Claire's father is so thoughtful, isn't he? What are your thoughts on Claire's new company name? Give her moral support, guys. She needs it to rebuild her life. Thanks for all the love and support. I am glad you are liking the story. XOXO ~
63Dominic saw the hesitation in her features and declined with a smile, "No, darling. But I will be there behind you to take your back if you need moral support." While checking the papers she gave him, he resumed, "My job was only to take care of the legal procedures to bring your company into existence for I know how strenuous it could be. Once I get you your commencement certificate, my part will be finished. And that's where yours will start." "You will have to go out and invite professionals to work with you. You will build your own R&D department, your own auditing team, your own designing team and gather your own employees who will work for you." Sweat beads began to form on Claire's forehead. To say she thought that everything was going to be served on a platter for her was wrong. Her father's words meant that she would have to put in efforts. Although the thought of facing people other than her family made adrenaline rush through her, she dipped her head in agreement. D
64As quickly as she burst into laughter, her expression faltered and face became dull. Old memories made her chest squeeze. There were many like Pavel who desired to take her out. But Claire being Claire, the lovesick devoted wife that she was, never took up on their invitations. She brushed their requests aside or left them unread and ignored. Two years ago when she was not still married, she refused to pay heed to these guys because mentally she had reserved herself for Hunter. From a young age onwards she had concluded in her mind that it would be Hunter, taking her first kiss and first time. Her mouth trembled in a remorseful smile. She wasted her teenage years and beginning of her adulthood for a man who treated her like a trashcan. This time, nevertheless, she was determined to not just go out with Pavel but also enjoy the evening. She asked him about the time as to when to meet and he texted: I'm on my way to your house. And I am wearing blue. How about we twin today? Not
65Hunter sat with a hard expression outside the operation theatre. His back was arched forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he ominously gazed at the wall across from him.Cole was unknowingly pissed by his expression. He had been noticing his best friend's body language and for some reason he seemed unperturbed. His girlfriend was attacked! Another man in his shoes would want to conduct restless searches to find out the person behind it. He would hiss and curse, make promises to find the culprit and get his woman the justice she deserved. But Hunter MacIntyre was unpredictably calm. Although his face was hard, it didn't amount to concern. There was no worry on his forehead nor any dark light for seeking revenge on his woman.What's more, he sat like he was a distant relative to Zara. A relative who was here to complete a formality. When it was beyond Cole's point of contemplation, he let out a grumble deep from his chest. He yanked Hunter by his shoulder so his face was para
66"You want to be with her again?" Cole raised an eyebrow before he exploded into peals of laughter.He was happy on the inside that Hunter finally realized his feelings. Still, he wanted to make him feel guilty for his deeds and continued to laugh out loud. He held his belly and shook his head. His laughter resonated in the air around them. Hunter's gaze blazed on his face. He fisted his hands on his sides while looking away. But Cole didn't stop. He laughed till his jaw and stomach ached. Then as he came to glance at his friend, his eyes sparked with malice and lips twisted. "Is this some kind of joke? Claire is not a toy, Hunter, that you can throw away and want it back when you see someone else playing with it."Hunter's gaze simmered with warning. The darkness in them served as a visual representation of his wrath. He hated the fact that Claire was compared to a toy. Cole was shaken for a second but he stood to his ground as someone had to give Hunter a reality check. Becaus
67It was a bad idea to go out with him. It was proved when they pulled over across from a pub where couples were shamelessly making out by the wall and on the ground. The area was dark and surrounded by trees and heart wrenching silence. Claire had sensed Pavel wasn't a good company for her long back. But only when he grazed her butt on their way inside the pub did she finally conclude that he was not just bad but rather a walking warehouse of red flags. "Claire, you haven't touched your drink yet. What are you thinking? Drink it." Pavel raised the glass to her lips. "Erm, yeah, I will. Give it to me." She had to insist to him for a while to let the glass be in her possession, and that she would drink it on her own. When Pavel shifted to the other side to talk to a man, Claire took a deep shaky breath as she stared at the drink in front of her. Something about it didn't make her feel right which is why it was sitting untouched on the table.This was like what? Third time, he was
68Her gaze was misted with tears that she blinked back. When she looked up, she saw the manager. His face was crossed with malevolent objectives. Behind him was another man. The bartender, from whom Pavel bought two drinks. One for himself and other for her. As she gathered her courage to look back, she saw Pavel's smirking face. "Thanks, buddies." He stopped right in front of Claire meanwhile his eyes glazed over her body like a magnifying glass on an invaluable fossil remains. "I knew she wouldn't be an easy target from the moment we stepped inside the pub. The way she looked around and pretended to be cool about everything made it obvious that she wouldn't fall for my niceness. So I had to do this."Pavel lifted her face by jerking his forefinger under her chin. His mouth upturned into a smitten grin as he licked his lips. "I've been after you for a while, Claire. You refused me in the past like I wasn't worth the hassle." He sneered before turning to his allies, the manager an
69Claire never presumed she would feel this relieved in Tyler's arms. She clutched his coat at his back tightly and pressed her face on his shoulder. She gritted her teeth to keep her sobs in because no matter what, she didn't want to appear this weak in his arms.Unfortunately, the terror running with her blood in her body was intense. She had contemplated worse things happening to her. And why? Because she acted on impulse after seeing her ex-husband on the television with his new wife.Once again Hunter MacIntyre managed to make her fall into a pit of traumatising problems. She may get out of here with no scratch, thanks to Tyler for that, but the scar it carved on her mind would stay for days. Maybe weeks. "Claire," Tyler's comforting voice made her trembling stop. It also reminded her that he was not the man she should get this comfort from. Irrespective of how safe she felt in his arms, it was risky and a bad idea. Just like coming here with Pavel had been a bad idea. She c
70Cole followed Hunter closely with bated breath. A tiny voice in his mind asked him to prevent his best friend given everything about him screamed sinful intentions. His eyes were shadowed with ferocity and the chips of black in his pupils darkened. "They might have given a slip, Hunter. I'm certain they witnessed Murphy beating Pavel Maury to unconsciousness." Cole tried to create deviation. "They wouldn't wait for you to hunt them down, would they?" "Your certainty has nothing to do with my purpose. And just so you know, my guards haven't seen them going out of the pub. They're still inside, hiding somewhere." Hunter took long measured steps into the dark and isolated part of the pub that wasn't open for anyone except the staff. “And I don't give two fucks why and how Murphy beat Pavel Maury. I'm not going to let him go easily… that's for sure.” He crossed a corridor or two and arrived at a dead end. Cole halted before he bumped into Hunter's back. "Oh, so they're hiding in t
281Although Dominic had been reluctant in the beginning, he told his wife that Hunter had called him a while before the dinner. He wanted to come to their mansion for some reason. Dominic revealed that Hunter prepared some kind of gift for their daughter, and needed his help to execute it. His request was to dim down the lights of the lamps around their garden so Hunter could have a dark set-up. And then the next thing that happened was that they heard commotion outside their window. Since their room was on the ground floor, they heard and saw everything. Hunter was in the garden, and he wasn't alone. His guards were there to help him whatever he planned to do for Claire. Dominic and Andrea also read the messages on the cardboards that Hunter held. One can say that Hunter's surprise proposal wasn't really a secret. His In-laws— correction, his ex-in-laws, who were about to become his in-laws again, had front-row seats to the whole thing.They read every message, saw every express
280"I know I was once the person Scott wanted to be like. But after what I did to you, his sister, he's lost all respect for me. I know he wouldn't hesitate to stab me the second he gets the opportunity." Hunter paused. "I don't consider that wrong because what I've done is enough reason for someone to put a blade through my heart.""Hunter!" Claire glared at him, but obviously it was so dark that he couldn't see it. But her hold around his neck, it indicated that she was disappointed. "I'm telling the truth, Claire. What do you think? That I'm only committing my mistakes in front of you. If that's what you think then you don't know me at all." The determination in his voice steeled her spine. "Fixing things with you was my first step toward fixing everything I destroyed." "Your forgiveness meant everything because if you could forgive me, then maybe the others would too. My goal is to make things right with everyone in your family, especially Scott."Claire's jaw unhinged. She was
279"Really?" He sounded playful.Claire hummed near his face and cupped his jaw, "I adore how you tackle challenges head-on and always come out on top." She paused, pecked him on the lips and added, "For me, you're a true champion and that's what captivated my heart.""You think too highly of me.""I just know that you're very skillful and...""And?" Hunter leaned in closer, depositing all his wait on her.Claire's lips tugged at the corners. An idea struck and she pushed him away. Hunter frowned at the loss of contact. But the push stirred his thoughts awake and he realized he was here on a mission. "You didn't answer my question!""What question?" Claire asked playfully."About being my girlfriend.""I'll think about it." She got out of his hold as she stifled her laughs.It was dark so she couldn't see his expression. But from what she knew about him, she knew he was boiling on the inside. Despite being one of the most successful men, he was grumpy and had very little to no pati
278Claire wasn't happy. Hunter did make mistakes, but that didn't make him a loser. A loser would never accept his mistake. A loser always avoids it and often others have to guilt-trip him to take responsibility for his actions. That, or he's blamed until he's forced to accept his mistakes. However, he would never willingly own up to them. Claire had a big lecture to give to him on this topic. She showed a phone sign with her finger as she put it near her ear, indicating that she was going to call him. But Hunter quickly shook his head and motioned down at the cardboard. Not many were left and Claire decided to stay. She probably read the worst ones, she deemed, as she folded her hands and waited for him to reveal the new messages. It read: On the other hand, you're so charming, honest, kind and considerate. Another one said: I'm nothing in front of you. Another one: Everyone loves you for who you are. As for me... He sighed self-loathingly as he revealed a new card: They can'
277Claire took a deep breath as she lifted her upper body by the midriff and took a glance towards the window. The curtains were drawn and a soft breeze was billowing it. Her heart pounded loudly as her face began to heat up.The sadness she was drowning in earlier got replaced by excitement and an utter sense of delight. Her body was alight with all sorts of gleeful emotions. She nervously swallowed as her nerves were getting the better of her. With slow and unrushed movements, Claire lifted the blanket from her body and rolled out of the bed. She took baby steps towards the window because the thrill of going there made her body jittery. The distance suddenly seemed too long.But when she reached there and drew the curtains apart and looked down— it was worth it!Her lips curled up and her cheeks numbed from all the heat she was feeling in her face. Claire was filled with uncontainable joy because HUNTER WAS STANDING DOWN THERE, outside her window.He waved a hand at her as his mout
276Claire shut the door with a bang and threw herself on bed, pulling the blanket over her. Her chest ached from trying to control her sobbing while her eyes flashed with the images of Scott's disgusted expressions. The pain she felt was unimaginable.They hurt more because they came from her only sibling— her protective sibling who had promised to burn the world to make her happy.She recalled Scott's desperation from months ago when she had discovered that she was pregnant. He was willing to give her baby the love of a father and take care of her the way she deserved as a pregnant lady. He never left her alone, always lingering around as if it was his responsibility to make sure she and the baby were fine.But the bitter words he said today, the anger he showed... It made her heart shatter into pieces.Claire covered her mouth to suppress her sobs. For her, it was a wonderful day today. She felt amazing when she shared her feelings with Hunter. She was thrilled beyond explanation w
275The way he spoke with authority made Claire's jaw tighten. It was as if he were the older sibling and she the younger one— not the other way around."Let go of my hand, Scott! I'm not in the mood to talk." Claire eyed him sternly. "Then make your mood, Claire. Because I'm not letting you go until we finish this conversation." Scott shrugged his shoulders uncaringly. He held her hand tightly and gave her a challenging look, making her seethe. "Stop being annoying, Scott. Let go." "Answer my questions first. Was Penny the only company you had or was there someone else too?" "You know the answer then why are you asking me!" Claire pulled her hand away. "I knew it! And I'm ashamed to call you my sister." Scott sniggered, making her eyes freeze in shock. Mr. Argent banged his hands on the table before he rose to his feet, "What the hell is going on here? What's with your attitude today, Scott. How dare you talk to your sister like that?" "Just the same way she dared to soil our
274Claire came home with bright pink cheeks and a smile that made her mother stop her in the main hall. She circled her while her curious eyes tried to find out the cause behind that blush."You are blushing, Claire." Andrea prodded a finger in her cheek."Am I? That's probably the heat of the day, mom. You see, it's so.... Dark outside like it's going to rain." Claire's voice lessened over the last sentence as she gazed out the huge sliding doors that led to the garden outside.The sky was gray and heavy and angry black clouds floated in it. She bit her lips embarrassed as she wondered what excuse to make to avoid her mom.Andrea laughed, "Oh, Claire, you're so transparent. It has nothing to do with the weather. You're thinking about him, aren't you?" "W-who?" "Don't play dumb, sweetie. I know exactly who I'm talking about." She paused for dramatic effect. "Tyler." Claire's jaw dropped. She stared at her mother as her heart pounded in her chest. She wondered why she was talking ab
273Hunter's POV She stopped just a hand's distance away and blinked her doey eyes at me, "I know we've been through so much, and our past is complicated. But I don't want to rush into anything this time. I want to love the good part we missed before. I want us to take our time, to enjoy each other's company, to fall in love all over again. I want you to make me feel special.""I want our second chance to be different. I want it to be about us, about our love, about our connection. I want it to be real, and true, and raw. I want us to be vulnerable, to be open, to be honest with each other. I want this time to be our time. Our time to love, to laugh, to live. Our time to be us." Her lips trembled. She was having a war with herself whether to tell it to me or not. She chose to do it anyway and risk it all... Because, by sharing her feelings with me, she was exposing how desperately she wanted me. "I want us to create new memories, to make new mistakes, to learn from each other all ov