' impossible.' she thought inside and was about to open her eyes wondering why the guy was still silent. ' Argh!' She was going to strangle that Drake__ what was taking him so long.
' But this scent.' She was still lost in her thoughts but then a soft kiss suddenly landed on her lips. Wait_ he wasn't supposed to kiss her. But this kiss__No, it was a very familiar kiss, and even though it only lasted for some seconds, she couldn't get to gather her thoughts as her heart pounded rapidly. If this was a dream, then she doesn't want to wake up. ' Yes, it is a dream.' A small smile appeared on her lips and she kept her eyes shut.
The loud claps and cheering of the audience snapped her out of her reverie and another shock overtook her as she snapped her eyes open.
" C..Carl?" she gasped as her widened eyes lingered on the guy who was standing in front of her in the prince's costume. Was she hallucinating again? She quickly stood up, totally forgetting about the play, and was about to repeat his name when he suddenly engulfed her in an embrace then her whole body stilled.
" I'm sorry, " Carl whispered and tightened his hug on her. After listening to her sister's explanation that morning and also the voice recording. He had realized that he was so foolish and was override by jealousy to not have believed her words. " I'm so sorry Clara," he repeated softly and felt her hugged him back then heard her sniff and felt a hot liquid on his chest. She was crying.
They broke out of the embrace as the cheers from the crowds increased and Clara looked down with teary eyes as her whole face heated up. ' Had he found out the truth?' she didn't have time to linger on her thoughts as he held her hand and they slightly bowed to the audience then walked away while her eyes lingered on his back and a small smile appeared on her lips.
_____
__ After the play ended __
" Clara, I can't believe what just happened. We were in the backstage when Lily and Ken suddenly appeared with your boyfriend__ I mean ex-boyfriend and swapped with Drake who was ready to play the prince .". Maya paced in front of Clara inside the costume room, trying to discern what had just happened.
Clara laughed softly and removed the red band from her hair. She was also confused at what happened and never expected Carl to suddenly appear and wondered how he even knew her sister. " I don't know Maya, but the most important thing is, Carl is here__ and... he even apologized " she giggled while changing her clothes.
" Oh, that's great... I'm very happy for you Clara.... Let's hurry up, the fireworks are about to start and I'm sure he's waiting outside for you, " Maya said while tugging at her own clothes. " Shit this dress won't come off." She groaned and Clara chuckled.
When they came out of the changing room, Clara's gaze landed on Carl who had already changed into his normal clothes. she watched anxiously with a quickened heartbeat as he strode toward her with Ken following behind him.
" Clara, " Carl took her hand and stared down at her glossy eyes which were staring back at him. " I'm so sorry." He repeated with a sigh and slowly wiped the tear that had streamed down her face.
" Carl, did you find out?" She wrapped her hands around him and sniffed back her tears. 'This feels just like a dream. Carl is actually here'.
" Mm." Carl nodded and stroked her hair, as her head lay on his chest. " Your sister showed me."
" Huh? Lily?" She looked up with knitted brows and he slowly nodded.
" Clara, enough with the lovey-dovey already, the kids are watching"
Maya's voice came from behind and Clara's face heated up as she glanced at the kids and the other guys who were also staring at them excitedly.
She quickly broke away from the hug and covered her face.
" Ken, how did you know Clara's ex-boyfriend and what are you still doing here?" Maya went to the guy whose gaze was fixed on her while glancing at Carl confusedly.
" He's my buddy of course, don't you remember him? you met once." Ken chuckled and tried to hold her hand which she quickly shoved away and he sighed helplessly.
" Huh? have you met Carl before." Clara knitted her brows and looked between her friend and Carl whose gaze had not left her.
" Mm." Carl nodded. " She's your friend?" He glanced at Maya who trying to get away from Ken.
" Yeah, she's Maya... I've told you about her, " Clara replied and her eyes lit up when she spotted Lily coming toward them. She needed to ask her what she had told Carl.
" Big Sis, can you keep this for me, please. I need to go somewhere, " Lily said softly and gave her a bag, then a small hairpin fell from her hand.
" Huh? Where did you get it?" Clara frowned and suddenly remembered what she was about to ask but Maya cut her off.
" Lily, please tell Ken that it was all your idea." Maya groaned while trying to get away from the guy who was now holding her waist in a tight grip.
Lily gazed at her softly then picked up the hairpin and chuckled." I'll be off now." she glanced at Carl who nodded at her then left.
" Aren't you going to cut your birthday cake?" Clara called out. However, she was already out of their sight.
" Let's go." Carl chuckled and held her hand and she nodded slowly with a smile.
" Hmph." Maya smirked as she had managed to push Ken away then quickly followed the couple "Oh, the fireworks are about to__" she didn't get to finish her sentence then suddenly groan and held her head.
" Maya!" Ken shouted while his pupils dilated and both Clara and Carl turned back and their eyes also widened.