"I'm sorry, my child." The old man pulled her for a hug, and she completely melted in his warmth. "It will be fine, you'll see." He patted her back softly, allowing her sobs to pass.
"I'm only here so that I can finally let go of all the anger, and start afresh," Claire said as they pulled apart, sniffling. "I want to be free. I'll let go of all the hatred so that I can live my life without resentment.""I understand, and that's very wise." He smiled proudly. "So, does this mean you're ready to take what he's left you?"Claire blinked, but immediately recalled the meaning."I think so. It's what he wanted for me, right? I'll accept it now." She forced a smile despite finding it weird."Very well, that means you're a grown up now," her grandfather remarked, making them both laugh."I'll have to visit him. I'd like to do it right away," said Claire. "I believe a lot will change from today. I can feel it." She smiled optimistically, and the old man had nothing else to say, other feeling happy for her.It was two in the afternoon, when Claire arrived at the cemetery. Nothing had changed, she thought. It had been four years since her father died, and that was her first visit since the burial. It felt terrible, but she had to do it.Sighing heavily at the sight of several graves, scribbled with the names, dates, and lovely titles of someone's loved ones, Claire went straight to that of her father. It was in a great condition, green grass adorning it.Swallowing hard, Claire placed a large bouquet of flowers on top of it, taking her sunglasses off. She slowly squatted down and ran a hand on the engraved words on the silver plate on the ground, her dad's name beaming."Hi, Dad," she uttered, smiling faintly. "It's me . . . your Claire." She pressed her lips together, fighting the tears.She really wished that the dead could hear. She hoped her father could hear."It took me so long, huh? I know, I had no courage to face you. I just couldn't stand the sight of you anymore. You weren't the same dad I knew before; not that friendly one who loved me."She broke into uncontrollable tears, sitting down on the soft grass."I'm going to be an interior designer, just as I wanted," she proceeded. "But you are not going to see it. You didn't even see me wearing the graduation gown. As always, you didn't show up. You're so cruel, Mr. Levy."Claire knew it was pointless blaming the dead, but she needed to vent anyway. She just blurted all that she'd kept inside. Minutes passed, and she felt better somehow.It was time to say goodbye.With a deep sigh, Claire decided it was enough, hence made her way out. Fine or not, she felt like something was off her throat, and that made her feel better. Oblivious of anything and anyone, she suddenly realized that she had an audience.What the hell? She screamed inside."Are you feeling better now?" a male voice asked.Claire swerved around. "Are you talking to me?" she asked the owner of the voice, frowning."Yes, you," he replied, and she looked at him, puzzled."I'm not sure if I'm supposed to receive that from a stranger, but thanks for your concern anyway," Claire replied casually, and turned to where she was heading."I'm sorry if I've offended you, I should've introduced myself first, maybe?" he remarked, his manners gallant. "Hi, I'm Bruno." His bashful smile would have driven any woman crazy; but not Claire.All she wanted was to get out of this place that could never be a meeting place, and definitely a place to exchange pleasantries from a stranger. For heaven's sake, he could even be a ghost! She thought.She paced a few steps towards him, nonchalantly, and stopped. "Are you a journalist, by any chance?" she queried. "Because I don't have any scoop for you, in case that's your issue."He better be a journalist and not a ghost, she kept thinking.Bruno bursted out laughing, vividly amused. "A journalist? No, I just saw you in there and I felt concerned, that's why I couldn't ignore you.""Oh, really now? How sweet of you, huh?" Claire retorted. "Well, you should stayhere and do the charity job then, don't you think? Thank you for your concern, Bruno, but I'm fine.""Ouch," he muttered, holding his heart as though highly wounded. "I'm sorry if I was rude, but you honestly looked devastated there. But well, I can see you are full of energy now, so I'll take my leave."Eyeing him leaving, Claire felt somewhat guilty for lashing out without any grand reason."Wait," she urged."Yes?" Bruno quipped."I'm sorry. I'm not having a good day to be honest," she confessed."Apology accepted." Bruno beamed kindly. "And I'm sorry, I can tell you're having it bad.""Well, thanks." She sighed, and they slowly continued to walk."I think I said my name, but I haven't heard yours yet," said Bruno while staring at her with a mischievous gleam."Claire," she told him softly."Oh. Such a pretty name." His voice was teasing with warmth."Um . . . thanks." Claire had no reason to stay sullen; her face brightened with an indulgent smile."So, are you new around here? I've never seen you before," Bruno proceeded."Oh, aren't you a know-it-all? How can you tell if I'm new or not?" she replied accusingly, and he laughed heartily. They were already outside the cemetery."Well, you can say that out loud," he bragged. "I know almost everyone around here, but this is the first charming face to meet the eyes.""So that's how you get into them ladies, huh?""You're beautiful and funny," Bruno uttered, laughing. "Would you mind having a cup of coffee?" he flatly proposed."You're not flirting with me, are you?" Claire asked, and laughter escaped Bruno. "Well, I'm just warning you, because I'm not easy to handle.""I really had no plans to, but I guess I've changed my mind a second ago," Bruno replied, and she gasped incredulously. "I'm just kidding, Claire. I'm only inviting you for a coffee, nothing more.""Cool, let's have coffee," she relented with a little smile.Apparently there was a modern sleek restaurant Claire didn't know existed. The ambience was calm and friendly. Bruno's car pulled over, and the two went to one of the empty tables."Didn't expect to see you so soon." A young waitress passed by, her blonde hair in pigtails. She smiled blushingly, making Claire stare at her stunned."Well, I'm as unpredictable as the weather," Bruno replied, shrugging heedlessly as Miss pigtails walked by with a tray of food.He snapped a finger and another waiter made his way towards their table. "You seem very popular here," Claire made a casual remark upon the gesture. Bruno smiled and said, "That's because I live here.""Oh, and what do you do around here? Photography?" Claire was bemused, her eyes squinted inquisitively."Um, I'm the restaurant owner," he replied.Oh. Evidently Claire hadn't seen this coming. Well, he wasn't a weirdo after all, she thought to herself at the remainder of their
Bruno couldn't hold his laughter as he stood up. "I can give you a ride if you don't mind," he suggested."No, you've done enough. I don't want to trouble you anymore. But thanks for the nice lunch, really," Claire assured, her smile grateful. "I've completely lost track of time from the talk and all, and maybe I should blame you." Her pink lips pouted cutely."Me?" Bruno uttered, wide-eyed."Yeah, you." Claire grinned, fixing her wavy, golden hair with her fingers. "Bye." And then she kissed him on the cheek."But—" Bruno started, but she was already striding off, waving at him in child-like manners. "But it seems like it's going to rain soon," he muttered apprehensively.The weather changed abruptly. The sky was too dark as if a very heavy rain was going to crash. Claire didn't care, however, because she had an umbrella inside her backpack.Ten minutes passed but there was no sign of any taxi on the main road. She decided to wa
The evening was stormy. Mr. Stevens and his grandson, Ryan, were on their way home as the rain kept pouring intensely with thunder striking eerily in the sky."We should've gone to your house, son," said Mr. Stevens warily, his eyes gleaming from the blue light in the sky. "This rain won't stop now; are you really able to drive this way?""Don't worry, I know this road better than you think," Ryan said confidently, and he meant it. His muscular arms gripped the steering tightly, tentatively avoiding all the weak spots as he kept driving the large SUV.Ryan was an epitome of handsomeness; tall, athletic built, with amazing facial features that deserved more than one glance. He was also a matured guy, with a very stronger personality than his actual age."Okay, if you say so." Mr. Stevens pulled a bottle of Scotch."I thought the doctor forbade that," Ryan remarked, scowling, and it was always a fool's errand.Mr. Stevens was crazy
"Okay, go ahead and change before you catch a cold," Mr. Stevens said."You, too, you need to eat and take the medicine!" Ryan stipulated, making the old man with curly grey hair roll his eyes. "Grandfather!" he snapped."Yeah, yeah, I will." Mr. Stevens disappeared slowly, holding his button that aided his limping caused by a minor stroke."What a stubborn old man," Ryan mumbled."I heard that!" Stevens grunted.Moments later, Ryan ventured back inside the guest's bedroom. He wanted to check on her before calling it a day. She was deeply lost in a slumber, her long, golden-brown hair tied up into a ponytail.A soft, stirred sigh escaped Ryan, wondering all over again on what she was possibly doing in that rain. He simply huffed, arms folded across his chest, not knowing what to reckon on the matter. It was strange.Sighing, he marched over and pulled the covers to her neck, his eyes taking
After a warm bath Claire slipped into an old, lavender dress she found laid down on the bed for her. It looked okay, she thought; after all she had no other option. And besides, it wasn't such a discomfort considering the posh design of the dress that had remarkable sewing.The owner must've been fashionable.Twirling, Claire watched the swirling umbrella skirt of the dress that made her look younger. It was short and stylish, exposing most of her glorious skin, from the long resplendent legs to her arms that were partially covered by its little sleeves."Not bad," she murmured while brushing her hair.There was a knock at the door and Martha walked in upon Claire's assent. "It looks good on you. Are you ready?" she asked warmly with a small smile, relishing the sight of her."Mmm." Claire nodded. Somehow her heart was beating fast thinking of meeting the Stevens. She couldn't help the discomfiture of knowing next to nothing about these people.Well, they did save her life, and even s
Glancing up, Ryan was standing right beside her, his eyes focused on his phone, his frame blocking the sunlight."You startled me!" Claire said quietly and sat straight so as to catch a proper sight of him. "Suicide? You are crazy." She scowled."I am?" Ryan gazed at her fleetingly, a small and rare smile tugged on his lips. "So, what's your deal with the rain?" he asked casually, eyes back on the phone."Well, I was just—" Claire halted upon seeing his raised eyebrow towards her speech the second she'd opened her mouth. "I mean, it was just an accident.""Yes, reschedule the meeting and let Doris and Harry know about it." Ryan was already on the phone, making her scoff incredulously. What the fuck! She glowered at him. "I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning, so get all the papers ready." His tone was imperial."Yeah, yeah!" Claire muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. Was it so hard to say 'excuse me, I'm taking the call?' What a jerk! She inwardly poured him all the dete
"Have you talked to any of the Stevens?" Gena asked Claire when she dropped by at her place.It's been a few days since their weekend trip."No, and I really don't wanna get entangled with that family, Gena. I've decided to forget it all," Claire said, her eyes busy on the phone as she was lying on her friend's bed.Gena's apartment was small, femininely furnished in purple and cream, a sleek modern touch of an interior designer graduate on its contents. She and Claire did the job."As you wish, ma'am!" Gena sighed, pushing herself towards the plush coach beside her bed. "Hey, why don't we go shopping? I think you need to stop thinking about the witch you call stepmom." She slumped down heavily, tugging her feet onto the couch."You're right." Claire loved shopping. Let it be grocery, shoes, clothes . . . as long as she'd get to stroll around the shops, seeing new arrivals, old displays, she'd automatically feel alive.It was her best hobby.The next stop was at the mall and both seem
She spent almost ten minutes wondering what she was going to do with all that money when her heart was all empty.The next day Claire dropped by the attorney's office for documentation. She had to protect herself from that vile woman and the first stage was notarizing everything as her father suggested through the letter. She just couldn't gather why he didn't suggest their family attorney.Maybe her father couldn't trust him at the last minute."Claire Levy?" A lovely woman in her mid-fifties regarded her as she walked in."Um, yes. I called yesterday and—" Claire paused, seeing a picture of her father, the attorney, and another man. She looked stoutly at her. "You . . . knew my father?" she asked, surprised at the time frame portrayed by the vintage color of the photo.They were in graduation gowns.The woman smiled. "Yes, Claire. Your father, my husband, and I were high school alumni. Oh, we were inseparable! They called us a notorious trio! Well, we came from the same village so .