Clare played with her hands in the sand, casting surreptitious glances at the rich peers who sat not far from her, laughing loudly and sipping their drinks. Although she was in their pack, she wasn't particularly drawn to this company because Ian was among them. She had no desire to linger in his company, even though her friends called her out several times. She saw the mocking smile of her former friend, with which he suggested to her that she would be miserable if she joined them.
The girl snorted under her breath when he took off his shirt to shine his muscles. She had to admit that indeed his muscles were impressive, but he was showing off too much. Ian had a high ego because of his handsome looks, wealth and strong personality. Most girls loved this, so his self-confidence and nasty character hurt his rational thinking. He was getting worse and worse, and this caused Clare to feel resentment toward him. Not a day went by without an argument breaking out between them.
It all started the day she was sixteen. Before that, they had spent their entire childhood together, but their relationship broke down when Ian decided to prove to the boys that he would pick up Clare. He made up a bet, confident that everything would go according to plan. Unfortunately, the blonde girl found out, and this ultimately doomed their long-standing friendship. The girl felt the greatest resentment towards him the moment her friend informed her what the prize was. Well, condoms. At that moment, it aroused revulsion in the blonde, and she reproached the boy with everything that was on her mind.
Since then, the tension between them has grown, and Ian has been unable to come to terms with the words that came out of Clare's mouth. In addition, Violette was fanning the flames, trying to make their worst enemies at all costs. It was no secret that she had her eye on Ian for many years, and destroying her friend was her biggest dream.
Clare straightened her legs and propped herself up on the warm sand with her hands. Her friends were sitting under an umbrella, protecting themselves from the sun, but the girl didn't mind the pleasant rays.
She became agitated when she noticed that Ian had been watching her for some time. She thought he was planning something. He wanted to prepare a wicked prank for the girl, as he had tried this several times before. However, it didn't always work out for him because Clare was alert.
- And what are you looking at? - she said more to herself, as the brunet sat too far away to hear her mutter.
The blonde's attention was caught by Violette, who approached the table with a sweet smile on her face. She was greeted by everyone present, except the one person she cared about most. She fixed her eyes on Ian, waiting for him to notice her, but the brunet was busy making silly faces at Clare. He thought he was being funny and thus upsetting her, but the blonde ignored it. She was more interested in Violette, who was even breathing fire.
- Ian? - she finally spoke up to get his attention. The boy reluctantly looked at her and took a larger sip of beer. He stood apart from the rest, as those there preferred drinks.
- Sit on his knee if you don't have room. - He patted her leg, letting her know he had permission. A happy smile appeared on the girl's face. She was doing her best to pick him up, especially since her parents were already looking for a wife for him who would meet all the criteria. Violette hoped that she would be the perfect candidate.
At this sight, Clare laughed under her breath. Violette clung to him like a leech. Although... didn't she behave similarly toward Felix? Although he had treated her so cruelly last year, she was unable to forget him. She wanted to get closer to him at all costs, even though Felix didn't want her to. He pushed her away, and she couldn't let go. She was stubborn, but she decided to herself that she would get the truth out of her ex-boyfriend. She wanted to find out what was the reason that he left her without a word of explanation.
The girl looked over her shoulder as the sound of a motorcycle reached her. She was sensitive to this sound because she associated it exclusively with Felix.
Unfortunately, it wasn't him.
Ian smiled under his breath when he realized what Clare was thinking about. Each of them knew Felix, whom she often brought here. The girl's friends had already noticed that she was madly in love with him.
- What an idiot she was. Now I know her weakness very well - he said quietly, resting his finger on his lips and smiling sultrily.
Violette looked at him with curiosity in her eyes, discreetly glancing at Clare. She guessed that he was talking about her.
- What is this weakness? - She asked, expecting that she would get an answer; however, Ian was not going to share this secret with his nosy friend. He wanted to take advantage of it himself.
- I won't tell you - he announced, pushing her off his lap. The confused girl slumped on the sand, and the rest of her friends burst into laughter. Violette picked herself up off the ground, watching as Ian headed toward Clare. Although she was fed up with his demeaning antics, she wasn't going to give up on him. He was the perfect candidate for a husband.
The brunet stepped over Clare, shading her from the sun's rays. The girl reluctantly raised her face and adopted a fake smile.
- I feel honored because you were the first to approach me. - Ian crouched down next to the girl, but his attention was caught by Paul, who sped up his step when he noticed him.
- Here comes the person who took my former place. Your new friend? - He scoffed. - You know whom to attach yourself to.
- Are you insinuating something? - She pressed her lips together in anger. - I don't regret befriending him. At least he's real, not fake - she announced unabashedly, piercing Ian with her eyes.
- Really?
- Yes - she confirmed, looking into his eyes.
- Then good luck with your new friendship because I'm a little worried about you, Clare. I have noticed that you are not lucky in life. You surround yourself with fake people. Didn't Felix also put you up?
The girl squinted as she noticed a mischievous smile on his face. He mocked her, thinking she was up to no good because everyone was cheating on her.
The brunet perked up when Paul glared at him. He was prejudiced against Ian because of the earlier situation.
- Are you all right?
The girl nodded her head. Paul gave her a hand and helped her up from the sand. The blonde shrugged off her shorts and threw Ian a furious look.
- What else do you want here?
- To warn you to watch out for your new friend - he announced, clearly having a laugh about it. - It would be a shame if you were exposed again, Blondie.
He left, and she vented her frustrations, clenching her fists and stomping her foot nervously. No one could drive her to anger, as Ian was usually doing.
She hated him with all her heart.
- Let's go from here. It's not worth you're staying in the company of that idiot and Violette - announced Paul, looking in that direction. He noticed the hostile attitude of the girl, who was even bubbling with anger.
The girl did not protest. Without a word, she moved toward the parking lot, so Paul followed her.
She increasingly regretted that she grew up in a wealthy environment. She would have given anything to be born into an average family and have normal friends. Rich kids were the worst. Bad to the bone, and certainly fake.
Summer, 2017.
Clare cuddled her face into the back of Felix, who was driving the motorcycle. A pleasant breeze brushed her body, and despite the dangerous speed, she felt no fear. She loved the adrenaline, and felt remarkably safe at his side. She trusted no one as much as she trusted him. Although she had met people several times, he accomplished that for the first time she felt no danger. She was not afraid that he would hurt her. He was different. He was different from the environment she grew up in, and that made her love him so much.
The boy stopped the vehicle, and Clare only woke up when he announced to her that they were there. She reluctantly got up from the motorcycle, as she was comfortable in the position she had been stuck in so far.
She carefully looked around the area to which Felix had taken her and made a sound of delight.
- How nice it is here... So pleasant and peaceful - she declared, looking at the boy. The brunet smiled and put his helmet away. He got off the motorcycle and stood next to the blonde.
- This is where I grew up. This place is my childhood. Here I met friends with whom I keep in touch all the time.
Clare looked around once more, admiring the modest houses where the families lived. They were located on the outskirts, but were surrounded by abundant greenery, and this made the area seem pretty.
- Maybe it's silly, but it's a place I'd like to live in - she confessed, surprising the boy with her words. Usually, it was the other way around. It was the poor who dreamed of being in the place of the rich. - Don't ask me why. I'm just tired of living in luxury.
- So if the need arises, can you give up your wealth? - He asked, and she nodded without hesitation.
- I would do it - she said.
Summer, 2018.
They were standing in front of the entrance gate to Paul's house when the luxury car in which the boy's parents were sitting pulled up. The man uncovered the window, and Clare nodded, unable to hold back a smile. She saw the look on their faces, so she felt like laughing.
- Don't keep a woman from entering. Invite her inside, Paul. That's not how we raised you.
The boy didn't have an opportunity to explain because Clare got into his words.
- Thank you for the invitation. It's kind of you, but unfortunately, I have to decline. I have other responsibilities.
The man grunted and glanced at his son, who looked confused. The blonde raised an eyebrow, seeing that something was wrong.
- So it's a good thing because Paul is about to have a visitor - he informed the youngsters. - We wouldn't mind if your friend also met the girl we picked out for you, but since she doesn't want to....
Surprised, Clare looked at the boy, who looked nervous, however, did not say a word. Paul obeyed his parents and did everything they planned for him.
The man covered the window and ordered the driver inside. Paul made a contrite face, as if he were afraid that Clare would be mad at him because of this.
- Do your parents already want to marry you? - She asked half-jokingly, but it wasn't a good idea because Paul looked nailed down.
She patted him on the shoulder to give him encouragement, but it didn't help because the boy went pale. He was obviously terrified at the thought of getting engaged to a girl he didn't know.
- And what am I supposed to do in this situation? After all, I won't rebel against my parents. They would throw me out of the house, or worse: disinherit me - he stated in a broken voice, lowering his face. He looked like a sad child.
Clare felt sorry for him. She felt sorry for him.
- There is nothing you can do in this situation. We can only bully your future wife - she suggested before realizing that this was a bad idea. Paul was a gentleman. He did not hurt women in any way. - Or I can be bullied! - she added hastily, showing her teeth in a wide smile.
She thought Paul would scold her for proposing stupid ideas, but she got seriously worried when he pointed his finger at her.
- You're right. I can't do anything because she would probably complain to my parents, but you can discourage her.
- Unfortunately, I have a gift for that - she muttered under her breath. - You are lucky to be my buddy. I will do anything for my friends - she announced more loudly. She looked over her shoulder when she heard a car approaching.
- I didn't think it would show up so soon. - Paul looked curiously into the window as the car stopped in front of the gate. Clare, on the other hand, opened her eyes wider when she noticed the excited girl who, despite her parents' protest, got out of the car.
- Tell Mr. and Mrs. Belluci that I will be joining shortly. I just met a friend! - The parents reluctantly obeyed their daughter and drove into the courtyard. The girl ran up to Clare, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
- Felix's girlfriend! I didn't think I'd ever meet you again, and here's such a surprise!
Clare blinked her eyelids to make sure she wasn't delusional, but as the girl still stood in front of her, she realized that everything was fine with her eyes. Only that Paul's wife-to-be didn't have red hair and stark makeup. With brown hair, she looked like a softer version of the girl she met at the fights.
- I don't understand anything - choked out Clare, wondering how this vulgar girl could have come from a good home. She, too, was a rebel, but not to such an extent.
- I know I don't resemble myself currently, but that hair and makeup there is the outfit I use to hide my real face. My night-life is very different from the real one, and more importantly: my parents don't have a clue about it - she explained, and only then did Clare understand. She was leading two lives that had nothing to do with each other.
- You surprised me - she said more clearly as she recovered from her shock. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Paul, who still looked worried. - I don't even know your name.
- I'm Rosalie. - She extended her hand to the blonde, who reciprocated the hug.
- Clare, and this is your future fiancé, Paul - she announced, pointing at the terrified boy who stood behind her, still watching the unfamiliar girl.
- Why are you introducing me as this girl's future fiancé? - He asked with indignation in his voice, then adopted a fake smile. - It's a pleasure to meet you.
- You are handsome, but too bony. I don't like such skinny guys - she said at the outset, which angered the usually nice Paul. - I will make you gain weight.
The boy ignored her words and turned directly to his friend:
- We will already go inside because the parents will be unhappy with such a long absence. Don't let me down, Clare. We will be in touch.
The blonde smiled under her breath as she doubted her plan. Now that she recognized the partner Paul's parents had chosen for him, she felt like sitting down on the sidewalk and starting to laugh shrilly. The perfect Mr. and Mrs. Belluci had decided a devil for their son, even worse than Clare, which they were unaware of.
*
With a slow step, she walked home, laughing under her breath. Nothing had yet amused her as much as Paul's parents' decision. They wanted the perfect girl for him, and decided the worst. Clare was able to read her at a glance. She's a walking danger — this girl loved trouble. The only pity in all this was for her friend because he had a tough task ahead of him. She would not get rid of this devil so easily.
The girl came to a stop when she spotted Ian and two guys on motorcycles by the wall. She had to go that way because her house was around the bend, but she didn't want him to see her. Ian lived across the street from Clare, which was the worst curse for her.
He was talking to them, gesticulating and raising his voice occasionally. He looked furious. The boys there listened carefully to him and tried to answer him, but the brunet would not let them get a word in edgewise. At that moment, he looked particularly dangerous.
Clare ducked as Ian looked around. She noticed that he handed them something, and then told them to leave immediately.
The blonde came out of hiding when she heard the motorcycles moving away. Her heart stood still as Ian sprang up in front of her.
He spotted her.
- Clare, you seem to like getting into trouble. - He grinned, shaking his head in the process. He blocked her passage, and then she became agitated. Nothing irritated her more than his presence. She couldn't understand how he had grown from a cool kid to such a jerk.
- Because you certainly are a saint - she replied, running her eyes away from him. She wanted to elude him, but each time he wouldn't let her.
- I kept my word. I didn't report this twit. I could have made him sit behind bars, but why?
- Well, that's what. You didn't because you would have also suffered the consequences. You hurt me, so I should also report you, twit - she ruled, lifting her face.
- We are connected by our past, Clare. We were friends, so for the sake of that I should not take revenge on you, but on your weakness - he announced, smiling sultrily. The blonde looked into his eyes, wondering what he meant.
- What are you talking about?
- You know perfectly well, Clare. I'm the only one who knows your weakness and I intend to exploit it. He will get a lesson for you and, of course, for what he did.
At first, she squinted, but when it came to her what Ian meant, she held her breath.
She felt fear.
- You mean Felix... - she whispered, and he raised an eyebrow, clearly laughing at her. - What are you planning, asshole?
- He started it, so I'll finish it - he stated, stroking her hair. The girl tilted her head, feeling more revulsion towards him than usual. - Oh, I would have forgotten. I have chosen a wife for myself. My parents are delighted, so tomorrow they will contact your old folks. They think there is no one better for me than you. After all, we already had so much in common as children.
Ian rudely winked at her then walked away, and Clare opened her mouth, trying to control her shock.
What was he up to? How was he going to destroy her? And more importantly... In what way was he trying to hurt the love of her life?