Studying The Star Crossed Lovers

❧ Chapter 15 ☙

When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.

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The days after the ball their school was buzzing. People were talking about Claire's party for days after it happened. Claire was bored of it all but never the less she smiled and happily accepted the compliments about her party.

"Claire, get your ass down here." Shouted Claire's father one afternoon when she was watching movies in her room.

Her father wasn't meant to be home. He usually got home late most nights. When he got home he would go to bed or he would workout. He did not go see Claire.

Claire ran down the stairs though. Not out of excitement per say but she didn't want to keep her father waiting. She ran into her father's office to see him sitting there with a large box on his desk.

"Take a seat." Claire did so, silently. "Now I was having lunch today with a few members of the board and one of them commented on how lovely you are. In fact they all agreed that you were quite delightful."

Old men thought Claire was delightful. Why would her father be so happy about this? Claire felt her skin crawl and she crossed her arms to feel more protected.

"So told Gemma about it, you know Gemma right? She is my assistant. Anyway she was telling me about how everyone at the company agrees you are lovely. Apparently you are always sweet to everyone because of this I got you a little gift to say how proud I am of you."

The box was placed in front of Claire and she beamed up at her father. It felt like she was a dog getting a pat on the head for performing a fancy trick.

"Thank you so much Dad." Gushed Claire as she opened the box. It was a purse. A purse she already owned in two different colours. Claire forced a smile onto her face.

"That is so sweet of you Dad. It is just gorgeous. Thank you."

"It's my pleasure doll face. Now would you like to come and get lunch with me and a few possible investors tomorrow."

"Only if it won't interfere with your work. I would hate to be a bother." Replied Claire giving her father another wide smile.

"Nonsense, everyone adores you. Be downstairs at noon. Let your mother pick out what you wear. Now get out of here." Claire nodded and silently picked up her things, leaving her father in peace.

The next day Claire stood in the entryway of their mansion at exactly 11:53am waiting for her father. She had been properly made up by her mother that morning so she wouldn't be an embarrassment. Held tightly in her hands was the new purse her father had gotten her.

"Let's go, we will be having lunch at 12:30 with the investors at some golf course." Announced Mr. Whiting as he walked into the entryway. He didn't even look up from his phone as he stormed past his daughter, expecting her to follow diligently. She did. She hopped into the car after him. Claire sighed as the driver pulled out of the mansion's gates. She knew it would be a long lunch.

Claire took her time cutting up the steak her father had ordered for her. She had spent the first part of the meal doing her part to please her father and the investors. She had smiled softly as she had spoken about school and her friends. However when the conversation had turned to business Claire knew to shut up.

"Please excuse we while I got to the bathroom." Said Claire softly as she got up from the table. She felt eyes on her as she maundered her way through the tables to the bathrooms.

Claire twisted her body around to avoid a passing waiter. Suddenly she felt herself walk backwards into someone. Claire quickly turned around to apologies when she was met with the smirking face of James.

"Oh I am so sorry."

"No harm done." Replied James as he looked Claire up and down.

"Yes there was bloody harm done." Snapped Claire's father from their table only a few metres away. "Step away from my daughter, Dancy."

"It was my fault, Father. I walked into him by accident when I was trying to avoid knocking into a waiter."

"Stay out of this Claire." Replied Micheal Whiting as he pushed Claire behind him. James stood his ground not flinching as the older man stared him down.

"If you were wise James then you would stay far away from my daughter."

"Then maybe I'm not wise." Smirked James before he put his sunglasses on and walked out of the restaurant. James' mother threw some bills onto the table and followed her son out of the restaurant.

"What the fuck did he mean by that Claire?" Snapped Micheal Whiting as he dragged Claire back to their table.

"I don't know Dad. We go to the same school so I pass him in the hallway but that's all I ever see of him. He could be saying he isn't wise for going to school."

"What a weird kid. That whole family is full of crazies." Soon enough Claire had coxed her father into dropping the topic and they could finally continue with their meeting.

It was late that night when Claire got a message from James that he wanted to meet her. It took Claire only a few minuets for her to sneak out of her house and drive to where he wanted to meet.

As she pulled into the empty parking lot she saw James' smoking as he leaned against his car.

"You got here quick." Commented James as Claire got out of her car.

"Mum doesn't care if I leave and the staff keep their mouths shut so the only person I have to avoid is Dad." Claire took a drag of James' cigarette. "Speaking of Dad I'm so sorry about what he did earlier."

James didn't reply. He did care what Micheal Whiting thought of him. He just wanted to punch the man for dragging Claire around so violently.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"What?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Claire was shocked. She was confused. Why would James want this? They couldn't be in a public relationship. Their families hated each other and they would barely be able to see each other.

"Why?"

"What do you mean Claire? Why? Because I like you that's why."

"James we would never work. There is so much..." Claire was cut off by James' laughing bitterly.

"Don't give me that crap. We can figure it out." Snapped James who was sick of it all.

"Fine." Shouted Claire. "But when everything gets so very fucked up don't be surprised when I say I told you so."

James cut Claire off when he pulled his shouting girlfriend into his arms and kissed her. James' was gripping Claire's waist tightly so she was pushed against him while Claire was pulling at James' hair.

They were both angry and frustrated and they were both happy taking it out on each other.

When they pulled away they were both smiling contently but James still pulled Claire closer while Claire just lay a soft kiss onto James' shoulder.

That night Claire went home giddy and happy. She quickly called Annie before she drifted off to sleep, happy to tell her the news. Annie had just laughed and made fun of Claire for finally giving into James.