' huh?' The woman was confused then scoffed and threw the hankie on his face. " Why do you think I have wasted my tears and told you this? do I look like a storyteller to you?" she snapped and stood up.
" hehehe." He scratched the back of his neck and chuckled awkwardly. " Thank you so much, Mum Sara. thank you, thank you, " He chanted happily and also stood up. He couldn't wait to share the good news with Mira.
" Wait." the woman stopped him then sighed and muttered, " I'm sure Mira had told you about the Mayor. Please be careful." she patted his shoulder and hoped the crazy guy would stop following Mira as she had spoken to him already.
" Don't worry Mum Sara, I'll take care of him if he dares disturb my Mira again." He chuckled and turned toward the door. ' Hmph, the Mayor, he's just a piece of cake. hehe'
" Where do you think you're going!? the dungs at the farm can't clean themselves. chop-chop, " she snapped and went inside the house while making sure to lock the door.
" Mum Sara. . .," Zach whined and sighed exasperatedly while staring at the locked door.
********
__ City M __
Clara stared down at her phone with a sigh. It had been a week now since the incident occurred and Carl had been rejecting her several calls.
" It's okay dear. I'm sure he's feeling down at the moment ... take it easy." Lara rubbed her shoulder and also sighed.
" What do I do Lara, I can't reach even Jack. . . I'm so hopeless." She bit her lips and laid her head on the couch's headrest. She had come to realize that it was all set up but who would believe her if she doesn't have any evidence?
" It's a fortunate thing that the articles were brought down. Don't worry, everything will be alright. you just need to give each him some space to calm down."
" Thanks, Lara." Clara smiled sadly. It is true, She knew Carl still loved her, maybe if she gave him some space, it will give him time to sort out things. ' right?'
" What about the company? " Lara suddenly asked.
" Well... I don't know..., " Clara replied with a chuckle. She was also confused. Had Carl fired her or not? But she hasn't received any notice so far.
" Hmmm" she nodded with a sigh and her eyes darted to the twins who were asleep on the other couch then asked, "when will you go back?"
" The day after tomorrow... I guess, " Clara replied and also looked toward the twins. " I'll miss them too." she chuckled. She couldn't wait to go back to her family and get out of all this mess.
" Safe journey dear... I wish I could be around but would be on duty that day." Lara sighed while staring at her apologetically.
" Mmm, no problem Lara, thank you. " Clara nodded then bid her good night after they chatted more.
After Lara left, her eyes darted to the twins and a small smile appeared on her lips. She stood up and took them inside the bedroom then switched off the lights and also lay in their midst.
Her eyes tinged as she remembered how she had promised Carl that night to bring him the twins on the next workday. ' hehe fate' who knew that the next day their relationship would unexpectedly crumble.
She shut her eyes, not wanting to think further as she had planned to wake up very early in the morning to start packing.
********
__ The Next Day __
After dropping the twins at school, she got out of the taxi and turned back to enter her apartment building when a voice suddenly made her halt.
" Derek!" She rushed to him excitedly and wondered when was the last time she saw him. ' Oh, it was at the celebratory dinner...'
Derek smiled and scratched the back of his neck. He stood up from the bench and walked toward her. " How're you doing? "
" I'm fine Derek, how's work, how's everyone at the department?" She beamed then sat down on the bench and Derek also sat beside her.
" Everything's fine, they're all asking about you, " he replied softly and remembered how their colleagues had constantly urged him to bring her to another dinner. After some seconds, he retrieved a small box from his pockets and handed it to her. " Here, this is for you."
" Huh?" Clara took it with surprise then tried to open the box when he suddenly stopped her.
" W..wait, you have to open it after the new year had started." He adjusted his glasses and chuckled.
" Oh." she nodded in understanding and smiled at him. " Thank you."
" D..Don't mention it, " he replied and they chatted more for a while before he finally stood up and bid her goodbye.
Clara stared down at the box with a sigh while her thoughts drifted to the jewelry box Carl had gifted her.
' How much are they worth?'
' Don't sell it.'
' But what if I need money.'
' My money is yours of course'
' huh? Really?.'
' Mm. and you're mine.'
' hehehe yes, I'm all yo__ wait a second. . ., Carl! are you trying to buy me with money!!?'
She chuckled as that moment played in front of her. 'I'll wait, Carl, I'll wait.' She smiled sadly and stood up then went inside the apartment building.
When she reached her apartment, she started packing and by the time she was done, night had already fallen. She remembered that Lara would pick the kids from school as she didn't want them to start crying again and say they'll follow her.
After taking her bath and changing into her pajamas, she dialed Maya's number to remind her about arriving early as they were supposed to go back together.
They bid each other good night feeling excited to finally meet again tomorrow.
' Hmmm, lemme try again.' She scrolled down through her contacts and stopped at Carl's number. After heaving a deep sigh, she shut her eyes and decided to try her luck again.