Chapter 25 I am confused

Sliding all thoughts, Clara entered her room. The lights were off and the dim bulb was flickering to give her brightness. She kept her office bag on the sofa and walked further.

Her eyes widened in shock seeing the steam stick near the table. Someone was holding them as the switch was on. Her forehead was filled with sweat as the memories ran wild in her head.

"You tried to tell your dad about me?" Elena's voice from 10 years ago felt so real and alive there.

"Why don't you tell this too?" Elena asked as she kept the steam stick just above Clara's knees. Hot tears rolled down the cheeks of the small girl and she couldn't even scream.

"Scream, if you want this same punishment for your brother" Elena smirked as she was enjoying the whimpering of Clara.

Clara blinked away to let the memory fade away but failed miserably as the steam stick started directing towards her. She walked back till she hit the wall behind her. Her eyes trembled thinking about the pain.

Alex switched on the light and turned to iron his suit for the next day's conference. His eyes fell on Clara who was trembling visibly.

"What happened?" Alex asked but his words didn't reach her ears at all. She sat on the floor as she closed her legs close to her chest with so much going on in her head. It seemed to get blasted anytime.

"What happened?" Edward came inside and at jet speed, Clara ran to his side and hid behind him, startling them. Alex was shocked beyond imagination. Now, what is it about?

"Are you okay, Clara?" Edward asked but she didn't reply to his question. Instead, she was clutching his hand for support.

"let's go" She managed to say as her eyes didn't leave Alex's side. Alex felt so wronged all of a sudden. He didn't do anything to get such a reaction from her. Edward signalled Alex to calm down as he grabbed Clara to the balcony.

It was not likely Clara's style. But both the men tried to give some time to that girl.

*****

In Balcony "You okay now?" Edward asked as he gave her a mug of coffee. She smiled in response.

"I was just stressed out with the new tasks in the office" Of Course Edward knew that she was lying to cover up the situation. But he didn't ask her anything.

Clara sat there in silence. Why did she have to react that way? She hates to show her vulnerable side to anyone. She always maintained her composure. Will Alex bombard her with questions? Will he start distancing himself? For a fact, she started liking his company. She loved to have his support in everything. It was like a slow-burn story book but all of a sudden everything is burned and that's to her shitty mouth.

"I am sorry from everyone's side," Edward said after a pause. He could conclude that she might be a daddy's princess and has never been scolded by anyone. That's why she was freaked out by Alex's angry stares alone.

"My mom is a little dramatic, you know?" Edward spoke, chuckling a bit.

"Little?" Clara came to her mode with mockery as Edward laughed at her question. She has a magnetic charm and no one would like it if she gets silent all of a sudden.

"You take after your mom completely" She commented with a scoff, recalling their first meeting. Edward scratched the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.

"I was not like that. That day I was a little down and I had my reasons to act like an a**" Edward explained his side. But she just scoffed in reply.

"But the slap was really harsh." Edward pouted and Clara couldn't help but laugh at his words.

Alex watched them and was like what the hell just happened? She is laughing with Edward and just before sometime she was trembling in fear. The girl is surely a mystery. Just because he scolded her, she is acting like a victim here?

"Do you want to sleep here?" Edward asked as she was about to fall asleep on the couch itself.

"Trust me my brother won't eat you alive, so you can go back to the room," Edward replied honestly.

"He might seem like that. But he is not" Edward added as he laughed. Clara giggled at his words.

"Do you want to try and see if I am actually like that?" Alex asked, startling both. Edward stood up with a nervous chuckle as he was caught red-handed by his brother. Clara didn't even lift her eyes to see Alex.

"It's late. Go and sleep" Alex's words were short but Edward left the place to show the intensity of the words. Clara stood there not able to do anything.

"If you need any invitation to come and sleep?" Alex asked amusingly as she was still there. But her reactions and silence started annoying him to a great level.

"I. I. Am fine here" Clara replied and literally left the place, leaving him baffled.

"Did you scare her to this extent?" Mac asked when he saw everything.

"I didn't do anything and look at her acting" Alex is now pissed off to a greater extent.

To be honest, he didn't like this timid Clara. He was excited with that sassy Clara.

"She seemed to be so scared" Mac is now concerned with her expression.

"I have to check the details for the conference meeting. So, I will be in the study room tonight" Mac left the place to check for the meeting details. Alex didn't bother to join him which was a shocker to Mac.

****

Alex twisted and turned for half an hour and wondered how he could not sleep after this much hard day. He went back to his study room to at least check with Mac for the meeting.

"It seems the girl has messed up your mind" Mac laughed at Alex who gave a death glare to Mac. Alex's not being able to sleep was like a well-maintained computer system attacked by a virus.

"There is a small interview about our May month collection." Mac gave the information as a small smirk appeared on Alex's face.

"Arrange it for tomorrow" Alex informed.

"But it's Sunday" Mac is now confused.

"That's the only day she will be available as it's her new job" Alex's words were alien to him. She doesn't need to attend any interviews with him.

"Seriously?" Mac asked, shocked.

"Do you like her?" Mac asked directly, not able to name that liking. Because love is not something he can be able to do again in his life. But Alex seemed to get too much interest with this girl and it can be a liking for sure.

"She looked hurt as I was mad at her" Alex replied as he scratched his head.

"There are many times I was hurt as you were mad at me" Mac pouted as he threw the files on the couch with a huge frown.

"You get paid for my madness" Alex replied all annoyed and Mac smiled in realization.

"Whatever. Tomorrow morning at 10, get ready for the interview and it will be exclusive as it's your first interview after marriage with your wife. So be prepared for all the questions." Mac replied to him as Alex started planning to talk to her about the interview. He needed an excuse to at least talk to her as she completely shut herself from him. But will she agree?

*****

Clara left the home by 7 and Alex couldn't get the chance to ask her for an interview. "Miss. Blair" Clara has never come by herself to meet this woman while she was expecting her every day.

"That is a wonder, Clara." Kriya Blair exclaimed as soon as she sat across from her in her cabin.

"I didn't want to disturb you without an appointment. I mean. I know that we can't meet without your appointment. But I thought I could at least check" Clara was explaining things as she didn't even know why she came there early in the morning. "Clara, a sorry is what would fill these all explanations. I don't know why a little sorry is taking you so much time" Kriya Blair sighed tiredly. She is a psychiatrist and has been treating Clara for the last 9 months. But she couldn't get Clara's trust or any improvement in her case. It was Jason who introduced her to Blair.

"And I am free for you always. I am happy first of all that you found me to talk to once you are in conflict" Kriya's words surprised Clara. She didn't expect her to judge her intention so transparently. She is too confused to talk to anyone about this. But Kriya seemed to be the right person to share after all her medications and some treatment made Clara relax. Clara started liking her treatment.

"I am confused. I mean" Clara stuttered and was not sure what she should talk about. She never shared any of her thoughts with anyone other than her mother's picture late in the night. It was so weird.