Chapter 10

10

CALLUM

The day finally got to an end as I made my way back home when I caught sight of Clara standing in the bus stop definitely waiting for the next bus to get in. I stopped my car in front of her as she looked up and stepped back realizing it was me.

"Get in, we need to talk." I said as she shook her head.

"No, I have nothing to say to you." She said shaking her head as I said

"Trust me, you don't want me to cause a commotion here. Now get in quietly and maybe I'll give you a chance to explain why you betrayed me." I threatened this time around as she finally gave in and entered the car putting on the seatbelt as well.

"What were you doing there?" I asked as she sighed replying.

"My car engine isn't good. I tried to start it but it didn't start so now it's hunking down at my workplace until I can scramble up some money to take it to the mechanic." She explained herself as I nodded my head and drove heading straight to a restaurant.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked as I replied,

"Somewhere where we can have privacy and actually talk without being interrupted by anyone." I answered shutting her up as she took the answer and kept quiet.

CLARA

During the ride I fiddled with my bag straps trying my best to put my anxiety down. I didn't want to say anything to him if I didn't have to so I wouldn't risk him getting furious with me.

Luckily he said it was a restaurant which meant he was not kidnapping me and he planned on letting me go at some point today.

The restaurant came into view as I recalled it. I haven't been in this restaurant in a long while, while I was still married to Damon Clark. This was a restaurant for the wealthy not the rich and it showed even from its appearance.

I immediately felt underdressed but tried to convince myself that I didn't expect to be here at any point in my life so it wasn't really my fault.

Callum on the other hand didn't seem to care for the dress I was wearing as he got out of the car and made his way to the passenger seat and opened the door for me like a gentleman.

"We will talk inside." He said to me as he held me by my waist, although it was still appropriate, he didn't try to claim me, or act like he owned me.

He gently led me inside as the receptionist immediately smiled on recognizing Callum as she quickly took us to his designated spot that was kept off grid for other guests to use.

"Should I bring your usual, sir?" She asked after we had both gotten settled down in our table as Callum nodded his head.

"Bring double of everything. My date here will eat the same." He said as the waitress nodded her head and jotted it down before taking a bow.

"It will be served soon. Excuse me." She said and walked away leaving us alone.

"Is this what it is? A date?" I asked not knowing what else to ask, that was even appropriate at this point.

Do I ask about his health? We weren't friends so he had no reason to divulge into that.

"Goodness no. You may be pretty but that's not enough reason for me to forgive you and date you again. I introduced you as my date because she knows Leah. It's easier this way and less stressful to talk about." He said as I nodded my head feeling a bit sad that he wasn't enamoured with me as he was in the past. I probably deserved it. After all I had taken advantage of his generosity and spat in his face.

Luckily the awkward tension was broken by the waitress who brought our meals and served it for us including the wine which was magnificent.

She left leaving us alone as Callum focused on his feet not bothered in talking anytime soon.

Damn, he was definitely going to torture me with this silence and anticipation. I ate as well and I couldn't stop because everything was so good and I had no idea what it was.

After we both finished our meals and the waitress has served us dessert. He spoke,

"So what excuses do you have to give me this time around? I saved you and your kids and all you did was just to run away. You really think that I wasn't going to find you huh?" He asked as I bowed my head in regret.

"I'm sorry. I was so scared of entering another loveless marriage after the one I just got out of and I barely knew you. I wasn't thinking back then. I just wanted to get away from everyone at this point." I stated looking anywhere but him as he said,

"I see... So how do you intend on making it up to me now? Surely you don't think that an apology is all it takes to get rid of everything is it?" He said as I looked up at him trying to read him for signs to what he wanted but all I got was a blank slate.

"What do you want from me then?" I asked tiredly as he shrugged his shoulders and said,

"What I wanted from you all those years ago." He said casually as I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"But you have Leah now. What do you intend to do?"

"Don't bother yourself with her. Be mine and maybe just maybe I'll forgive you. Leave Leah to me. I'll deal with it as soon as it becomes a problem. Do we have a deal? Don't think you can run from this one..I'm extra vigilant and my spies wouldn't let you out of their sights as well for one minute." He said as I looked around a bit scared wondering if he had people inside the restaurant stalking us at the moment.