After Clara introduced them, they instantly confirmed their doubts and Jack's expression darkened further.
Clara wondered what was wrong with both guys and couldn't take it anymore.
" Jack, " she called out in a hushed tone slightly irritated.
They immediately returned to their senses after hearing Clara's voice and Jack reached out his hand and plastered a fake smile on his face then said, " Nice.. to meet you. " .' again ' he added inside then squeezed Carl's hand tightly.
Carl squeezed his hand too and replied " Mm, me too " with an intense gaze. He was happy that Jack was only her friend. However he wondered, ' when did he return, '? He thought curiously.
Clara watched helplessly as both guys stare at each other like enemies and thought whether they knew each other. She noticed their knuckles turning white and realized that they were squeezing each other's hand, She gasped instantly and said awkwardly, " Ehm... Carl .. We'll be on our way now. "
The men released each other's hands and Carl replied, " Mm " before turning to her with a slight smile. He still had a chance and he was very happy.
Jack frowned and took Clara's hand then stride away angrily.
Carl scowled and watched silently as the girl was being shoved away. He then stared at Jack's back and sighed heavily.
" Jack what is wrong, do you know Carl? " Clara asked him worriedly while she was being shoved away. She turned back and saw Carl staring at them and she smiled apologetically and waved her free hand at him.
Jack replied, " Mm. " and slowly released her hand. " I'm sorry," he said and gave her an apologetic look. He just couldn't control his anger whenever he saw Carl, remembering what happened many years ago.
Clara smiled lightly and softly replied, " No problem ". She had guessed that there was something between them and didn't want to probe further, she followed behind him and they walked towards the entrance of the amusement park heading to Jack's Car.
Carl smiled and waved back at her then continued staring at their back until they were out of his sight. He sighed and took another direction heading to where he had left Lucy.
_____
Inside Jack's car, Mira was sitting at the back seat lost in her thoughts while the twins were playing beside her.
' Isn't he the one that made me go through all that...Why does he want to apologize now?. ' she dazedly stared outside the window and a tear trickled down her face, She remembered those happy times they were together and wondered what went wrong in the end. '' Everything that happened was your fault, Zach, " she whispered subconsciously and was suddenly jolted back when Lea tugged at her arm.
" Auntie, help me open it pls, " the little girl said and handed her the water flask and Mira quickly wiped her tears and turned to the girl with a smile before opening the water flask's cap.
Clara and Jack soon arrived and they entered the Car. Clara turned to the backseat with one eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. " Mira was the roller coaster ride fun.? "
Mira glared at Jack who had started the car and knew he had told Clara, she smiled apologetically at her ." I'm sorry, " she said guiltily.
Clara laughed lightly and replied, " It's okay. ". She remembered how she got into trouble and wondered why those burly men had stopped following her.
" Geez Clara, don't be too nice.. you should reprimand her, " Jack said and gave Mira a provocative look from the rearview mirror.
" Clara.. I don't like your friend "!!!. Mira said with pouted lips and glared at Jack.
" I don't like ugly babies too, "Jack replied humorously.
" Hey, I'm not a baby. " Mira pouted then widened her eyes " Hey.. did you just call me ugly!!! " ? and they continued bickering while Clara laughed heartily.
______
Carl walked towards the place he had left Lucy and spotted her from afar eating ice cream on the bench that he had sat on before. He was surprised at how obedient she was and wondered where Zach had wandered to.
" Big bro, here here. " Lucy spotted her big brother and waved at him happily while putting down the empty cup of ice cream. " Where did you go big bro, I looked for you everywhere, " She said and pouted her lips while staring up at him with shining eyes.
Carl smiled and ruffled her hair, looking at his sister's eyes now he remembered Clara's clear and round eyes and found them similar. He chuckled thinking that he had started hallucinating again.
" Big bro, why are you smiling.? " Lucy looked at him excitedly. " Did something happen.. tell me.. tell me..tell me, " She asked repeatedly and Carl smiled and said " Mm " then ruffled her hair again.
" Where is Zach, " he asked her to change the topic.
" He probably wandered off to chase after some girls again, " she replied nonchalantly while rearranging her hair. " Ouch. " she suddenly winced and turned back angrily.
" Little cat, gossiping about me again.? " Zach appeared from behind and knocked her slightly on the head with a devilish grin.
" Big bro, he is bullying me." Lucy pouted and held Carl's arm tightly while sticking out her tongue at Zach.
Carl ignored their squabbling and sauntered towards the entrance while they followed behind him.
*****
__ That Night __
Clara was laying on her bed happily and staring at the contact on her phone's screen, she squealed inside and rolled on the bed, then quickly dialed a number and called her best friend. " Maya, you can't believe what happened today, " she said happily immediately after the call went through.
" What happened? quick quick tell me. " hearing her friend's happy tone from the other end, Maya was very excited to hear what happened to her.
Clara laughed and happily told her everything that happened in the amusement park, and how she was chased by the burly men then how she met Carl again.
" Did you mean he collected your contact? " ?. Maya was happy from the other end and quickly said, " Now is your opportunity, you have to carry out that plan I taught you if you don't want to lose him again".