Chapter 191: Regret and Change

A few days later... 

"Hey, are you using the hairdryer as a fan?" Blaine Jackson grabbed the humming hairdryer out of Claire Grace's hand, switched it off, and glanced at her curiously. "What's on your mind? You've been out of it for days. Even our new client said I hired a decorative assistant who does nothing but daydream." 

"Huh?" Claire blinked, startled, before nodding slightly. "I don't even know what's wrong with me. I pick up a tool intending to work, and before I know it, I've completely zoned out." 

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Blaine's casual tone belied the precision of his observation, hitting the exact reason for her distraction. 

"Since that night, when I came back home after going out with you, I haven't seen him at all—not once," Claire confessed, her brows knitting together. "Whether I'm leaving the house or coming back, his door stays shut. Even when I try to listen, there's no sound of him coming or going." These thoughts had been bothering her for days. 

"Are you regretting it now?" Blaine asked, his tone sharper than before. 

"I… I'm not sure. But his sudden disappearance has left me feeling a little uneasy." 

"'A little uneasy?'" Blaine raised an eyebrow, shooting her a pointed look. "You've been zoning out all week, and you call that just 'a little uneasy?' Admit it—you regret messing with him. You're scared he actually believed you're in love with me and won't come looking for you anymore. Isn't that it?" 

Claire hesitated, her worry evident. "Do you think he really believed it?" 

"And if he did? What's your plan? Explain that we were just teasing him, or let things stay awkward like this?" 

"...I hadn't thought that far ahead." 

"If he's really so quick to believe it and give up, then why are you clinging to those feelings?" Blaine said bluntly. "If a man can't handle that little bit of pressure, is he even worth your love?" 

Blaine paused, realizing he might be letting his own feelings color his words. But he continued anyway, convinced of his point. If Lucas Zeller could so easily give up because he thought Claire loved someone else, then perhaps he wasn't worthy of her love in the first place. 

"But maybe I went too far," Claire murmured, guilt creeping into her voice. "That night, he stayed by my side despite running a high fever until he passed out. And the moment he did, I left to stage that fake date with you to provoke him. He's such a proud, stubborn man... maybe I shouldn't have done that." 

"Tsk. Since coming back to the U.S., it seems like you've been regressing," Blaine said, stepping back to give her an exaggerated once-over. 

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" 

"I'm saying maybe you should go back to being the 'Snail Girl'—let him scold you, let him boss you around. Maybe you'd be more comfortable that way." 

"Wait, are you saying I'm pathetic?" Claire pouted as she began packing up her makeup tools. "Honestly, I do miss the days when I was 'Snail Girl.' Back then, I was carefree and didn't worry about what he thought or how much he loved me. I was happier then." 

Blaine stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "If you miss it so much, why not just be yourself again?" he asked, his tone oddly philosophical. 

Claire froze, her delicate features scrunching up in thought. "The past is the past. How could I possibly go back to it?" 

"Why not? If you want to, anything's possible." 

Before Claire could respond, a new voice interrupted their conversation. 

"What are you two doing, preparing to become monks?" 

They turned in unison, stunned. 

Leaning casually against the glass door of the shop's entrance was Lucas Zeller, his gaze fixed on Blaine with a sharp intensity. Despite his relaxed posture, there was a feverish gleam in his eyes. 

"You—what are you doing here?" Claire stammered, her heart racing erratically. She blinked hard, unsure if she was imagining things. "Wait, are you really here?" 

"What, did you think I was a ghost?" Lucas snapped, walking over and draping an arm casually over her shoulders. "On the way here, I kept sneezing. Were you thinking about me?" 

"Huh?" Claire gawked. Could it really be that coincidental? 

"Not answering means yes," Lucas concluded smugly. "I knew it—you missed me after just a few days of not seeing me." 

His teasing words made Claire's cheeks burn. Lucas's tone then turned frosty as he glanced at Blaine. "What were you saying earlier? Something about 'if she wants it, she can have it?' Well, let me tell you—absolutely not!" 

"You're impossible," Blaine muttered, rolling his eyes. 

Claire pushed Lucas's hand off her shoulder and repeated her question. "What are you even doing here?" 

"To—uh—see you, of course. I missed you," Lucas replied, his confident grin not faltering. 

Claire blinked, taken aback by his candid admission. But her expression quickly darkened. "Do you expect me to believe that after disappearing for days?" 

"I was busy—" Lucas started to explain, but he froze as he noticed her accusing tone. He leaned in closer, a playful smirk curling his lips. "Wait a second. Are you upset I didn't call you?" 

"I—" Claire glared at him, cutting herself off. Turning to Blaine, she said, "I'm leaving for the day." 

"Sure thing," Blaine replied with a knowing grin. "Watch out—you wouldn't want someone to sweep you off your feet and not bring you back." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas demanded, catching the hidden jab in Blaine's words. 

"Did I say anything?" Blaine retorted coolly. He watched Claire leave and added, "Oh, look at that—she's already gone, and someone's still here sulking." 

Lucas didn't wait for more. Without another word, he bolted after her.