Claire was shocked to see her father there, she never thought he will be here, Claire could see he was looking sad, which made her feel guilty, beside him Maria was having a smirk on her face and Emily was looking shocked.
Claire knew it wasn't like she did some kind of crime by not telling him but hiding something which is going to be in front of the whole nation was making her feel bad.
She knew that he was the only person who truly loved her and the thought that she hurt him, filled her eyes with tears. She wanted to talk to him, but she knew that it wasn't a good idea for now, there were a lot of people there, so she didn't want to create a scene.
Then it was announced that Jason will dance with three lucky girls who are participating in the contest, making her feel nervous and excited at the same time, deep down she thought Jason won't choose her.
She walked towards her father, but he turned away from her making her stop in her tracks, she noticed Jasmine enter with Jake beside her, Jasmine was wearing a pink gown, her hair was left open, Jake was wearing a blue tuxedo, his hair was perfectly styled.
Claire waved her hand to Jasmine, she smiled and came towards her, and both the girls hugged each other, Claire was now feeling much better after seeing her friend was here for her. "Are you okay?" Jasmine asked, as she felt Claire was a looking a bit sad.
"I was fine, now I'm feeling amazing!" Claire smiled, Claire noticed Jake was staring at them, but then turned away from them and went to meet Sarah, 'What happened to him?' Claire and Jasmine looked at each other in confusion, they couldn't understand what is wrong with Jake.
Soon the music started, all the girls were standing in a line they didn't knew who Jason will choose, Jason walked towards them, he glanced at them and walked toward a girl who was wearing a purple gown, everyone clapped for her, Jason started dancing with her, the girl started to talk to him, he was nodding without speaking much, it was like he was forcing himself to smile at her.
He danced with her only for three minutes then again, he came towards them this time he chooses Sarah, she smiled brightly at him, the dance lasted for just two minutes.
This time he walked towards Claire, he smirked at someone behind her and said, "Shall we dance." Claire was stunned, she couldn't form any words, so she just nodded her head, he took her to the middle of the living area, everyone was clapping for them, Jasmine was standing beside Austin who had a smile on their faces.
His hand was on her back, holding her close to him, he held her hand tightly, making her blush, he smiled looking at her red cheeks, "You are good at dancing." Jason compliments her, as he twirls her, she smiles and said, "Thank you, you're not bad either."
"Can I ask you something?" Claire was hesitant and a bit scared, he nodded her, "Are you angry at me?" Jason frowned at her question, "Why would I be angry at you?"
"Earlier at the stairs y-" Before Claire could say more, he started to chuckle, "What's so funny?" Claire asked, "I was not angry at you, I was angry at someone else, sorry if I made you feel scared." Jason told her.
She smiled at him, they danced for a bit, everyone clapped for them at the end, Sarah was staring at Claire with hatred and Jake was looking pissed because of Jason, Claire noticed Jasmine and Austin bickering on something it was looking more like Jasmine was angry and Austin was enjoying teasing her.
"Why are you staring at them, are you jealous?" Jason whispered in her ear, they were standing close to each other, Claire heart staring to beat faster, she created a bit space between them, Jason notice how his closeness affected her.
Claire didn't say anything and ran towards Jasmine, making Jason smirk he could still feel Jake glaring at him, Claire stood beside Jasmine, "Did you see your father is here?" Jasmine whispered, Claire nodded her head, "Did you speak to him?" Claire shook her head in a no, Austin was listening to them, but they thought he was busy talking on his phone.
"Girls, would you like to have a drink?" Austin asked, both Claire and Jasmine denied his offer, "I think I should go and talk to dad." Claire, as her eyes were trying to find her father in the crowd, she noticed he was talking to someone.
She walked towards him, when he noticed her, he excused himself and started walking towards her, her father came and stood in front of her, "Can we talk, dad? Claire asked, he didn't say anything he was just staring at her, but he nodded.
They came out of the mansion, standing near the garden, "Claire, why did you hide it from me?" Her father said for the first time since he saw her, Claire's eyes started to fill with tears, she could hear the pain in his voice.
"I'm sorry dad, I-" Claire didn't have anything to say, there was nothing she could say to justify herself. "Did you have to hide it?"
"I didn't have any option." Claire said, "You were busy in your work, so I-"
"My work is never more important than you princess!" Her father shouted, making Claire flinch, he realised that he scared her, "I'm not angry Claire I'm just hurt."
"Couldn't you tell your father that you liked someone, or you were going to participate in a contest?"
Claire looked down in guilt, her father was thinking she was participating in the contest because she liked Jason, she couldn't even tell him the real reason, "I'm sorry." That's the only think she could say, her tears started to fall as her father didn't say anything and just left from there.
"What happened Claire!"