Chapter 99 - Can you be my girlfriend?

Clara felt burdened by Leo's look. Even though she's walking away, she could still feel his burning stare behind her, but she kept shaking her mind off it, despite the fact that the look on his face when she turns back to look at him, kept surfacing in her head.

Perhaps, she should have let him say what he wanted to say. 

Leo's eyes were red as he watches Clara leaves. He has prepared so much for this, and has decided to open up and free himself from this emotional bondage, and at the end, he was told how pathetic he looks. 

Clara was finally out of sight and he still continued looking at the direction she left through. He wondered why this girl didn't like him. It's not like he was her other piece by choice.

He just learn the damn thing a few weeks ago, and he's paying for it in this way. He wondered if there's something to do for her, to make her see him, because she's not even looking.

His phone rang, which brought him back from his trance and he saw Ella name displayed. She has not talked to him since she hangs up the phone on him the day he was abducted. 

"Hello Ella," he spoke.

Ella didn't mention the past anymore, as she's used to getting angry with Leo over Jerry issues and it has become no big deal after fumming for a few days.

"I will be coming back in the next two weeks. I just talked to Timothy, so you two should come to pick me up at the airport." she said.

Leo cleared his throat knowingly, "I hope you are not up to something mischievous this time." he said, because he knows trouble lurk around the girl all the time, and she's good at forcing it out.

Ella chuckled, "what could I possibly be up to? I just want to be in the embrace of my best buddies before I entered the country officially." she said innocently.

Leo rolled his eyes, "I will pass, because there is no way I'm going to hug you. Seems like we will meet at your welcome clubbing." he said.

"I dare you not to come Leonard! and wait! what do you mean by seeing me at the club?" Ella's tone suddenly turn serious.

"I will be present there as well." Leo said. He never get to attend their welcome clubbing, which they often did after they left the country for business and didn't come home for a long while.

Ella was shocked silly, "f**k me! you are? seriously? but wait, what about your inability to endure sudden noise and all?" she asked so fast, as if she couldn't believe what she just heard.

Leo smiled, "it's gone now. We will talk about it when you return." he said, knowing it's not a phone worthy conversation.

Ella finally kept her curiosity to herself, "Oh my god! Leonard, I'm so happy for you, but that doesn't mean I still don't await your presence at the airport." she said.

Leo sighed, "ok, just behave please." he said, even though he knew he was fooling himself, because the girl is always up to no good.

Ella hissed at him and ended the call before he could ask what that was about.

After the call, Leo bit down on his lower lip, staring into space, as his thoughts returned back to Clara. 

Ever since the press conference, he realises he doesn't get affected by noise anymore, because as soon as he heard the noise, Clara provocative words, basically her voice to be exact, will resound in his head and he wouldn't feel a thing.

It felt unrealistic at first, but he has intentionally risked himself to test it out and realize he wasn't dreaming. Clara is his cure and he's cured.

He is happy he is healed but scared that Clara would leave when she discovered this, which is why he wanted to let her know how he feels before she finds out.

If Clara wasn't playing difficult, he knew this was a good news he's supposed to share with her and they could even go out celebrating, but the girl is just so odd.

…...

Few days later, It was around 4pm on a cool Thursday, when Tim invited Clara out again.

Clara didn't want him to think they could just go out when he asked, and told him she's busy, but Tim said he has something important to tell her.

She actually considered the former outing, because she still felt guilty about how she treated him in front of that demon. And also, she naturally like the kind of guy he is and how she was able to talk freely with him.

Tim could already tell the underlying meaning behind her words, which ruined his plan. He has made a reservation at a top restaurant and even prepare an outfit for her, but after she said that, he knew the girl wouldn't appreciate it.

Because of that, he ended up telling her it's just a meeting at a restaurant that's not too far from Leo's residence.

He believes, he could still take her to that other restaurant he prepared, if she considered him and she could still wear the outfit he bought for her.

After a while of waiting for her at the restaurant he quickly chose after their call, because he was actually waiting for her outside the mansion in his car before calling in the first place.

He wanted to surprise her. He expected her to accept his invitation and came out to see him outside their gate, but things didn't go that way.

Clara showed up, dressed casually in a black pant trousers and a blue tank top, her hair in a messy bun. Immediately she entered the restaurant, Tim raised his hand to make her detect him easily and started walking towards her.

They both said their greetings casually and walked to take their seats. "Would you like anything?" Tim asked and Clara replied that she's cool.

Tim decided not to beat around the bush and speak his mind straight up, "I want to first of all, apologies to you." he said.

Clara was confused, "about what?" she asked.

Tim bit his lower lip and scratch his head slightly before speaking up, "actually, that day we went to the movie, my motive is to confirm if I wouldn't develop any sexual desire towards you." he said.

Clara chuckled, "it's fine. It's nothing to mind." she said, as she believed it's something expected from a guy like him. It's not as if she found him decent and the serious type since the start.

"Can you be my girlfriend?" Tim asked, which shock Clara silly.

All the time Tim came to disturb her, he would only talk about them going out to have fun. He neither look this serious nor did he mention getting into a relationship with her.

Seeing her still in shock, Tim continued, "I'm in love with you Clara. I always tell myself it's not true, but I can't deny this feeling any longer. 

I want you to be my woman, and I promise to take care of you and protect you. If you don't wish to work, I will make sure you enjoy your whole life without stress, I will do everything I can to make you happy, I promise." Tim said, reaching out his hand across the table and held her hands, squeezing it lightly and looking into her eyes, waiting for a response.

Clara did not feel anything. She stares back at him expressionlessly. She still couldn't believe it and assumed he's being a jerk, which made her use her intention detecting power on him.

After using her power, she realises those words coming out of Tim's mouth were all from his heart. It is exactly how he felt, and not a lie at all. She detect fear, which she assumed to be because he's awaiting her reply right now.

She didn't like this one bit and kind of regret what she did at the theatre. She pulled her hand from his and watch him blinked nervously and even creased his brows.

"I'm sorry Tim, but I don't feel the same way. I only thought of you as a friend, and even share with you, the things I hate thinking about the most, because I believe a man who has had many experiences with women is the best to befriend without worrying about this type of situation coming up.

It is why I opened up to you Tim. I like you and I wouldn't deny that, but not as what you are requesting." she said.

Tim's heart beat increases immediately. What he feared all these while is coming to pass. Not willing to just back out, "can you please consider me?" he asked, reaching to hold her hand again, but she quickly evade his touch.

Clara shook her head. "I can't, I'm not interested in getting entangled with the man-woman relationship for now." she said.

Tim felt hope immediately, "I can wait for as long as you want. I haven't felt this way for any woman before, so I'm willing to wait." he said.

Clara look seriously into his eyes, "is this because of the kiss?" she asked, because she really regret it more and more now.

"Please no, don't think like that Clara, it absolutely has nothing to do with it." he said.

Clara got on her feet immediately, "if that is the case, then I hope you can accept this fact. I'm not interested in you, and please don't wait for me."

After saying this, she began walking away from the eatery, leaving him still sitting still.