Answering A Drunken Call.CLARAOn impulse, I was darting out of Beverly's house and telling her to take care of Velma for a few hours. On impulse, I was seated behind a wheel, after a glass of wine, to go save a man who'd been prince charming from day one. Today, he was the damsel in distress, and for some reason, I wore the shiny armor.I exhaled deeply as a thousand thoughts passed through my mind. I contemplated whether or not to go. It was either I did, or Mike got up by himself and drove into a truck, or worse. From the kind of adamant man that he was, I could tell they were barely holding him down.Fuck! Why did it have to be? The air-conditioning in the car didn't do anything to lessen the fire that burned from my chest to my throat. I was suddenly suffering from acute anxiety, indigestion, headache, everything! It was frustrating.Still, I started the car and drove to the place. When I got there, I found that it was an underground bar, and I certainly wasn't dressed for
Sin City's Not Empty Tonight.CLARAHis lips slammed against mine in one swift motion, and my mind was wrapped in a haze. I forgot everything else. I couldn't think of anything but those lips on mine. I had thought about it all evening-kissing him, touching him, and then I felt like I was about to explode.I was frozen on the spot, and my entire body shook as Mike 's rigid arms held me in place. His lips were soft like silk, and despite the force behind his kiss, it remained so subtle and equally defiant.He tasted like whiskey- the kind I never wanted to take my mouth off and I found myself submitting to his touch, despite all the voices in my head that screamed for me not to.My stomach churned, and my whole body felt like it was on fire. I slid my arm around his neck to steady myself, leaning into the kiss. I should be leaving.What was I doing!? But I couldn't stop it. I couldn't stop the pace of the passion ignited within me or how fast the fire burned internally. My hands i
Intentional Mistakes.MIKE I woke up to my body feeling like it wasn't mine. My bones were heavy, and I just stayed there, sprawled upon the sheets like I wasn't a living thing. Then the headache set in- the kind that affected even my eyes. Jeez. What the hell happened?Sitting up, I reached for the curtain and pulled it down with a swift movement, to avoid the wicked sunlight and how it tried to kill my vision. Every single joint of mine ached, and it was my fault, of course. My alcohol tolerance might be the daintiest thing in the world. A small sigh slipped from my mouth, and I leaned back against the headrest, rubbing my face and eyes with my open palm.My vision only blurred further, the same as my memory, and when it started to clear out, my mouth hung open. It was as though a fog-like figure hovered over my brain, and then started to minimize. I remember everything on the spot.My incessant drinking, spam calling Clara, and, worst of all, I remembered her coming to pick me up
Memories That Wields Swords.CLARAI said those words, barely breathing, almost as though it ripped out of that deepest part of my psyche, and I was as awed as Mike , watching him slowly turn after my request. I was thinking about it, yeah. But actually, saying it wasn't in the books for me. My eyeballs flickered from wall to wall as I tried to avoid looking Mike in the eyes.Even before he showed up here, I'd imagined hundreds of scenarios of me asking him over- for Velma's sake. Maybe that was just a terrible excuse, too. I was using her as an excuse to be around him for longer, and I couldn't help it. How much more stupid do I have to become? Just one kiss, and I cracked across the surface in multiple ways.It pained me that Rodney wasn't wrong. It pained me deeply. Mike stared at me bug-eyed and still as a statue; those keen greens pierced into my soul, almost as if he was waiting for me to make a correction. If only he knew I was waiting to make a correction, but I meant every
Bitter- Sweet Delight.CLARAI slipped off. My bad.And there was no way in hell I'd sit there and remind myself of what Mike and I used to be. The memories, reliving them now and forcing myself to forget the terrible breakout, weren't exactly bad. We had fun times, but Mike wasn't here to talk about that.He was here to play clown for my daughter while I sat in the study section and tried to bag a deal while keeping an eye on them because I wasn't sure I could trust him yet. He might not be the worst person on the face of the earth, but he certainly wasn't a worthy partner.I didn't know about now, but I got to stick to my gut feeling. I crouched next to Velma, wiping the grin off my face. "Or you two could do something else? Don't burden Mike with all that talk.""But mom!" Velma protested in a whiny voice. "It's so fun! I just want to hear one more story. Just one more!"She just wouldn't listen, would she? As obstinate as her birth father, and that wasn't a compliment. Mike d
Glimpse Of Heaven.MIKE Happiness.Maybe it wasn't far-fetched after all. Today seemed like the day I'd been waiting for all my life. The day I was made for, and even as I walked out of the building, I couldn't wipe off the grin on my face. It was simply impossible to.Of all the days I'd spent on earth, today marked the day I was the happiest. I felt like just those hours with Clara and Velma had turned me into a completely different person. For once in my life, I wasn't just Mike .I was a father, although I couldn't tell if I fathered the right way, but I was willing to try even if it took every iota of sanity I had left. My chest felt swollen, and the sudden urge to dance kicked in.I now saw why that scene was concurrent in the movies- where gleeful characters danced for no reason. I felt the need to do so, too, unable to control all this energy coursing through my veins. My legs ached from all of Velma's cute choreographies, but I didn't mind at all.It hurt good, and I w
, Happy DayMIKE "Mom!" She yelled, and my headshot in the direction of the dining table where her mother was, convulsing as she fell out of the chair. It was an appalling sight to behold and to think it happened because of the argument.Lucy , still retching and trying to catch her breath, pushed past me, bumping into my shoulder as she raced and went for her mother. For a brief moment there, my world stopped, everything stood still, and the only thing I could think about were the consequences of my own actions.Once again, I was the villain. Once again, I was the monster. Lucy could be right. I wasn't sure if I changed for the better or if I even changed at all. Against my body's still choice, I pulled towards the dining table, the side where Lucy was crouched with her mother, who was now foaming in the mouth as she shook vehemently against Lucy .With watery eyes, Lucy 's hasty arms carried her mother's head to her lap, and she looked up at me as if I should do something amidst
Square OneCLARAI definitely wasn't thinking about my ex-husband. Okay, maybe I was. Just a little, though. Yesterday was a bit overwhelming, and things had taken a turn that I didn't expect, nor appreciated, but it didn't feel completely bad.It really didn't. A part of me was fighting every thought of Mike that popped into my head, while the other gave in. Velma wasn't making it any easier, considering how she'd refused to stop talking about him. She rang Mike 's name in my head all day long from last night till this morning.Even right now, as she sat next to me in the car."Do you think Mike will visit us again?" She politely asked, raising her head to look at me while I kept my eyes on the road. "When should we have him over again?"Hm. Tempting, but how about never? It was enough that I was constantly lying and would have to reveal the truth about him being her father, soon. Having him stick around wouldn't make that any better for either of us."What do you say, Mama?"
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