CHAPTER 29: Wedding Preparations

DARREN’s P.O.V.

“Engagement party?” I asked curiously to Dad. “Why do we need to do that, Dad? We’re already married, not just engaged.”

“I know, son. But I wanted your wedding to be grand. Just let me take care of everything this time, okay?”

I just nodded before letting him leave my office to prepare whatever it is that he said. The truth is, I’m not worried about the party... I’m worried that Claire wouldn’t come because I haven’t seen her for days since the moment that we fought in the park.

That night, I intoxicated myself in order to forget the guilt and the voice of my conscience that keeps on haunting me. I miss Claire. I badly wanted to see her but I don’t know where to start after what I have done to her.

“Bro!”

I was stunned, seeing Elijah entered into my office without any warning. He’s looking at me, smiling from ear to ear.

“What, Elij?”

“Did Claire and you finally solved your problems? Did you already told her about the truth?” he asked, hopeful.

“No, not yet.”

He sighed, looking at me with pity in his eyes.

“Why you two have to make things so complicated?” He raised one of his brows.

“You can’t understand it, because you haven’t been in love yet.”

“Yes I do...” he trailed off, whispering those words in the dead air.

“What did you say?” I asked curiously.

“Nothing Darren. Just please talk to Claire now. I thought you two will finally reconcile after she helped me take you home that day that you totally out of yourself.”

“What did you say?” I asked, confused.

“I called her that night. She came and we both take you home using a cab since my car wasn’t available. After that, I left her in your residence. She said that she wanted to stay for a moment,” he lengthy explained.

“So she’s with me that night?”

“Maybe...”

My heart suddenly becomes hopeful. She’s still worried about me. Maybe I didn’t hurt her that bad. Maybe she still wants to see me after all of what happened. Thinking those things, I finally made up my mind. I’m going to see her today and asked her about the engagement party.

“Hey, bro. Please stop smiling to yourself. You look weird.”

I throw a folder jokingly at his direction and he just laughed at me.

“You are so funny. Head over heels in love, eh?”

“Stop teasing me. Will you please just leave? I have to see my wife after you vanished in here.”

Again, he just chuckled.

“Sorry for disturbing,” he grinned at me.

“Why are you here anyway? Just to ruin my day?” I arched one of my brows.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he waved his hands before disappearing in my sight. I prepared myself for I was about to leave my office but Dad suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Hey, son.”

“D-Dad.”

“Where are you going? Did you already called your wife?” he asked curiously.

“Uhm... Y-yeah. I’m going to fetch her up. Why?”

“I called some of the most famous fashion designers all over the world. They’re going to come here in two hours. I fetch them up using our chopper. You need to get ready, son. This is an important appointment. I want my daughter in law looking at her best during your engagement party and wedding day.”

“You what?!”

Panicked rushed through me. What if Claire doesn’t want to come? My secret will be revealed to Dad. Not that I care that much, cause I wasn’t planning on becoming the CEO of Herrera Corp. anymore. All I wanted to do right now is to be a good husband to my wife.

“Please don’t be mad at me. I know that if your Mom is right here, she’ll do the same thing too. I want my only son’s wedding to be fabulous.”

I chuckled to myself, hearing him said that word first time. He smiled at me and it somehow made my nervous feeling faded away.

“Don’t be nervous, son. Just go on and fetch your wife. I’ll wait for you at our restaurant. Let’s have a lunch together.”

I nodded, before he vanished into my sight. I quickly grabbed my keys and rushed to the parking lot. I still have an hour to find my wife. I need to do it as soon as possible.

I unconsciously drove to their house, hoping that she’ll be there. Luckily, I saw Alexa playing outside.

“Darren!” She rushed to me as soon as she saw me stepping out of my car.

“Alexa,” I smiled at her.

She hugged my foot and look up at me after a moment.

“Is your sister here?”

“Nope. She said that she wanted to spend her remaining days from her leave at work having a peace of mind. I don’t know what it means.”

How come she didn’t tell to her sister where the fuck she’s going? I think I’m worried sick right now.

“You want me to call our Dad?” Alexa asked, hopeful.

“No. This is going to be our little secret, okay? Don’t tell anyone that I came here. In return, I’ll go and find Claire.”

“Really? Thanks, Darren.”

“You are welcome. I don’t have anything to give you right now. I promised I’ll bring something for you when I come back.”

She giggled excitingly.

“That’s fine. You don’t have to bring me anything. Just be good to my sister, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She laughed at my response. We heard someone calling her name before I ran back to my car, waving my good byes to Alexa. I thought about what she’d said. Peace of mind... Psssh... Wait, I knew it!

I turned my car around, making its way to the park. That’s the place that she often goes by. I hope she’s still here. I badly wanted to see her.

As I reached the entrance, I parked my car and closed the engine. I stepped out from it, looking for Claire. I walk around and keep on searching for her, but she’s still out of sight. Where is she?

After fifteen minutes of walking and searching, I sat down in a bench out of exhaustion. Why can’t I see her? I badly wanted to give her a hug and shower her with kisses... I miss seeing her smile.

I sighed, looking at the direction of the bridge. What if... Maybe she’s there. I stood up, determined and confident that she’s there. And I didn’t failed myself, because finally, after searching for her in minutes, I saw her there, looking down in the thin river underneath the bridge.

“C-Claire...” I struggled to pronounced her name.

She turned her gaze upon me, surprise seeing me for the first time after we fought right here, in this place. She opened her mouth, trying to say anything but she couldn’t.

I ran towards her, before giving her a tight hug. I badly missed her so much. I know she’s still mad at me, but I wanted to hug her that bad so I couldn’t stop myself anymore.

“I-I’m sorry...” Finally, I said it straight.

I set her free from my embrace before looking at her straight in the eyes. She’s still stunned, maybe because of too much surprise.

“I’m sorry, Claire... I didn’t mean to... I wanted to... I just... I can’t say it.”

She didn’t answer. She just stared at me.

“Forgive me... Please. Talk to me, Claire.”

When she didn’t, I wrapped my arms protectively around her once more before pulling her body closer to mine.

“I’m saving it for something special, that’s why I couldn’t say it. Forgive me, wife. But I still couldn’t answer that phrase right now.”

I heard a few sobs on my shoulder, and because of that, I hug her even more tighter. I brushed her hair using my fingers as I let her cry into my embrace.

“Shhh... Please don’t cry. It hurts me too seeing you at that state.”

“Darren...”

“Yeah?” I didn’t bother to let her go.

“I’m sorry. I’ve done something bad the other day.”

“I don’t care about that. All that matters to me right now is you. This moment that I finally got a chance to see you again. I missed you so much, wife.” I planted a kiss on her forehead.

After we composed ourselves, we walk towards my car hand on hand. I told her about my Dad’s plan, and gladly, she agreed going there with me even after what happened to us.

“We are here...” I announced as I stop the car in front of the restaurant.

“Your Dad... What if... He’s serious about this?”

I was partially hurt knowing that she’s still hesitating to this marriage. I thought that maybe it was unfair, me thinking that it’s fine whether this wedding will be done or not.

“Are you okay?” she asked, worried.

When I didn’t answer her question, she lifted one of her hands and gently ruffled my hair.

“I’m fine, wife.” I caught her hand and kiss the back of it. “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to cancel this marriage. For now, let’s just play along.”

It hurts, seeing her smile at that response of mine. But that’s our plan since the very beginning. We have to finished that deal of ours so we can start another one. The deal of love. After we finished all of this, I promised to myself that I’m going to make her my queen and nothing can stop me anymore.