Chapter 85

Clara's POV

"But there was something else I wanted you to do today. We have a guest coming over." She answered.

"I have to do this right now," I answered, walking towards the door.

She sighed. "You should at least eat. You look like we haven't fed you." She insisted.

"I'll be back soon," I yelled, closing the door.

It wasn't until I was on the bus that I realized I hadn't thought this through. What if he didn't want to see me?

The last time he had people kick me out, I couldn't be too sure he wouldn't do the same this time. Giving him space would be the right thing to do at this moment. However, I just wanted a shot at explaining everything before he hated me forever. Maybe I was being selfish.

I found myself moving, stepping out of the bus, and walking towards the hotel.

I had too many things on my mind. A voice yelled at me to turn around and leave the country.

Not long after, I entered the hotel. Now that I no longer work there, I couldn't just walk to his suite. At least this would give me time to change my mind and turn around.

As 'luck' would have it, Derek was right at the receptionist's desk. I was a few feet away as he instructed the five receptionists at the desk.

He looked okay, dressed in a black tux with black stripes. His hair was freshly styled. He wasn't in a bar getting drunk or having a fit. He looked calm and in control as usual. He seemed completely fine.

I suddenly froze on the spot. I knew then it was a terrible idea to come here. I should have stayed home.

I hadn't had the chance to turn around when he turned in my direction.

There was no shot at me running away because he made eye contact at that instant. What further surprised me was that he smiled.

After everything, why would he smile at me?

I don't know if his smile made me freeze, or maybe it was just the shock of everything. I felt like I was falling in love with him all over again.

It wasn't too late for me to walk away. Maybe it was someone else behind me that he smiled at. There was no way he could still stand to see me after everything.

That theory was quickly disproven as he approached me, still maintaining eye contact.

"I was just about to call you." He smiled as he walked in front of me. He tucked his hands into his pockets nonchalantly.

Why wasn't he yelling at me right now? This didn't make sense to me.

"I'm glad you are here, but I didn't know you would be coming." He said.

"I was... just around the corner," I replied softly.

"You look like you've barely slept. Are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine," I answered. My brain was still processing everything. Why does he still care about me right now?

"Well, I think your timing here is perfect. Remember when I said I would have a surprise for you? I have something for you." He said. He then gestured towards the elevator. Indecisive about whether or not to follow him, I remained frozen. What if he planned to be nice and then murder me? But that would be a bad move. There are too many security cameras and witnesses around here. But then again, he owns the place.

His smile grew wider as he got more insistent.

I moved to the elevator. Remind me when something bad happens to me because I didn't follow my instinct.

The only explanation that made sense was that he hadn't read the letter. If he hadn't, what had happened to it? Besides that, I could only think he knew everything and was playing with me instead. What would he be capable of doing to get back at me?

I nearly jumped out of my skin as he touched my shoulder and stepped into the elevator. It took me a while to calm myself.

"Last night turned out to be better than we expected. Don't you think?" He asked over my shoulder.

I nodded as I suddenly felt a hard lump down my throat.

The elevator began moving.

He didn't say anything else after that. He kept to himself in a corner as he cheerfully hummed.

I was starting to feel that this elevator was way too small for both of us.

My phone rang inside my bag. I looked at my phone's screen to see my mom's name pop up. I could probably take her call at a better time, but I ignored the call and placed it back into my bag.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into Derek's suite.

I was still hoping he would start screaming, and maybe he didn't want to make a scene earlier.

The place still looked just as I had remembered. So many things had happened here, and I wondered what else was to come.

We entered his living room.

Derek sighed, leaning on the side of the couch. "I feel so terrible," he said, running his hands through his hair. "When I got home last night, I was distracted by a phone call. I placed your letter among my other documents. I mistakenly asked one of my assistants to shred everything, as all those documents were useless. I didn't even get to read it. I guess you will have to tell me what it says." He explained.

I didn't know if I should believe him or be happy that I could now undo my mistakes.

It would surely explain his behavior towards me, but it didn't help the doubt lingering in my thoughts that he knew about everything. But what would he gain from lying to me? He would only want me to leave his life as soon as possible.

"It wasn't that important," I managed to answer.

"Are you sure?" He asked, searching my eyes.

I couldn't get myself to answer.

"I have a surprise for you. I'm going to need you to close your eyes first." He said next.

I was surprised when he took a blindfold lying beside the couch. He reached his hands out, offering to put it for me.

What was he planning? Could I trust him for this? What was the worst that could happen? I'd already left the country with him before, and I returned alive.

I accepted. He moved towards me to apply the blindfold.

I just realized that if he hadn't read the letter, I would have to tell him again. Either that or figure out a new plan out of this situation.

I was extremely nervous about our sudden closeness. I felt his breath fan against my neck. Everything slowly turned black as he tied the blindfold.

I felt his hands move down my arm, intertwining our fingers.

"It's just a few steps," He whispered beside my ear.

We then began moving slowly, his hands guiding me at every step.

"We are almost there." He whispered.

I don't know if it was because of how slow we were walking, but it almost felt like we were never getting there, but then we suddenly stopped.

I heard a door opening.

His hands were near my face again, the blindfold slowly coming loose.

The bright light assaulted my eyes before my pupils adjusted.