CHAPTER 64

Arman finally opened his mouth to say something

“You have my permission to leave, but keep this at the the back of your mind—”

He moved closer to her

“I'm not the one chasing you”

Those were the last words he said to her, those were the words that rang in her head as she took a cab home.

she wasn't going to sugarcoat anything, and tell herself she was the victim. Arman needed to know the kind of person she was. He needed to know that everything he saw her go through was karma at work

She wronged her best friend, and she was getting punished.

And Arman was never going to overlook all her flaws and sins, and accept her

The only thing she could do was continue her phase of revenge against Donald Pavilochenki.

It wouldn't heal her broken heart, but it was sure as hell going to break his in return

She was going to hit him below the belt, and target something he had struggled to uphold so dear—

His family name

The Pavilochenki's had dirt on the Grays, it was only fair that the Grays acquired same

Claire was going to collect information about the Pavilochenkis the same way she collected information about the Grays

She was going to create a level playground, to atone for her sins

*******************

“Don't be late for work”

That was the text he sent to her that morning

Ironic wasn't it, she just got fired. He couldn't possibly be talking about the job that almost got her killed. So what was he talking about?

Claire wanted to text back, to ask him to explain to her what he meant. But she knew that her and Arman were on opposite sides of a wall.

Another message popped up

“The manager of the restaurant was removed”

“No fucking way”

Claire muttered under her breath

He wasn't implying in any way that he got her a job, was he?

Not after everything she told him

She typed something, then deleted it, then typed again

Then deleted it

Arman was definitely joking. But she was curious. She Took a quick shower, and put on the on a semi formal attire. She picked up her red lipstick, but when she applied it, and saw herself in the mirror, she was reminded of the girl she was the previous night. The memories came flooding back—

She decided against it, and called a cab

Over the course of the drive, Claire began to have second thoughts. It didn't make any sense, why would Arman of all people want to help her?

She didn't know him much, but she knew he was no lover boy. He probably had a solid reason for doing all of that

When Claire got to the restaurant, she was was greeted by her former co-workers. Arman wasn't kidding. How he did it was still a mystery to her

“I don't know what you do here, I've never really been in this position before”

She said, fidgeting with the bag in her hand

“I'm sure you'll do better than the last guy”

Claire instantly remembered him. The man who fired her. He was a terrible boss, and she was going to do better than him

Claire got a hang of the job in no time. It wasn't just a regular job, it was therapy. She was at a position where she was respected, a sharp contrast to where she had been most of her life. She felt—

Normal

“I'm really grateful”

She texted back. She was still in disbelief, but she wanted to get her answers. She wanted to know why he was doing all of that

And the opportunity came, because he offered to pick her up

He pulled up in his car, a few yards away from the restaurant. And texted her his exact location. How did he even get her number? One thing was certain. Arman was someone that had power, he wasn't just a bodyguard

There was an awkward silence that presumed immediately Claire entered his car.

“Arman— I'm extremely grateful but—”

She saw his eyes move to the mirror, he was watching her, studying her expression

“Why are you helping me?”

“Because it's the right thing to do”

“Don't give me that crap, the right thing to do is to expose me, and let Sharon know that I'm a dangerous person”

“Your conflict with your conscience is not my concern Claire”

She could hear the seriousness in his voice. It frightened her, but it also drew her toward him

His words meant something, and his actions implied another—

“You're in danger Claire, the thing at the club—”

“It was just bad luck”

“It was staged Claire, it's the first of many to come”

“I don't understand”

“Someone's after you Claire. It could be the Pavilochenki's or the Grays. You've offended them both. If any of them get to you, I promise you you'll die. And no one is going to be able to do anything about it.

“And if it's just a coincidence?”

“No such thing”

“So— that's why you got me the job, to protect me”

“The club has been compromised. You had a shot before you got on that stage, it was laced with something”

“Why protect me though?”

“You ask a lot of questions”

“I want to know, because I'm not your priority. So why do you want to protect me?”

“Because I protect Sharon, and she sees you as family”

Claire felt her heart sink. Somehow she wanted him to have a different reason, but it was just her wishful thinking.

“That's not the way to my house, you're taking a wrong turn”

“Arman”

“Quit the chatter, we're going to my house”

Arman looked at her through the mirror

*For your protection—”