Chapter Thirty-Five: I don’t want to be trapped again

Saturday, March 21, 20XX

7 days later,

"Clair!"

"Yup?" Clair looked up and frowned when she saw Yaci's face. "Oh, you are still here!" She sighed in relief and closed the door behind her. "Hmm, I decided to stay an extra hour why are you back?" Clair asked.

" I had to come back up." She walked towards the couch and she laid down. "Your brother has gone completely mad!"

Clair chuckled when she saw her Yaci's British accent coming out. "Pfft Hahaha, what did he do to get you this angry?"

"My office is filled with roses!" Yaci took deep breaths to calm down. "Oooo how romantic~" Clair teased. She usually isn't this free with her emotions or actions but the week had been filled with nonstop paperwork and she was stressed. Seeing Yaci like that made her feel better.

"Do you enjoy seeing others in distress?" Yaci questioned her usual paled complexion, crimson red with rising anger and embarrassment. "I do. I enjoy watching others drown in pain and misery. It's my nature… I'm a psychopath." Clair smirked.

Yaci rolled her eyes and buried her face in her hands. "He brought them himself! He is waiting outside my office making everyone murmur about us!"

Clair put down her pen and decided to invest herself in this situation. "Oh really? There must be reason what did you do?" Clair asked. "I rejected him five times. He wanted to take me out for dinner." Yaci admitted.

"Pfft, no wonder. Do you really think you can escape my brother's claws? He might be playful but when's serious about something he won't let it go no matter what. He might even turn 50 and still be after you." Clair continued teasing.

"Stop! Can I use your private elevator?" She asked. "2 boxes of spicy chicken wings." Clair negotiated. "Deal." Yaci smiled and she walked towards Clair. Behind Clair's desk, the private elevator door was covered with plants on the side.

She pressed the button and entered it. "See you on Monday!"

Clair turned her chair around and smiled. "See ya!" Once Yaci was gone she shook her head and continued to work.

She glanced at her phone and sighed. 'Madam I think it's best if you come to the residence and stay the night home. Master will be back in 3 days.' The message was from the butler who had offered his phone number just in case.

After James left Clair stayed one more day in the house but she then started staying at her own place. She felt very unfamiliar with the servants so she preferred her own. She explained the situation to her father and brother but in a convenient way.

She had told them that both she and James took a 'liking' to each other and agreed to marry.

"We decided to get our marriage certificates but we will still hold the engagement party and wedding ceremony." She explained. Her father was ecstatic and it made her feel a bit guilty. He was happy because he thought that his cold and distant daughter had finally found a partner that would accompany her through life.

'He can't be more wrong.' Clair sighed at that thought.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in." She answered assuming it was someone still staying for extra hours. "Clair!" Elliot closed the door behind him.

Clair gave him an honest bright smile. She looked down at what he was carrying in his hands and she swallowed with desire. "It's that what I think it is?"

"Yeah." He replied.

She jumped from her chair and she immediately snatched the bag from him. She placed it down on the coffee table and started opening it. The aroma entered her nostrils and she moaned. "Finally!" The chicken wings Lukas promised her finally arrived!

"Yaci owes me two boxes." She informed him. Her behavior with him was a lot more friendlier because she thought of him as her close friend who took a bullet for her once. They spent 5 years together and he was there to witness all her breakdowns after committing suicide.

"Oh really? You seem to be getting a lot of offers lately." He arched an eyebrow, helping her unpack the food. Clair grinned. "I'm a businesswoman so of course, I need to get some profit over every deal right?" She shrugged.

"Oh God how delicious. Nothing can make me bow down except delicious food." Clair closed her eyes and she took a bite of the chicken wing.

Elliot sighed and handed her a napkin. When he tried to take a piece she sent him a glare.

"Mine."

"Clair half is yours half is mine." He glared back. "I dare you." She narrowed her eyes at him.

He shrugged. "You can't have more than six pieces I'm sorry Clair." He 'apologized.' Clair rolled her eyes and she reluctantly let him eat.

"It's been a while since you visit me...with food." She commented. "I have been busy after dinner that night." He answered. "The underworld is a bit unstable these days…" He added.

Clair flinched. "You are like my father's right-hand man. He trusts you a lot so I'm sure you will solve all the problems easily. I know being undercover to get information is quite difficult. I wish I could be of help but I-"

"What are you saying? I never asked for your help. I can handle it don't worry about it." He flicked her forehead and gave her a smile. He knew she was trying to be understanding even though the topic of the underworld always makes her flinch.

Clair sighed. She wiped her hands clean and she laid down on the couch. "Five years huh. It's been so long. I try to avoid the topic but I know I will never be able to do that. Anna is also having trouble lately. She was supposed to retire a while back but Sarah is still unconscious and I'm afraid she may never wake up."

Clair took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm supposed to be the next queen…. I was supposed to help out and control the situation. I'm so pathetic. I don't want to go back Elliot. I feel like I will lose myself again…. It was so hard to escape I don't want to get trapped again."

She gulped. "I'm itching to kill. I try to be different for my father and brother. For this new family, I have now but you more than anyone know that I will never truly change. If there is a moment where I get the chance to kill I will do it with no hesitation. I am a bloodthirsty monster and that will never change. Elliot That is my fear."

"I'm afraid of getting lost again. What if I go back and try to kill myself again? I entered the underworld to strengthen myself and take my revenge. While I did that I made myself a monster. If I go back I'm afraid nobody will be able to bring me back. I will become a monster again."

"Come here." Elliot walked in front of her and opened his arms. Clair smiled and she hugged him tightly. "You are so stupid. Stop thinking about those things. You think you are hiding it well but your family knows and they accept you. Even if you show them your true colors they will still love you. No matter what happens they will always be there for you. I'm not encouraging you to join the underworld again all I'm saying is that you should not suppress yourself any longer. It is all up to you now."

"Clair your revenge no longer controls your life and your decisions. You do, you have full control of your choices now. Stop being such a dumbass and get yourself together." He sighed. Though his words were not sweet and sugar-coated and neither were they rough or blunt, they still made her feel better.

"Elliot, can you be the therapist from now on?" She asked. "Doctor Liz won't be happy about it." He chuckled.

"Tsk that woman."