CHAPTER 10: Silly Moments
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.
He called me wife for a second time today. But instead of feeling pissed by his voice, I felt warm crept into my cheeks and I don’t know why.
He pulled me inside of a jewelry store before calling the saleslady on the counter.
“Hey, miss. I wanted to buy the diamond ring with the highest value in here. One for me, and one for my lovely wife.” Again, I felt butterflies on my stomach.
The saleslady looked shocked at first but after a while, she smiled at him before pulling out a small vault from the locked wall of the store.
“Here you go, sir. This diamond ring cost one hundred thousand US dollars each.”
“I’ll get it.”
“Darren!” I looked at him, shocked at how he unwisely spent his money.
He just smiled at me as a response. Amusement was all over his face.
“W-why?” I asked him.
“That’s the first time you called me by my first name.”
I was dumbfounded, realizing what I just did. He chuckled before he continued talking to the saleslady again.
“Here’s my card.”
He gave her his card before winking at me. I unbelievably looked at him before wincing. I felt my stomach growled again, all because of hunger. I still haven’t eaten anything for lunch.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry for making you wait. I’ll buy you food after this.”
“Alexa haven’t been eaten too,” I whispered, thinking about his offer.
“Who’s Alexa?”
I mentally slapped myself after realizing that I have said that out loud.
“She’s my sister...” I answered.
“Oh. Is that why you wanted to get back so soon?” he asked me anxiously.
Maybe he’s concern about me? I throw that thought away from my brain. Why would he’ll be worried about me, right? I’m just his rented wife for Pete’s sake.
“Y-yeah. I need to go back there now, Darren.”
“Fine.”
He picked up the ring and held my hand. I felt the electricity coming from his body into my mine. He quickly slipped the smaller size of the ring into my finger before he did the same to his.
“Take care of that ring. It means everything for me.”
I looked at him doubtfully. It means everything? How come?
“Let’s go. I’ll just grabbed my card later on. I have another one right here, so don’t worry about it. I’ll buy you something to eat now.”
Again, he held my hand and pulled me behind him. I was looking at my finger, trying to understand why he gave me this ring. It cost too much that I could feel the weight of the stone on my hands.
He took out a bunch of foods from a high value restaurant and he even buy me a new phone. I tried to resist and reject it but he insisted. In the end, he still won and handed me those stuffs.
“We’re almost there,” he declared after minutes of driving from the Mall.
“T-thank you, Mr. Herrera.”
“Just call me Darren. I’m sure Dad will be suspicious if he heard you using my surname.”
“O-okay.”
“I’ll call you if I need something.”
I nodded before smiling genuinely at him for the first time. I’m not sure if it is just in my imagination that I saw him blushed. It was like he achieved something big in his whole life.
I hopped out of the car and wave him goodbye. As soon as I saw him driving away, I smiled again. I don’t know that he could be that generous to someone like me. I rushed inside of the hospital only to find Alexa sleeping on a small couch.
“Hey,” I greeted her as I comb her hair using my fingers.
“Claire... You’re back,” she said sleepily.
“Yeah. I brought something for you. I know you haven’t eaten anything yet.” I showed her the bags of goods that Darren purchased earlier.
Her eyes are now wide open. She quickly sit up from her current position.
“Where did you get all that stuff?”
“I... Uh... I’ll tell you about it soon. Just take this for now.”
Though she was hesitating at first, she just nodded and smiled at me. We started to eat and indulge the flavorful food that Darren gave us. I was genuinely thankful to him now even if we started to know each other badly the other day.
Hours passed, I checked my bank account and as expected, I already received half of the payment that Mr. Herrera had promised. I sighed, counting the zeros several times and looking at it unbelievably. How could he throw his money like this?
“What’s that?” Alexa asked, trying to look at my new phone.
“Nothing... Hey, I have a good news for you.” I smiled at her.
“What is it?”
“We have enough money now for Dad’s operation.”
Her face lit up as soon as she heard those words. She hugged me very tight and I laugh as a response.
“I know you can do it, Claire. I always believe in you.”
I hugged her back. That night, I gave the permission needed by the doctors so that they can start the operation on our Dad. They are very gladly that I decided so fast. They say that there’s a higher chance now that our father will survive.
A few weeks passed. The operation went successful as the doctors predicted. Dad was starting to recover and we can even talk to him by now. We are still staying at the hospital, though.
Half of my mind was telling me to ditch the deal with Mr. Herrera cause I already got what I wanted. But also, the other half was invaded by conscience telling me to fulfill my duty as his fake wife.
“Claire?”
“Yeah?” I looked at Alexa.
She was holding an ice cream. Maybe she bought it outside of the hospital earlier. We just finished eating lunch and we’re resting for a while.
“Someone’s looking for you. He asked for my name and when I told him that I’m Alexa, he said that he’ll wait for you outside,” she explained.
I had a feeling that whoever it is that she was telling me right now, he needs me. No one will visit us here except Elijah and my other co-workers.
“Next time, please don’t talk to strangers, Alexa.”
“Okay. But that guy doesn’t look like a bad person at all.”
“Alright. I’ll go there. Just stay here, okay?” She nodded.
I walk down the hallway towards the main entrance of the hospital. There, I saw a familiar man standing. As I came nearer to him, I can now see his face. The face of the cold hearted arrogant but generous man. It was Darren.
“Darren.” He turned his gaze on me before smiling.
“I’m glad to see you again, Claire.”
I just nodded.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Why do you came here?”
“I wanted to see my wife.” Psssh.
“You making me laugh, you know? Do you need anything?” I asked.
“Actually... Yeah. I do need something from you.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s time to show me your acting skills.”
“W-what do you mean?” I struggled to pronounced those words.
“Dad’s coming home tomorrow from France. I need you to stay over the night.”
“Stay over?”
“Yeah. Like sleep in my room.”
“What?! No way!” I exclaimed.
“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that wasn’t part of the contract. I just need you to stay over so that we can have a lot of witnesses.”
“And what exactly do you mean by witnesses, huh?”
“Our maids. I need them to think that I’m dead serious. That I did got married to someone. When that happens, there’s a higher chance that Dad will believe us.”
“Fine. Just one night, okay?”
“Promised.” He smiled at me.
I prepared myself and my stuff before talking to Alexa. I told her that I need to finish some work and I’m glad that she believes me. She’s not afraid to sleep in the hospital anymore because our Dad is already awake by now.
It was passed six when I decided to text Darren so that he can fetch me here at the hospital. After a few minutes of waiting, he finally arrived. Darren and I drove to their mansion, the Herrera residence.
“Let’s get inside.”
He opened the door of the car for me. Their security guard recognized me and gave me a big smile.
“I told you, he’s Mr. Herrera’s wife,” he whispered to the gardeners near in his area.
Darren just grin knowing that his smart plan worked.
“I told you, rumors spread like a wildfire in here. Once my Dad heard about this, I’m sure he’ll cancel my supposed to be marriage to that annoying girl.”
“So you’re already engaged?”
“Correction, my Dad engage me to someone I barely even know. That’s why I need you.”
“But you’re still engaged.”
“Technically, yeah. But that’s not my fault.”
I looked at him intently. I wanted to asked if that’s the only reason why he’s using me. Is he afraid of commitment?
“Good evening, Sir Darren. We prepared a feast for you and your lovely wife,” one of their maids stated, blushing while saying those words.
I smiled at them and they to did the same thing to me. I’m glad that they like me. However, I was nervous to meet Darren’s father. Based on his stories, I could see that he’s a very scary man.
“Are you okay? You look pale.”
“It’s just that... What if...”
“Don’t be nervous. Dad’s going to love you. I’m sure we can fool him.”
I pursed my lips as I sat on a cushioned chair. Their maids brought everything to their dining table. We ate while talking about our personal life. After all, we need all those information in order to act normally in front of his Dad.
“You’re favorite color?” he asked.
“Blue.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Why would I won’t be sure?”
“Cause it is blue, baby. I thought you’re going to pick pink or what so ever. You know, a more feminine color.”
“Yeah. Well this is me. I like blue. How about you?”
“Same as you.” He winked at me.
Because of that, I can’t make sure if he’s serious about it or not.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked anxiously.
“Nothing. I thought you were joking.”
“No. I’m serious. I love blue. That’s the color of my mom’s eyes.”
“And so as you.”
I stared directly into his eyes. It was blue, and I’m drowning there slowly and deeply like it was the ocean. I felt waves of unexplainable sensation whenever I’m with this man.
“Stop staring.” He chuckled.
I averted my eyes on another direction and continue eating my meal. We didn’t say another word to each other while we finish our food. After dinner, I cleaned myself in their guestroom.
I’m currently fixing my stuff when I heard several knocks on my door. I slowly opened it, revealing a man wearing only but a bathrobe.
“Hey.” It’s Darren.
“W-what?” I don’t know why I’m stuttering.
“You’re going to sleep in my room.”
“B-but...”
I was about to say something when one of his maid saw us and came directly to me.
“Mrs. Herrera, what are you doing here, in our guestroom? I thought you’re going to sleep at Sir Darren’s chamber.”
Darren and I are both shocked. Now I was left with no choice but to sleep with this man.
“I’m just giving her a tour here, inside of her future home. We’re going to sleep later.” Darren was obviously pissed at their maid’s curiosity.
The maid nodded, before smiling at me. She waved goodbye and after that she finally left us. Darren and I both sighed.
“That almost did it.”
“Sorry,” I apologized.
“Let’s go.”
He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his room. I gulped as I saw him locked the door. I couldn’t say a word that’s why I keep myself in silence.
“Let’s sleep,” he said with his seducing voice.
I didn’t answer him. I was holding on to his promise that he wouldn’t do anything to me that wasn’t a part of our deal. I nervously lay down.
“Breath, wife. Every married couple do this.”
“W-what d-do y-you mean?” I stuttered.
He lay down next to me. Our bodies were only inches away from each other. I felt his hand brushed against mine. I tightly closed my eyes, afraid of what will happen next.
“Sleeping,” he answered too late. “What we’re you thinking, silly?” He laughed as he saw my reaction.
I just glared at him and turned to the other side of the bed so that he couldn’t see my face anymore. I heard him laugh some more before silence reign between the two of us. I chose to sleep in order to forget about this silly moment but I couldn’t. I couldn’t suppress my smile as I remember the sound of his laughter.
“Claire?”
I closed my eyes and I didn’t answer him.
“Are you still awake?” I pretend to be asleep so that he wouldn’t bother me anymore.
“Maybe you are. I know you’re tired. Sorry for laughing at you, baby. Good night. Sleep tight, my wife.”
After I heard those words, he covered me with his blanket and planted a kiss on my hair. In that certain moment, I instantly knew that he’s not that kind of man I think he is. Maybe he’s more than that. He’s Darren Herrera, after all.
