Chapter Seventy-Eight: Thinking about him

"I apologize on her behalf. Her extreme measures are unreasonable."

Clair narrowed her eyes.

"You're quite cautious. Are you afraid I'm still as impulsive as before and kill anyone that annoys me? Are you afraid I will kill your mother? How low am I in your eyes?"

"That's not true. Now you are just assuming things."

"Alright, enough I don't want to talk to you let go."

James raised an eyebrow when he loosened his hold on her, and she tried to aim the blade-slash-pen at him.

Sighing, she let it fall on the floor first.

And flashed him a fake smile.

"You can't trust servants, you can't even trust the guards placed to guard you. That is the truth of living in the royal palace. Nothing is safe, you can only rely on yourself. She might make it look like she's trying to kill you but she just wants to make sure you won't die under my watch, she's afraid I will blame myself for another death." He explained and finally let go of her.

He stood up and took a deep breath in, running his fingers through his hair.

"Me and you, we will pluck out the corruption from the noble houses one by one, and get rid of all the threats. She wants to be sure that we are ready for that."

Clair pursed her lips.

"It won't be easy but for now let's just lay low. Once our engagement party happens, things will start to. get dangerous and serious, I want you to be ready for that. Please keep my words in mind. You can trust I will keep your family from harm's away but both I and you will have to face the danger to come together."

"Yeah." Clair cleared her throat at how heavy the atmosphere felt.

"Are you still horny? Maybe a cold shower will help. You can't blame me for the effects of the antidote! It's done to reverse the poison."

James, who was calm before, turned around and glared at her,

He had never wanted to strangle her more in his life.

Clair laughed inwardly.

'She's afraid I will blame myself for another death.'

She knew his words had a double meaning or at least a hidden story. A story that she couldn't know about because it was not her place.

Now that her words had stopped his swim through whatever horrible memories he must have, she walked towards the staircase with the intention to take nap.

Unfortunately for her, he did not take her tease lightly.

An arm wrapped in front of her and brought her back. Behind her, he whispered, "When you said that, did you mean to be the antidote yourself?"

"What? When did you get that conclusion? Excuse you!" She struggled to get his arms off her, but he was obviously stronger than her.

"Can you stay still for a second?!" He complained.

The mood was immediately thrown off, thanks to her.

"You're so talented at bickering, just shut it already!" He added.

Clair rolled her eyes but she listened and stayed still.

Another of his arms wrapped around her and he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Clair instantly stilled, as she felt his lips land on her naked skin. Removing her hair from her neck he permitted himself to place open mouth kisses all over her neck.

"What are you doing? You scoundrel!"

Bite.

A bite.

He bit her?!

Clair froze in shock as she tried to process everything.

"For god's sake please shut up." He begged.

****

Wednesday, March 25, 20XX

"Yes, the investors suddenly backed out. Would you like me to make an appointment with them?"

"Clair?"

"Hello? Clair!"

"Clair!"

"Clair Angle Yves!"

"Clair?"

"You bitch are you listening?" Yaci felt a nerve in her forehead pop.

"Huh?" Clair snapped out of yesterday's memory.

The entire day was basically Yaci reporting who knows what and her absentminded working, not being able to snap herself out of it.

The memory replayed in her mind in a loop.

Yes, he had used some sort of magic and cursed her with a loop.

After that weird moment which she couldn't seem to forget Clair had cleared her throat and said, "Goodnight."

Yes.

She said, "Goodnight."

She then went to sleep. The next morning she woke up and met an empty space beside her. She didn't know if he had even slept beside her, but one thing she knew; it was not her place to give a shit.

Or at least that's what she told herself, despite the annoying thoughts that always wandered back to him.

How dare he? The nerve of this guy to interrupt her every thought with his annoying handsome face,

The raw nerve!

"Grrr.."

"Clair you're spacing out again," Yaci facepalmed as she watched Clair glare at her computer in annoyance.

Yes, she had checked the contents, but it was just a blank document so she really didn't know what had Clair so out of it today. But then again, Clair was always odd and moody during her period.

'But that's only in the last days of her period.' Yaci remembered.

During the first days, Clair was normal.

So what the hell? What's happening?

"As my loyal assistant tell me honestly, if you think about a person a lot and can't stop no matter how hard you try, what does it mean?" Clair suddenly asked,

"That you have feelings for them...?" Yaci replied, not really understanding why that was important right now.

"Hah!" Clair burst out in hysterical laughter,

"Good one! HAHAHA, I'm dying."

What's so funny?

Yaci wanted to ask but didn't dare to. Clair was, um…. not acting like Clair today, and that was dangerous enough.

"Maybe the person angered you? So all you can think about is strangling to death, or the person did something that you are not used to and left an impression on you." She voiced out, taking a deep thought.

"Yes, thank you. I think the answer is a mix of both." Clair sighed in relief and got back to work, leaving Yaci completely confused.

Apparently, her words had put Clair to ease and allowed her to work like normal.

'I need a new job.' She thought inwardly.

Becoming this woman's assistant was definitely a horrible idea.

After work, Clair visited Delilah and spent the afternoon talking to her about her upcoming performance and set the date of when they would meet again.

"Dad, do you know where Elliot is? He's been quiet lately and skipped out on a lot of our sessions." Clair spoke as she drove home after work.

"I sent him on a mission sweetheart, he won't be back for a while." Mr. Yves replied.

"Oh, okay! By the way, I'm going on a trip on the 27th, I'll be back on the 30th." She informed him, not bothering to question him about Elliot.

"Business trip?"

"No.." Clair trailed off as she looked at the road ahead and made a turn.

"Anna invited me for an uh.. vacation? It's like a weakened just to enjoy ourselves. She might take all of our devices away, so I just wanted to tell you ahead of time."

"I see. Have fun."

Clair furrowed her eyebrows. "Dad, is there something wrong? You've been down since yesterday."

"I'm just worried, Clair. This marriage…" he trailed off.

"Are you regretting your decision now?" She raised a brow.

Before he could speak, she interrupted. "No, I'm not backing out now. I want to protect my family. I can't afford to lose one again." Her words firm and direct.

She had gotten married, and she wouldn't back out unless it was safe.

With a sigh, her father gave in and told her they should meet up after her trip with Anna and her friends.