3. I hate you

Clara's POV

"Clara!"

I struggled to stay afloat as the pool revealed itself to be as deep as a man-made lake. James swiftly remove his suit, ready to leap in, but Zoe promptly stopped him.

"James, what do you think you're going to do? You're going to get your clothes soaked! Just let the waiters do the job."

I made my way to the edge, searching for a spot to grip and pull myself up. However, this chill numbs my body, and my dress severely limits my movement. "Just let her, James; she wouldn't have fallen if she didn't act so stupid."

Shortly after, the waiters quickly came over. Someone swiftly came down to assist me in reaching the edge more quickly, the other lifted me out of the water.

They provided a towel and offered me to change my clothes. That's when Zoe's hand reached out to me, but I instinctively pushed it away.

"Clara? What's wrong with you? I just wanted to help you. Look, you're all soaked. You need to dry off soon to avoid getting sick. Come to the bathroom; let me help you."

If it weren't for her, I would have just dived into the pool.

"Save your help for yourself; I don't need it."

"James, you heard that. I just wanted to help Clara..."

I brushed her off and ready to leave them, when  James' strong grip seized my wrist.

"What’s going on with you? Zoe offered her help, and this is how you express your appreciation?"

I free myself from his grip and I rolled my eyes. Of course, James didn't see how Zoe tripped me until I lost my balance. His love for this woman had blinded him so that he couldn't see what was behind that beautiful face.

"I'm heading home; I don't want to have this argument, James," I said, tired.

"You'll only leave if I allow you to leave."

"James, are you out of your mind?" I was in disbelief. My soaked clothes clung to my body, leaving little to the imagination, yet he chose to hold me back rather than let me go. 

"We need to talk." James snapped then pulling me away from Zoe.

"There's no need to talk. Are you sure you don't want to involve Zoe as well?"

I could see how she didn't want me and James having some minutes just the two of us. 

"Clara, you've gone too far tonight. You made a trivial problem into a big one. Your attitude is so childish. And look now what you did: you embarrassed yourself. Don't you feel ashamed?"

"Zoe tripped my leg."

"Stop making up stupid stories like that; Zoe wouldn't do something like that. I know her; she wouldn't harm a fly, much less anyone else."

Hearing his tone of voice triggered a pang of pain in my chest. I just realized that even though he was always cold James rarely raised his voice at me.

What stung even more was the realization that, in his eyes, I was the one at fault. My hands trembled slightly as I recalled that what had just happened could have had dire consequences for the baby. I have endangered our unborn child.

"From the start, you were the one who treated her poorly. Zoe was thrilled to meet you and hopes she can become good friends with you." James remarked

But he didn't understand. I lost him to her. Given our positions, how could James believe we could be close, let alone good friends?

"What do you want me to do then?"

"Apologize to Zoe right now. Tell her that you regret what you did and say you will not repeat this behavior."

I remained silent which make him lost his patience. Then i felt James' hard slap land on my cheek painfully.

"I said right now. It's not too late to fix your mistake, Clara. You've upset me with your attitude tonight."

Zoe is truly like a diamond in James' eyes, while I'm just like mere refuse in comparison. I stared directly into his eyes; I didn't care anymore if he noticed my tears.

"I hate you, James." I shoved his tall body with all my strength until he stumbled backward.

"Clara!"

I ran as fast as I could, leaving the restaurant.

*****

My heels have snapped. My sprained ankle from when I fell into the pool earlier is still quite painful to walk on. Yet, that paled in comparison to the unexplainable ache in my chest.

I strolled down the sidewalk aimlessly and paused in front of a shuttered kiosk to check my reflection in the glass. My cheeks red and sore, my clothes all damp and my hair was disheveled; I looked just like someone who had lost their mind.

"Clara!" A hand clasped my arm from behind.

"Lily?!" I didn't expect to run into my cousin here. "How did you get here?"

Lily gently held my face, taking in the chaotic state of my makeup and the tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I followed you. Damn, you're a mess, Clara. James didn't make any effort to at least take you home, did he?"

I shook my head slowly. "D-do you have any idea what went down?" 

"I was at the restaurant with my friends earlier when I noticed someone who resembled you hurrying out. So I decided to chase after you, and here you are."

My gaze dropped. Feeling embarrassed. I must have looked so silly.

"Hey, what's going on? Did you quarrel with James? How the hell are you all soaked? Oh, and who was that beautiful woman I saw with you two earlier? I've never seen her before."

"I-I'll tell you everything later.." I had no idea how to begin, "But please, don't tell anyone about this yet. I don't want to tarnish his name."

Gossip like this spreads like wildfire; for someone like him, this could cause a scandal. I don't want to put him in such a position.

"Okay.." Lily replied, easing my tension. "For now, do you have any plans where you'll go?"

My phone is dead. I need to change right away since I start to shiver. Yet I don't know where to go; returning to James' house isn't an option for now. Is he planning to bring Zoe to his house tonight?will they sleep together? 

I shook my head, banishing the haunting thought.

"I'm not sure, Lily; perhaps I'll rent an apartment."

Lily let out a sigh. "Ah, so you did quarrel with your husband. Let's just go back to my house then."