A kiss; so ordinary at first yet his hand was fumbling the rest of her buttons. He had done his best to warn her and make her leave but she was stubborn. He had told himself that he would toy with her but somehow, he discovered he just wanted to protect her from the world and all that is in it. Claire successfully had begun influencing him and his thoughts. Perhaps yet, she would make him into someone that actually has emotions. Hard like rock was his heart and it sure did need watering. He moved up to slide her shirt off her first shoulder, exposing the beautiful lush of flesh she had been hiding there. Tristan broke the kiss to reach down and kiss her on the shoulder. Claire stifled a gasp. Next, he slide down the second shoulder, doing the same thing as the first. Her shirt had successfully found its way down her arms like a beautiful shawl. He looked at her and could tell how nervous she was from the way her collarbones kept moving to and fro each time she swallowed out of fear. Tristan was enjoying this scenario especially with her reaction to him. She was not complaining which meant she wanted him to continue definitely.
His hands went behind her to pull away her shirt from her leaving her upper body part with just her bra as a shield for her breasts.
“Claire, you are really beautiful.” he said to her.
She did not want to meet his eyes and looked down carefully and obviously shy. Her fingers were reddening from the way she held the sheets in them too tight. Whatever that might have been said between them was put on hold as suddenly, what he never prayed for happened. Tristan swore out loud on what he was going to do to whoever was disturbing his peace. He grabbed the phone angrily without taking a look at who was calling and picked up. His voice was hoarse when he spoke but then he heard the familiar female voice and peered again. It was Dr Amanda and apparently she was around. Of course he could not fail her after he had accepted to take care of her whenever she comes. The hour had come much more quicker than he had anticipated but he could not say nothing about it.
“You have the rest of the day off Claire.” he said walking away to go take his call and perhaps send Alfredo to get the woman to his place.
Claire for a moment sat down there without moving as she went through what had just happened in her head. She had never felt more stupid at herself like she did right now. She had led him on when she refused to leave the time he had asked her politely. Now it had become obvious that there were other things in his life that had more importance than she did. The way and manner he had discharged her spoke a whole lot of how little he thought of her. Perhaps this was the very sign she needed to get control and a hold over herself and how she behaved around the man. It was already unbecoming with her every reaction each time she encounters Tristan. She found her shirt and put it on, slowly buttoning up. She picked up her hand bag and jacket, just as he came inside to do something. He barely noticed her as he threw off his shorts and started changing right there. It hurt her really when he acted that way. Sluggishly she began making her way out of the house as tears seemed to be threatening to come say hello. She nodded a greeting to Alfredo as she walked on.
“Are you alright Claire?” he asked her
“Sure. I’m fine.” Claire said not stopping.
It was rather too early to go home and she started thinking of where to go and find peace. Her home was out of option as there was every possibility that her stepmother might come in with friends to taunt her and she was in no mood to be mocked any further than she had been already. A great idea popped on her mind and she blamed herself for not thinking about it earlier. As she walked to the road, Tristan’s car came to stop beside her.
“Hop in Claire, I’ll drop you off along the road.” Tristan said, lowering his window.
She suddenly found that same temptation and urge to get into the car with him but far above the temptation was her anger at the way he had tossed her aside. She decided to do same to him in a way that would hurt him more. After all, it was obvious he was going to pick a woman he called doctor. Maybe, he had diverted from actresses to doctors now.
“Never mind, Jake said he would come get me. I’ll just hang around.” she said.
At the mention of Jake, he furrowed his brows and tightened his jaw. It was obvious he had suddenly become angry. He looked at her and then said something unexpected.
“Jake? We’ll deal with that when I return.” he said to her and shut his window.
In a matter of seconds, his car zoomed away from where she stood wondering what exactly he was saying they would be dealing with. Eventually she could not make anything out of it and decided to wave it aside. He would certainly forget about whatever she had said by the time he meets with his beloved doctor. She continued on her way sadly. She did not have enough money on her but she had just enough to get to the hospital and then perhaps the restaurant to get cash from Danielle. That being if Jake who was her last hope does not show up. That would be actually impossible as he would certainly come to see his mother. She kept walking until she found a cab whom she flagged down telling him where she wanted to go. She quickly got inside and rested her head.
Claire closed her eyes to escape from this world and all that had transpired but it seemed Tristan had followed her there too for when she closed her eyes, what she could see was him bent over her and looking deep into her eyes before claiming her lips suddenly. Claire was alarmed and quickly opened her eyes. She must have jerked up as even the cab man had not failed to notice.
“Are you okay miss?” he asked her.
Claire blinked and then smiled reassuring him that all was well with her.
“This is all your fault.” she muttered, turning away to look at her side and hoping Tristan would hear.
It was all his fault for helping her make a fool out of herself and now she was rather helpless about it all. Claire knew she was not doing herself any good and the fact that she suddenly started missing Tristan was proving something was really wrong with her. She could not think about anything or anyone else as he seemed to be dominating her very existence. When she wanted to think about Jake, it seemed he appeared in her head and warned her not to dare. It happened surreal that she gasped.
“Huh!!!” Claire exclaimed
“Are you alright Miss?” the cab man asks yet again
“I’m alright please. I’m okay. Just focus on your driving.” Claire said rather hastily
“My apologies. Was only worried about my client.” he said to her.
Now she felt really guilty for acting out like she had. She could have just been nice to him and not through tantrums like little child.
“I’m really sorry sir. I’m just having a really bad day.” she finally said
“It’s okay miss. We are humans with emotions.” he said.
At the mention of emotions, her head asked how he had managed to know that was actually what was bothering her but she managed to seal her mouth. Claire suddenly became conscious of whatever she was saying or thinking. In a few minutes later, they had arrived the hospital and she sorted out the cab fare before heading inside. It was a surprise visit and she hoped she would not be disappointed when she gets there. She signed in and walked to the woman’s ward.
Jake’s mother had never been happier to see her as she was that moment. She had not expected Claire and according to her, she had been pretty much bored before Claire arrived. Jake had things to take care of and that was why he had not come up yet. Claire smiled and the two decided to stay together talking about so many things. It was in course of their numerous discussions that she realized the woman would be discharged that very day. It was really great news and everything was going well enough between them until the woman suddenly stratled her with a question Claire had not been thinking of.
“Tell me Claire, do you love my Jake?” the woman suddenly asked her.