Being asked that question all of the sudden had suddenly jolted Claire as she did not expect it. They had been talking about other random things that matters to them when the older woman suddenly asked the question. For a moment they were both quiet and looking at each other. Claire had lost words to say that instant. Looking at the woman, there was this glimmer of hope about her that made Claire worry. She could tell that this was no ordinary question and it partly was a request and wish. She did not want the older woman feeling bad with her response and neither did she want to tell a lie. Good heavens, she should have gone to the restaurant and seen Danielle. It had been quite the while since she last spoke to the girl face to face. They also had very few phone calls, a case of out of sight becoming out of mind. Instead, she had come to see the woman before her because she felt it to be where she should be. Claire cursed her luck. First, Tristan had abandoned her for his obviously way hotter doctor friend and she in bid to meet people that made her feel like she belonged, she had fallen into the wrong questioning booth.
The woman smiled earnestly in her face to remind her that she was still waiting for an answer. Claire had still not found out what to tell her. A little of things were on her mind but she just could not pinpoint exactly what she wanted to tell her. She saying no alone would hurt her let alone the earnest mother. She did like Jake but when it comes to love, she had no idea really. He was everything a lady would want to ask for. Everything enough for her to want to be with him so she could forget all about Tristan and his ways of life but that was beginning to seem impossible. The more she wanted to get away from Tristan and hate him as well, the more she finds herself taking more steps closer to him. Saying now that she was in love with Jake would certainly make her feel left like she was stabbing Tristan in the back.
“Jake is my friend.” she said simply.
The woman exhaled loudly and then smiled. Her eyes twinkling with the delight of a three year old waiting on an ice cream cone.
“I know he is your friend no doubt. But my question is if you love him Claire.” the woman explained to her.
Love him, she was not certain.
“I don’t know, I just…” she could not go further
“Is there someone else?” the woman asked her beginning to turn pale.
Claire instantly was alarmed. She could not have Jakes mother fainting on her or even dying. She was pretty much sick as it was.
“Are you alright?” Claire asked quickly
“I’m fine child. You still have not given me an answer,” she said sounding weak
“Well, Jake and I are friends as I said but there is no one.” Claire said.
She did not know why she was beginning to feel sad and guilty over her response after all, there really was no one. Tristan Jenkins obviously did not consider her the kind of person he would want to start a relationship with nor think of loving. But then, here she was beginning to beat herself over a response that stated reality as it were. Claire wondered if there was a possibility that she wanted to have a relationship with Tristan and that he might want same too.
“Good. Then you can give Jake a chance?” the woman further asked.
Alright, slow down a little. This was her relationship life the woman was beginning to decide on and Claire was beginning to feel like she was invading her private life. She had not said she loved Tristan and could not understand why the woman was insinuating what she was. It is a fact that she had shared a kiss with Jake but that was all there was to it. It was merely a kiss and unlike when she kissed Tristan, a thousand myriads were not sparkling with Jake. She felt nothing when he kissed her.
With Tristan, it was more than a kiss to her. It felt like an exchange of souls kind of ritual was ongoing between the both of them and that she wanted him even more. She had even been willing enough respite telling herself countless times not to give herself up to Tristan. She wanted him so badly that she did not mind if he made a bad girl out of her.
No one had educated Claire on stuff like this save for the few times she paid attention in class about it. All she knew was from what she see people doing and what she saw on the television. Her parents marriage had been a failure but she believed she had what it takes to build the perfect fairytale family but how would that ever happen when her innermost thoughts were beclouded by the thoughts of an arrogant brute who believed he controls everything and everyone. But of course, no way was she saying all this to the woman least she breaks her heart. She needed to come up with something to put the woman off and make her understand.
Then an idea came up finally. The best she had ever thought of and all she needed do was reassure the woman. She found her voice and started explaining that for the time being, she really wanted to focus on developing herself. She had not mentioned anything about she getting homeschooled by Tristan and she dared not say anything about it for now. It had to be a secret. Perhaps even, the only secret Claire was more than willing to keep on her own singlehandedly. She was not going to be made a laughing stock of by anyone. Hence until she finally passes her goals, she would speak of it to no one.
The woman listened carefully as she explained herself and at a point, she herself stopped Claire. She said she understood what she meant and felt really sorry for trying to rush her into a relationship with her son. She had only been acting as any mother would when they found the perfect match for their child. Claire smiled and then saw the damage she had almost done completely. The woman looked really sad while speaking. It was time then to make her feel rest assured that something could happen in the future.
“But permit me to say, Jake is truly a dashing gentleman. He’s everyone’s dream man.” Claire said, bestowing back the hope that had nearly disappeared for good.
The twinkle in the woman’s eyes returned instantly and she brightened up. She no longer seemed pale as she started chattering again. She started on how she had seen him from birth and could tell he was going to be a really nice kid. The way he had been staring at her when he was born and the joy she felt at being introduced into motherhood.
“… then he grabbed my finger, just here…” she was saying when someone interrupted
“… and he drew it to his mouth and seemed to kiss it before cooing. Alright mother, could you stop taking my private life details outside?” he asked.
Jake had come back and Claire had never felt more relieved with the presence of a person. He had come just about the nick of time when she really needed his interference.
“Oh come on now, Claire is no ordinary person you know.” the woman said
“I know mother but she’s same as you. Another person and not me.” he said smiling
“So I’m different from you then?” the woman asked trying to play victim
“Yes mother. You are very different. And stop the emotional blackmail if you already know what I mean.” he said to her.
The both of them started laughing. Mother and son, they sure fitted each other.
“Hi Jake.” Claire greeted.
He smiled and asked what she was doing there. He had thought she would be at work which was why he chose not to disturb her. Claire smiled and explained she had been given the day off by her boss who had a guest. Jake smiled. He was glad and would probably hug her boss when next he sees him. Of course they all knew he was joking as even from afar off, one could easily tell that Tristan Jenkins had something definitely against other humans. Jake was not oblivious of the fact that the man did not like him and neither did the he. For all he cares about, he detested Tristan with all his heart especially for being the one Claire spends most of her time working for. It hurt him each time he wanted to call her and recalls she is at Tristan’s.
His mother smiled and asked if he had seen the doctor before coming to her. Jake said he would be going that instant and then excused himself from their presence.
“He would make a fine husband yet Claire. I raised him well.” his mother say cheerfully
“I bet he would.” Claire said looking at him as he disappeared into the side leading through the corridor. She was an hopelessly lost case and she would be needing help if necessary. Tristan Jenkins like a worm had crawled into her and broken down all of her defenses. Only the heavens knows what he would do with her eventually if he still cares about her after being with his doctor.