"Have you talked to any of the Stevens?" Gena asked Claire when she dropped by at her place.It's been a few days since their weekend trip."No, and I really don't wanna get entangled with that family, Gena. I've decided to forget it all," Claire said, her eyes busy on the phone as she was lying on her friend's bed.Gena's apartment was small, femininely furnished in purple and cream, a sleek modern touch of an interior designer graduate on its contents. She and Claire did the job."As you wish, ma'am!" Gena sighed, pushing herself towards the plush coach beside her bed. "Hey, why don't we go shopping? I think you need to stop thinking about the witch you call stepmom." She slumped down heavily, tugging her feet onto the couch."You're right." Claire loved shopping. Let it be grocery, shoes, clothes . . . as long as she'd get to stroll around the shops, seeing new arrivals, old displays, she'd automatically feel alive.It was her best hobby.The next stop was at the mall and both seem
She spent almost ten minutes wondering what she was going to do with all that money when her heart was all empty.The next day Claire dropped by the attorney's office for documentation. She had to protect herself from that vile woman and the first stage was notarizing everything as her father suggested through the letter. She just couldn't gather why he didn't suggest their family attorney.Maybe her father couldn't trust him at the last minute."Claire Levy?" A lovely woman in her mid-fifties regarded her as she walked in."Um, yes. I called yesterday and—" Claire paused, seeing a picture of her father, the attorney, and another man. She looked stoutly at her. "You . . . knew my father?" she asked, surprised at the time frame portrayed by the vintage color of the photo.They were in graduation gowns.The woman smiled. "Yes, Claire. Your father, my husband, and I were high school alumni. Oh, we were inseparable! They called us a notorious trio! Well, we came from the same village so .
Bruno was awestruck to see Claire. He couldn't hesitate swooping her for a tight hug, ignoring his staff and whoever was present in the restaurant. Moreover, some kind of respite was evident on his face upon beholding her healthy look, indicating safety."I was worried about you? Did you manage to get home without any trouble that day?" he asked, making Claire sigh at the memory. He frowned. "Why? Did something happen?" His voice was gentle and apprehensive."Well, it's a long story," Claire told him while taking a seat. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked, realizing that he was carrying a backpack as though ready for some trip."Um, not quite. I was about to go home when you arrived." Bruno slid the strap of his backpack off his shoulder."Oh, in that case, I can just drop some other time. I’ve come unannounced anyway," Claire said."Some other time, when? Don't be silly." Bruno took a seat, his grin impish. He was in khaki shorts and a white button-up shirt. Simple and handsome. "I
They wandered inside. The house was as beautiful as Claire remembered. Martha was the first person they came across, and she almost dropped the tray carrying a glass of juice."Yes, it's me, Nanny. I'm not dead yet," Bruno said, and the old lady casted the tray aside on the console table, her eyes wet. "Oh, not the tearworks, please." He pulled for a warm hug.Wow! What was happening? Claire was in the dark, standing at the corner. It seemed like they were dying to see Bruno, and yet he was so afraid to see them. What a mystery."Martha, when will I get that juice, woman? Is it arriving from America or something?" Mr. Steven's grumpy voice echoed, nearing them, and they all stayed attentive. "Can't you see this heat—" He was approaching slowly when his speech paused.His gaze held Bruno's, stupefied."Grandpa," Bruno breathed, tears brimming in his eyes.Claire's eyes shifted between the old man and his protégée grandson. Silence blanketed the atmosphere; a pin drop would make noise.
Just as Claire had anticipated, the job was finally hers. She started working for the construction company she'd once interned at. With that her life got somewhat busy and three weeks went by. All of her emotional baggage regarding her father was already water under the bridge.At least she hardly thought of the past since that trip, and it was good.Recalling that she'd missed a call from Bruno due to a tight headline, which had everyone in the office going nuts, Claire returned his call as soon as she arrived home. They were keeping in touch from time to time, apparently, and she was happy whenever they talked."Hi, beautiful," Bruno uttered sassily upon her simple hello."Hi, how are you?" Claire replied while dropping her bag on the bed, feeling beat."I'm good, I just miss you," he remarked coolly, his breath sound."Me, too." Claire flushed."Actually, I'll be over there tomorrow. Can we meet, just to see your face?" Bruno's voice was teasing as always, making her giggle like a
Once in privacy, Ryan returned his full attention back to Claire. "And you? How's work? You told me you got a job?" He placed his palms on the table, facing her."It's great," she prompted with a sigh, fixing her pose into more comfort. "I'm still learning. Well, I'm done doing what I truly love but . . . Maybe in time?" She wasn't as happy with the job.Ryan squinted his eyes, a little bemused. "Interior designing?" he quizzed and Claire affirmed."Yes, I want some field work. Not sitting in the office making tea and handling copies!" she lamented. "I mean, I'm an interior designer, right? Not a secretary."Ryan was looking intently at her, taking in all the complaints she had without feeling bored. He was in fact enjoying listening to her."That's how the large companies work," he seriously retorted, tapping his strong fingers on the table. "Unless, you can try small firms with little bureaucracy." He shrugged, the idea so not in his tasteful list."I know, but I need to learn some
The kiss refused to leave Claire's lips. Amatory blushes kept flushing on her cheeks at the mere remembrance of Ryan's mouth taking charge of destroying her any possible resolution to keep herself sexually uninvolved as she'd been for the past few years.Oh no, this wasn't healthy! Claire shook her head to do these thoughts away."Ryan is just an alluring little beast who's nothing but one hell terrific kisser who wants you to fall for his stupid charms that's not going to work," she was mumbling to herself, her thoughts over Ryan restless."What's not going to work?" A voice snapped her from her trance. She nearly jumped from her seat, feeling busted."Bruno!" she scolded and his playful grin was what regarded her bewilderment.He took a seat. "Well, I heard you talking to yourself about something that's not going to work and I got curious. Having problems?" he quizzed, a slight concern on his face.A problem? No. It was more of a situation where she had to immediately snap out of it
Her eyes were on Ryan, who was staring back at her blankly, his face like a desert."Okay, okay. You can also me later but not in front of everyone," Bruno said and Doris' face suddenly softened. "What? Are you going to cry now?" he breathed, nearing her."I missed you," Doris said and pulled him into a hug. This time both Claire and Ryan faced the two. "I'm glad you're back.""Me, too," Bruno muttered and Claire smiled at the scene.They all cared about him, and she was happy to prove him wrong.Ignoring the sentiments resembling a scene from the movie, Ryan asked, "How about we go to that lunch now that you've all hugged enough?" His voice was monotone and cool."Great! Shall we, Claire?" Bruno offered his full attention back to Claire.No, she wasn't going to spend another minute with the guy who kissed her knowing he had a girlfriend. What a jerk! Claire thought."I'm sorry, Bruno, but I'm afraid I have to go," she said urgently. "I forgot something important and I think you're in