Part 58

"She loves you, or she makes you believe that she loves you," Gian retorted sharply. "If she really loved you, she wouldn't have done what she did back then. I heard that when you returned, you found out she was cheating with a French businessman, right? Isn't that true?" Gian asked, his gaze probing.

"More than that. That woman was even in bed with that man when Antony came back."

"Damn!" Gian cursed sharply. "You saw her with another man while she was carrying your child?"

"I even initially doubted that she was Antony's child," Altezza replied flatly. "If I hadn't seen her eyes, I would have truly suspected she belonged to another man. Flavia's face is completely her mother's," she continued. Antony chose to look away. "Now, back to the original topic, cousin. Think again about what you feel for Claire. Is this just an obsession because she's bruised your ego, or do you genuinely like her for who she is?"

"Why do you keep asking about Antony's feelings?" Gian challenged Altezza. "It's obvious that he's currently infatuated with that cold woman." This made Altezza furrow her brow. "Instead of probing Antony's feelings, which are clearly evident, why don't you try analyzing Claire's feelings further? Why not try a different tactic?" Gian asked Antony.

"Don't think of weird things, Gian. Claire is not like most women. She's not easy to read."

"But all women are the same. They get angry when they're jealous. So why doesn't Antony use that tactic? Why not try to make her jealous? Approach another woman in front of her and see if she gets jealous or not. I think that will help you be sure if she has feelings for you or not."

Altezza shook her head. "That's not a good idea. If you make her jealous, I assure you it won't win her over; she'll only hate you more."

"Why do you think that?" Gian asked again, still convinced of his own reasoning.

"Do you forget what I said yesterday? Claire already has a negative perception of Antony. Anastasia and Flavia—those two names have already given Claire a reason to score our cousin negatively. If you add another woman to the list, she'll only be disgusted by you and push you away," Altezza replied passionately.

"Consider Anastasia just bait. Claire knows that Antony had a relationship with that woman, and she understands that Antony neglected Flavia because of her. Now, let's introduce another bait: a woman who is interested in Antony but whom Antony doesn't like, and who also doesn't involve Flavia. Let's see if Claire reacts to that.

"If she reacts nonchalantly, then that's it; she really doesn't have any feelings for you. So, I think it's best if you pull back.

"Because if you realize Claire doesn't have feelings for you, yet you still pursue her, then maybe that's when you can conclude whether our cousin is genuinely in love with Claire or if it's just an obsession," Gian said to Altezza.

Altezza fell silent. She felt there was some truth in Gian's words. At least it would help Antony realize Claire's feelings. As for her own feelings?

Altezza wasn't sure how to distinguish between obsession and love, especially since she was currently dealing with a personal issue related to both.

"What's going on? Why are you both silent? I just gave you the best idea ever, and none of you asked how I plan to implement it," Gian glanced at Antony and Altezza with annoyance.

"What idea do you have?" Altezza finally asked.

Gian smirked.

Flashback Off

Gian put his words into action with the arrival of the audit team the following day. The arrival of the audit team actually surprised Antony as well. It turned out that it wasn't Claire who felt jealous because Antony was close to the head of the audit team; rather, it was he who felt flustered by the man named Harry.

Once again, his entire plan backfired.

However, amidst all of that, there was a lesson Antony learned from Claire's pain.

Yes, Antony didn't feel grateful for the suffering that girl was going through. He felt pity and worry at the same time. But beyond all that, he felt thankful that Claire didn't reject his presence.

And now, he knew that at least Claire would no longer reject him after the girl learned about Antony and his dark past.

Altezza was right. Claire was not like most women. She was a strong woman with principles. Claire wasn't the kind of girl who wanted A but did B. She wasn't a shy type. She had high self-confidence and didn't hesitate once she made a decision. What she valued most was honesty. And that was something Antony needed to pay attention to in the future.

In fact, Claire was not arrogant or cold. She didn't even feel touched by the fact that Flavia needed a mother figure. While other women would pity Flavia and willingly help her get what she wanted, Claire was different. She cared for Flavia in her own way. And Antony could see that from how she treated Flavia.

Antony was the one at fault here. He was the one who had cunningly used Flavia as an excuse to get close to Claire. He had made pity a bait to soften Claire's heart, when in fact, pity wouldn't sway her.

Antony appreciated the girl's open-mindedness. He liked how she analyzed everything neutrally. Claire was not unlike Antony's own mother, Mrs. Brianna—firm yet gentle at the same time, cold yet caring.

Was this what they called a boy's first love being his mother? Was that why Antony loved someone who resembled his mother?

Love?

Antony found himself pondering Altezza's words again. Was it love? Or was it just some kind of obsession?

Once again, he looked at Claire. What could distinguish between those two feelings?

Was it love if he could let Claire go with another man, and obsession if he couldn't stand the thought of her being with someone else? Antony didn't believe in the saying that love doesn't have to possess. If it didn't have to possess, then why fight for it? If it didn't have to possess, he should have given up from the very start.

So is this obsession? From the moment he laid eyes on Claire, Antony wanted her so badly. Ever since he first saw her smile, his heart raced uncontrollably. Watching the way she interacted with Altezza made Antony jealous of his cousin.

Is this obsession, or is it love?

Then suddenly, his head filled with lyrics from one of his favorite songs:

If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?

I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand,

If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?

(Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not The One)

Yes. Antony felt all those questions swirling in his mind. If Claire wasn't meant for him, then why did all these feelings exist?