's a shame she is probably only ever going to wear it once," I said. "You should take the dress off before you get us into any trouble.""You're correct," she said. Looking behind her back for the zip, she extended her hand.Ivy yelled, "The zipper won't open."Panicked, I gazed at her.By happenstan
"I think you are better off wearing the blue one ma'am," I said.Madison said, "Excuse me," as she turned to face me.Her companion and her helper both raised an eyebrow at me. I was probably fired for speaking out of turn at this point."I mean, a woman like you, the blue one perfectly highlights your curves. It shows your elegance, that you are different and not like the other girls. It says 'irresistible', you need to make him imagine what he could have. You will be the envy of them all." I was speaking while glancing at the gown. "Besides, black is last year's season," I said.She gave me a sidelong glance before focusing on her reflection in the mirror. As she tucked her hair behind her ear, she said, "I suppose you are correct."I merely stroked her ego.Madison said, "Maybe she should take your job," looking at her assistant.That was a close one, I sighed. Before any of us get into problems, I hope Ivy can remove the outfit. As fortune would have it, Ivy left the restroom.As
Derek's POVGazing at the vista of the huge towers behind my desk, I paced my office.I would begin work on the tallest skyscraper in New York in just a few more months. I was going to transform the hotel sector with this idea.It takes toughness to succeed in this profession. That required putting those who believe they can betray you in check.I asked my assistant to summon Hendrik to my office."Yes, sir," Luke said.A gentle tap on my door prompted Luke to open it. He has helped me out ever since I opened the company, and we have also had a few friendship moments.Luke said, "Mr. Hendrik is here to see you, sir.""Please send him in," I said.Luke said, "The poor guy thinks he's getting a promotion."I laughed.I discovered that he was offering our main rival, Peterson Inc., access to some of our trade secrets, including all of our agreements and projects. Ever since, I've been surreptitiously exploiting him to provide our rivals with false information. They were clueless about wh
"This morning," was his response.Didn't individuals become weary of concocting tales about the lives of others?I had a feeling that my grandfather's name was all over this. I was aware of his methods."This is ridiculous, don't people have something better to do with their lives?" I said. Returning the iPad to him, I questioned, "Who is she anyway?""The obsessed girl who won't stop calling the office," he said."Great, another pathetic girl that probably needs to be sent to a psychiatric hospital," I said.My phone rang once more; it was my mom sending me another text. I believed that leaving your parent's house was the main goal for them to stop being around you.He said, "Mr. Pierce is here early, sir.""You can tell the receptionist to send him in," I said."I must warn you, sir, he isn't one of your problems you can just throw money at. That ground means a lot to him, you would have to convince him." He issued a warning.He was in his late fifties, based on what I have heard. T