Claire stared into the mirror, watching the maids make her up.
It's finally the day of her wedding–Josie's wedding. Since the past two days, Claire's life has changed drastically.
All her life, she has always wished to live in a mansion. Wear nice, expensive clothes, Bath in a tub, walk in nice shoes to nice places. Live a luxurious life. And somehow in the blink of an eye. She has all of that. And hell, she was now about to get married to one of the most successful and young business men in Washington.
But none of the changes in her life made Claire happy. Not the clothes, not even the title as the CEO of a huge company. Cause this wasn't how she wished for these things to happen. She wanted to achieve these things by herself and make herself and her younger brother happy.
She never wanted to live a lie and that was exactly what she was doing now.
The thought of it all alone brought tears to Claire's eyes and she blinked them back.
A knock came on the door and the door opened, revealing Mrs Arrington and the maids stopped all they were doing as they moved away from Claire.
" Josie. " Anna called, walking into the room and Claire swallowed deeply, feeling her skin shoot up.
She could never get used to any of this. She thought.
" Yes, mom, " Claire muttered, looking at Anna through the mirror.
" Oh, you look so stunning, my dear. " Anna said, smiling and Claire forced back a smile.
" Are you done? " Anna Arrington asked, turning her gaze to the maids.
" Just the necklace now, ma'am. " One of them responded.
" Oh, don't worry about it. I have one. You all can leave. " Anna said and the maids bowed, walking out of the room.
The door shut behind them and Anna's smile disappeared. She opened the box in her hand and brought out a sliver, teardrop necklace.
" I was going to give this to Josie as a wedding gift. " Anna said, dropping the box on the table.
She unlocked the necklace and wore it on Claire.
" You don't… You don't have to. " Claire said.
" I should. You are my daughter now. " Anna said and Claire gulped in, touching the necklace and she stared at herself in the mirror and Claire couldn't deny she looked just like Josie.
The door opened and Jason Arrington walked in.
Claire felt her heartbeat thud when their gaze met. Since that day he had a gun pointed to her head. His face alone became a nightmare.
" It's time. " His deep voice said.
" Common. " Anna said but Claire halted.
" I want to see my brother. " She said and Anna looked at her husband who frowned.
" We had a deal that you will see him after the wedding. " Jason gritted.
" Yes, but I have been doing exactly what you want and you have my brother locked away to god knows where. How do I know you haven't killed him? " Claire asked.
" I can assure you your brother is doing perfectly fine. " Anna said.
" I am not going anywhere until I see him. " Claire stated adamantly and the Arrington's stared at each other.
" Fine. " Jason said.
" Come with me. " He added, walking out the door and Claire glanced at Anna who also walked out while she trailed behind them.
They arrived at a room where two guards stood and they bowed slightly, opening the door.
" I need to go in alone. " Claire said and she counted seconds before Jason spoke,
" You have got only two minutes. " He said and Claire walked into the room, shutting the door behind.
She walked to the bed where Cole laid covered with the duvet and she heard him sniffing.
She stared at his meal which was placed on the table and it was untouched.
" Cole? " Claire called and he immediately sat up.
" Claire. " He said, his voice croaked and she moved to the bed, hugging him.
" Claire. I thought you were dead. " He sobbed.
" I am fine. I am fine. " She cooed, caressing his hair.
" Oh, thank god. You are okay. " she mumbled and they disengaged.
" Stop crying. Everything is fine. " Claire said, wiping his tears and he shook his head.
" No. It's not. I don't like this place. I don't like these people. They are creepy. Who are they, Claire? What do they want with us? '' Cole bombarded her with questions and Claire fluttered her eyelids, blinking back her tears.
" They are no one, okay? I promise everything will be fine. "
" Stop lying to me. " Cole half yelled.
" Why are you dressed in a wedding gown? What's going on? " Cole questioned and Claire was mute.
" I want to leave, Claire. I hate it here. I am scared. " He sobbed and Claire hugged him.
" I am sorry. I am so sorry. " She mumbled.
" Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong? "
" I know. I know. But I am sorry, okay? I am sorry you are going through any of this. " Claire said and the door opened causing both of them to finch as they pulled away from each other.
" Your time is up. " Jason Arrington said and Claire sniffed, turning her gaze to Cole.
" Hey. " She said, cupping his face.
" I will be back soon, okay? Just wait for me. " Claire said.
" Where are you going? " Cole asked.
" Eat your food and wait for me. " Claire said, kissing him swiftly on the forehead and she stood up, walking out the door.
The guards shut the door and Claire followed the Arrington's down the stairs.
They arrived outside and Claire inhaled the fresh air. She felt like a prisoner who had just gained her freedom more staring at the sky.
" The guards opened the car door and she hopped in, watching Jason Arrington take the front seat while Anna sat beside her.
The guard started the car and drove out of the mansion, joining the roads.
Soon the car pulled over at a building and the guard turned off the car engine, alighting the car. He opened the door for her and Claire gently stepped out of the car.
A maid who was chosen as her bridesmaid helped her with her wedding dress as they walked into the building.
They arrived at a door and Claire inhaled sharply.
She can't believe she was really doing this. Getting married to a stranger.
She had dreamed of falling in love with a nice, caring and rich guy who loved her genuinely.
And as Jason Arrington held her hand. The door opened, revealing a bunch of people whose gaze turned. As they walked in, Claire sighted her supposed groom who was standing at the altar.
She shifted her gaze to the man standing beside Ryan and Claire felt the whole ground should swallow her when their gaze met.
Lo and behold. It was Mason Rogers.
He is her groom's best man?
Oh, no. She panicked.
" Smile. It's a wedding not a funeral. " Jason Arrington whispered and Claire forced a smile as they walked past him and she could feel Mason's gaze on her but Claire didn't dare look at him as she hoped against hope that he didn't recognize her.
Jason finally let go of her hand as she stepped on the altar, facing her supposed groom and Claire felt the air leave her lungs as she stared at him.
He had messy blonde hair, honey, brown eyes, straight nose and thin lips.
He was nothing but gorgeous. She thought.
He stared back at her with no atom of expression on his face.
The priest said a few words and finally the vows were said.
" You may now kiss the bride. " The priest said and Claire's eyes widened like she hadn't thought of that.
And honestly, she hasn't.
She watched him walk close to her, covering the space between them and Claire held her breath when he pressed his lips to her. Her eyes snapped shut as she stood still to the ground, feeling a knot tie at her belly when his hand rested on her waist.
The audience stood up and cheered and he gently pulled away.
Claire exhaled softly, staring into his eyes and he turned his gaze away from her to the audience.
She stared at people who continued to clap, all having wide smiles on their faces and Ryan grabbed her hand, walking them down the altar.
They began to receive congratulatory handshakes and Claire grew exhausted from forcing smiles at a bunch of strangers.
Ryan was soon weaseled away from her side and Claire tried to find a breathing space amongst the crowd which surrounded her.
" Claire? " A voice called and she stopped dead on her tracks, feeling her heartbeat thud against her chest.
Who would call her by her real name in such a place? She believes everyone here thinks she is Josie Arrington. Claire thought and she gently turned on her heels to see Mason Rogers and Claire swallowed nothing.
Oh no. She panicked, staring at him.