She walked out of the hospital with him. Claire was just a couple of paces behind him moving gradually obviously trying not to get in front of him nor in line with him as he was not walking fast thanks to the phone in his hand. He had been busy with it as if he had something of his inside the little box thingy. He seemed to have forgotten that she was walking with him; not like he had spared her a second glance since they started walking out of the hospital. He had paid the bill as well and asked for pain relief that would aid her heal. Sincerely Claire was not all comfortable with it as she hoped he was not going to deduct the expenses from her little salary. He was already cruel enough to her and another deduction would totally ruin her. They walked on for a bit when Alfredo approached him with his own phone.
“I was about to get to you sir,” he said
“And what is that?,” Tristan asked him looking up at him now
“Something for you sir,” the old man said handing him the phone.
With one hand he took the phone and with the other he pocketed his other phone. He answered the call for a bit and Claire from his body language could understand this was certainly not one of his favourite calls. He walked away and started to enter the car when Alfredo brought his attention to her.
“Let’s go Alfredo,” he had said
“But… but.. but sir what about Claire?,” the man asked.
Tristan turned to look at her like he was just realizing she was still there with him. He looked at her as she stared back like a plaintiff before the judge awaiting her sentence. The thing here was she already knew what this particular judge would do to her. She was going to be sentenced without getting a fair trials. It was guilty with no questions. When he spoke to her, she confirmed her thoughts.
“I presume Miss Willows would certainly find her way. Right?,” he asked her.
For a moment, Claire wanted to strangle him so badly. She just wanted to walk over there, grab him by the throat and throttle him to death. He had no idea whether or not she had any cash at hand. She was only lucky that she brought with her a little extra just in case she had to pickup something urgently. He was such a brute no doubt. She smiled and cleared her throat as she had a question for him.
“Um… I can sir but am I to return to work or home?,” she asked him with sarcasm written all over her face
“Not like you have anything to offer today. Go home Miss Willows.” he said and closed the door.
“Really sorry ma’am.” Alfredo said as he walked over to get the car rolling
“It’s Claire.” she said after him as she has obviously grown tired of being called by her father’s name. It was always ‘Miss Willows’ to Tristan and she was not enjoying it. It felt too formal and more like she was some person he could never interact normally with. The older man stopped with his hand to the car handle and smiled at her with a brief bow.
“Claire.” he said and she nodded.
At least someone was not as dumb as her silly boss.
She watched as the old man got into the car and put it in gear. He led the car smoothly out of the premises as Claire made a face at the car hoping Tristan Jenkins saw. She saw those around her and smiled as she walked away. It was obviously time to begin finding her way out of the premises. She kept walking out and reckoned she would have to ask questions when her phone rang. It was Jake who at that moment had successfully skipped the ladder of friendship to become her next favourite person. He had great solution to her when he spoke and she had never been more glad that he called.
“Where are you Claire?,” he asked her as she picked up the phone
“I went to work.” Claire said
“I’m at the restaurant. You are not around Claire. Heard you left with your boss,” he said making emphasis on the last bit.
Claire smiled and sincerely prayed that was jealousy in his tone although to her there was nothing worth getting jealous over a dumb blonde. I mean what did she have to offer.
“Well we went to get a passport and now I’m at the hospital….,” she began but he took the words right off her lips
“Hospital? Are you okay? Did the wound get infected?,” Jake began getting hysterical. Certainly not the reaction she expected but it sure did please her greatly.
“Slow down Jake. First of, I’m fine. I just accompanied my boss to pick up pain killers,” she said
“Pain killers. Cool. So are you with your boss now?,” he asked her
“Oh no he left already.” Claire said
“Left??,” Jake asked.
He could not understand why that brute of a man would leave a wounded employee at the hospital when he obviously had been the one to have taken her away from the restaurant. How on earth could such a man be allowed to own an establishment like this and how has he been relating with his employees all along. Obviously he was driving them like cattles. He asked Claire to wait for him as he was coming to pick her up. Claire tried to stop him by acting all modest and stuff but he stopped her. No way was he letting her stand there. Claire began complaining that she could not stand there outside and he asked her to go to the opposite tea shop and wait for him there. He was going to be there soon enough.
Claire looked across the place and found the place of which he spoke of. She was internally glad that Jake had called. It meant that she would not be spending so much on transportation. Perhaps her prayers that morning was beginning to manifest. She stalked over to the place and made an order from which she would sip from time to time as she waited. She realized then that she had not even seen her passports as Tristan Jenkins had them all. She knew she could not see them unless he decides to let her and there was no way in the entire world she would be following him around like a puppy for a mere peek at what was hers initially. He could keep the passports and she would hold her pride high above him.
He came inside and saw her seated at the far edge. Claire always looked really beautiful but there was no way he would be telling her that as he did not want to scare her off away thereby ruining their great friendship with something that could have been avoided. He wanted things to go at their own pace and they fall in place gradually. With Claire he felt unlike he did with other women and even his mother noticed. He could tell she was really nervous and did not blame her at all. She was that kind of person. The shy one that would never want to leave their shell unless being forced to. He wondered if he had applied too many a great force to get her to that place. He had been watching her for a while as she was yet to notice him. She grabbed her cup like a child with both palms and would sip occasionally with her head put down like she was shy or something. She only turned to look towards the door after a long time and caught sight of him at the door before breaking into a wide smile. He returned the gesture by smiling back and waving his hand before coming over to sit opposite her.
“Hi,” he greeted her
“Hi,” Claire said nervously trying to avoid his eyes.
He smiled to make her calm down and asked if she was enjoying her tea. Claire smiled and nodded. She apologized that she was not done yet and explained that she would hurry up so they leave. Jake stopped her asking her to take her time and in bid to make her comfortable, he ordered for coffee to calm his raging nerves. If only she knew he was on fire for her then perhaps she would make it bearable. He took his time drinking his tea and only rushed when it seemed she would soon finish her. Before she would say another word, he called for the waiter and paid for their tea. Together they left, him opening the car for her and she blushing all over as she entered. He got into the driver’s side and smiled at her.
“So where to my lady?,” he asked her as she smiled
“Just home Jake.” she said
“Then home it is ma’am.” he said.
It was fun being around Jake and easier. The guy made everything bearable for her and as they moved away, they talked about a whole lot of things. Sometimes to be sure she still remembered the places he had showed her, he would ask her questions. She sure had a sharp memory which caused him to wonder how come she was dyslexic. He had been researching on the issue of recent and now understood her plight. He just hoped he would never give her a reason to shy away from him.