CLAIRE (TWO)

Did he just smirk at me? And what was the point of his question? It was as if he wanted to test my knowledge about his bed life with my mother. Tsk, I wasn't that innocent, even though people thought I was an innocent girl, because I had never dated anyone.

“Umm… My mother might be exhausted taking care of the house alone while I’m busy with my college projects.”

“Yeah, maybe she is. Let’s sit over there while we wait for boarding. You’ll love the view.”

“Okay. How long until boarding?”

“About an hour.”

This was the first time I had a conversation this close with Raviel. Usually we only had short chats at the dining table during breakfast or dinner. Our respective busy schedules made it impossible for us to talk. Raviel was even busier because sometimes he had to go abroad to take care of his businesses.

“How’s your college so far?”

My body stiffened. Raviel’s palm pressed against my lower spine as he guided me to a table for two near the large window that directly faced the runway. Again, this was the first time we had any physical contact other than a handshake and a brief hug after he officially married my mother a year ago. As a stepdaughter, I knew my limits in not getting close to him because my mother showed displeasure when I got too close to her handsome and rich young husband. Sometimes, she acted absurdly, viewing me as a rival out to steal her husband away.

“All good. Thank you for the support you have given me so far. I was able to attend several workshops and seminars because of your help.”

“Never mind. You are a smart girl. Shame, your mother wasted your intelligence by not giving you a proper education.”

“Yeah, I can understand our economic situation. Especially since her second husband ran off with our money. It was a real blow to us, especially my mother.”

“That bastard is in jail.”

I was shocked. I was about to ask him how it happened, but a waitress came to interrupt us.

“What can I get you something, sir?”

“A dirty martini for me and champagne for her.”

“Anything else? Maybe you’d like some breakfast or sweets before your flight?”

Raviel stared at me with his blue eyes that made me feel like I was going to melt in my seat right now. Dammit. Was he trying to give me a heart attack at a young age?

-00-

“Since my stepdaughter just had breakfast at home and I don’t feel like eating anything, you can bring her some raspberry mousse cake. I’m sure it won’t fill her up.”

“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment.”

Raviel looked at me and smiled.

“I hope you like the raspberry mousse cake. I admit we haven’t been very close lately because of my busy schedule. I don’t even know what your favorite food is.”

“I’ll definitely like it. I’m not picky about food,” I assured him.

“Mom said you have several businesses. May I know what they are?”

“I can’t name them one by one, but one of them is an internet café. My business network spans the Americas and Europe.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. No wonder you’re so rich.”

A silence settled between us. Raviel was busy watching the planes landing and taking off. It was amazing, but I had a question that was bothering me about my mother’s second husband, Borris Smith.

“Just say it. I know you have something you want to ask me.”

Wow, he was amazing. He knew exactly what I was thinking without even turning to look at me.

“About Borris Smith, how do you know he’s in jail now?”

“I know because I was the one who put him in jail.”

Raviel turned to me, and suddenly he squeezed my palm that was lying on the table.

“Don’t worry, he will be punished for his crimes. Even though the money he stole from you won’t be returned, since he gambled it all away, I guarantee he’ll suffer in prison.”

“T-thank you,” I stuttered.

My gaze remained fixed on my hand, still held by my stepdad. It felt warm and comforting. I felt safe with him. All this time, I had never felt at ease or secure around any man. That was why I’d never entered into a romantic relationship. I had been traumatized by witnessing the failed relationships my mother had with her ex-husbands and her countless lovers. Yet, I hoped that one day I might find a man as wonderful as Raviel to be my boyfriend, or, if I were lucky, my husband.

“I hope this trip will allow us to get to know each other better. Maybe after we get back from Hawaii, I will know what your favorite food is, and things I never knew about you before.”

“I can’t wait to get to know you better. You don’t seem like the cold, stiff stepfather I always thought you were.”

“So, that’s what you thought of me all this time?”

I raised my eyebrows and gave a slight shrug.

“What did you expect? We only saw each other for a few minutes at breakfast. We didn’t always see each other at dinner because of your work and my college assignments.”

“Well, we really do need a vacation to bond. I’m not who you imagined.”

“Yeah, I get the feeling you’re someone who’s fun to talk to and hang out with.”

“Don’t worry, we’re going to have a great two weeks in Hawaii. I hear there are lots of fun things to do there.”

The waitress came over with our order. I was amazed by the beautiful raspberry mousse cake. It was beyond my expectations. I had imagined a simple layered cake with raspberry cream, but I was wrong. The raspberry mousse cake actually looked like a real raspberry.

“Wow, this is a beautiful cake.”

“Try it. It tastes good.”

“I assume you’ve had it before.”

The cake was too beautiful to eat. I couldn't even bring myself to cut it with a fork.

“A few times when I had a business trip.”

“Your job sounds fun. I wish I had a job like yours, traveling abroad a few times a month. It must be exciting to meet new people every day.”

“Not really.”

I was too focused on the beautiful cake in front of me and didn’t pay much attention to Raviel’s expression.

“Here you are.”

The smile on my face faded. My mother came in with an annoyed face and her hands on her hips. She was clearly not happy to see me with her husband.