Nolan and Paula, who heard the sound of footsteps and the door slamming, immediately picked up their clothes and hurriedly put them on.
Carrying a shattered heart, Clarissa walked fast towards the stairs and let the ultrasound photo in her hand fall without picking it up again.
The dream of building a happy family, turned out to be in vain. Nolan's love, which was supposed to bind the wound she had due to losing her parents and tormenting past, in fact pierced and broke all of her hope and heart even more.
"Clarissa!"
Clarissa turned her head. She shook her head and started running again. Without slowing down her step, she descended the stairs. She didn't want to see that man's face. She hates him! She detests him! So much!
"Clarissa! Wait!" Nolan's screams drew closer.
In her frenzy, Clarissa quickened her pace, but….
Ah!
Bugh!
Accidentally, Clarissa's feet tripped over her own. She fell. Her body rolled down the stairs. Her glasses were broken and fell off.
Nolan gasped in surprise. Paula, who followed him, stopped her step in shock. The two of them immediately ran downstairs. Their feet stopped when they reached the last three steps.
In front of them, Clarissa was lying on the ground covered in blood. It even pooled at the back of her head and lower body. What a scary view!
Clarissa's weak eyes looked at those two with deep hatred. Tears were seen flowing from the corners of her eyes, before she then closed her eyes.
"Nolan, check her!" Paula exclaimed as she nudged Nolan's shoulder.
Trembling, Nolan nodded and descended the stairs. He took his wife's hand and touched her wrist.
He simply threw Clarissa's hand and dragged his body back, after a while.
"It's not my fault, not my fault..."
Paula looked here and there, then approached Clarissa's body. A sinister smile tugged at her lips.
"Nolan, stand up! Take her to the car."
On the edge of a cliff, Nolan carried his wife's body. He looked confused and scared with sweat pouring down his face.
"Nolan, get rid of her, now!"
Nolan gasped. He indeed didn't like this geeky woman, but.... killed her? He didn't have the heart to do it.
"You want us to get caught?!" Paula snapped at him in anger. Her eyes stared furiously at Nolan. "Get rid of her! NOW!"
"But ... Dorris knows we're going to take her to the hospital. S-she still alive, Paula!"
Paula growled in annoyance. She approached Nolan with gritted teeth. "Throw her down, or you want me to push you along with her too, huh?!"
Nolan stared at Paula with his hazel eyes. Is she the woman who he had been dating for more than the last 7 years? His heart couldn't help but pound with fear and guilt.
"Your hesitation will get us caught, you idiot!"
Nolan glared angrily at Paula. But her words actually make sense. He closed his eyes and took a quick deep breath. He has to choose. Leave it or deal with it.
Nothan gulped, then looked at Clarissa's bloodied face. With his trembling body, he stepped to the edge of the abyss.
"Forgive me. However, it's for the best."
Whoop!
Nolan threw Clarissa's body down the abyss.
Crack!!!
Boom!!!
Lightning bolts struck through the sky, followed by dark clouds covering over.
Paula and Nolan jolted in surprised, and hurriedly ran to Nolan's car.
Rustle! rustle!
Clarissa's little body rolled among the dry leaves, thorns, and sharp twigs.
Her innocent face is now covered with wounds and blood. The shirt that wrapped the T-shirt around her body, was torn apart. The oversized jeans that covered her legs were torn up to her groin.
However, thanks to it, her life was saved.
Clarissa ended up hanging in a tree just above the rushing river. Her ripped jeans caught on a sturdy branch, hanging above the river.
Pitter-patter!
As the rain started to fall, Clarissa's eyes… widely opened!
***
5 years later
Flash! Flash!
The camera flash moves from side to side. A beautiful woman with gorgeous round eyes and sexy red lips framing her oval face, moves swiftly following the photographer's wishes.
"Clara! Give me a non-vulgar sexy twist!" exclaimed the photographer.
Clara, who stood tall in a vintage round collared shirt with an additional ribbon in her chest, and an A-Line skirt or better known as a flared skirt, nodded in understanding.
She then walked towards the backdrop, turned her body slightly, lifting her leg and puffing her chest, then ended by biting her index finger nails.
"Wow! That's wonderful!"
Clap! Clap!
The crews applause at once, welcoming the end of the day's shoot.
A woman ran up to Clara and handed her a bottle of mineral water.
"Lucy, I want a couple of days off. Please, help me arrange it, okay?" Clara asked while sitting herself in the chair next to the photographer.
"You want a couple of days off? You were just coming, for God's sake!" Said Daniel, the photographer, as he selected Clara's photos on his computer.
Gulp! Gulp!
Clara sipped her drink, then nodded. "I did. But I want to have a rest for a while. I just landed yesterday and haven't rested since. You are too pushy!" Clara groaned in annoyed and nudging Daniel's shoulder.
"Yes, he is! Daniel, you made us suffer!" Clara's assistant, Lucy, who stood behind Clara and helped that model remove her headpiece, added.
"Hahaha… it's not like that. Our client this time is very efficient in terms of time. He doesn't like wasting even a bit of time. Alright, I'll talk to him so you can have a day off tomorrow," said Daniel, after he saw the disappointed look on Clara.
"Two days."
Daniel looked at Clara and raised his eyebrows. "Seriously?"
Clara looked away and pouted at her lips.
"Hiss! You are too demanding! Okay, okay! I'll talk to him."
"Oh, Daniel! My most dearest lovely friend. You are the best!" cried Clara. She hugged Daniel from the side and rested her head on his shoulder, then snuggled like a kitten.
Daniel shook his head. He always can't resist this best friend of his.
"Okay, enough! Now help me find your best photo."
Clara raised her head. She looked at her pictures on the computer. "They are good," said Clara casually. Daniel turn his head annoyingly.
"Indeed. They're all good."
Clara raised her eyebrow. A sudden voice from behind made Clara turned her head as Daniel's did.
Clara gasped. She held her breath as her eyes wide open, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. She wanted to turn and look away, but the gaze of the man in front of her seemed to lock her movement.