Chapter Eighty-Three: I'm jealous

Friday, March 27, 20XX

The next morning Clair woke up with the unusual feeling of having heavy arms around her, wrapped not too tight but not too loose.

As soon as she realized this, she tried to leave, only for his hold around her to tighten. She stiffened and did not dare to turn around. Instead, she rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath in.

"Morning."

"Morning." He replied.

"Can you-"

"Shh."

Clair swallowed when his voice entered her ear. She felt her toes curl and her stomach twist at the sexy raspiness. She stayed still and did not make a single noise or movement. To think her first mission of the day was to get herself together and prepared for a conversation with him. Usually, they would get up and go their own separate ways. No physical interaction and just a nonchalant morning greeting. Things seemed to change, and it was as thrilling as it was scary.

Recovering her composure, Clair chuckled.

"Aish, my embrace must be very comforting. You're sticking to me like glue. I might misunderstand and think you're obsessed with me you know?"

"Oh, please." he rolled her eyes at her usual sarcasm but did not yet let go.

She tried to wiggle out of his arms, only to be held back.

"I have a horrible morning breath. I suggest you let go before I attack you."

"It's not horrible, actually."

"What? How do you know that?"

"How else? We sleep and wake up on the same bed. Don't act shocked."

Clair pouted her lips in response.

"Did I turn into some cuddly bear or something? Let go I have places to be and money to make."

In response, he kissed her neck and pushed her hair to the front, giving him access to the rest of her neck and upper back. Leaving another kiss, he traced his fingertips on her shoulders and closed his eyes.

Clearing her throat, she elbowed him. "I'm human, not a bear or anything. Let me leave. Or are you afraid I'll make more money than you today? Cus' I think I will."

"You're really good at ruining the mood, you know?"

"What mood? There was no mood. Stop speaking nonsense." She scoffed and pulled out the pillow from underneath his head, pushing it onto his face.

He grunted and finally let go.

She laughed and sat up in victory.

Sitting up, he walked out of bed and removed his shirt, revealing his back, which she could not pay too much attention to before. She looked at the scar on his lower back and averted her eyes. She then opened the cabinet on her nightstand and picked out a cream.

"Hey! Your royal highness!" He ignored her and so she continued. "Your highness, prince! Hey? Prince charming!"

"James... Clair, it's James. Is not that hard to remember."

Laughing she tossed him the cream and sat up.

"How did that happen?" She asked.

"Assassination attempt." He answered flatly.

"They left a scar? I'm so jealous~"

He rolled his eyes and looked at the ingredients and purpose for the cream.

"Every day before going to bed." She explained and walked towards the bathroom.

James looked down at the cream on his hand and pursed his lips.

It seemed to be another of her exclusive products, which had not even been released to the public

He shook his head and used it, anyway.

His phone stole his attention when it suddenly rang. He answered the call.

"Your highness."

"What's wrong?"

"There seems to be a situation at the borders. Attacks, ambushes, and questionable products were discovered at the docks in Woodlake. We are tracing it back to the woods in the outskirts of the city."

"Questionable?" James's expressions darkened.

"Yes, weapons... amongst other things see for yourself. I'm afraid drug and human trafficking might be involved."

"I see, I'll be there soon." James hung up and quickened his morning routine while skipping a few things as well.

"Hey?" Clair snapped her fingers as she brushed her teeth.

James turned to her as he adjusted his cufflinks.

"You're fast… anyway, here." She handed him another cream.

"What? Put it on because it's good for the skin. I'm already envious of your good skin, It'll be a pity if you don't take care of it." Her chosen tone sounded like she was joking, but by her expression, he knew better.

Not long after, James left in a hurry and Clair did not bother to ask. If it were a matter, she had to concern herself with, he would have informed her.

When she was done washing her face, Clair wondered whether she should wash her hair. The people with who she was the most comfortable were not only her new family but friends of the past. Today she was feeling better and now that her period would end soon she was feeling enthusiastic.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. It was as if she had finally caught a bolt of lightning, but the pessimist side of her told him it would fade away soon.

Shaking her head, she jumped into a quick shower and got dressed. After combing her hair again, she decided to just dry it with the towel.

"Nuuuu." Her lips welcomed a pout as she examined her hair carefully and noted how much damage it had. Her lips twitched at the awful realization. It seemed blow-drying her hair and constantly going back and forth from silver to red was not doing her hair any good.

"Should I try a wig?"

"Or just dye it?"

"No, no dyeing." She shook her head and finished her outfit.

She did little to her appearance since she knew they were going to have an eventful weekend in not a typical hang out between friends. After all, Anna liked to go crazy and sometimes too crazy.

She chose some sweatpants, a sweater, and a cap. After packing her backpack, she headed outside and made a few calls until she finally called Yaci.

She had given Yaci the day off. Though she had much work to do, she had taken a brief vacation which she rarely did, and was very much excused by her employees. To be specific, it thrilled them to have her gone on a Friday.

It was a 'blessing' fallen from the sky.

This came from Yaci's mouth, so Clair was not sure if she could believe it.

When she reached her car, Luke suddenly popped up behind her.

"Shit, you need to stop doing that."

"Yeah, I probably should." Luke nodded in agreement, but his grin contradicted his words. He knew Clair's senses were too sharp for her not to notice him, so it meant she was playing along with his antics for once.

"Alright, since I can't join you, I'm decided to come bid you goodbye."

"Okay and? Do you need something?"

"Is Yaci going?" He asked.

"Yes, she is." Clair nodded, closing the trunk, and headed to the driver's seat.

"Really? I'm coming with!" He was walking around the car before Clair could say anything.

"I was joking. She was very firm with her rejection to join the trip." Clair put on her seatbelt and gave him a rude awakening.

"You- Fine, give me a ride back. I had to take a taxi here."

"Did you crash your car again?" Clair asked, starting the engine.

"I did not! I got grounded."

"Pfft. Did dad ground you? I didn't know he still did that."

"That's because you're the favorite and never get grounded. In my case, I took him out for breakfast this morning and almost crashed into another car." Luke placed his elbow on the window and sighed.

"You did? Jesus, I always knew your driving skills sucked."

"I'm an okay driver, don't push it." He defended himself.

"No, your driving skills suck around dad." Clair corrected.

"That's true. But you've driven with him! He's so strict and makes me so nervous. Last time he got mad because I skipped a red light a second before it turned green!"

Clair shrugged in response.

"My point remains."