Chapter 72

Clara's POV

Next, I searched through my now-packed clothes in the closet. I didn't bring anything too tight with me. It was bad enough that my stomach was almost completely flat. I didn't want people asking unwanted questions. Today, I figured I would put more effort into my outfit, ignoring my faded jeans and t-shirt as I settled for a soft blue dress.

Thanks to the help of a few of the staff, getting to the garden wasn't too difficult.

The place was decorated with flowers, with a big table on the lawn. There was a pool nearby, too. The last time I was in the water, things didn't end well.

It was easy to spot Derek from a distance. He was reading a newspaper with black sunglasses as the wind blew through his hair. The two buttons on his white shirt were left unbuttoned.

Why does he always have to look this good?

He was determined to make things difficult for me, even without knowing.

I continued walking toward him. His head shot up a few seconds later as he spotted me.

It didn't make me feel any better that he had eyes on me the entire time.

"Good morning," he greeted me as I approached him. He set his newspaper aside.

"Morning," I greeted back softly.

I drew my eyes away from him, looking at the table's contents.

I sat down next to Tristan. I didn't care about being this close to him. I just wanted to be closer to the pancakes without stretching my hand all the time.

"Your hair looks nice," he commented as he cleared his throat.

My hair looked nice. I hadn't even bored blow-drying it after my shower; I just left it loose.

I shrugged as I continued reaching for honey for my pancakes.

"I hope you slept well last night. Is there anything you need to be more comfortable?" He asked.

"I'm good," I answered.

I continued filling my plate, adding some strawberries to it.

I tried my best to ignore his gaze on me. It was already difficult enough trying to keep myself together.

"So..."

“Derek!" A voice cut him off.

I looked up to see a woman and a man walking towards us. They had their hands hooked together.

I noticed how Tristan's body language quickly changed, the smile disappearing from his face.

"Jocelyn," Derek whispered.

"We heard you would be here, so we thought we might join you," Jocelyn said.

"Well, you're already here," Derek answered, his enthusiasm waning.

"Who might she be?" Jocelyn asked, eyeing me.

"This is Clara. Clara, this is my business partner Mike and his wife." Derek introduced us.

Mike and Jocelyn settled themselves in, sitting opposite Derek and me.

"I was in Paris for fashion week all week. I feel so starved." Jocelyn whined as she pulled a plate. "Why don't we order some wine? There is nothing quite like drinking during the day. I'm sure Clara would agree with me." She suggested.

I would agree.

As far as Derek was concerned, just one second of me looking at a wine bottle would be enough to send me to rehab.

"Clara doesn't drink," Derek answered, his tone definite.

"Come on, Derek, let the girl have more fun." She winked.

"She is pregnant," Derek clarified.

Jocelyn's eyes widened. We were all in awkward silence for a while.

I was going to have to lose the baby. If everyone found out, I'd never be able to walk the streets again.

"So..." Mike cleared his throat. "I heard that your grandfather would be joining us, Derek," Mike said.

"You know him. He likes making appearances," Derek answered.

His grandfather was coming. Why doesn't he tell me about these things? I'd have liked a fair warning if I was potentially meeting any new people, especially family members. Was I being naïve in hoping that his grandfather would be just as nice as everyone else in his family?

"His presence would surely be good for our business. You know he attracts a lot of clients," Mike added.

"I'd say we'd be fine without him involved." Derek laughed.

A butler approached our table. I thought he had come to refill our pancakes since I had eaten so many. Sadly, it was to speak to Derek.

"Sorry, sir, there are guests here who would like to see you and Mr Stanford." the butler announced.

"No?" Derek asked. "You can tell them I'm busy." He answered.

"They seemed rather inpatients," he insisted.

"Come on now, Derek, we should probably speak to them now. We wouldn't want anything going wrong before the event." Mike reasoned.

Derek sighed as he pushed out of his seat. "Will you be okay here? I will be right back." He asked me.

"She'll be safe with me here," Jocelyn replied.

Derek looked over at me for assurance. I gave him a small smile in return. How bad could it be having the rest of my breakfast with Jocelyn?

"Call me if you need anything," Derek said.

He then walked away with Mike, the butler, walking before them.

I watched till he disappeared into the building.

"So..." Jocelyn said as she dragged me out of my thoughts. "How did you and Derek meet?" she asked, excitedly rubbing her hands.

I cleared my throat. "I worked in one of his hotels," I answered.

"You mean to say that you worked?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.

I nodded. Her eyes widened.

"Oh, so you were the manager or something?" she asked."No, I was a maid," I answered. That was before I was promoted and then left without a job. A personal reminder never to piss off Derek.

I noticed how she swallowed hard, her body stiffening. What had she expected me to say? That I was some rich heiress?

"So, when do you plan on marrying