Chapter 9: Formalities are for strangers

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~CLAIRE~

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I felt like I was suspended in mid air. Christian was asking me to keep up with the pretext. Me, the plain Jane who everyone sees as ugly. It was unbelievable.

I looked at him, almost losing myself in the depths of his eyes.

"Why me?" I whispered. "I'm not your type of woman."

Christian drew back in surprise. "Why would you say that? Because your boyfriend mentioned it?"

"Ex boyfriend." I corrected him. "And no, not that. Please don't delude me, Mr. Cartwright."

"Christian." He said. "Call me Christian. Formalities are for strangers, and you're my fiancée, even if it's just for a few more hours."

"Fine. Christian. As I was saying..."

"I'm not doing this because of you, Claire." He interrupted me. "I have a reputation to keep up. I can't afford any scandals right now."

"Oh. Right." I murmured.

It was now I understood what he meant. He was doing this for himself, not even for me. He clearly didn't want to be labelled with someone as ugly and plain as me.

"Look, I'll pay you." He continued. "As much money as you want. And when the ship docks tomorrow, you'll go your separate way, and I'll go mine."

It sounded so easy for him to say. I was sure tons of women would kill to be in my place and pretend to be his fiancée. Too bad I wasn't like other women.

But I could really use the money.

"Fine." I said reluctantly. "I'll do it."

Christian noticed my hesitation instantly. His eyes assessed me for a few seconds as he brooded.

"What's your last name, Claire?" He asked suddenly.

I looked up in surprise. I wasn't expecting that question.

"Ashton." I murmured.

"Miss Claire Ashton, why are you reluctant to do this? I mean, you must have heard about me. A lot of women would kill to take your place."

I couldn't resist rolling my eyes. This was exactly what I thought a moment ago, and it was now obvious that Christian Cartwright was an egoistic bastard.

"I'm not a lot of women, Mr. Cartwright..."

"Didn't I just tell you to address me as Christian?"

An annoyed frown settled on my face. Exhaling softly, I tried again. "I'm not a lot of women, Christian. I've never heard of you, and honestly, I don't give two shits who you are. Don't expect me to jump on the offer just because other women would do it."

I noticed the subtle change in his eyes and I quickly looked away. Damn. I had to control my mouth.

"I'm sorry." I continued. "I... I didn't mean that. It's just, last night, you insulted me. You called me a whore. What happened between us was clearly a misunderstanding, but you didn't give me a chance to explain."

Christian leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. Then he took my hands again.

My heart started to palpitate, but his next words crushed it.

"Don't pull away. Someone is staring."

I had to remind myself that he was doing this for the people around us. He wouldn't touch me if it wasn't for the fact that we were pretending.

"About last night, I'm sorry." He said. "I lost control and I poured it out on you. I shouldn't have called you that. I was once in a situation like that, some time ago, and the girl turned out to be a whore. So I assumed you were one."

I looked away from him and glanced at our joined hands.

"I understand now that it was a misunderstanding. After I pushed you out, I had my assistant do a background check on you. When I realized you were my nephew's girl, I knew it had to be connected."

I looked back at him. "So what did you find out?"

"Jason was trying to frame me." Christian explained. "The trick with the suite number, me being drugged. It was all a carefully laid out plan, to tarnish my reputation and spread a scandal."

I thought hard about what he said before replying. "Now that I think about it, the bartender who attended to me last night seemed suspicious."

Christian's eyebrows shot up. "Was she blonde?"

I nodded. "It's the same woman he cheated on me with."

"That bloody skank." He cursed.

"But why?" I asked. "Why would he want to frame you?"

"It goes way back." Christian answered, and an unpleasant expression took over his face. "It has to do with the Cartwright inheritance. Jason's father and I never got along, back when the old bastard was still alive. With his death as the first son, the inheritance falls to me, but Jason feels threatened. He would do anything to get me out of the way."

Listening to Christian, I started to connect the dots. When Jason told me we had to go for this trip, I thought his determination to go meant he wanted to propose to me.

I couldn't believe how foolish and stupid I had been. Jason never loved me. All those times he acted like he did, it was all a pretext.

All he needed was a naive, inexperienced girl. A lowly girl who would be foolish enough or fall for his charms. And I had fallen. Hard. I had been the perfect tool to frame his uncle.

I had wasted a whole year loving someone who never once returned it.

"If you want." Christian murmured. "I can help you get back at him for hurting you."

I shook my head. "No, that won't be necessary. He's not worth it. When I get off this ship tomorrow, he'll be dead to me."

Christian nodded, but didn't say another word. Our breakfast continued quietly while he asked me a few questions about myself.

When we finished, I was about to thank him and leave when he held my hand.

"We can't let anyone suspect this charade. So why don't you move into my suite?"

For the umpteenth time, I was rendered speechless. I would be sharing a room with him again. The thought of staying within the same space with him made my toes curl with anticipation and something else. Something unnamed.

However, Christian noticed the look in my eyes and interpreted it as reluctance.

"I promise, I won't touch you." He said. "There's a party this evening, some sort of celebration before the ship docks tomorrow. I'll be there, so I want you to come with me."

I started to shake my head before he even finished.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cart... uh, Christian. But I can't. I don't do well at parties. I'm clumsy and awkward. I have nothing to wear. I'll totally embarrass you."

To my surprise, Christian chuckled. I was struck at how that smile totally transformed his face. He looked breathtaking.

"Don't worry about being clumsy." He assured me. "I'll be beside you all through. And about something to wear, leave it to me. I'll take care of it."

And just like that, I realized my life was about to change completely.