Chapter 4

Clare clenched her fists under the table, throwing her former friend a disgusted look. She felt like strangling him currently, disregarding the fact that both Ian's parents and hers were accompanying her.

The girl hated him with all her heart and planned to take revenge at the earliest opportunity. She had to do everything to make sure there would never be an engagement because marrying this idiot would destroy her entire life, and that was what he wanted. He wanted her only for himself so that he could torture her both mentally and physically in the future. He intended to put her through hell because hurting weaker people brought him sick comfort. To sum it up more accurately: he was a psychopath.

Clare tightened her lips and nervously kicked Ian's ankle, unable to stand his cynical smirks any longer. The brunet bent down under the table and grabbed the girl's leg. He pulled her to her feet, and a squeal came from her throat.

Ian's parents looked at her surprised, so the girl apologized to them.

The brunet straightened up in his chair, pretending that his spoon had fallen out. He asked the waiter to bring him a new one. Although his face expressed seriousness, Clare knew that in spirit he was laughing out loud.

- When they were children, I already knew that they would be the perfect couple in the future. My wife and I had been planning for a long time for it to be Clare, and when our son proposed to your daughter, we were pleased. She is a girl who fits our criteria perfectly as Ian's future wife. She comes from a good family, she is beautiful and, above all, intelligent.

The boy smiled under his breath, clearly amused by his father's words.

- You just offended me with your attitude, my friend. Do you think otherwise? I want to know your opinion of me, since we met at a dinner dedicated to our future. - Clare looked at the brunet carefully, hoping to plunge him into her parents' eyes.

- I think my father said it too generally. I would like to point out that in addition to your looks and intelligence, you also have a good heart and, above all, proper manners.

Clare could not stand it and burst into laughter. These words sounded so absurd in his mouth that she simply could not control her rude behavior. Ian was presenting a circus, and the adults couldn't see it.

- Clare. - Her mother admonished her, clearly agitated by her daughter's attitude. - How are you behaving?

- My deepest apologies, but Ian tickles my leg incessantly. I didn't mean to react this way - she lied, sending her future would-be in-laws a humble smile.

- We have known each other for so many years, and we know perfectly well that Ian likes to tease you. It's rather his childish way of showing you affection - the woman stated, and Clare looked at the brunet, forcing a gentle smile.

- I'm counting on him to grow up quickly - she replied bitingly, looking into his eyes.

- It's enough for me to have an emotionally adult wife - he replied.

The parents laughed, thinking it was a joke, but Clare was not laughing. She felt like scratching his eyes out.

*

The girl left the restaurant in an exuberant mood. Ian had a gift for ruining her mood, and today he especially managed to irritate the girl. She didn't think his idea would actually go over well, as her parents were thrilled with the news that she would marry Ian. They agreed with Mr. and Mrs. Waller that there would be an engagement soon, and a wedding in the near future.

They didn't ask their daughter what she thought about it. For them, it was all about profits, as the merger of the two families heralded good business benefits.

- You were convinced that it would work out, right? You were perfectly aware that our families would come to an agreement about the wedding - she turned to him with a sharp tone in her voice. His face expressed indifference, as if this news did not particularly impress him.

- Your parents asked me to drive you home, so come on. - He completely disregarded her question and rudely grabbed her by the collar of her shirt, leading her to the parking lot.

Passing people looked at them with interest, whispering among themselves. They did not like the despicable treatment the boy was giving the blonde. They considered his behavior reprehensible, and yet no one reacted.

The girl tried to push him away, but it led to him pulling her and tearing her first shirt buttons. She felt shame. She crossed her arms in embarrassment, covering her white bra with her hands.

Ian looked exultant at this sight and didn't even stop to help her out of her predicament. He opened the door of the sports car and forcibly pushed her inside. He sat in the driver's seat and snorted under his breath when he noticed that her face had turned a shade of red.

- Be glad you don't have to return in this condition on foot. That would have only been a hassle - he announced, leaving the parking lot. Clare felt like murdering him in a rather sadistic way, but she would rather not end up in jail for some halfwit. That was the only thing holding her back.

- Our wedding is not going to happen anyway. Even if I had to die, I will do everything to get away from you. I won't let you destroy my life. I know what you mean, asshole.

- And I will not let you destroy what I have planned. Our wedding will happen, and I will lead you down the aisle if only by your hair - he replied in a nervous voice, surreptitiously glancing at her. At the last moment, he noticed a red light and braked sharply, at which she suffered.

She felt a piercing pain in the collarbone area. The belt supposedly saved lives, but it could also be dangerous.

- How I hate you... - she said quietly, massaging the sore spot. She looked at the window and opened her eyes wider when she spotted a boy on a motorcycle. Although he had a helmet on his head she easily recognized that it was Felix. He was standing next to her, waiting for the green light. He felt that someone was watching him, so he turned his face toward her and looked at her carefully. His gaze rested on her bared cleavage and then on the driver.

He felt anger.

The light changed, and he took off like a madman, disappearing from her quickly.

She was confused.

- Why do you have such a dull expression on your face? - She didn't react to Ian's words because it had just occurred to her that she had just seen Felix, or vice versa. He saw her in Ian's presence and in a rather inappropriate outfit.

- I don't know if it is possible to hate someone more than I hate you at this moment. I feel like killing you in the cruelest way - she squeezed through her teeth, covering her bra more thoroughly.

- I hate you too, so if we're both going to die, why don't we do it right now? - Before she knew what he meant, he took off with a squeal of tires, accelerating dangerously. He swept past the cars, and she clung to the handle above the door with her eyes wide open, feeling her heart go up to her throat.

This idiot wanted to drive her to the grave!

She noticed that the light had changed, but he drove through on red, not caring that he might cause an accident.

Where were the police?

- You're a fucking nut! - she shouted, carefully watching the street in front of her. She prayed that they would make it home safe and sound.

- After all, you like the thrill - he said with a smile on his face, out of the corner of his eye, looking at Clare. - Many times I've seen you laughing with your boyfriends, so what's the problem?

It's true. Felix always drove fast, but with him, she felt extremely safe. In his company, she loved the thrill and was not afraid that something bad would happen.

It was different with Waller.

He was crazy and at times manifested the personality of a psychopath. She couldn't guess what was in his head and what idea he would come up with next. He loved danger, and danger loved him.

Clare struggled to let the air out of her mouth and hastily unbuckled her seat belt when Ian stopped the car in front of the house. She wanted to get out, but the brunet grabbed her wrist, stopping her by her side.

- I also hate you so much that I will destroy your life. I want nothing more, so get ready for it, my future wife - he announced with satisfaction in his voice.

The blonde threw him a sharp look and tried to pull her hand out of his grasp, but he squeezed it even tighter, causing her pain.

- Only now did I realize what an idiot I was for being friends with you for so many years. You are not a normal person. You have never been one - she proclaimed, boldly looking into his eyes.

Ian bit his lip and pushed her hand away from him. The girl massaged the sore spot, looking at the red spot on her skin.

- You made me a monster; therefore you are doomed to live with me in the future. I chose you for a reason, Clare - he stated, looking ahead.

- I know that my parents will do everything to make our wedding happen because they are convinced that you are perfect, but I will think of something to get rid of you from my life forever. She announced, getting out of the car. She slammed the door and ran to the house opposite Ian's residence.

*

She loved the vacations, but this year was a nightmare. Her parents didn't want to hear about the refusal of the engagement and forcefully set the earliest date with Ian's family so that their daughter would be secured for the future. They believed that they didn't see anyone so perfect who could take his place and that the girl should be happy, since they had always been good friends.

It's just a pity that they didn't know that Clare hadn't been friends with Ian for a long time because he had become a horrible asshole who had to be shunned.

She didn't blame them for not taking enough time to find out about her life because after all, as they kept saying: they were hard-working people. Clare was used to this, but as a child, she needed her parents many times because she felt lonely. Unfortunately, they didn't think it was the first need, to give a child some love, because they thought money was the most important thing. They claimed that this would make their daughter happy and she would never lack anything.

- We are in a black hole - Paul spoke up after a long silence, commenting on their parents' plans. - The girl I'm about to get engaged to has a personality disorder, as she is an angel in front of her parents, but when we are left alone she turns into Satan. Ian, on the other hand, is Satan in every guise.

- In front of his parents he also pretends to be a walking ideal and no one can say a bad word about him.

- Is there anything with which we can get rid of these two? - He asked, and Clare shrugged her shoulders.

- I don't know. The parents would rather not hear any.

- I have an idea! - The blonde lifted her face and carefully looked at her friend. - Let's get married, then no one will force us to live with a person we don't like.

- Ay, Paul. - Clare wrinkled her nose and punched him in the arm. - Come down to earth. Marrying your best friend to sit in front of the TV and overeat chips for the rest of your life? I would feel like marrying my brother.

- You're the only one who thinks so - he replied offended, plucking at the grass.

The girl looked around the meadow and quietly sighed. The thought that she was to marry Ian in the near future made her nauseous. She would sooner marry an animal than this arrogant asshole.

- What do we have to do to stop thinking, at least for a while, about the swamp our parents throw us into?

- Party? - Clare threw her friend a suspicious look. Paul has been partying too much lately.

- Did you drink a lot at that meeting?

- Green tea? Yes.

- In that case, we need to go somewhere fun. I need alcohol," she announced, extending her hands upward. - Paul, I hope that at least today you will turn off your gentlemanly manners and get drunk with me.

- I will definitely get drunk - he confirmed.

*

The club was bustling with hot fun. Young people were dancing on the dance floor, getting to know each other, talking to each other, and Clare was sitting at the bar having another drink. First she had to get drunk because the gloomy mood did not allow the girl to go sober.

Paul was also in a bad mood because drinking a small amount of alcohol unleashed the bad boy in him, which was wonderful when comparing this phenomenon to his real personality.

Alcohol could change a person, if only for a few hours.

Clare glanced sideways when she felt someone watching her. She curved her lips in a slight smile when she noticed a dyed redhead who looked handsome. At first glance, she was able to guess that he was a club stalker who scored girls in men's restrooms. His lustful gaze and seductive smile were so expressive that it rang a bell.

A local pick-up artist.

- I have a boyfriend - she declared at the outset, so as not to give him false hope. She didn't even feel like starting any conversation with him.

- More like a fiancé. - With this answer he surprised her. She looked carefully at his face, wondering where he got the information about her life. Could it be that he knew her? - Ian is a buddy of mine, so he bragged about who his future wife would be. I recognized you right away because you're an excellent ass - he added, brazenly groping her figure.

- Ass - Clare repeated, snorting under her breath. - Judging by the plaintive pronunciation, I have no doubt who your friend is.

- Ian said that you have a character and this stimulates in him the desire to spank you - he declared, clearly intrigued by the blonde. The girl laughed and finished her drink, wanting to get away from this man as soon as possible.

- Several idiots - she commented briefly, and got up from the bar, heading for the dance floor. She approached the dancing Paul, who was surrounded by women older than himself. They were drawn to him like flies, and Clare didn't understand what the reason was. She would be more likely to say that he should have success with teenage girls.

- Are you having a good time? - She asked her friend, who in response shrugged his shoulders and pointed with his finger to the pocket where he had his phone tucked away.

- Seemingly having a good time, but that whiney girl calls me incessantly. She seems to have taken our engagement seriously. And how am I supposed to forget about her? - he asked reproachfully. Clare pulled her cell phone from his pocket and answered the call from Rosalie.

Paul opened his eyes wider, but the blonde put her finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet.

The thumping music prevented her from hearing her recently met friend's voice, so she covered her other ear and ran toward the bathrooms. Only there was she able to talk to her.

- Hello, Rosalie? Clare, here. I'm with Paul at the club. Your fiancé is just having a good time - she replied jokingly.

- That asshole is purposely not taking calls from me! I know he would rather not marry me because I'm also reluctant, but I have to do it; otherwise my parents will disinherit me. That's why, don't let this idiot do anything, or I'll strangle him with my wig! - shouted into the receiver so loudly that Clare moved the cell phone away from her ear. - I will watch him like a dog, where are you?

- Uh, Rosalie thought. - She was not given to finish her sentence because Paul's future wife tore into the handset.

- Clare, where are you!

The girl was relentless, so the blonde guessed that she had no choice but to reveal to her the place where they happened to be staying. She could hang up, but she would rather not be rude to Rosalie.

- Great. I'm just watching the fight, so I'll join you soon with my team.

- Crew? - repeated the blonde, but she didn't get any more answers as Rosalie hung up.

Clare turned back to her friend and made buttery eyes at him, apologizing to him that there would soon be confusion. She meant well, and it came out tragically. She supposed what kind of hell Rosalie would give him, since she was taking the form of the devil without her parents' presence. However, Paul looked indifferent to the situation, as he was having a great time in the company of older girls. Apparently, alcohol had added to his prowess, which he intended to use in defense against his future wife.

The blonde shrugged her shoulders, also having it completely on her mind. If Belluci wasn't concerned about the appearance of his witch bride, why should she worry about him?

She headed for the bar, noticing that the annoying redhead wasn't there. Fortunately, because she wouldn't have put up with his hopeless rants much longer. He was just as annoying as his buddy.

Alone, she sipped her drinks, waiting for Rosalie to drop by and turn the party into hell, although she wasn't the first person to do so and Ian, who came in the presence of the redhead.

- Are you having fun? Did you need entertainment to forget about me for a while and what awaits you in the future?

Hearing his voice, she thought of returning the alcohol, but refrained so as not to embarrass herself. She turned to face him and forced a crooked smile.

- A friend notified you of my presence at the club? You are sweet - she sneered. - I just don't understand what you are doing here. Have you come to continue to bully me? I was hoping to temporarily forget about your face, but you, like such the worst nightmare, keep appearing in front of me.

- I still can't get enough, and bullying you brings me the desired solace - he stated in an amused voice.

She looked away from Ian when she noticed the blood-red hair that stood out in the club. Rosalie put on her wig again, transforming herself into someone entirely different from how she presented herself to her parents.

Clare noticed that she came with her friends, who probably also participated in the fight. Among them, she spotted Felix.

At first, she thought she had predictions, but she would recognize him anywhere. He actually came with his friends.

Felix was in the same club as her.

He spotted her. He fixed his slightly puzzled eyes on her; however, his face quickly took on a tinge of frustration when he noticed Ian standing by her side.

It promised to be an interesting party among uninvited guests.