Chapter 78
Clara's POV
I closed the first aid kit, returning it to the cupboard where Derek had taken it out earlier.
He seemed very tense today. I couldn't help but think it was all because of yesterday. It's not every day that your grandfather announces he is getting married, let alone to someone who tried to ruin your life.
I was itching to ask him how he felt, but I didn't know how he'd react. If he was already this upset, he probably didn't want to talk about it either.
"Do you want to talk about what happened last night?" the words slipped out of my mouth.
"What about it?" He asked while running through some folders.
Was it that traumatic for him that he had erased it from his mind?
"You know. About Madison and your grandfather." I elaborated.
His reaction surprised me. Instead, he broke into laughter. "Why would I be bothered by that?" he laughed. So he wasn't upset? "If anything, those two deserve each other. The sooner they destroy each other, the better. It only means we get to read his will even sooner." He answered.
"Oh," I whispered. If he was upset, it was probably about something else. Maybe me?
"I'm fine, just stressed out about work. I have a lot to do," he assured. "I'm going to be busy throughout the day with work, and we may have to return home even sooner. I've arranged for the driver to take you around the city anywhere you like. That way, you don't have to be stuck with me all day." He said.
I smiled, disheartened.
I knew he was here for work. I couldn't have expected him to travel around the city with me.
"Maybe I'll join you later. I have some work to complete first," he added. "You should probably get ready. The driver will wait until you are ready." He kissed me on the cheek before answering a call.
I returned to my bedroom, then went to take my shower and got dressed.
Since the weather was lovely, I settled on a bright pink dress with sandals.
When I returned to the living room, the broken glasses had been cleaned up, probably by one of the maids.
Derek was still occupied, pacing around the room while on his call. Those who said the rich had it easier.
The driver he had appointed came to fetch me and led me to the car. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to Derek.
We stopped at a couple of popular destinations. The driver explained each of the old buildings and chapels. The market was my highlight, interacting with people and all the diversity.
If the driver weren't following me around, I would have sneaked in some wine tasting. Everything I wanted, but I couldn't help but feel Tristan's absence.
After hours of sightseeing, I finally decided to stop by and relax in a café.
I ordered a cup of coffee for myself, along with some chocolate cake.
It's the first time in a while that I've just had time to think.
I couldn't help but stare at everyone else. They looked so carefree.
People go on vacations to relax while I can't escape my problems.
My phone vibrated on the table, drawing me out of my thoughts.
Without thinking, I answered the call.
"Hi!" Ivy yelled loudly.
I pulled the phone away from my ear to recover.
"Hi," I answered back. Relieved to hear her voice. "I'm not supposed to speak to you, remember?" I joked.
"I wake up an hour before work, and this is the greeting I get? Besides, I'm not afraid of him." She answered. "You didn't even tell me you were leaving. I had to hear this from Katy." She added.
"Everything happened so fast," I remarked. "How are you doing over there?" I asked instead.
"My life is boring as always. I'm here to talk about you." She answered. "How is it going there? What are you doing?" She asked, intrigued.
"Nothing much. I'm just sitting alone in a café," I explained.
She paused for a while, hoping I'd add to the story.
"And where exactly is your boyfriend?" she asked.
'We weren't dating, at least I didn't know.' I wanted to tell her that.
"He had to work. He's been very busy lately," I replied. She could probably hear my disapproval."I'm sorry, did I listen to you try to complain about your rich boyfriend having a job? Why don't you try having a broke boyfriend and tell me if that is still romantic." She answered."I never said that," I replied.
"How are the living arrangements coming along?" she asked. I knew she was hinting at something else.
By the way, she was interrogating me. I'd say she wanted to write a book about me.
At least my story would serve as a life lesson for people.
"We both have separate bedrooms," I explained.
I heard Ivy choke as she gasped to breathe in.
I sat up straight in full alert. Was she okay? Did I need to call someone to help her?
She continued coughing and gasping, her breathing slowly returning to normal.
"You said what?" She asked, her voice distorted.
"We have separate rooms," I repeated hesitantly. I was worried she'd choke again, and this time she wouldn't recover.
"How else are you supposed to get pregnant?" She nearly yelled.
That was her issue? I thought I'd already had this conversation.
"How will I explain why the baby is born more than five weeks later? I'm not about to dig another grave." I reasoned with her.
She sighed. She probably had her face in her palms right now.
"Ivy!" I heard a deep voice in the background.
Ivy fell silent. A few sounds followed in the background before everything fell to silence again.
"Who was that?" I asked, intrigued.
"Nothing, it's no one. You must have heard the TV." She answered dismissively.
What were the chances that out of no way, someone from the TV would magically say her name out of nowhere and then suddenly fall silent again?
"Are you hiding someone there?" I asked, intrigued. A smile extended on my face.
"I think you are breaking up. I can't hear you." She cut me off. "Hello?... I still can't hear you. I have to go now, bye." She cut me off.
Before I could respond, she hung up the call.
She was hiding something. Why did she feel the need to cut me off?
I sat down for a while, wondering why Ivy would want to hide something from me. Either way, I'll probably find out soon.
