Chapter 98 - Chapter 97

@International_Pen

((( CLAIRE )))

I was surprised.

"Now come downstairs and help me stop him from going. We still got few minutes," Deo added.

"My car's outside."

I was more surprised.  

"Just a second."

My feet instinctively moved. I swiftly tied my hair in a messy bun and mindlessly stuffed the cooked prawn dish in a lunchbox. I didn't change clothes, took a quick glance at myself in the mirror, and wished I didn't smell like garlic.

"Get in," Deo opened the door and invited me in with a big smile.  

As soon as the seatbelts were buckled up, he sped off like crazy. It took me back to the memory of Zhio's driving. I grasped the seat tightly and wished I wouldn't vomit like I did before.  

But more than fear, I felt hope.  

I wanted to see him again…

Was it really my fault?  

You're crazy Zhio…

(ZHIO)

I woke up to the unused master bedroom downstairs. My own room was in utter mess, courtesy of my drunken fury last night. I guessed, it'd be vacant for long.

My headache throbbed and my body was still heavy.  

Wenziel's arms were crossed as his body sunk in the settee, idly waiting for me to wake up. But he just stared when I awoke and expected me to speak first. He was more reasonable to talk with so I was mentally thankful that Eriez wasn't around.

I remained lying on the bed and was lazily staring at the ceiling.

"I'm leaving the country for a while," I stated.

His face disapproved but he sighed it away.

"I expected that much. But I hoped too that you'd stop the wedding instead of cowardly running away."

I shrugged.

"Ruining the wedding wouldn't mean she'd be mine after. She could still dump me anyway. What I need to do right now is to clear up my mind for a bit…"

He didn't move but silently nodded.

"I'll be gone for years," I said lowly.

At the side table, my phone lit up as Deo's message popped in. It was short so I didn't have to slide the screen to read what it said.  

He's taken Claire home safely…

I shook my head.  

Why was I still worrying about her when she's got her fiancé to rely on anyway?

"Since you now knew, I'd like you to do me some favor," my words went out selfishly.

"I'm aborting the Project Rose."

He was surprised but didn't complain. It was obvious that he feared I'm cutting every connections I have with Claire. I knew well I sounded too selfish but let her have her cunning groom to help her. I want to rip that bastard's mask little by little and made Claire realize how bad her decision was. That she'd realize Derick wasn't the right guy for her.

Maybe I'm not the right guy too but just…just not Derick.    

@International_Pen