Chapter 31

Clara's POV

I was still annoyed that I missed work on my second promotion day.

"Okay," she raised her hands. "It's time for me to assess the damage. I want to know who else knows about this?" She asked.

I was still confused by her question.

"Who else knows you are not pregnant?" She clarified.

"Because A, you are a bad liar, and B, because girls like you always tell someone." She answered.

"What do you mean by girls like me?" I asked.

"It's clear that you don't have a backbone for scheming. Pick up any romance novel, and you will be that girl with a friend whom she tells everything to." She answered.

Wow.

I sighed. "Well, my friend knows about it," I confirmed. "And my sister," I answered.

"Can we trust any of these people? I'd hate for any of this to come out." She said,

"Yes," I answered. "Ivy would never say anything, and you just gave my sister a scholarship, so you are pretty much her biggest fan."

"Very well," she answered. "I'd like to end this thing as soon as possible before he asks for any doctor's appointment or shows interest in seeing your family. The fewer people we involve in this whole thing, the fewer people who get hurt." She said reassuringly. "Is there anything else I need to know?" she asked.

I took a moment to think. "Well, Madison asked me to spy on Derek. She wants to know his every move." I informed her.

"Typical for someone as insecure as her." She laughed.

"I haven't given her a response yet," I said.

"Well, you should tell her that you'll do it. That way, we can monitor her and give her false information." She said,

She could get any information, and she'd find a way to turn it into an evil plot.

My phone rang, stopping Layla from finishing her plan.

"It's Derek," I answered, staring at my screen.

I couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement.

"Answer it," Layla spoke.

I paused for a moment before answering the call. "Hello," I replied with a cough.

"Hi," Derek answered, mirroring my excitement. "I asked around, and Marcus said you weren't coming in today because you are sick. Are you feeling alright?" He asked.

"I'm okay, it's just morning sickness. I was vomiting constantly this morning, and I felt a bit lightheaded, but I'm much better now," I lied.

"Okay," Derek answered, letting out a sigh. I could tell he was relieved. "I hope it wasn't because of what you ate last night." He spoke.

"No, not at all." I cut him off. "The food was delicious," I answered.

Layla sent me a signal to hang up the phone. She was very persistent in her request, and she shot me a glare.

"I was just..."

"Listen, I have to go now," I said, cutting him off.

Layla took the phone from my hand and hung up.

I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye to him.

"Let's keep the conversation short and sweet so he doesn't forget you." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Derek's dad returned, this time wearing his sunglasses.

"Honey, you've been working for this poor girl. It would be best if you took some time to relax. He suggested. "Derek is a grown man; he will be fine. How about we go out for the weekend and spend a few days together with just the two of us?" He looked over at me with great enthusiasm.

Layla chuckled. "We have been married for the last thirty years, and we see each other every day. Why would I possibly want to spend more time with you?" She shut him down.

His smile dropped.

I guess I wasn't the only one Layla was mean to.

"Too bad, I wanted to tell you that your necklace had arrived." He announced.

"You mean the diamond one?" Layla answered.

He answered.

She jumped off her seat enthusiastically. "I'll be right back." She said,

Just like that, the two of them disappeared into the house.

I placed both my feet on the sunlounger to help me feel more relaxed.

Not too long after, an older woman approached me.

"Hello there, dear," she greeted with a smile.

"Good day, ma'am," I answered, getting up.

Judging by her age and how she dressed, she was probably Derek's grandmother.

"You are?" she asked.

"I'm Clara... I'm just visiting." I answered.

She paused to take a look around. "Well, why not take a walk with me?" she said. She smiled at me sweetly. There was no way I could say no to that.

I nodded. She hooked my arm with hers, and she led me toward the garden.

She seemed extremely friendly to someone I had just met.

"You know. I have a grandson that I'd like you to meet. I'm sure the two of you will get along quite well. He is about your age, too." She smiled.

"I don't think that will be necessary," I replied anxiously.

"Nonsense, I'm sure you would enjoy each other's company. He is very hard-working, he is sweet and kind. He is handsome, too, although if you ask me, I don't think he needs to hear any more of that." She spoke.

We both laughed.

"He sounds lovely, but I'm pretty sure I may be out of his league," I answered.

She stopped and turned to face me as she cupped my chin. "Love knows no bounds, my dear," she said.

Her words hit me hard for some reason. I couldn't help but turn my head away.

I didn't feel anything for Derek. The two of us were too different. Besides, as Layla said, Derek would hate me when he found out the truth.

I was further distracted from my thoughts when my phone rang.

"Please excuse me," I spoke.

I stepped aside to answer the call. It was Tristan again. His timing couldn't be more perfect.

"Hi," I answered.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "You don't have to check up on me constantly." I laughed.

"Okay, so what are you doing right now?" He asked. I could almost hear the smile in his voice.