Toxic Relationships

Two Lines

...Happy Reading ...

Clara now leaned her head against the toilet wall. His heart skipped a beat, life as if hitting his chest was strong. For the umpteenth time he stared in disbelief at the small object before him. All this is wrong, all this is a mistake. Clara squeezed both of her hands together.

The two red lines on that thing could change his life from now on. Clara's memory came back a few weeks ago. He remembered, since returning from Italy his month never came. And also a few days ago he ‘do it again’ with Jack. Why, why would he be able to cross such a boundary?

Clara pressed her head. What should he do now? Jack never thought about marriage with her, and now she's pregnant with her son. What would Jack do to her if she knew all this? He began to understand why in recent days he so often had headaches and nausea.

“Chal, are you okay?”

Clara flinched as a knocking sound rang out from her toilet cubicle. Clara quickly threw the test into the closet and turned on the flush. Clara's heart is beating. Will he keep all this alone?

“What's Tiff?” Clara began to ask calmly.

“Jeez Chal, you're almost half an hour in there. You okay?”

Clara now exited the toilet cubicle and smilingly looked at the worried looking Tiffany. Tiffany looked at her best friend. Somehow Clara often dropped lately, even her pale face did not return after a full rest. That's why Tiffany is so worried so often.

“I'm fine Tiff. You're more chatty now than my mom.”

Clara laughed and washed her face with a tap. Clara looked at herself in the mirror. Indeed, his face looked lethargic and pale, just like a sick person. But his body feels fit as usual, even though sometimes his head hurts so much, but the rest he is fine.

“Is your relationship with your mother okay?” Tiffany now asked doubtfully, while Clara only looked at him confusedly.

“My book? Yeah, it's fine. What's wrong?”

Hearing the confused answer from Clara, now it makes Tiffany confused. Didn't Clara say a few days ago that her mother hurt her a lot? And that's why those bruises came from. But why does he now seem so relaxed?

“Not your bruise... ” Clara instantly fell silent. He forgets, he forgets his lies. Clara now looked at Tiffany, the girl looking at her confusedly.

“Sorry Tiff, I'm sorry. Maybe because only you know this, I forgot.” Tiffany can see Clara smiling awkwardly at him.

“Yes, yes, my mother has changed a lot lately. He behaves much better than before.” Clara washed her face again, as if avoiding Tiffany's gaze. Tiffany stared intensely at Clara's movements.

‘Clara lying.’

“Well, how about Chal's two-week office show?”

Seeing the uncomfortable Clara, Tiffany now began to switch the conversation. Actually, he knew Clara was lying to him. But as a good friend, Tiffany tried to understand why her best friend was lying. Clara must have had a good reason for her lie.

“Office ceremony?"

“Oh Hell, don't tell me you forgot Mrs Hilton?”

Mrs Hilton's? It is named after Jack Hilton. Hearing Tiffany's sarcastic question made Clara laugh. Could she be Mrs Hilton? I don't know, but he doesn't think it's gonna happen.

“I remember Tiff. But you know Jack's been so busy lately? If he can't come, you'll know what I'm answering.”

But Tiffany did not deny, since meeting Jack his best friend was much more cheerful and likes to smile. But not in recent years. Lately Clara looked moody and aloof, but she seemed to brush it off. He just wanted to see Clara okay, without wanting to understand what feelings Clara received.

“You know Chal, you've made this project almost 30% by yourself."

“Then?”

“Then?! Come on, the show without you must be so lacking Chal. This is to celebrate your achievement.”

Clara gave a small laugh looking at Tiffany who was now looking at her fiery. Actually, he didn't expect that. Just taking part in this project made him quite happy. Now that he was not too demanding on himself, being able to survive to this extent alone was an achievement for him.

“I'll make an effort to come Tiff, I don't promise.”

Without wanting to argue further with Tiffany, Clara now opts out of the toilet. Arguing With Tiffany will never be finished, Tiffany will definitely keep forcing her to come until she agrees. And Clara's not trying to add to her mind because of the little things.

Clara's steps now stopped as she stared at the man before her. In front of him was Dean who looked at him with a chocolate map. Clara's now cleared her throat and passed Dean just like that. Since the incident a few days ago, he and Dean have kept their distance. I don't know, he was so reluctant to add to his thoughts or add to the problems with Jack. He just wants everything to go well.

“Chal, Clara.” Clara now stopped her steps, she took a deep breath before turning to look at Dean. He tried to look calm.

“What's Dean?”

“Are you trying to get away from me Chal?” Clara was silent, I don't know what to answer. It's true, he tried to give distance.

“No, I just...

the last few days I've been so busy with my deadline Dean. I'm sorry." Clara smiled faintly, trying to convince Dean.

“I hope so. I just want to apologize if a few days ago my words hurt you, Chal.”

Clara could see Dean looking at her sincerely. Clara squeezed both her hands. Why are people around him so nice to him? How can he repay their kindness?

“I don't think we should see each other again, Dean.” Dean is now jolted with Clara's words, this is beyond his expectations. He's here to fix his relationship with Clara, and not make things worse.

“What's up? Did I make Chal's mistake? I just want to help you.”

Clara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The worried and agitated look Dean showed was really so sincere in Clara's eyes. Clara recalled how Shawn looked a few years ago when he looked at her, his gaze was almost the same as Dean's current self.

“You don't know who you're dealing with Dean and I hope...

‘Jack does not hurt you.’

“... And I hope you understand.”

To be continue...