Too Much to Lose

4. Now and Then

     This life isn’t fair. As I hurried toward Claire, I had a sudden feeling what might Rosette would think if this stuff was really true.

I hate this.

Where is Claire?

Trying to follow the path where she ran. What is the exact reason of her?

I stopped as I see Claire standing in front of me. She seems to gather her composure.

    “What do you want now?” She point at me. “As I remember you are throwing me out of your room and now you are here to stop me from running away from you.”

     “I don’t have any choice. I’m not going to let you left me hanging again after you say that thing. I am involved to this situation if I really am, and I have to resolve this as soon as I could.”

She turned her back to me.

“Please tell me the truth.” I beg for her.

She stopped.

    She motioned me to come with her. I had second thought about it, my mind keeps telling me not to trust this girl again but my heart keep pushing in because I want to know the truth.

     I followed her inside her car.

You idiot don’t follow her. She might be a threat to your relationship with Rosette. I have no choice I tell to my heart.

I sit beside the driver seat while letting her start the engine.

     “Where are we going?” I look at her from head to toe. Same body and aura, she doesn’t look like a mother at all.

     “I know you don’t trust me.” She gave me a wink. “But this time I win the game. I know your weakness honey.” Her gazed on the road now, she was focused and she look determined.

I want to stop her but I can’t.

“What do you want Claire?” I asked for the second time.

“I want you back honey.” She stepped on the accelerator.

“Please stop this Claire I am begging you.” My gazed narrowed to her face.

A smile lit on her face.

“No one could ever stop me Mark. You are mine, honey.”

We are on the forest site now. I don’t know and I’m not familiar to the place.

From afar I could see a cabin.

As we stop in the front of it, I could see that there is a shadow of a girl standing at the door.

I step out at the car still my gazed at the little girl.

“Why in this place Claire? It’s too dangerous out here.” I motioned to the place.

“Don’t act like you really care Mark.” She walks toward the child. Then she gestured me to come inside.

As I follow her inside I had a better chance to look at the child.

Her whole body was burned. I look at Claire my eyes are looking for answer then my gazed back to the child.

 “How are you?” I kneel in front of the child. She glanced at Claire after answering me.

“I’m fine Mr.” A smile lit to the child lips.

“She’s your father Michaela give respect, okay?”

The child looked at Claire her eyes are clouding with tears.

“Mom?” she walked toward Claire.

“Go inside your room, now. We will talk about this later Michaela.” Claire opened the door of her daughter’s room.

Michaela hesitate at first but she obeyed her mother. As Michaela reach her room she look back at me then she close the room.

Claire and I fell in silence. I sit on the chair. What have I done? Michaela is such a sweet girl, she don’t deserved a life like this.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I look at Claire.

“I’m scared that you might walk out of my life honey.”

“I don’t have any---.” My phone rang.

It’s Rosette.