Chapter 79

Clara's POV

My mind shifted to my BIGGER problem.

I lived in a fantasy, and everything would worsen unless I escaped it. I immediately had an idea.

I motioned for a waiter, who arrived at my table in seconds.

"Can I get a pen and a piece of paper, please?" I asked.

He smiled before walking away to the counter. A minute later, he returned with a few pages and a pen.

Since I could never say it to him, I thought I'd write it instead. I owed him an explanation after everything I'd done. So many things had happened, and maybe getting them on paper would be the only way to explain everything without him walking away. I didn't even know where to begin.

***

Hours passed by without me even noticing. It was already getting cold, and I imagined it would soon get dark.

I looked down at the two pages I'd written. So far, I could cover just over half of what has happened. Writing it and seeing everything in someone else's shoes wasn't easier; there are many things I'd have liked to change.

I looked at my phone for any notifications. I hadn't received any messages from Derek. I guess he couldn't make it here. This trip here seemed more like my goodbye to him.

I folded the letter into a neat square before stuffing it into my dress pocket.

I got up to leave after paying the bill with the credit card Derek's driver gave me.

I approached the exit. The driver had already been waiting for me. He jumped out of the car to open the door. I smiled, settling into the car.

The streets seemed more alive, with more people walking into clubs.

I fell asleep on the way back. The driver tapped me on the shoulder just after we parked inside the resort.

I hope I haven't drooled over the leather seats.

Rubbing my eyes, I got out of the car.

I hadn't bought anything so I didn't have anything to carry. Katy was probably going to hate me for this.

"Thank you," I told the driver. He had taken it upon himself to be my tour guide for the day.

"It's been my pleasure, ma'am." He smiled before returning to the car.

I rubbed my arms to keep myself warm as I tried to recall the entrance I'd used earlier.

"I'm surprised you haven't spent everything my grandson owns." I heard a voice behind me. I immediately recalled its source.

I turned around to face Derek's grandfather. He had the same smug and condescending look from last night.

This was why everyone hated him.

"I'm intrigued by you and your presence in my grandson's life. How about some tea?" He offered.

Had he forgotten he insulted me less than a minute ago? Maybe he wasn't an awful person, and he just had a serious mental problem.

Before I responded, he looked like he'd already decided for me.

He turned around, walking into the hotel as he motioned for me to follow him.

I was stuck in a predicament. I didn't know whether to follow him or find a way to dodge him.

Despite my better judgement, I followed him.

I was relieved we had planned our meeting in a more public space. We settled into a lounge just behind the hotel reception area. There were several spaces with brown couches, all surrounding several tables. The brown couches matched the wooden floor and several parts of the ceiling. The place looked amazing. Surprisingly, there wasn't anyone else in the area.

We sat around a table. He kept his cold gaze on me as an intimidating tactic. I'm pretty sure I can say that I have been through worse.

All it took was a mare snap of his finger, and the waiter came running to our table, a teapot already in his hand. He motioned to the waiter to fill our cups. He waited for the waiter to leave before beginning.

"I'd like to know your plans regarding my grandson." He spoke.

He picked up his cup of tea nonchalantly, pretending he hadn't insulted me.

I should have known to prepare myself to be offended.

He hadn't given me the chance to respond before moving on to his next statement.

"What plans do you have for your life?" he asked next. "Did you even go to college or have a business?" he asked. He laughed sardonically, already prepared with his next response. "You are just a simple maid, right? People like you don't usually plan on doing anything with their lives unless it's using someone else to climb the social ladder," he said."I can assure you, I don't have any of those intentions," I answered reassuringly.

He raised his hand to stop me.

He snapped his finger again. Another man approached us within seconds. This time, it was a man dressed in a black tux and wearing black sunglasses despite being indoors.

The man handed a small piece of paper out of his tux. He then returned to his post, where he was guarding the door.

"Let me get straight to the point." He continued. "I have many plans for my grandson and his future, and you are not one of them. I'll give you two million dollars to stay away from my grandson." He spoke. He slid the paper over to me on the table.

I was taken aback as I stared at the two million dollar check on the table. Did he want me gone so badly that he'd offer me that kind of money? Sure enough, it would solve all my problems, but I hadn't sunk that low. I wouldn't take it, no matter how much he offered.

I slid the check back to him. "I'm sorry, but I won't accept your money. I'm not for sale." I replied firmly.

"A smart businesswoman, I respect that." He smiled. "Of course, you would reject it, and you'd probably make a lot more leeching onto my grandson." He retorted. "How would you like it if I added another zero to the check? It could change your life." He insisted.

I stood up, ready to leave. I had a feeling he wasn't going to stop insulting me. From two million to twenty, how desperate was he? I was starting to think this was all an act to out me.

"I won't take your money for whatever reason. Goodnight, sir," I said with clenched teeth.

"You don't have to pretend with me, and I know exactly your kind." He insisted. He, too, was now standing.

"Did you hear her say she didn't want your money?" I heard Derek behind me.

He took me by surprise, his voice almost sending shivers down my spine.

"I didn't raise you to be this dumb. Can't you see she is playing with you?" His grandfather answered.

Derek stepped in front of him, blocking me from his grandfather.

"If anyone is leaving my life, it will be you. You stepped too far. I'll never allow you to talk to her like that again." Derek answered.

"You'll surely regret it when you finally see what is before you," he said.

"I hope this is the last time we'll see each other. We are leaving. You can enjoy this place with your new wife." Derek answered. He took hold of my hand, intertwining it with his.

This was all my fault. Derek was cutting ties with his family, and I was lying to him all along. He didn't deserve this.

My vision was blaring as tears piled up in my eyes.

Derek's hand tightened around mine as he motioned for us to leave.

"You dropped something," Derek's grandfather stopped us.

I turned around to find him handing me the letter, the same one I had written earlier on. It wasn't finished, but it had a lot of compromising things.

My mind instantly panicked. I could already imagine what would have happened if he got the letter before Derek.

"Thank you," I replied, accepting the letter in his hand.

We turned around and made our way out of the lounge.

At least I knew we were finally returning home. This will end soon.