Being a responsible sister is very tough! I've been super busy running around to help my sister enrol in her university. That's what took all my time. But I managed to get these chapters ready. How are they? Do you like the new phase in Claire's life? How about the new characters? I should be blunt and ask straight about Kent;) Do you like him?
95"Do you remember Professor Feanis who taught us Engineering Material?" Kent's face was aglow with nostalgia as he sipped from the glass of his wine. "That professor with a black birthmark on his left cheek? Who will forget him. He taught less and conducted tests more." Claire said with flickering lashes as she expressed her distaste over remembering him. She rolled some noodles around the fork and lifted it to her mouth. Then she gave an amused tilt to her eyebrows and said with a grin, "But you were his favorite! In fact, you were every professor's favorite. Mr. Topper!" Kent responded to her with a small laugh while Claire rolled her eyes. She raised another bite of Scallion oil noodles and moaned. The food was good and as they relieved old college memories, it tasted even better. They had crashed into a traditional Chinese restaurant where the seating arrangement was made on the cushioned floor with a circular table between them. The walls were painted soft green, and mounted
96Claire closed her eyes in reflex as his hand stretched out. The memory of that day in hospital when he had slapped her consumed her being. She thought he was going to do the same so to prepare herself for the following pain, she stiffened her body and waited for it. Much to her shock, his smothering fingers banded around her elbow and peeled her off Kent's body. His roughness snapped her eyelids apart. Her gaze fell on his face and the stony look left her muscles twitching. Claire couldn't protest him because of her shock as he pulled her behind his back and gripped the front of Kent's shirt. Yanking him near his face, Hunter growled. "Keep your distance from her. Next time I see you within a five-metres radius of her, you will be a charred meat." He rumbled and let go.The moment was thick with tension and both Claire and Kent were in a state of daze. They were still trying to compose from the shock of Hunter's unexpected arrival, talk less of responding to his dark threats.The
97They were so lost in each other's company that they forgot the surroundings existed. Kent existed. They failed to see him approaching them and even his thudding footsteps went unheard. It was when he tugged Claire at his side by her arm did then Hunter was shaken out of the cobweb of his trance. He didn't get a chance to rumble in protest as Kent arched his chin up, grazed him with a challenging stare and mocked, "Last time I checked you both were controversially separated. And if my memory is not weak then it was because of a home wrecker lover of yours, isn't it?" "So, Mister, don't you dare do that in my presence again." Kent gave a light shake to his head as he bore his cold eyes into Hunter's murderous ones. He protectively reached a hand at his back to touch Claire's hand. "Leave Claire alone. Or you will curse your stars for getting a beating from a man with a lower status."Claire's lower jaw went slack in a moment of disbelief. Kent was really calling for the grim reaper
98There was blood that washed down with rainwater, cleaning his hand like it was never smeared with red before. Meanwhile Claire and Kent have returned their attention to him. They saw him touch a hand to his back and bring back a bloody palm. The need to hold him plowed within her. Claire attempted not to lose her patience as she observed his face turning whiter and whiter while he gritted his teeth to contain the affliction. She almost took a step forward when a certain name echoed in her mind. Zara. Just four letters. Such a cute name. But the person who was named it, appeared smiling foxily in her mind. "Hunter will get rid of you soon! Save yourself the humiliation and leave us alone." Zara had sniggered at her face once, she was super confident that Hunter would abandon Claire for her. He did it. Not just that, he also insulted all the time she assumed he was being honest with her. Tears formed in her eyes. However, it wasn't detectable whether she was crying or it was the
99Claire sat like a corpse herself as Kent drove in silence. He has been studying her features since the minute they left Hunter outside the restaurant. Claire was trembling, and though he blamed it on the heavy rain for drenching her, he knew what the real deal was. She never sat still for a long while in one position. Her fingers bit and banded around her arms, her feet were restlessly tapping as if she was unable to suppress feelings that she should otherwise let freely flow through her. Her Complexion grew waxen and salty torrent perpetually streamed down her face like she was regretting something she did or said. "Claire, are you okay?" Kent decided against his will and asked her. "Just take me home quicker." She assured him with her dipping head as she wiped her tears. The look of hurt on Hunter's face was flashing in her mind endlessly. She didn't like it one bit. But she did it to punish him. If not with actions, she could hurt him with words, couldn't she? It was nothin
100Using her trembling fingers, she typed. Claire: He is shot on his back. Take him to a hospital soon, Reggie. She was crying and sobbing simultaneously by the time she finished. Claire touched a hand to her heart and was dazed, listening to the beating of her heart. It was a mess. Her chest was shaking and her breathing was ragged. Just then Reggie called her. Since her fingers were twitching and typing was proving to be a difficult task, she picked the call even if she knew she would sound pathetic on the phone call. She put the phone to her ear and heard Reggie's panic-stricken voice, "Sir is shot? How? And when? He seemed completely fine to me when I visited him in his cabin ten minutes ago." "Are you saying that I am lying?" Claire's voice was heavy and shaky, but her undertone was packed with fury. "Obviously not, madam. But I can assure you he is okay. He's attending an online meeting now." A gasp shot out of Claire's mouth. More tears left her eyes as she knew what he
101'Reggie calling...'Claire frowned looking at the name. She wondered why he was calling her now. She had buried the emotions of the night with the night and welcomed the new morning with new hopes.Pulling the car over to the side, she heaved a breath. Even if she was afresh with new excitement for the new day, concern for Hunter remained etched in her chest. She couldn't draw it away. And Reggie's call doubled it."Hello?" She spoke in a monotonous tone after taking his call."Good morning, Madam," His tense voice sent her blood pumping.To increase her adrenaline, it started raining again and the pelting rain reminded her of the blood she had seen washing away with rain from Hunter's palm last night.Everything before her became a blur. Claire switched the vipers on and held the gear to brace herself to listen to Reggie further."I want to apologize beforehand for the inconvenience my call may have caused you, Madam, but sir left me no other option. He's turned deaf ears to my re
102The subtle rebuke in his voice caused her to clench her teeth. His indifferent behaviour took her back to the initial days of their marriage. Even the thoughts of facing the cold and ignorant Hunter shook her limbs. In reflex to the memories, Claire propelled her hands against his chest and roared, "How could you do this to me? I thought you married Zara after our divorce. The trauma of the same took my child's life. But from Reggie I get to know it never happened." "How could you do this to me, Hunter? I loved you. Even if you wanted to get rid of me to be with her, you could have just told the truth. My baby would have been with me then. I wouldn't have lost him." When she looked into his eyes she saw the control he was trying to keep on himself. The push stretched his muscles, reawakening the pain in his shoulder, thus moistening his eyes. But that was all... Moist eyes. He stood erect, his face red and eyes deeply staring into her soul. "And you believe him?" The hardness o
266As they stole a glance from behind the wall, their faces went pale because a woman was pinning Hunter against the wall, trying to touch him desperately. On the other hand, he had a hateful scowl on his face as he aggressively held her arms to keep her away from him. "What part of 'I don't like you' was clear to you? What is your problem, huh? Stop coming after me, Mona. I've told you many times I'm not interested either in you or your twin sister. Can't you see the ring on my finger? I'm fucking taken." He gritted those words out as his eyes hardened in detestation. The woman, nevertheless, moved closer and pressed a hand on his crotch, causing his eyes to freeze on her face. Claire's heart nearly stopped at the shock as her fingers trembled on the wall where she had placed them. Her teeth clenched as her stomach fluttered in a fit of rage, watching the woman touch Hunter inappropriately.Her gaze lingered on her hand for as long as it was there. She didn't know that she was hol
265Even though the girls had a head mask that completely covered their faces, they chose to take cover behind cars as they closed in on Reggie stealthily. They crouched down to become smaller and avoid their reflections getting caught in the side mirrors of the parked car.Reggie was best in his field. His circumspection earned him the position he worked on. He wouldn't be the country's wealthiest man's chief bodyguard if he was lazy or sloppy. His confident stance said that he knew what he was doing, and the way he kept looking around from time to time, it showed he was multitasking between avoiding spectators and carrying out the order given to him.A point came when Tia suddenly halted in her tracks to rummage something in her purse. A low curse came from her mouth which was quite audible in the empty parking lot. She turned around and that's when Reggie's heightened senses kicked in. He leapt behind a car so smoothly that Claire and Penny's jaw unhinged, eyes stared unblinkingly a
264"Look, there's Tia Murphy!" Penny exclaimed, hiding behind a wall a few feet away from behind which she and Claire could clearly see her.There were some cameramen, the manager of the jewelry shop that was opening, and some friends Tia was often seen hanging out with beside some other spectators. She appeared so fresh, so sophisticated, so well-mannered that Claire had a hard time realizing that this woman was exactly the one who raised a knife on her!The smile on her face, the gentleness in her eyes— it seemed too good to be true.Claire suppressed the need to scowl. She may not want to see her hurt for Tyler's sake, but she sure as hell didn't want to be anywhere near her. Tia wasn't the type to socialize with people without ulterior motives. "There's an evil touch to her personality that you can't avoid even if you're gazing at her from afar! Gosh, I can understand why Hunter hates her so much. She's pure evil." Penny commented as they leaned forward on the wall. Some passin
263She was glowing inside, excited to start a new phase with Hunter. All the hatred, ignorance and pay-back time was redundant. She was tired of staying away from Hunter and pretending to be angry with him. She wanted to be with him again... And soon. "But it's not going to take long, right? You're certain what you want... And it's not revenge. So, I'm rooting out for you! I'll plan your wedding." Penny took a sip with a grin. She was honestly happy, and she couldn't wait to get alone and share the news with Cole. Her boyfriend has been wasting his time on the internet, running fake fan accounts for Hunter to clear his image and fight off haters, although it wasn't his place to clean the dirt. But his efforts needed a reward— what could be a better reward than the news of his best friend's reunion with his desired ex-wife! "Hey, I've got a perfect idea about how we can make your second marriage memorable!" Penny squealed as she grasped Claire's arm desperately. "Let's hear it!" "
262Claire stared at Tyler's messages for a while. She neither felt disappointed that he was trying to contact her after two days nor relieved that he at least tried. She felt neutral and decided to respond to him with glee. She typed: Hey, no problem. I can understand your dilemma. I hope your mom didn't give you a hard time after I left. How is Grandma? I miss her. Tyler's reply came instantly: Glad to hear you're not mad. I really thought you wouldn't want to talk to me after the stunt my mom pulled. Trust me, it's difficult to describe how ashamed I am. Claire smiled. Tyler could be a good friend. He was honest with her and stayed in touch as they had decided. Well, it would have made her feel rejoiced earlier as Tyler's cooperation was important in her revenge plan. Since she no longer wanted to make Hunter's life hell, she was going to be straightforward with him and cut to the chase and tell him her decision. A slow bloom of euphoria made her chest ripple. Discussing givin
261She took Claire's hand and stroked the back, "Well, I was one of those who had problems with your wedding with Hunter. I didn't like him. But over the months since your divorce, I have seen many changes in him. His love is genuine, Claire. The man didn't hesitate to kneel in a crowded place to please you, do you really think he would go back on his promises after doing so much for you?"Penny looked at her expectantly, hoping her words would have an effect. Claire only looked away and it blossomed her resentment."I haven't seen a dumber woman in my life!" Penny rose to her feet. "Hunter's literally crawling on a minefield to get to you and your stubbornness is one step away from making him explode with one of the mines. You will lose him forever if you don't stop it, Claire."Penny sauntered to the door, her feet thudding loudly on the tiled floor."Perhaps you want to see his body in a coffin to realize what you're doing to him and yourself.” Claire gasped at her words, her featu
260Penny didn't waver, "Girl, Hunter's character is deeper and darker than silent mysterious waters in the ocean. The last time Tia insulted you in the old Murphy Mansion during Grandma Avery's anniversary, Hunter burned her favorite car in revenge and in warning to stay away from you... And we saw how he pummeled Tyler for being around you.""H-he burned her car!!!" "Yeah, Cole told me. Anyway, do you think that after Tyler and you kissed, he saw him leaving your room and believing that you two had séx while he was in the next room, after Tia raised a knife on you to harm you, after bleeding for you… After all this— will he really stay quiet?"Claire recoiled in shock, wrapping her arms around her legs. She felt cold from all the assessment Penny made her do. "I... I'm speechless." "The answer to my question is— No, Hunter won't stay quiet. He's plotting his plan in silence and when it is the right time, he will unleash his attack on the Murphys.""....""Btw," Penny moved closer
259She knew she started off ridiculously. But it was her jumbled up emotions. Firstly, Hunter was annoying her. And then she saw Penny after such a long time. The friend within her, who had missed her other half— her bestie, was reawakened.The first glance Claire had taken at Penny after stepping inside the house was enough to realize that— had she been by her side wherever she wasn't, she might have prevented her from committing some of the mistakes she now regretted. The kiss with Tyler, for instance."You can stay here if you like. I'll just go up and..." Claire's tear-stricken voice came out slow and hoarse. "Take a shower! I also need to take care of this thing and figure out how to cover it."Claire started walking away when Penny asked, "What is that by the way?" "Oh, this is nothing. Someone just pressed a knife to my throat in the parking lot." Penny's blood ran cold. She immediately held Claire's hand to stop her. "Are you serious?" She lifted her chin a bit to see her
258"You have no idea what I want with you and how desperate I'm to have that. I've made mistakes, Claire, and I'm about to clear them up and make everything better. You just need to be a little soft and let me in." He spoke resignedly. "Be a little soft and let you in?" Claire growled angrily as she threw daggers at him. "You say things that hurt and then you disappear for days. Then you show up only when you hear I've been troubled. How is this going to make anything better? You don't keep your word and only act when it's convenient for you.” "I didn't disappear! I was just— wait!" Hunter fluttered his eyelids as a smirk unfurled on his lips. "Did you just say that I said things that hurt? By that, are you referring to what I said at the airport— about letting you go? Did that scare you, Dove? Did you really think I will not show you my face again? Damn, did you really think I was going to give up on us?"Crimson colored her cheeks as she redirected her gaze outside. Her eyes wide