CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

“I really hate summer.”

“Why? You should learn to breathe and enjoy what nature has to offer, Clara.”

Clara and her friends were having a sunbath that Sunday afternoon. They had gone for a birthday hang out the day before and decided to stay for a while.

“I appreciate nature. I am even a vegan. You are not.” She sipped her orange juice. “Why aren’t you talking, Jane?” Clara asked.

“Let’s just say I am tired of hearing you guys argue about what you like or not all day. I don’t want to return to work on Monday. I want this weekend to last forever.”

“Trust me, I feel you. Maddison on the other side doesn’t have to work for shit. How nice. No wonder she loves the summer.”

“Come on, Clara. It’s not like you work too.” Maddison rolled her eyes.

“But I do, I am a proud florist. It’s not much but I make an income.”

“I make an income too. By tolerating my parents and their life of drama.” Maddison sighed.

“Our parents all have drama written across their foreheads.”

“I know right?” Jane replied curtly.

“Yeah.”

“Not you talking as if your parents are not the best. They are.” Maddison shot Clara a glare.

“That doesn’t mean they don’t have drama too. They are not all perfect, yunno.” Clara shrugged.

“I would take them over mine. Any day. I will literally take your whole family. So much peace.” Jane said.

“Peace because I am the only child. It gets really lonely and frustrating. I’m just glad I have friends.”

“I don’t mind not having siblings. Mine are the worst.” Maddison frowned.

Clara thought to the days when she was young. Her mother would read stories to her before sleep, her father was always available to go to her games and class presentations. She was the centre of their lives. They showered her with so much attention, it was almost choking. She loved that they were available but she wasn’t free. They made her go to a college nearby. When she decided to open her flower shop, they wanted it to be close to the house so she could stay with them. She refused blatantly. She wasn’t going to live her whole life under her parents, from kindergarten to college then spinsterhood. She was done. Still, she visited them most weekends and her mum would drop by the shop at least twice a week.

“How is your job going, Jane? “

“I cannot complain. I’m trying to settle in but to be truthful, I don’t want to work.”

“I feel you. Sorry about that.” Clara passed Jane a small smile.

“Jane. You really don’t have to work. I can support you, you always refuse my help. It hurts that you don’t allow me do things for you.” Madison was more sad than pissed.

They all grew silent. It was always that way whenever Jane spoke about her work.

Madison stood from her chair and stretched. Looking far off, she squinted. “Is that not the Smith sisters?”

They all turned to see four long-legged blonde girls, their even tone skin radiating with the shine of the sun.

“I love how they always steal the show. How could a family have a resemblance this striking? “ Jane marveled.

“Yeah. But then, their evil older brother will be just around the corner. How convenient.” Clara hissed as she reapplied the sunscreen.

“He’s good looking though. I can stand whatever ego he carries so far there is beauty to behold.”

“That’s you, Jane. You like everyone.”

Clara watched as the four girls pitched their beach umbrellas and seats. They waved back at people who waved at them. They chattered loudly and whined their waists to the music that boomed from the loud speaker they brought along. They screamed as others join them in dancing. It was always party mood with the Smiths.

Clara was someone who could never understand why people swooned over the Smith sisters. Yes, they are beautiful, accommodation and easygoing but it wasn’t about all that. People just loved fawning over the rich and influential. The Smith family has been known for their generational wealth. The family dealt in oil production and many other businesses. The company had branches all over the world and they also deal in mining of raw minerals. People try everything possible to relate with the family. The Smiths throw the best parties in town with limited invitations. There was a yearly party that people competed every day of the year to get an invitation. Clara's family were always invited, not that they were close but there is a respectful relationship between both families. Something about older generation bond.

“Clarabel Jones.” A smooth voice called out.

She looked up to her archenemy looking down at her. Famous, arrogant and extremely rich Aiden Smith. Clara hated his guts and the way he spoke. Aiden's voice was surprisingly too cool for the pride he exudes. While growing up, they meet during parties and they’ve never been on good talking terms. He was simply unavoidable. If he wasn’t at a party she was, he was at a restaurant or a coffee shop. His presences was everywhere she went, almost as if he was stalking her. But he wasn’t. They just visited lots of places in common.

“What do you want, Aiden?”

“Come on, don’t tell me you still resent me? I thought we have grown past all that. I mean, we all work now. Oh wait, you don’t.” He chuckled.

“Excuse you?”

Clara looked to her sides to discover that Maddison and Jane had disappeared. They were now with the Smith sisters, cackling and laughing. Clara shook her head, she hates when her friends do that. They were hell-bent on getting her a partner that whenever a guy shows up close to her, they abandoned her.

“I have a great job that I’m most certainly proud of.”

“Whatever you say. So, come on. Wanna get a drink?”

“No. Thank you.”

Clara rose from the beach chair but stumbled on her feet. She landed face flat on the sound. Clara refused to stand up as she felt her cheek get red with embarrassment. Aiden's shadow fell over her, he crouched and said, “Typical Clarabel, always falling on her poor little face.”

He offered his hand, when Clara reached out to receive it and propel herself up, he retracted his hand and she fell back down. What was she thinking? Aiden was as evil and petty as ever.