CHAPTER 19: Uninvited Visitor
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.
I look at the yellowish bruise at my arm. It’s been a week since Darren and I fought. Ever since that day, we never talked. Elijah wasn’t telling me anything about him either. I feel lost... Not knowing what do to next after that day until now.
“Okay, class dismissed,” I announced after seeing the time on the clock hanging by the wall.
“Bye, Teacher Claire!”
“See you tomorrow!”
I gladly waved back at those students who smiled widely at me while making their way out of the classroom. One of the reason why I chose to be a teacher is that because children can temporarily relief the tension and sadness. The smile on their cute little faces will make anyone’s heart melt in awe.
“Claire!” I saw Elijah running towards me, looking worried.
“What?”
After he stopped in front of me, he tried to catch his breath and now I couldn’t figure out what he’s trying to say because of his weird facial expression.
“K-Kate...”
My heart throbbed in nervousness as I heard that name. I badly wanted to know what happened and why Elijah was running like a mad man earlier like he was about to say something very important to me.
“W-what about K-Kate?” I asked curiously.
“She’s... Here.”
“What?!”
“She said she wanted to see you. You need to come outside and bring her to a more private place. Our principal will be mad if he discovered that something scandalous happened between one of the teachers here.”
“Fine... I’ll handle this.”
I grabbed my stuff before facing Elijah again.
“What does she look like?”
“I’m not sure... Though... It can be a trap. Whatever it is that’s she’s going to tell you about, be careful, Claire. They still didn’t know about the deal. Darren’s life is at stake here.”
“Alright. Thank you for your concern.”
I walked passed by Elijah and into the hallways, still thinking about what he’d just said earlier. He’s right. Maybe this is one of Kate’s plan to find out the truth about us. But of course I won’t let her see through our lies.
“Kate...” I called her as soon as I saw her standing outside of the school yard.
“Hey...” She look at me, raising one of her brows.
“What are you doing here?”
“So you did became a teacher, old friend.”
She chuckled, as if degrading my profession. My brows furrowed before I started to talk again.
“If you’re here to make another scene, please, just leave. I don’t want the children to see us fighting.”
“Whoa, whoa. Easy, teacher Claire,” she stated sarcastically. “I’m not here to make a scene. I just wanted to visit you.”
I placed my hands in front of my chest. I can smell that something is off. And why would she visit me? Besides, I didn’t invite her over to see my work.
“Tell me what you want.”
“Frankly, I want you gone in my life.” She chuckled.
“You’re not welcome here, Kate.”
“Ouch. Is that how you treat an old friend? Too bad, Claire.”
“Just get straight to the point, Kate. I know you loathed me that much that you can’t even stand my presence. So why on Earth would you visit me here, at my work?”
“Okay... I want to know if you really are Darren’s wife. Is that an enough reason for you?”
“You’re unbelievable,” I uttered as I shook my head.
She took a step closer towards me before looking at me observingly. As if she can see the lies behind my eyes.
“You and Darren are the ones who are unbelievable. You said that you two had been in a relationship for almost five fucking years. How come that the media didn’t know about that, Claire?”
I stopped for a moment, thinking about what words should I use to engage in this conversation properly. I don’t want her to find out anything about us.
“You know what, Kate, I don’t have to explain anything to you if I don’t want to. Darren and I are married, and that’s the end of it.”
“Then prove it to me.”
Besides Mr. Darrel Herrera, Kate is one of the persons that we need to watch out for. She could be one of Mr. Herrera’s eyes and ears to find out about his son’s fake marriage.
“How do you want us to prove it?”
“Let me take you home to Darren. Let’s see if he wouldn’t be surprise when he saw his so called wife entering to their residence.”
My system was suddenly invaded by nervousness. How will I talk and act naturally around him after what happened at our high school reunion night? We still hadn’t talk to each other and I don’t know if he still wants to see me.
“Are you doubting your acting skills, Claire?” Kate asked smirking.
“No, I’m not. Because what Darren and I have are nothing but all true.”
She clicked her tongue before rolling her eyes on me.
“Let us not waste our time then.”
I just nodded before following her into her car. We went inside before she started the engine. She confidently drove all the way from school until we reached the Herrera residence. My heart starts to palpitate as soon as their towering gate came into my view.
“Does it feel like a queen living in a place like this, Claire?”
I didn’t answer her. I’ve known her too well to not see the insults behind her words. Yes, I didn’t have a huge mansion or a grand imported car. But I’m living in my own dream. I reached my goals in life and I became a teacher. For me, that’s enough.
“We are here. Do you want me to open the door for you, Mrs. Herrera? Please note the sarcasm.”
“No, thanks,” I sarcastically fired back too.
Again, I saw her rolled her eyes before hopping down from her car. I did the same before walking straight to the towering gate.
“Why are the gates are locked? Didn’t they knew that Mrs. Herrera is coming home right now? Why does your husband didn’t fetch you at your work anyway?”
I closed my eyes tightly shut. I’m tired of hearing her nonsense insults. I look at her with my brows furrowed, pissed at her words. Before I can say anything, a smirk formed on her lips.
“Do you have to notice everything, Kate? You know that I’m not a very dependent person. I rather do anything that I can all by myself than ask help from someone. Unlike you, I rather save my resources for the last minute.”
I walked faster than before. I could hear her heavy footsteps behind me as we nearly approach the guards.
“Mrs. Herrera! You’re here! Good afternoon. Do you want me to call Sir Darren for you?” they asked as soon as they saw my face.
They opened the gate widely for me with their smiling faces. Now it’s my turn to smirk at Kate. She look irritated and embarrassed at the same time.
“Did you finally realized that all of this is real?” I asked Kate, waiting for her to leave.
“Not yet. I want to see the two of you having a date or something. After that, I’ll finally believe you and I’ll also leave you alone... Forever.”
I blinked several times, trying to processed in my mind what she’d just said. Did I heard it right? After we proved everything to her, she’s going to leave us alone forever. That deal is not so bad after all.
“Fine. One date, and you’ll leave us alone. We all just wanted a peaceful life, you know. So if ever that we proved you wrong, please... Stop pestering our lives.”
“Deal.”
I was about to reach her hand for a shake when a familiar voice suddenly broke the silence between us. I was stunned, seeing him for the first time after what happened that night. After we fought over because of Gabriel.
“Claire?”
He looked stiffened at first, but after seeing the person next to me, he composed himself and tried to act coolly. He walk towards me and snaked his arms around my waist, making me blushed. I felt his lips on the top of my forehead and for a moment, I feel like it wasn’t just an act. That he didn’t do it just for the show.
“What are you doing here, Ms. Frias? Are you harassing my wife again?”
Kate laughed, before looking at me directly.
“Claire and I have a deal. If you proved yourselves to me, I promise that I would no longer bother you anymore.”
Darren turned his gaze at me, as if asking if what Kate had just said is true.
“Just one date... And she will leave us alone forever.”
“Fine.”
Darren sighed before wrapping me in his arms tightly. I was shocked for a moment but after I realized that Kate is currently watching us, I hugged him back.
“I missed you.” My heart skipped a beat when I heard those words coming from him.
I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t even move. Is this still a part of the show or does he really missed me? I wanted to ask him but I decided to just keep my mouth shut.
“So... Where should we go, wife?”
At the corner of my eyes, I saw how Kate sent death raging glares towards our direction. Maybe she didn’t expect to be slapped by defeat on her face too soon.
