Inside the car, Claire stared at the silver band encircling her ring finger, Leon had slid it on her finger so casually, without bothering to wear one himself. A sad smile tugged at her lips. Her head still felt light from the alcohol she drunk last night and everything that happened still felt like a hazy blur. But one thing was clear: she was married and was now Mrs Yu.
She recalled the pitying look on the registrar's face. It was obvious the woman had sensed the cold indifference between them, recognizing this wasn't a love marriage. Claire glanced at Leon. At a quick look, no one would doubt he and Aaron were brothers—their similar hair color and eyes made that clear. But upon closer inspection, the differences were striking. Aaron wore black-dotted earrings that added to his mischievous and playful aura, while Leon didn't bother with such adornments. Yet, it didn't make Leon any less striking—if anything, his regal, cold demeanor was only enhanced.
He sat beside her, looking out the window, his posture rigid and his face expressionless. His grey eyes, though sharp and calculating, were distant, as though he was already miles away, caught up in thoughts only he could understand. His silence made her nervous, like she was sitting next to a stranger which he was, even though they were now technically married, something she couldn't still believe.
While still deep in thought, she heard Levy's voice.
"Young Madam, we're dropping you off at your residence so that you'll get your things ready, is that okay?" he asked.
Claire froze for a moment at how formally Levy addressed her. She stole a glance at Leon, who wore his usual unreadable expression, his eyes closed lazily. Right. Even though this was a contract marriage, she was still his legal wife. It was...normal. She nodded in acknowledgment.
Soon, they arrived at her cramped apartment. Getting out of the car, Claire bowed before proceeding to go inside, she turned to look back only to see that the car hadn't left, worse, Leon had stepped out and was now leaning on the car.
"You're not leaving?" she asked as she approached him.
"No, we'll wait for you" he said nonchalantly causing Claire's eyes to widen.
"Why?" how on earth will her neighbours react when they see this porche car in the neighbourhood, she'll surely be their new topic.
"Why not, or are you planning on meeting someone in secret" Leon asked, causing Levy to facepalm himself.
"Dude, not again with that, Ms Kim we just want it to be easier for you, so take as long as you want" he told Claire who nodded and dashed inside the building, getting to her apartment she released the breath she didn't even know she was holding,collapsing on the floor.
He wasn't even bothering to hide the fact that he didn't trust her, and under those intense scrutinising gaze of his, she always struggled to maintain her composure. Getting a grip on herself, she hurriedly packed stuff she'd be needing, shoving all into the bag. With one last glance at the apartment she'd lived in for so long, she left, shutting the door behind her and hurried downstairs, afraid that someone might see her with them.
"Ms are you done already" Levy who was sitting on the front end of the car asked when he sighted her, causing Leon to open his eyes, he peeled himself off the car, straightening himself.
"Well yes, couldn't leave you waiting, I only needed few things" Claire explained as levy helped her put her luggage in the car trunk.
After they were all settled back in the car sped off to Leon's residential building.
————
Claire couldn't hold the gasp that escaped her mouth as she stepped into his penthouse located at the top floor of the building. If she thought that the entire building screamed of luxury, this was on another level, the penthouse was luxurious, spacious, with sleek, modern furniture and an overwhelming sense of order. Everything was perfect.
Leon led her to a bedroom. "This will be yours," he said in his usual detached tone.
Claire stepped inside, blinking at the sight of the room. A king-sized bed, a large desk, and a few pieces of art on the walls. It was beautiful. And cold, just like the entire apartment was.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking up at Leon, who was already heading toward the door.
He paused before stepping out. "I have work to do. If you need to leave, use the private elevator we used to come in" he instructed.
With that, he left, and Claire was left standing in the vast silence of the room. She dropped her suitcase onto the bed and slowly began to unpack, after, she decided to give herself a little tour. This place had it all, a terrace with a nice view of both the city and nature. But she still felt empty.
Despite the luxury of the house, that was all it was—just a house, not a home. Her thoughts drifted to her mom, Maybe a visit to her would stable her thoughts, even if just for a little while.
Using the private elevator, she headed to the lobby and exited the building. At the hospital, Claire found her mom resting, her breathing steady and peaceful. The sight of her mom's calm face soothed her nerves. Sitting by her side, Claire gently took her hand, rubbing the back of it as she tried to shake off the unease that had been building ever since she signed the marriage contract.
"How's the treatment going?" she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the quiet of the room.
The doctor had assured her that her mom's condition was improving, causing Claire to sigh in relief. "You'll be okay mom" she assured even though Luna couldn't hear her.
She stayed there for what felt like hours, just talking to her, telling her about her day, she didn't care how she sounded because she needed this—her mom's warmth, her comforting presence.
"Mom, I got drunk yesterday" she told her, her eyes welling as tears threatened to fall.
"Yes mom, I got drunk without you being there, so wake up mom, wake up and scold me, hit me, anything just wake up please" she said, her tears bursting out and she cried hard. She really missed her mom a lot.
As the hours passed, Claire knew she had to go. Leon would be expecting her back at the penthouse, and she had no idea how long he would stay gone. With a heavy heart, Claire said goodbye and promised to visit again soon.
—————
"Sir she went to Lifeline Hospital" Levy reported to Leon who was about to enter the conference room, causing the latter to halt. "According to my report she's been going there a lot for the past six months" he added.
"Find out what she's doing there" he simply said before going in.
—————
By the time she returned to the penthouse, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the living room. Leon wasn't home yet, so out if boredom, she decided to make dinner. She was in the kitchen when Leon walked in.
His voice was still cold as he looked at her. "You don't have to do this."
She glanced over her shoulder, surprised by his words. "Do what?"
"Make dinner," he replied, his expression unreadable. "I didn't ask you to, we can order".
She focused her attention on her food, stirring the contents of the pot absently. "I know, but I felt like doing some thing" she told him as she dished out the simple meal of spaghetti with stir fried chicken sauce she made.
Silence stretched on as they both focused on their food, with their thoughts all focused on different things.
Leon debated whether he should ask her what she went to the hospital to do, but decided not to until he receives the report from Levy.
"Why did you choose acting?" he asked instead.
Claire's hand faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I've always loved it," she said, trying to keep her tone light. "It's the only thing that makes me feel... alive."
He didn't respond immediately, but his eyes were still on her, as though he was trying to read her every move, for a moment, Claire thought he might press further. But instead, he sighed and looked away, his attention back on his food.
"My father has invited us for dinner at the ancestral mansion" he told her shocking Claire to the point that she dropped her fork.
"What, meeting my family is part of the agreement. Or you're not ready?" he asked her, his tone completely devoid of emotions.
"I..Its not that, I don't have anything appropriate to wear" Claire told him, struggling with her words, she totally wasn't prepared to meet his family but she couldn't tell him that.
"I've arranged for my sister to accompany you tomorrow. She'll take you to the mall to buy some clothes." he informed her.
Claire nodded stiffly, not sure what to say again. "Okay," she said, trying to sound calm.
"Good," Leon said as he stood up and headed to his room.
Claire stood there, staring at his broad back still processing everything. The evening had been a rollercoaster—awkward conversations, and the lingering doubts that hung in the air between her and Leon. But it was only the beginning and she had no idea what would come next.