Chapter 26

Claire was mesmerized by looking at how they have decorated the mansion, there was a chandelier shining brightly in the middle of the living area, white roses were decorated on the stair's handle.

Claire saw some of the girls coming towards where she was standing, but they just ignored her, Claire rolled her eyes, she knew it was because of Sarah, they all feared she will get upset if they talk to Claire.

Claire saw Sarah walking down the stairs, she was wearing an emerald color mermaid dress, her hair was in a side bun, while Claire's hair was combed in a messy bun, Sarah was wearing a diamond necklace with an emerald in it, her earrings were emerald.

She came towards Claire and said, "I didn't know you knew Jake."

"So?" Claire asked, she didn't understand what her meaning was, "You are a smart girl, you want Jake and Jason both, right?" Claire was now getting angry, she understood Sarah wanted to create a scene to embarrass her.

"That's none of your concern." Claire replied, and left from there, she didn't want to spoil her mood, so she went towards the garden area for some fresh air, her mind was clouded by a lot of thoughts, first was her father, she needed to talk to him but didn't know how to explain all that's happening.

Second was the contest, she was here for money, but it was getting difficult for her not to notice Jason, she was kind of getting attracted to him, which was bad for her, then the last one was Jake, he was really confusing her, because of his behavior.

Claire sighed all of this was making her feel frustrated, "What are you thinking so deeply?" Austin asked. he was standing behind her, startling her, she sighs in relief when she saw it was Austin, "You scared me!"

"Sorry, what are you doing here, the party is going to start." Austin asked, he was wearing a black tuxedo, his hair was messy, like he haven't comb his hair for days, but he still managed to look handsome.

He was looking annoyed as he kept checking his phone, "What happened?" Claire asked, "Well, I'm trying to reach Jason for the past hour, but he is not picking my calls, or answering my texts, where the hell is he!" Austin was frustrated by his friend's behavior.

"I saw him going towards his room." Claire said, making Austin widen his eyes, "What, you saw him, damn he is here but he didn't care to inform me!" Ausitn was now looking angry, "Austin, are there going to be a lot of people in the party?"

"Hmm, there are going to be the company's business partners, investors, people from the media and some friends and family members." Austin explained, "You can even call your friend." Austin hinted, making Claire roll her eyes.

"Are you talking about Jasmine?" Claire asked, making him nod, "Please, call her."

Claire chuckled, and said, "She is not interested in you." Claire said, feeling sorry for him.

Austin smirked and replied, "Don't worry about that, I will make here interested in me."

"You look very confident." Claire said, "So you will call her, right?"

"I will try."

Claire called Jasmine, "Hey, Bella are you ready for the party?" Jasmine asked, she already knew about the party as Claire was very anxious about the party, so she talked to her.

"I'm ready but I still feel a bit nervous."

"Relax Bella, everything will be fine." Jasmine assured her, "J, why don't you come here?"

"I can't Bella, it's not allowed."

"It's allowed, you can come." Claire said, feeling excited, Austin was hoping that Jasmine will come, "You want me to come?" Jasmine asked, Claire hummed in response, Jasmine felt like she should be there for her friend, so she decided to go.

"I will be there, okay."

"Okay, I'm waiting!"

Claire showed a thump's up to Austin, he grinned at her, "I think we should go inside." Austin said, making Claire nod, both of them went inside, Claire could see a lot of people now, all the girls in the contest were now in the living area, they all were busy in something. The living area was so big that even when there were almost fifty people, it still looked very big.

Suddenly all the chatter died, and the only noise was of someone's footsteps, Claire turned to look at the stairs, and her breath hitched, when she saw Jason walking down the stairs, he was wearing a black shirt and blazer with black pants, the top two buttons of his shirt were open. His hair was perfectly set.

Everyone one in the party was staring at him, his eyes were fixed on someone, he came and stood in the middle of the living area, he took the mic that one of the staff was holding for him, "Welcome everyone, thank you for coming today, it's a delight to have you with us...."

Claire was listening to him, how he was so professional, "As you all have heard, I'm quite tired of being a bachelor," His words made everyone laugh, "So, that's why a contest is being held, as you all already have an idea."

"So today, we will introduce you to the girls that are participating in the contest!" Everyone cheered and clapped, Jason passed the mic to Austin, of course an extrovert like him will be able to handle a party easily.

One by one Ausitn announced the name of the girls, and they went to stand in the middle of the living area. when Claire's name was announced she went and stood beside a Sarah, Jason was staring at her he could see she was very nervous.

Claire was cursing Jasmine she was so late for the party, everyone one was clapping for them when Claire's eyes saw a figure, she was very familiar with, her eyes widen when she realised who it was, "Dad!" Claire whispered, her father was standing a little further from her with her sister and Maria.