Chapter 29

Clara's POV

I groaned in bed as the sun beams spread through my curtains. I can't remember when I last slept for this long.

I heard the sound of my doorknob turning. I opened one eye to see my sister walking in. Without warning, she ran towards me, landing directly on my stomach.

"What is wrong with you?" I yelled, pushing her off.

"I just wanted to show my sister how much I love her," she answered, sitting beside me.

"Then love me less," I groaned in pain. "Aren't you supposed to be at school by now?" I asked, sitting up straight. Katy was already fully dressed in a school uniform.

"I'm starting at my new school today. My driver is coming to pick me up," she answered. "It still sounds weird that I'm saying it. I thought it was only a rich person's thing to say." she rambled.

She hopped off my bed, standing right beside me. "Too bad you are not pregnant. The two of you would have made gorgeous babies. All they would have to do is look one hundred percent like Derek."

"Just get out," I snapped, throwing a pillow at her. She quickly dug it.

"Fine, I'll go." She whined.

Katy had already disturbed me from my sleep. I pushed my blankets off of me, placed my feet off the bed, and slipped into my morning shoes.

I walked out of my room, rubbing my eyes as I went to the bathroom.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for work?" Mom asked as I bumped into her in the hallway.

"I have a day off," I lied.

"Your boss must be very generous with you these days," Mom answered, crossing her hands over each other. I could tell she was suspicious.

"Mom, did Clara also tell you she got a job promotion?" Katy asked enthusiastically as she walked into the hallway.

She couldn't have said this at a more inconvenient time. Mom was already suspicious.

Mom's expression changed to a happier one. "Congratulations, honey," she said, pulling me into a hug. "How did this happen?" she asked.

"Well, the manager was really happy with my work. He also happened to need an assistant, so he promoted me." I lied. I had already figured out what I was going to say.

"Well, do you think we should invite your boss for dinner? You know, to thank him. I could even bake him a cake for you to take to work tomorrow." She suggested.

"There will be no need for that," I answered, hoping Mom would get the idea out of her head.

I didn't want my mom to meet Derek. It would be awkward if I invited Marcus, and he claims to have no idea why I was even promoted. As for Derek taking the cake, I've never seen him eat a meal that isn't higher than my paycheck, so I'm not sure he would accept it.

"Of course, we should." Mom insisted. "You know what, I'll stop by tomorrow where you work and make sure I invite your boss myself." She continued. She didn't seem to be getting the idea out of her head.

"No, Mom," I looked at her with pleading eyes. "Besides, my boss is a very busy man. I doubt he would want to come to this neighbourhood." I tried to reason.

"Well, you'll never know unless we try." She insisted. "I think I'll go and invite him today. I'll make my delicious lasagna tonight." She continued.

It seemed like all my lies were about to blow up in my face. I was already pretending to be sick today. For Marcus or Derek to find out I was lying would be disastrous.

"You should stop, mom. You don't want to make Clara uncomfortable in front of her boss," Katy interjected.

"What are you two keeping from me?" Mom asked, crossing her arms. "Don't think I don't notice. Why don't you want your boss to come over?" She insisted.

"Now you are just making things up. Did you have your morning coffee yet? Maybe you are still half asleep." I insisted.

I took her arm to walk her to the kitchen, hoping it would be enough to distract her.

Mom pulled her arm away from mine as she stopped us in our tracks. "Clara, what has been going on with you? Last night, you ate nothing. You just locked yourself in your room. You hardly talk to me anymore. Don't think I don't notice how you and your sister and Ivy lock yourselves up in your room and whisper amongst yourself. I want to know what is going on." She demanded. Her tone had become more serious.

"Nothing is happening. I just had a really big lunch yesterday. I wasn't in the mood to eat last night." I defended myself. "Nothing is going on," I added.

"Besides, I don't think you want to discuss some seriously hot twenty-five-year-old guys in magazines. That's why we locked ourselves in her room," Katy added.

"You are too young for that," Mom pointed out.

"Are you in some kind of trouble?" She asked, returning her attention to me.

"Mom, everything is alright." I tried to assure her.

She sighed audibly. "There was a package that came for you last night." She pointed downstairs.

Katy and I looked at each other, relieved, before following Mom downstairs.

I still wasn't entirely sure that Mom had gotten over the idea of inviting my boss to dinner.

Sure enough, there was a package waiting for me downstairs. It had already been ripped open, revealing some beauty products. I noticed the bath salts and the moisturiser that was right on top. Layla wasn't joking when she said she would send me 'some' beauty products.

My mother needs to stop snooping through my things.

"Oh, that," I whispered, pointing at the box.

"Where did you get all that stuff from?" Mom asked, her suspicious tone returning.

"I can't believe you won," Katy jumped in, her eyes filled with happiness. "When you told me about the lucky draw they ran at your workplace to raise funds, I thought it was a scam. I didn't think you would win."

"Yes," I replied, projecting a more enthusiastic reaction. "When they read the winners yesterday, I didn't even show up. I had no idea I'd won. One of the prizes was a box full of gifts to pamper yourself." I added to Katy's story.

Mom's reaction again seemed more relaxed. "If I ask all these things, it's not because I like getting into your business. I worry about you." Mom smiled wearily.

Through our blinds, we noticed a car pulling up outside our yard. It must have been Katy's driver.

"You should get moving," Mom said, rushing Katy.

Katy smiled as she picked up her backpack right at our front door.

Mom, too, collected her things as she made her way out of the house.

"Mom," I called out, stopping her in her tracks.

"Yes," she answered.

"I want to move out," I said.

I wonder what her thoughts were on that. Maybe if I moved out, she would stop snooping so much.