Clara's POV I automatically performed the first thing that sprang to mind.I embraced Ivy as I turned to face Derek. I had to keep her from him.Ivy withdrew and exclaimed, "What are you doing? You're going to mess up your hair."I gave her an even closer embrace. I said to her in a whisper, "Derek is coming."Ivy hesitated, caught off guard, too.Derek was drawing nearer yet."You poor thing, don't worry. Everything will be alright," I said loudly while rubbing Ivy."Thank you," Ivy said.She withdrew from the embrace without saying anything else. To keep Derek from seeing her, she acted like she was crying, keeping her head down. Her face was hidden behind her hands.I lied when Derek approached me and said, "Her boyfriend just broke up with her."I suppose that these days, I tell lies with ease.Derek stopped and tried to figure out whether he could recognize Ivy by looking at her back."We ought to depart," I tugged at his sleeves.He turned to face me, whispering, "You look very
Clara's POVThe gloomy light of the candles added to the romantic atmosphere. Down below, I could still see the magnificent panorama of the city's towers.After directing us to our table, the waiter departed, leaving Derek and me alone.Derek moved with great speed. He asked me to sit down after pulling out a chair. Reluctantly, I complied. Everything seemed so surreal. How was I going to spend an entire evening by myself with him?Derek moved to his seat across the table.As he settled in, I questioned, "Why are you being so nice to me?"He took a little break. "Well, since you saved me, I might as well give you the date you deserve." He said.With anxiety, I averted my gaze and looked at the menu.A female voice cleared her throat. "Good evening, I'm Cecilia. I'll be your waitress for the night," she added.I couldn't take my eyes off the menu.Hold on, I recognize that voice!I looked at her quickly to confirm my doubts. It was Cecilia, a friend of my mother's. Moreover, she lived
Clara's POVWhen the waiter came back with our meal, I was taken aback to see that three other gentlemen had followed him and had started laying out the various foods on the table: salads, spaghetti, ramen, kebab, paella, and more that I couldn't even begin to name because most of them seemed so foreign to me."What made you order so much food?"I inquired."Well, I wasn't entirely sure what you wanted to eat, so I thought I'd order a little of everything." He said."Well, if I eat all of this, there is hardly any room left for a baby," I said.He began to eat our dinner while we both served ourselves.Would you mind briefly introducing yourself to me?"He enquired."What information do you seek? I questioned, brushing the flyaways off my face in a way that almost seemed playful. Great, now he'll think I'm flirting with him."Do you have any relatives on your mom's side?" he said, clearing his mouth."He enquired."No, none of them are in contact with us. I said, "It's always just my mom
Clara's POVFor dessert, I had some ice cream with a caramel topping. It was almost all I had left after everything else I had eaten.My cell rang. I noticed it was a text from my sister when I glanced at the screen.I panicked when I saw the time on my phone. It was about nine at night. My mother was aware that I didn't work nights. This meant that if she weren't already freaking out and phoning everyone we knew to find out where I was, there would be a lot of questions when I got home. However, I hadn't gotten a single text from her.I interrupted Derek in the middle of his anecdote to say, "We should go."I pushed my chair back and prepared to walk out of the eatery."Is everything okay?" a startled Derek enquired."It's late; I have to get home now," I said.My sister texted me, asking where I was. Mom told me that because she works late, I've been alone at home.My mother wasn't going to murder me yet, at least."Are you sure? Perhaps you want another drink or something before we
Clara's POVMy hand instinctively grabbed for his cheek, turning his head away. The only issue was that he was suddenly focusing only on me. His gaze was fixed on mine. Our touch sent a shockwave through my arm.A chilly shudder ran down my spine. I was unable to attribute it to the wind this time.Our gaze met, and for an instant, I lost consciousness of my breathing.My rational part advised me to back off and that I should flee and get a cab home since these emotions would only make me lose my mind, but I disregarded it. We met eyes, and I stood there, knees weak, dreaming what it would be like to kiss him. I knew full well how close we were. I hope my heartbeat was too rapid for him to sense. A crowd yelled, "Mr. Montenegro," and I heard them.Derek and I both looked in the direction of the sounds.Suddenly, many photographers appeared, all pointing their cameras directly at us.I put my hand over my face. I had to keep them from seeing me.Derek must have gotten the idea, too, f
Clara's POVWe merely smiled to ourselves and tried to keep our eyes on the road ahead as we strolled silently to my house.We had reached my house, so it seemed like a shorter walk than expected.We came to a stop outside my gate.Derek remarked, "I had a great time tonight.""Me too," I grinned in response.We looked at one other for a time, and then I saw Derek gently take a step forward. Before long, there wasn't much room between us.Most likely, he was reaching for his jacket.I retreated, slamming my back into our little iron gate. I removed his jacket.With a "Here you go," I gave him the coat."Oh," he whispered. It appeared as though he had momentarily returned to reality. I held the jacket, and he grabbed it."Good night," I said in a whisper.I waved him off and went through the fence without a second thought.When I opened our front door, he still looked at me from behind.After I got into the home, I leaned against the door and let everything that had transpired some tim
Clara's POV"There will be no need for that," I answered, hoping Mom would get the idea out of her head.I didn't want my mom to meet Derek. It would be awkward if I invited Marcus, and he claims to have no idea why I was even promoted. As for Derek taking the cake, I've never seen him eat a meal that isn't higher than my paycheck, so I'm not sure he would accept it."Of course, we should." Mom insisted. "You know what, I'll stop by tomorrow where you work and make sure I invite your boss myself." She continued. She didn't seem to be getting the idea out of her head."No, Mom," I looked at her with pleading eyes. "Besides, my boss is a very busy man. I doubt he would want to come to this neighbourhood." I tried to reason."Well, you'll never know unless we try." She insisted. "I think I'll go and invite him today. I'll make my delicious lasagna tonight." She continued.It seemed like all my lies were about to blow up in my face. I was already pretending to be sick today. For Marcus or
Clara's POVHer initial reaction was puzzlement before she burst into laughter."You? Move out." Mom laughed. "Please, you don't even do your laundry. I still have to fight with you and your sister to put your dirty clothes in the laundry room. What will you eat if you move out? Nothing but two-minute noodles? I still can't figure out how you even work at that hotel." She continued to laugh."I know how to cook; I think I'd be able to survive on my own," I answered."Don't fool yourself, and I'm afraid you'll find a way to burn water, let alone make a meal every day. You'd be back here in less than two days." She continued.She dismissed my idea by simply laughing it off as she walked out the door.I'm pretty sure she was convinced I had gone mad and was simply delusional.I pushed every thought of my mom away. It was time for me to put on the best performance of my life. I needed to inform Marcus that I wasn't coming to work because I wasn't feeling well. ****Convincing Marcus that