Chapter 26

Claire just shook her head in her mind as she exhaled . well who would ever believed her if she said she was married when it was clearly stated in the contract that she met not wear her wedding ring after the marriage ceremony was over . she looked at the man and smiled again.

    " Thank you for the information,I would think over it as you give me a breathing space."

    The young man nodded and left.

    After some minutes of staring into the space , Claire resumed her work for the day .

       The following day which was 26th of June was the memorial service for the late Mrs silver Morgan , the wife of general Ben. none of the members of the Morgan family would do any other activities except for the memorial service. Claire as expected of the wife of Kelvin was also included in the performance of the service.

     Even at the company, the atmosphere itself was gloomy as everyone minded their own business. they even don't collect contracts on that day and they pretty close early on that day .

      After the prayers offered by the priest at the city's cemetery, the Morgan's family brought forth their presents and laid it on the tombstone of the grave . Claire also dropped her bunch of rose flowers on the tombstone and offered a silent prayer for the peaceful rest of the lady . she later realized that the woman in question was a kind lady in her time who had the interest of her family in her good heart .

      After everyone had offered their gifts,Mr Ben thought it was finally time to go so they all went back to the Mansion . Claire and Kelvin drove in one car , while Mr Ben in another and Daisy with Linda in the last one . well the lady tagged along for two reasons . one was to closely observe Claire in the memorial service and second was that she do normally attend the memorial service as the lady was a tight friend of her mother .

      They arrived at the Mansion and the gloomy atmosphere earlier was now replaced with cheerfulness. the Morgan family sat down in the dining room and quickly dive into the feasting part of the service . the maids served the family with various types of dishes . Claire's eyes almost popped out when she saw different trolleys of food being brought. looking around to see if there are extra people around , she shook her  head when it was only the five of them .

      " that's how we celebrate the service." Claire was startled with the sudden voice of Linda beside her . why is she even talking to me ?. Claire's lips twisted as she stared at the smiling Linda .

     " Hey - I'm sorry. did I startled you ? , I'm sorry ." Linda looked concerned as she held Claire's hand .

      " oh don't worry, it's nothing . " Claire pulled her hand out from her hold. Linda saw it and a look of spite crossed her face but she quickly composed herself as she looked at Claire again .

     " Claire .. I don't know how you would feel but ," she paused as she automatically switch to an apologizing face when Claire gave her full attention," I'm really really sorry for what I did the first time we met . really,I'm a very sociable  type of person but that day I was really pissed off about something. I'm so sorry if I gave you the wrong idea of me . " Linda looked at her as if she was actually pleading .

    Claire was surprised with the apology but she knew not to joke with her enemy. shaking her head ,she smiled at Linda .

     " Don't worry , it's all in the past now . moreover, I don't have any grudge with you ." Claire returned to her food . she neither was happy or angry with her . she accepted the apology and gave out her consent. she owe her nothing . that would draw a line between both of them .

     Kelvin who was watching Linda and Claire the whole time was transfixed when Linda looked at Claire apologizingly and smiled. he ticked his jaw as he held himself from dragging either Claire or Linda from the room . it was like a pending doom .

    Whispering something to his father , he stood up and left . Claire also stood up as she had finished her lunch and went to her room not knowing that Kelvin  also went there .

      " Azra ...." Claire yawned as she opened the door and entered. she looked around when she saw no one . thinking that Azra was at other side she went there .

    " Az - " she paused when her yes landed on Kelvin as he close the door of his room and step out of it . they stared at each other as Kelvin kept walking and Claire held her breath as he got closer .

    Meanwhile , Kelvin who came to his room to get his car keys was surprised to see Claire . he was wondering what brought her here as the feast was still on , or ... was it Linda ? . his muscles tensed  and he ticked his jaw . Claire who saw that took it as a wrong message and cowered  backwards as he got closer .

    Kelvin's eyebrows squeezed as he slowed in his steps. irritation quickly filling  his entire being as he gazed at her retreating steps . he angrily brushed past her and left the wing .

     " curses ! " Kelvin muttered to himself as he entered his car . to think that he was actually concerned about her but she treated him like a monster who isn't worthy of living .

    Back in the wing , Claire recovered back and ran to her room burying her head in her pillow. she was frustrated and angry . was he unapproachable ? . Claire asked herself. all she wanted to do was to ask him if he had seen any of the maids around but sensing his dangerously raising aura , she had to step back .

    After some time , Claire stood up and change her dress . she showered and put on a flowered gown and went downstairs.

...........

    The breeze was gentle as it should be around a sea . Claire ,Daisy and Linda sat at the gazebo closed to the sea drinking tea . courtesy of Daisy who talked them into drinking with her as it has a good effects on the body . they enjoyed the tea with the evening breeze as they talked about random things.

    Daisy who was the introvert but observant type was surprised to the deepest when she saw Linda laughing and smiling at Claire every now and then . she couldn't believe it . she wondered what the girl was scheming by being friendly to her brother's wife .

    Truth be told, Daisy thought that her brother would marry Linda sice they have been together for some time now .but when he brought someone else to marry , she realized that maybe they were not that close or he doesn't like her much . and she had come to like the new person her brother brought. she was friendly to be with and she has a very large and happy heart .and Daisy vowed to protect her from her brother's ex if she troubles her .

   The reason why she had to say Claire was her relative was because she thought that Linda has not heard about the marriage but now it looks like she had . she knew that Linda ought to back off but instead he lady keeps coming . Daisy knew it would be hurtful to see the person you love get married to someone else that was why the sudden change in character didn't sit well with her .