I slip off my ring from my finger and carefully put it in a box. I put the box in my bag and take a deep breath before leaving the car. As soon as I do, my vision is blinded by flashes. The noisy clicking of cameras surround me as I walk into the building.
The paparazzi crowd over each other to get a good shot. I ignore them as always and as soon I get inside, I heave a sigh of relief. I feel suffocated amongst them. Being the son of a wealthy family, 6 years ago wasn't the first time I faced them but, I still can't get used to all this.
As I'm lost in my thoughts, somebody calls out to me.
???: Look who it is, Mr. Pigeon Head.
My shoulders twitch at the sound of the familiar voice. I turn around to face Troy who stands there, smirking.... He frigging called me 'Pigeon Head'. I try to think of a way to greet him without seeming sarcastic but the only thing that comes out is...
Ashton:..... Hey.
This guy gets on my nerves without saying much. How has Claire put up with him for 7 years? Though, if you stay with someone long enough, you get used to them despite how they are. Back when I was dating Kate, she was 19 and I, 21. It was only a 2 year gap but, she was so immature.
I guess you call that type the 'clumsy but cute'. However, after spending time with her, I actually liked her the way she was. Even though she changed a lot now, she still has her prior innocence. Just like Claire. She... Ugh, why do all my thoughts end up like this?
I shake away the the thought. Wait, I did hear someone saying that he was travelling overseas for work. How come he's here?
Ashton: I heard that you were overseas for work?
Troy: That's right. I flew back here for 2 hours because that fussy senior actor asked for me.
He sighs.
Ashton: Just for that? Isn't it inconvenient?
Troy: I charge him a lot so, it's okay.
Ashton: I see....
Hold up, if he's only here for 2 hours, he won't be able to meet Claire. Some movies take a lot of months to film, considering that and the fact that they're engaged, shouldn't he at least spend some time with her?
Troy: It's been only 2 weeks since I last met you and yet, you radiate of gossip.
Ashton: Huh?
His voice snaps me back to reality. What does he mean?
Troy: I mean, did you find someone yet?
Oh, he's referring to the conversation we had that day. I asked him if he was seeing anyone and he told me how he was in a no feelings relationship. But, something doesn't feel right.
Troy isn't someone who's nosy. Why would he be so interested in something like that? Anyway, I've got'n married since then but, it's not like I'm ready to admit it so soon.
Should I just vaguely tell him that I've got someone? Or should I say that I haven't? No, I can't completely deny Kate's existence like that. As I'm debating whether or not to tell him, a timid yet caring voice calls out to him.
???: Troy!
Ashton:..!!!
That voice, it can't be..! I slowly turn my head around to see the person I least expected to see here. Standing there, a few steps away from me in her typical work attire and a sling bag, is Claire.
Troy must've called her to meet him since he doesn't have a lot of time to actually visit her. She doesn't seem surprised to see me and smiles gently at Troy. She's pretending not to know me... or straight up ignoring me.
She glances at me indifferently for a second and then back at him. Something about that really bothers me. I know we both told each other that we've moved on but, I'm still a little hurt to see them like this.
Plus, it would be inappropriate if she greeted me so casually in front of him; Claire and I are from two very different social backgrounds, even if she was only my interviewer, she shouldn't drop the formalities completely.
Troy: There you are.
He returns the smile as she walks towards him. He puts an arm around her waist and for a split second, I swear, she slightly flitches.
Claire: Sorry, I'm late; I got stuck-
Troy: That's okay.
He takes a few strands of her hair and twirls them around on his finger, Claire's cheeks turn pink. There is thick atmosphere of (I don't have words for it)... passion around them. My heart drops but I don't let an ounce of expression show on my face.
Ashton:....
..... Why do I suddenly feel like the third wheel here? What am I supposed to do? Troy notices this and comes out of their little 'space'.
Troy: Ah, I almost forgot. This is my fiancee, Claire Blanche.
None of us shake hands, we just nod once while he introduces us. This feels awkward; my ex-girlfriend's fiance is introducing her to me. I shouldn't bring up our real relationship though. Change the topic, change the topic!
Ashton: You too are quite close.
Claire:..!
I blurt out the first words that come to my mind and immediately regret it.
You idiot!! What kind of a question is that?! They've been together for 7 years, isn't that the reason already?! And that's not even changing the topic! You've dig deeper instead! I can hear my inner voice screaming at me.
I really am a fool, aren't I. I knew I wasn't comfortable talking about their relationship and yet..
Troy: Well, we've known each other for seven years now, of course we are close.
Hmm, come to think of it, 7 years is quite a long time. Claire's mother should have been healed by now, why she still with Troy then? Wait, I remember Claire said that she does love her fiance. Is that why she's still with him?
My chest tightens. I feel jealous. Is it because I'm envious of their intimacy? Or... is it something deeper? I quickly shake off the thought. I shouldn't pry but, I really want to know real reason behind their engagement lasting so long.
Ashton: 7 years... Engagements generally last for about 6 months until marriage. You must be newly engaged then!
According to Troy, I don't know who Claire is and that means there are no ways in which I should know about their arrangement. Also, since I've just returned to the Capital after 8 years, it's not strange if I don't know about them.
He narrows his eyes at me when I say this. I know that he won't tell me the exact information I'm looking for, but still..! He's about to say something when a staff member calls me to get ready for the scene. We cut the conversation short and I walk away from them.
I was so close. So close to unveiling the mystery. It's only one of the many things about Claire that remain unexplained. In about 5 months, it would be 9 years since we broke up and yet I want to dig out the past. It's because something always feels off; Claire's sudden change in attitude being the prime one.
I haven't cared for any of my ex-girlfriends' pasts except her because she was the only one I ever loved. If something has happened to her in the past because of me, I want to make amends to her. That's why, I need to decode each detail and solve the problems I once ran away from...