CLAIRE’s P.O.V
After my class, I went to the teacher’s lounge to meet Teacher Elijah. I thought I was late but when I saw him standing there, flashing a nervous smile, I instantly know that something was up.
“Hey. Why are you smiling like that?” I suspiciously asked.
“Nothing. Maybe we should go. My friend was already waiting for you.”
I nodded before motioning him to start walking. I can’t help but to think that Elijah was hiding something from me. What’s the deal with this guy?
“Are you really sure about this, Claire?” he asked, for several times I guess.
“Yeah. But if you’re hesitating like that, there’s a higher chance that I will cancel this meeting.”
“I’m sorry for being uneasy. I’m just nervous. Anyways, let’s go.”
We got inside of his car. He started driving into a different direction, far from our school. As the time passed by, I noticed that we entered a highly maintenance village near Cavite. I was about to ask him what are we doing here but he quickly started a conversation diverting my attention from that question.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“What?” I asked as I raised my brows.
“Don’t worry, Teacher Claire. I won’t do anything that will harm you.” He winked at me.
I faked puking as if I was disgusted to his action and response.
“Why wouldn’t you tell where are we going?”
“We’re almost there.”
Annoyed, I sighed as I looked out of the window. I waited for almost three to five minutes more before Elijah’s car came to stop.
“We’re here.”
I hopped down from the car. I was amazed by the gigantic gate that separates us from the biggest house I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I didn’t even know that a mansion like this exist here, in Cavite.
“Welcome to Herrera residence, Teacher Claire.”
“Whoah... Wait... What?!” I turned my gazed back to Elijah.
Herrera. That’s the surname of his bestfriend. That arrogant man yesterday. I can’t believe that Elijah brought me here right after I told him that I will never talk to that guy ever again.
“Sorry, Claire. It’s just that, I knew you needed a job.”
“Well thank you! But not in here!”
“I thought you say that you’ll do anything for your family? This is it, Claire. I’m helping you out. Just please give it a try. Darren needs your help. And he’s a nice person too.”
I sighed before answering him.
“Fine. I’ll try.”
He smiled at me before we entered inside of their residence. I think amusement was all over my face right now. There was a beautiful garden and large swimming pool inside. And as we reached the mansion, I suddenly smiled for no reason.
“Let’s go.” Elijah opened the wide wooden door as I nodded in response.
From our current position, I could see a man standing in front of us, facing the counter on the different direction.
“Darren, we’re here.”
He turned around, and as our eyes met, I could see that surprise invaded his system.
“W-what...”
“Bro, don’t be nervous. She’s here to apply for the job.”
“What the hell, Elijah?!” I could see the disbelief in his eyes. “Why her?”
“She needed a job, bro. I’ll leave you two so that you can talk alone,” he stated before he left, not saying another word.
“Elijah!” He rubbed his temples, while looking at me doubtfully.
“I’ll leave if you want,” I stated.
I was about to do what I just said when he suddenly grabbed my left arm to stopped me.
“Wait...”
“What?” I removed his hand from my arm as I turn around.
“So, you’re really here for that job?” he asked seriously.
“Yeah. Elijah told me that you badly needed my help. What job it is?”
“I want to hire you as my wife.”
It took me a while to processed what he just said. Before he can say another word, I was fully aware the true meaning behind of his words.
“Excuse me?!”
“I said, I wanted you to be my wife.”
I was amused at how he said it to me straightforwardly. But still, I wouldn’t do it. If he thought that I’m some kind of a whore, I’m not. Sorry to burst his bubbles, but I’m not a girl for rent.
“And what kind of job is that?!” I laughed at him mockingly.
“A job that you couldn’t resist.”
Again, I just laughed bitterly at his arrogance. Poor man. He doesn’t even reach the minimum of my standard.
“Stop being so full of yourself, Mr. Herrera. I’m not for rent. And most of all, I don’t wanna be your wife.”
I was about to leave when he opened his big mouth, again. I was so tired of hearing his nonsense statement yet what he’d just said caught my full attention.
“Five hundred million dollars. You can already have the half after signing the contract and another fifty percent when my Dad finally made me the CEO of Herrera Corp. So... Do we have a deal or what?”
I stopped for a while to think. I can finally buy anything with that amount of money. It was like my brain is fighting over money or my pride. My Dad raised me to be a decent woman. Our life wasn’t that much but... Dignity and education are all we have left. And I wouldn’t let this man take it away from me.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Herrera. You can’t buy me with your money.”
I stepped a few meters away from him before sighing. I can see the disappointment in his eyes yet it was mixed with amusement. I continued walking outside of his mansion until I reached the gates. Elijah was still there, waiting patiently while nervously biting his nails.
“Hi–” I slapped him before he can say anything.
“Did you know about this job?!”
He rubbed his right cheek. It was bright red because of the impact of my hands to his face. I can’t deny the fact that I also hurt myself after doing that.
“S-sorry, Claire. Darren really needs your help. His father was forcing him to married a woman he barely even know. I just wanted to help my friend.”
“Then why didn’t you say so? And he could’ve asked sincerely and nicely for my help. I’m willing to do anything I can. But did you know what he did to me? He tried to buy me with his money. You know I’m not that kind of woman, Elijah...”
“I’m really sorry, Claire. Let me take you home.” He looks apologetic.
“Never mind. I can walk all by myself.”
I turned my back on him before I started walking towards the high way. I was only few steps away when my phone rings and I immediately picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Claire! Please go home! I need your help! Dad just fainted and he lost his consciousness!” It was Alexa.
“What?! Okay, okay. I’ll be right there. Just stay calm or call someone for help.”
Tears started to fall from my eyes as I ran back to Elijah’s car. He looked at me confused, however, worried expression is visible in his eyes.
“What happened?”
“Dad lost his consciousness. I need your help, Elijah. Please take me home as soon as possible.” I nearly beg to him.
And without any words or hesitation, Elijah and I got inside of his car then he started the engine. I was crying all the way from Herrera residence until we reached our house.
As soon as I stepped outside of the car, I dashed through the small gate of our house before opening the door.
“Claire... Please help us...”
There, I saw my sister weeping while holding my unconscious father lying on the cold cement.
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.“Are you okay? You want me to get you a food or something?” Elijah asked me, for a hundred times I think.“I’m fine, Elij. You can leave us here. I know you’re tired. Get some sleep. I can handle this.”“Are you sure?” He looked at me, worried.“Yeah. And thank you for helping us.” He nodded before walking towards Alexa.“Hey,” I heard him greeted my little sister. Alexa just smiled at him. A few moments later, after he realized that my sister wasn’t planning to say a word or anything, he just tap her head before saying goodbye.“Bye, Alexa. Bye, Claire.” He waved at me and I waved back. As soon as he was out of sight, Alexa came near me and hugged my legs. I instantly knew that she’s crying because my jeans was starting to
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.“We can’t lose Dad, Claire. Please do something.” Alexa looked worried, with tears still streaming down her cheeks.“Don’t cry. I’ll do anything as soon as I find out what happened.” The doctor came towards us, a sympathetic look plastered on his face.“Ms. Braganza, your father needs to undergo a surgery. We need to operate him as soon as we can. His heart has two holes, and he’s in a very dangerous state right now.” At that moment, I instantly knew that Mr. Herrera was right. I think it’s time for me to beg. It is time that I set my pride aside and be a good daughter even just for once.“We will perform the surgery as soon as we receive your permission. For now, I think you need to prepared a huge amount of money for the operation expenses.”
DARREN’s P.O.V. I called my lawyer as soon as Claire agrees to my own terms and condition. I looked at her, feeling guilty every time that I remembered her crying face. I’m not sure if she did cry earlier. Though I could see the sadness on her eyes up to now.“Do you need anything, wife?” I asked, trying to put a facade of arrogance again. I don’t know what’s with me, but everytime I saw her face, I feel nervous. That’s why I’m trying to act cool and dominant whenever that she’s around.“Wife? Is that an endearment?” she asked, arching one of her brows.“Maybe... What do you think about it?”“Can’t you understand sarcasm, Mr. Herrera?” I stopped as I look at her face. She was seriously mad at me for calling her that way.“Well, after an hour or s
CLAIRE’s P.O.V. He called me wife for a second time today. But instead of feeling pissed by his voice, I felt warm crept into my cheeks and I don’t know why. He pulled me inside of a jewelry store before calling the saleslady on the counter.“Hey, miss. I wanted to buy the diamond ring with the highest value in here. One for me, and one for my lovely wife.” Again, I felt butterflies on my stomach. The saleslady looked shocked at first but after a while, she smiled at him before pulling out a small vault from the locked wall of the store.“Here you go, sir. This diamond ring cost one hundred thousand US dollars each.”“I’ll get it.”“Darren!” I looked at him, shocked at how he unwisely spent his money. He just smiled at me as a response. Amusement was al
CLAIRE’s P.O.V. I wake up at the smell of roasted bacon and garlic fried rice. What a great way to start anyone’s morning. I slowly sit up from laying down the bed. Darren’s not in this room anymore. I decided to use his bathroom since he’s not here and I wanted to prepared myself before seeing his Dad. I grabbed my towel and toiletries before opening the bathroom door.“What the hell?!” It was Darren, half naked. My eyes widen as I saw his wet masculine body. The water streaming down from the shower also make an intense effect to the view I am seeing right now. I can’t help but to bit my lower lip.“I’m s-sorry.” I stood there like a statue, unable to move my feet.“Stop watching!” I closed my eyes shut and run as fast as I can away from him. I slapped my
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.“So... Who’s Gabriel?” he asked, looking at me while patting a bag of ice on my cheek.“Do we really need to talk about this right now?”“It’s fine if you don’t wanna answer my question. I’m just... Curious.”“Why are you so curious about it, anyway?”“Hmm... Just look at what happened, Claire. If only I knew about this earlier, we could have avoided that scenario at the office.”“It’s your fault. You didn’t tell me that you’re engaged to Kate. You should have told me that at the first place.”“Okay... I’m sorry. I just didn’t know that you two have already met before.”“She’s my high school bestfriend...”“So what’s the story between you two? I’m badly curious about it. Don’t you think I deserves to know the truth after w
CLAIRE’s P.O.V. After lunch, I still couldn’t compose myself properly. Darren and I bid our goodbyes to Alexa before deciding to leave. I just let our Dad sleep as much as he wanted and we didn’t bother to wake him up. He needs to rest as much as possible.“Stiff at my presence?” Darren arrogantly asked while driving his car. I didn’t answer. I just rolled my eyes on him instead.“Don’t worry. Whatever it is that I’ve said earlier, it was all for a show.” I was stunned for a moment. I shook my head at how stupid I am to believe in his lies. He’s right, everything that we’re doing is only for a show. For the sake of our fake marriage.“Are you alright?” He sounds worried but maybe I was just assuming and imagining things again.&l
CLAIRE’s P.O.V.“Knock-knock!” Alexa and I turned our gazed at the door, where a man is currently standing while looking at us. He grinned before waving a tons of shopping bags at our faces.“Darren... You’re here... Again.”“Looks like you don’t want me to be here.”“Well, if Claire doesn’t want you to be here, then you can visit me. I would like you to be always here in our hospital room,” Alexa stated as she run towards him.“Hey... I bought something for you,” Darren smiled widely at her before giving her almost half of the bags he had. Alexa happily took it all before thanking him. She opened the bags and surprise was all over her face. It was full of branded clothes, chocolates, toys, and more. I could see the happiness in her eyes.“Thank you so much, Darren!” She hugged