Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Flashback cont’d…

“But where do we find such a guy” As Scott released his tee, Shawn blew a sigh of relief and threw the leftover content of his glass in his mouth, feeling blessed that his words were not taken offensively

“Who is better and hotter than Hunter MacIntyre in Bloomerest Scott began to brainstorm

“Who will make my sister slick wet and leave her welk in the knees?”

Shawn rubbed his mane. “Erm, he should also be the definition of tall, dark, and handsome since your sister is no less than an epitome of gorgeousness. She makes heads turn armand whenever she goes. He should be equal if not more.”

“Hmm, the definition of tall, dark and handsome. Equal if not more”

“Where will we find such a man?” Senti closed his eyes as he sporcused the need to wETEATTE

“There is only one man with such features. And my sister past get divorced from him)

Shawn ordered new drinks for them. When they arrived, he bed the skewer from it and suckert in

“Keep thinking, my friend I’m sure youll find me better than your meer’s ex husband: Does forget to look around you as well. Who knows that man is around you and you are sathing for hem in the knowledge of renting people you have in your mind”

No sooner had Shawn finished it that Scott’s eyes fitted up to his face,

“What, dude? Why are you eyeing me like that” Shawn flicked his eyes in surprise

He drank everything from his glass in a go and looked down wher flaming binh non has visage

“Come on, bro, I will marry your sister this instant. I always had crish on her But she should also agree.” Shawn shyly said as he refused to look up, acting like a sistern year old girl who is approached by her crush fise helps

“Besides, I didn’t know you thought I was in close competition with Hunter MacIntyre in terms of looks. I won’t say no if you want me to be your sister’s

“There there. Cut the crap, idiot. You’re not the guy I’m thinking about” Scont

He took a sip of his drink and added, “And what’d you say about being in close competition in terms of looks with Hunter MacIntyre? You’re not even one percent in competition with him.”

“What the! You are such a jerk. Shawn hissed.

He ordered another drink as he asked Scott who he was thinking about if not him.

“Fucker. I was thinking about your elder brother Tyler”

suwny spit out the sip of scotch he had gulped.

“Are you kidding me. Scon? You want my brother to hook up with your sister? You must have left your brains at home.” Wiping a hand to his mouth, Shawn laughed.

He thought Scott was joking so he continued to play along, “Ah, my heart is aching. When you looked at me, I thought you were thinking about mir”

H

“Huh, you hold an exaggerated opinion of yourself. I’m sorry to burst your bubble of smugness, but you don’t strike anything like your brother.”

“If Tyler’s got a charming smile that would light up a room, your smile on the contrary would dim a lightbulb.

Shawn’s happy expression dropped. He squinted his eyes while holding a grudge against Scott’s words. But before he retorted, he heard, “Your brother is a perfect match for my sister I have decided, Shawn, your brother will be the guy.”

“You are joking, right?”

“Now is not the time to joke, fucker. I am damn serious.”

Shawn’s face contorted.

He leaned forward to growl at Scott, “You know my brother is sworn enemy with Hunter MacIntyre, right? They both look like they will jump on each other the moment they come across!

“Exactly. They both are sworn enemies, That is why it’ll be more fun and exciting. In fact, it’ll serve that ass hole a right lesson. His ex–wife in the arms of his enemy. Scott said with a sinister smirk.

Hunter MacIntyre and Shawn’s elder brother Tyler Murphy were business rivals.

If Hunter was the wealthiest young businessman in Bloomcrest, Tyler enjoyed the same wealth and fame in RavenMoore. If Hunter was handsome with appealing height and looks that smitten the viewers, Tyler was no less. If Hunter controlled Bloomcrest, Tyler was in equal competition as he also liked to make government officials his lapdog.

Both of them had the same mindset and desires- make more money, become more successful, and slit each other’s throat at the first sight.

“No, I don’t agree with this. It’ll be world war three if my brother gets involved.” Shawn shook his head. Think of somebody else, Scott.”

“I will bet on your brother. Nothing will annoy you more than a man who is your business rival now turned into your ex wife’s lover.

“It sounds pleasing to the ears, Scott. But it is similar to digging the ground for mass burial. Your net will take us all into the grave together”

“Chill, bro, You are being paranoid.*

Flashback ends…..

They arrived at the Murphys family home to the sight of Shawn’s parents and grandparents waiting to welcome them.

Claire was awestruck, her eyes froze on the spectacular white mansion behind them. It was beautiful and her first thought was that it came out of the world of fantasies.

“Welcome, dear. Tia, Shawn’s mother, came to hug Claire.

By how she embraced Claire, it was obvious she was acquainted with her pain. As a woman she supported her. Tia was kind enough to not use pitiful words to make her feel comfortable around them. She used her gestures instead.

After Penelope was also treated the same way with a hug and air–kisses as they brushed their cheeks together, the girls greeted the old couple, Nathaniel and Avery Murphy.

Scott observed as the old couple blessed his sister. Avery cupped Claire and Penelope’s cheeks as she squealed in pleasure. “Finally two young and fashionable ladies to spend my time with Oh, I feel young again.”

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Chapter 39

Tia and her husband, John, chuckled. They led the girls inside while the guys walked closely behind. They were walking together, not one inch ahead or behind.

“If your sister hadn’t chosen Hunter all these years ago, she would have been my sister–in–law. My parents and grandparents dote on her. Shawn muttered near Scott’s ear.

“It’s not too long, is it?”

“I don’t think so. What happened to Claire with Hunter is her past.” Shawn saw his grandma asking Claire to sit with her. She was actually holding onto her hand like they were best friends. “Considering my family’s treatment towards your sister, I can say they’re already thinking about what we want to do.”

The corner of Scott’s lips curled a little. He admired his sister as she grinned and clapped at a joke Avery cracked. Shawn realized that look was something a protective father would to his heartbroken teenage daughter. He was amazed that Scott loved his sister so much.

And to say, Claire treated them both equally too.

If she bought something for Scott, she bought two so the other one will be Shawn’s. She never differentiated between them, or that he was Scott’s friend. For her, they both were her younger brothers.

That was the reason that pushed him to agree. Claire was his sister too. His heart swelled in his chest as Claire erupted. laughing like an overly amazed child.

“What are

you both doing there standing like mannequins?” Penelope remarked.

The boys came out of their trances as a soft smile leashed on their faces.

“Nothing. We’ll go take some rest. Scott said before they abandoned the living room.

“They’ve been eerily quiet during the plane ride too. I hope nothing evil is cooking in their heads. Penelope said. thoughtfully.

“Yeah, I remember last time they snuck in a container of toads at your party. They jumped everywhere around, causing a ruckus.” Claire recalled with wide eyes.

Avery dismissed with a hand. “Let the boys do what they want. This is their age to be mischievous. I won’t deny that I don’t, like to watch sophisticated wives who come to my party run around funnily whilst holding their long and expensive gowns to save their lives.”

Claire couldn’t stop her laughs. She was liking Avery’s company. Grandma Avery has her way with words and it always puts a smile on her face.

She thanked Scott and Shawn for pulling her along to his grandparents‘ anniversary celebration.

Nevertheless, deep down, a serpent of anguish and over–thinking coiled around her heart. She couldn’t help but wonder what Hunter was doing black in Bloomcrest. Was he planning his honeymoon with his new wife? Was he already on a honeymoon with her?

In Bloomerest,

Hunter sat buried in heaps and heaps of file stacked on his desk. His eyes were red, indicating that he hadn’t slept in a while. The way he rubbed his mane, one can easily guess that he had not left his chair for hours.

“Sir, Stacy began timidly. “I ordered food for you. You’ve been working non–stop since last night.”

“Keep it aside, Stacy. I’ll have it in a while. His monotonous, workaholic tone made Stacy’s eyes flicker.

Chapter 39

“But Sir, you said the same thing last night. Please, have something. If you don’t then I’m afraid I will have to call Mr. Wordsmith to yank you out of your chair.”

Hunter ever so amusedly brought his eyes up. His otherwise meek secretary was threatening him.

She was uneasy but had the guts to threaten him

“Fitte, give it to me.” He sighed as he closed his laptop.

Stacy’s face lit up as she cleared his desk and placed the takeout the ordered for him.

One thing she learned about her employer from her father was that whenever he was depressed about something, he buried himself in loads of work to keep himself occupied. Sb the depressing thoughts won’t cross his mind.

Since the whole of Bloomcrest by now has seen his ex–wife’s video of bleeding once in their life so far, it wasn’t difficult to identity where the cause of his depression lied.

Stacy noticed the wedding band on his finger. He was still wearing it even though the news of him and his wife’s divorce was making headlines. If he had it on, he may love her a lot.

But then, what about Zara Levine!

Scratching her head, Stacy heaved confusingly. Since she also say the clip where her employer kissed his first lover after leaving his wife on their anniversary night, her thoughts were a jumble towards Hunter

He was her boss so obviously she couldn’t hate or love him. But as a person who spent a great deal of time with him as his secretary, she wondered how she should judge him as another human being?

If he left Claire for Zara, why didn’t he appear happy? Why was he still wearing his ring?

Above all, if the divorce happened because of Zara Levine, why was he not going to her every night? Why pull an all–nighter every day for the last seven days? Why spend his time in the office doing work and only work?

“Thanks for the good, Stacy.” Hunter dabbed a tissue on his lips.

He had finished everything. Stacy didn’t think he would eat more than a few bites. But seeing all the containers empty, she felt proud of herself. Her employer was probably full for the first time in all these days,

“Your welcome, sir. I have prepared your Rest room for you. Take a nap while I do some of your work for you.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“Please, sir, you’ve been working a lot. Let me take care of what is remaining.” Hunter tried to turn her down but Stacy added, “Try and understand, sir. If you fall sick in my scrutiny, I will have to answer the board of directors. My father will be disappointed in me too because my work is to lessen your burden. And if you keep working continuously, I will be in

trouble

“They will blame me for being so young and careless-

“Fine.” Hunter got up with a sneer. “Don’t pull that trick on me. You want me to rest, I’ll do it

Stacy didn’t hide her smile.

She helped Hunter remove his coat. His muscles were strained so she offered to give him a message.

No. Hunter pulled away from her with a jerk.

“Why, sir? I’m a good masseuse. You must have heard it from my father”

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Chapter 39

Hunter wanted to say, “I dont like to take massages from anyone other than my wife.”

Instead he responded with, Tm fine. A power nap will be enough. Excuse me.”

He came to his rest room and sprawled onto the bed, heaving loudly.

The room was cool and the curtains were pulled on the windows. The room was suggestively dimmed as per his liking. Even then he couldn’t bring his eyes to close. Because each time he brought his eyelids down, he saw Claire’s face.

Sitting up straight, he peeled his shirt off and flexed his muscles. He laid back on the bed again, hugging a thick pillow in his arms. Nevertheless, the pillow was nothing compared to the warmth of Claire’s body that he was accustomed to.

He twisted to the other side and tried to sleep. It was difficult. Claire kept coming back and forth in different dresses, with different expressions, in his mind.

“Why do I keep thinking about her?” He muttered annoyedly.

Hunter attempted to practice deep breathing. Yet, each breath reminded him of how she breathed when they made love. How she moaned his name. How she looked at him with pure love and gratitude that he was hers.

“F*ck! Wha

wrong with me?” He sat up, holding his head.

As he clutched his hair, he reminisced how her fingers would entwine with his hair while he kissed her lips.

“Why do I keep thinking about Claire?” Hunter asked himself tiredly.

He turned the lights on and stared in his hands. Turning them over, he heeded his wedding ring. He held it between his finger and thumb as he slipped it out of his finger. Sudden uneasiness slammed into him. Hunter put it back.

The dreadful feeling he felt every time he tried to remove the ring was back.

He ran his hands through his hair. Something was happening to him. Something crazy was happening to him.

As he battled to perceive what it was, a thought crossed his mind, “Should I call her? Maybe if I spoke to her I wouldn’t feel this way.

Tbc…

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