Chapter 41

Clara's POV

Drained, that was all I felt after I saw Madison and Derek together on the news.

I still couldn't wrap my head around it. How had this even happened? As far as I knew, Derek had shown no less interest in her, and now, they were suddenly engaged.

All kinds of speculations were spreading around that Madison had been the one with Derek in those pictures of Derek and me. It didn't help that Madison and I have a similar hair colour and that none of the photographers had any pictures of my face.

Even today, on Monday, when I returned to work, the hotel was filled with paparazzi outside, all trying to get a scoop on Madison and Derek's wedding.

Thank goodness for the security team. Otherwise, none of the staff would have been able to get inside the hotel today.

I never expected Madison to be this smart. In just a few days, she had managed to undo everything Layla and I had done. She knows how to work fast and get exactly what she wants.

Maybe I should take some inspiration from her.

I haven't spoken to Derek either. I tried to call him, hoping to get some explanation, but he never answered. I'm guessing they must have been busy trying to deal with this whole scandal; the future of this hotel depended on it.

But, as much as I wanted to dwell on everything, I needed to return to reality. I still had a job to do.

A client had organized to have a dinner party at the hotel, and as far as I knew, nearly two hundred guests would be arriving. Marcus ordered me to make sure that all the decorations and preparations for the event were ready. He even made a list so I wouldn't forget anything. With the recent blow the hotel suffered, Marcus has been very cooped up.

As today, we were a little short of staff, and the company we hired to help with the event had cancelled on us at the last minute. My job for the day wasn't just walking around and ensuring everyone was doing what they were told. I volunteered to help out. Lifting boxes and getting the new sets of cutlery from the storage room, seeing that what we had wasn't going to be nearly enough for the event.

Next, I helped set the tables, placing the tablecloths and every other decoration needed. Just lifting the vases alone that were placed on each table was bone-breaking work, never mind all the other work that needed to be done on each table. With the way I've been slacking lately, I figured it was time I pulled in some work.

Rubbing my forehead with the back of my hand from exhaustion, I dragged my feet toward the bathroom. I needed a break.

I opened the tap to rinse my face, hoping it would help me feel refreshed.

I heard footsteps and giggles in the hallway. I looked up. Minutes later, Sandra, Maggie, and Erin walked into the bathroom. All three of them were housekeepers.

Sandra leaned on the wall next to the roll of basins where I had just finished rinsing my face. She looked at me, a smile on her face with her arms folded. It was almost as if she was studying me.

I smiled at her in return as I continued to rinse my face.

"So," Sandra began. She relaxed her arm. The smile on her face had now disappeared. "I see you have finally decided to work today," she commented.

"Excuse me?" I asked, confused. I grabbed a paper towel to dry my hands.

"Come on, we've seen how you've been acting lately. It's like you've decided that you are too good to be working or something. Do you think you are too pretty to lift a broom like the rest of us?" Sandra continued.I always knew Sandra was the gossiping type, but I'd never seen this side of her. I can't believe she was doing this; it was like high school again.

Sandra was interrupted by the sound of the toilet flushing. Erin walked out of the toilet.

"Come on, Sandra, we know she suffered a concussion," Erin said, laughing. Her voice was almost sarcastic.

Sandra chuckled, returning her attention to me. "What is your deal with Mr Montenegro?" she asked.

"Sandra!" Maggie exclaimed, walking out of the bathroom stool.

Erin and Sandra ignored Maggie as they continued their questioning.

"Come on, we've all seen how he is around you. First, he insisted that only you cleaned his penthouse, and then you suddenly got a promotion. There are a lot of people who deserve that position more than you. People have noticed how he is around you. What do you have on him?" Sandra continued. I tried to look as confused as possible. The shock I got from this situation made me look convincing.

They weren't completely wrong, though. I had only managed to get all of this because I was lying. That feeling didn't sit well with me.

"I don't know what you are talking about," I whispered, dumbfounded, my voice quivering.

"Don't play dumb. People notice how you are always wandering up and down to his penthouse. Are you sleeping with the boss?" Sandra finally concluded. She turned to Erin, who looked at her equally as shocked.

I shook my head in denial. Maggie seemed to be the only one with some faith in me.

Before I could jump in for my defence, Erin interjected. "You should know that he is getting married to Ms Madison. It's official now. He'd never be with someone like you. You are just wasting your time. You might seem fun and exciting now, but he will eventually get bored and realise you are not the one for him. He'll end up with someone in his league. Guys like him always do." Erin chuckled.

I fisted my hands, trying to hold back everything I was feeling. I held my fist behind me so they wouldn't see how affected I was by their words. I felt angry but mostly disheartened. A part of me knew they were right. Why would Derek ever choose to be with me? I was losing myself inside an illusion, an illusion that I had created.

"Just get that through your head. If you even think for a second you can separate them, I'll have you know that you are simply just being delusional." Erin continued.

Both Erin and Sandra laughed as Maggie looked at me pitifully.

I was on the verge of crying, but I managed to hold myself together.

"We are not being mean to you, sweetheart; we just want the best for you," Sandra added.

Sandra turned to look at Erin before they walked out of the bathroom.

I was left to my thoughts, replaying every word they had just said. Repeating it in my head didn't make it any easier to listen to.

Maggie touched my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I know that's not who you are; don't pay attention to them," Maggie whispered. She patted me on the back with a sympathetic smile before leaving the bathroom.

It hurt me so much because deep down, I knew it was true. Not even Layla thought Derek and I would ever be together. That's the reason why she wanted to find him a wife. She was only using me to help Derek get away from Madison.

I should have been honest with Derek when I got my test results. I wouldn't be in this situation right now. Now, things were spiralling out of control. It was time for me to accept that no matter what I did, Derek would always end up with someone like Madison.