Chapter 84

Clara's POV

I looked at my phone's screen before throwing it back under my pillow.

I told myself I didn't want to know whether Derek had texted me, but I couldn't help but be curious.

It had been three hours since I handed him the letter and he had no message.

The anxiety was killing me. How would he react to this whole thing?

I didn't expect him to be happy about it, but I expected him to say something about it, even if it was a treat or a long message about how much he hates me right now and never wants to see me again.

Had I made a mistake by giving him that letter? Maybe everything would have been better if I had followed Layla's plan. This wouldn't have hurt him.

But I had to do it.

By now, almost all the nails on my left hand had been chewed off. In a few more hours, all my hair will be gone, too.

I paced around the small space in my room as I tried to think of my next move.

Calling him wasn't an option. I didn't know how upset he was, and I didn't want to worsen things. It would be shameless of me after everything I'd done. I should give him space to think about everything before showing up again.

Maybe he hadn't even read it yet. That's why he wasn't responding. Surely, he was very busy with a lot to deal with. I couldn't just expect him to have read the letter.

I finally decided to switch my phone off and await a response tomorrow.

~*~

It was the next day, and it had been eight hours and thirty-two minutes since I handed him the letter. I knew this because I had been counting down every second.

I couldn't fall asleep. I switched my phone on again within minutes, then started crying about everything.

At this point, I couldn't even cry to make myself feel better. I was all cried out.

I was almost startled by my reflection. My hair was a total mess, with dark circles under my eyes. I hadn't even bothered to change into my pajamas.

I made my way downstairs. If I was going to continue crying, I at least needed to be hydrated.

The house was unusually loud this morning, with Mom yelling at Katy to get ready while Katy threw a tantrum. Mom must have been in a good mood today because otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten away with it. I ignored them, filling my glass with water.

"Why haven't you had breakfast yet? You are going to be late." Mom snapped at Katy.

"I'm almost done," Katy responded, rolling her eyes. Mom probably didn't notice.

She was trying to braid her hair with one hand while using the other to slip into her shoes.

"You are supposed to be at school already." Mom snapped. "And don't forget to do what I told you. I want everything you brought packed. I'm taking it away today." She added.

"You honestly can't make me give up my clothes, and it wasn't even your money." Katy pleaded.

"If you think you are all grown up now and don't want to listen to me, you can leave my house like you came into this world. With absolutely nothing." Mom snapped back.

Katy turned to look at me with pleading eyes. I was hoping to get her back for last night, but I guess Karma decided to do a better job than me.

"What happened to you?" Mom asked as she turned her attention to me. "Have you been crying?" Mom asked.

Both stared at me worriedly as Mom reached in to push some strands of hair from my face.

"Have you been sniffing cocaine lately?" Katy added.

"No, it's just my allergies." I lied. I stepped away from Mom and gulped my water to avoid answering their questions.

"But you have none," Katy added.

"Some people can get allergies when they are older, okay?" I snapped at her.

I walked past them, returning to my bedroom.

My reaction left them quizzed. I could feel their gaze on me as I walked up the stairs.

"It's probably the hormones." I heard Mom say to Katy.

I shut my door and locked it.

I continued pacing my room, my mind returning to Derek.

Did he even get the letter? What if something happened, and he didn't get to read it?

Or worse, what if something happened to him?

I dialed his number and paused for a moment. Maybe he wouldn't answer me.

Maybe I should call Layla instead. I would be happy knowing he was alright.

I settled on calling Layla, but she didn't take much time to respond.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Layla answered cheerfully.

"Morning," I replied softly.

"I've had such a long morning already, you..." Layla blubbered.

"Have you heard from Derek?" I cut her off.

Layla paused, deciding on the appropriate response. "It's barely been a few hours, and you are already calling to ask about him." She responded.

"I was worried about him," I answered. "Have you seen or heard from him?" I inquired.

"I'm sure he is just fine. I haven't seen him since last night. He left in his car to go to his penthouse, and I haven't seen him since." She answered.

Layla was always keen on saying what was on her mind. I'm pretty sure if she knew something, she would have said something.

I ended our call soon after that, ignoring her story about the spa retreat she wanted to go to.

He was probably fine. I had no reason to overreact. It was only logical that he wasn't talking to me. At least I knew he probably made it home. If something had happened to him, Layla would have known.

I sighed, throwing myself onto my bed.

What was I thinking when I handed him that letter? After everything, I didn't even have the guts to tell him to his face. He deserves that, at least. I could already imagine all the adjectives he associated with my name.

An idea sparked in my head. Maybe I should go and see him. That way I'd explainthings a lot better. I needed to own up to my mistakes. At least then he wouldn't think I was a coward.

I sat up straight and ran to the bathroom. Today I got ready in record time and wore the first items I noticed in my cupboard. I couldn't meet him in last night's clothes.

"Are you going somewhere?" Mom asked as I ran downstairs.

"Yes, I just have to meet someone," I answered. I fumbled through my cross-body bag to make sure I had my house keys on me.