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
Clara's POVIvy assisted me in moving the load. It was almost time for us to clock out by the time we had completed folding all the clothing and doing the other tasks.My feet hurt as Ivy and I left Maddison's apartment."After this, I find it unbelievable that we still have to stand in the bus. We can probably both agree that it's about time for one of us to start dating someone wealthy." It was Ivy.I dragged my steps and said, "I'm banking on you for that; I have horrible luck at love.""That's only because you reject every man who even bothers to smile at you." She responded.Awaiting the elevator, we waited.Marcus stopped me in my tracks and said, "Clara." Then I pivoted."I need you to steal the boss's tuxedo before you clock out." I need you to deliver it; it has been at the dry cleaners." He gave guidance.I knew whose boss he was talking about, and my heart pounded, ready to burst out of my chest. Didn't I already have enough of an issue with him earlier? I was sure now tha
Clara's POV I felt my whole body freeze, regretting what I had said.Just what had I done? Even so, where did that notion originate?I yelled the first ridiculous thing that came out quickly because I didn't want him to fire me. Although it seemed to have worked, I was now more dangerous."And you're confident about this?" Derek's voice startled me out of my reverie.I firmly nodded my head.Why did I do that? Why was I strengthening my lie? That would lead to further problems for me.Perhaps I could retract what I had just said and tell him that I wasn't pregnant—after all, how can you say "it's your kid" and then not mean it?Derek walked the room before kicking the table to knock it over."You may be lying for all I know; how am I simply meant to think you are pregnant?" He said.I had lied. However, it was now too late for me to retract this falsehood."I understand your feelings; I was taken aback, too, when I learned," I said.I wasn't very adept at lying, so my voice became so
Clara's POVMy mother and Katy were in the kitchen baking cupcakes when I got home.My luggage fell out the door. I waved at Mom and Katy in response.I was emotionally and physically exhausted.I needed to speak to someone because if I said the word "pregnant," my mother would slap me across the face, not to mention the fact that I had lied to them about being pregnant.Ivy's number was in a phone book I had from years ago, so I took my mom's phone to my room and punched it in.My phone still hasn't been replaced."Hello," I said as soon as Ivy responded."Hey, how are you?" Ivy enquired.I breathed in deeply. It was going to seem absurd even to try to explain this.I said, "I told Derek I was pregnant."Ivy kept quiet.I started by telling the remainder of the narrative.It was uncommon for even Ivy to be left speechless.I wait for her response, nervously biting my nails.I don't see what you are scared about based on what you just stated. This is ideal for you since he wants you t
Clara's POV"Someone is on the phone for you, Clara!" Some minutes later, Katy shouted.Leaning away from the sofa, I sighed. I crossed the living room to the phone in the corner.As she handed me the phone, Katy said, "You really should buy a new one."Greetings? I picked up the phone."I've arrived at your door." The person spoke.It took me some time to sign up. Was it, I thought, Derek's voice?In a panic, I peered out the window and saw Derek leaning against the black Porsche parked outside my fence.And what would I do? He said I had two days, didn't he? How on earth did he know my residence?I had to keep him from my mother.I hung up the phone swiftly."I believe I'll simply go to the supermarket, Mom. I need a few items." I talked frantically."At present?" Mom inquired."I'll be right back; it's only around the corner," I said. I was at the door already."Take care!" Mom screamed at me.I felt the calm wind caress my skin as I left the home.I tried to stay warm by crossing
Clara's POV Running back inside the house, I went straight to my bedroom.Breathing hard, I leaned my back against the door."What was it I just did?" I mumbled.It was never intended to progress to this point. I didn't think things through; it was meant to help me keep my job. How was I going to escape this one at this point?It signalled my demise. I had no choice but to leave the city, hoping he would never track me down. That, I believe, was going to be my answer.Frantically, I reached into my upper cupboard and retrieved my suitcase, packing my clothes neatly. I was unable to focus. I just knew I was ready to let go of everything. There didn't seem to be much chance to tell him the truth. Nothing was forgiving about him.Officially, my life was over.*****I slept for not even a wink. Despite my inability to focus and racing my mind, I had persuaded myself that moving away was the wisest course of action.Before my family members, I was the first to wake up. Before they knew it
Clara's POVI looked at him awkwardly, faking a smile."Should I enter?" he inquired.He walked past me and into the room before I could respond.After him, I shut the door."Where did you go for your travels?" He gestured toward my suitcase across the hallway.I lied, saying, "No." "We wanted to donate some clothes," I pretended.Derek followed me into the living room. He sat on the couch and studied our family photos.He said, "You live in a beautiful home."That was his first kind remark to me.Why I felt uneasy around him all the time is beyond me. Was it something about me that was always lying around him, or was it something about him?I was startled out of my reverie when the doorbell rang.Mrs. Welson was grinning at me when I opened the door.She walked past me and said, "Good morning, dear." "I'm curious who owns that stunning vehicle. Whoever it is, caution should be taken to avoid being robbed." Ms. Welson carried on.Her eyes grew wide as she looked at Derek and then back