OPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Part 2 Episode 13

Dalton’s POV

“When is the appointment with them?” Closing the laptop, I get up taking my phone.

“It is after the Christmas holidays. So two weeks from now.” William answers.

“Okay. Did Clara reach home safely?”

“Paul texted me saying that she reached safely. He said that he texted you too.”

Looking at my phone I check the message. She is home.

The message read. After the way she passed out of in her cabin, there is no way I am going to let her go anywhere without safety.

Paul is appointed to look after her, make sure she is safe and to protect her in my absence. “Got it.”

“Dalton, this is maybe out of line, but…” He trails off looking at me.

“Just get to the point.” I know he has something to say about me and Clara.

“I think she is having feelings for you. She even asked me about your ex-girlfriend. Of course she doesn’t know that it’s her.”

“What did she ask?”

“She asked if your ex-girlfriend is hot?”

I can’t stop the smile breaking from my lips. “That sounds like her.” I murmur to myself. “What else did she ask?”

“If you are still in love with your ex-girlfriend.”

“What did you say?”

Instead of responding he just looks away from me. “I told her I think that you are.”

I am, of course! “It’s fine. As long as she doesn’t know who it is.”

“I think one of these days she might find out who your ex-girlfriend is. You need to be more careful.”

“I know.”

We both walk out of the office and reach downstairs to our cars. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Bryant.”

“What’s so merry about it?” I can’t help but whisper. “Merry Christmas. Enjoy your holidays with your family.”

“Thank you.”

Giving him one kurt nod, I drive out from there. As I drive home, there is only one thought in my mind.

Clara! It’s all I am thinking about these days. I am barely able to stop myself from holding her in my arms today.

My car halts at the traffic signals and I look at the neatly wrapped gift placed in the passenger seat.

Clara gave it to me in the morning when we met in the cellar.

Although I wanted to tear open and know what’s inside, I threw it in there to act cold towards her.

I remember how her smile immediately fell and all I want to do was pull her close and kiss her.

“Oh God!”

I start driving again. These days I have been losing control around her.

My arms seek her whenever she is near me. That day when I was too tired with all the meetings,

she took care of me just like she did in the past and for a moment I forgot that she doesn’t remember me from her past.

She still smells the same and having her in my arms even just for a few seconds made me forget everything. It was just her and me.

Having her so close and yet not being able to touch her is driving me crazy.

But I have to keep limits with her. I should let her date other men.

I should… let her go. Why is it so hard? Why can’t I stop myself from being near her?

I only hurt her more. She will keep running into dangers if I am with her.

I should find a way to let her go. She deserves to live happily… with someone.

With some other person! Fuck! Even the thought is making me see red.

Oh Clara! Cara Mia! Why does it have to be like this?

My heart leaped out of chest when I saw her pass out.

If anything happened to her… Even the thought is unbearable.

Only when the doctor came and checked her, did my heart start beating normally.

I had to have her in my arms that day. I have to know that she was fine and safe and the only way to clam myself down was to hold her as close to me as possible.

But the questions she asked me that day, really put me on edge.

I was on the verge on giving away. It took everything in me to stop myself from going to her and telling her the truth.

And when she said that she has feelings for me… God I thought I might lose it. I was too happy to even process anything that’s happening.

Even if she forgot everything about me, even when she doesn’t remember who I am, she chose me. But she should not.

Oh my Clara! What should I do?

And when she asked why I called her Cara Mia, I wanted to shout at her, I was at loss of words.

I was unable to answer all her questions. There was only one answer for all of them though.

It’s because I love you. I love you so much. But how can I tell you that?

From that day onwards, her behaviour towards me changed.

She has become more confident. Not that she was not before.

She only talks about work sometimes and sometimes gets so close to me that I think she is seducing.

I am not complaining though. When she is close to me and when I can smell her, everything around me just disappears.

It’s like there are only two of us in this world. In that moment, the past, the present, the future, nothing matters. It’s only her, me and us.

I keep forgetting that there can be no us. I only bring destruction. I only bring harm.

Fuck! Cara Mia! I want to see you. I want to be with you!

I reach my house. Going in, I freshen up and come out of the bathroom.

My eyes fall on the gift given by her. Quickly going to the bed where the gift lays, I pick it up and unwrap it eagerly to know what’s in there.

It is a box filled with cookies. A small note is attached on the top.

Merry Christmas, Dalton! Hope you like these homemade cookies. Happy holidays.

Opening the box, I find the most delicious chocolate chip cookies shaped in alphabets.

They smell so delicious. Homemade? She is my home.

I can’t wait to taste them. Going to kitchen, I lay them on the kitchen island arranging the alphabets.

Finally completing the puzzle, I understand what she did.

That’s what the whole cookies are. She actually cooked my name.

I can’t help the smile appearing on my face. If only she is here.

I remember the last year’s Christmas. My gaze immediately falls on my ring finger.

She gifted this ring. Taking it out, I look at the words carved inside. I love you.

Oh, Clara! How did we reach this far? How can this happen? Why am I such a curse?!

I want you here with me, laying in my arms, like you did last year.

Taking a cookie, I bite it. She cooked them herself, I know the taste.

Tears nearly pooled in my eyes. I want to see her. I have to. Just once.

It wouldn’t hurt, right?! But I should not. I need to learn to control myself when it comes to her. It seems like these cookies are my only comfort for now.

Maybe I cannot go to see her, but I can… Going to my room I pick up the phone. Once I click on the contact I love the most, it starts ringing.

“Hello, Mr. Bryant!” Her voice is smooth and attentive.

At least I can hear her voice and quench my thirst to be close to her. “Hello!” She calls again.

“Yes, Ms. Edwards! Did you forward the mail I asked you to?” I have actually seen the mail, but I just needed a reason.

I feel silly, but this is the only way. I want to at least hear her voice.

“Yes, I have mailed it afternoon itself.”

“I haven’t checked it yet.”

“Oh. Okay.” There is a moment of silence.

“Thank you for the cookies.”

“You are welcome.” She says and I hear murmurs from behind. “Yes mom,

it’s Mr. Bryant… No! How can I?… Mom!” There is a brief pause. “Sorry. Merry Christmas, Mr. Bryant.”

“You too.”

She disconnects the call and I sigh. Okay. That can stall me for a few days. At least I hope.

My phone rings and I look at the caller ID. It’s Mrs. Edwards, Clara mother.

My eyebrows draw together. Concern settles in my heart.

“Mrs. Edwards,” I say picking up.

“Oh Dalton, how are you, son?”

“I am good. Is everything alright?”

“Oh, no need to worry. I just called you to ask you to come spend Christmas with us,” she says.

She is a very kind lady. Every once in a while she calls to ask if I am fine or if I am doing well.

She feels like my mother. Her concern for me melts my heart.

She helps me keep track of Clara’s health, she understands why I am trying to get away from Clara, though few times she did ask me to just tell her the truth and get back together with her.

I can’t. Right now, I just want to take up her offer and go spend this weekend with my girl. I sigh. She is not my girl! Damn!

“No, Mrs. Edwards, I can’t. But thank you for the offer.”

“Oh, but you don’t have to be alone on this day.”

“And say what to Clara? It would be too weird.”

“You don’t worry about Clara. I can always make up some story.

Plus Clara would love to spend Christmas with you.” She would?

“You know that she likes you. I saw how excited she was to bake those cookies for you.”

Cara Mia! “She might not remember you, but her heart remembers.

You are only hurting yourself by doing this, son.” Her voice is low. I have to do this! Even if it hurts! I have to go away before she remembers me.

“Thank you, but think I will pass.”I hear her sigh at my words.

“Okay. But if you change your mind, do come.”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Edwards!”

“Merry Christmas, dear!” She hangs up.

I let out a breath running my hands through my hair.

I do want to see Clara. Her voice is ringing in my head. I need to get a drink. Right! That will do! I need it right now!

Getting dressed, I take my cars keys and go out driving up to my regular place to get a drink.

Oh Clara! What should I do? I have to go away from you, but I can’t! I want to hold you close, but I can’t!

Opening my phone, I look at my screen saver. A picture of us.

My finger trails down on her face. I take a shot of my vodka. I keep drinking, I don’t know how much I am drinking.

I want to drink till I fill up all the pain, till I don’t feel anything.

My heart hurts too much. Caressing the ring on my finger, I remember what I said last year at this time. “I want to spend all of my Christmases with you.”

I laugh at myself and the absurdity of the situation.

Oh Clara! I was a fool. Look where we are now! All of my dreams,

our dreams, dreams and future that I saw with you, are just going to remain as dreams now, in just my memory! How sad is that?

I look at her photo drinking beer. I caress the ring she gifted me.

Oh Baby! I need you right now! I want to hold you. Just once!

I don’t know how much I drank. But I feel the world around me moving. I keep seeing Clara.

“Clara! You are here?”

“Sir, excuse me!” Why doesn’t the voice sound like her?!

“Clara! Baby!” I scream like a mad man. My legs feel wobbly. I would fall down if the man beside me isn’t holding me.

“Sir, we are closing up. You need to leave.” Why does she sound like a man?

“Clara! Let’s spend the Christmas together like I promised!” I get up trying to hug her.

“Sir, I am not Clara! You need to go home.”

“Yes, let’s go home, Baby.”

I get up and walk out holding her. She feels muscular! I look at her and find a man’s face mixed with hers.

I blink twice to see clearly. It’s not her. It’s not Clara.

I feel the cool air once we are outside the club. I feel the person take me on the road. “Taxi!” I hear him call.

“Where is she?! Where is Clara!” I pull out of his hold.

She must be inside the club. I saw her there. “Clara! Baby!”

“Sir! You need to get in the car. We are closing.”

“But, she is inside. Clara!” I call out loudly so that she can hear me and come out.

I feel wobbly. “Baby, come out, let’s go home.” Before I know it, I fall down. Someone lifts me up.

“Sir, you came alone. Please get in.”

“What?” I look at the man with confusion. What is he saying? I can’t think properly. My mind is fuzzy. He puts me inside the cab and closes the door.

“Where to?” The driver asks. I look at the entrance of the club waiting for Clara. “Sir?” I hear him call.

“Yes?”

“Where to?”

“Oh.” I tell him the address. Taking a chug from my beer I wait for him to take me to my destination. Clara! Clara! Cara Mia!

“We are here.” The cab driver announces. That was pretty fast.

I give him a good fare for bringing me to my heaven.

I get out and drink my beer. Going to the porch, I ring the bell waiting for my fairy to open the door. Why is she not coming? I bang the door.

“Coming!” I hear her voice. “Who is at this time of the night?!

” I hear her say. I smile. It’s me. The cursed boy! Oh right! I shouldn’t be here.

I should go! But Cara Mia! I want to see her! My beautiful clara! My lovely girl! My everything!

The door opens and there stood my girl, in her night dress with Christmas hat on her head.

She looks cute. As always! Shock covers her features once she sees me.

“Mr. Bryant?!”

“Who is it, Sweetie?” I hear someone from inside the house ask. I smile at her.

Her mouth opens and closes as she looks at me. “What are you doing here?” She asks.

My body feels wobbly and I feel the earth below me moving.

Everything feels fuzzy except her. I am here to spend the Christmas with you as promised, Baby!

“Mr. Bryant, are you alright?” She asks looking at me with concern.

Now that I see you I am fine! “Clara!” I reach and caress her cheek.

A smile spreads on my face. She is here! My vision starts to blur and I feel like I am about to faint.

“Mr. Bryant!” I hear her say before I feel fainting in her arms.

She is here! I am with her! Cara Mia!