Chapter 111

Derek's POV

SOME MONTH LATER

I swivelled in my chair, fiddling with my pen as I tried to develop ideas. When I needed my brain the most, I couldn't think of anything. I've never felt this anxious about anything before.

"Are you certain that's a good idea?" I inquired of Vincent, who sat across from me.

He had visited my office to discuss our new business deal. We just happened to have moved on to the next item on the agenda.

He looked at me in disbelief, as if there was only one obvious answer. "Yes, which woman wouldn't want you to take her to Paris and propose to her in front of the Eiffel Tower?" He answered sarcastically. He threw his hands in the air in disbelief.

As incredible as his idea sounded, that didn't sound like something Clara would want. She wasn't that sort of girl.

I leaned into my chair and stared at the ceiling. I always thought the proposal would be the hardest part, but I guess so was how to propose.

"If you think that is too cliché, you can go on a private island and spend a few days alone together and then propose." He suggested next.

Now I was sure that he was sucking any random idea out of his thumb. This is probably why you shouldn't take any advice from him. His arguments sounded like spending a lot of money, but nothing meaningful.

"Before anything, how about we see the ring first?" He asked dismissively.

I opened my drawer to take the velvet box out. I've had it for a week, but I just haven't found the perfect opportunity yet. It was a fifteen-carat ring with a pink square diamond at its centre.

I handed the box to Vincent, who admired the ring as he nodded his approval. "Not too bad," he answered. This was the first approving thing he had said so far. "But, you could have gone bigger. You know how we do things in our family?" He commented as he handed the box back to me.

"I know," I sighed. "We had a conversation, and she mentioned how she thought huge rocks were overly exaggerated and just for showing off. I had to compromise on a ring that wasn't too big for her liking but also big enough for everyone to see." I answered. Shopping for an engagement ring can become impossible, especially when your girlfriend doesn't want anything too, and I quote, 'exaggerated.’

Vincent shrugged in a that sounds like Clara kind of way. "Are you sure? Don't you think that this is too soon?" He asked.

"I don't need another six months to be sure I love her," I answered, sitting up straight. Besides, things have been going great between us. We've gotten to know each other more, and I couldn't be more sure about anything.

"I don't mean you. You are like a love-sick puppy. I was referring to her. No offence, but she is hot. She has a great thing going now that she is working with both her father and her uncle. Very soon, she is going to be out of your league. What makes you think she'll still want to be with you, let alone marry you?" He said.

"Who hurt you this badly?" I asked.

I had touched a nerve. His face immediately went blank. "My ex-girlfriend." He answered sarcastically.

It's not that I haven't thought about it. We've already been through so much together that we can overcome anything.

I realised something. There was never going to be a perfect moment. I'd probably have this ring on me for the next ten years at the rate I'm going. Smiling, I pulled out my phone to make the necessary arrangements. I'd do it tonight at home. I bought the house when we were together, so I had no doubt it would be the perfect place. I'd have my garden perfectly decorated, and I'd propose soon after a candle-lit dinner.

Vincent shook his head, showing his disapproval. "It would be your fault if she left you for being stupid. With a couple of failed attempts, hopefully, she will eventually say yes next year." He answered.

I smiled, dismissing him as I texted Luke for arrangements to be made.

"How is Tyler doing, by the way?" He asked next.

"He's fine, I guess," I answered, my eyes still glued to my phone.

About a month ago, my mother decided that the best way to end her obsession was to start a new one. She went and got herself a replacement kid. I don't know who in their right mind decided that it was okay for her to adopt a ten-year-old kid. I'd be fine with all this, except the kid hates me. I've done nothing wrong to him. Maybe I'm a bit biassed, but it only took one visit to know there was no longer any space for me in that house.

"You should be happy about this," Vincent laughed. "Your mother will finally get to fix all the mistakes she made with you. It happened to me, too." He laughed.

The secretary walked in to announce that an old friend of ours, Dexter, had arrived. We were working on a new business venture, and we had been waiting for him to start our meeting officially.

Dexter walked into my office as laid back as usual. He had barely changed much since I'd last met him. He had a few classes in college together.

We exchanged greetings as Dexter settled himself in. "I'll never believe the day I just had. I may have met my next wife," Dexter said.

At twenty-eight, he had already been through two divorces. Just last month, I heard he left his girlfriend standing at the altar.

"You meet my new wife every day. You haven't changed yet." I chuckled. Thank goodness for pre-naps; otherwise, he would be bankrupt.

"No, but this one is different. She has got the kind of blue eyes that you feel like you can drown in. She is smart too, the perfect combination of sexy and deadly." He answered.

"Where did you meet this one this time? I'd think you learned your lesson after meeting both your ex-wives in strip clubs," Vincent said.

"That's the thing, I didn't. It was at an event that her father's company, JMR Events, organised for us. I never let a woman destroy me from my business, but this one got me," he answered, laying back in his chair.

My body tensed as I clenched my pen into my fist, nearly snapping it in half.

A few months ago, Clara started working for her father's events company, JMR Events. It was a way of him showing her the ropes while offering a new opportunity. What were the odds that we were thinking of the same person?

Vincent bit his lip, trying to keep himself from laughing. "That's her name. She sounds like this chick I met last week," Vincent said.

"You know I don't share my women," Dexter answered. "Besides, I don't think she is the type of girl who goes to the places you've been to. You probably don't know her." He answered with a wink.

I was probably working myself up over nothing. Dexter had very poor taste, and it was likely he had met Clara.

When I'd dismissed the thought, Vincent pulled his phone out to show Dexter a picture of Clara. Of all the dumb things he could have done.

"You know her too," Dexter said in realisation. "Don't tell me you two were hooking up." He said.

"No, we never got there. But Derek here happens to be very good friends with her." Vincent chuckled. What was this idiot doing?

"Well, good," Dexter answered. He turned to me. "Hopefully, you can hook us up or something. It would be best if you talked to her as soon as possible. This Friday sounds like a good idea. That way, I have her for the whole weekend."

"That won't be happening," I answered sternly. "She is my girlfriend," I replied.

There was a blank look on Dexter's face as he tried to determine whether I was serious. This guy needed to be taught a lesson. "No way, what a small world. It's no wonder she wouldn't give me her number." He laughed. "You two wouldn't happen to be serious, now would you? I wouldn't be too invested if I were you. Relationships end all the time." He continued.

I've never wanted to punch someone more in my life. I was ready to hit him with my fist. Luckily, Vincent was here to diffuse the situation. "You know what? Why don't we move the meeting to the boardroom? I'm sure we'll all be comfortable there." Vincent suggested getting up.

Dexter agreed and left the room. He must have sensed he was about to get beat up.

Vincent erupted in laughter. "You know what? Forget everything I said. You have to propose as soon as possible. Even if you must do it at McDonald's before it's too late." He laughed.

Maybe Vincent should have been the one I punched.

I couldn't help but think of how many sick perverts Clara must meet every day.