CHAPTER 27: Old Lover

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

“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,” I said.

His face was unexplainable. Why did he always have to make me feel like this? His unsure expression... I don’t know if he’s worried or what.

I try to compose myself once more before I started to walk away from our place. I left him there, standing alone. This is me. I’m good at pretending. Putting on a facade of happiness behind my pain.

As soon as I leave the park, rain started to pour heavily. As if fate was doing all of this on purpose. The first time I met Darren, it was raining. Then now... Is this the last time I’m going to see him?

Tears unconsciously burst out from me. I cried hard and loud, thanking the rain for hiding my pain and suffering. Walking with a heavy heart, I decided to went home.

I was about to take another step when someone blown their horn behind me. I was shocked at first, not knowing who’s behind the wheels. Is it Darren? Does he finally realized that he loves me back and our feelings were mutual?

“Claire...” Someone rushed outside of the car.

And to my dismay, I was wrong. It’s not Darren. It’s someone I knew from the past. Someone that I keep my distance of. Someone that ruined my relationship with my precious best friend.

“G-Gab...” My lips were now trembling because of the cold.

“Claire! I can’t believe it’s you... What are you doing out here? You could catch a cold or something...”

He didn’t mind the rain as he removed his suit and put it above me, trying to lessen the rain droplets streaming down to my head.

“I’m f-fine...”

“No, you’re not. Come. I’ll take you home.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll walk home.”

I tried to reject his offer, but he insisted. It is as if he’s willing to take me home whatever happens.

“I couldn’t think straight if I’ll let you go alone this time...”

He look at me straight in the eyes, and I couldn’t look away because as of now, he’s too close to my face.

“Gab...”

“Come on...” He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards his car.

I couldn’t do anything more but to get inside. I’m ashamed to myself as I’m the reason why we’re both wet right now. Water are dropping from both of our heads.

“So... Where should I take you? I mean, your address.”

I whispered our address before resting my head to his window. I cannot see the road anymore because of the blurry effect cause by the rain.

“We’re almost there, Claire. Don’t worry now.”

Finally, the long, awkward trip with Gabriel was now over. We already reached our destination and of course, I didn’t forget to thank him.

“Gab... Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime, I’m your old lover by the way...” He smiled at me. “If ever you need someone to talk to, I’m always free, Claire.”

“Sure. Thank you again.”

He was about to leave but he suddenly turned around, looking at me with his suspicious eyes.

“Is your husband lives here too?”

“I... Uh...”

That’s when I realized that I did something very stupid. What will I say to him now? I need to find any good and believable reason.

“He’s at Herrera residence. I just... I decided to visit my sister and Dad.”

“You have a sister?” he unbelievably asked.

“Y-yeah. I thought Mom couldn’t bear another mother child because she’s sick that time... But she did before she died. And I’m very thankful to her for bringing us Alexa... Our little angel.”

“Well, that’s good. I always remembered your dream with Kate... To have a little sister. You’re very lucky, Claire.”

Am I? My conscience asked. Cause if I’m that lucky, then maybe none of this would’ve happen to my life.

“Are you alright?” he asked, worried.

“Yeah.”

“Did Mr. Herrera and you fought? You look very uncomfortable since I saw you near at the park... For a moment, I thought you were crying–”

“Please let’s not talk about this, Gabriel.”

“Okay, I’m sorry for being insensitive.”

“That’s fine,” I said, just to finish our conversation.

“Anyways, if you need an advice or something, you can always call me. I’m free, Claire. And I’m always here for you.”

I just nodded, pretending to be pleased by his nonsense words. Although I’m thankful to him for taking me home, I still couldn’t forget what happened between Kate and I because of him.

He waved at me before getting inside of his car. I waved back and as soon as I saw him moving away from our house, I dashed inside. Alexa and Dad was there, playing with cards.

“Hey, Claire! Come and join us!” Alexa invited me.

“Sure.”

I sat beside her, trying to pretend that nothing bad happened to me today. I can feel that Dad is staring at me right now, wondering why I’m home even though it’s a regular day.

Hours passed by. Alexa felt asleep on my lap while holding her cards. When Dad make sure that she’s asleep, he finally asked me about everything.

“What happened, Claire?”

“Nothing, Dad,” I lied.

“You are not a good liar. Please, no more secrets between the two of us. Now, tell me the truth.” I sighed.

“You’re right, Dad. I’m nothing but a rented wife for him. I already told him how I felt about our fake relationship... I told him that I already love him... But he didn’t say anything. He didn’t respond to me at all. It was as if my feelings weren’t that important to him.”

“I’m sorry for hearing that...”

“I know, Dad. Please be mad at me if you want. This is all my fault. I made all the bad decisions in our life that’s why we are suffering right now... I’m sorry... Please forgive me...”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He patted my head.

“He filed a leave for me... That’s why I’m home, Dad. Now what am I supposed to do right now that he gave me this burden?”

He look at me, pity on his eyes.

“Sorry for accepting this leave, Dad. But I couldn’t change it anymore. And I promise that this is the last time that I’m going to accept something from him...”

“That’s fine, Claire. All I wanted for you is to be safe and happy at the same time. Now use that spare time of yours to enjoy yourself and to stop worrying about things.”

I thrifty smiled at him before nodding. I carried Alexa to her room after that scenario. I stared at her face, peacefully sleeping. I badly wanted to turn back the time... To the moment that I’m just a child. I wanted to feel all the enviously innocence again. To embraced the old me who didn’t know any hardships in life.

I unconsciously wiped the streaming tears on my cheeks. I let Alexa indulge her deep slumber as I walk out of her room. I entered my own chamber and lay down on my bed.

As I stare at the ceiling, my body felt numb, unable to move because of my heart’s heaviness. Until my cellphone beeps, I tried to reached out for it and gladly, I did. I look at the time. It was already night, I don’t know that time could flew that fast. I answered the caller, and it was Elijah.

“I’m on a leave. I’m not going to work–”

“Claire, please come here. I cannot control my best friend anymore. He’s very intoxicated. I don’t know what to do... He kept calling your name...” I sighed, not wanting to fall for one of their silly traps again.

“Stop fooling me. I already know that style of yours.”

“I’m not fooling you!”

Right after he said that, I heard a shattering sound over the line. Then I heard his voice... I’m not sure if I do or I’m just imagining things again.

“Please come.” That’s the last words he said before dropping the call.

I was debating with my self weather to go there or not, but my heart wins and I let my foolish self be deceived by love again. I decided to ask for permission to our Dad, telling him that I just need to buy something outside. Gladly, he let me out.

I walked through the dark alley into the club where Elijah had texted me the address. I found out that it was true, cause as I stepped in the club I saw Darren, docking his head over the counter while Elijah was sitting beside him.

“Claire! Thank God you came here. He’s totally wasted. I try to stop him but he wouldn’t listen to me. He said that he wanted to see you...”

“What happened after that?” I curiously asked, being careful to buy this joke of them.

“I’m sorry for deceiving you last time... But this time, I promised that all of these were true. Look at him... He’s not himself anymore.”

“I think he’s fine now...”

“I don’t think so. He can’t walk anymore, Claire. I’ll call a cab and let us bring him home.”

And without saying another word, he left me there, standing alone. I took a step forward, looking straight at Darren. That’s when I realized that all of these are true... Elijah wasn’t lying to me.

As I sat beside him, I saw his bright red face. Maybe it was because of the alcohol. The scent of the liquor was now mixing with his perfume. Elijah’s right. He’s totally wasted... But... Why?

Maybe he loves me too. I want to believe that statement of my heart, but I got a feeling that maybe I was wrong again. I raised my trembling hands, slowly making its way to his hair. I gently ruffle it, looking at him with pity. That’s when I realized that I’m currently crying again, just because of him.

“Wife...” Damn, he’s awake.