” Claire where were you all day?,” Jake asked her suddenly as she got into his car.
She had actually finished for the day with her overbearing boss and could say she had a good first day at work. This time, she could actually get enough rest and he had better things to do than trouble her. He had been busy in his room and when he eventually came out, it was about two hours to her closing hours. He had Alfredo drop her off where she would get a cab as it was not so far from her place. Claire could actually see that his home was just a street or away from her home. She swore within her to be very careful so she do not end up bumping into him or leading him to her home. Norman was suddenly beginning to feel like home and she had just gotten off the cab and heading home to find that the car behind hers was Jake’s. That felt kind of awkward as a silly memory began preying on her mind. Claire knew she had to snap out of it before it consumes her or makes things worse between them.
Jake stopped and told her he was going to make food for his mother. According to him, he had come to look for her during when would be her lunch to take her out for lunch. Lunch, that was new and he must have noticed her alarm as he delved rather too quickly to explain it was only a make up dinner for how he had apparently stratled her the last time. Claire smiled, she had to play mother superior and told him it was sincerely all good between the both and she found no fault in what had happened.
He was rather relieved she had forgiven him and told her he had a favour to ask. His mother was tired of all the restaurant meals he brought her and wanted something homemade. He was no good in the kitchen and would always ruin everything. Right now he was asking if she could lend him a hand in the kitchen as he had an idea of how good a cook she was. Claire acted modest but at least it had been a while since she last made real food in the kitchen. Perhaps there would be no harm trying once again.
Claire however wanted to make it clear to her people where she would be and had to go drop stuff and pour out food for Miller. She told Jake she would be at his place in no time as they approached her place. She began getting off the truck and as she held the door, she turned to Jake.
“I wouldn’t take long.” she said
“Sure. And Claire, I’m still sorry.” he said to her looking pitiable that it sort of broke her heart.
Claire was feeling like she was the cruel queen that trampled on the emotions of her subjects. He really had to stop that stuff.
“One more apology Jake and I’ll keep my distance.” she said
“No. Yikes. Sorry. I said it again…. nevermind. See you later?,” he said finding his voice
“Yeah. Later.” Claire said shutting the door and he drove off.
For a couple of moments, she stood there watching him drive away. His consistent apologies had begun ticking her off that she was beginning to have other thoughts. She wondered the possibility that he was apologizing because he regretted kissing her and had realized that he must have stooped way too low and disgraced him. Claire wondered further if she was that despicable that he would seem so around her. Well what did she know, time would tell what exactly is going on with them. She had to pull herself away from her crazy thoughts and started going inside the house when someone spoke behind her making her rather jumpy.
“That your boyfriend Claire?,” her stepbrother asked.
She wheeled round to find her stepbrother with his ball under his arms.
“Hello Andrew.” Claire greeted in a sarcastic tone
“Hey Claire. So are you seeing Jake the shrew now?,” he asked her
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Jake’s no shrew and he’s my friend.” she said
“Yeah. I guess you don’t know things about him.” he continued
“Things like what?,” Claire asked
“Thought you said he’s not your boyfriend,” he pointed out walking up to her
“Yes I did but why…,” she began but he cut her off
“Then you shouldn’t be interested. Anyways I believe you but don’t let dad get you.” he said.
Claire could not understand what he meant by that as things were already weird enough than for her to begin poking at holes especially not holes that would get her mind cramped up. She flashed him a smile instead as they began walking inside.
“Sure thanks Andrew.” she said
“Anything for my sister right. Jasper’s been talking about you a lot these days.” he said.
Here we go again with his best friend stuff. Claire could not understand what it was these guys wanted. She wanted him to stop but did not want to act rude. After all, although she could tell they did not like her at home, Andrew was the only one not trying to get her killed with words and stares. She could tell he wanted something from her but would not push him to saying what his deal was. He stopped her just before she would open the door and asked if she was still coming to the hang out with him. Claire sighed and asked if it was that important to him and he said yes. She asked him why that was and he said he wanted to show off his beautiful sister. He was bluffing and she could tell that he really was. However, Claire told him she would see If she would be free that day as her boss had the final say. Not like she was planning on going at all. She was certain something would turn up that day to deter her but for now, she wanted him off her case and her neck.
She wanted to get the door when it pulled in and Deanna stood there. She took one look at the both of them and gave a death glare before pushing through the both of them without saying any word. The two looked on after her for a bit before Andrew began apologizing for his sister’s attitude. In his words, Deanna would always be Deanna. Claire understood and walked inside with him following up closely.
She said hello to Martha who was just packing up her things to go home. Claire rushed upstairs and tidied up what she needed. As soon as Miller was settled, it was time for her to get going. She had just come down the stairs to find that her father was back. She recalled what Andrew had said about their father finding out she saw Jake and his family. This was no time to get to the root of that by telling him where she was going actually. She had to come up with something.
Claire stood there thinking hard about what she would tell him when he saw her.
“Claire,” he said to her
“Um… hey… hey dad,” was her stuttering response
“Going somewhere?,” he asked her
“Well yeah. I um… I jus.. I would go for a walk.” she managed to say and without another word before she gets interrogated, Claire walked out of the house.
She had heard her stepbrother’s snort of a laugh when she left the way she did and was hoping that for her sake he would keep whatever nonsense he was brewing inside his head to himself. She had to go help Jake. That was what she was telling herself as she walked down the street. Her phone was with her after all which meant she had all she needed. She wondered as she went there what might be the problem. From the pictures she saw at Jake’s, it would seem both their parents used to be really close. What could have happened to drive such a wedge between them or did it have something to do with her parents divorce or something more bad like her stepmother. The woman had alright proven herself a foe.
Claire sent the thoughts away from her as she saw Jake’s place. It was time to get really busy helping and there was no achieving that if she was there brooding like a chicken. She would have to dismiss all thoughts and focus on what mattered. She climbed the porch and rang the bell. The door opened soon enough and Jake was already on his apron and sweating.
“Did you already…?,” she did not finish as she entered while he closed the door behind her
“Not really. I thought you would not be coming and just started doing the washing bit.” he said and they both started laughing.
Claire walked into the kitchen, washed her hands and wore her apron. It was time to call in the chef within. Cooking with Jake was really fun as they would pass for a couple. Like always, he made her forget what a dummy she was and replaced her worries with laughter. Lots of laughter actually. Claire did the cooking and he merely assisted her. It felt like she was the chef and he, he sous chef. That was actually a dream of hers which she was not certain would come true anymore. She finished and he tasted it. Jake loved it and when she asked for a direct compliment, he said it was magical.