Clair pov.
It was always fun to spend time with the gang. They always made the place more active and enjoyable. And with our mother figure pestering Henry and Lilli for grand kids, the fun is doubled. Austin and Adira left for their two week long trip right after we all had breakfast.
I made sure that Nolan had a good breakfast before I started to have my own. He was giggling as he toddled across the vast dining room, while Henry’s mom pretended to catch him. His little giggles always made my lifeless flutter with excitement. He was such a blessing for me. If not for him, my nightmares and traumatic memories would have made me want to give up on life.
“Aww.... Little Nolan wants to play.” Henry’s mom cooed.
“Clair, dear. Can I take him to the play room. It would be easier for you to eat.” She asked looking at me hopefully.
I giggled. She didn’t really have to ask.
“Of course Gabby aunty.” I replied with a smile. “You don’t really need to ask.” I told her honestly.
She grinned from ear to ear as she picked Nolan from his high chair and carried him away.
“Come here you little munchkin. Let me spoil you. Because you aunty Lilli and uncle Henry still wouldn’t give me a grandkid.” She said as she grinned at her son and daughter in law, glancing side ways at them, studying their reaction.
Henry groaned as she chuckled. Lilli too was biting her lips as she tried to avoid anyone’s eyes.
Gabby aunty chuckled. “Maybe my grand child is on the way.” She muttered, making Lilli look at her in surprise.
She giggled.
“I know things happen in due time. I just hope I get to see me grand kid before I die.” She replied.
“Mom...please don’t say that. I don’t like to hear you talking about death all the time.” He told her, clearly unhappy about it.
“Ok. I won’t.” Gabby aunty replied, pretending to zip her lips and walked out of the dining room with Nolan.
I didn’t realise that I was staring at her with a silly smile on my face, until Lilli called my name.
“Clair. What are you smiling at?” she asked.
“Uhuh......” I looked at them with wide eyes and shook my head. I looked at my plate of food, suddenly feeling full. I didn’t want to have breakfast anymore. My heart felt heavy with the memories of my own mother, who was a lot like Gabby aunty. She too had the ability to brighten up the entire room with her joyful personality. She too cared about everything and everyone. She was my queen and I missed her every second of my life.
Oh how I wish she was here with me.
“Clair!” Lilli’s soft voice made me look up. I didn’t know that I had tears in my eyes until I felt one of them roll down my cheeks.
“What is wrong? Is something bothering you?” she asked softly as she sat down beside me, caressing my hair.
I tried to hold back my tears. I didn’t want to cry. Specially in front of anyone. I wanted to hide my tears from the entire world. I felt that it was not worth to show how broken I really was. However, my tears once again betrayed me.
They spilled on to my cheeks like two streams of salty water. Before I knew it I was gasping for breath and hiccupping through my sobs, which I desperately tried to control. But my efforts were futile.
“Hey. Hey. It is ok. You can tell me anything Clair. You are like my little sister. And sisters don’t hide anything from each other. Do they?” she spoke in a voice that was so soothing.
Henry too was looking at me with sad eyes. No. I didn’t want to be vulnerable. I want to be strong. I want to be courageous. So I will face anything life throws at me and solve any problem I face. Wiping my tears away, I tried to speak.
“I....I miss my mom....” I managed to whisper through my sniffles, as I choked on my sobs. My continuous efforts to hide my tears were in vain. Lilli glanced at me with a sad look.
“You know, I too lost my parents at a young age. My mom died at child birth so I don’t really remember her. But my dad was the sweetest guy. He was the best daddy I could ever ask for. He used to work as a body guard for Mr. Liam. He always used to tell me that Mr. Liam was the best boss anyone could ask for.” She paused her lips in a thin line. It was obvious that her father’s memories hurt her. But still she sighed and continued.
“One day he took a bullet that was meant for Mr. Liam and died on the spot. Stone had been trying to get him for a long time. I was just a kid when he died. So Mr. Liam brought me here.” Lilli narrated her story.
I smiled. Hearing about it did make me feel a little better. I know that everyone has their fair share of hurt and pain. It was a good thing that she got the support she needed as she grew up from the Brookes. However I was not that lucky. I had the most horrible past which I wouldn’t wish on any child. No kid deserved to be treated like that. And what hurts the most is that I was mistreated by my own aunt. My own blood. While Lilli was treated with love and care by someone who is not even related to her.
I sighed. I didn’t have any complaints against my fate. Perhaps it was the best for me. Perhaps those unfortunate events were meant to shape me in to who I really was supposed to be.
“Can you tell us how your parents died?” her question caught my attention.
My lips parted and a shiver ran down my spine. Goose bumps crawled on my skin as I gulped. The truth was I didn’t know exactly how. I was just told that they died in an accident. I remember how I begged to allow me to see them one last time. But my cruel aunt didn’t let me, saying that their faces were beyond recognition.
“They....they died in an accident...” I stammered, realising that I really didn’t know much about their deaths. A funeral was held for them, but the casket was kept closed. No one really saw their faces. And no one even tried to, because my aunt told them that their faces were crushed.
Lilli smiled sympathetically and squeezed my hand. Her palm felt warm against my cold one.
“Now, don’t you feel a little better when you share your thoughts?” she said in a motherly voice.
I only managed to force a smile in response.
“Let’s finish this food and go look for some good courses you might be interested in. The university has opened up for the new intake. So we would look it up so that both of us could be free in the afternoon. I believe you have some work in the afternoon, right?” she asked, looking at me to confirm.
I nodded. She was right. I had a full day ahead. Besides, with Adira gone, more work will have to be done. In addition to that, I will have to attend Nolan too.
“Yes. I’ll go to find you after this.” I promised, taking a bite off my food.
Lilli walked outside after giving me a satisfied smile. I planned my life a little bit in my head. I should keep myself so busy that I forget about my problems. Yes. That was a good solution. I will fill my schedule with taking care of Nolan, volunteer work and studying. And perhaps after that, I’ll go for a job. And then I wouldn’t have any spare time to worry about my past.
Yes. That is what I should do.
Then my phone dinged, making me checking the screen. Levi’s name flashed on the screen. He was still trying to make me agree to go on a date with him. Biting on to my lower lips I opened the message.
Clair. You may ignore me. But that wouldn’t stop me from following you. I will continue to try until you finally give in. Because I really think that you like me too. But you are just hiding something form me.
I frowned and inhaled.
“Levi....why don’t you just give up?” I whispered pouting. “Don’t make this harder for me than it already is...” I added in the same tone.
Sighing I deleted his messages and leaned against my seat.
“I am sorry Levi. I like you but....I just can’t.....” I muttered to myself, trying my best not to cry.
No! These tears have to stop. I can’t spend my time to cry over my problems. I’ve got to move forward. Thinking about my planned schedule I stood up.
My life was filled with things I must do. I don’t have time for love. I thought as I washed the plate and dried it. Walking out of the dining room, I pushed Levi’s thoughts away from my mind.
Oh God. I will have to work harder if I am to forget about both and my past.
Clair pov. I hastened towards the living room where I knew Lilli would most probably be waiting for me. She most probably would be already searching the university website, looking for a suitable course for me to start. But I was wrong. She was nowhere to be seen. Shrugging, I dashed up the stairs. If she was not in the living room, she most probably would be in her room. I walked up to her room and was about to knock when I thought I heard her sobs. Furrowing my eyebrows, I leaned against the door to be sure of it. “Henry.... It has been over a year now. Why isn’t it still not happening?” It most certainly was Lilli’s voice. She was......crying? But why? “Hey ....babe. I’m sure it will. With time.” Henry tried to c
Narrator. Days passed by, and by the time Adira and Austin came back from their honeymoon, Clair had successfully taken care of all the awareness programs that they had planned while Lilli and Henry looked after the business and other matters of the empire. Adira and Austin went through the files and they were satisfied to see that everything was in place as they wanted them to be. It is not that Austin and Adira doubted their capabilities. They were certain that they would prove themselves to be the best people to be around. Henry, Clair and Lilli waited for their approval in the office as they flipped through the papers. “Great. You guys have done an excellent job.” Austin uttered, nodding with a satisfied smile on his lips. “Yes. This is commendable Clair. I
Clair pov. Still feeling anxious about tonight, I walked briskly from the office towards my room. I closed the door as soon as I entered and let out a whoosh of breath, hoping to calm myself down. But my heart was still frantic. What if I panic there? What if those memories make it so hard for me to enjoy? Or worse. What if I stumble across someone who knew I was the girl Mr. Stone used to keep for himself? My anxiety skyrocketed at that thought. No. No. That cannot happen. No one should know that it was me. No one can know about my past. I started to feel dizzy and I felt as if the whole room was spinning. My breathing laboured. I took desperate deep gasps of breath as I held on to my head and leaned against the closed door. The whole room felt hot, despite the turned on air conditioner and little beads of sweat soaked my shirt.&nbs
Narrator Clair went into shock and remained in her crouched position as the minutes passed by. Since Nolan was with Gabby aunty, his little voice was not there to pull Clair out of her mental turmoil, like he usually did. Clair continued to cover her head from what might attack her l, though in reality she was completely alone in the room. However, she felt that she was being attacked. She felt that Mr. Stone was back to get revenge on her for killing him and keeping his child away from him. She felt that he might once again hurt her. And this time he wouldn’t let her live. “Please....don’t.... Let me go.” She sobbed through her whispers until she finally lost consciousness. Minutes ticked by. Henry’s mother enjoyed having little Nolan in her room. She was expec
Narrator Levi groaned as he tossed and turned on his bed. He couldn’t sleep. All I could think of was Clair. Her beautiful dark brown eyes which shone each time they made eye contact. Her beautiful wavy hair that cascaded down her back up to her waist. Her luscious pink lips and her rosy cheeks. He longed to run his fingers through her long hair strands while his other hand held her soft body against his. He desired to claim her soft lips once again in his. He wanted to make her his and completely his. He wanted to hold her in his arms and never let go. He knew she was saved by his brother in law and perhaps had gone through a lot, though he didn’t know the full story. He desired to assure her that he was now there for her. He wanted to let her feel safe with him and protect her from anything harmful. But sh
Clair pov. I woke up early. Last night was one of the few nights I wasn’t woken up by nightmares of Mr. Stone. Instead, I saw Levi in my dream. How couldn’t I dream about him? All I could think of was him last night. I tried my best not to think about it but I failed. I fell asleep when I was deeply lost in his thoughts. When I checked the time it was just 6 am. Should I call him? Was it still too early? I chewed on my lower lip, contemplating on it for some time. “Ugh. If I don’t do this now, I won't be able to do it ever.” I grunted to myself and unlocked my phone. Without waiting for another minute more, I dialled his number, but he didn’t answer it. I felt my heart sink. Maybe he really was ignoring me now. Perh
Narrator Clair’s days were filled with studies and taking care of Nolan. And if she had any free time, she had filled it with volunteer work, which she seemed to enjoy. Each morning, she woke up early, fed Nolan before leaving him with the others and went to university. At first, she was anxious about meeting new people. She hoped that she didn’t meet any one who thought she looked familiar. After all, there were times that she was forced to meet people with Mr. Stone. To her relief, the whole place was filled with new faces. She quickly made a couple of new friends who attended the same classes with her and adjusted to the new environment. Thankfully, her new friends were just as supportive and helpful. Just as any typical day, she had fed her son and left the pentho
Clair pov. It was just another typical day. Accept that I feel better. Livelier, happier and more energetic. Is this what just a single conversation with him made me feel like? Just like any other day, I fed Nolan and left for university. As usual, Isla and Sienna were waiting for me by the gate. “Oh. Shucks! I left my phone in the car.” Sienna cursed. Among the three of us, Sienna was the only one who owned a car. “I’ll be right back.” She said in a hurried manner and dashed towards the parking area. “So? Any luck with Carl yet?” I asked Isla. Isla had been trying to catch his eyes for the past few weeks but he just doesn’t seem to be interested in her. Carl was someone who took his studies pretty seriously. He would spend his free time always buried in a book or writing something down. He barely spoke with people other than his close crowd. But being a handsome guy, he had caught the attention of many young girls in the col