Chapter 50

Clara's POV

I pulled away Derek, staring back at the space where Madison was. I still couldn't believe she was gone and just like that. She wasn't the type to give up so easily, so what had Derek done? From the way she walked away, it didn't look like she was ever coming back.

I thought I'd be barging in there and exposing Madison right in front of Derek, even if it meant telling myself, but there he was, completely fine without me.

"So why don't I take you home?" Derek repeated. "You know, I think that it's time that I finally meet your family. We are having a baby, after all." He smiled.

I tried to mask my concern.

Not this again. After everything I'd been through and Madison finally leaving, my family meeting him was the last thing I wanted. I couldn't have him meet my family. I wasn't even sure if he'd still be talking to me a week from now.

I hoped it would never happen.

I needed to tell him the truth to get myself out of this situation finally. This has gone on for long enough.

Maybe I should use this opportunity to come clean. But no, after the way Madison left, I needed to give him a day to cool off. I still couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

"No, that's not a good idea," I finally answered.

"Why not?" He insisted.

I sighed. What was the best way to tell someone you didn't want him to meet my family because I was lying about being pregnant, and I didn't like the whole thing to blow up in my face?

"You are a ball of sweetness. My mother will use that and tear you apart. I haven't even told her I'm pregnant yet." I lied.

"Come on, I'm tougher than I look." He insisted.

"How would it sound if we just showed up at your house and said, 'Hi mom, this is the guy I'm making out with at work, and oh, I'm also having his baby.'?" I asked in a deeper voice, my failed attempt at mimicking him.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me into his arms. "When you put it like that," he whispered. "Maybe we should start dating." He leaned in even further, his lips smiling against him.

He leaned into my neck, slowly trailing kisses down my neck, then up again to my jawline.

I moaned, my hands travelling to his neck.

What was I doing? I needed to think straight.

I regained my senses, pushing away from Derek and stepping back. "No, I will not let you trick me into anything with your charm." I held my hand out between us.

"I wouldn't do anything unless you wanted me to," He stepped forward, closing the gap between us.

I stepped back, glaring at him not to make another move. I didn't trust myself around him.

I wasn't scared of my mother's reaction. She could think whatever she wanted to. It was letting him in even further than frightened. I have grown attached to him. Letting him go would feel even harder if my family felt connected to him, too. This lie was starting to feel a little bit more real every day. It was easier this way.

I'd have to tell him the truth a lot sooner. I couldn't keep postponing this.

Derek sighed, defeated. "Fine," He whispered. "At least let me drop you off at home." He suggested.

I couldn't say no to that. It was getting late.

I nodded with a smile.

I finally relaxed, letting my guard down.

He took my hand in his as we walked out of the hotel. We didn't bump into any familiar faces.

We used the back entrance where his car was packed.

He opened the car door, gesturing for me to step in. I did so, then settled myself into the comfortable seats.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I looked at it, quickly reading my text from Mom.

'Hi honey, are you going to be working till late? That way, we don't have to be worried about you.' Her text read.

My shift ended nearly two hours ago. I stayed behind after work, contemplating what I'd do with Madison. Layla had suddenly disappeared, and her calls were unattended.

'I just had to pick up an extra hour; I'll be home soon.' I texted back.

I sighed and slipped my phone back into my pocket. At least the lies will soon end.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked as we climbed into the driver's seat.

"Yes," I smiled, putting my seatbelt on.

The engine roared as we pulled out of the driveway.

Thanks to improved traffic, it didn't take too long until we were in my neighbourhood.

The car came to a stop. I had arrived at my destination.Derek turned to face me as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "I don't want to keep dropping you off the corner like this. It feels wrong and sneaky," he said.

"I know," I agreed.

He bent forward, capturing my lips with his.

Our lips were in sync, the kiss becoming more passionate and intense by the second.

"I have to go," I moaned against his lips.

"Don't," he whispered back.

His lips were back on mine again. I should stay away from him. My common sense and Derek could not coexist in the same room.

I pulled away from him, breathing heavily, trying to gather all my senses. "If I don't leave now, I'll never leave. It's getting late, and you should drive home safely." I answered.

I reached for the door as Derek stared at me, disappointed.

I emerged from the car and stepped onto the street. The weather today seemed more friendly.

I turned around for the final time, waving Derek goodbye, who waved back at me from his driver's seat.

“Clara!" I heard a loud yell behind me.

I froze. I knew that voice.

I turned around to see my mother's angry face. She appeared out of thin air. Her hand shook as she stared at me murderously.

Was she spying on me? But no, she probably just came from her friend's house, a block away from ours.

"I knew you were lying to me," she exclaimed.

How was I going to get out of this one?

"Is this what working extra hours looks like?" she continued.

In my little fantasy world, Derek would have driven away, and I would have had something to say to stop my mother from overreacting. But no, Derek noticed. He stepped out of his car, running between my mother and me.

"Good evening, ma'am." Derek greeted me.

"You," she pointed at Derek, disregarding his greeting. "I'm sure this is all your fault," she concluded.

The next thing that happened took me by surprise. It was also something that I should have seen coming.

He pulled Derek by the collar to lower his head so she could match his weight.

She hit him on the back of his head several times, then threw some punches at his shoulder.

Poor Derek didn't do much to defend himself. He tried to block her punches but failed. He was barely resisting.

If I hadn't seen the seriousness of this situation, I would have started laughing.

At first, I was too stunned to respond. I snapped out of my thoughts, gathering my words. "Mom, stop it," I yelled.

That seemed to return some sense to her. She finally stopped as she shot daggers at the two of us. "I want to see both of you at home." She pointed at us.

She turned away in disgust, marching back home.

"Are you okay?" I asked, turning to Derek.

"How is she so strong?" He questioned, rubbing his arm.

If he could still speak, that meant he was fine.

"Are you?" He looked at me.

"I'm fine, but you are about to be dead. Why didn't you turn around and go back home?" I asked. "And now she is about to murder you. You should go back home now before it's too late." I was warned.

"Come on, I had to face her sooner or later, right? She didn't hurt anything, just my ego." He joked. "You know, if she wants, she can borrow some of my mom's meds. I'm sure she needs them." He continued.

"Watch it," I warned. "Don't forget I'm her daughter. I have a little bit of her in me. I might just beat you up as well." I joked.

"We should probably follow her before she returns with a pan." He joked.

We slowly walked up to my house.

"She'll probably show up with a broom first, which will hurt more because it won't just knock you out at once," I answered.

"Are you sure you don't need therapy? I'd hate to know what else she has done to you." He teased me.

"You'd end up bankrupt if you decided to take me to therapy," I answered as we stepped into the yard. "You'll be fine; at least you have health insurance." I patted him on the back for reassurance.

The front door had been left wide open.

I could only hear the sound of our footsteps as I welcomed Derek into the house.