Claire steps into her apartment, her mind still spinning from the encounter in Christopher's office. He almost said something-something important-about his recent behavior, and that thought kept echoing in her mind. She tells herself she doesn't care, that it doesn't matter, but the curiosity gnaws at her. She paces around her living room, fiddling with a pen or tapping her phone screen without really looking at it. She sits, stares blankly at the wall, then stands again. She checks her phone and sees a text from Xavier, but doesn't respond right away. Her body is restless, mirroring the chaos in her thoughts.
Chloe enters the apartment, noticing Claire's distracted demeanor. She stops, tilting her head, her expression softening as she senses Claire's preoccupation. Claire's gaze is distant, and Chloe doesn't need to ask to know that something's off.
As Claire stares into space, her phone rings. The ringtone snaps her out of her reverie, and she looks at the screen, almost hesitant. It could be someone important-maybe even Christopher, "wait, he doesn't have my number, does he?" She asks no one in particular though she doesn't want to admit it. She hesitates before answering, not noticing Chloe's presence; her voice is slightly strained as she picks up.
"Hey, Xavier, "Claire replied awkwardly. Chloe's ears widened
"Yeah sure, I'll let her know"
"Is that Xavier? What'd he say? What'd he want?" Chloe asked excitedly.
"Hey... chill Chloe, he wanted to know if you've arrived safely"
She hissed
"He has my number; he could have called me directly," she said as she sat on a sofa, fuming with jealousy
Claire seems to have noticed the frown on Chloe's face and decided not to pry her. Xavier should have called her, but he had called Claire instead, and Claire felt a bit guilty for having to come in between both of them.
But she wasn't going to try and explain anything to her, she had a lot going on already.
How was she going to cope with Christopher during lectures? She wondered. Whatever that was going on, needs to stop or come to light. 'I'm not even sure of what I feel right now." Claire thought
Chloe notices Claire's distraction, her tone more casual than usual as she asks, "What's on your mind?" Claire deflects, offering a nonchalant response that doesn't match the tension in her eyes. Chloe isn't fooled, though, and presses her for an answer, her teasing tone light but persistent.
Claire brushes it off, saying something like, "It's nothing," but her fidgeting betrays her. Chloe, seeing through the act, raises an eyebrow, but Claire avoids the conversation, changing the subject with a forced smile. Chloe, understanding Claire's reluctance, offers some playful advice or humor, lightening the mood before leaving Claire to stew in her thoughts.
*********************
Meanwhile, Christopher is in his office, sitting behind his desk, trying to push thoughts of Claire from his mind. He stares out the window, his expression tight as he battles with his own thoughts. He'd come so close to saying something to her, something real, but he couldn't afford to let his emotions take control. His past is a constant weight, and he's determined not to let anyone in.
Christopher grabs his jacket and leaves the office, the city streets a welcome distraction. He drives through the night, the hum of the car and a smooth R&B song filling the silence. He keeps his eyes on the road, trying to focus on the music and not the woman who keeps invading his mind. The song's lyrics seem to echo his internal conflict-his heart and mind at odds, pulling him in different directions.
He steps into his apartment, a sense of weariness settling in. He hangs his coat and stands still for a moment, looking around the room as though seeking some kind of peace. His gaze lands on a photo on the wall, a framed picture of a blonde girl. His breath catches for just a moment, and he stares at it longer than he intended, his thoughts flashing to memories he's tried to bury.
His fingers brush the photo, and for a brief second, a crack appears in his guarded exterior. He exhales, the tension in his shoulders, before he turns away, the moment passing as he suppresses whatever feelings it stirred up. He looks away from the photo, his mind swirling again-this time, with thoughts of Claire.
He dropped the photo and headed straight to the pool in his penthouse. He needed a distraction, and getting wet might help, or so he had believed.
As he takes his clothes off, he imagines Claire standing in front of him, staring at him with passion, but he knows his head is playing with him cause there isn't any sign of her when he jumps into the pool and looks up to be sure that he imagined her indeed.
"What do I do?" He thought
"Now that's a body I always crave," a voice said from the pool entrance.
He looked up
"Hey, Jarvis." He stepped out of the pool, grabbed a towel, and walked towards his visitor.
"Well, Chris, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon; why'd you call?" His visitor asked
"It's a long story."
"Does that story involve a girl?" She asks
Christopher stared at Jarvis for a while but didn't say anything. Instead, he led her to his study.
"Now where do we start?" Jarvis asked as both of them sat staring at each other.
________________
Chloe was wondering what was going on with Claire and, at the same time, wondered if Claire was thinking about Xavier, but then she remembered the unexpected question Claire had asked her the other day.
It was clear she didn't fancy Xavier.
After some time, Chloe comes in to see Claire sprawled on the bed with a pen in her mouth clearly not thinking about what she was writing or reading.
"That's it, Claire, we're going out, and we're going to have fun and drink our asses off." She drags Claire off the bed and into the bathroom.
Minutes later, Claire is ready after trying on multiple dresses...
"You've been acting weird Claire, more like you have a crush on someone. I know who that someone is." She teased Claire as she put makeup on her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said fidgeting and playing with her fingers.
"Uh huh," Chloe said nodding her head in Amusement
"Just to be clear, you're gonna pay for the drinks," Claire asked while Chloe finished up her makeup.
"No, no, honey, I'm getting you dolled up this way so we wouldn't have to pay for our own drinks, dummy..." Chloe replied twirling her hair in her fingers.
"Off we go." She dragged Claire outside after she had called an Uber.
They arrived at the club.
"I thought we were visiting the bar you got wasted last time?" Claire asks
"Well, this place is packed today, so all the rich dudes will be over here, and why should we be looking for it when we should be dancing and doing whatever we want," Chloe said
They stepped in after waiting in line for 10 minutes
They got in, and Chloe dragged Claire to the dance floor, but she squeezed her wrist away and decided to sit at the bar table.
Minute
"Hey pretty girl, you look like my mom when she was younger."
"She does? Well, you could be a lot nicer to your mother's look-alike and pay for her drink." Chloe said loudly to the guy who never took his eyes off of Claire.
'Nice going, Chloe, ' Claire thought.
"I'm so glad we have nowhere to be tomorrow, else we'd be in bed by now," Chloe said, wasted from the drinks she's been drinking.
Claire was tipsy but not as wasted as her roommate. Who was going to take them home if she drank away her worries like Chloe did.
Another drink was brought to her
"Sorry, I didn't order this," she said
"It's from the nice gentleman up there." The bartender replied with a wink as he pointed up to the lounge where the visitors were staying.
Claire looked in the direction he had pointed but couldn't make out the person who had ordered the drink for her...
In order not to seem Impolite, she raised the glass cheered with the unknown admirer, and emptied the cup.
This drink was a bit different, it tasted rich and exquisite.
She shrugged and decided to go up to thank the Samaritan.
The security guys made way for her as she walked to the nice gentleman.
As she approaches, his view becomes clear.
"Ethan?" She said surprised
"Hello, Claire."
"What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in London?"
"No hugs or pecks, baby sis?" The nice gentleman said
"I thought we were over the 'big bro and big sis chapter Ethan? Besides; we're no longer related." Claire says as she goes to hug the nice gentleman who turns out to be her stepbrother from her mother's second marriage.
"What are you doing here Claire? I didn't know clubs were your thing."
"They're not my thing. I just happened to have a lot on my mind, and my friend decided we forget our problems by bringing me here."
"What a nice friend you have"
"What are you doing here Ethan?"
"Oh, I came for a business meeting, but I think it's going to be canceled since there's no sign of him, and I heard this is the best place in town. So here I am"
"Here you are"
*******************
Chloe woke up looking around for Claire, but she saw no sign of her; she panicked and hurriedly dialed Xavier's number.
"I can't find her, she was...sss here awhile ago but I don't see her anywhere" she spoke drunkenly into the phone
"Chloe, I need you to calm down, I can't hear you clearly; where are you?" Xavier shouts into the phone
"Claire, where did you run off to? Come back, I want to see you now." Chloe rambles as she staggers, looking for Claire. With Xavier still on the line.
"Chloe!!! Where are you guys?" He asked but got no reply.
Xavier panicked, ended the phone call, and decided to go look for them.