Claudia
My eyes flutter open and the first thing I notice is how the sun shines so bright. I take a moment to stretch, as a yawn escapes my lips. Today was the day, I remind myself. Today I will be moving out of my house for four whole months.
Suddenly, yesterday's events came crashing down. The argument I had tried avoiding all night, had happened
It's too early for this.
I massage my temples in attempt to calm myself down.
Breathe.
I don't know what it was, but I wasn't a fan of Liam's behavior lately. I then begin to remember everything that was said last night.
"I don't like him,"
"I don't like your stupid job, that requires you months of you dedicating yourself to someone else,"
I let out a sigh once as those words rung in head once again.
"Wakey, wakey, Claud," Somebody enters my room. "What time is it?" I shift in the duvet, sitting upright as I rub my eyes. My curly hair that would usually be in a bonnet-- is all over the place. "It's almost 9, you have to get up,"
"I'm so lazy," I cry. "Well, you better not be. 'Cause this, this my friend is the beginning of your future,"
"You say that like you know what's going to happen, Mal," I roll my eyes. "I mean, unpredictability is the best right?"
I hum in response.
"Let me brush my teeth because I am starving," I remove the duvet from my body. "I'm going to need all the energy today,"
□□□
Using the little knowledge I have of driving, I park my car and surprisingly-- I do it perfectly. Well, almost.
Diane woke all of us up early so that we could go shopping. I'm not talking about about clothing shopping, oh no. Diane's aim was to buy the whole shop. Diane said my wardrobe was starting to get a little.. boring.
But before that we took a stop.
I use my keys to unlock the door and it opens. The house looks just as I left it. The only difference is that there was no Liam. Thank God. I didn't want to argue. I drop my keys on the counter and head straight to kitchen. "Anyone who wants breakfast? I've got ideas,"
"How about something sweet?"
"Got it," I say. I open my cupboard, reaching for my olive oil. Once the oil is my hands, I place it on the counter and light up the stove. "Claud, have you packed anything?" Diane asks once she's in the kitchen.
"Not really, since I haven't gone shopping yet," She smiles brightly. "Yay! Well that's good. You see? Listening to me is the best thing ever,"
I squint my eyes, "Uhm..."
"I don't know about that but okay," I raise both my hands up in defense. "You better not mami, I'm my most fiery at these times," I chuckle, adding the bread that was covered in a mixture of coconut milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract, placing it on the pan. It begins to cook and Diane speaks up again. "I see Mal finally brought someone over,"
"Oh yeah, Raya. I'm so happy for her. Y'know. She deserves it,"
"Yeah, on the topic of that," I hum waiting for her to speak but Raya appears. A big grin is plastered on her face. "I can't-" She breathes. "I can't find your suitcase," she manages to say. "Oh, Mal knows where it is," I tell her whilst fliping the bread over. "Why are you so out of breath?" Diane asks. Typically going off topic, always letting her curiosity get the best of her. I would be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit curious though.
"It's Mal," Her chest heavs down when she exhales. "She was busy tickling me but I managed to get away,"
Diane smiles. "How I wish," She stares off into space and this makes me shoot her a questioning look.
About 30 minutes had passed, and breakfast was finally ready. "This looks soo aesthetically pleasing!" Raya chirps. "It looks really good, Claud."
I smile and mumble a small, 'thank you'. Before I get to dig into the bread, that had maple syrup draping over it, my phone rings. I check the caller ID and it turns out to be my boss. I grab a raspberry that was on the plate, getting up from my seat as I answer the phone. "Hello?"
"Ah! Claudia, good morning!"
"Good morning, Claus,"
"I called to remind you about today,"
"Claus, I know exactly what today is," I say, chewing the raspberry. "You know exactly what I'm talking about,"
"I know and I find it pretty useless, Claus."
I could almost see the stern look on his face1 right now as the words came out of my mouth. "It's not useless,"
"Claus please. You and I both know I'm a professional,"
"And that's the exact reason," He says. "I don't want you to ruin your lovely reputation. I'm warning you about Luciano Rivera,"
"And you've done a bit before. I don't need you to remind me,"
"Be careful-"
"Yes, I know. I can't fall for him because it would be explosive. I know Claus." I repeat the words he told me more than once. "I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself,"
"I just want you to be okay. You're the type of human being who gives people who don't deserve it-- the benefit of the doubt. You love blind-"
"Claus, I need to eat. I haven't even had breakfast. We'll talk later, okay?"
"Be careful,"
"Yeah, yeah. Bye now."
"Bye, Claudia,"
□□□
My bags were already packed, and we had already gone shopping. Diane had indeed helped me with my wardrobe and I owed her one.
We were currently outside and I was prepared to call an uber but my phone buzzed. It was from an Unknwon number.
Don't move an inch.
We're coming to get you.
My heart stops for a second, as I nearly panic but then another message comes in.
p.s, it's Isaak.
Before I could even take a second think, a shiny black car pulls up. The windows were a tinted black and the first person I saw was the chauffeur coming out. He wore a typical black and white suit, as well as a grey ear piece in his ear.
The chauffeur completely ignores me and goes to open the passengers seat. To my surprise, Isaak steps out of the vehicle. I can't help but feel a tad bit disappointed when no one else steps out.
Who were you expecting, Claudia?
Maybe a grey eyed- no.
Just no.
I needed to remain professional.
"Claudia you're not going anywhere," I hear a voice from the back. I turn around and find Liam, looking like he ran all the way here. "What are you doing here?" I glare, looking into his brown eyes that nearly fool me. He doesn't answer but rather snatches my wrist and pulls me closer. My wrist feels so little and weak in the presence of his palm. I try to yank it off but it's too tight.
"Let her go," I hear the familiar voice behind me. Liam averts his gaze away from me and turns to look at Isaak. "Is this him?"
He looks at Isaak with so much jealousy and disgust. "You could've done-"
"Watch it," And this time, it's Diane who speaks up. If it wasn't for the situation right now, I'd proudly smile. It takes Liam less than a minute to realize. "Oh you're not blind," Right when those words come out, I realize how dumb he actually sounds. Liam's words seem to tick Isaak off and I shake my head in disappointment and disbelief.
"Let go of her. Now,"
"Or-" Liam's words are cut off by a punch landing on his cheek. He falls flat to the ground and my eyes instantly land on Isaak.
Those words must've hit home for him to react that way.
Before I know it, the chauffeur is carrying my bags into the black Rolls-Royce. "Ladies, get inside,"
Ladies?
I look over to see Diane who is shooting him the same look of shock and confusion. I don't question it and walk over to the car. Diane trails along behind me but her eyes don't leave Isaak.
I frown. Trying to see what she was looking at and I finally see it. Isaak. He was staring at Raya. His eyes never leave her and Raya doesn't seem to notice or at least she pretends not to. I see the hurt in Diane's blue eyes as she holds herself back. I find it hard to spot any emotion in Isaak's eyes. It was just like the first day I saw him.
Cold and stoic.
There was no bright smiles, no kind gestures, just his eyes that never left Raya. Until he finally decides to tear his gaze away and the first person his eyes land on, is Diane -- who was helpless and confused. Instead of reaching for her, he looks down.
Probably realizing how wrong it all looked.
He ignored it, his jaw clenching as he walked over to the car. He opens the door for us, and for himself too. I silently make my way to the car and hop inside. Diane stays outside, her body not moving. "Diane, come," She doesn't move. So I try to get her by myself but before I could get out of the car, I see Isaak head over in her direction.
It nearly looked like his about to kiss her but instead he carries her like she's a feather and gets her into the car.
The chauffeur closes the boot and hops into the drivers seat.
"Claudia!" I hear Liam's voice from the outside. "If you leave, you'll be making a mistake,"
But I don't stop the driver. I don't look back. I look straight. Disappearing into my day dream until I reached my destination.