Chapter 004
1121 Words
Chapter 004
CLARA’S POINT OF VIEW
I stayed up, unable to fall asleep. Outside my window, the city lights blinked as though they were seeing me—that they knew I was lying to everyone, including myself.
With a cold sweat clinging to my back, I sat up in bed. My fingers trembled as I held my phone. I fixed Javier's name on the screen.
Steer clear of it. Call not at him; he'll twist it. He does, always.
Still, my thumb hung there anyway. Like it was trying to break out and run, my heart thudded hard against my chest.
I gave the call button a push.
That rang twice. Following that—
"What?" he wonders, his voice emerging sloppily and sharply from sleep.
"We have to talk."
"You always say that when you are ready to accuse me of something."
"This time I have proof."
None.
"Meet me right here in my office. The meeting will take place in two and a half hours.
I complied before he could raise an objection.
At night, the office seemed colder. Long and narrow like claws grasping for the truth, the shadows swept across the floor. I moved, waiting, teeth sinking into my lip until I tasted blood.
Javier moved confidently, as if he owned the space.
You stated evidence. Please show me.
I dumped a file on the desk.
He turned pages of it. His face hardly moved at all.
"You're linking dots devoid of existence."
Ah, they do exist. And they lead directly back to you.”
He let out a laugh that didn’t sound amused. “You really think I had something to do with Hugo’s death?”
I moved in front of her. You helped cover it, in my opinion.
His jaw got tighter. "Be wary, Clara."
The day they buried my sibling, I stopped being cautious.
He closed the folder with enormous force. "You have nothing.
“But I will.”
He looked at me for a protracted while. You are playing a risky game.
You are not the only one carrying cards.
He came forward, staring at me. "What do you want, Clara?" he said.
I want to destroy you.
For a moment we just stood there. Breathing. Examining. Like before a battle, like animals.
His voice grew quiet. You truly do not want it.
Ask me.
Then he engaged in unexpected behavior.
He planted a kiss on me.
And I kissed him back for a brief moment.
Wiping my mouth, I shoved him off.
What is causing your problems?
"You tell me," he said softly. “You called me here. You may have sent an email.
"You always twist things."
He turned to smile. “You like it when I twist things.”
I gave him a slap.
The sound broke across the space.
He lacked flinching. "Feel better?"
Not. But when I bury you, I will.
His smile turned off. "You are not the only one carrying secrets.
My chest became tense. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He looked to go. "Ask Mateo."
My tummy fell.
I trailed him out the door, my fists shaking with fury.
Mateo." Why would he bring Mateo up?
Unless—
He wouldn't do so. He wouldn't do it. He couldn’t know. Would he?
I locked the door, turned around inside, and dropped to the floor.
Everything felt whirling. Hector Javier Mateo.
Me too.
I picked up my phone again and dialed before I could stop myself.
Mateo spoke quickly. "Clara?
"Meet me right now.
He stopped. "What happened?"
"I really need to see you."
Just come.
We convened behind the office in the garden. Like a storm approaching, the air was thick and heavy.
His eyes turned to meet me. "Are you okay??"
I walked straight up to him. "Did you know?" asked
"Know what?"
Regarding Javier and Hugo.
His wrinkled brow "What the devil are you talking about?"
"He advised you to ask questions."
He turned his eyes away.
"You're lying…"
I'm not.
Please let me know the truth afterwards.
“I don’t know what game he’s playing, but don’t let him get in your head.”
You already are, I said quickly.
He moved forward a little step. "You lack trust in me."
"How can I?" asks
He seized my arm. "I have never lied to you," he said.
I drew away. That is a falsehood.
He let out a harsh breath. "This isn't about Javier, is it?
I gave my head a shake.
"This is about us.
I didn’t answer.
He cupped my face. "Clara..."
My knees collapsed.
His mouth just inches from mine.
"Say it," he said in whispers.
"I cannot.
"You already own."
I placed my hands on his chest, but I did not shove him away.
His lips brushed mine softly and warmly, incorrectly but rightly.
I planted a kiss on him.
It was not gentle.
It went rather tough. Extremely hungry. We felt as though we were on a mission to eradicate everything else.
He lifted me up, and my legs enveloped him with a sense of their awareness. My back made contact with the tree; the bark scratched skin I had no interest in.
Clothing had no bearing at all. Names had little bearing on anything. It made no difference what the lie was.
This alone.
Just now.
I gasped out against his mouth. His hands worked beneath my shirt. My fingers entangled themselves in his hair. We were petrol and fire; I didn't give a damn if we burned.
I then started to hear it.
a light click.
The device can be compared to a camera.
We ceased.
He backed off. "Did you hear that?"
One nodded.
We started to turn towards the sound.
But none of that was present.
Mostly shadows.
"Someone's watching," I said in a whisper.
He let me down gently. Inside. Currently.
"Who would—?"
"Clara, go…"
I started running.
My heart was thumping so loudly that I could hear it echoing in my ears as I walked back through the garden and exited via the side door.
I stopped back in my office for a moment.
I placed my back to the door and tried to breathe. I locked it.
I focused my gaze on the dark window.
Was someone looking around?
They had seen?
Has anyone heard?
Everything appeared to be falling apart again.
There was a buzz on my phone.
One communication.
unknown quantity.
Clara gave a good performance tonight.
See you not too far off.
I let the phone drop like it was burning.
My hands quake. My legs failed to support me any more.
That person was who?
What was their knowledge?
What were they planning to do next?
- Writer
