CHAPTER 25: The Avoidance

DARREN’s P.O.V.

Damn it. I couldn’t see Claire this afternoon because we need to fix something about the company. Mr. Armando Frias is now selling his shares, and my Dad couldn’t accept that fact.

“If only you have come earlier, Darren! This issue has been going on for weeks!” my Dad scolded me.

Then I suddenly remembered the night that one of our maids told me to come here, but I didn’t because I need to come with Claire to their high school reunion.

“Why didn’t you just let him sell his shares?”

“Are you insane?! Armando has a very large contribution here in Herrera Corp. We couldn’t afford to lose him.”

“But–”

“I thought you wanted to be the CEO of this company someday?!” he asked, brows furrowed.

“Yes, I do... But I realized my priorities, Dad. I have a wife... And I also wanted to have a child now... This is what you’ve always wanted right?”

He looked at me, surprised.

“Darren, is that really you?”

I smiled to myself, realizing that Claire had change me a lot over the short span of time that we’ve been together. Yes, I did promised to my Mom that Herrera Corp. will be mine someday. But, I’m pretty sure that she’ll be more pleased to know that I’m building my own family now. That I finally wanted to settle down with the woman I love.

“Yes, it is me, Dad. Claire is very important to me... So important that I can risk the future of this company just to fulfilled my duty to her as a good husband.”

“Is she... Pregnant? Am I having a grandchild?” he asked, amused.

I chuckled as I saw his face. I never saw him this glad before. If only what he just said is true... I would be the luckiest guy on Earth.

“No, Dad. But soon, I promised. I’ll give you a grandchild.”

His mad face earlier was already gone now. It was covered with pure happiness and excitement. Suddenly, he grabbed and hug me awkwardly.

“Hey...”

“You made me very proud, son. I’m happy for you.”

I softly laughed, covering the mixed emotion inside of my chest. This is the first time that he hug me since the day that Mom died... Maybe, just maybe, I can finally moved on from all that pain and forgive my Dad from taking me away from my mother. And this is all possible because of my wife, Claire.

After that scenario, Dad let me head home to see my wife. But he still didn’t know that Claire wasn’t there. Maybe she already went home to rest. I just sighed, letting myself drive while smiling unconsciously.

As soon as I arrived at our house, time flies so fast. I just woke up at the scent of a delicious breakfast and a strong coffee for another day.

“Good morning,” I greeted our maids as I climbed down the stairs.

They look at me, shocked. Their facial expression was nothing but an epitome of the word surprise. I stare back at them, confused.

“What?”

“Nothing, Sir Darren. And good morning too.” They all smile at me.

It was all very confusing, glancing at them seeing a group of people whispering like I’ve done something weird. Or maybe because of the fact that this is the first time that I greeted them good morning. I just shook my head before eating my breakfast.

After that, I prepare myself for a new long day ahead. Today, I’m going to see Claire. I already filed a leave for her work, so that she wouldn’t think about it anymore. I drove from our mansion to their school. I instantly smile as I saw some children walking towards their respective classrooms.

“Bro! You’re here!” Elijah came to me, looking very amazed.

“Hey.”

“Did you came here to see Teacher Claire.”

“Yeah. I want to see my wife.”

“Correction, you two are not yet married in real life.”

“Whatever. I’m already claiming it. Someday, I’m going to be her real and legitimate husband.”

He chuckled before giving me a pat on my shoulder.

“It’s so good to see you out here. And I’m glad you came. You should have heard the disappointment in Claire’s voice when I called her yesterday telling that you couldn’t see her that afternoon.”

“She sound disappointed, huh?”

“Yeah.” I smiled to myself because of his answer.

“That’s why I’m here. I want to make it up to her.”

“Sure, sure. Anyways, I need to get to my classes now. I didn’t saw your wife to our teacher’s lounge earlier so she probably hasn’t arrived here yet.”

“Thanks for the information. I’ll wait for her here.”

“Sure. Good luck, bro.”

He waved his goodbyes and I did the same. Later on, as soon as Elijah wasn’t in my sight anymore, I felt bored. How long would it take for Claire to come here? I couldn’t wait to see her face anymore.

“Darren?”

I instantly looked up as soon as I heard that angelic voice. It was her. The woman I’ve been waiting for. My other half. My wife.

“Good morning, wife.” I smiled at her direction.

I felt a lump on my throat when she didn’t smile back at me. I was so confused right now. She looked at me with nothing but disappointment in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, worried.

“Nothing.”

“Is that so? Then what’s with your face? Didn’t you missed me?”

“It’s not like that.”

I look at her observingly, trying to scrutinize her facial expression. But I couldn’t read it.

“Then what?”

“Nothing, Mr. Herrera.” She looked away.

That phrase confirmed my judgements and allegations. There is definitely something wrong about her right now. Or maybe it was me. I don’t know. Is this because of what happened the other night? Because if it is, she doesn’t have to worry about anything. I’m willing to take the responsibility for what happened.

“Claire...”

“I need to go to my classes now.”

She was about to leave but I quickly grabbed her arm to make her stop. Is she mad at me? What did I do? Is she avoiding me? I can’t take this cold treatment of hers anymore.

“Please let go of me,” she demanded, trying to escaped from my grasp.

I didn’t let her go. Instead, I pulled her closer to me before giving her a tight hug. She look surprise, for she was stiffened at my actions.

“Sorry about yesterday. Something just came up and Dad needs me at Herrera Corp. urgently. I’m so sorry, wife. Please forgive me.”

“That’s fine,” she stated, emotionless.

“It doesn’t sound like it’s fine to you.”

She removed my arms around her body.

“Look, you don’t have to explain anything.”

“I know, but I want to.”

“It’s really fine with me, Darren. Now, would you let me go?”

“You don’t have to work for the whole week. I filed a leave for you,” I casually declared.

“You what?!”

“I–”

“Please don’t say that again.” She look at me unbelievingly.

“I did it for you. These past few days, Elijah and I noticed that you looked stressed... That’s why–”

“I didn’t ask you to do it, Mr. Herrera!” she exclaimed.

“Yeah. But I thought you would love it.”

“And what exactly makes you said that? You didn’t know anything about me, Darren. I’m just a rented woman for anyone’s sake!”

I took a step backwards, trying to process what she just said. Is that what she think of herself?

“That’s not true. You are Claire. You’re my wife.”

“I wouldn’t be if fate didn’t forced me to sign that fake marriage contract of yours.”

I felt a fang of hurt in my chest. How can she say that? After all that happened to us... I thought she loves me? Or maybe that was just all for the show.

“I thought...” My voice trailed off.

“You thought what, Darren?”

I look around. Some of the students are now looking at us with an intense confusion in their eyes.

“Your students are looking at us.”

She shut her mouth, seeing the confused faces of the children. She just smiled at them before returning her gaze upon me.

“You know what, let’s talk about this on a more private place.”