Chapter 61

Clara's POV

I woke up with a splitting headache. The annoying sound of my alarm clock wasn't making things any easier either. I knew that drinking would be a foolish idea, but I went and did it anyway.

"Morning," I heard Katy whisper.

If my brain weren't so slow to respond this morning, I would have jumped out of my bed. I hadn't even noticed she was there.

"You know, if you continue like this, you will raise some serious eyebrows. People will notice, and you'll be in even more trouble." She said,

"I don't think getting into more trouble is even possible," I answered, pushing the blankets off me.

"That's true, you look like crap." She commented.

It was just what I wanted to hear first thing in the morning.

She sat beside me with a more serious expression on her face.

"I know that you are hurt and that you want to know who your dad is, but maybe it's for the best." She paused. "Sometimes I wish I didn't know who my dad was and that he'd just disappear." She whispered

"You shouldn't say that," I whispered, trying to console her.

"It's true. All he ever does is hurt us and take more from us. It would have been better if I had never known him at all. That way, I wouldn't be so embarrassed that my father is such a disappointment." She wept.

I never knew that was how she felt. I always knew that she was most affected by his behaviour, but I never expected it to be this bad.

Maybe she also had a point. With my mother's luck in choosing men, what were the chances that he'd also be another disappointment? But that didn't stop me from wondering. I felt like a piece of me was missing, one that I'd never know.

I pulled Katy into a hug as she cried on my shoulder.

"I have to leave now, or else I'll be late. You're suffocating me," Katy whined.

I finally pulled away from her as I watched her wipe her tears.

"Anyways, I want you to know that I'll support you. I won't eat Mom's food or even speak to her until she decides to tell you the whole truth." She added.

Knowing Mom, we would probably starve before she decided to say anything.

She patted me on the back before walking out of my room.

I was reminded of all the things I still needed to do today.

Tell Derek the truth, just as I decided.

I wasn't backing out of my decision today. I couldn't keep lying in his face every day and watching him get his hopes up.

I made my bed and then walked to the bathroom. I realised there was no point in rushing today since I probably wouldn't even have a job by the end of the day.

While in the shower, I started imagining the impending doom. The reaction Derek was going to have was that he would never forgive me for this. Everyone at the hotel would probably discover I would never find a job in this city again.

I dressed and ready like I would for a normal day at work.

Next, I went to the kitchen to grab some snacks on my way out.

As expected, Mom was also in the kitchen.

I did my best to avoid all eye contact with her as I manoeuvred around the kitchen.

"Morning, I made some breakfast," I heard her whisper.

I didn't answer; instead, I grabbed a few fruits from our pantry and left the house.

I wasn't ready to speak to her yet, and I still wasn't completely sure of how I was feeling. Perhaps I was being a little unfair.

I managed to catch my usual bus for work.

I sat in the back seat as I tried to think of what I'd say to Derek.

How was I going to explain this? What would be the best way to tell someone you lied about being pregnant without looking like an opportunist or the obvious, that I was after his money?

I received a text from Derek. I didn't bother to read it. Instead, I switched my phone off. I didn't want any distractions or anything that would cause me to change my mind.

I got off the bus, and it was still a short walk until I finally arrived in front of the building.

I stopped, just taking a moment to take in the view of the building. Maybe this was going to be my last time here

Everything else considered it was great working here. It was the job that helped feed my family when we had nothing.

I didn't bother to clock in for work. I would be in and out, probably escorted by security on my way out.

Before speaking to Derek, there was something I needed to do first, seeing that this would be my last time working here.

I made my way to Leonardo's suite. I still doubted him, but he seemed the only person who would tell me the truth. So, I was hoping to get as much as I could from him while I still could.

I still couldn't shake off that shivering feeling of all those pictures he had of my family and me.

I knocked on his door. I tried to listen in for any possible footsteps coming from his suite.

It didn't take him too long to answer the door when he stepped out. He looked bewildered; he was probably expecting room service or anyone else but me.

“Clara," he said with a smile.

He opened the door wider, allowing me to walk in.

I hesitantly stepped into his suite, taking slow steps.

He closed the door after me. He then offered me a seat in his living room.

"Would you like anything to drink?" he asked as I sat down.

I shook my head no.

"I know you are probably very confused about everything, and you have every right to be." He began.

He picked up a folder off his table, which he then handed. I opened the folder, looking at baby pictures of my mother and him. In some of the images, they were in their teens. It certainly helped to confirm the little information my mother gave me, and there was no denying that.

"I know I could have approached this in a better way. I should have just talked to you about it instead of you finding out like this." He paused. "At first, I wasn't sure that's why I never said anything."