Clara walked home, her mind reeling from her conversation with Derek's words, but her grandmother's warning lingered in her mind like a shadow. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to his story, more to him than met the eye.
As she entered her home, her grandmother looked up from her seat by the window, her eyes filled with a deep concern that Clara hadn't seen before. "Clara, I've been waiting for you," she said, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
"Grandma, what's wrong?" Clara asked, sensing that something was off. Her grandmother's expression was unlike anything she'd ever seen – a mix of sadness, fear, and determination.
Her grandmother's eyes locked onto hers, and Clara felt a shiver run down her spine. "It's about Derek, child. I know you've been spending time with him, but I have to warn you. His father, Clyde, was responsible for a great tragedy in our family's past."
Clara's eyes widened as her grandmother continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Clyde killed your father, Clara. I know you don't remember him, but he was a good man, and Clyde's actions were senseless."
The words hit Clara like a ton of bricks. She had never known her father, but hearing that Derek's father was responsible for his death made her blood boil. She felt a wave of emotions – anger, sadness, and confusion – wash over her.
"Grandma, I...I don't know what to say," Clara stammered, her mind racing with questions and doubts.
Her grandmother's eyes filled with empathy, and she reached out to Clara, her hands warm and comforting. "I know this is a lot to take in, child. Just be careful around Derek. You don't know what he's capable of."
Clara nodded, her mind racing with questions and doubts. She didn't know what to believe or who to trust. Part of her wanted to believe that Derek was different, that he wasn't like his father. But another part of her was screaming to stay away, to protect herself from potential harm.
As she turned to leave, her grandmother called out to her, her voice firm but gentle. "Clara, don't go near him again. He's not safe."
Clara hesitated, unsure of what to do. She felt torn between her feelings for Derek and the warning from her grandmother. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew she had to make a choice.
As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, Clara realized that she needed answers. She needed to know more about Derek's family and his past. And she knew exactly who to talk to – Derek himself.
With a newfound determination, Clara turned to her grandmother. "Grandma, I need to talk to Derek. I need to know the truth."
Her grandmother's expression turned stern, but Clara could see the concern in her eyes. "Be careful, Clara. The truth can be hurtful, and I don't want you to get hurt."
Clara nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to take the risk. She had to know the truth about Derek and his family. And she was willing to face whatever came next.
Clara stormed into Derek's mansion, her anger and hurt evident on her face. "Promise me you're nothing like your father," she spat, her voice venomous.
Derek looked up at her, confusion in his eyes. "Clara, why do you think I'm just like my father?" he asked.
Clara's anger boiled over. "Yes, I do," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "You have his blood, his nature. You're just like him."
Derek's expression changed, and he took a step back. But before he could say anything, Clara turned and stormed off.
Derek tried to follow her, but the butler caught his arm. "Don't follow her, sir. She's very upset right now. Maybe it's best to give her some space and go talk to her later when she's calmed down."
Derek hesitated, unsure of what to do. He stayed put, lost in thought, trying to process everything that had happened.
Later that afternoon, Derek decided to go to Clara's place to try to understand what had happened. When he arrived, Clara shouted at him from the window. "I don't want to see you! Please leave! I beg you, please leave!"
Josie came out and stood beside Clara, her eyes flashing with warning. "Please leave, Derek. She's not in a good place right now. You see, Clara just found out that your father killed hers."
Derek's eyes widened in shock, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "What?" he stammered.
Josie nodded. "Yes, that's right. Your father took her father's life, and Clara is still trying to process everything. I think it's best if you leave her alone for now."
Derek nodded, feeling a pang of regret. He turned and walked away, leaving Clara and Josie behind.
When he arrived at his house, he was greeted by a familiar face - a woman sitting on the couch, crossing her leg. She looked sophisticated and poised, but her expression was cold and calculating.
"Ah, about time you got home," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've been waiting for you."