It would not matter whatever she had in mind about his sudden change in attitude towards her. Claire knew that what would matter at the moment was for her to get finished with making the meal. She had been so focused on that that she had to ignore her phone ringing. She would take it and talk to whoever that was much later. Right now, the king himself needed her services and she had to obey if she was going to get paid that month. She could not understand why the members of the staff seemed to have reduced but she cared less. She just needed to focus on what was her business. It took a while but eventually she was done and dished out his food. Up next was the assignment of going to get the lion from his den. Claire called him all to no avail. She climbed up the stairs carefully as she went up to his bedroom. She had just entered after knocking to make sure he was not inside when she saw him coming out of the bathroom. Claire panicked and oh, he was naked as a new born babe with his towel across his neck. He saw her. It was not something she could deny right now.
“Oh my God!!! I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” she said shielding her eyes with her arm
“Well come in Claire.” he said quite the contrary to what she had been expecting
“No need sir… Tristan. I only came to let you know your meal is set.” she said
“That is good. I hope I don’t throw it up again.” he said to her.
Claire smiled still shielding her eyes.
“I hope not too.” she said and made to close the door
“One more thing Claire…” he began
“Yes sir?” she answered
“I would need you to step in… Um… I mean, Alfredo normally does this for me but he’s not around right now.” he said
“And what might that be?” she asked pensive now.
She could tell he was brewing trouble that would swallow her up and it was definitely something she would not be able to put up with. She just hoped it would not be getting her into trouble.
“I need you to cream my back Claire.” he said.
Claire blurted out a sudden laugh she had not planned for. She regained her composure instantly as she apologized.
“I’m sorry sir but my hands are full of sweat and all. Very dirty.” she said waving her free hand for him to see
“Oh there’s water in the bathroom. You can use that.” he said to her obviously defeating her purpose.
This man was obviously rounding her up and making her gradually loose her sanity. Who on earth needs another person to come cream their back if not the not so almighty Tristan Jenkins. This was another trick to get her to make a big mistake. She needed another excuse but could not find any. He had won. Or rather her silly heart was not willing to assist her head come up with defense lines.
“Okay. But you’re not… you’re not dressed sir.” she said to him
“Oh my bad. I’m sorry about the indecency. Give me a second.” he said to her
“Yes sir.” she said dryly to provoke him
“Tristan. We agreed truce Claire.” he reminded her
“I’m sorry. Yes Tristan.” she said.
She was certain he had wings out of his back for being able to dominate her so. He only took a moment and then he was done dressing up. Next he asked Claire to come inside. Only then did she leave the door she had been holding on to and walk inside. As she entered, the door she had been hoping to stay wide open suddenly drew a lazy sound as it closed. With the closing sound, her heart skipped a beat or two as it was too late. She was standing before him now and he had that side smile of his. She wanted to scream for him to stop smiling but that would be her being stupid and displaying her stupidity before him. He was now tying that towel around his waist and his chest was bare. Claire caught her breath trying to escape her. She decided to be practical. She raised her hands before him and excused herself to go wash her hands. She finished that and dried it with a free towel he had pointed to her before coming over to meet him.
She started the process of applying the cream wanting to do it quickly and leave that room where she could not breath.
“Are you breathing fine Claire?” he suddenly asked her as if he could read her mind
“Um… sure. Very well sir.” she said and cleared her throat
“Then why did you seem to be stalling earlier?” the man asked her
“Stalling? I’m not stalling. There, I’m done.” she said quickly clapping her hands.
He rose up and smiled at her. He would be down for breakfast as soon as possible; he had said to her before reaching down for his towel. Claire did not wait for it to happen before dashing off the bedroom. She was never going to be that stupid to come into his room at such an odd time ever again. She could hear the adrenaline rush in her ears as her blood pumped quickly and cut through her air circulation.
He could tell what he was doing to her. It was all a lie, Alfredo had never helped him with creaming his back before as why on earth would he need to bother the old man with such a trifle matter when he goes to the spa from time to time. Besides, he usually had women around with him clustering around him and more than willing to do that for him. Save for his surgery and decision to lie low, he might have had a couple of them around. He stood before the mirror looking down at the scaring wound down his groin area. It was there, the second imperfection on his perfect body. He smiled into the mirror, he still did have his killer looks. Well it was time to go down and see what she had ready for him and if she really was a good chef. He threw on a Polo over his shorts and started out of his bedroom. Yes, after every other necessary thing to make him stand out like setting his hair perfectly, spraying perfume and wearing his wrist watch.
He went down and was soon sitting over his supposed delicious looking breakfast. It also had an appealing aroma about it and then he took a taste of it all. This was not perfect as he had been hoping but it was really something. These was actually one of the exotic recipes for breakfast he had done on the television which was little wonder how she seemed to near perfection. This Claire Willows was something and he was beginning to wonder what it was. He wanted to throw her out instantly but something was stopping him. A feeling he hoped would go away if he should bed her once and a feeling he felt was purely lustful. He somehow was finding it hard to take a decision over her and it was seizing his appetite. He took a couple and then called for her. Claire appeared from the kitchen and she looked at him expectantly. No way was he going to give this hypocritical woman a single compliment. He was instead prepared to humiliate. He was feeling so much anger and feeling of betrayal from her that he could hear the sound of a piano in his ears. He needed to play a note or two.
“Done already?” she asked him
“Yes. Get it away.” he said walking away. “And get my wine to the piano room.”
That was all and he was walking away like she had done him some great harm. Claire looked on obviously confused at his reactions. Tears welled up her eyes. She began clearing the table. What was she actually expecting from her overbearing boss who only thought about hurting her more than anything. She reminded herself that he had nothing good to offer her and then returned to the kitchen. Her phone rang again and she decided to pick it up. Maybe it would be a call that would brighten her up before she goes back to torture.
She brought out the phone and read the name on the screen. It was something she had memorized. Jake was calling her. Claire took the call.
“Hello Jake,” she said
“Claire. I know you’re at work but I thought you should hear this as soon as possible,” he said to her
“What am I to hear Jake,” she said sadly
“Well you are an amazing cook. You should be a chef.” he said to her
“Really?” Claire asked excitedly
“Yes. I mean my mom ate your food, I tasted it and she shared with someone else. It was all compliment. Sorry I didn’t call last night.” he said
“It’s fine Jake.” she said now as her mood became brighter
“Is everything okay Claire? You sounded sad earlier.” he said
“Doesn’t matter anymore Jake. You just brightened my day.” she said.
Jake was glad he could and that was it. She hung up smiling all over from ear to ear wishing Tristan had heard all that. Jake was simply the best person on earth. An angel sent to her. She was now prepared and went to get Tristan his wine.