Clara's POV "Mr Montenegro had someone pick out a few dresses for you for the charity ball this evening." She said as she pointed at a pail of clothes, all covered in their suit bags.Hadn't I told him I wouldn't be going? What made him think he could go along and find me a dress anyway?Poor Cassia didn't seem like the right person for me to be having that argument with."He left you a note too," she pointed to the letter at my bedside. "He is such a romantic, isn't he?" She giggled.She stared at me with a wide grin before deciding to leave my room.I waited for Cassia to leave before reaching for the letter.Breakfast in the garden, please join me.-DerekHis letter read.I returned the letter to the bedside as I jumped off the bed.After last night, I was still unsure how to feel about everything. I'd be a hypocrite if I tried to call him out for being a liar or for hiding things from me. He wasn't my favourite person either at the moment.But I was hungry. Besides, I wasn't goin

Clara's POV"Noemi, you remember Derek Montenegro, right?" Jocelyn asked."Of course, who doesn't know him?" Noemi responded."Well, she is his little... project." Jocelyn hesitantly answered.I didn't want to be that girl from the hood who ended up beating up a bunch of rich snobs, but right now, the thought seemed tempting. Why kill someone with kindness when you can just knock them out with your fist?The two ladies had their eyes widened; they didn't need anyone to invite them for a seat."That explains the clothes," Ellianna answered."Don't be so mean. She is pregnant, and you wouldn't want anything happening to her baby." Jocelyn laughed."Oh, how far along are you?" Noemi asked. A more serious expression now occupied her face."About five weeks," I replied hesitantly, tracing my lie."Oh, you look a lot bigger than I would've expected," Noemi commented.Why had I even bothered entertaining them? This was all my fault."Don't be so mean, Noemi, and it's not her fault the poor t

Clara's POV “Clara," she said, drawing me out of my thoughts."Yes," I answered with a sigh."I love you. I couldn't have asked for a better sister," she said. "I'd also love you a lot more if you could find me a European boyfriend while you are there," she added."Do you only love me when you need something?" I asked."Of course not. I will hang up now because I'm hoping you'll make me an aunt by the end of your trip." She said,I sighed again."Okay, bye. You are supposed to be in class." I reminded her."I was too depressed today. I'll decide if I want to tomorrow." She answered.I was starting to regret leaving her alone.She hung up the phone after having our final goodbyes. It made me feel a lot better knowing that she was okay. I'd be a lot better off if I were out of here.Derek came back not too long after. He looked a bit frantic and out of breath. "Unfortunately, I have to show up at the auction tonight. I'll only be in and out of the event. I'll be back in a few minutes.

Clara's POV"I don't know what I did to her," I whispered with a sigh."Don't worry, she is just bitter because her husband has taken on a mistress because she can't have any children." She answered. "You shouldn't let people talk to you like that, you know?" she said."I was about to punch her in the face," I answered."Then maybe we could light her cheap hair extensions on fire," Nicole added.I stood silent, not knowing how to react. It was a bit too violent, but I liked where she was going with this."Maybe that's a bit extreme," she admitted. "I'll just get some popcorn and watch. Punching her implants out of place would also work just fine." She laughed."We could have worked with that," I answered.I turned away, paying attention to Derek delivering a speech."How do people stand to be around him?" I heard Nicole whisper. "He looks like a representation of every hair commercial." She added."You don't like him, do you?" I asked her.She turned around, giving me her full attenti

Clara's POV Derek now seemed more annoyed. He looked like he was ready to kick her out himself. This wasn't the time or place to start a fight. In any other situation, I would have been fine with seeing Derek kick her out himself, but this was not the place.I wrapped my arm around Derek's. He relaxed slowly, and his grip on my hand tightened.I bet it's hard enough when your parents get married to someone your age, but even worse if it's your grandparent."What is this pest still doing here?" Nicole asked, pointing at Madison."That's a good question. I'll have security throw her out." Derek answered.Just when I thought my family was dysfunctional.Derek was on his way to the security guard at the entrance when his grandfather stopped him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said. "You know how much influence I have? More than half of these guests are also my business partners. If I leave, they'll go along with me, and we both know your little auction will never see the light of