Chapter 33

Clara's POV

Maybe Layla could help me out. Was there a way she could put Derek in a coma for nine months so we wouldn't have to discuss this again?

Derek stood up to leave.

I wasn't ready to lose my very own personal masseur.

"I have a few important calls to make. I'll be in my office. Is there anything you need?" He asked.

I took a moment to think. "Lots of chocolate, yoghurt, and a fruit salad," I instructed.

Derek nodded, sending an order to the kitchen staff downstairs.

After the waiter arrived at his door, he took the liberty of collecting the food himself.

He handed me the food, and he even passed the TV remote as well.

"If you need anything, just shout, and I'll be right here." He said.

He turned around, ready to leave.

"Derek," I called.

"Yes," he turned around, stopping in his tracks.

"Can you get me an extra pillow?" I asked innocently, pointing at the pillow at my feet.

He did so happily. After that, he returned to his office.

I hate doing this to him. At what point had I become such a liar? He has been kind, and all I did was take advantage of him. I hope that whoever he ends up with is someone who truly deserves him.

I don't know when I fell asleep; maybe it was while I was gorging myself with food or somewhere between the movies, but I lost track.

*

"Did you think you could steal him away?" Madison's voice echoed. "He will never be with someone like you, and now I'm going to ensure he never does." She let out a wicked laugh.

Before I had time to react, she pulled a gun from her purse and pointed it at me.

"No," I yelled.

I shook my head as Madison finally pulled the trigger.

I woke up gasping for air as I sat up straight. I examined my chest, happy to know I had no bullet wounds.

It was just a dream.

That's when I finally took a moment to take in my surroundings. I was sleeping in Derek's bed. Again!

The last time that happened, something bad happened.

I took a moment to examine myself. All my clothes were still on. That was a good sign.

"I see you are awake," Derek said. His voice startled me.

I saw him leaning on the door frame as he smiled back at me.

All the drapes were closed, making the room a bit dim. I couldn't tell what time it was.

"What time is it?" I asked in a panic.

"It's nearly five p.m." He answered.

I looked at him, horrified.

I had slept my entire workday away. Surely, it had helped, and all my cramps were gone, but I had missed work.

"I'm supposed to be working." I panic again.

"Don't worry. and I told Marcus there was something urgent I needed your help with." He answered.

That was a relief. I wasn't the only liar around.

"Maybe you really shouldn't be working. Besides, the rest of the employees will find out sooner or later that you and I are having a baby. I imagine it's not going to be pretty." He said.

I removed the duvet over me.

I didn't need to worry about saving my job again.

"I'm fine. My hormones were just a little out of balance," I answered anxiously. Hopefully, by the time my stomach is supposed to be 'big enough,' this lie would have been over. There was no need for other people to find out.

I feel so much better now.

There was pretty much no work left for me to do at this point. My shift was almost over.

"I need to get home now," I said, jumping off the bed.

He sighed. "Why don't we have dinner first? Get something to eat first, then you can go home right afterward." He suggested.

I remembered how suspicious my mother was yesterday. I didn't need to skip another meal, or mom would pick me up herself every day after work.

"Maybe another time," I answered.

I stood up straight as I took a moment to adjust myself. I don't know how much I had been rolling, but my hair was messy.

He smiled downheartedly as he lowered his eyes. Those eyes. Why would he do this to me?

"You know what, why don't I take you out instead?" I suggested.

He looked up, amused by my proposal. "Me?" He asked, pointing at himself.

"It's safe to say that after last time, I owe you. So let me take you out instead?" I offered.

"I must warn you, I'm hard to please." He answered.

"I look forward to meeting your expectations." I accepted his challenge. "Let's get you something to wear," I suggested. I took his arm and walked him into his closet.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" He asked.

"People can easily recognize you, and I don't want your fan club to attack me," I reasoned.

I scanned through his closet. He had no clothes that didn't scream 'I'm a rich guy' from a mile away. In the end, I settled for black sweatpants and a hoodie.

I gave him the items so he could change into them.

He paused, waiting for me to turn around.

"I'll wait for you outside," I said awkwardly.

I waited for him in his bedroom.

Minutes later, he returned. He still looked like someone you would consider robbing. The look wasn't good enough for me.

I stood on my toes, reached into his hair, and swiftly ran my hands through it.

"Much better," I whispered as I watched his curls dangle on his forehead.

"You could have just said you wanted me to look like a hippie." He commented. He reached into his hair, trying to bring some order to his tousled hair.

Even with his messed-up hair, he still looked good.

He grabbed his wallet and stuffed it into his pocket. "Let me grab my car keys." He said.

"No, we are walking," I interjected.

He looked at me, horrified. I grabbed his hand and led him out of the penthouse before he could protest.

As we exited the elevator, Derek wore his hoodie over his head.

The voice stopped me in my tracks. Derek stopped, too.

It was Jeremy walking toward me, one of the security guards. I hadn't spoken much to him after he confessed that he was the one who allowed Waylen in.

"You are still alive," Jeremy said in an amused tone.

"Good evening to you, too," I muttered.

"Who is your friend over there?" He asked, pointing at Derek. I'm glad he hadn't recognized him.

"He is my cousin, who came to pick me up." I lied.

I turned to Derek, who didn't seem too pleased.

Jeremy chuckled. "We all thought you would quit after we heard that Marcus had made you the official maid for Mr Montenegro. That guy is so cold and grumpy. He is a certified asshole. It's no wonder he is alone. Good thing he has all that money because otherwise, no one could stand being around him unless they were getting paid for it." He laughed.

I wanted to laugh, too, but I restrained myself.

Derek's mood changed as he clenched his fist.

"Bye now," I waved goodbye to Jeremy.

I didn't want to give Derek the chance to say anything to Jeremy.

I held Derek's hand as we walked out of the hotel. I didn't want to draw attention to us.

The incident took Derek aback. That was probably the first time someone said anything like that to his face.

"Can you believe that guy?" Derek asked. "I'm going to ensure he never gets a job again." He threatened.

"It's over now," I whispered, trying to calm him down.

We finally left the hotel.

We walked southwards.

For a while, neither spoke as we waited to get to a safe distance where no one would recognize either of us.

"So, how is work?" I asked, breaking the silence.

He sighed. "Are we so boring that we must start talking about work?" He asked.

"I'm just trying to have a conversation," I answered.

He sighed again. "Well, it hasn't been running that smoothly, honestly. I have this project planned. We have invested so much of our time and money into it, but we still haven't gotten the property we need to continue. If this deal doesn't work out, a lot of people are going to lose their jobs. I should have obtained the land first before embarking on this project." He replied. "It's all my fault." He added. He sounded defeated.

"I'm sure you'll figure everything out," I answered reassuringly. "After all, you wouldn't have come to own all those hotels and restaurants if you weren't good," I added.

"On five different continents," he added.

"See?" I said, trying to cheer him up.

"So, if you were one of those five hundred people who might lose their jobs, you wouldn't be mad?" He asked.

"I'd kick your ass," I answered truthfully.

We both laughed.

"With your energy and enthusiasm, maybe I should use you to help me get the deal." He spoke.

"Me?" I laughed. "I'd do nothing but bring bad luck to you. You'd never get another contract again." I laughed.

"Well, you never know." He answered, smiling back at me.

I stopped as he arrived at our destination. We were in front of a hotdog stand.

Derek looked at me in disbelief, then returned to the hotdog stand.

"No," He whispered, shaking his head in disapproval.

"Yes," I insisted, adding a nod.