Chapter 22
Clara doesn’t know how to react. To know that Callum is pursuing her felt strange, but at the same time, it churns her stomach. It was giving her butterflies, and she wanted to curse herself for feeling it despite how shattered she was in the past.
Yes, Callum has made a mistake. But aren’t you the same, Clara? You weren’t true to him. How would he react once he found out that you had built another identity to introduce to him? You don’t trust him?
He might think negatively about it. And worse, the lies you created made him think you were cheating behind his back. Both of you have made mistakes. He’s apologizing for it, and he’s willing to hold himself accountable for the wrong things that hurt you, but how about you, Ciara?
This is what happened in the past. But why am I having these turmoils in my mind now that he’s going to pursue me? Does he really mean it this time?. But what if he’s just doing it because I am in Sullivan’s company-the company that his company wanted to crash?
There were a lot of reasons in her mind that gave her a lot of what-ifs and confusion, but at the end of the day, when the familiar sports car stopped in front of her, she found herself slipping into the front seat of Callum’s car.
Callum took something from the backseat and gave her a bouquet of flowers.
“Here, I hope you’ll like it,” Callum said gently.
She was a bit shocked that he’d given her flowers. Though he has already given her from the past, she will always be stunned every time Callum does something for her.
“Thanks. I like it,” she said, vocalizing what was on her mind.
Callum smiled. “I kind of memorized you from the past, even though you were really hard to please. But…I noticed you like flowers.”
“I don’t, actually.”
“You don’t?” He looked at her with confusion.
“I only like flowers when you are the one giving them.”
Callum’s eyes slowly widened. He didn’t expect her answer. She thought that girls liked being spoiled by big flowers, but in Ciara’s case, she appreciates it because it was him who gave it.
“I’ve been receiving gardens of flowers since I was a kid. It wasn’t surprising anymore when I would receive one. But…it’s different when you were the one giving it.”
Callum stared at Ciara for a long time. She didn’t even bat an eye while saying it. Callum froze in his seat to hear how vocal she was.
“This… is what’s on your mind every time… I’d give you things in the past?” he asked, his eyes t w i n k l i n g.
Yes. Anything from you?”
Callum swallowed hard. He gasped a bit, licked his lower lip, and brushed his hair backward.
*You were really hard to read back in the day. You seem so distant and mysterious. I cannot see through in you,” he said, starting the engine of his sports
Clara remained silent, as her eyes were now on the flowers. She couldn’t say anything, but what she said was enough to slowly take a few small steps from opening herself to him.
She would be a far if she didn’t think to start it with Callum and give it a try. She has built her walls so high in the past, but her daughter has taught her. that forgiveness should be served by those who deserve it.
Where do you live right now? Your father sold the entire land, including the house, and I heard you’ve moved out. You were not living in New York anymore, and…
Callum glanced at her while driving. Ciara looked at him as well, weighing his reaction.
“I’ve seen you in Paris with… that Sullivan, You have a daughter with him?”
Oh, s h i t. He has seen Cara.
Callum licked his lips again as he stared at the road.
“I was hopeful you’d lived in Paris since I know it’s your favorite place. I’ve seen you multiple times there, and Coleen has mentioned to me that favorite boutique you like. And during that moment that we were in Paris, the saleslady told me that… you were their loyal customer who kept on coming back.”
Clara could sense the confrontation like Callum was sensing she had lied about herself in the past or was hiding something from him since day one.
How would a woman who wasn’t that rich be able to afford to travel to Paris and shop in luxurious shops? A daughter of a farmer with failing land though Callum would believe Ciara is working, she’s just eighteen and starting college.
So Ciara was thinking that the reason he’s really convinced she’s cheating behind her back is because of that Sullivan, who, as Callum said, is behind her luxurious trips
“That’s my own money,” she said, answering some of his curiosity.
“And you’re…working?”
“Basically, my parents,” she replied.
“Your parents. I see. I could sense t
that they could spoil you. Is that the reason why the land turned into bankruptcy because of your whims?
Ciara’s expression turned sour. “Am I that kind of spoiled from your perspective?”
Callum shrugged. “I just think you like luxurious travel.”
Ciara was contemplating what to reveal to him. Telling someone that she’s a Sullivan is very dangerous. A lot of things might happen, and their whole family’s reputation might be affected.
And Callum isn’t just anyone. He’s a powerful businessman, too. He could use it against Ciara if he wanted to..
“How did you know that the entire land was sold?” She asked when she remembered that she let Gwen handle it.
“I went there. I’m expecting you’d be there.”
Clara glanced at Callum.
“And what were you doing in Paris?” She continued asking when she could already sense the main reason.
“I tried to find you,” he said in a low voice. “But I think I was too late. For the first time, I’ve seen you laugh while you were with a child who looked so -much like you and with that man. You showed me that all this time, I was right about you. You were cheating behind my back.”
Clara sighed. “You’ve got the wrong idea,” she said.
13.29 Wed, 29 May
Chapter 22
Callum glanced at her again. “But the kid looked like you a lot.”
Ciara glanced at him again. “Do you want to meet her?”
Callum’s brows are knit. “Well, I have no problem with it. She’s your…daughter?”
Ciara slowly nodded. Her chest was pounding so hard. It was already at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t utter it. She wanted to apologize first and tell Callum about herself little by little before introducing Cara, who told her she was willing to meet his father if they both solved their issues.
Callum nodded as well as he looked at the road.
“But you’re…single?”
Clara sighed. “You think I’d sleep with you if I weren’t?”
Callum cleared his throat, and there was a stifled smile lingering on her lips.
“I’d know you better this time. Your father told me I could court you once you graduate from college. He won’t interfere anymore, right?” Callum glanced
at her.
“Really? A p l a y o y knows how to court a woman?” She arched her brow.
“I wanted us to work out, Ciara. I regretted my whole life that I’d let you slip into my life. My ego devoured me. It got into me that… I didn’t treat you right on those days you were with me as my wife. You weren’t the clingy type, and I felt like you hated affection, so…”
Just like her reaction from the past, she was internally screaming inside of herself as she remained composed.
She could feel her senses overreacting to his words and she felt like she was floating.
Callum chuckled a little. Out of the girls I’ve met, you were really different. You were hard to please. I can’t even get a reaction out of you. You weren’t that vocal either. You don’t communicate your feelings with me. You were like a robot, actually.”
Ciara could clearly see the main reason why they didn’t work kout in the past. She has her own toxic traits to work out as well.
Ciara sighed. “I think you needed a lot of time to know me more.”
Callum nodded. “Yes. I have a lifetime for that.”
“And I’ll know you too,” she whispered, taking her eyes to the window as she didn’t want to look at Callum.
But then Callum’s expression reflected on the window as he glanced at her and smiled while biting his lower lip.
She felt like she suddenly lived in a fairytale. Those princes and princesses who try to know each other because of how dreamy he makes her feel about things
Cara, I have good news for you. But I hope this will go well. You might finally dance with your father, Cara. Your real father.
