Chapter 28

Clara's POV

I couldn't fathom my face being seen by so many tabloids the next day. I had enough issues to cope with already.

Derek went off in his car. I was still in disbelief at the possibility.

Was I expecting a kiss from Derek?

I ignored the idea and tracked the seconds until I got home.

"I told you to just drop me off at the corner." My residence was only a few minutes away from me.

Derek parked in front of the home I had told him to as the automobile slowed down.

I said, "Thank you," and removed my seat belt.

Derek questioned me, "Are you embarrassed of me?" I was surprised by his remarks.

I paused to ask, "What gave you that idea?"

Perhaps I had been hiding so no one would see me with him. It was me who proposed that we utilise the rear entrance. I refused to let him stop in front of my house, even the first time he dropped me off.

"You don't embarrass me," I said. "If I were seen with you, even just once, my mom's friends would stop asking me why I still don't have a boyfriend," I said.

For some reason, Tristan wasn't satisfied with it.

I exhaled.

"On a serious note. I can't let my mom see you, at least not right now." I said. Or ever. "She would kill me if she saw me walking with you at this time of the night. Let alone find out I'm pregnant." I muttered the final sentence.

He scratched the back of his head and replied, "I'm sure she is not that bad."

He refused to give up. Perhaps it was time to see how creative I could get.

I said, lying, "She was arrested twice." "She beat up this guy with a blow-dryer badly. The second time she was arrested was when she set this woman's hair on fire. It burned half her face." I went on.

I made an effort to keep a serious expression the entire time.

"I used to kill someone and get away with it." He said, his expression neutral.

In fear, I retreated into my seat. At this moment, was he being serious?

"That was a joke," he said, chuckling at my response. "You should let me walk you to your house. Mothers love me. Besides, the light outside the house is off, and she probably isn't there." He said.

Mom always had the outside lights on. Mom warned Katy that it would help deter robbers, but she didn't.

At the motel, I did see my mom. Knowing her, the only reason she would probably take the bus home is to save that small amount of cash. The bus goes a more extensive route. We might be able to arrive before she returns home. After all, a stroll of five minutes wouldn't be too horrible.

I groaned and said, "Fine." "I must warn you; you have to stay two metres away from me at all times. If I see any of my neighbours, I will walk quickly and pretend I don't know you." I warned by pointing a finger. I meant business when I said this.

He chuckled.

"If you get too close to me and I see anyone walking by, I will pretend like you are trying to rob me and run away screaming." I went on.

He raised his hands in response, saying, "Got it, boss."

As soon as we got out of the car, he grinned.

Thinking about it now, this was a dumb move. He could drive me up to my gate. On the other hand, my neighbours would begin chatting about the fancy automobiles they were seeing.

We merely smiled to ourselves and tried to keep our eyes on the road ahead as we strolled silently to my house.

We had reached my house, so it seemed like a shorter walk than expected.

We came to a stop outside my gate.

Derek remarked, "I had a great time tonight."

"Me too," I grinned in response.

We looked at one other for a time, and then I saw Derek gently take a step forward. Before long, there wasn't much room between us.

Most likely, he was reaching for his jacket.

I retreated, slamming my back into our little iron gate. I removed his jacket.

With a "Here you go," I gave him the coat.

"Oh," he whispered. It appeared as though he had momentarily returned to reality. I held the jacket, and he grabbed it.

"Good night," I said in a whisper.

I waved him off and went through the fence without a second thought.

When I opened our front door, he still looked at me from behind.

After I got into the home, I leaned against the door and let everything that had transpired some time register. I couldn't resist grinning.

My sister came over to me with her hands crossed, and I soon lost my smile.

Katy said, "I have never seen two people more awkward." She gave me a disapproving shake of her head. She must have been standing at the window, observing us. "The poor guy wanted to kiss you," she said.

A smile returned to my face as my fingers went to my lips. Did he? Why am I currently entertaining my sister?

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping? Everyone else your age is already sleeping. Sleep is important for you so that you can grow." I yelled at her.

She scoffed, "Does that explain why you didn't?"

I only needed to say one remark to kill this kid. Everyone would know why I took that action.

I'm not sure where she got the notion from. Even so, I was taller than her.

"Just go to sleep," I waved goodbye.

I passed her on my way to my room.

I close the bedroom door. I collapse onto my bed and start daydreaming about all that occurred.

We had the option to kiss. Could he have truly returned the kiss?

If we had, what would have happened?

My head was confused by all these questions.

I was still giggling at everything that had transpired. Never before had I laughed so much in one evening with someone.