Chapter 17: His Reason
Everything for tonight's meal had been completed, which was a good thing. Lianne had already told the head maid to carry the food into the garden and set it up.
Lianne looked at the young man in front of her. His head was looking down at the table and looked troubled. He does not know how and where to start the conversation. Lianne pats Clarence's hand that was on top of the table.
“If you are not ready to talk about it, don’t force yourself just because of what happened today. Take your time. I know one day you will be able to say it. I see you all grow up, and I know you wouldn’t do that without a valid reason.”
Clarence shakes his head.
“No... I need to say it now. I don’t want to keep it a secret any further.”
“Rence, although I’m wondering what happens between you and my daughter. The both of you should sort it out. My daughter has the right and was the one who needs to hear this first.”
“I… I know, but right now, I’m asking for a favor. I also know that I’m being a coward right now for telling it to you rather than to Kath. Yet, I don’t know if I can face her right now or if I would have enough courage to face her in the future. I just need someone to listen to it to build up my courage. So that when I have the chance to tell her… I know I won’t end up running away.”
**
[Two years ago.]
It was Saturday afternoon. Clarence was busy writing an essay for their assignment in English that needed to be passed on Monday morning.
He’s in the middle of brainstorming about the contents he needs to include in that essay. When someone loudly calls his name.
“Reeeence!!!”
Kathline was running in his direction while waving the paper she was holding.
“Do you need to run like that? What if you fall and hurt yourself?”
“I won’t. Alright? So stop scolding me besides I’m here because I have good news.”
“What is it?” Even Clarence can’t help himself from smiling just by looking at his girlfriend.
Looking at the smile on her face and even her eyes looked like it was smiling. Kathline is always like this if something good happens or if she is excited.
“I was accepted by a modeling agency!” Kathline joyfully screams and pounces to hug him.
“I knew it! See? I told you before that you will be accepted. You’re just paranoid and keep on stressing yourself the past few days.”
Clarence dotingly looked at her. “What do you want to do? Do you want to go to the mall? Let’s invite Zach and Nica.”
“Zach isn’t in the mood for this, you know. He recently got caught up in trouble. While Nica, did you forget that she’s visiting your family’s farm today?”
Clarence's parents and his twin sister visit their farm today because it suddenly caught up with some problems.
“Right. I totally forgot about that. Then, let’s go on a date?”
***
The two of them enjoy accompanying each other. These days, Clarence and Kathline would often go on a date or travel when they had free time. It is because next school year, Clarence, Zachary, and Veronica will be college students. They will be extra busy at the same time with Kathline as a graduating student.
“Is there something wrong?” she worriedly asks.
“Nothing.” He smiles but she can’t see the happiness in his eyes. “How about you? Are you not tired? We went shopping and then played in the arcade.”
“Just a bit. After resting for some time, we can go home. I forgot that I still have homework I didn’t finish yesterday.”
***
After Clarence takes Kathline to her home, he quickly leaves.
When they got into the mall, and even after they went to the seaside, he kept on sensing that someone was tailing them. Especially when they were on the seaside, wherein there were too many people around them.
When Clarence got home, he received a call from his father.
“Dad?” He carefully asks.
“You need to be careful there, Rence. We are going to stay here a little longer than expected, but your sister will be back tomorrow.”
“What happened? It seems like there is a serious problem.”
“I need to hang up now. Nica will explain it to you once she gets there.”
Veronica arrived at Morris Residence the next morning. Clarence was too nervous that he couldn't sleep that night. He looks like a panda with those dark circles around his eyes.
“Hep hep… before you go to your room, explain first.”
“Brother! Can we talk later… please?”
“No. Do you see my eyes? I couldn't sleep last night because of what Dad said.”
Veronica sighs and surrenders. She leans back on the couch and starts talking about what happened at their farm.
According to the reports their family received, their grape yard, which would be harvested in a few months, was suddenly burnt down. The police confirmed that it was intentional because of the gallon of gasoline at the crime scene.
The fire originated at midnight. Fortunately, it was discovered sooner because the fire was spreading faster, attracting the attention of the farmers living near the area.
The property rights of the farm that their great-grandfather gave them have caused conflict in Clarence's fraternal family these past months. And now, they were suspecting his uncle in this event.
***
There was still someone monitoring Clarence the following days after that. He isn't troubled by it, but he is concerned knowing Kathline was with him.
When Kathline was busy with school activities, Clarence was left alone. He cautiously followed those men.
Clarence hides in a back alley near the convenience store. They were standing outside a convenience store where they were going to buy some food. He walks into the distance where he can hear them enough.
“That kid has sharp senses. It’s difficult to walk near him, especially when he’s around with that girl.”
“Tsk. What is wrong with that? Then take the girl, it’s that a problem?”
“Boss only wants him to threaten someone. He said that the kid is his relative, then if we take the girl… she would be a problem after.”
“Tsk. We can separate them! I found out that the girl is also rich. We can ask for ransom money from her family in exchange for her. If she fights back… then it is easy. Just kill her.”
Clarence was shocked by what he heard. He quickly left before they could notice him.
***
Upon pondering for days, he made a decision. He was fully aware that once he made that decision. There was nothing he could do to change the outcome.
One afternoon, Clarence was waiting at Kathline in the park, near the place where she was having a photoshoot.
Kathline informed him that they had already finished, and she was on the way to see him.
“Reeeence!” Kathline excitedly calls him. They seldom see each other these days because both of them were particularly busy.
The smile on her face disappears upon seeing his serious face.
“Wh-what happened? What’s the problem? You can tell me.” She worriedly asks.
“Kathline, I’m sorry… but,” he looks her straight in the eyes. “… let’s break up.”
“Tell me I heard it wrong, or it was just a mistake… a prank!”
She could not believe those words coming from his mouth.
“Please tell me it was just a joke. Please…”
Kathline was shaking his shoulder, asking him to tell her that it was a joke. But all he could do was leave her alone after saying ‘I’m sorry’ one last time. Clarence did not even give her a reason. He just breaks her apart.
Days…
Weeks…
And months already passed, but still they avoided each other. Clarence focused on his study while Kathline made herself busy with school and modeling.
[End of Flashbacks]
**
Lianne kept quiet and listened until Clarence finished telling his side.
“We are still young and prone to making mistakes. That time, I was impulsive and got so carried away by strong emotions, that I ended up making wrong decisions. And I think I made that decision because I let fear get me.”
“Did you know who ordered those men?”
“Yes, it was my uncle. I bait myself. I know I was reckless and it was dangerous, but I need to know who is behind them. I only think that time, I need to do that to protect the people I love. Even if it means I will sacrifice my own life, I’m happy to do so.”
“You should just be honest in the first place. I know that you want to protect them, but it was a grown-up problem and they need to solve it by themselves. In the end, you and Kathline only hurt yourselves. You distance yourself so she won’t be involved and Kathline on the other hand, hates you thinking that you lose your interest in her. Then ended up dating different girls.”
Clarence was ashamed to refute that because he knows that Lianne was right.
“I know I was a jerk and it wasn’t my intention to make her feel like that. I still love her.”
“But your action doesn’t say so. And on top of that, you still didn’t explain to her the reason why you chose to break up with her.”
Before Clarence could speak, they heard the sound of glass that dropped on the floor. Both Lianne and Clarence look at the entrance of the veranda.
They are sure that someone was there a while ago. But, who is it?