CHAPTER 50: Cloey Braganza Herrera

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

Looking at Mr. Herrera with Cloey in his arms, I couldn’t hide the happiness that I’m feeling right now. It’s like when Darren first met her, the emotions were mixed with each other. Cloey deserves to have a complete family.

“Yes!” Cloey beamed as her grandfather put the last piece of the puzzle on the board.

“Do you want us to build another one?” Mr. Herrera asked and my daughter quickly nodded.

He took a week off of work just to play with Cloey. We are now living here in Herrera residence. Dad decided that Alexa and him will stay at grandma’s house but they promised that they will visit us here very often. That wasn’t a problem for Darren and Mr. Herrera owned a private plane and chopper. We can easily pick them up if ever.

“Hey,” Darren greeted as he sat beside me on the couch opposite to where Cloey and Mr. Herrera is.

“Hi.”

“Here. Drink this one. One of the maids prepared it for you.”

“Thank you.”

He put his arms around my shoulder before watching his Dad play with Cloey.

“Hey, Dad...”

“Yes, son?”

Mr. Herrera couldn’t even take off his eyes on his grandchild. He answered his son without looking at us while he’s still focusing on the puzzle at the table.

“So you take a leave from work, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. I want to spend more time with Cloey. In fact, tomorrow I’ll bring her to anywhere she wants. I’ll buy her everything and–”

“Dad, slow down.” Darren chuckled. “Claire doesn’t like to spoil her that much.”

Mr. Herrera looked at me and I smiled anxiously.

“We decided not to spoil her that much, Mr. Herrera. We want her to be a good kid someday.”

“But, I wouldn’t spend too much money on her... Just a million or–”

“Dad,” Darren stated and I bit my lower lip trying to suppress my laughter.

“Fine, fine. Just a thousand or so. But please let me have a day with this angelic child. I’ll take care of her, I promise. Please, Claire?”

I sighed as I couldn’t say no to his request. Darren chuckled before caressing my shoulder.

“You decide,” he whispered.

“Hey, Cloey. Please tell to your Mom that you wanted to go out tomorrow with your grandpa,” Mr. Herrera told to our daughter.

“Momma?”

“Y-yes?”

“Please?” She fluttered her eyelashes towards me.

My heart melted because of her cute facial expression. I know that I couldn’t say no to them anymore.

“Sure, baby. You can go out tomorrow with your grandpa,” I stated. I heard how Darren chuckled menacingly beside me.

“Yay!” Cloey enthusiastically exclaimed.

Mr. Herrera carry her and dance out of too much joy because of my approval. Cloey playfully laughs, and Darren joined in.

“Thank you, Claire. I wouldn’t waste a day with my grandchild tomorrow. I’ll make it count.”

I nodded to Mr. Herrera and smiled. He returned the favor and they continue to play some random games while Darren and I watch some shows on the television.

“Dad seems to enjoy Cloey all to himself. I bet he is thinking about resigning from his current position in the company now.”

“What? Resignation?”

“Yep. He wanted to give me our company, but I’m not sure if I still wanted to take it. I wanted to enjoy being with you for a moment, Claire. And Cloey, of course.”

“But haven’t you mentioned before that being the CEO of Herrera Corp. is one of your greatest dream?” I asked.

“Yeah. But I got something more than that. More than money. I have you, and our daughter.”

I cupped his face before giving him a quick kiss.

“I know. But you’ve promised it to your Mom before she died, right? I also wanted you to fulfill that promise, Darren. Cause I know that it will make you happy too.”

“How about you?”

“I’m still here. I wouldn’t leave you anymore just like what I did before. This time, I’ll always be one step behind you. I’ll support your decision, whatever it is, and whatever happens, Darren.”

“Thank you, wife. If ever Dad asked me to do it, I will. For our future... For Cloey’s.”

“I love you,” I stated, making him blush. He chuckled before giving a response to my statement.

“I feel nostalgic whenever I heard those words coming from you. I love you so much, wife.”

Now it’s my turn to chuckle as he almost whispered those words into my ears for Cloey and Mr. Herrera couldn’t hear it.

“Momma! Dada! Look!”

Cloey ran towards us, holding a boat made from paper. Darren lift her up as soon as she reached us.

“What’s that?”

“Grandpa made it!”

“Really? Do you want to have a real boat someday?”

Cloey nodded and I saw how Darren wiggle his eyebrows on me.

“No, Darren,” I firmly stated, my voice was full of authority.

“What? It’s just a boat! Right, Dad?”

He looked up to Mr. Herrera who is now walking towards us. He chuckled before waving another toy made up from paper.

“Sure. Why stick to a toy if you can have the real one?”

“Yay!” Cloey clapped her hands joyfully.

“But we just talk about not spoiling her earlier!” I complained.

“It is not spoiling if we are going to give it to her on her birthday,” Darren reasoned out.

I just rolled my eyes towards them before kissing Cloey’s forehead. Mr. Herrera laughed at my reaction before playfully chasing our child. As soon as they disappeared from our sight, Darren gave me a tight embrace.

“Come on, wife. Please don’t be mad at us.”

“I’m not mad, you know.”

“Really? Then why are your brows furrowed?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.”

“No–”

I couldn’t finish my statement anymore because he already closed the gaps between our faces. He kissed me hungrily, not bothering that someone could see us in here.

“H-hey...” I tried to stop him while we are both gasping for air.

“What? Do you want to do this somewhere else?”

I didn’t answer. I just stare at him for a moment, letting this memory sink deeper into my brain. I couldn’t measure how lucky I am to have this man.

“I guess that silence means yes.”

He lifted me up like a newly wedded couple and I almost scream in shock. He chuckled, before giving me a quick kiss.

“Shhh. Don’t scream. I won’t drop you, I promise.”

“I know. I trust you.”

The playful smile on his lips broaden because of my response. I just let myself be captured by his embrace while thinking that I would love to be his epitome of beauty forever.



---THE END---