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Claire couldn't believe herself for agreeing to that idea that Helena said during the luncheon a week ago, that she wants to bang her head everytime she remembers it. If only her mind was right on track, it has always been her weakness, being caught off guard that will always end up with her conceding to whatever the other person is saying. Her mother already warned her before that she may regret the decisions she might do during those times. Even Lucas was shocked at her agreement, he even called her that very same day after she left the restaurant.

"Claire, I didn't know you will not contradict my grandmother's notion of us living together. I thought you are insistent for that divorce that you so wanted, what happened Claire? Why did you agreed?" Lucas' dumbfounded voice came into the speaker.

She recalled the conversation in her mind and she thought she might have a way out of it. "I did not agree per se, didn't I? I only said that it might be a good idea."

"Yes, you might not have agreed directly but you did not refute it as well, it looks like you concur indirectly with her."

She sighed and felt contrite. "It does look like that."

At her contrition, she heard Lucas took a deep breath at the other end and they both fell silent. Lucas spoke again after several minutes.

"We will think this through, okay?"

"Okay, I'm sorry about that Lucas." She said apologetically.

"It's fine Claire, happy holidays."

"Happy holidays." She answered then they both ended the call.

So here she is, still thinking a way how to get out of this other problem. It feels like she digged themselves further down the lie that Lucas started and that there is no way out. These days she is always in deep thoughts that she sometimes caught herself staring blankly, not minding her surroundings. Her focus was snapped when she bumped into someone that she almost fell on her butt. Her arms flayed and held onto somebody's arms.

"I'm sorry." She apologized as she righted herself.

"It's okay ma'am, are you okay?" Thomas or Old Tom as he wanted to be called, asked her, he is the one she bumped into.

"Yes, I am fine. Thank you." She answered.

"You should always be alert with your surroundings ma'am. Do you have a problem? You've been wandering the whole store while thinking."

She turned her head in her surroundings and true enough, she is at the far end of the store. Her last memory before this moment is that she was standing near the stairs leading to her office. She have no idea how she end up here, she also noticed that everybody is staring at her, both her employees and some customers. Before she embarrassed herself further she opted to leave the area, thanking Old Tom again.

---

Lucas doesn't know what to do with their current situation, he was so surprised with Claire's answer to his grandmother's idea. He knows she planned it all along, and Claire played right into her trap. He sighed and thought of a counterplan and came up with nothing which made him sigh again while running his hands into his hair. 'I guess we don't have any other choice but to proceed with it.' He thought. It will just depend on them whether they will act as a husband and wife both in public and in private. They must lay a ground rule so that they will not end up blaming each other once everything fell apart.

His concentration was transfered to the beeping of the intercom, Sophie's voice sounded from the speaker.

"Sir, Mr. Sean Anderson is here to see you. Shall I let him in? He has no appointment."

His brows furrowed. 'What could be his reason for coming here, I hope it is good news.' He thought to himself. The last time that somebody came unannounced and without an appointment was Claire declaring herself his wife. After a thorough thinking, he decided to let the man in.

The door to his office opened after several seconds, Sophie came first ushering Sean, he met the man halfway and shook his hand. He led him towards the sofa then turned to Sophie and instructed to send some drinks for him and his visitor. Then he sat, face without an expression and focused his attention to his visitor.

"I know you're confused why I came and without notice or appointment." Sean opened their conversation. "It is about that land that you wanted to buy from me."

"Okay. So you have made a decision? As a businessman, I just hope it was for my benefit." Lucas answered.

Their conversation was halted for awhile when Sophie entered carrying their drinks. They continued after she left.

Lucas saw that Sean became serious. "Before I will tell you my decision, I want to know something."

"What is it?" Lucas asked, forehead creasing.

"Is your building near the Upper East side still open for lease? Or is someone already approached you to have the place and I fail to know?" At his question, Lucas became even more confused. He knows which building he is talking about. It is two-story with wide space, ideal for a business that needs a spacious room, like a showroom, a boutique or a garage. An idea clicked on his mind.

"You want to transfer your garage into that place isn't it?" Lucas asked that made Sean smile.

"You really have a brilliant mind when it comes to business. You got it right, I want to do business there. It is an ideal spot for my type of business, the ground floor is spacious and the second floor is great to convert as an apartment where I plan to live in."

"What's the gist?" Lucas wanted Sean to tell him his plan though he might have an idea.

"I will sell my place to you if you will sell yours to me." Sean finally said his true reason for coming.

"My place will be much expensive than yours, you know that?" Lucas countered his idea though he thought it will be a nice bargain, considering he has great plans after buying Sean's place and the surrounding land as well, and he is already planning to sell the said building.

"I know the price is higher than my place, that is why I will have another bargain with you." At Lucas' nod, Sean continued. "I will rent to own the place if I cannot meet your selling price."

He nodded and answered after sometime. "I will discuss this with my realtor and my lawyer then I will contact you."

At his words, both he and Sean stood and shook hands.

"So now, it will be me who will be waiting for your decision and I hope it will be on my favor." Sean said with a laugh that made Lucas smile and led him towards the door.

"I will be waiting for your call Mr. Harrison." Sean said while leaving.

But he suddenly stopped by the door and turned to him. He stood for several seconds, face clearly showing that he is thinking whether he will say what he wants to say. Lucas was about to ask if there is something wrong or if he forgotten anything. When he finally opened his mouth, he said something that made him disconcerted.

"One more thing Mr. Harrison, please take this as an advice and nothing else." At his furrowed brows, Sean continued. "Don't hurt your wife."

---

Claire has been pondering her decision again, and it's giving her sleepless nights, like right now. It is already past twelve midnight but she is still wide awake, tossing and turning, her eyes refuses to close. A soft knock sounded on her door and in came her mother.

"Do you mind? I saw that your lights is still on. Want to talk about it?" Alessa querried while walking towards her and eventually sat down at the edge of her bed. She sat up and lean on the headboard.

"No, I don't mind mom."

"What is bothering you honey?" At her mother's question she decided to tell her the new problem that she and Lucas were both facing.

"I already told you before that you being caught off guard will lead you to trouble." Alessa reprimanded her.

Claire sighed and asked. "What shall I do?"

Alessa thought for awhile before answering. "I already told Lucas the same thing that I will say to you." Claire's eyes became wide with what Alessa said, she was about to make a side comment but her mother gave her a look that says she should let her finish. "Why don't you both try to work it out? You are already in this, and I think you both have established friendship between you two. Not to mention, you already fell in love with the man." Alessa ended her comment with a tease.

"Mom! I didn't know you gave Lucas an advice like that, and when was this? And how did you know that I already fell in love with him?" She exclaimed while looking pointedly at her mother. Though her voice started strong it became a whisper towards the end.

"Well, I told him that when he first came here. Alessa answered sheepishly. "And about how you felt, I am your mother honey, I can see it in your face."

She was about to say something again but was interrupted by the opening of the door, her father peeked first and came inside when he saw that his wife is with her.

"Girl talk?" At their nod, he continued. "Can I be included as well?" Nathan asked teasingly that made Claire smile.

"Is this about your husband?" At her father's question, she looked and gaped at her mother.

"I don't keep secrets from your father, honey." Alessa explained.

She turned to her father and said accusingly. "You knew all along?"

"Yes princess, I just pretended that I don't know anything because I want you to fix it on your own and wife's order as well." Her father said lovingly that made her sigh. How can she be mad at him if he is like this, well, he is always like this.

"So now, you're included into the 'Keep Claire's Secret Squad.'" She said while sighing.

"Who are the members?" Her father asked playfully that made her giggle.

"Well, mom, Penny of course, you and Sean." Her parents' brows creased with her answer. Her mother was the one who asked the question.

"How did Sean know about your ordeal? He knew everything?"

"He was present at the ball. I didn't know him and Lucas are having a transaction together; and yes mom, I told him everything. We talked in private during the occassion."

"Well, then we now have another person that will help you if something bad happen." Her father said with slight pessimism. She was about to comment on that but decided against it.

"Sleep now princess, it's way past your bedtime. You want me to tuck you in?" Nathan asked her and she nod.

She laid back on her bed, her father covered her with her blanket. Her parents kissed her forehead first before saying. "Goodnight princess, you know we love you, right?"

"Yes Dad, and I'm grateful everyday." She answered before closing her eyes, she heard the closing of her bedroom door before sleep finally pull her into the dreamland.

---

Holiday season came and left in just a blink of an eye. It is the first week of new year and she is currently travelling towards Manhattan, suitcase on her trunk. She and Lucas finally decided to try and live together but with rules to follow. They haven't discussed it yet because of the holiday rush and they only exchange greetings thru text. They both agreed to laid it once she came to town.

She saw that she is already almost where his penthouse is located according to the GPS he sent to her three days prior. He offered to pick her up from home but a last minute emergency in his business made the plan go awry. He suggested to delay her arrival but she insisted in coming as scheduled, firstly, because her other brothers might snoop and became aware of the situation. Secondly, she already handled the necessary things on her store to Bea. She wanted to let Penny handle it but she is still busy with something so Bea is the only option.

She stopped in front of the building and went out. Two uniformed men approached her.

"Ms. Claire Marie Sullivan?" The older man asked her which she replied with affirmative.

"Good morning ma'am." The man greeted her which she returned with the same.

"My name is Alvin and I will lead you to the penthouse." He reached out, palm up and said. "Keys please ma'am. Kevin will park your car at the garage." The other man slightly bowed towards her. She gave the keys, afterwhich Alvin took her luggage and Kevin left driving her car. She slanted her head in confusion that made the man clear his throat.

"Mr. Harrison already notified us of your arrival." He answered while they are entering the building which made her all the more confused, not to be able to stop herself, she asked.

"Is this a hotel?" Her question made the man smile.

"No ma'am, but me and Kevin are directly employed under Mr. Harrison and I was instructed to help you with your things." He explained that made her beamed.

"Oh, okay. Thank you." She thanked him and she failed to notice that he faltered in his steps at her smile.

They went inside the lift that will lead them directly to the penthouse. Alvin swiped a card into the access port.

"Only an authorized person have this access card Miss." Alvin explained willingly at her silent query.

"Can I ask you something, if it's okay?" Claire asked him.

"Sure, Ms. Claire, what is it?"

"Are you a butler?" She asked cautiously.

The man looked at her at first before answering. "Yes, I am and Kevin is a driver/bodyguard and we are proud of our job."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." She apologized for she thought that the man was upset because of what she asked.

"It is alright Ms. Claire. I am not offended or anything. I am used to people asking me that same question." The man countered with a serious mien.

They were both silent during remaining time inside the compartment. When a sound came signalling that they have arrived, she started to become apprehensive. The door opened and Alvin went out first.

"Welcome to the penthouse Ms. Claire."

Once you step into the landing you will already be enamoured. The area is illuminated by a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. The area is decorated with paintings on the wall as well as some decorative vases with fresh flowers in it.

'If the landing looks like this, what about inside?' She asked herself, nervousness already vanished, but it came back with full force when they entered the living room.

"Ma'am and Miss, Ms. Claire is here." Alvin announced her arrival.

Helena and Anne met her and they greeted her with a kiss on her cheeks. Helena must have seen her confused expression so she explained making her almost in panic.

"Hello Claire, we are here because we know that Lucas is not around, maybe for a couple of days. So, me and Anne, we decided to accompany you while Lucas is away."

************************************

Ehem! Living with the in-laws for awhile? What do you think?

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