CHAPTER 3 - I'm dropping the act

Clara's Pov

I looked at the lady standing before me, she wore a toothpaste advert smile and Adrian? He had his eyes fixed on her in admiration.

I wriggled myself out of his grip and went over to where grandfather was.

"Papa," I greeted him softly and he squeezed me like a bear in a hug before leaning down to kiss my hair.

"My child," he smiled at me warmly. Grandfather was one of the few people that understood my struggles. He was the one that stood for me and insisted that Adrian got married to me after the scandal, despite knowing about Adrian and Elena's affair.

He had made it clear that I was his only choice for Adrian.

I sat by him as the event unfolded, and soon it was time for gift presentations.

Adrian handed my mum two tickets to an all expense paid month long vacation to anywhere in the world. Everyone gasped, it was as good as a blank cheque—extravagant as always.

"Oh Adrian, this is a lot." Mum's eyes already glistened with tears as she hugged him, I saw him stiffen a bit.

Adrian was never a fan of physical contact but mum had always been a very emotional person.

She face looked bright with joy but father looked a little tensed.

"Adrian, thank you. Your family has been so generous towards us but you didn't have to do so much."

Adrian was about to respond but grandfather was faster.

"Oh don't be silly Joe, you deserve it and my beloved daughter in law deserves so much more." He snapped his finger and a valet stepped forward with a bunch of keys.

"This is a little gift from the Hollingsworths family to aid your trip."

Mum had to close her mouth with both her hands when the image popped on the screen, a luxury Yatch.

Mum stood frozen with goosebumps all over her skin, she couldn't believe her eyes, she couldn't even receive the keys so Dad did the honors.

It was typical of grandfather to throw money around when it concerned me. I leaned in closer to him and hugged him.

"Thank you,"

Soft music played as people whispered and made small talk, the room.was filled with elites and important people.

"Can I have a dance?" Adrian put his hand out for me.

One glance at grandfather and he nodded.

I wished he didn't, my heart flipped twice and landed in my stomach as I placed my hand in his.

"I'll be back," I pecked his cheek and he smiled, with me he wasn't Romeo Hollingsworth, the terrifying patron of the Hollingsworth family, he was always warm and welcoming. Like the grandfather I never had.

"Go, dance with your husband." Romeo was still a perfect gentleman at his age and he loved me genuinely without me trying.

Adrian and I walked to the center of the room where a few others danced to the soft rhythm that played, he moved us slowly and guided us through.

His act was so perfect I would have believed we were a couple in love if I didn't know better. It was all just for the gram, I saw camera lights flash in our direction every know and then, the "PERFECT PAIR" was our slogan but were far from being a pair, perfection wasn't an option.

Adrian placed a small kiss on the side of my lips but I turned my head away, every feel of his hand in my bare skin, every step together only flooded my memory with images from the night before, the sound of him groaning as he ponded Elena, her loud moans.

I couldn't stand the hypocrisy and he noticed my uneasiness because he dipped his head and whispered in my ear. His breath hot against my neck. I inhaled sharply.

"What is it? Are you upset that I didn't come to you yesterday?" My head snapped up to his so I looked into his silk grey eyes.

So he saw my messages afterall.

"I'm sorry, I had important business to attend to."

Wow! I blinked at his audacity.

"There's no need to explain yourself, I know Elena is back and you were with her last night."

He paused and frowned like I had pat on his face then without saying anything, he pulled me by the arm into the backyard.

When he were out of eye and earshot, he released me.

"What is this about?" He asked, his voice a tone higher than normal.

"What is what about?"

"So what if Elena is back and I was with her last night? Why are you making a big deal out of it?" He paced a little.

"Look Clara, I've told you several times, just know your place and don't cross your boundaries." His words were firm and his eyes burned with a certain fire.

"You brought her to my mother's birthday anniversary Adrian, your mistress!" My voice broke at the end of my sentence. Tears pricked the back of my eyes.

"Just stop it!" He matched my tone gritting his teeth so hard, his jaw was tight.

I wiped a stray tear off my face.

He sighed and walked closer to me, his voice calmer.

"You've always known that this marriage was just to please my grandfather, so why are you acting childish?"

Childish? I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't find the right words or any words at all.

"Elena is back and I don't want her feeling uncomfortable at all. I'll give you everything you want, I'll increase your allowance, that of your younger brother too." He ran a hand through his hair.

Was he that desperate?

"Anything?" I asked in a low voice knowing what I wanted already.

"Yes anything you ask that's within my capacity." He placed his hands on my shoulders and dipped his head, a lock of hair fell on his face and cast a light shadow underneath the moonlight.

His long lashes fluttered, hiding his eyes.

"I want out Adrian." He pressed his lips in a thin line.

"What do you mean?"

I took his hands off my shoulders and stepped back, our proximity was beginning to distract me from my mission, I was too in love with him already but I had made my decision to set him free.

"I can't continue to pretend like everything is fine between us, you may call me unreasonable but I'm tired if playing chase. I need to face my reality and move on."

"Lara, you should understand that I loved Elena even before our marriage, you know these things, our relationship is platonic and that's all it can be, you're like a little sister to me and I'll always take good care of you, you and your family would never lack anything."

"Do you have sex with your sister?"

He sighed and held his head in his hand.

When he spoke again, his voice was lower with that charm and allure that once entranced me.

"Lara, this marriage means a lot to my grandfather and your parents too and you know that, all I ask is that we play our parts and not let them down. I've given you my name, wealth, influence and everything a man should give his wife, you are living every girl's dream." He closed the distance between us and leaned in closer to me, putting his arm around my waist, he pulled me close but before he could kiss me, I stopped him.

"No, I can't do this anymore, I can't keep leading a fake life while soaking my pillow every night." I breathed heavily, fighting the urge to completely melt into his touch.

"What do you want?" He exhaled in frustration.

"I want a divorce."

He stiffened like I punched him in the gut, the weight of my words settling between us.

The silence that stretched between us was thick and loud.

“You have everything here,” he said coolly. “Why throw it away?”

“Because none of it is you,” I whispered under my breath with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry I can't give you any of those. They'll be no divorce between us."

I shook my head, if he so loved Elena then why won't he stop punishing me in a loveless marriage and be with her.

"Addy,"

"Don't call me that, only one person—" he shut his eyes and stopped mid sentence.

"Just please don't call me that."

Of course. His words sliced the little piece of hope I had left.

"I understand that you don't love me and you never will so I'm setting you free to be with the one you truly love." I stumbled on my words as I spoke, my voice thick with emotions.

"You'd get the papers soon. Please sign them when you receive them."

I turned and left, leaving a part of my heart standing in the cold night with him.