Chapter 22

Clara's POV

I looked at Derek, perplexed. It had taken a while to get to this point, but at last last night, the time had come.

Derek started to catch my attention more. His hair looked disheveled. His typical tuxedo had been replaced with gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt. I saw the rings and bags beneath his eyes. He must have had bad dreams at the prospect of becoming a parent.

Taking hold of my hand, he dragged me into his apartment. He shut the door behind us.

"Are you alright? He looked at my face and said, "You seem a touch pale."

"I'm not alright since I just was threatened to spy on you by your insane wanna-be girlfriend." I was eager to respond. It was he who I should have asked if they were alright. He seemed almost lifeless.

I said, "I'm OK," instead.

"How come you misled me into thinking you weren't pregnant when you really were? You need to have made a statement." He said.

He looked at my face, waiting for a response.

What response was I expected to give him? I was completely unaware of this.

"I was a fool; I was so certain that you weren't pregnant that I failed to see that you may be. See what transpired with you." His tone became halting. "It was my fault, and if anything had happened to you or my child, I don't believe I would have forgiven myself." He said. There seemed to be a tear in his eyes.

I was stunned by his remarks.

How was I meant to respond to him? I had no idea I was pregnant at all, much less that I would give birth to his child.

"I..." Derek interrupted me.

"Anyway, it's irrelevant right now. I will stop at nothing to help you, and I'm ready to stand up for my kid." He said.

As I watched him inhale deeply, I realized that what he was about to say next would not sit well with me.

"I have to terminate you because of it." He said.

It took me some time to sign up.

How come? With my eyes expanding, I whispered.

"You passed out yesterday; what other possible outcome could there have been? I'm not ready to take a chance since the doctor advised you needed to relax." He went on.

He wouldn't take the loss of my job seriously.

"But, I can work, and I'm OK." I pushed.

Clara, there's no disputing this. You are obviously under too much stress at work, and I don't want anything to happen to you or my kid." He went on.

My employment could not be lost. Not after everything I've had to endure to maintain this position. What happens if the test results show that I'm not pregnant? Then I won't have a baby daddy to help me and I won't have a job.

"Well, I can't be fired. "What if it turns out that I am pregnant and you recently dismissed me?"

"Are you putting me in danger?" he laughed.

"No, I'm simply stating that it wouldn't be good for the reputation of our firm or for you." I went on.

"Okay, I understand what you're getting into. It's a game I can play too." He responded.

Derek laughed and left the room to go use the phone. None of what he said could be heard by me. I couldn't bring myself to listen in.

What was he planning? Was he saying that I should be dragged out of here?

I had to stay strong. Madison's threats and all of his other ones had previously been withstand by my work, so I'm certain it can withstand this one as well.

I heard heavy footsteps and the door open.

I quickly felt remorse for being so bold. Perhaps I could live without this job. All it has done for me is cause me trouble.

Marcus was the one who entered instead.

I got off the sofa right away.

"Sir, you called for me?" questioned Marcus.

Marcus sent a menacing stare in my direction. I could hear him say, "Clara, what have you done now?" already.

"Marcus, are you aware of Clara?" Derek inquired.

Derek gave Marcus a quick shoulder pat. The way Marcus almost sprang out of his skin at Derek's simple shoulder touch told me how terrified he was. His shocked eyes became wider.

Marcus said, "Yes sir." "This is one of our finest workers, hands down," He got going.

"I take it you're the manager?" Derek inquired.

Marcus said, sounding a little more confident in his response, "Yes."

Derek said, "Well, I need you to terminate her right now, using whatever reason you can."

My pupils expanded.

"But, sir, why?" Marcus queries.

"Since I said so. She also appears to believe that I am unable to dismiss her. I therefore want you to carry it out." said Derek.

Marcus and I exchanged a terrified gaze as we looked at one another. Marcus sent me a glance that told me just what he meant. Either his career or mine was at stake. Marcus would have no issue selecting himself, I knew that.

Derek amusedly sat down on the sofa and watched the two of us.

After about a minute, Derek responded, "I'm still waiting."

Marcus held back. His remarks seemed to be collecting together. Perhaps he just didn't know whether Derek was putting him to the test or if he really intended to dismiss me.

Derek looked at the two of us, bored, and crossed one leg over the other.

I was prepared to concede defeat. Perhaps I might make a new start and get the ideal job.

"You are Clara..." Marcus got going.

Sylvia sighed.

"All right," Derek said, lifting both of his hands. "How about this, since you lack the courage to do it? Clara, you have been promoted to assistant manager. He will be your boss, and you'll help him operate this business. Naturally, nothing too demanding—you won't be cleaning any rooms anymore." He said.

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief, then his eyes became wide again upon realizing that I had been promoted.

My face broke into a grin. I wanted to run and give him a big embrace. This was not what I had anticipated.

"You're free to go now," Derek said to Marcus.

Marcus gave a nod and walked out of the room.

Derek yelled, "Marcus," halting Marcus in his tracks.

"Next time, I'll be asking her to dismiss you from your job if you give her too much work and pressure," Derek said.

Marcus gave a nervous nod. And with that, he turned to go.

We awaited the sound of the door closing.

"I have to admit, I respect your bravery." He said. He went on, "But you will never again question my judgment."

I said, "Thank you," still wanting to give him a hug.

"You may go now," he said, brushing me off.

Wearing a grin, I left his apartment behind.

This came out far better than I had anticipated. I never would have envisioned receiving a promotion and his complete support; instead, I assumed he would have demanded a DNA test from me or urged me to end the "pregnancy."

My joy did not last long. Marcus was resting on the wall just outside Derek's apartment when I saw him. I knew there was going to be terrible news when I saw the awful expression on his face.

Marcus said, "So, you are the new assistant manager." "You know what you did to the boss?" Marcus queries. His arms folded and his eyebrows elevated, he just gazed at me.

"No, nothing," was my response.

"Avoid teasing me with games. Derek hasn't been so kind to anybody in all the years I've known him. You have no clue how much effort it took for me to get this job. He almost chewed my head off this morning because you were running late for work. He insisted on having no other people." Marcus went on.

"I attempted to reassure him that I truly didn't do anything."

With a sigh, Marcus unfolded his arms.

"Anyway, don't even consider for a second that your position gives you permission to start being lazy. Regardless of what the boss says, I have even higher expectations for you." He said.

He was still gazing at me, awaiting a response. A few minutes earlier, he seemed very scared for a guy who didn't give a damn about what the boss said.

"Well, I requested Mary to set up room 204 so you could begin your first job." Make sure everything is ready for the visitors by going there." He stated. "By now, I'm sure you know the drill." He went on.

Yes, sir, I said.

I ignored him and rode the elevator to the room that he had asked for. I could still feel his frigid look even from behind.

I was so excited to be alone in the elevator that I leaped up and down.

I was in disbelief that this was my life now. Of all locations, this hotel was where I had just been promoted to assistant manager. My lifelong dream has always been to work as a hotel room cleaner. However, how long would I be able to hold this position?

I got to the room that Marcus had told me to go to. I could enter most of the rooms of this place. I entered the space.

I saw the big heart shaped flowers that were thoughtfully arranged on the white linen bedding. Some towels from the bathroom had also formed a swarm on the bed. A trail of red roses and candles, ready to be lighted, was created.

It was most likely for a guy bringing his sweetheart or a couple on their honeymoon, since it occurs so often.

I looked around every room. Everything seemed prepared for the visitors.

My pocket had a vibrating phone. I opened the most recent email I had received.

I perused the email's subject line. It said, "Test results."

A beat skipped in my heart. It rushed, like it was about to burst out of my chest. My hands were trembling so much that I could hardly hold onto my phone. My palms were sweaty. Never have I felt so terrified.

The ringtone on my phone cut me off from my mental process.

My hands were still trembling when I took the call.

"Hey," I said.

"Are you Clara Owens?" inquired the man.

"Yes," I tremblingly said.

"I'm phoning to let you know the outcome of your test. The results have also been sent in an email. You do not have a child. He stated.

It took a minute for me to comprehend the news, soaking in each syllable.

"I'm grateful," I muttered.

He responded, "Okay, good day, ma'am," and hung up.

Even if this was fantastic news, why didn't it seem that way?

Perhaps because I realized that I was back where I had begun, unpregnant and caught in a deception. This time, I was certain that Derek would not only fire me, but also take away my new job.

"To be clear, I'm not pregnant," I said.

It took me hearing it again for my brain to really process it.

I was baffled as to why the doctor had declared me to be pregnant. Who was I meant to trust, really? However, I've always known in my heart that I wasn't expecting.

Derek was back on my thoughts again. If he wasn't going to lose it when he realized the truth the first time, he most definitely would now. If he discovered, how would he respond?

He was unable to discover the reality.

However, if there was one thing I learned the first time, it was that I had to tell him the truth. even if it meant taking all the risks. This time, he needed to realize that I wasn't the one who made the error and that it wasn't my responsibility.

I said aloud, "I have to tell him."

I made the correct decision in doing it.

I mentally readied myself, prepared to tell him the truth—that I wasn't pregnant—as I prepared to leave the house.

A sound startled me out of my reverie.

Derek's mother came in via the cracked door. She looked more carefree today, sporting a flowery dress and loose hair. She was taking off her sunglasses gently, one hand holding a purse. I was still able to identify her, however.

She grinned at me and said, "That would not be required."

Why was she in this place?

If I were you, I wouldn't act in that way. I wouldn't want all of my handy work undone by you." She said.

I couldn't help but look in disbelief. What topic was she discussing? She came, but why?

"I believe it's time for us to make our official introductions." Says she.

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