Clara only managed to drive a few blocks away from TM Auto before she could no longer take it. She pulled into the parking lot of an old Shell gas station that was now up for sale before she put her car into park.
She finally allowed the tears to fall not shocked to see that they fell heavily ruining her eyeliner. She let out a choked sob feeling like such a total idiot.
Of course Chibs didn't want her in that way. Who in their right mind would want someone like her, Clara thought.
She was a huge fucking trainwreck; in her life and her relationships.
Clara felt like vomiting as she thought of the look on that croweater's face when she'd seen Clara's heartbreak.
The croweater had looked so smug to see Clara's pain.
Clara knew just what that blonde was thinking; that Clara was just a little girl who was in over her head. The croweater probably had taken one look at Clara and knew that she wasn't what Chibs wanted.
The croweater was probably sitting back laughing right now thinking of the silly little girl who couldn't handle a man like Chibs.
Clara couldn't help but to think that the croweater was right.
After all the blonde seemed very aware of what Chibs liked.
It made Clara's skin crawl thinking of Chibs and the blonde having sex; doing the things the blonde had been describing.
Just thinking about it made Clara feel so disgusted. Maybe Chibs wasn't the man she thought he was?
She told herself that she was a fool for ever believing Chibs could want something more with a woman than just getting his dick wet.
Of course Clara had known that Chibs wasn't some choirboy. She knew he had been with croweaters.
That was just what men like Chibs did. They fucked croweaters and partied and got wasted.
She had just hoped that maybe just maybe Chibs saw something in her. That perhaps he wanted a life with her.
Clearly she was wrong. She wasn't even on his radar.
Clara frowned considering what Chibs had said, that what she had seen wasn't what it looked like.
What could it have been though? What would he have to say to her?
She couldn't help but to fear that he'd just tell her that she was just his friend and nothing more, that he didn't want to ruin their friendship by complicating things between them.
Clara felt like it would shatter her to hear it straight from his mouth; to hear that he didn't want her in that way.
Maybe her mother was right, Clara wondered. Tammy Munson had tried to warn Clara; tried to warn her that there was nothing in Charming but heartbreak.
Clara was tempted to just give in to her pain; to crawl back to Las Vegas, back to her mother.
She knew though that wasn't the answer. She had to be an adult.
She had to find it in her to be a grown woman. A grown woman didn't run home to mommy. A grown woman buckled up and took the hits life threw at her.
A grown woman wiped her hands clean of the bullshit and moved on.
Why did even the notion of moving on make her heart ache though?
Clara let out a sigh knowing that her heart was going to hurt for a good long while. Maybe it would hurt forever, she worried.
She had to move on though, she told herself.
She tried to remember the words Victoria had said to her on the phone just earlier that day: Move on and find someone who deserves you.
Clara's thoughts automatically turned to Juice. She knew though that dating Juice or even flirting with him would be a huge asshole move on her part.
After all she'd just asked him to just be friends with her. A friend wouldn't do something like that.
She refused to just let Juice become some sort of consolation prize to her. Because that's what anyone but Chibs would be A tiny voice in the back of her head piped up.
She glared down at the steering wheel trying to ignore that voice.
Clara knew it was so childish, but a huge part of her wanted to sort of stick it to Chibs. She wanted Chibs to see her with someone else.
She wanted to punish Chibs somehow. She wanted him to see her with a great guy; someone who was the complete opposite of Chibs.
She felt that maybe if Chibs felt even an ounce of the heartbreak she was feeling right now, then somehow it would make her feel better.
She reached for her purse pulling it over into her lap and opening it up in hopes that she'd have some spare tissues somewhere in the mess.
She pulled out a handful of tissues frowning as she realized that there was something familiar wadded up in the tissues; a business card.
She unwadded the business card letting her eyes scan it: Roman Becket Personal Trainer.
Clara ran her fingertips along the card a sudden idea formulating in her brain as Victoria's words rang out again: Move on and find someone who deserves you. When you fall off the horse get back on.
Clara let out a sigh wondering if she'd be a shitty person for even considering it.
Was she a crappy person for trying to move on so quickly?
Maybe Roman would be good for her though. Roman seemed like a safe choice.
He was someone who wasn't involved in the Sons. He was just a normal guy.
Clara knew that her mother wanted her to find someone normal; someone with a clean nose.
Maybe she was wrong about her first impressions when it came to this Roman guy, she thought. Maybe he was just one of those people who made awkward first impressions.
Going out for a few drinks with him wouldn't hurt anyone. It might be a nice way to jump back into the dating pool.
It would be a good first step towards moving on. Even though her heart hurt at the notion of moving on, she knew that she didn't have much of a choice in the matter.
Chibs didn't want her, so there was no use mourning that which would never be.
Clara reached for her cell phone dialing the one person she knew she could turn to for a second opinion.
She spoke up unable to hide the pain in her voice. "It was horrible. I walked into the garage and found some...slut hanging all over him. He tried to tell me that it wasn't what it looked like...what the fuck is that supposed to even mean?"
"Oh babe. I'm so sorry. What an asshole." Victoria replied her voice rising clearly pissed off that her best friend had been hurt in such a way.
Victoria spoke again doing her best to sound encouraging. "Fuck him Clara. You find someone else; someone whose going to be good to you. You don't need someone who doesn't see how amazing you are."
Clara took a deep breath trying her hardest to dry up her tears and tell herself that Victoria was right. "I know...I was thinking...well there is this other guy...I mean I'm not attracted to him, not really. It's just...well he was kind of flirting with me the other day when I ran into him. He asked me out for drinks but I said no. I was so stuck on Chibs. I was thinking about taking him up on the offer... it might be a good way to jump back into dating. What do you think?"
"I say go for it. I mean going out on a date with this guy doesn't mean you have to marry him or anything like that. Picking yourself back up and moving on is better than going home and crying your eyes out over some Ben and Jerrys." Victoria stated somewhat shocked that Clara was recovering so quickly.
Of course Victoria knew the truth; Clara was far from okay. She knew her friend well enough to know that Clara tended to shove her bad feelings down inside of her. The pain would catch up with Clara sooner or later.
"So I should do it?" Clara asked trying to convince herself that she wasn't a shitty person for essentially using Roman Becket to jump back into dating because Chibs had hurt her.
Victoria let out a sigh honestly feeling as though it might be a mistake to just jump into things with this man.
She knew though that Clara had been avoiding dating for so long. Clara had locked her heart up and the second she tried to give it to someone it had been smashed.
Maybe this could be good for Clara, Victoria decided. "You'll never know unless you try."
Victoria paused for a moment before speaking up again. "Call me if you decide to go with the Ben and Jerrys plan. I'll open up a pint of my own and we can talk shit about men."
Clara let out a shaky laugh her eyes still watering. "Okay thanks. I love you Vic."
"I know." Victoria replied chuckling causing Clara to roll her eyes.
Clara hung up her phone deciding that Victoria was right. An innocent date was just what she needed to forget Chibs Telford.
Clara decided to just turn off all her doubts and her conscience as she stared back down at her cell jumping a little as it rang a familiar name flashing up on the screen: Chibs.
She glared down at the phone the anger returning as she thought of that croweater hanging all over him.
She hovered her thumb over the accept call button tempted to scream at him, to tell him how shitty she felt. She wanted him to feel just as bad as she did. She wanted to scream at him and call him names and just tell him to fuck off.
She ignored this desire though choosing instead to push the ignore call button.
She stared back down at the business card dialing the number doing her best to sound cheerful and in complete control as a voice answered "Roman Becket speaking. How can I help you achieve your fitness dreams?"
"Hey Roman. This is Clara Munson...we talked at the grocery store the other day and you gave me your card." Clara blurted out cringing at the sound of her voice.
It was obvious that she'd been crying.
"Oh hey Clara. Are you okay? You sound odd." Roman replied sounding genuinely concerned by the sound of her voice.
Clara cleared her throat ignoring her aching heart as she spoke up. "I'm okay...it's just allergies. So I was wondering if that offer for drinks was still out there?"
Roman spoke up buying the allergy lie. "Defiantly. How about tonight. We'll make a real night of it and go out for dinner."
Clara swallowed the lump in her throat refusing to give into her aching heart. She spoke up hoping that she sounded far more enthusiastic than she felt. "That sounds awesome."
Chibs felt as though someone had punched him in the gut as he stood in the parking lot.
He prayed that Clara would think about what he'd tried to tell her; that she'd turn her station wagon around and come back to him.
He hoped she would think about what he'd tried to tell her. That she would be willing to come back and hear him out.
Chibs wondered if he should just hop on his bike and try to follow her. How would he even find her though? He had no idea where she went.
She could be anywhere right now.
And even if he somehow found her what would he say to her? Would she even believe him if he told her the truth.
He knew that the truth sounded like a lie. Would Clara believe that he'd been just about to shove Emily Duncan away? Would Clara even believe him when he told her that he wanted nothing to do with Emily or what she was offering him?
He hadn't hit it with Emily in months. He hadn't even thought of the croweater.
He wanted Clara and only Clara. He was crazy about her. When he was with her he felt so fantastic. He wasn't sure if Clara would believe that though.
Chibs glared at pavement below him as though it was the one responsible for breaking Clara's heart. He sighed as he felt a hand pat him on the back. "Aren't you going to go after her?"
"And say what? That wasn't what it looked like? Ya have any idea how much of a lie that sounds like Juice?" Chibs spat out yanking away from Juice his rage clouding his view.
He knew that he wasn't angry at Juice. He was angry with himself.
He had hurt Clara. He was so enraged knowing that she was in pain and it was all his fault.
Chibs shook his head refusing to even believe for a second that Clara would hear him out. "Maybe it's fer tha best. I told ya I wasn't righ fer her. I cause er nothin but pain."
"You actually believe that?" Juice asked his eyes narrowing. He couldn't believe Chibs was willing to give up this easily.
"I hurt er Juicy. She aint even mine an I broke er heart. What am I goin to do to er if we get together? If she somehow forgave me I'd jus make er regret it. She's better off without me." Chibs exclaimed his heart aching at the words.
He tried to tell himself he was right. A girl like Clara deserved better than him. This entire situation with Emily Duncan had just proved that he wasn't good enough for Clara.
Juice rolled his eyes knowing that he had to tell it like it was. He owed it to his brother to tell the truth. "You're a coward if you aren't even willing to try winning her back."
Chibs glared at Juice his fist clinching so tempted to punch Juice square in the jaw for even daring to call him a coward.
A little voice in the back of his head piped up: Juice is right though. You're a fucking coward. Only a coward would give up so easily.
Juice shook his head knowing that he only had one last thing to say about this. Then he'd clean his hand of it. If Chibs wanted to fuck up his chances with Clara then fine. "If you really thought she'd be better off without you then you wouldn't have tried to tell her the truth about what happened with Emily. You care about her. Don't let her go without a fight man. If you do she'll find someone else and you'll be left here wondering what if."
And with that Juice walked back to the garage relieved to see that Emily Duncan had wizened up and taken off, probably off to the clubhouse to find another Son to work her charms on.
Juice was relieved. He couldn't help but to feel angry at the croweater.
Clara was really beginning to feel like a friend to Juice. It was strange realizing this. After all he'd been sort of irritated that she hadn't been interested in dating him.
Clara had taken Juice by surprise though. He had fun at that movie night. Clara was a great girl. Juice could see Clara and he actually becoming really close.
Juice was pissed at the idea of Clara feeling that shitty. No one deserved that.
Chibs let out a sigh his brain mulling over what Juice had said.
He felt his stomach knot up realizing Juice was right. For once the usually ditzy Son had made a point.
Chibs wanted Clara. He wanted her no matter the risk.
He just had to find a way to win her heart back.
He marched off towards the garage to grab his kutte. He had a lot of thinking and planning to do.
Chibs let out a huff as he held his cell phone up to his ear receiving the same message for about the billionth time: We're sorry but the person you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please hang up and try again. Or leave a message at the beep.
He tossed the cell phone down on the bed in front of him so tempted to just hurl the phone at the wall.
He had locked himself up in his dorm room at the clubhouse praying that somehow he could get a hold of Clara and explain everything.
Chibs wasn't shocked that Clara kept on denying his calls. After all that old saying Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn existed for a reason.
Chibs didn't have a lot of experience in handling angry women, well angry women that he had romantic feelings for that was.
It had been so long since he'd been in a situation like this.
Back when Fiona and he were together they'd fight by yelling at one another until their throats were raw. Then the passion would kick in. They'd kiss and make up and then probably repeat the same process a few days later.
What were you supposed to do when you were trying to make up with a pissed off woman who wasn't even technically your girlfriend?
He had briefly considered going with all those romantic notions that pop culture was always telling men women wanted when they were pissed; giving Clara roses, chocolates in a heart shaped box, and even a teddy bear.
He had a feeling though that if he showed up at Clara's door bearing all these things she'd just slam the door in his face or worse; she'd scream at him.
Chibs wondered if maybe he should just rush to her apartment. Perhaps he should drop down to his knees and beg her to hear him out.
He knew though that she might just slam the door in his face. She might be so angry that she wouldn't even want to see his face. Somehow he was sure that would hurt more than anything.
Chibs felt like such a bastard. He'd hurt the one woman he'd never wanted to hurt.
It was so obvious she'd shown up at the garage hoping to pick up where they'd left off the night before.
Clara had looked so beautiful and it had all been for him. He'd fucked everything up.
Emily Duncan had fucked everything up. He knew now that he should have ignored her right from the start. When Emily had spoken to him he shouldn't have even given her a response. He should have just told her to take it somewhere else.
Chibs had no idea how to fix this.
He let out a sigh dialing Clara's number for the millionth time rolling his eyes as he got the same message.
He cleared his throat speaking up hoping that he could somehow appeal to Clara through her cell phone's message box "Clara listen I know yer pissed at me. Please jus give me a chance ta explain though. I meant what I said. That wasn't what it looked like. Jus call me back love please. We need ta talk bout this. I hurt ya and I wanta fix it."
He shook his head knowing that this wasn't the best plan. He was stumped on how to really handle this though.
He knew that they needed to talk. He knew that once he saw her he'd have to do whatever it took to explain what had happened at the garage to her. He would have to do whatever it took to earn her trust and hopefully her love.
Chibs knew he'd more than likely fill up Clara's message box begging for her forgiveness.
She couldn't ignore him forever, could she?
A part of him feared she very well could.
He would find a way to fix this, he told himself.
He would fix this all.
Chibs refused to give up Clara without a fight. He wouldn't lose her before he ever even got to have her.
Clara tried to look like she didn't have a care in the world as she sat at a nice upscale restaurant in downtown Charming.
She had gone home and had changed out of the blue dress. She refused to wear the very thing she'd picked out for Chibs for Roman.
She had fixed her makeup and had changed into a plain black sundress and a pair of strappy gold sandals.
She had washed her hair quickly in the sink before blow-drying it. She'd put on a gold headband choosing to just let her hair do its own thing.
She didn't want to present the look she'd given herself for Chibs to Roman. It just felt wrong trying to present herself as a bombshell to someone who she wasn't honestly all that attracted to.
She'd put a smile on her face when Roman had picked her up at her apartment in his new white Ford pick up truck, and she'd done everything she could to keep that damn smile on her face.
Clara had turned off her brain and her heart knowing that if she listened to either of them she'd just ruin everything.
"So why'd you come back to Charming?" Roman asked as he took a sip from his beer.
Clara felt her stomach drop knowing that she very well couldn't tell him the truth. "I just missed home."
"Yeah but come on...I mean you traded in Vegas for Charming." Roman chuckled as he slid his hand across the table placing it over hers.
Clara resisted the urge to snatch her hand away as she spoke up. "Vegas loses it's glimmer after a while. Besides I never really wanted to move to Vegas in the first place. I missed my uncle."
"You're uncle works at that auto shop right. He's in that biker club, the Sons of Anarchy? I remember he used to pick you up from school on his Harley. It would always attract so much attention. I mean it really stuck out." Roman stated thankfully pulling his hand back as he took another drink from his bottle of beer.
Clara cringed at the mention of the Sons. She did her best to remain nonchalant as she spoke. "Yeah that's him."
She wasn't surprised by Roman's comment. Her family was bound to come up eventually.
Her uncle had often picked her up after school when she was a child on his bike wearing his kutte. It had always been very obvious just who and what her Uncle Bobby was.
Roman grinned a dazed look appearing in his eyes as he spoke up. "That's really cool...I mean the bikes. I've always wanted a Harley."
Clara stared down at the basket of bread that had been brought by the waiter as an appetizer.
Why was it that the Sons were haunting her even on a date?
Thinking of the Sons made her think of Chibs and that was the last thing she needed at the moment.
"Are you sure you don't want a real drink? I mean I appreciate you being a cheap date, ordering water and everything. But you aren't going to break the bank by ordering something with a kick. Perhaps some wine? The Merlot here is excellent." Roman remarked thankfully dropping the biker subject.
"I'm fine really. I just want water. So you're a personal trainer?" Clara asked as she pretended to stare down at her menu.
She couldn't help but to wonder what in the hell was wrong with her, besides her current heartbreak that was?
Clara knew that she should be more into this date than she currently was.
After all Roman was an all right guy. Yes he did make her gut churn a little with doubt, but that was probably just that crappy habit of isolating herself sneaking up on her, Clara tried to convince herself.
She should be having a nice time she scolded herself. She was on a date with someone her mother would probably approve of. She was at a nice Italian place being treated the way she deserved.
The restaurant was called La Bella's. It was a very nice place.
There was gorgeous decor, dim romantic lighting, little round tables for close contact, and a menu full of decedent Italian classics. This was what most women loved.
Roman Becket seemed like a safe option. He could provide her with a stable conventional life. Roman could give her a life away from the Sons of Anarchy.
Clara knew in her heart and her brain that this wasn't right though.
Going out on this date had been a mistake, she suddenly realized.
She had called Victoria earlier for a reason. The reason was that she knew this date was a bad idea. She'd hoped that Victoria would be the voice of reason.
Clara knew she was just using Roman to distract herself from her pain. It was cruel doing this to him. It wasn't fair to Roman.
Clara knew that Roman clearly believed that she was smitten with him. After all he had taken her out to this romantic restaurant. He was offering her wine and touching her hand and trying to be sweet.
She was a huge asshole for doing this to Roman.
She had hoped that maybe somehow Chibs would find out about this date; that he'd pull one of those classic romantic moments that you saw in movies. She'd hoped that Chibs would show up and interrupt her date; that he'd beg her to give him a chance.
She felt so stupid for doing this.
Clara couldn't stop thinking about Chibs no matter how hard she tried to ignore her heart.
She had turned off her cell phone after she'd seen the fourth call from Chibs.
Chibs had left a message, he had left her several messages. She had listened to one of the messages and though she was still angry she had spotted the pain and the longing in his voice.
She thought back to that message what he'd said: "Clara jus give me a chance ta talk ta ya. I know yer pissed lass and I don't blame ya. Jus hear me out. Call me please. What ya saw at the garage wasn't what it looked like. Give me a chance that's all I'm askin fer.
Was it possible, she wondered?
Could there be more than met the eye to what she'd walked in on at TM Auto?
Should she give Chibs a chance to at least explain himself?
She looked up from her menu as Roman spoke. "Are you alright? You seem a million miles away?"
"I'm...I'm well I don't know." Clara blurted out her brain and her heart finally having enough of being ignored.
"You seemed miserable earlier when you called. Is everything okay?" Roman pointed out furrowing his brow a bit.
Clara let out a sigh knowing that no everything wasn't okay. Everything was far from okay.
She cleared her throat deciding that Roman deserved the truth. "It's just that I've just gotten out of the relationship from hell. I came home looking to make a change. I reconnected with someone...someone who I thought wanted me. I was wrong though...or at least I think I was. I don't know anymore."
She paused taking a breath feeling like shit for even going out on this date. She was such an asshole, she thought.
She spoke again knowing that she had to admit that she didn't have her heart into this. "I thought that maybe I could move on. I figured that you seemed like a nice guy. You're everything I should want, but I'm just...I'm fucked up."
She shook her head feeling worse and worse the longer she spoke. She spoke up again knowing that she had to confess the reason she'd called Roman. "I was angry with this guy that I was sure wanted me. I thought I should...I don't know, find someone else. I came across that business card of yours and I thought...I guess I thought I should use this date to distract myself from my heartache."
She took a deep breath thankful taht he hadn't thrown his beer in her face the way she probably deserved yet. " My heart just isn't into this date. It was cruel to use you this way. You're a sweet guy and you're what I should want. I still...I think my heart belongs to someone else though. I'm such a jerk."
Roman let out a sigh as he took a drink of his beer, his shoulders drooping a bit at her confession.
He placed his beer down as he spoke. "It's okay. You aren't a jerk. I mean you didn't make a smart or very moral choice. You're hurting. People do crazy stuff when they're in pain. This guy that hurt you...you deserve better. I wish that I could be the one to give you that. I guess the heart wants what the heart wants right."
She let out a sigh wondering how he could be so nice about this.
She had just confessed that she'd only gone out with him because she was heartbroken and here he was being so forgiving and supportive.
Roman should hate her. He should be cursing her out, calling her a heartless bitch.
How could he be so nice?
She sighed knowing that she didn't deserve Roman's forgiveness. She had done something really stupid, and impulsive, and hurtful. "I should go. I'm sorry. You deserve more from someone. Going out with you for the reason I did was horrible. I don't deserve any forgiveness. I'll leave some cash for our drinks and get out of here. I can call a cab."
"It's alright. I understand. Let me buy you a drink at least. Let me do it as sort of a peace offering...sort of a way to say I forgive you. Let me do it for old times sake. I'll buy you an Bellini. They're amazing it's peachy and so sweet. Trust me you'll love it." Roman insisted a sad smile on his face.
Clara let out a sigh knowing that she couldn't say no.
She'd already been so horrible to him.
She had used him and he had been far nicer to her than she really deserved.
She would be a huge jerk to tell him no. She should allow him to do this. "Okay. Sure."
Roman nodded his head as he stood up from their table. Clara watched him walk off towards the bar
She couldn't shake the feeling in her gut as she watched him order her a Bellini. Her intuition was screaming at her to get out of here.
She felt like something horrible was just around the corner.
Clara had only taken a few sips of her Bellini when her head had begun to feel funny. It felt as though her head was filled with fluffy thick cotton.
She felt far drunker than she should from just a few sips of a cocktail. She felt very disoriented. Her head felt heavy.
She stared down at her glass knowing that something was very wrong.
Roman had bought her the drink and had left. He had even paid.
She had sat with the Bellini trying to at least have a quiet moment by herself; a moment to think about all that had happened today.
The restaurant was almost empty. They'd been sat near the back of the restaurant, which had given them a bit of privacy.
Clara felt her blood run cold the longer she stared at her drink; there was something very wrong with it.
She let out a shaky breath it not taking long to figure out the cause of her symptoms. Someone had put something in her drink. Roman had put something in her Bellini.
She felt fear shoot straight through her as a sudden thought entered her head. Perhaps Roman was out there waiting; waiting for her to stumble outside too dizzy and disoriented to fight him off.
She tried to stand up but failed. Her legs felt so wobbly.
The only time she could remember feeling this dizzy was when she was about ten. Bobby had taken her and some girl he was dating to Fun Town. Clara and the girl, she couldn't remember her name for the life of her, had rode a ride called the Tilt a Whirl. The ride had made her feel so sickly. The little egg shaped car they were in spun around and around and rocked up and down on the platform. By the time Clara had gotten off of it she felt so dizzy she could barely stand.
She pushed the Bellini far away from her as she reached into the black clutch purse she'd brought along with her. She let out a whimper fishing around for her cell phone.
She remained sat at her table as she contemplated what her next move should be. She knew she needed to decide something fast. She was feeling worse and worse by the second.
Clara wondered if she should alert the waiter that had been waiting on Roman and she earlier. She was far too paranoid to approach anyone in the restaurant though. What if she was wrong about her suspicions. What if it wasn't Roman, but someone at this restaurant.
She stared down at her phone wondering what she should do. Should she call an ambulance? Or should she call a friend?
She knew that if she called an ambulance then the police would get involved. She had been raised being told by Bobby to never trust the police.
She sighed knowing that the only choice she had was to call a friend.
Clara knew that her Uncle Bobby wasn't an option. He was in Tahoe doing his Elvis act at Casino Hotel. Bobby was late on an alimony payment and was hoping to make a little extra cash with his act.
Of course calling her mother wasn't an option. Her mom was all the way in Vegas. What would she even be able to do for her? It would only serve as a way to worry her mother.
She wondered if she should call Juice. She was too embarrassed to even consider it though.
Clara felt her eyes begin to well up realizing that there was only one person she wanted and needed right now. There was only one other man the world besides her Uncle Bobby who could make her feel safe.
She somehow managed to find him in the contacts her vision blurring as she stared down at her phone.
She didn't even give him a chance to speak as she spoke up her voice so unfamiliar to her. It sounded almost like a child's voice; frightened and high, on the verge of tears. "Filip. I'm scared."
"What's goin on Clara?" Chibs blurted out an icy chill shooting straight through him as he spotted the sound of fear in her voice.
Everything that had happened between them just earlier that day went straight to the backseat as he focused on the current situation.
"I think someone put something in my drink. I feel...I feel funny. I'm scared. I didn't know who else to call." She stated her head feeling heavier and heavier by the second.
"Where are ya Clara?" Chibs asked doing everything he could to push down the rage he felt.
How could someone do this to her, he wondered.
"An Italian restaurant. It's called La Bella's...th-the address is...5509 Main Drive. It's a little red brick building with a red and white stripped awning." Clara stumbled over her words the drug in her system becoming stronger and stronger.
"Jus wait there Clara. I'm goin ta come fer ya. Don't get up from yer chair. Don't go outside." Chibs ordered his mind overtaken by fear.
He had to get to Clara and he needed to get there fast.
Chibs pulled the club's black van into the parking lot of La Bella's. It was a miracle he hadn't been pulled over, he'd been speeding so fast.
He was filled with rage, fear, and regrets.
Clara was at that restaurant tonight because he had broken her heart. If he had somehow managed to get a hold of her before she'd had a chance to go out, if he'd somehow fixed things between them, then this would have never happened.
Chibs did his best to push his guilt back knowing that it wouldn't do Clara any good. She needed him to take care of her tonight.
Whatever had happened between them at the garage today could be discussed at a later time.
He ran towards the entrance to La Bella's not surprised as the hostess stopped him in his tracks her eyes boring into him.
He wasn't shocked that the woman was looking at him with such disdain.
Chibs knew that he looked like he didn't belong here. He was still wearing the same jeans he'd worn to work. The dark blue jeans had a distinct oil stain over the left thigh. He'd worn a black wife beater with a black short sleeved button up shirt over it. And of course he was wearing his kutte.
He took a deep breath ignoring the hostesses obvious ridicule as he spoke up. "I'm lookin fer a lass. She's a brunette, short hair down to er chin. Clara is er name. She's in this restaurant at a table by herself. She's got a drink. She's...sick it's important that I get ta er."
"We only take reservations. You'll have to take your... business somewhere else." The hostess spat out completely ignoring his comment about Clara.
Chibs rolled his eyes knowing that he didn't have time for this bullshit.
He shoved past her the task easy. The hostess was a tiny woman.
She followed him into the restaurant her voice shrill. "If you don't leave we wont hesitate to call the authorities."
Chibs didn't even hear her as he allowed his eyes to scan the room. He let out a relieved sigh as he finally spotted Clara looking far too pale. She was practically leaning against the table for support even as she sat.
The drink still remained in front of her though she hadn't touched it since she'd begun to suspect that it had been tampered with.
Chibs went to her placing an arm around her waist as he helped her stand up from the table. He glared at the hostess as he spoke up his voice harsh. "She was drugged. Someone ere put somethin in er drink."
The hostess' eyes widened the judgmental tone disappearing from her voice as she spoke up. "Oh my god. Should we call an ambulance?"
"Nah ya done nough." Chibs spat out. He was so angry that he was practically shaking.
He attempted to keep his temper in control but failed taking his anger out at the nearest person. Of course he knew that this wasn't the hostess' fault. Yes the hostess was rude and apparently a snob, but it wasn't as though she had been the one who had tampered with Clara's drink.
Chibs was just angry with himself. He wanted to lash out at someone for what had happened to the woman who he was falling so hard for.
He blamed himself for this. He'd hurt Clara and she'd apparently gone to this restaurant to distract herself.
Someone had hurt Clara and he wanted vengeance.
Clara leaned against him her body going a slack as she struggled to keep on moving. She struggled to keep a look out for Roman's pick up truck almost afraid that her suscipions were right. She feared that Roman was out waiting for her to appear.
She spoke up her stomach churning. She felt like vomiting, "I wasn't sure you'd come. I was an asshole earlier. I should've listened to you...given you a chance to talk."
"Don't worry bout it Clara. We can talk bout it tomorrow." Chibs insisted as he somehow got her into the van's passenger's seat.
He ran around wasting no time to get into the driver's seat. He didn't speak until he'd pulled out of La Bella's parking lot. "Do ya wanta go to a hospital Clara?"
"No please...the cops will get involved...I just can't take that. I should have known better than to take a drink from him. Bobby taught me better." Clara blurted out her eyes beginning to water.
She shook her head frowning. "I'm so stupid."
"No yer not stupid lass. It coulda happened ta anyone. Do ya know who did this to ya?" Chibs asked his mind going a million miles a second.
He was afraid. It wasn't often that he'd actually admit something like that. He had been taught all his life that showing fear was a sign of weakness.
He couldn't ignore the fear though when he looked at Clara.
Clara looked so weak. He debated rather he should ignore her pleas and take her to a hospital anyway.
Clara felt guilt spread through out her body as she spoke. "I did something dumb. I went out with this guy I went to high school with. I ran into him at the grocery store the other day. I was so mad at you. I saw that croweater at the garage and I felt like shit. I guess I wanted to make you jealous or at least show you that I'd be okay without you. I went out with this guy but it was a total mess. I told this guy that I wasn't feeling the date and I let him buy me a drink before he left. God I was so dumb."
She didn't give Chibs a chance to say anything as she spoke again her vision beginning to tunnel. "You didn't want me. No one wants me. Why do I always fall for guys who don't want me? I'm so fucked up and stupid. I don't blame you for not wanting to take on my life."
"I never said I didn't want ya alainn." Chibs blurted out his heart aching at Clara's statement.
She shook her head her tears falling even harder. "What's wrong with me?"
Chibs shook his head sighing. "There's nothin wrong with ya alainn. Yer everythin I could ever want."
He felt his blood run cold as Clara's eyes fluttered shut the drug finally knocking her out.
He let out a heavy breath so relieved as he saw that her chest was still rising and falling. So clearly she was still breathing.
He pulled over into a gas station parking lot putting the car into park. He reached out taking Clara's limp wrist in his as he began to feel for a pulse.
Chibs released a heavy breath so thankful to find that her pulse was strong.
He knew that he had to keep an eye on her tonight; watch over her to make sure she didn't have a bad reaction to whatever she'd ingested.
She was going to be all right, he told himself.
She had to be okay. He would never forgive himself if she wasn't.
Reviews?
alainn = (Scottish Gaelic) Beautiful (pronounced yAW-lun(y)
Chapter title song: Why Do You Want Him by Green Day