Was I finally free?

Was I? I was.. I knew exactly what I was going to say that day. I've gone over it so many times, it was almost important for me to forget. But I couldn't bare the thought of leaving without the forgiveness of Micheal.. did he really hate me? Or was he angry?

I heard a knock on the door, I quickly ran to the window to see who it was, it wasn't Winfrey.. who was that?

The man knocked on the door once more, but Micheal was at school, and William had gone to work. But, I was curious to see who it was.

I quietly walked towards the door, turning the handle slowly. I peaked through, only to catch the gaze of a man, a man I didn't know.

"Clara?"

He spoke, tapping his chin.

"Can I come in?"

I shut the door quickly, turning around and huffing and resting my back on the door.

Needless to say I was curious, I was curious enough. In fact, I just couldn't afford to let this man see who I was. He thought I was Clara, and if I were to let him in, he would probably recognize me and call the police.

But thoughts weren't the same as actions...

"Coming!"

I quickly stomped upstairs, making sure the man heard my foots steps as I walked.

I walked into Williams room, or ping his closet and picking out a few of clara's clothes. I hurried to try them all to see which one looked better. I put on a short fitted red dress, fixed my hair, put on some black tights and rubbed on lip gloss that Clara had forgotten.

I scurried back downstairs fixing my hair and pouting my lips a bit, trying to look more like Clara.

I opened the door to find a man towering just a few feet over me.

I leaned on the door frame, flashing a smile.

"I'm here."

I stood now, fixing my posture.

"Come in, come in."

I walked into the living room, sitting down and crossing my legs.

Who was this man? Was it the man Clara was seeing? Was she trying to use William when she came back here?

The man sat opposite me, leaning back in the chair as he did so. His brows were raised, a little bit furrowed.

"You look different, it's been rough?"

I had already come up with multiple scenarios in my head, multiple lies. Even though he didn't believe most, he'd believe some.

"Uhm.. yes it's been rough. I dyed my hair, and put in contacts.. they look good on me."

"Yes, you are very beautiful Clara, everyone thinks so. Now.. we're has William gone?"

The man sat up right.

"William? Oh— yes, William.. he's—"

Before I could finish, the hinges of the door opened. William walked in, hanging his coat and putting his hands in his pockets as he walked into the living room caring my gaze.

"Well! There he is."

I pointed towards William, getting up to leave.

"Sit."

William grabbed my wrist, pulling me back down as he sat.

"Henry, are you here to discuss.. possibly, work?"

Work. Was this Williams business partner? Probably. What was he doing here during the middle of the day? Isn't this man the co-owner of Williams business? It was probably none of my business anyway.

William tilted his head, spreading his arm on the top of the chair, his arm slyly finding my shoulder.

"No, not really. But who's this? Is this her?—"

Her? So he knew. How dare he? How dare he pretend to think I was Clara. Well, I was quite embarrassed now.. but it doesn't really matter. Right?

"I actually thought you believed me."

I looked down to the floor, the blood rising to cheeks out of pure embarrassment. I hated being tricked, especially in this type of situation.

The man laughed lightly before smiling as he spoke.

"No, I did not."

He paused.

"Clara would never dye her hair, or put in contacts. And.. you look nothing like her."

He chuckled.

I furrowed my brows, pouting my lips a bit. I wasn't trying to look like her.. well— I was, but I was just trying to hide my identity.

"But you are very pretty y/n, I have a feeling Clara is jealous of you."

He smiled, glancing at William.

I put on a light smile before leaning back into Williams arm.

Me, pretty? I've gotten that compliment a lot before. But, when William says it I feel even more beautiful. He makes me feel... happy.

"He's right about that, I'll.. see you later love."

William pecked my cheek.

He nodded to Henry, getting up as they both walked into the kitchen.

Henry... him and William seemed close. I suppose they weren't only work partners, they must've been friends too. I watch as both of them grab bears pouring them into cups.

I was beginning to loose interest in their conversations. What else was I supposed to do? Wait? No.

I got up, walking upstairs letting out a huff in the process. I walked into micheals room, thinking he wasn't there. so why not?

I sat on his bed, thinking about all the forms he comforted and cheered me up, it was really nice just to have a friend who understood your problems.. no matter what age they were.

"Miss y/n?"

I heard a light voice.

Micheal? What was he doing here.. wasn't he supposed to be at school? Was he.. skipping?

"Micheal.."

I didn't know what to say, he hadn't talked to me since that day. Why was talking to me now? I was relieved yes, but I was surprised. I had decided to get used to the fact that Micheal hated me.. I just didn't expect him to talk to me after what I did.

"Listen miss y/n.. I—"

He paused, his brows furrowed as the tears collected under his eyelid. The tears began to fall slowly as his breath heightened.

"Just— leave please."

Leave? Why.. was he okay? I wanted to know what Micheal was going through. I've always wanted to make a difference in his life, I wanted to help him so badly. But, what was this about? What had happened?

"What's wrong?"

I whispered as I stood slowly.

"Nothing just leave."

He wiped his tears, taking a deep breath as he looked towards the door.

I nodded slowly as I turned around to walk out. I closed the door also taking a deep breath. Did something happened at school? Was he being bullied .. the last time I told William, he never really did anything.

But maybe if I told his this time he would.. it would be rare for him to actually showed that he cared, but I knew he did.

I walked back downstairs, seeing William waving off Henry, I moved closer.

"Hey.. William?"

"Yes love?"

He turned around.

"Micheal, I think... I think he's being bullied."

William tilted his head. He raised his brows a bit before his eyes became low once more.

"Really? The kids weak.. no wonder."

Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous. I loved William but, I wanted him to love Micheal more than anything in his whole entire life. He had custody over Micheal, he financially takes care of Micheal, but he didn't give him love.. Why?

"Can you just help him?"

I paused.

"Please.."

William looked up to the ceiling, before his gaze landed on me once more. He Looked like he wanted to, but he didn't have the time to. He cared for Micheal.. but it seemed like he didn't want to care. Just because of one mishap that wasn't anyone's fault.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

Finally. I knew William cared, he just didn't show it, to be frank he didn't want to show it. Although he was cold and bitter towards Micheal.. he cared, and that was enough for me. It was enough for me to leave the two to resolve their own problems.

"You look, stunning."

William whispered, looking me up and down.

He moved closer and pulled my chin up towards his face. He pulled me into a soft kiss, breathing deeply as he did so. He smiled lightly before pulling away.

"Do I?"

I raised my brows, a playful smile on my face.

and once again I felt something.