Claire's POV
I keep my eyes on the sky, watching as the last streaks of sunlight melt into dusk. The stretch of land before me is too quiet, giving way for my thoughts to wander through the expanse of land.
I suppose the view was one that was meant to relax one's mind, calm any chaotic thoughts tumbling around in one's head. But it does the opposite for me.
The conversation from earlier plagues my mind playing back in fragments I can't seem to stop, and the next few weeks sit heavily on my chest.
How was I going to survive it?
I let out a quiet breath, my mind is a mess at this moment.
I've barely spent three days here and I've had multiple thoughts filter through my mind, most of them logical doubts while some—borderline dangerous. At this rate, I wonder when my first grey hairs would start to appear.
"Probably sooner than expected," I mutter under my breath, a dry huff leaving me.
Living in such proximity to Louis was bound to breed inappropriate thoughts, there was no use ignoring it or denying it.
He was a handsome man. His face was utterly devastating, his jawline chiseled, his eyes— a radiant green color. It was easy to fall for a face like that.
But I can't, I silently warn myself. It couldn't happen.
Just this morning alone, I'd seen him in all his naked glory.
The memory from earlier flashes through my mind uninvited—broad shoulders, bare skin, the way his gloriously sharp body contoured with hard muscles, his di*k.
No! No! I can't do this.
I physically shake my head as if I can toss it out. I couldn't think about my boss's nether region.
It was highly inappropriate.
And this was exactly what I was talking about.
Living together, sharing space like this. Acting like whatever this is between us is real.
It was an alchemist recipe for doom.
I exhale through my nose, my eyes shutting as I feel the cool breeze of the evening dance across my skin.
Work won't make it easier either. If anything, it would complicate everything even further.
Now that his grandparents know, it's only a matter of time before others do too. People will talk. The board will talk even more. Secrets like this don't stay hidden for long.
And when it all comes down to it, I would be at the brunt of it.
My family could hear and this could turn out more disastrous than helpful.
How would I even face them?
Louis and I needed to talk, to discuss this whole situation.
Every detail, every response—we couldn't afford inconsistencies.The stories need to align.
Thank God, we didn't slip up with his grandparents earlier.
I also had to make sure that I don't get the deal with the bad hand at the end of this arrangement. My reputation, my career and my whole life lies on the line with this arrangement.
Boundaries needed to be set, clear expectations and something solid enough to keep this arrangement from spiralling out of control.
"Planning your escape?"
I flinch slightly at the sound of Louis' voice, my hand jumping to my chest to calm her thudding heartbeat. "Oh my God," My head turns to find him standing behind me like he had materialized from thin air.
I didn't even hear him coming. "No," I add quickly, shaking my head, " Just…lost in thought."
His brows lift, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face.
"And what would those thoughts be?" he asks, his tone calm, measured.
I let out a small forced smile, one that doesn't quite reach my eyes.
"You know…" I gesture vaguely between us, "…this whole arrangement."
His gaze sharpens just slightly, attentive now.
"I don't think we made clear boundaries," I continued, choosing my words carefully. "Or set proper expectations."
I glance at him from the corner of my eye, watching for his reaction. I'm met with his face turned in confusion.
He doesn't get it? Of course he doesn't.
"But everything was drafted in the contract," he replied evenly, "You made your clauses and stated your conditions. I believed we made everything clear from the jump. You're not in the dark about anything Claire."
He tilts his head slightly, observing me.
He doesn't get it. Why would he?, I had way more to lose after this was all over.
I pressed my lips together, shaking my head, "No, that's not..," Facing him now, "What I mean is, I'm not so sure I know what the expectations you have of me via this arrangement." I explained.
"For example, Your grandparents…" I continued, my fingers curling into my dress. "What did they think? Did they… believe it?"
My drop tightens, "If I had slipped up earlier, this could have all gone to shit—"
I stop abruptly, my eyes widening slightly.
Heat rushes to my face.
"Fuck," I mutter under my breath.
I just cursed out loud.
I quickly glance at him, only to catch the small smirk tugging at his lips, clearly amused by my reaction.
My face heats up even more.
I clear my throat, pushing past it.
"I mean, I barely even know anything about you. Thank God they didn't ask anything too deep or personal. I wouldn't have been able to respond. And then, boom, we get caught before this whole scheme even begins."
I let out a breath, the tension in my shoulders evident.
There's a brief pause.
"They did."
I blink, confused. I've said so much that I'm not even sure what he was responding to.
"Uh?".
"I mean," he clarifies, his tone still even, "they believed it. My grandparents."
That's it, that's all he says.
A bit of relief slips out of me in a soft breath, my shoulders loosening slightly. "Oh..Okay," I murmured. "That's good then." Not sure what else to say.
It was good that they did but it's not good enough. I don't feel complete relief.
This was just one hurdle successfully overcome. More would come, the deeper we went.
That was one part knocked out.
His grandparents were one thing. But his parents—
That's an entirely different situation.
We would eventually have to address his parents too. And if they were any closer to their son, they'd fish out the lies in our tales.
I hesitate, debating whether I should even ask the next question. The way he tensed up back there when the topic came up, it's hard to tell what actually set him off.
Still, I needed to know, so I forced it out. I needed to make things clear.
"And your parents?" My voice is more careful this time. Cautious. "Would we have to meet them too? To… sell this?"
His gaze flickers from mine in a blurring instant. The change was obvious, almost jarring.
The way his eyes darken before he looked away, any trace of warmth now long gone. His jaw tightens, the muscle slightly ticking as he lets out a hard, "No."
The reply is sharp, cold and leaves no room for debate, said with a finality I can't dare to argue. It stuns be hard to the chest, hitting me harder than I expected.
I blink hard. I knew my boss to be intimidating but this was a new experience. This was even past intimidation, it was cold brutality.
"That won't be necessary," he adds, his tone clipped, declaring the conversation over.
I stare at him, caught off guard. The sharp edge to his voice… it wasn't like anything I'd heard before. It felt like a wall slamming shut right in my face.
A wall he has no intention of letting me cross.
I open my mouth slightly, but nothing comes out.
I don't even get the chance to fully school myself back before—
"Get ready."
I frown, taken aback at the abrupt switch, "Uh…For what?"
"Dinner. This evening."
I let out a small breath, almost incredulous. "Okay then…"
A pause.
"Well, what kind of dinner is it?" I press again. "Formal? Casual? Should I—"
"Claire."
My name cuts through my questions.
I stop. Noting the right way he called my name.
"Yeah?"
"You'll be informed of what you need to know," he says simply.
I stare at him for a second.
"…Right."
No further explanation. No room for response, and just like that, he turns and walks away.
No hesitation, no glance back.
I stand there, unmoving, watching his tense self as he disappears from the garden and into the house.
The silence surrounds me once more but this time it wasn't the same. It wasn't calming, it was heavy.
And as I wrap my arms around myself, one thought settles uncomfortably in my chest—
There are parts of Louis I don't understand at all.
And worse… they were parts he clearly doesn't want me to see.
My gaze drops slowly to the ground beneath me, painfully reminded of my place and the thick boundary line that now separates me from Louis.