CHAPTER 42: We Met Again

DARREN’s P.O.V.

It’s been exactly twenty six days since I started to stay here, in front of the mall. I’m still hoping to see her, even if it’s impossible to know if she came here for the thousands of people who passed me by.

I’m currently sitting on the bench, taking a sip from my drink. I looked closely enough to the people to identity whether they are my love or not. I’m wearing a hoodie and a sunglasses so that if ever Claire saw me and she’s still mad, she wouldn’t run away just like what she did before.

My attention gets fully occupied when I saw someone walking... Like Claire. I instantly stood up, not wanting to missed this chance if ever. I ran after her, grabbed her hand and called her name.

“Claire, wait!” I received a hard slapped coming from her.

“Who the heck are you?”

Still stunned by the slap I got, I look at the girl who did it. She glared at me like I was some kind of a freak. This is why I didn’t want to get my hopes too high. Because it can cause hopelessness.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. I thought I know you,” I apologized.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes towards me before walking away.

I sighed harshly, ashamed of myself at what I just did. How stupid can I get? It’s not Claire. And even if it was indeed her, the chances or probability of me getting slapped by her is undeniably high after what I did to her before. But I already prepared myself for it. And I wouldn’t gave up just like that.

I came back to the bench, only to find an empty soda can. I felt thirsty, after what happened. That’s why I decided to went inside of the mall in order to buy another one. It was only twelve in the afternoon, meaning that I still have a long day ahead of me. I didn’t bother to buy lunch, for I cannot eat out of frustration.

As I was roaming through the stalls of the mall, I saw a shadow. Just a glimpse of it but I felt something very special. It was like fate destined me to be here in this place at the exact moment.

I ran, following the shadow until it reached the other end of the stall. That’s when I got a chance to look at her face.... And finally, the impossible thing happened. I saw her... The woman I keep searching for.

“Claire...” I whispered out of the blue.

I clutched my chest, feeling the unbearable pain along with the immense joy inside of my heart. I did it! I finally found her... But, how can I approach her?

“That was twenty-two dollars, Ma’am,” I heard the cashier told her.

“Okay. Here you go. Thanks!”

She smiled, making my heart melt. It’s been a long time since I last saw that smile of hers. I observe her as she walks towards the exit, carrying a shopping bags along with some small boxes. I decided to follow her, afraid that I couldn’t see her face ever again after this one time.

She got outside, passing the people sitting at the bench. I continue to stalk her, until she suddenly turned her gaze towards mine. I immediately hide my face, afraid to be seen by her. When her brows furrowed, she continued to make her way towards the waiting area in order to get some cab.

That’s when I decided that I should just go and approach her. I removed the hoodie from my head, looking at her straight ahead. But she couldn’t see me for she was waiting for some cab.

I sighed, counting one to ten to gain some courage to face her. When I was about to start walking, she turned her gaze towards my direction, again. I turned around, still feeling nervous. That’s when I bumped into someone.

She was an old woman carrying a basket of fruits. Because of me, the items she purchased was now scattered on the ground.

“I’m really sorry, Ma’am. I didn’t mean to...”

“It’s okay, I’m fine...” she sweetly smiled at me and I did the same.

I helped her picked up her stuffs before standing up to apologized again.

“I’m really–”

“Grandma, are you alright?”

My heart throbbed in guilt as I heard her sweet voice again. It was Claire from behind, talking to the old woman in front of me.

“Thanks for helping me, but I guess I have to go now. My granddaughter is already waiting for me...” Again, she smiled.

“I’ll help you carry those.”

I couldn’t move or say another word anymore. I stood there like a statue, my heart palpitating very badly while my knees are trembling out of nervousness.

As Claire passed me by to get the basket from her grandmother, I smell her scent... It was still the same. Tears started to fall from my eyes, as I couldn’t suppress the sadness in my heart anymore. Claire smiled to her grandma, before averting her gaze towards me.

“Thank you for helping my–”

She looked at me, shocked was written all over her face. Her grandmother look like she wants to ask some questions, but she couldn’t and she remained quiet.

“D-Darren...”

“C-Claire.”

“W-what are you doing here in New York?” she curiously asked, confusion is visible in her eyes.

“C-can I t-talk to y-you for a m-moment?” Finally, I managed to say something.

“Do you know each other, Claire?” her grandmother asked.

“Uhm... Y-yeah. An acquaintance, I guess.” My heart sinks as she casually said those words to her grandmother.

“Well, I guess I’ll get going alone. I think your friend wants to catch up with you...” she stated.

“But grandma–”

“It’s okay, Claire. I’ll get a cab and I’ll take care of Cloey right after I came home. Just enjoy yourself. It’s been a while since you leave home...”

She couldn’t complain anymore. Instead, she just help her grandma get a cab before carrying their stuffs. I offered my help but she ignored it. When her grandma is finally out of sight, I took a deep breath to face her.

“Claire–”

“What are you doing here, Darren? Are you with your wife? Or are you here for work?” She asked those series of questions coldly.

“No. I’m not here for work and I don’t have a wife.”

“Alright. That’s none of my business, I guess.” She smile, a fake one.

“I’m serious. I’m telling you the truth. I don’t have a wife. Not yet...”

“Oh. So you moved the wedding date. When?” She’s acting casually but I can feel the tension in her trembling voice.

“Can we talk in a more private place?”

“What for? We have nothing to talk about. I need to get going now. My daughter is–” She bit her lower lip.

That’s when I got the courage to pull her towards some restaurant nearby. And because it’s an expensive one, the people were only limited inside.

“Can you let go of my hand now?” she asked, brows furrowed.

I did what she told me to do before apologizing.

“I’m really sorry...” I whispered as I sit down. She did the same, still ignoring my statements.

“Sorry for what, Darren? You have nothing to apologize for.”

“No. There are so many things that I need to apologize for. I should’ve listen to you. I should’ve let you explain before...”

“You did. You just didn’t listen.”

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

“You don’t have to. I’m fine now. And we are not supposed to be talking right now. Your wife will be mad at me...”

“How many times do I have to tell you this?! I don’t have a wife! And I would never have one not until you marry me... This time, for real, Claire... I’ve been searching for you since you left... I’m sorry... I really do...”

“You won’t fool me this time, Darren. Do what you want to do with your life. I don’t care about you anymore...”

That hit me hard. She didn’t want me now. I couldn’t blame her, for this was all my fault in the very first place. She was about to leave when I fired something that I’m surely could make her stop.

“How about your daughter? Tell me, Claire... That child... Is that mine?”

She faced me, looking stunned and unbelievable.

“No she’s not.”

“What the fuck, Claire?! Will you please stop lying to me! I saw her photo! I’m the only guy you’ve been with before you leave the country... Now, how can you say that she’s not mine?!”

“How dare you claimed her as yours, Darren?! You’re not even there when she needed you before! I chose to hide her... For I know that you wouldn’t even care!”

“So she’s indeed mine?!”

She slowly nodded, and I stood up to grabbed her waist. I tried to hug her but she pushed me away, punching my chest several times while her tears started to stream down on her face. I let her hurt me for a moment because I know that I deserved it. After that, I held her hands to make her stop.

“You didn’t listen to me! You just let me leave! How dare you come back to our lives again after what happened?!”

“That’s why I’m here, Claire... I’ll give everything to you and to my daughter now... Just please, let me...”

“No! I’m done believing in your sweet words... I’ll let you see my daughter, but that’s it... I’m not hoping for any reconciliation between the two of us anymore. I’m tired of being your toy.”

I couldn’t say any words after that. She grabbed a piece of tissue paper before writing something onto it. It was an address, and a cellphone number.

“Here, take this. Let’s meet up tomorrow morning. I’ll let you have some time with my daughter.”

After she said that, she just left and walk away. I picked up the scratch paper, before ensuring that it was safe inside of my pocket. Right now, it is the most important thing to me. I’ll let her be alone for the moment, contented for the privilege to see my daughter as of now. I couldn’t wait to meet her. I couldn’t wait to spoiled her. I’ll give her everything that she wants no matter what. She is a Herrera, after all.