Chapter 28
"Claire what happened?" Jake asked worriedly, as he saw her in tears, it pained him to see the girl he likes in this situation, he heard the conversation between Claire and her father, Jake was shocked to hear that she didn't even tell her dad. It was already difficult for him to see her trying to win someone else and now she was here crying.
He was now getting more suspicious of her, 'Why would she participate in the contest?', 'I have to find it out!' Jake thought.
"J-Jake what are you doing here?" Claire sobbed, she didn't want to cry in front of him, he will definitely ask her questions, which she wasn't even able to answer her dad. "I was just talking to someone on the phone when I saw you." Jake explained.
Claire nodded her head as she wiped her tears, "Jake! Please don't let anyone know about this." Claire told him, Jake nodded her head, "Don't worry about that."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jake asked, Claire was quiet, she didn't know if she could really trust Jake, even if he was her friend he did hide about his true identity, so it was difficult for her to trust him.
"I'm fine Jake, Thanks." Claire said, there was an awkward silence between them, then Jake said, "I have something to tell you Claire." Jake said, he wanted to tell her that he has feelings for her, he wasn't sure if she felt the same. But he was sure that he won't let her go to that Jason so easily.
"What?" Claire asked, "I....I li-"
"Claire what are you doing here?" Jason questioned, as he walked towards her, his eyes were looking as if he was ready to kill someone, "Jason I j-just wanted to have some fresh air." Claire explained, "What is your problem why do you always have to control everyone around you!" Jake yelled at Jason.
"When did I do that?" Jason asked calmly, he wanted to see what else Jake was going to do, "Jake what are you saying, stop it." Claire pleaded, she couldn't believe he was acting like this towards someone he didn't even know.
Jake didn't say anything after that, Claire asked them to go inside, both of them nodded, "Come Claire Jasmine id waiting for you." Jake said, extending his hand for her to hold, Jason was standing there watching them, he didn't say anything as he wanted to see what Claire will do.
Claire was confused, she was staring at Jake's hand, debating with herself whether should she take his hand or not, she knew Jason was standing right there and if she took his hand, she would create a bad image in front of Jason.
So, she started to walk towards the mansion without Jake's help, making Jason smile at her decision, as she took a step forward her stomach growled loudly, making all three of them stunned, Claire was embarrassed while Jake and Jason were trying to control their laughter.
"I-I'm a bit hungry!" Claire blurted, "So we should go and have something." Jake said, "Yeah, come inside I will ask someone to give you dinner." Jason said walking towards the mansion, but Jake said, "Claire do you want to go to our favorite restaurant?"
Claire was staring at both of them, she was hungry, and she wanted to have something that she like, "But that would be rude, to leave the party like that."
"No Claire, it won't be rude, aske Jason I'm sure he won't mind!" Jake said, he knew Jason won't be able to say a no, as he doesn't want to create a bad reputation. "Right Jason?"
Jason gritted his teeth in anger he was pissed that Jake was using such petty tricks against him, "Of course, I won't mind, but will you go there in a gown?" Jason asked, "No, this will look so weird." Claire groaned, as she noticed her dress, "Then will you go to your room and come back in a jean and top in front of so many people?" Jason said, faking an amusing look he knew that Claire won't be able to do that.
Claire knew he was right, doing that would look so wrong and there were many people who even knew her dad, "It's okay Jake, I will have something here only." Claire said, she was sad that she can't even do what she wants.
Jason noticed how sad she looked, he started feeling bad, just because he wanted to win against Jake, he shouldn't make her sad, "Tell me what you want to have from your favorite restaurant, I will order it." Jason said.
"Really!" Claire asked, she couldn't believe Jason will do something like this for her,
"I want to have-"
"Jason! Everyone's waiting for you." Austin said as he came running towards them, "What are you doing here, come let's go inside."
Claire was staring at Jason in shock, as he was walking inside with Austin, making her frown, 'What about my food?', "See, he only cares about his company, forget about him I will order for you." Jake retorted, Claire was just staring at his retreating back.
"Forget it Jake, I'm not hungry anymore." Claire replied, and went inside the mansion, she saw Jasmine talking to someone, as Austin was fuming beside her, she walked towards her best friend,
"Jasmine, let's go to my room." Claire said, "What happened Claire are you not feeling okay?" Jasmine asked worriedly, Claire shook her head in a no, Austin was noticing all this as he took a sip from his drink.
Jasmine and Claire went towards the stairs, they started climbing the stairs, Jasmine was a bit ahead of her, as it was more difficult for Claire to climb the stairs because of her gown, Claire was walking slowly, when suddenly she missed a step and lost her balance. "Ahhh!"
She tried to grab the banister but couldn't, "CLAIRE!" Jasmine shouted as she saw her friend falling, Claire closed her eyes tightly waiting for the impact.