Chapter Thirty-two
Claire got a call from Rachel after she was done with the fitting for her dress. Lola had to leave to attend to other things and Senite also had duties calling. So only Claire was in the car taking her back to Lukas’ mansion, staring into space as tall buildings swept past her.
“Hello?”
“Hi Claire,” Rachel’s cheery voice answered her. “Sorry I didn’t send the text that I promised, there was a bit of a stir this morning that I didn’t expect.”
“It’s fine, Rachel, you really don’t owe me anything. I’m the one asking for a favor here.” Claire was quick to reassure her friend. “Have you started out yet?”
“Actually…” Rachel dragged out, her voice light. “I’m almost there.”
Claire sat up in surprise at this. “Really?” She looked outside the car windows, the gates of the Alpha King’s mansion was right in front of them. “Rachel, please hold on.” She quickly said, covering the speak.
“Um hello?” Claire leaned forward so she could speak to the driver and the bodyguard occupying the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. “Could we wait outside for a few minutes? I’m expecting a friend.”
The bodyguards shared a look, her request had taken them by surprise. “O-Of course, Miss Claire.” The bodyguard in the passenger seat finally blurted out, speaking through his intercom.
“Rachel? Sorry about that.” Claire returned to her call. “I’ll be waiting outside for you.”
“Oh really? Isn’t that a bother? I don’t mind… Ooh! I can see the high gates of the mansion.” Rachel cut herself off.
“Do you see a car outside it?” Claire asked, trying to open the car door.
The bodyguard that had spoken to her earlier, hurried down to open the door for her. He looked wary about her leaving the car but he said nothing.
Claire hung up and then hurried as fast as she could on heels over to the car that had pulled up, the back door of the car opened as well, Rachel stepping out.
She had a single suitcase with her, a bright smile on her face as she moved faster to meet up with her friend. “Claire! You look gorgeous!” She complimented, abandoning her suitcase to hug Claire.
“Let’s go in.” Claire suggested, helping Rachel with her suitcase.
They both got in the car that Claire had been in, smiling at each other as the gates were opened for them.
After settling Rachel into a guest room with Alec’s help, they both moved to a sitting room on the first floor where Rachel’s room was located.
“The house is um… very pretty.” Rachel complimented awkwardly, looking intently at the decor of the room they were in to avoid looking at Claire.
“Thanks.” Claire murmured while staring at her hands, equally at a loss for what to say.
“Are you happy, Claire?” Rachel asked out of the blue.
She looked in in surprise, not expecting a question like that. “I-...” She glanced down again. “I don’t know…”
Rachel wasn’t to blame for what had happened to her and she didn’t want to burden her friend with her own troubles.
“... is that strange?” She directed at Rachel.
Rachel leaned back on the sofa, her brown hair left down her shoulders. “A little.” She laughed. “You’re just not the type that ever wanted something like this but I’m happy that you’re not sad, at least…”
“It’s not your fault, Rachel.” Claire interrupted her at the guilty tone in her voice.
Rachel laughed again, this time it didn’t sound forced. “But I didn’t even ask if you were fine with it before leaving you in an unfamiliar place.”
“And I’m still mad at you for that but it’s not like there was much you could do either but look at me, I’m fine, aren’t I?” Claire invited, taking off her jacket.
Rachel looked closely at her childhood friend, while she wouldn’t call Claire plain, her friend’s preferences didn’t lean towards flashy things so it was a pleasant surprise to see her all dressed up. Her sharp eyes zeroed in on a faint red bruise on Claire’s neck. “I’d say you look better than ever, and I’m sure that isn’t a lipstick stain on your neck, is it?”
Claire’s eyes widened, her hands immediately flying to her neck. It would explain why all the women she had encountered had given her knowing stares, it made her face heat up. “I… um I d-don’t…”
Rachel patted her shoulders comfortingly. “It’s fine, Claire. It’s just me, there’s no need to feel so awkward.” She cheered her up, rising to her feet. “Could you take me on a tour around? If it’s not trouble that is.” She pleaded hopefully.
Claire sighed, relieved that Rachel had changed the conversation. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about Lukas when she was trying so hard to forget him, even if it was for only a few hours. “I could but I would probably get you lost.” She admitted sheepishly.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t checked the place out?” Rachel stared at her in disbelief.
“I’ve not exactly been here long,” She defended, getting up as well. “I could ask someone to take us on a tour, maybe Alec could help out.” She added, putting on her jacket again although she was indoors, she wanted to hide the hickey.
Alec had been the one to help her out with a guest room for Rachel, he had also given her his number to call him whenever she needed anything. Claire wondered if Lukas had asked him to make the offer just like he had asked Senite and Lola to have breakfast with her. She didn’t believe any of it though, Lukas hadn’t hesitated to let Alec and Senite know just what he thought of her, maybe they were trying to be nice on his behalf.
Alec was happy to help, saying that he would be sending one of the secretaries to give them the tour. It made Claire wonder just how many secretaries Lukas actually had.
Lola had told her that she was in charge of all the events planning. She wondered if this secretary would be as nice as Lola.
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