CHAPTER 26: The Confession

DARREN’s P.O.V.

“You know what, let’s talk about this on a more private place,” she stated, faking a smile to those staring children.

“Fine.”

I motioned her towards my car. She hopped in, not bothering to ask me for some help. She also put the seatbelt on her own. I’m still looking at her, confused at her latest actions.

“Claire...”

“Please don’t even start. Let me think for a moment first,” she cuts my sentence off.

I drove to the park, thinking that maybe this could lighten up her mood. After making our way to our destination, we finally stopped. I hoped down, rushing to the other side of the car in order to open the door for her. But she was already out too.

“Why are we here?” she asked coldly.

“Claire... I’m uh...” I don’t know why I’m stammering right now. She raised one of her brows. “Sorry, Claire. I thought that you’ll be glad to see this place. It’s peaceful out here... Maybe we could talk even better if no one is listening.”

She turned around, walking towards the other direction. I rushed to follow her quickly. I tried to reach for her hand, but she avoided it. My heart was already throbbing in pain right now. Seeing her treating me like this... I can’t say another word anymore.

We nearly reach the bridge when I decided to try and start another conversation again. I badly wanted to hear her voice. Even if the words coming from her mouth was like a dagger pushing it’s way to the bottom of my heart.

“Remember when you first brought me here? I couldn’t appreciate the place but with you...”

She stopped walking, then turned around to face me.

“Let’s end this deal.”

“What?!” Her words were like a bomb.

I started to feel uneasy, thinking about the things I would do if ever she leave me and end this deal. Nothing cross my mind. My life wouldn’t be the same again without her.

“Let’s end this deal, Darren. I don’t want to be your rented wife anymore. I want to live freely... Away from you.”

“Why?” I asked as my heart crumbled into pieces.

“You don’t have the rights to asked me.”

She suddenly walks away, like nothing had ever happened between the two of us. That’s when I decided to risk my heart even more. I chased her, grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to me.

“Darren! Let go of m–” I kissed her.

She look surprise, stiffened at what I’ve just done. I bit her lower lip, forcedly pushing my tongue inside of her mouth. And that’s when she pushed me away, hard enough to make me stop and let her go. I look at her crying face.

“Claire... I’m sorr–” She slapped me.

I can feel the burning pain on my cheek, but it was nothing compared to what my heart feels right now.

“That’s what I am to you, right? A toy?! Darren... I gave myself to you... I trusted you with all of my heart... Until I finally realized... You’re only taking advantage of me. You’ve taken granted of this deal. You don’t even see me as woman you should respect... I’m nothing but a whore for you.”

And that’s where she’s wrong. I respect and love her. I wanted her to be my real wife someday. Not just a woman I rented for the sake of owning our company.

“That’s not true, Claire.”

“Then why didn’t you answer me? Why, Darren? I already told you what I feel... But you chose ignored it... You didn’t even care about the courage I built up just to tell you those words... I love you...” she trailed off.

She’s crying right now and I don’t know what to do. I feel guilty seeing her at this state. I want to hold and comfort her, but I don’t know where to start. I didn’t know that I unconsciously hurt her by didn’t answering her confession the other night.

“Claire...” I tried to reach her but she took another step backwards, avoiding my touch.

Elijah’s right. Claire is as fragile as my Mom. I should have been more careful with her since the start. I should have been sensitive enough to make her feel loved.

I didn’t answer her because of one reason... I’m saving my first for something very special. I want to say that phrase to her right after we finally end this deal, and turn this relationship of ours in real life.

Now I couldn’t say it anymore. I don’t want to confess in this kind of situation where both of our hearts were shattered. And I don’t know when. Maybe I couldn’t have another chance to tell her the truth.

“I vowed to never let myself gets too attached to you... But I failed. I love you to the extent that I didn’t know what’s right and wrong anymore. I’m sorry for making this hard for you... I need to go.”

She wiped her tears away using the back of her hands. She started to walk away from me, and I panicked. If I let her leave... Maybe I couldn’t see her face ever again. So I quickly think of something to say. Something that will force her to see me again.

“How about the money?” I asked.

For one moment, I thought that my question is right. If she stay with me even just for the money... I’ll let her. I’ll spent every single cents of mine just to be with her. She turned around, look up straight at me with nothing but pain in her eyes. That’s when I realized that I was wrong. Maybe I only make things worst.

“So I’m right...” She smiled at me melancholically. “I almost forgot that you only rented me, Mr. Herrera. Thank you for reminding me.”

My heart throbbed in pain, looking at her teary eyes. I badly wanted to wipe those tears away, and tell her the truth now. But I couldn’t find my tongue anymore.

“Don’t worry. I’ll still be your fake wife, no strings attached. After you take over your company, then I promised that you will never see my face ever again.”

She left. I’m still standing there, my mind and heart failed to accept her words. That’s when I realized that I failed being a good and deserving man for her. I failed her. I failed my mother.