OPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Part 2 Episode 14

Clara’s POV

“Merry Christmas, Mom!” I hug her and she kisses the crown of my head.

“Merry Christmas!” She wishes back as we pull away.

“Okay. Where is my Christmas gift?” Michael comes down from his room.

Going straight to the Christmas tree, he pulls out the two gifts with his name card and rips one open.

“I can’t believe him. I give up.” Mom says rising her hands up in surrender refereeing to my brother’s behavior.

I can’t help but laugh. “Go, get yours,” she tells me and I pick up one of my gifts.

“Wow, new phone!” Micheal shouted and I nearly threw the gift in my hand.

He screamed and hugged mom. “Thank you, Mom. You just know what I want.” She looks at him bored.

“More like you told me the whole week what you want.” I laugh at what she said.

“I can’t believe he is older than you,” she says.

“Me too.” I agree. He goes to unwrap his other gift.

My heart suddenly feels heavy. I feel like I am missing something.

What is this? My heart goes to my chest and I remember the words said by the man I heard in my head.

I want to spend all of my Christmases with you. Whoever said that, I can hear the love and sincerity in their voice.

Then I think of the ring, the ring on Mr. Dalton’s finger.

It’s the same one I saw in my memory or imagination. What is this?

I can’t stop the feeling that Mr. Bryant is connected to my past.

But if I am, he would have recognized me by now.

I just don’t understand what to believe and what not to.

Apart from all that, my heart beats fast whenever I am near him.

I feel peace when I am in his arms. I just want to see him smile.

And those cookies I made for him for Christmas gift, I don’t know what possessed me to do that.

He must be thinking I am stupid, giving my boss the cookies with his name as a puzzle.

What is wrong with me?!

But I wonder if he ate those. He even ate the spaghetti mom made a week before.

She told me to give it to him. Yes, I know how weird it sounds.

My mom cooked for my Boss. When I told mom how he ate the homemade cookies I gave him when he was tired, she cooked him the spaghetti the next day.

I told her that he would be pissed or feel weird if I give the food like that, but she told me to ask him just once.

Maybe she felt pity when I told her that he doesn’t have a family or anyone to look after him.

During lunch time, I just put the spaghetti in a plate and put it on his table.

I didn’t tell him it’s from my mom. It would have been too weird.

But he thanked me for the spaghetti. How did he know that it was from me? It is still a mystery.

“Clara.” I hear mom call and turn to her. Both mom and Micheal are looking at me.

“Are you okay, Sweetie?” I place the gift down without unwrapping and go to her before sitting beside her.

“Mom, I want to ask you something.”

She looks at me with concern. “What is it?” Okay, here it comes. I have to find answers and I have to ask her.

“You have to be honest.”

“Of course.” Micheal is looking at me with concern. I let out a huge sigh.

“I want to know what happened in the past two years.

I want to what I forgot that happened before the accident.” They both look at me like they don’t know what to say. “Everything.”

“Did anything happen?” Micheal asks. I push my hair away from my face.

“No. It’s… I just… I keep having this… this… memories or visions. I don’t know. I…” I take a breath in. “I feel like I am remembering things, but I don’t know if I am.”

Sweetie.” Mom pulls me into a hug. I relax in her arms.

“You don’t need to panic.” She pulls away and looks at me. “Since when are you having the flashes of your memories?”

“I don’t know if they are memories or if they are just my imaginations or if it’s a mix of both of them.”

“What?” Micheal asks looking at me with confusion. Mom is waiting for me to respond.

“I…” I lick my lips. “Mom, I think I have romantic feelings for my boss.” She doesn’t show any reaction to my confession.

“And?”

“I think that I was in a relationship in past during the period of my forgotten memories and I think these memories I have are a mix of both of them.” They both still look confused.

“Sweetie, can you please explain more?”

“I keep having visions of me being in love with my current boss.”

Mom and brother look at each other.

“Mom, is my boss a part of my memories? I mean, if we were in a relationship, he would have recognized me or did we break up?

Is that why he doesn’t feel the need to tell me about it? OH MY GOD!”

“What?” Mom asks.

“Why did I never think of this?! I was in a relationship with Mr. Bryant and we must have broke up. That’s why he…”

“He what?” Micheal asks.

“He is very caring one minute and pushing me away the next.”

Mom doesn’t talk and Micheal looks away.

“Mom, please tell me the truth. I want to know why I see Mr. Bryant in my memories. Is he connected to my past? Did I date him?”

“Clara.” She says.

“Mom, please. I want to know.” I plead her with my eyes. She looks down and sighs.

“You-” Her words are cut off by the sound of the door bell ringing. Who can it be this late at night?

We all look at each other with confusion. It’s past midnight.

The person starts banging the door and I get up to go to the front door. The banging doesn’t stop.

“Coming!” The banging continues. “Who is it this late at night?”Going, I open the door.

God! I was not prepared for what I am seeing right now?! Is it really him? Shock is printed on my face as I stare at him. It is unexpected.

“Mr. Bryant?!”

“Who is it, Sweetie?” I hear mom ask. I look at him coming out of the shock.

He is wearing a jeans and navy blue button up shirt. His shirt is not tucked.

His face looks so tired and he looks completely drunk.

He is reeking of alcohol. Then the most beautiful thing happens.

He smiles. He smiles at me. A genuine smile. A smile with no secrets. He looks like he is happy. I almost smile at him.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him once I leave the trance his smile left in my mind.

He tries to move forward, but he looks like he might faint.

Concern grows in my heart. “Mr. Bryant, are you alright?”

“Clara!” He says smiling and raises his hand. His hand gently caresses my cheek. Oh God!

My heart does flips. It feels so good. It feels like magic.

The cool breeze touches my cheek and the feel of his hand on my cheek feels amazing. Just as I was starting to enjoy his touch, I see his eyes drooping.

“Mr. Bryant.” I call out and he starts falling. Instantly my arms catch him.

“Who is it?” Micheal asks coming to the door. He looks at me holding Mr. Bryant.

“Why are you hugging a stranger?” He looks at me like I lost my mind. Micheal can’t see his face as he opposite to him.

He is not a stranger. Help me!”

Micheal comes the other way and looks at the person in my arms. He stills for a second and I almost miss it.

“Let’s take him to my room.” I say and Micheal nods his head before helping me bring him upstairs.

“Who is it-Oh.” Mom looks as though she is in shock.

“I am taking him to my room. I will come down and explain.” I tell her before taking him to my room.

Once in there, Micheal helps me lay him on the bed.

I bring a towel and dry his hair. His clothes are wet. It’s raining outside and he is wandering around drinking.

Does he not care for his health? “I will bring water in case he needs it.” Micheal says and I nod.

I remove the buttons of his wet shirt and Oh My!

I should keep my mind stable and not stare at him.

Pulling off his belt, I wipe him with the towel. He takes hold of my hand as I dry him and I look at him. He trying to open his eyes.

“Clara.” He whispers smiling. “Clara, Clara.” His face is so close to mine.

His breath fans my face as he speaks. My mind becomes foggy. Suddenly it’s only us both.

The emptiness in my heart washes away. Is this what is it?

Am I missing him? Am I missing my moody Boss on the day of Christmas?

“Dalton.” My voice comes out as a whisper. I can’t seem a put a hold on my heart when I am near him.

He smiles as I say his name. A full blown smile.

“Yes.” It’s like he is answering to me like I called him.

“Why are you out in the rain? You could catch cold.”

“I loved the cookies. I want more.”

I can’t help but smile at his answer. “You want more cookies?”

“Yes.” He answers and I let out a laugh. He chuckles. Oh God! Why does this feel so natural? “It’s Christmas.”

“Yes, It is.”

“I am here.” He says before fainting again on my bed.

I remove his shirt and dry him with a towel. I want to remove his pant and change him into something comfortable,

but as I reach for his pants it suddenly clicks that I am undressing my boss.

Micheal comes in with a glass of water and a pair of clothes.

“Here.” He sets the glass down and gives me the clothes he brought.

“Will you change him?” I ask.

“Me?”

“Well, he is my boss. I don’t want to seem like a pervert tomorrow morning if he asks me who changed his clothes.”

He thinks about it for a second. “Okay.” He takes the clothes from my hands. Leaving him to it, I go down to mom.

I have to tell her who he is. She must be feeling weird that her daughter just carried a stranger up to her bedroom.

“Mom.” She is sitting in the living room with a glass of wine in her hand. She looks at me as I call her.

“Come.” She pats the place beside her. I obey and sit beside her.

“Okay, so that is my boss.” She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off.

“I know and even I didn’t expect him to show up like that unannounced.

Just let him stay here tonight please. It’s raining outside and he is completely wet.”

“Okay.” She agrees and I can’t help the smile appearing on my face. I didn’t expect her to agree, but well, she did.

“Thank you, Mom.” Giving her a hug I pull away.

“You really like him don’t you?” She asks and her question only makes me sigh.

My heart fucking flips whenever I even think of him.

“I do.” I whisper. “I like him.” She smiles at me. Tears pool in my eyes for some reason.

It’s like I nearly love him. Maybe I do. But, these are all only one sided. How can I fall in love with my boss?!

It even sounds cheesy! But he was always there for me.

There is something between us I can sense and I know I sound stupid when I say this, but I can’t stop myself from thinking that! “I don’t know why he is here today.

I don’t know why he is looking me.” Tears stream down my face.

“I keep thinking that he may be related to my past.

The time I forgot. God! Mom! I really like this man. I-I don’t know what to say.”

Listen to your heart, Sweetie.” Her words bring a smile on my face.

“I will.”

“You will be alright.” She gives me a hug again.

Coming back to my room, I find him sleeping peacefully in my bed.

It feels so surreal. Him, in my bed. Something I never expected, but something that’s fluttering my heart. I sit beside him on the bed.

Who are you? Why are you always making my heart and mind go crazy?!

He moves a bit and lays on his back still deep in sleep.

I take my time appreciating his beautiful face. My fingers run on his nose ending at the sharp edge.

His five O’ clock shadow is growing thicker. He needs a shave, not that he looks bad now. My drunk boss is lying in my bed.

But as I look at him, I don’t see him as my boss for some reason.

Oh Dalton!

Soon sleep over takes me. I fall asleep beside him happily.

This will be a Christmas I will remember for a long time.

Dalton’s POV

Waking up, I open my eyes. A familiar ceiling stares back at me.

The scent I love the most is wrapped around me and I feel arms pulling me closer to a body. As I look down, my heart beat raises.

clara?!

As I look around the room, I realise that I am in her room which means I am in her house.

How did I get here? Why is she in my arms? Not that I mind.

Why am I sleeping in her bed? Did I… Did I tell her anything last night?

Did I tell her anything about our past? Mrs. Edwards?!

Does she know that I am here?! What is happening?!

Looking back at her, all the questions in my mind vaporize and for the moment, I relish being in her pleasant embrace.

My arms surround her body immediately and she nuzzles into me.

Is this a dream? It must be. It feels so real.

Engulfing her completely in my arms, I take my time savouring this experience. It’s been so long…

So long, since I embraced her without a care in the world.

For a moment it feels like there are only us in the world.

Cara Mia!

“Cara.” A loving whisper leaves my mouth unknowingly. The most unexpected thing happens.

“Hmm.” She hums in response. My heart stops beating for a moment.

Can she hear me? Why did she respond? Did she remember the past?

I check to see if she is awake. She is deep in sleep.

“I love you.” Losing control, I kiss her forehead, lingering my lips there longer than needed.

My heart settles down and I feel a sense of peacefulness flowing down my body.

But, it doesn’t last long. I need to go. I have to go.

I try hard to get out of her embrace and once I do, I cover her with the blanket and kiss her forehead again.

My greedy heart doesn’t want to settle with just one.

Once I am look, I find myself in unfamiliar clothes.

I remember leaving the house yesterday in casual clothes, not in a t shirt and a short.

These must be Micheal’s. My clothes are hanging on a chair in her room.

Picking them up and wearing them, without making a sound, I quickly exit the room, before staring at her for a moment.

Get a grip, Dalton! You should leave! You only cause her harm! Leave when you can!

Leaving the room, I go downstairs. Mrs. Edwards and Micheal are sitting in the dining room.

“Good morning, Mrs. Edwards!” I greet her. She looks up from her phone and Micheal does the same.

“Good morning.” Greeting him, I stand there like a person guilty of committing a crime.

Good morning.” He greets back.

“Come, sit down, son. I cooked breakfast for you too.” She gets up and takes a plate.

“No need-”

“You are having breakfast here and that’s final. I know it’s been long, since you had a family member cook for you.

I know you have a lot of questions and we can talk about them once you have your breakfast.” She serves the plate with pancakes and puts it on the table.

Her words family member strikes me hard. She still considers me as one.

I am thankful to God for bringing these people into my life.

I didn’t know it can be this beautiful until last year when I celebrated New Year with all of them together.

Mrs. Edwards, Micheal, Grandpa, Kurt and my lovely lovely Clara who hosted the event.

But I have to leave. If not they might disappear like my parents. Clara almost became a victim of it.

Sitting down, I grab the fork set beside the table.

“Thank you for the spaghetti, Mrs. Edwards. Even though Clara didn’t tell me out of shyness, I know you prepared it for me.”

“You are welcome, son.” Her kind smile makes me feel at ease.

“How have you been?” Micheal asks.

“Fine.”

“Mom worries about you sometimes.” He says out of nowhere.

I don’t know how to respond to that, but I feel grateful that someone actually cares for my well being.

“Kurt said, your Grandfather is missing you. You should give him a call if possible.

” I nearly forgot that Kurt, the guy who works in grandpa’s farm is dating Micheal.

It’s been a while since I spoke to my grandfather. I should call him.

“I will call him.” I said completing my breakfast. “Thank you for the food.”

“You are welcome.” She responds.

“How did I get here last night?” I ask immediately.

“You came in a cab and you were completely drunk.” Micheal answers. “Clara took you to her room.” That explains a lot.

I nod my head in response.

“You miss her a lot don’t you?” Mrs. Edwards asks.

A lot wouldn’t even describe it. My heart feels like it might explode any minute.

I am near her, but I can’t make her mine. It’s like someone is pulling my heart out, stitching it back and pulling it out again. It’s pure torture.

“Clara still loves you, Dalton. You know that too, don’t you?” She asks. Of course.

My girl is not good at hiding her emotions. My girl? She is not my girl anymore

“I do.”

“You can still turn things around. Her heart still beats only for you.

You can keep the past in the past and continue with the future from here.”

“I can’t Mrs. Edwards. I will only hurt her.”

“Oh please! I don’t believe that. You have taken care of her more than I should. You are only hurting yourself and her this way!”

Hurting her?

“She is having flashes of her memory. She spoke to me yesterday about it.”

I look at her blankly.

“Soon she might get her memory back and you know what will happen then!

I don’t want to see her suffering about her past like this!

” She puts her hand over mine in a motherly way.

“You are not bad for her, Dalton. You are good for her. I know that.

You should believe in yourself, you should believe in your love!”

She takes her hand back and I think about what she said.

“If you are not going to go forward and don’t want to have relationship with her, then break up with her.”

Her words halt all of my thoughts.

“Tell her everything about your relationship. Don’t leave any details and if you want to walk away from her, then have clean break up.”

“Mom!” Micheal looks at her like she has gone crazy asking her me to break up with her own daughter.

“It’s better to see her suffer for a few days than to see her in pain for months.

” I just listen to her without talking. “Listen son, I want you both to be together.

I would happily give you my blessing for your future, but if really want to walk away from her, I suggest you do it quick.

Don’t break her heart every day. I don’t want my daughter coming home with tears every day.”3

“Is she crying every day?” I ask with concern. Micheal and her share a look.

“Not every day, but most of the times. On weekends,

Not every day, but most of the times. On weekends, she just seems dazed out. She is not happy and we know you are not too.” Micheal says.

“We know you love her. Stop believing in these delusional things and just follow your heart.” Mrs. Edwards says.

“I just don’t want to see her hurt.”

“Me too. That’s why you should tell her the truth.

Tell her everything. That will at least put her at ease.

I don’t want to see her beating herself up every day about her past.” She explains. “More than anything, I would like to see you both together.”

Together? With Clara? That’s a beautiful dream.

“Think about it son. In any case, come clean with her.” She says.

I don’t want to hurt Clara. I don’t want her beating herself up over the past.

I don’t want to see her cry. But for all of this to happen, I have to tell her the truth and if I tell her the truth… I have to let her go.

But will I be able to let her go? Will I be able to leave her?! I would be a fool if I think I will be able to do that!

“I will tell her everything once I come back from my business trip.”

She has to know the past. She has the right to.