Chapter 113: Playing Tricks
"But Lucas won't agree to it." Claire Grace frowned, her voice tinged with frustration. The man was as domineering as they came. He already disliked Blaine Jackson—no way would he ever let her leave to work for someone he considered a rival.
"Lucas?" Blaine raised an eyebrow before realization dawned. "Oh, you mean your boyfriend? If he really loves you, he should support you in pursuing a job you're passionate about." His lips curled into a smirk. Her boyfriend was a CEO? Well, she definitely wasn't strapped for cash.
"He doesn't love me." Claire's voice was startlingly calm, as if she'd just commented on the weather. Blaine blinked, caught off guard by her matter-of-fact tone.
"If he doesn't love you, why are you still with him?" Blaine leaned forward, incredulous. No wonder Lucas called her a 'snail girl.' Claire's thought process really did seem to move at a snail's pace sometimes.
"I'm not with him."
Blaine's deep-set eyes widened. "Wait. You're not dating him?" His mind raced. If Lucas wasn't her boyfriend, things just got a lot simpler. She could quit working for him and join Blaine's team without needing anyone's approval.
Relief washed over Blaine's face, and for a moment, his features lit up with boyish charm.
"He's not my boyfriend," Claire clarified. "We're not dating because… he's my husband. We live together."
*Crash.* The sound might as well have echoed through Blaine's mind. It felt like someone had just whacked him over the head with a bat.
"She's married?" he muttered to himself, stunned.
"If he's your husband, why didn't you say so earlier? You let me think he was just your boyfriend. And you said you weren't dating… because you're already living together?" Blaine scowled, feeling thoroughly played. Was she enjoying watching him make a fool of himself?
No wonder Lucas had been so possessive.
"Blaine, are you mad?" Claire asked cautiously. Even a fool could tell he was practically fuming.
"No!" Blaine snapped. "Why would I get mad at a snail?"
"But your eyes are practically glowing with anger," Claire pointed out. "Just like when you argued with Sarah. Your face is also dark, and… you're grinding your teeth."
"I'm mad at myself, okay?" Blaine huffed.
Claire sighed. "I wanted to tell you from the start, but Lucas didn't want our relationship public. Believe me, I wasn't trying to deceive you. I swear!" She raised her hand as if taking an oath.
"You still hid it," Blaine retorted, arms crossed. "Swearing won't change that."
"I'm sorry! What can I do to make it up to you?" Claire bit her lip, looking genuinely contrite.
"Anything I say?" A mischievous glint flickered in Blaine's eyes.
"Uh… basically, yes." Claire hesitated. Why did he suddenly look so… scheming?
"In that case, how about this: divorce your husband and marry me."
"What?!" Claire's jaw dropped. She stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
"You're joking, right?" Her voice trembled slightly. Please let him be joking.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Blaine's expression was deadly serious. "You said to pick a different way. I'm just doing what you asked. So, here are your options: be my assistant or my wife. Your choice."
Two options? Both of them led to the same place—working for him. And as for divorcing Lucas? Not a chance. She loved Lucas, deeply.
"I'll take the first option," Claire declared firmly, her voice clear and resolute.
Blaine's dark expression melted into a grin, his face lighting up like a summer sunrise. Internally, he was cheering, feeling as victorious as he had when he'd won the Global Style Competition. He knew that bluffing her with the marriage ultimatum would work like a charm.
Blaine couldn't help but chuckle, a low, self-satisfied sound. He wasn't genuinely angry about her being married. He'd only been annoyed that she hadn't told him upfront. His proposal had been nothing more than a ploy to get her to agree to work with him. The fact that she had taken it seriously only made it funnier.
"You're laughing… weirdly," Claire muttered, eyeing him warily. She wanted to say he looked downright sinister, but thought better of it.
"What's weird about it?" Blaine's grin softened into something more elegant and composed, his usual polished demeanor slipping back into place.
"Good. It's settled, then. Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the design team." Without waiting for a response, Blaine strode out of the room, leaving Claire no choice but to follow.
As they walked, Claire couldn't shake the feeling that she had just been outmaneuvered in a game she didn't even know she was playing.