Chapter 172: Enemies and Rivals

"Claire?" Three voices called out in unison, their tones uncertain and tinged with doubt. 

"What's wrong? It's only been a year. Have I changed so much that you don't recognize me?" Claire Grace asked, her smile warm but teasing. 

"Wow! It really is you, Claire!" Sarah exclaimed, disbelief written all over her face. "Did you have plastic surgery or something? Or some major makeover? You're so stunning now, it's hard to believe!" 

"You're exaggerating," Claire replied with a modest chuckle. 

"No, she's not!" Joel chimed in, his expression unusually serious. Then, furrowing his brow, he added, "But your features do seem sharper now—more defined. Did you...?" 

"Wow, you guys really don't hold back, do you? And to think some of you are professional stylists," Blaine Jackson cut in, rolling his eyes at them. "Sarah, you're even a facial sculpting specialist! Can't you tell this is just the result of great styling? Let's move already. Since you're here to pick us up, just load our stuff directly instead of going through the movers. It's less hassle." Of course, he had no intention of shortchanging the movers for their work. 

"Oh, got it," the three friends replied in unison, heading off to help direct the movers under Blaine's instructions. 

"See, Blaine? Even they didn't recognize me at first. I've really changed a lot!" Claire said, her tone filled with pride. 

"Changing too much isn't necessarily a good thing. It's hard to see the person you used to be," Blaine replied flatly. 

"What? What did you say? Don't talk so fast—I didn't catch that," Claire protested. 

"I said, let's hurry back. Flying makes me uncomfortable," Blaine deflected, grabbing her hand to lead her onward. However, he noticed her eyes darting around, scanning the crowd. 

"Are you looking for someone?" he asked, feigning casual interest. 

"Yeah, I told her I'd be back today and even gave her the exact time my flight landed. But I guess she's too busy with work to come pick me up," Claire said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. 

"Sarah?" 

Claire turned to look at him, her lips pursed. "You still remember her?" 

"Pfft. As if I could forget!" Blaine muttered, recalling a heated argument from a year ago that had nearly made him pass out from frustration. "Besides, your circle of friends isn't exactly huge. Other than Lauren and her husband, it's just Sarah, right? Or don't tell me it's that over-possessive CEO?" 

"You two are so weird. Anytime one of you mentions the other, you act like you're ready to go to war. Classic enemies," Claire teased. 

"Hey, Claire Grace! Don't go playing matchmaker, okay?" Blaine shot back, letting go of her hand to run a frustrated hand through his hair. "Say whatever you want, but don't bring up that... witch. Enemy? Gross. That's just disgusting." 

"Wow, you're calling her a witch now? And you still say you're not enemies?" Claire laughed, recalling something Sarah had once said. "Don't underestimate Sarah, though. She told me once that even if every other man in the world were married, and you were the last single guy left, she'd rather be someone else's second wife than be with you." 

"Well, let me tell you," Blaine snapped, his voice rising, "if every other woman in the world were married, and she was the last single woman left, I'd rather be someone's secret lover than give her a second glance!" He scoffed, determined not to lose this verbal sparring match. Sarah Leroux thought she could look down on him? Ha! The next time he had the chance, he'd make sure she paid for it. 

"Even your tones match perfectly! How could anyone believe you're not enemies?" Claire teased, her grin widening. 

"Claire Grace, are you done yet? If you don't stop, I'm going to get really mad!" Blaine whirled around to face her, his expression unusually serious. 

Claire instinctively stuck out her tongue and nodded quickly, though she couldn't help but think, *Wow, 'getting mad from embarrassment' really is a thing, huh?* 

"And now you're muttering about me under your breath again. I can see your lips moving!" Blaine snapped. He was practically fuming now. Why, oh why, had he ever given Claire advice on reinventing herself a year ago? Back then, she'd been so docile and compliant. Now, she seemed to delight in pushing his buttons at every turn. 

He wanted to slap himself. Hard. But, well... that would hurt. 

"Do we really have to go straight home, Blaine? Could we maybe—" 

"You want to see him?" Blaine cut her off bluntly, getting straight to the point. 

"Ugh, Blaine, you're so annoying!" Claire rolled her eyes. "I was going to say I wanted to visit Lauren. Is that so hard to believe? She's like family to me—I can't just forget about her." 

"Well, you—" 

"Claire!" a familiar, excited voice called out. Before Claire could even process it, Sarah came rushing up to her, enveloping her in a tight hug. 

"Oh my gosh! You heartless woman! You left us for an entire year! Thank goodness you're back now," Sarah exclaimed, her excitement overflowing. 

"Sarah, how did you recognize me right away?" Claire asked, surprised. Joel and the others hadn't managed it. 

"Duh! Because that annoying guy standing in front of you was a dead giveaway. Even if you've changed a lot, I could still tell it was you," Sarah replied matter-of-factly. 

"Who are you calling annoying?" Blaine interjected, his temper flaring. He already didn't like Sarah, and now she had the nerve to insult him? "Look at yourself, painting your already ugly face like it's a canvas. And you still dare to show it in public? Honestly, I admire your bravery." He finished with a mocking bow. 

"You called me ugly?!" Sarah's face turned white with rage, her lips trembling. "Blaine Jackson, you think you're so handsome? Let me tell you—you're not handsome, you're *pretty*! Prettier than most women! So delicate, it's practically girly. Got it?" She knew Blaine's weak spot was being called "pretty," and she wasn't about to hold back. He started it, after all.