Denying the Feelings

When Gio approached, Clara seemed unable to contain the loud pounding in her heart. The newfound feeling overwhelmed her, leaving her powerless. Clara also felt puzzled by Gio's actions towards her. At first, Clara even thought Gio might cross boundaries.

"What should I do? Should I close my eyes? No, no! What am I thinking?" Clara muttered to herself.

Clara immediately brushed Gio's hand away from her face. She didn't expect this reaction to affect her. Haltingly, Clara complained about Gio's behavior. It turned out Gio was teasing her, which irritated Clara slightly. Her entire face flushed with embarrassment.

Finally, they continued with lunch and hurried to one of the city's largest malls for the launch of Clara's favorite author's book. They decided to go together. Clara had been waiting for this moment for a long time. The moment she could attend her favorite author's book launch event.

Upon arrival at the mall, they took the time to buy coffee at a café inside. Clara searched for an empty table while Gio went to order. As she waited, Clara fell silent, gazing momentarily at someone queuing in front of the cashier, not Gio, but someone else. Clara was shocked. Someone whom she had never met before, after several years, was finally reunited with her.

"Oh no! It's my Mom. What is she doing here?" Clara startled and murmured.

Meisya was in the mall with her assistant. Clara panicked, but she couldn't do anything. She could only hide herself as if she didn't want to be seen by her mother. After placing their orders, Gio approached Clara, carrying the coffee they had ordered earlier.

"Clara, here's your coffee," Gio handed Clara the coffee.

Clara's divided attention made her ignore what Gio said. Gio felt puzzled and tried to follow Clara's gaze, looking back and forth to figure out what Clara was looking at.

"Clara, Rara, CLARA!" Gio called Clara firmly.

"What?" Clara was surprised, looking at Gio.

"What were you looking at? I've been calling you, but you kept looking at the cashier. Do you know someone there?" Gio asked curiously.

"N-No... Let's go," Clara hesitated in her response.

Clara didn't explain who she had just seen to Gio. She didn't want to create new problems in her life. Clara and Gio finally attended the book launch event. They were both enthusiastic about attending the event, especially Clara. After the event, they took the time to explore the mall because Gio wanted to look around and buy something. After visiting several stores, an unexpected encounter occurred. They crossed paths with Meisya.

Clara was speechless, staring at a middle-aged woman. The woman, elegant, classy, and stylish, was her mother. Clara couldn't utter a word. She just stared at the woman. Gio also fell silent, observing Clara's blank stare.

"Clara? What are you doing here?" Meisya asked, surprised.

"I'm with my friend," Clara replied curtly.

"We haven't met for so long, why are you being so cold to me?" Meisya was puzzled by Clara's attitude.

Clara remained indifferent and quickly walked away, holding Gio's hand. Gio could only follow Clara in silence. Once outside the mall, Clara let go of his hand and fell silent.

"What kind of mother is she? After not seeing me for so long, is that all she can say?! Is she a mother?" Clara continued to grumble inwardly. Finally, Gio spoke up, patting Clara's shoulder. Gio knew that Clara's relationship with her mother wasn't good. He told Clara to be polite to elders, even if she was upset.

Clara felt rude to her mother, but she was frustrated by memories of her past. Clara and Gio finally took the monorail back home. Throughout the journey, Clara remained silent, listening to music with her earphones. Meanwhile, Gio was puzzled by Clara's unusual behavior.

"I should have talked to her mother just now. Why did I follow Clara instead? Should I ask Clara now about her mother? No! Don't, Gio. I don't think it's the right time. There must be a misunderstanding between them. I'm pretty sure!" Gio said to himself.

Finally, they arrived at Clara's stop. Clara didn't say goodbye to Gio and left as if she were alone. Gio just watched Clara silently. He understood what Clara was going through. He observed Clara from the train window as it slowly left the station.

When she got home, Clara removed her shoes, put her bag anywhere, and went to bed. She immediately burst into tears, covering her face with a pillow. Suddenly, she heard the ringing of her phone in the distance. Clara stopped crying and got up to find her phone. It was a call from Gio.

Clara was shocked, realizing she hadn't said goodbye to Gio when she got off the train.

"Oh no! What have I done? How could I forget Gio?" Clara realized she had just left with Gio but didn't say goodbye to him when they parted ways. Clara continued to grumble while looking at her constantly ringing phone screen. She decided not to answer Gio's call.

The Next Day

Clara woke up when she heard knocking on the door. The doorbell is ringing. As Clara opened the door while rubbing her eyes, someone approached and hugged her tightly. Clara was surprised, her eyes widening. When she realized it was Gio hugging her, Clara immediately pushed him away. Awkwardness enveloped them. Gio looked at her with concern.

"W-What are you doing? Why did you suddenly hug me?" Clara asked, stuttering.

"Oh Clara, you almost drove me crazy with worry," Gio said, breathless.

Without answering, Clara invited Gio in. She poured him a glass of water and handed it to him.

"No need to worry excessively. I'm fine," Clara said while tying her messy hair.

"Why didn't you answer the phone? And you didn't reply to my message either. I thought something happened to you. That's why I acted like this," Gio explained his feelings. Clara just smiled.

After checking on Clara, Gio excused himself because he had to go to the hospital for an appointment with his patient. Gio didn't forget to bring Clara breakfast. Clara quickly finished her meal and hurried to get ready for work.

Arriving at the office, as usual, Clara was very busy with her work. While Clara was working, she suddenly received an incoming call on her phone. An unknown number was calling her, making her curious.