She should have gotten used to his harsh words by now but Xander never humiliated her in front other people so he hit a score when he told Norah that her father sold this mansion with cheap price, not that Norah knew the bankrupt man was her father.
When Clara saw Xander walking side by side with Norah to the garden, her heart ached. They made a perfect couple, her height reached his shoulder, her blond hair in contrast with his dark hair.
Norah was an attractive young woman, she spoke what's on her mind maybe Xander attracted to her. Clara shook her head. She should be happy she had Norah as her friend now. She focused on that thought. Norah said they would be best friend.
To hell with Xander!
Clara ran towards the stairs when Liam saw her and called out, "Clara, come with me."
Liam dragged her by the hand, "Where are you taking me, Liam?"
"To my room." He grinned at her.
"What? Are you crazy? If Xander found out you'll be in great trouble. No.. I will be in great trouble!" Clara twisted her hand under his hard grip, she was afraid of her kidnapper's punishment.
"Relax, Clara. He won't do anything to me.. I'm the one who rescued Noah's little sister." They arrived at his bedroom and he locked the door.
"Did you not hear what I say? He will punish me if he see me here with you."
Liam finally released her hand. "Look.. I just need you to hear me out, ok?"
Clara catched her breath and calm herself, "Fine. What is it?"
Liam was pacing in front of her, he turned to face her, opened his mouth, then closed it and pace again.
"Liam?" Clara urged because Xander could be back anytime soon.
"Ok.." Liam inhaled deep breath. "I did something terrible back there and I can't get it out of my head." He confessed.
"You mean when you're at Daniel's penthouse?"
Liam nodded his head.
"And what is this terrible thing you did?" Clara asked cautiously.
"I feel like I'll burn in hell if I didn't confess to someone. In order to gain Daniel's trust, I pretended to be attracted to Norah."
Clara furrowed her eyebrows, "Then it worked! How's that terrible?"
"It was the third day until I could see her. Daniel invited me to his penthouse and offered her to me. I couldn't refuse, not when I was so near to get her." He assessed her expression.
Clara didn't get the hint at first but it gradually dawned on her what happened to Norah. She gasped, can't bear to imagine what that poor girl suffered. She wanted to scream to stop his next words.
"He didn't want to sell her to me, I could only use her until my visit was over. So I took her repeatedly in that penthouse, sometimes Daniel joined us too. I know Norah was in agony, but it was the only chance. I had to wait until the next evening before Daniel left us alone."
Liam sighed, "Phew. There I finally say it to someone else. My hands were tied, Clara. It's not my fault right?"
Clara shook her head, "You did the necessary thing to rescue her. She would be more tormented if you failed to retrieve her."
"Just like me." She murmured.
She stood gazing at the window, the view from this room was the same as her bedroom, overlooking the garden. There were two people in the distance, walking back towards the house. She never saw Xander smile that much in her presence, maybe Norah know how to keep him entertained.
"Huh? What did you say?"
Clara turned to him, "Nothing. Xander is walking inside now. I must go, Liam." She patted his shoulder. "Maybe you should talk to Norah and ask her forgiveness."
Clara ran down the hallway to the front hall and up the stairs when they saw her.
"Clara, do you want to join us tonight? Xander invited me to dinner." Norah asked from below.
Clara hesitated to answer. It has been weeks since the last they sat together having dinner.
"She can't join us. Wait in your room, Clara. I have something to say." Xander ordered.
Clara nodded her head slowly and Norah looked at them curiously but didn't question it, "Thank you for your time, Xander. See you at dinner later."
They watched Norah went down the hallway to her room then Xander looked up at Clara, her heart skipped a beat when that green eyes pierced hers. She ran to her room and bolt the door with the heavy armchair. Clara was panting from dragging it.
Xander tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge, thanks to the chair. Clara took a few steps back from it when he banged hard enough and rattle the door.
"Clara! Open this door right now!" He yelled from the outside of her bedroom.
"Go away, Xander. I'm busy to dream some romance." Clara said it with the same mocking tone he used in the garden.
THUD!
He kicked the door loud enough and Clara leaned to the door, "The entire mansion will hear you kicking my door desperately, Mr.X you just embarassed yourself."
"I will count to three and by the time I finished counting you still don't open this door…" He let the words hang in the air.
Clara thought she get the upper hand so she ignore his threat. Xander started to count. "One."
Clara sat her butt on the white wingback armchair that bolt the door and proceed to open the folded page on her novel, she was currently on page 290.
"Two. Last warning Clara." His deep voice boomed.
Clara flicked the next page, taking her sweet ass time to concentrate on the story.
"Three."
She paused and try to hear from inside but she only heard his footsteps walking away. Clara sighed and leaned her back to the chair, she would even sleep on it if necessary, anything to prevent that savage man from entering her room.
Minutes passed and Xander didn't try to do anything, Clara lowered her guard, immersed in the story. So when that tall and athletic body with murderous face standing in front of her, she was startled. Her book fallen out of her grip.
"How do you…"
He pointed the dressing room with his head, "This secret passage your father installed turn out to be useful. Luckily I didn't close it when you tried to run away."
Xander crossed his arms on his chest. "I already told you I just want to talk. Why you barred the door?
He just stood there looking at her without doing anything. Clara swallowed nervously, "I don't believe you because your eyes say otherwise, even now! You look at me like you…"
He raised one of his eyebrow, "Like what?"
*** End of Chapter 36 ***