Her mind was elated and all she could think of as she walked back inside was what had transpired between them both that night. She could not believe Tristan Jenkins had asked her out and certified her as his girlfriend. Talk about a girlhood dream come true and she would say this was one of it. To think she was the one he had asked to be his woman felt so unreal and she continued smiling to herself as she entered the house. Martha was about leaving and noticed her good mood which also was when Tristan eventually left. He had been watching her enter inside and the woman saw. She was rather occupied with getting her things out as her husband was on his way already. Claire went over to the kitchen area to get herself a cup of water to douse the raging emotions. Martha stood afar of watching her like she was observing. Claire finished and then made for her room when the woman held her hand and whispered friendly.
“You’re going to tell me all about it tomorrow.” she said
“All about what?” Claire had asked amusingly
“The upgrade from Jake to whoever owns that expensive car.” she said
“There’s nothing to tell. He’s only my boss.” Claire said smiling
“I do not see only your boss in your eyes lover girl.” she said to Claire who giggled before she heard the familiar horn of her husband’s car. Martha muttered something about him having the most wrong timing in the world and that she was going to deal with him someday. Claire smiled and then bid her goodbye as she left. She locked the door behind her securely before letting out a dreamy sigh as she thought something. She was Tristan Jenkins secret girlfriend and they had made love. To crown it all, he even referred to her as his own. Claire was not seeing an end to her fairytale. Whoever her god parents were in the fairy world, they certainly were looking out for her.
She was about going upstairs when she saw Andrew coming down from the stairs looking grim. He said he had been calling her when he got back and she was not home but she had not picked her phone. Claire was confused and instantly fished out the phone. Indeed there were two missed calls from him and she believed to have been the time when she was vomiting and they were out of the car. She had not heard the phone ring all along and she felt sorry l. Andrew walked over to the kitchen to grab his milk as he asked who the man whom had acted that way to all of them really was. Claire stated that he was only her boss to which Andrew said was not what he portrayed. Claire then asked what Tristan had portrayed that had him stuck on the thought he was not her boss. Andrew said all he had seen was an overprotective boyfriend to which everyone had attested to the fact. However he was confused at how someone like her would nail a big shot as Tristan Jenkins. Alright, that one right there was a violation and rather offensive. It would seem that her family believed her to be utterly useless and amount to no good with the way they thought of her. She could not believe Andrew had said that hurtful word to her as that would seem to be something Deanna would say. Funny enough, he made absolutely no efforts at hiding his thoughts about her and made it evidently clear that she was nothing.
Claire consoled herself with the fact that in reality, she had actually nailed that big shot who now was her boyfriend and she felt triumph in that alone. She was glad also that they all thought Tristan had acted out like an overprotective boyfriend but then the bitter Andrew was speaking again on how she had made Jasper feel embarrassed when she did nothing in his defense. Claire could still not believe her ears and then told him she was rather exhausted and would need to retire. She turned heels and started for her room when he started laughing. He told her that apparently, their father had been wondering where she was and seeing how the man was worried, he might have let him in on her leaving the beach with a strange man believed to be her boss. It sounded like she was in trouble and Andrew was enjoying it obviously. Claire had never seen this part of him that was so bitter and enraged. She used to love to think he was the different one and then thanked him for the heads up as she turned away. Certainly, he had not been expecting that she would have anything with his friend. Jasper was a child to her and always would be. She might be a dyslexic blonde but she still had basic sense of reasoning.
Claire went straight to her room to brace herself for the judgement to come. She was pressed suddenly and went to relieve herself as the quietness in her room was confusing her. Miller once again was nowhere to be found. Probably Andrew as always had him in his room which meant he probably was just upset. He would not turn on her and she decided it was time to see her father. Only now did Claire realize something really funny. She was still as she had been in the beach. How funny it was that she was on the bikini and her joggers. It was really funny now she realized she had not thought of it all along. To think she had wanted Tristan to stop her halfway home because she was excited. He must have noticed which was why he brought her home. Claire felt really embarrassed right now and also elated. She quickly threw on a shirt to cover up and made for her father’s study.
“There you go.” she heard as she approached his study and hoped her step family were not in there as she walked over to the doorway. The door was open but she knocked nevertheless after taking in the lovely scene before her eyes. Miller was on her father’s desk as he gave him pieces of fish which he ate up really quickly. Silly cat, he sure was enjoying a lot of attention in the house above her and would soon take her place as the legitimate child in the family. Her knock caught her father’s attention as he looked up at her. The man asked her to come inside and close the door behind her. Claire turned around to do so and then went to stand before him as all his focus was on the cat. Miller paid her absolutely no attention that Claire felt bad.
“Traitor.” she mumbled at the cat
“What was that?” her father asked
“Nothing.” Claire said
“Miller is no traitor. You are.” her father said with his attention on the cat
“Huh?” She exclaimed as she had not expected him to hear
“You abandon him. So you betrayed him.” he explained to her
“Didn’t mean to.” she said lowering her gaze and feeling exposed at the moment.
Her father was busy as he fed the cat the last piece. The little animal looked around for more obviously but the man put up his hands to signify he was finished. The cat circled around, caught sight of Claire and turned his back on her as he sat down facing her father instead.
“See that Claire, you betrayed him.” the man said but then just when she was about getting relaxed, he surprised her with a question. “Do you have a boyfriend Claire.”
The tone at which he had asked told her of impeding danger. Claire quickly said no and then the man looked straight at her. He was angry and she could tell. He demanded to know exactly where she had been all night and she said she was at her friend’s. Her father stated he found that suspicious as he never got to speak with her supposed friend but was told instead of how a man had embarrassed her stepbrother and dragged her away that evening. Claire had no idea how to defend herself but started that the man whom had dragged her out was merely her boss. Her father raised his brow and demanded an explanation to why her boss would come drag her away. Claire had nothing to say and remained mute.
“Are you sleeping with your so-called boss Claire?” he asked her
“No. Hell no.” she said rather too quickly
“You better not.” he said to her.
The man went on to explain how he would not have her nor tolerate her playing down on her dignity over men as he had a name to protect. However, he was going to be establishing new rules while she was still in his household. Before that, she was to drop the phone number of the friend whom she claims she slept at her place.
Claire panicked nearly.