Clara's POVDerek's mood changed as he clenched his fist."Bye now," I waved goodbye to Jeremy. I didn't want to give Derek the chance to say anything to Jeremy.I held Derek's hand as we walked out of the hotel. I didn't want to draw attention to us.The incident took Derek aback. That was probably the first time someone said anything like that to his face."Can you believe that guy?" Derek asked. "I'm going to ensure he never gets a job again." He threatened."It's over now," I whispered, trying to calm him down.We finally left the hotel.We walked southwards.For a while, neither spoke as we waited to get to a safe distance where no one would recognize either of us."So, how is work?" I asked, breaking the silence.He sighed. "Are we so boring that we must start talking about work?" He asked."I'm just trying to have a conversation," I answered.He sighed again. "Well, it hasn't been running that smoothly, honestly. I have this project planned. We have invested so much of our tim
Clara's POVHe pressed his lips against mine. At first, I was shocked, but I found myself responding.Initially, it started as passionate and slow, but things quickly escalated as we became possessive and demanding as we fought for dominance.My arms instinctively moved to his neck as I held him for support. I felt his hand travel across my lower back.The world could have been on fire, but I didn't care.It was a while until I finally pulled away as we both breathed heavily.I felt his eyes on me, which lowered again to my lips. I noticed how he playfully bit his lower lip. I thought he would kiss me again, but he pulled away."You should be ashamed of yourself. You didn't even wait to take me out on a proper date first before you jumped in and kissed me. You could have at least tried to wine and dine me first. You couldn't wait to get your hands on me, could you?" He joked."Hey, you kissed me first." I protested. I slapped his chest playfully, taking a step back. "Besides, maybe if
Clara's POVI knew where this was going."I'm not going to get pregnant," I said. "Besides, I never lied about where I was going," I replied."You know, I said the same thing too. Here I am with two daughters. It would help if you didn't end up pregnant and alone like I had to go through it," she continued.I was about to be late for work because of this."Is mom giving you the talk?" Katy laughed, coming downstairs."You should sit for this too." Mom pointed."The only place I ever go is to school. Those kids are too rich to even sit with me. How am I supposed to get pregnant?" Katy laughed. "You know what we should be talking about? That guy you talked to on the phone last night," Katy said. She folded her arms, facing Mom in a challenging manner."Don't be silly," Mom said, throwing her hand over her shoulder."I heard you last night. We laughed and told each other that it had been many years since they last saw each other. That you miss each other, all the lovey-dovey stuff. I kno
Clara's POV"Did he speak to anyone at all?" she asked."He didn't speak to anyone; he only had a few business calls," I answered. I wouldn't know anyway because I was sleeping.Madison sighed. "You are useless to me; I'd have to do everything myself." Madison snapped. "Just one question: is he in his penthouse today?" She asked.Yes, he is," I answered. At least, I think he was.Madison now appeared relieved as she smiled.What was she planning?She pressed the button for the elevator to continue moving.Madison left the elevator before me, and I got out of the elevator on the following floor after her.I stepped out of the elevator into Marcus' office. His door was open as usual.I noticed a desk in the far corner of the room. He must have placed it there to accommodate me. He has been a lot nicer to me since I've been promoted. I thought he'd be yelling at me all the time."Morning, Marcus," I greeted."Morning," he answered. He handed me several lists, some containing contact info
Clara's POVI sighed. "Layla, we should just end this thing now before it gets complicated any further. He is your son. You know he's going to hate us when he discovers the truth. It's better if we end this now before he gets too attached," I said."You mean before you get too attached?" she asked.I sighed. I wasn't winning this argument. Maybe she had a point.Just then, I saw Leonardo emerge from the bedroom, and he stared at me dumbfounded. He was in shock. His jaw dropped, his one hand holding a toothbrush as he continued to stare.Had he just heard my conversation? But how much of it?I thought no one else was there."Layla, I'm going to have to call you back," I whispered into the phone.I pulled the phone from my ear, hanging up the call."Good day, Mr. Pierce. I thought you would be out for the day." I said.'Calm down, Clara,' I reminded myself. This didn't have to be awkward. Maybe he hadn't heard anything at all."Just one question," He paused. "Is this the same Derek who
Clara's POVI noticed three guys wearing masks. They were all dressed in black. Two of the guys held onto Derek while the other punched him in the gut.Madison was lying on the ground, her clothes torn as she broke into tears.The one guy looked at me, frightened that I had seen them.All three guys instantly became aware of my presence as they looked at each other, frightened.I was in shock, still not able to move.Derek was thrown to the ground by the two guys, clutching his stomach in pain, his face bloodied.I noticed the other guy limping as they tried to plan their escape."Let's move," one of the guys said.I panicked as the three men rushed towards me to get to the door.One of the men grabbed my arm before slamming my back against the wall. I hit my head in the process. My vision became blurry. The man let go of me, and I slowly started to fall to the ground.The next thing I noticed were blurry images of three men rushing out of the suite."Clara!" Derek yelled."I can't be
Clara's POVMadison flinched away from Derek.Layla walked over to where we were.In horror, she examined his wounds, turning him around to assess the extent of the damage."Derek, are you okay?" Layla exclaimed; she noticed the blood stain on his shirt."Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine," Derek answered."But you are bleeding," Layla said, her voice filled with worry.Derek sighed again. "Don't worry, it's not my blood," he answered.Layla now seemed a bit more relaxed as she sat next to me."Are you sure that you are okay?" Derek turned to me.I nodded, forcing a smile. I pressed the ice pack deeper into my skull.Derek walked away to the kitchen. He came back holding a cold glass of water, which he then handed to his mother to drink, hoping it would calm her."Please excuse me. I have to speak to the officers," Derek informed.He then moved over to where the offices were standing.Layla took a shot at the water and drank it in one gulp. Within minutes, she appeared calmer."So," Layla be
Clara's POV"I heard they hit your head hard," Layla said. She turned her attention to me. "Derek, it's your job as an employer to ensure your employees are safe and well-taken care of. I'll take her somewhere to rest." She turned to Derek."You can take her to my penthouse mother, and I'm sure she will be comfortable there." Derek offered.Madison couldn't seem more displeased. "So, I see you are already well-informed about everything that happened," Madison replied, faking a smile at Layla."Sweetheart, I'm always informed. I know everything." Layla laughed. Layla returned her attention to me as she stroked my hair. "I will put this poor girl to rest." Layla smiled.Derek pulled me aside, away from the two of them. I could feel Madison's glare on me throughout."Are you sure you are alright?" Derek asked. He took my hands into his.I responded with a nod.He sighed. "If my mother starts acting crazy or does anything you don't like, just call me, and I'll be there to save you," Derek