Chapter 71

Clara's POV

I couldn't believe it.

Derek knew about Leonardo all along.

How many people knew about this while I was clueless this whole time?

What else did he know about me?

I stopped in my tracks, anger rushing to my face as I continued listening to the rest of his conversation.

I've never told him anything about it, and I know he was his partner long before I knew about it.

It makes sense now. He was so invested in knowing about my family before meeting my mother. He must have had me investigated. Who knows what kind of information he must have had about me?

"It's ridiculous of my grandfather to even think I'd use Clara to get the contract." He said next. "Before you forget, I want to know exactly what business my mother has with the doctor Clara and I visited." He added.

I nearly gasped.

He was even closer to the truth than I would have ever thought. Was he investigating me this whole time?

It felt like a lot for me to process at once.

I took some steps back, walking back to the balcony so I'd be far away from his view.

I was trapped in my thoughts, rethinking everything.

I heard some footsteps behind me.

“Clara," Derek said. "I thought you'd be sleeping." He commented.

I didn't answer. All I could think about was what could be going on in that head of his. He knew I was in contact with his mother, but he never said anything about it. He might be much closer to the truth than I know. He also learned about Leonardo being my 'uncle,’ his supposed business partner. He could have been trying to use me to get to him without me even realising it. Who was Derek Montenegro? Did I even know anything about him?

I've been the one playing this game, but what if he is the one playing me all along?

"Are you alright?" Derek asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

My brain slowly slipped back into reality.

"I'm fine," I answered hesitantly.

He didn't seem to pay much attention to my confused state. He had already moved on to the next idea. "Anyways, tomorrow evening, we'll be hosting a fundraising event." I don't know if you'd like to come, but I could have someone arrange a dress for you." He suggested.

"I don't think I'll attend," I answered.

"Okay, how about we have dinner instead?" He suggested awkwardly. He scratched the back of his head.

Was Derek nervous right now? He has always been the

"I'm tired from the trip. I need to rest," I answered dismissively.

I walked past him to one of the rooms. I didn't want to be around him right now.

***

"You lied to me. Did you think I'd continue playing the fool?" Derek asked. He gave me a cold, stern look as he shook his head in disgust.

I stood there quietly, feeling smaller than ever as the crowd roared into laughter. A few photographs were taken in my direction.

"You just had to be so pathetic." Madison laughed as she appeared behind him.

I woke up from my sleep gasping for air as I tried to catch my breath.

I felt like my chest was on fire, like someone had been strangling me in my sleep.

Why was I even dreaming about Madison? Surely, she was gone from our lives forever.

I had much bigger problems to worry about. What exactly did Derek know?

I ran my hands through my hair, breathing slowly, adjusting to its normal pace.

This is what happens when you lie and you happen to have consciousness. Surely, there is no rest for the wicked.

I barely slept last night. At first, it was because I couldn't stop thinking about everything, and then it was because I couldn't get a hold of Katy. Calling mom wasn't an option since she didn't know I left. After hours of lying awake, I fall asleep and end up having nightmares. Just great.

"Morning, miss," a cheerful Cassia yelled as she entered my room.

Her sudden appearance nearly made my heart race again. She rushed over to open the blinds, allowing the sunlight in.

"You must be so excited for the day." She added cheerfully.

I didn't know what to be excited about. What was even happening today?

"Mr Montenegro had someone pick out a few dresses for you for the charity ball this evening." She said as she pointed at a pail of clothes, all covered in their suit bags.

Hadn't I told him I wouldn't be going? What made him think he could go along and find me a dress anyway?

Poor Cassia didn't seem like the right person for me to be having that argument with.

"He left you a note too," she pointed to the letter at my bedside. "He is such a romantic, isn't he?" She giggled.

She stared at me with a wide grin before deciding to leave my room.

I waited for Cassia to leave before reaching for the letter.

Breakfast in the garden, please join me.

-Derek

His letter read.

I returned the letter to the bedside as I jumped off the bed.

After last night, I was still unsure how to feel about everything. I'd be a hypocrite if I tried to call him out for being a liar or for hiding things from me. He wasn't my favourite person either at the moment.

But I was hungry. Besides, I wasn't going to starve myself, let alone deny myself the chance to be outdoors.

If Derek knew anything of concern, he would have confronted me about it, let alone brought me to his five-star resort.

To start, I hopped into the shower. I wonder how long ago Derek wrote that note. Was he still there? Maybe the food had gone cold by now.