chapter four

*** CHAPTER THEME SONG:

Stand Still By Sabrina Claudio ***

[[Dylan's Pov ]]

Blame me for anything!

My hatred for Clara Blackwood was stronger than anything. I pursued my lips together in an attempt at spilling out everything. Her cries would satisfy my inner demon the most.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Pausing my intention for a while, I slipped my hand inside to take out the phone. My brows pressed together when I saw the caller ID. It was a call from my Granny who lived far away for years. She had deprived me of every connection since the

day I married Catherine. She firmly believed that women from the modeling industry were no good for my career or our family business.

I pressed the answer button despite having so many grudges for her. Since my parents died, she was the only relative left for me.

The call connected at once. Without saying anything, she ordered in her old grumpy voice,

" Don't utter anything nonsense in front of the reporter, Dylan."

I was furious at her words. After ages, she had called me to boss around. I held the urge to be rude. Yet I had something to say to vent my rage.

I replied icily,

" Who are you to command me?"

There was dense silence from the other party. I felt happy to give her a taste of her own medicine. Her breathing heavied before patiently responding,

" I have heard everything, Dylan. I am so sorry for your loss. I told you at the beginning that don't marry her. You never bothered to listen to me. The presses and news are waiting for another topic to pen down. Besides the girl who was suspected of this incident is also from your in-laws. For god sake, don't respond to the reporters anymore.

Keep quiet until the incident is fully investigated, You hear me?"

Though her words made sense, I was blind by my grievances. I growled at her words angrily,

" You weren't by my side all this time. What made you think that you could order me?"

Her words came out softly,

" But I am here for you now when you need me the most. Have you ever needed me in all these years, Dylan?"

She was right! Catherine was all I could always think of . Instead of trying to reach her, I spread my hatred towards her more and distanced ourselves further.

The call was spent in silence for a while. Hearing no more words from me, she cut off the call. The beep tone of the phone took me back to reality.

I inhaled deeply before looking up at the over-excited reporters. A part of me was scowling, and refined as a coward.

I tore my eyes from them before locating my BMW parking on the garden side. Picking up my steps, I strode over to my car.

The reporters screamed in madness and threw several punches at the door but nothing worked out.

I made up my mind!

I took a glance from my wrist and started a countdown.

She should be here anytime soon or else I would add another punishment for her.

[[ Clara's Pov ]]

I saw everything through the window. He just skipped the reporters and walked over to his expensive car. I had not much time left here.

I heard my maid bickering in a low voice. She was cussing at him like a complete devil and was putting clothes in my suitcase. My eyes traveled toward the image that was hanging on the wall.

It was a picture of me and Catherine. The picture was taken just when I landed down from the plane. We both looked perfect family.

I sighed caressing the hem of the frame and murmured painfully,

" I wish that you were here, Catherine."

The maid announced closing off the shutter with a thud," Your bag is ready, Young Lady."

I was jerked off from my painful memories. I hummed with a faint smile and started dragging my suitcase outside.

I found my dad downstairs. He was sitting across the couch with his head hanging down. It seemed like he had aged in a day. Sorrows were engulfed around his body. He looked so vulnerable. I felt so guilty for him.

I called him softly,

" Dad! “

He looked up at me numbly. Pains were evident in his old eyes. He stood up before walking toward me. Pulling me into a tight hug, he murmured in my ears,

" Clara my child.. Don't go.."

I held back my tears and responded between my muffled sobs,

" I have to go, Dad..For the sake of Catherine.."

His shoulders jerked lightly before uttering one fearful line,

" What if dylan kills you, Catherine? What will I do in this life alone then?"

I sobbed hard between my replies,

" At least, you won't be bankrupted, Dad. Have you heard any news of Catherine?"

He released me from his hug and replied seriously,

" Oh yes! I forgot to inform you. Dylan has done a DNA identification of the whole ship. Catherine's DNA wasn't found anywhere among the burning ashes."

My eyes flaunted in hope. I murmured beaming into a sadistic smile,

" It means..She may be alive out there somewhere."

My dad nodded wiping off his tears with his palm,

" Yes. I hope so, Clara. At least you will be free from this crime.”

I nodded repeatedly and replied with a faint smile,

" Being the murderer of my sister feels too heavy, Dad."

My dad sighed and encouraged me after planting a sweet kiss on my forehead,

" Take care of yourself, Clara. After this mess is done, I will send you abroad again. This city is too toxic in front of your naivety."

I hoped for the same. At least I wouldn't be called a murderer.

My dad led me to the doorway from where we could notice the screaming crowd of reporters. I genuinely suggested it to my dad who had a deep frown between his brows,

" Dad... Ignore them and don't step out of the house for a few days.”

We exchanged a few words before making my way toward Dylan's parked car. Out of habit, I pulled out the backdoor door to step in but it was locked.

I frowned before watching the glass piling down. His expressionless face came into view and his voice sounded like a devil,

" You are just an outsider. Sit in front beside my driver."

I swallowed the uneasiness before compelling his bossy command. I slid inside his instructed seat and looked at his tough demeanor through the

rearview mirror. He was worrying about no emotions. In my eyes, he felt as though he was hiding himself from this world.

I questioned through my nervousness,

" Where are we going now?"

He responded without humiliating me this time,

" D Nation."

I decided to go quiet but my phone ran disrupting the odd atmosphere that we were in. My

expression turned deathly pale when the caller ID showed up.

It was none other than the managing director of " The Kira Fashion". I was trembling to press the answer button. Inhaling a deep breath to lighten up my mood, I finally received his phone call.

His voice came out as professional through the call,

" Sorry for this sudden call, Clara. But I thought of checking on you."

I tried to soothe my cracked voice,

" I am well, Mr.Johnson. Thanks for being concerned. Is there something that you need from me?”

Johnson responded from the other end with a polite voice,

" No. I just called you to inform you that you are still on our team. Rumors like this happen in this industry. As long as you start working out, everything will fall into place naturally. The public will forget about it after a few months.

But...are you participating in this week's fashion show?"

I was going to respond to him politely. But my phone was snatched from my back by a powerful hand. I was startled before looking back at Dylan who just

had my phone in his palms.

He pressed the phone directly into his ears and responded to him coldly,

" Clara won't be joining any fashion shows anytime soon, Mr.Johnson. Her manager will notify you again when she is back at work. For the time being, don't trouble her."

He was rude and showed no politeness.

I heard Johnson's questioning voice through the speaker vaguely,

" Who.. who are you?"

Blake gave his answer in short, Clara's brother-in-law

He ended the call without saying any more words. Throwing the phone on me, he warned with his murderous eyes,

" If you accept any more professional work during your days with me, I will forget my promise, Clara. Do you think that they are being patient with you just because they truly admire your work? No! Since Catherine isn't here any longer, they just wish to use you as her replacement."

I bit down my tongue painfully. Dylan's words hit the core of my heart. He might be speaking the truth but through these years, I had never relayed my relationship with Catherine nor did I ever seek any help. I worked my ass off, trying hard to reach a noticeable point but when I achieved my goal, everything was shattered. Now my contract with The Kira Fashion wasn't solid enough. Denying their shows would only push me away from working with them in the future.

Future? I didn't even know when I would get out of this hell.

The car drove away through the backdoor without even notifying the over-excited reporters who expected to seize an opportunity of blocking us when we passed the door.

The roads were all empty except for a few emergency vehicles. The car went straight into his mansion. I frowned trying to understand why we were here rather than the root of the D nation.

He climbed down from his seat before straightening his collar. Without entering the house, he started to proceed towards the backyard.

I stood there bewildered but luckily, the driver showed a little sympathy for me.

He spoke dragging the suitcase near my feet,

" Miss Blackwood! Please follow him to the backyard."

I inquired out of curiosity,

" But aren't we going to Do Nation?"

He responded respectively,

" Yes, we are. The master doesn't visit local planes. He has his private jet."

Oh, Rich people!

Well, I belonged to a prominent family too but my father wasn't lavishing enough to spend a million dollars on a private jet. I nodded with understanding before trailing the driver off closely.

Before taking my final step, I took a glimpse of his house. I didn't get much time to observe yet but it looked huge more likely a castle from a fairy tale.

I hurried my pace when the driver signaled to me.

We arrived at the backyard of his mansion. Awe escaped through my lips when I discovered his silver-colored jet.

He turned around to face me and pointed at the jet,

" We are going to board through this jet. Remember to take your suitcase. I don't wish to spend a penny on you."

I rolled my eyes at his words as if I was waiting for it. His driver brought the suitcase behind me and was going to put the suitcase inside the jet.

But his stern voice cut off his actions,

" Wait, why are you serving her? She isn't your Mistress. Leave her suitcase here. She can take it on her own."

The driver seemed hesitant and cast me a pitiful glare. I assured him with a smile and took the baggage from his hand,

" It's okay. I am strong enough to take it with me."

Without waiting a moment, I started to take the stairs with my suitcase. It felt

too heavy and I was palpating.

God knows what my maid put into it!

When I was at my second stairs, Dylan's anonying ringtone rang disturbing the peaceful night here.

Then all I heard was Blake's anxious loud tone,

" What? Do they have a piece of news about Catherine? Are you sure?"

My pace froze as overwhelming happiness spread through my veins.