Hook And Bait.CLARA"The rare one."A gasp spilled from my lips, and my grip around the steering wheel hardened. It felt like I'd fallen on my face upon a rocky part, and now I needed time to be conscious again. My face drained off all color, and somehow, my mouth just wouldn't close. Breathing felt like such a hard chore, and I couldn't feel my face."It.. it's him?" I stuttered, slightly turning to Velma as the chilliness of the car that I once enjoyed became my worst enemy. Still, it didn't stop the beads of cold sweat from forming on my forehead and rolling to my neck. "You met that man?"I didn't let Velma give me a response when I frantically typed MIKE LIGHTWOOD in the search icon, and a couple of his pictures appeared. Handsome son of a bitch. I shifted and turned the phone to her face. "Are you sure you met this person?"Her eyes reflected the light from the screen as she nodded excitedly. "Yes! That's him, mama! Is he famous?"Yes, that's him, mama! No. No! No! How m
Pain And Madness.MIKE "Can we finally talk now, Clara?"I was standing so close to her that every nerve in my body recognized it. My body tried too hard to be still while my heart pounded away in my chest as though it were in a race. Breathing was a myth in which Clara was involved. Her sweet cologne hovered in the air like a rainbow, collecting every part of the room there was.I had made another shitty move with that article news, but if it led her to me like this, I couldn't guarantee that I wasn't going to do it again. Just seeing her, basking in her graceful presence was enough to fill me with sufficiency, and my head had gradually started to go blank.Could she sense my anxiety or how I was desperate to do everything correctly, from the way I stood to every single syllable I uttered? I could jinx a lot of other aspects of my life, but not this one. Clara's brows pinched together, and she wore a disbelieving expression like I'd asked her to wrestle a lion. Okay, maybe talkin
Dilemmas Are Heartfelt Qs And As.CLARAIt had been a while since I'd ever experienced this much confusion. The dilemma was strong, pulling me from side to side. It had been two days since my altercation with Mike . I wouldn't exactly call it that because the argument had been mostly from my side. For him, it was child's play, and I didn't think he even understood the kind of hate I harbored for him.He saw Velma, met her behind my back, and denied it. I'd been jumpy ever since, and there wasn't a single part of me that didn't think he would do it again. The closer Mike got to Velma, the more he was closer to the truth, and I couldn't let that happen, over my dead body. Now, I was perched against my desk, my pen hitting my lips rhythmically as I contemplated my options.Meeting Mike and having that interview on TV would be a sure way of clearing the doubts of our shareholders and business partners, but I also couldn't predict Mike 's actions, what he might do or say to ultimately
The Beginning Of An End! MIKE It's been two days, and I'd rather wrestle a bear than go home and live under the same roof as Lucy , ever. After her little rendezvous at the interview, I had been left with my last straw, and that was just the fact that she was pregnant. Besides that, I couldn't face it anymore. I relived the disrespect over and over again but couldn't come up with an excuse for her actions as I normally did, all days of my life to make the torture just a bit easier to bear, but this time, it wasn't working out very nicely. Rather than anger, I was filled with disgust and repulsion for her. Being with her would only result in my outburst, and I had a lot to say to Lucy , none of which was nice. That wasn't all the problem. Clara haunted me like she was all I was made to think about. The five years without her had completely vanished from my eyes like it never fucking happened, and I continued to question how I even survived so far without her. There was just
Shocking Reveal.CLARA"I'm pregnant. I'm carrying Mike 's child," Lucy revealed with a big smile, and all air was suddenly sucked from my lungs. And it choked out, weighing the word from edge to edge to see if a knife was twisted in between them and why it was directed straight to my chest.The shock punched me in the face, and I gawked stupidly, trying hard to retain an unfazed exterior, but that wasn't working out well for me. Never in a thousand years would I have hoped to be present when this kind of revelation occurred. I'd never thought of it, nor prepared for it, so frankly, I was left blank.Why was I so disgusted that she was pregnant? Why did it make me so bad? My heart thumped at a doubled pace, and I couldn't keep from looking at Mike , who had that expression of shock etched on his face. His green eyes widened, and he glared at Lucy for a while, before looking at me and catching my eyes on him.I tensed up and looked away immediately, forcing a fake smile that contradi
The Beginning Of An End!MIKE It's been two days, and I'd rather wrestle a bear than go home and live under the same roof as Lucy , ever. After her little rendezvous at the interview, I had been left with my last straw, and that was just the fact that she was pregnant.Besides that, I couldn't face it anymore. I relived the disrespect over and over again but couldn't come up with an excuse for her actions as I normally did, all days of my life to make the torture just a bit easier to bear, but this time, it wasn't working out very nicely. Rather than anger, I was filled with disgust and repulsion for her. Being with her would only result in my outburst, and I had a lot to say to Lucy , none of which was nice.That wasn't all the problem. Clara haunted me like she was all I was made to think about. The five years without her had completely vanished from my eyes like it never fucking happened, and I continued to question how I even survived so far without her. There was just a pull
Doom's Architect- My Wedding Ring. CLARAI still hadn't changed my mind about the party; perhaps I was a coward and was scared to be seen at a fundraising gala where everyone who'd been harmful to my life would most likely be present there. Pardon me if I think the wisest option would be to stay away, or I might end up taking half of Lucy 's hair home after uprooting it from her scalp.Well, the interview went a long way in calming the internet storm, as though some pretty opinionated people still buzzed around with rumors. I was just glad that all comments related to Velma remained neutral. That was the only thing that could tick me off. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon, and I wouldn't mind the sound of K-pop music blasting in the car as I drove down to Velma's school to pick her up.Rodney had offered, too. You'd think it was a job he was getting paid for, but I wanted to go because it was my job, and I felt bad for imposing on him. Also, because, I mean, who knew? Mike Ligh
And Pretty Blackmails. MIKE The peace I once felt vanished into thin air the moment I raised my head and watched the door creak open like someone was trying to open it in a barely noticeable manner from behind. My heart jumped, leaping to my throat as no amount of denial could help me get over the fact that it was Lucy by the door.My office door.It couldn't be anyone else, and I hadn't taken the precautions to inform security to stop her from entering, though I'd informed my secretary to tell her that I wasn't on the seat. How Lucy was in my office was the last thing that I was curious about. What I wanted to know was why she was here. Immediately, I heard footsteps come from the corridor, but Lucy immediately rushed in and slammed the door shut."That must have been your secretary," she responded in a lackadaisical tone. "She didn't want me to come in. She...said you weren't on seat, but I knew, Mike , I just knew deep down that you were here and you're so mad at me and, a
Chapter 122 :A New BeginningMike pov It’s strange how life changes in an instant. One moment, you’re proposing to the love of your life with sweaty palms and a missing ring, and the next, you’re staring at a pregnancy test that says “positive.” Clara’s still asleep next to me, her hair a mess of golden waves sprawled over the pillow, and I’m lying here trying to figure out how my life got so... perfect. Except, it’s also terrifying. “Dad, I’m hungry,” Velma’s voice cut through my thoughts. I blinked at the ceiling before turning to see her standing by my side of the bed, clutching a stuffed bunny with one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other. She looked up at me with that sleepy little pout that made me realize she wasn’t a baby anymore. She wasn’t even my “little girl” anymore. And soon, there was going to be another little one in the house. “I’ll make you something in a sec, kiddo,” I whispered, ruffling her hair. Velma narrowed her eyes at me, all suspicious-like.
Crossing T's And Dotting I's. CLARA The ride was quiet, tense even, and my head was glued in one position, staring outside the vehicle as the houses blurred by. It seemed like Mike had been an undeniable part of my life for too long. I thought when I got home, I would be able to get him out of my air, but here I was now, in his car. I didn't know what I was supposed to say. I had been judgy and undeniably mean to him, especially about Lucy . No, about everything, and I knew why I continuously did that. I just wanted to push him away, irk him, and show him all of the ugliest parts of me so he could get sick of it and go away! That didn't seem to be happening anytime soon, and the guilt I felt was only amplified. However does one get over this? Jeez. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes; he even looked good from the side, focused on the road. The silence was so thick that I felt it in my chest. Felt it deep inside my heart like an ice-formed dagger and it was slowly pre
: Viva La Vida.THREE MONTHS LATER.MIKE "Ughh! This dude doesn't know how to give up, does he?" I rolled my eyes as I fell on the couch next to Clara and wrapped my arms around her. She was looking at her phone again, for the second time today. He just wouldn't stop sending her those pictures, would he? Clara snuggled closer, "I should just block him, right?" She joked. "Love really had made him mad. I mean, look at that smile!"I shrugged. "I mean, did you see what it did to me?" A giggle ripped out of her throat and I snatched the phone from her playfully. "Is it just me or does he look fatter here?""Claire must be doing such a wonderful job!" Clara beamed, sighing. "I'm just glad he's okay! He looks so happy!""He does." I pecked her. "But I look happier, look at me alone." Rodney had been on vacation with Claire for the past two months, so we get blessed with pictures like this every second.It was tons of Claire's pictures, literally every part of her had been sent to Clara a
Hope.CLARAMike didn't respond, and more tears trickled down his cheeks as he stared into my eyes. His eyes were red, and swollen, evidence that he had been crying for a longer time than right now. My eyes prickled at the sight of him crying, and tears began to roll down my cheeks as well.Why was he crying? And why was I crying too. I didn't know why but my heart felt heavy in my chest, and it ached terribly. His silence stung me all over like a thousand bees. Why was he answering? What had happened to our baby?"C-Mike ?" I stammered, arching a brow, "What happened to Velma?" The question barely left my lips, but again he was quiet. Almost like he couldn't speak, and I couldn't take it anymore.The silence was killing me, just as much as not knowing what had happened to my baby. Could she-No. I shook my head frantically at the thought of that. No way. I didn't even want to think about that. I couldn't bear the thought of it, and it felt like a part me died at that brief thought.
Where Is She?CLARAI knew it was stupid and I shouldn't be here alone but what else could I do?! Lucy had threatened to harm her if I told anyone. I'd rather get hurt in her place as long as nothing happens to my daughter!I parked the car and looked up ahead at the building. No one lived there and the whole thing looked like it would fall apart at any moment.My heart thumped in my chest when fear gripped me and the possibility of all the bad things that could happen flashed before my mind. I closed the car door immediately I stepped out, my hands balled into fists.I'd rather die than have anything happen to Velma! Oh, god! Oh god! Agatha, too! I desperately clung to the hope that she had nothing to do with this, and that she was safe, just as Velma was.The video replayed in my head in an unending loop and I almost burst into tears.My baby. My little girl was fucking tied to a chair. I was going to kill Lucy ! I was going to rip her to shreds the moment I set my eyes on her. I s
The Foe.CLARAI felt a knot immediately tighten in the pit of my stomach as my eyes scanned the empty room from the doorway. The bed was empty, Velma wasn't here. Velma wasn't here?It was 2 a.m. Why wasn't she in bed by this time? Panic was slowly setting in, and I could feel it claw it way up my stomach. Where was she?My eyes shot to the restroom at the corner of the room, and I felt a bit of calm wash over me. Perhaps she was in there. I swallowed the uneasiness that had crawled its way to my throat, slightly panicking as I dashed across the room to her bathroom. "Velma," I called as I knocked on the door or rather banged it but there was no answer, and I pushed it open, "Velma," I called again.The door swung open, and my heart sank as it turned out empty too. She wasn't in the restroom. My head spun around the room, and my palm was beginning to feel clammy as I released the door and it slammed shut in my face. Where the hell was she? Where could she go?My stomach tightened, a
More Trouble!CLARA I came out of Velma's room after I'd registered that she was asleep and I took Mike into mine.We barely made it past the door. My urges were all over the place and I'd clenched my thighs all through the ride. I needed him so badly.Mike managed to slam the door behind me and pushed me in, crashing his lips into mine! "I'll take care of you," he whispered between kisses. "I'm so sorry, Clara. I'm so sorry I made you doubt me."His breath was hot against my face and he nibbled kisses everywhere. I was dripping wet, unable to contain my hunger.He whispered lovingly as he placed kisses on my naked body. I hastily unbuttoned his trousers, and he pulled it off before tossing it aside."Mike ," his tongue twirled with mine as if I'm trying to taste all his secrets. "I know. And I'm sorry too," I replied, out of breath. "Please. I'm ready. I want this. I want you. I'm done fighting you. Let me feel you, please."I reached down between us and gripped his cock, a little
Misconceptions.ClaraMy eyes locked onto Alice as she stepped inside my home, and I clenched my palm into a fist, feeling the slight tremble of my hands, and body as the rage simmered inside of me. It felt like a fucking earthquake was happening inside of me, and I hated that she made me feel this way-this small.What the hell was she doing here? How dare she even show her face here after what she had done? How dare she? Anger clawed it way up my throat, and I swallowed it back down, struggling to stay in control as my gaze fixed on her.My mind raced with a mix of emotions-Anger, hurt, betrayal, each feeling fighting for dominance, but I kept my expression blank, masking my feelings. I couldn't let her know how much her presence was affecting me or how much she had hurt me. No way. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of a reaction so I feigned calm even if I felt nothing like that.Even if I felt like I was caught in the middle of a freaking storm or hurricane. My emotions we
Loss!MIKE *THREE HOURS EARLIER*I didn't touch Alice! I didn't do anything with her so who captured these incriminating photos? My eyes burned when I looked down at the envelope once more. The weight had multiplied in my hand, like I carried the problems of the world inside that piece of paper.Fuck! Who the hell took this?Why?I was...just a step away from having my entire life together and this happens? I felt like a car running on fumes. Why was I stupid enough to think things would continue to go smoothly like they had these past few days?My heart had ripped from my chest and my hands wouldn't stop shaking no matter how I tried. I gulped hard as I tottered towards my car from Clara's building.She'd shut down and those entrances were slammed in my face. The ones I'd worked so hard to reopen. It felt like a knife was being carved into my chest and I swear, I couldn't breathe!I couldn't breathe. Who sent those photos? What did I do? If only she'd let me explain! Nothing happene