Chapter 25

Clara's POV

I automatically performed the first thing that sprang to mind.

I embraced Ivy as I turned to face Derek. I had to keep her from him.

Ivy withdrew and exclaimed, "What are you doing? You're going to mess up your hair."

I gave her an even closer embrace. I said to her in a whisper, "Derek is coming."

Ivy hesitated, caught off guard, too.

Derek was drawing nearer yet.

"You poor thing, don't worry. Everything will be alright," I said loudly while rubbing Ivy.

"Thank you," Ivy said.

She withdrew from the embrace without saying anything else. To keep Derek from seeing her, she acted like she was crying, keeping her head down. Her face was hidden behind her hands.

I lied when Derek approached me and said, "Her boyfriend just broke up with her."

I suppose that these days, I tell lies with ease.

Derek stopped and tried to figure out whether he could recognize Ivy by looking at her back.

"We ought to depart," I tugged at his sleeves.

He turned to face me, whispering, "You look very beautiful tonight."

Ivy turned to face me and gave me a thumbs-up.

What had gone wrong with her? Tonight, she was genuinely searching for trouble.

I could not take the danger that Derek may see her.

"I am aware," I said. I said, "We have to leave right away."

I attempted to make it as fast as possible toward the rear entrance, dragging his arm behind me.

Derek just said something; what now?

Derek was leading the way soon enough. With such grace on his long legs, he walked.

We reached the rear entrance. There was a concrete floor and a sizable open space. A few automobiles were parked there, and the area was decorated with a few plants. It was additionally divided from the exterior by huge metal gates. Except for a few politicians and celebrities who wished to remain anonymous, not many individuals utilised this entrance. You never know who you could cross paths with again in this area. The personnel had a separate entrance.

We came to a stop in front of a Cullinan Rolls-Royce. Derek received the automobile keys from a valet. Derek gestured for me to enter as he opened the door. I got inside the car silently.

As I sank into the leather seats, I paused to examine the vehicle. It was something I had never done before.

Derek took the front wheel tonight, so he drove.

I did not say a word on the drive. I had no idea why I was so anxious. I was frantically trying to get home as I fiddled with my fingers and glanced at everyone else outside.

Fortunately, Derek didn't waste time talking either, concentrating most of his attention on the road. He turned on the radio and listened to music to pass the time.

The vehicle stopped suddenly in front of a structure. Emerald Courtyard was written in strong letters. The restaurant's name had an almost familiar feel to it.

The building had a fountain in front of it, and two security officers watched over the entrance. The visitors inside were visible via the glass wall. A few were seated and chuckling with each other.

Derek exited the vehicle silently and drove around it.

Derek unlocked the car door, and the bitter cold hit my senses.

He extended his hand to assist me in getting out of the vehicle.

Derek gave the valet his keys.

I followed behind, but he gripped my arm this time.

He said, "I reserved a private area for the two of us."

His remarks were almost unnoticed by me since I was still getting over the tingles I experienced when our hands met. It was altering my brain somehow, gradually wiping off any remaining rationality. I attempted to carefully back away, but his hold tightened around my fingers.

We went into the eatery. The space was filled with tables, and most of them were in use. In the background, a violinist was performing. The room was filled with the pleasant smell of lavender.

We used the elevator at the restaurant's end after moving farther inside. Derek hit the button that led to the building's last floor.

At last, we arrived at the highest level. After exiting the elevator, we moved outside onto a patio.

I observed the fountain fashioned like a dolphin. The area was adorned with lights, and various lush tropical plants surrounded us. A well-constructed trail descended much farther.

There was a glass canopy in the shape of a pyramid above our heads to shield us from the chilly air outside.

"It's stunning," I was able to murmur.

"I've seen prettier," he said, facing me.

Before long, a waiter came over to the terrace to say hello.

"Hello, Mr. Montenegro," said the waitress. He motioned for us to go down the pathway after him.

He guided us to the terrace's centre. There was an open rooftop and a stage made of wooden planks. Instead of lights, there was a table in the middle, and candles lit the space.

Just the two of us, that is.

The gloomy light of the candles added to the romantic atmosphere. Down below, I could still see the magnificent panorama of the city's towers.

After directing us to our table, the waiter departed, leaving Derek and me alone.

Derek moved with great speed. He asked me to sit down after pulling out a chair. Reluctantly, I complied. Everything seemed so surreal. How was I going to spend an entire evening by myself with him?

Derek moved to his seat across the table.

As he settled in, I questioned, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

He took a little break. "Well, since you saved me, I might as well give you the date you deserve." He said.

With anxiety, I averted my gaze and looked at the menu.

A female voice cleared her throat. "Good evening, I'm Cecilia. I'll be your waitress for the night," she added.

I couldn't take my eyes off the menu.

Hold on, I recognize that voice!

I looked at her quickly to confirm my doubts. It was Cecilia, a friend of my mother's. Moreover, she lived on our street.

I would be in serious trouble if my mother found out. I already knew my mother would kill me if I told her everything: my mother and anybody else I didn't want to be engaged in this disaster with me.

I knew I would be the talk of our neighbourhood for the next two weeks, at the very least, if Cecilia saw me. Our house was only two doors away from her residence.

As I took in my surroundings, I began to worry. I snatched up the table's perfectly folded napkin in the shape of a flower. I kept my head down and covered part of my face with it.