Time sped, I freshened up, wore a new cloth, and boarded a cab home.
My hands trembled as I placed a knock on our house gate.
"Yes, who's there?" I heard the man's voice from behind the gate.
"It's me, Clara." I replied, gently tapping my canvas on the floor.
"Oooh welcome ma'am, your mom has been expecting you." He said while opening the gate.
I walked in and pushed open the main entrance door.
My heart skipped a beat as soon as I stepped in and met with his eyes.
My father's eyes, the one that could send one into the wrong way instead of the right.
My mom told me never to fear him but no matter how I tried I still felt unsettled around him.
" Have you been rusticated. " He said, his voice thick and hoarse.
"That shouldn't be the first question you should ask your daughter." My mom voiced, as she climbed down the stairs.
"Momma." I called out and ran off to give her a hug.
"Hey baby girl, what took you so long?" My mom said, raising up my jaw.
"A very long story, mom." I replied, a smile surfacing on my cheeks.
"I miss you my dear." She said,
"I miss you more mom, more than you can ever imagine. " I replied, trapping my hands into hers.
Silence stretched between us as I sat on her soft bouncing bed.
"You look more beautiful, baby girl." She finally said, breaking the silence.
"Of course mom I'm born to look like you." I replied, beaming with a smile.
"Hmmm I know but Ethan is also doing a great job " She said, moving closer to me.
"Ethan. " I said, shifting my gaze to the floor.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked.
"You wanted to talk about something important, mom." I mouthed, changing the conversation.
"Yes, the reason I called you over, Clara. I had a dream about you a few days ago." She said, her voice cracking.
"I'm listening, mom." I replied, focusing on her face.
"I dreamt about you Clara, I dreamt that you got pregnant. " She said, picking her words.
I blinked, my eyes widening " Pregnant?"
"And that's not all." She said,
"What else mom?"
"You didn't even know the father of your child then everyone mocked us and..Samantha.. She finally took over his company. "
My heart skipped a beat. Mom's dreams always found a way of coming true.
And now she dreams about me.
"Mom." I mouthed, trying to find the right word to say.
"I know my dream always found a way of coming to reality but I trust you, Clara. I know you can't do something that terrible." She voiced out.
I sniffed and cleared my throat. "Of course mom but I still need to be careful. I fear your dream a lot." I mouthed.
"Sure I know but everything is going to be alright, Clara. Samantha is not going to take over the company under our watch." She said, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I slightly nodded my head in response.
"I'm heading out to my mall to check some things, see you soon." She said, stood up from the bed, waved at me and walked out of the room.
I blinked, pulled my shoe and sank into the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Nothing was different, the same paint, same furniture and same Cologne scent.
My hands moved on the bed, enjoying this softness and warmth.
But then the image flashed through my mind again.
That stupid black car. The splash of muddy water.
And that arrogant smirk on James Hunter's face.
I sniffed. I really missed home. I was still enjoying this moment when my phone beeped. It was a message from Emile.
"You're always lucky, girl." She typed.
"What's up. " I texted.
"The party was postponed to Tuesday night."
"Oh come on, Emile. You know I'm not in for parties. " I replied.
"Yeah I know but this one you're going to attend it dear."
I let out a short chuckle. "Let's wait and see then." I replied.
I dropped my phone when I saw she was offline.
I exhaled. I stood up from the bed and walked out of the room.
My legs ached as I took the first step on the stairs.
I needed fresh air and I also needed to clear off my head.
My brows drew together as my ears rang to a voice that sounded familiar.
I walked down the stairs and my eyes landed on the least person I was expecting. Samantha.
She was sitting next to dad having a conversation with him with a pie in hand.
I shrugged and proceeded to walk past when I heard her voice.
"Woah, what the hell? Were you trailing me here?" She said, standing up from the chair.
"I'd gotten here before you did." I replied, staring back at her.
The memory of what she did burned through me.
"That's a filthy lie." She said, pointing her fingers at me.
My hands clutched. " Why are you so bitter?" I replied without blinking.
"Really am I? Well I already told dad how you're a whore at school." She said, licking her bottom lips.
I let out a silent gasp. What the hell was she talking about?
My fist clenched as I walked closer to her.
"What do you want to do to fight me for telling the truth?" She said, stepping back.
"Touch her and I'd send you out of this house, you pretender." Dad said, standing up to his feet.
I paused and took in a quick breath.
"You're definitely going to meet your match, Samantha. I promise you that." I said and hurried back up the stairs.
I get it now dad was on the side of Samantha.
He was always siding with her, believing every damn thing she said.
And now she has become the favourite daughter of my father leaving me behind to only my mom.
But one thing always baffled my mind.
What's the main reason why dad adores her far more than me?
And why did mom care so much about me far more than her?
It was like that even before we started our quarrel but I'd notice it more now.
My breath hitched. Was there a secret they were hiding from me?