To The Top Of A Cliff (Girls of Chicago Series #1)

Chapter 6

“Where have you been last night?” Mom asked me when I saw her already seated in front of our breakfast. She’s already dressed in her Gucci dress and earrings shining with gold and diamonds. Her hair is pulled up in a clean bun.

I sat in my usual seat. “I went to work with my friends in the office,” I replied.

She raised her brow at me. “Friends?” she asked me using her suspicious tone.

I know her. She knows I don’t have friends because, like her, I don’t trust people easily. And I’m really hard to please.

I sighed and nodded as I started putting some food on my plate. I’d rather not reply to that. Replying to it would make her probe even more.

I heard Mom sigh deeply. “Have you visited Sage’s place?” she asked in her intimidating tone.

I narrowed my eyes on the food on my plate and tried to calm myself before looking at her. She’s already looking at me with her usual bitchy look. I faked a smile and shook my head. “I didn’t have time yet,” I replied.

I clenched my fists under the table to calm myself down. This is why I’d rather not have her around. Every time we talk, she always talks about Sage. Well, I hate that guy. I’m so happy that I haven’t seen him in a while. As a matter of fact, I’d rather not see him at all.

“But you have time to go out with your friends?”

I pressed my lips together and looked at my plate once more. I want to say something but I bit my tongue hard to stop myself. I don’t want to ruin my day with an argument with Mom.

She scoffed at my silence. “You have to talk to Sage today,” she told me. “I’ll tell Sylvia about it. Maybe she can arrange a dinner with the four of us tonight.”

I looked at her, surprised. “I have an appointment today,” I told her. I have a date with Clifford!

She raised her brow at me. “Then, cancel it. There’s nothing more important than spending time with your fiancé,” she said in an authoritative manner.

I pursed my lips in a thin line and let out a deep breath. Hearing the word fiancé being associated with that asshole of a Sage Black makes me want to cringe the whole time. “I can’t cancel it, Mom. It’s for my school,” I lied to her. “Can’t we do it tomorrow?”

Mom narrowed her eyes at me. I am not even surprised now because this is one of the rare times that I turn her down. “What’s it that you need to do?”

Shit. I furrowed my brows and forced my brain to think of a better excuse fast. Why did I even say school again? I should’ve lied that I have dinner with my Valeria officemates. That would have been more believable since I am currently working there.

I cleared my throat. “I need to finish a report that was due yesterday. My prof needs to read it so I had to stay in the library.”

“Great! We’ll have dinner after that,” she said.

My eyes widened. “But what if I need more time to finish it?”

Mom stopped and tilted her head as she looked at me. Now, she looks extremely serious and suspicious. “Are you hiding something from me, Julia Annabelle?”

I pursed my lips in a thin line as my whole system shook when she called by my full name. I know it that when she does that, I’m already nearing the end of her thin patience.

I shook my head. “No,” I told her. “I am just really busy, Mom,” I reasoned out with the best acting that I could do.

Mom stared at me for a few moments before nodding. “Fine. We’ll do the dinner tomorrow,” she said, giving in to what I want.

I smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Mom,” I told her but she was still looking at me suspiciously.

I just tried to ignore her doubtful gaze and just continued eating. After all, I am already contented that I won’t be canceling my date with Clifford today. That’s enough to brighten up my mood.

I drove to my OB before going to school. I needed to get prescribed with the best contraception for me. It didn’t take me long enough before I got a shot. I am smiling widely while I went out and for the first time, I wasn’t at all snobbish at school.

I sighed and diligently listened to my professor before school was over. I immediately texted Clifford and told him that I will be waiting for him at the cafeteria across my school. When he told me that he’s on his way, I immediately did some retouch on my face and stretched my floral dress. He told me that he hates pants so here I am wearing a floral A-line dress. I paired it with my white pumps while my hair is curled on its ends.

My phone vibrated. It was a message with Clifford.

Clifford:

I think I’m here.

I immediately looked out of the café after reading his message. True enough, he is there, standing beside a black sedan while wearing a black V-neck shirt and a pair of faded jeans.

I smiled at the sight of him. He’s really looking so good even with simple clothes. He’s looking around until he finally saw me and waved.

He was smiling while he stood straight.

I went out of the café and ran towards him. I heard him chuckle lowly before giving me a hug. I didn’t really expect him to do that but I am not complaining that he did.

He kissed the side of my head. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.

If it was from some other guy, I would have felt disgusted about the compliment. But because it came from him, my heart started beating louder against my chest.

Clifford lead me towards the passenger side and opened the door for me. He assisted me inside before running towards the driver’s side.

To be honest, his simple gesture is making me feel like I am well taken care of. I never really had someone open the door for me other than my driver before I learned to even drive. The first time Clifford did that to me when we first met, I actually felt something different.

Clifford is different and I’m happy that I have come across a guy like him.

His car isn’t the luxury ones that I usually see the guys I know driving but I felt more comfortable here because I know that this is his blood, sweat, and tears. He bought this with the money he earned from his job and not with some money from his trust fund.

Clifford smiled at me as he settled on the driver’s seat. “I hope you’re okay with my car,” he told me.

I turned to him with my eyes wide. “Of course, I’m okay with this!” I told him. “It doesn’t matter to me, Clifford.”

He smiled and nodded. “That’s good to know,” he told me. “Did you drive to school today?”

I nodded. “I left my car in the private parking at the residential building near the school.” It was a residential building that Mom is a stockholder at but I don’t want to tell him that. I don’t want to make him feel like I am superior. I don’t want him to feel that I am different from him.

He’s not as rich as the men I know. But it’s okay with me. Knowing Clifford actually made me realize how money can’t actually buy class.

Clifford is a man of class even without power and money.

“Okay, so we’ll stop by there after this?” he asked me again.

I nodded and smiled. “Yes, please.”

He nodded before he started driving. We’ve already talked about what we’re doing today. We’ll watch movies and grab dinner. There could be more activities for us but I don’t want to think about it now.

This is my first date ever. I need this to go as smoothly as possible.

Clifford pulled over a Mexican restaurant. I smiled and was celebrating internally. I know for a fact that he doesn’t know how much I love Mexican foods. So he must really love it, too. I don’t really believe in destiny but right now, why am I holding on to it now?

This is crazy.

“I hope you love Mexican,” he told me as we finally parked.

I smiled genuinely and nodded. “I love Mexican foods,” I beamed.

He smiled widely as he unbuckled his seatbelt. I did the same before I opened the door and got out.

Clifford walked towards me and held my hand. I bit my lower lip as I walked behind him.

My heart is beating wildly as he led me inside the restaurant.

I never really thought I would feel this way for a man. No man has ever made my heart beat this fast—well, except when I’m shaking in anger because of Sage and my mom. I was already close to giving up on finding a guy who would treat me this way but Clifford came.

I think I’m still lucky no matter how f****d up my life is.

Clifford is a breath of fresh air from all the toxic people in my life.

We chose a table near the window so we could watch the street while eating. We told the waiter about our orders before we were left alone.

“How was school?” he asked me.

I shrugged. “It’s okay,” I replied. “It was a minor so it was a little boring.”

He chuckled and nodded. “That’s cute,” he told me and I couldn’t help but blush at his statement.

I smiled at his reaction even though I’m already blushing hard because of his stare. There’s really something about his deep brown eyes that shakes my whole system. They look so intense but so honest and sincere at the same time.

I have never been gazed by those eyes before.

“When are you back to the base?” I asked him.

He smiled. “I don’t know yet. I am out because I finished a task. I probably have a week after my previous deployment. So maybe I’ll be here until Tuesday.”

Tuesday? It’s Saturday today. We have some more days to spend…but that is if he still wants to be with me after this day.

I just hope that I won’t turn him off.

He reached for my hand. “Are you busy on Monday?” he asked. “We can meet after your internship.”

My eyes widened slightly. He still wants to see me on Monday?

I swallowed hard. “You want to see me?” I asked, doubtful and confused.

He nodded. “Of course,” he replied. “If I go back on Tuesday, I won’t be seeing you until next month. Or maybe longer.”

My heart sank at his statement. But then what do I really expect from his job? He’s in Airforce. He’s bound by duty to the state. He’s loyal to the state because that is what his job expects him to do. He can get deployed somewhere and be gone for a while.

“Julia,” he called when he noticed that I wasn’t replying to him. “Are you okay, baby?”

My heart suddenly leaped with just one word that he uttered. He calls me baby. Is it normal for my heart to skip a beat when he calls me that? Or am I easily swayed? I don’t know the answer. But I am feeling some kind of joy right now.

I smiled widely. “I’d love to see you on Monday,” I told him. “If you’re in the base, are you allowed to use phones?”

He stared at me before smirking. “Are you going to miss me?” he asked me with a mischievous grin on his lips.

I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes at him. He’s probably enjoying this. But I won’t deny it. I’d probably miss him.

He leaned closer and caressed my face. “Don’t worry. I’ll look for a way so you won’t miss me that much,” he whispered before kissing me on the lips.

I shut my eyes and savored his kiss no matter how brief it was. It’s so clear to me. I’m falling for this man and I know for a fact that I won’t be able to stop.