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
Clara's POVHe sighed. "It's something really strange. We still don't understand how this could have happened. A woman, a guest who was booked at the hotel, told security that she had three men here to deliver some things. They arrived here, checked into the woman's hotel room, and then changed into other clothes. It happened to be on the same floor." He paused. "We found the clothes they were wearing in the trash can. Just as the incident occurred, the woman just vanished. Now, it turns out her ID could have been fake, too. We don't know how this could have happened. The cameras didn't get that much, and the men seemed smart enough to hide their faces behind their caps. It's like they knew exactly where the cameras were. We only managed to get descriptions from the security guards. I guess when they walked out, they managed to blend in with the other guests." He explained."You think that this could have been an inside job?" Layla asked."Maybe, but the whole thing is just suspicious
Clara's POV"I told you already, I'm fine. Besides, your mother took really good care of me." I smiled.He sighed before pulling me into a hug."You know, I nearly died today after the way that guy just shoved you aside. The thought that something could have happened to you and our baby completely frightened me." He spoke. His voice almost sounded like a whisper.My eyes filled with tears as I became overwhelmed by emotion. He cared so much about me, yet I just lied to him."I'm sorry," I whispered to Derek. A tear rolled down my cheek. I tried to choke back the rest of my tears. He didn't deserve this. I knew I was apologising for all my lies."No," Derek answered as he hugged me even tighter. "I should have done my best to protect you." He spoke.I pulled away from our hug to face him. "Promise me you won't do anything like that again, that you will be more careful." I sobbed.He stroked my cheek, wiping my tears away."I promise," he answered back with a smile.He leaned in as he c
Clara's POVI texted her back, informing her I would be home, which seemed to shut her up.What was I going to tell my mom? Probably that I had an unexpected night shift to cover and that I couldn't answer my phone. If my mother ever gets to meet Derek, she will hate him.The cab drove, and I looked out at the pouring rain.In less than an hour, the cab was pulling into my neighbourhood. I sighed again, preparing myself for my lies.From a distance, our house came into view. I noticed a Range Rover parked in front of my gate.I wonder who it was. We didn't know many people, including someone with a car like that.The driver slowed down as we neared my house.Our front door opened. Mom came into sight as she smiled.A man left our house soon after as Mom waved him goodbye.Tall, dark-haired, and wearing a black tux. He matched my mom's enthusiasm as he waved her goodbye.I guess I wasn't the only one hiding secrets in my family. "You can stop right here," I informed the driver. We wer
Clara's POVKaty walked downstairs to approach us. She looked warm and snuggled up in her thick fur jacket."It's nice to know that you are working hard for this family, breaking your back and taking extra shifts just for us," Katy said sarcastically. She crossed her arms, shooting me a glare.Not even a 'good morning' or 'how was work?'"It would be best if you considered taking a different job. Things are going much better for me. Maybe you could work with me instead and help deliver the cakes." Mom suggested."I would be of no use to you in your business. I don't even have a licence. We don't even have a car." I answered. "Besides, I'd like to know who that man was who just left our house." I changed the subject. The focus was now on Mom."He is no one. Why are you so suspicious? I'm sick of you and your sister thinking you can control my life." Mom answered dismissively.She threw her hands in the air dismissively as she turned to walk to the kitchen.Katy and I weren't having it.