Claire & Theo

19.

Claire finished work by five in the evening, she was so excited to meet Theo. She wanted to make sure that she looked perfect but not just for him, she wanted to look good for herself. As an actress, many tell her that she looks good in everything, but it's not like she really believed it. She hated how she looked and feeling beautiful was the only reason to become an actress.

The feeling of being beautiful to someone was the idea but, on the way, it changed because she still thought that her self-hatred was becoming worse. All the motivation was dying out in her, but she kept trying to make sure that someday she would find her solution to living life healthily.

Now, she was going through her closet to find the perfect outfit for her dinner tonight with Theo. It was at his house, and she was nervous that anything would happen. She blushed at the thought of what might happen. They haven't slept together, since a month ago but whenever they do, it felt... well great.

It was going to be a meeting in the late evening, so she thought that she should go for a neutral and dark tone in her dressing. She went for her favorite long black silk dress with straps and paired it with low black heels with her silver 'Guess' branded purse. She added her shiny silver-colored rings and bracelets to spice up the basis of her dress.

Once she finished her makeup with a nude lipstick color, she grabbed her purse and ran downstairs, "Gran, I got to go!"

As she passed by the kitchen, her grandmother came out holding a tray of fresh blueberry muffins, "Oh honey, wait!", she paused and stared at her granddaughter's outfit, "Where are you going all dressed up for?"

"I'm just meeting someone for dinner." she nervously spoke.

It became worse because her grandmother smirked like the Cheshire cat at her, "Well, I hope you enjoy the night, it's alright if you're late. Oh, and take some of these muffins to share with your man!"

"Gran! He's not my man-"

"Yet!" Her grandmother finished for her.

Claire felt a bunch of butterflies in her stomach... thinking that what if one day it works between them, "Let me pack the muffins for... him."

"Alright, here you go." she smiled warmly back.

Once Claire packed a few muffins in a lunchbox, she put on her white coat and walked out of the door. She saw Theo's chauffeur waiting for her by the back door of the car. When she came and said thanks to him, he left the door ajar for her to sit down.

The drive began and it was quite a solemn moment. All she could think about was what they would talk about when she arrived at his place. It was a thirty-minute drive to his place, so she closed her eyes to keep a peaceful mind.

-

A knock on the car window awakened Claire out of her short slumber. She opened her eyes shortly and noticed Theo standing out the window staring at her cutely.

The window was blowing on his face making his nose and cheeks turn a tint of light red. Then, he opened the door, "Let's go in, shall we."

Claire kept shamelessly staring at him because he was just the perfect man to look at. She realized that every time she looked at him, he would glow even brighter. He may have a harsh aura of what a man is but at times, he would turn into the sweetest human being to her. He made her feel comfortable even if life threatened her to break multiple times. Him existing brought her back to life.

"Okay." she said, and he took her hand carefully and walked her out of the car.

While holding hands with Claire, Theo did not give a single word towards her until they got to his luxurious hotel suite, "I've made your favorite pasta, with all your favorite organic and vegan products in it."

Both smiled, "Really? Thank you for thinking of me."

"You're the only one on my mind, so there is not point for the thanks."

Her heart thumped inside her, "I am still thankful."

After they finished the pasta, Theo got up to put the dishes in the sink ready to clean the plates immediately. Claire felt bad so she got up as well to help, "Let me do the dishes."

"What? No, Claire, I got them, just go sit down in the living space to relax." he strictly said.

"No, I want to help. I hate relaxing." she replied.

"Claire, please-"

She went to the sink and turned on the faucet ignoring his remark. He then stood next to her, "Fine, let's just do the dishes together."

They were quiet for a few minutes, but Claire hated that, so she spoke, "Theo... tell me about the scars on your neck."

His body froze and she continued to speak, "My hands touched them on your neck, when we... k- kissed." she paused, "Did someone-"

"I did those to myself."

"I see." she already could tell.

"What about the bruises on your legs, they looked fresh to me."

"I did it out of... anger."

Then, they both faced each other. Claire took a step towards Theo and all she could do was hug him tightly. They both wanted to feel safety within each other.