Chapter 2 I Loved Black

~Claire

"There we go,"mum gave a happy smile as she shut the car's trunk closed. It was happening for real, wasn't it? We were really leaving and I couldn't do anything about it.

I'd spent my night, staring at the ceiling and hoping. Praying. That mum somehow changed her mind. Or that she'd show up wearing a joker's mask and then say, "hahahaha. I was just kidding!"

But nope. It was all just wishful thinking, unfortunately.

I sighed tiredly, walking towards my dad who had this faint but visible hurt look on his face. Mum broke him real bad. She broke me too so yeah, I could pretty much understand how he was feeling.

"Dad,"I flashed hum a sad smile and he pulled me in for a tight hug. I could feel his pain.

"My princess,"he whispered, stroking my hair softly. "I can't believe I won't be seeing you for a long time. I hate this,"he spoke in a sad tone.

"I hate this too, but don't worry. I'll make sure to come visit you as often as I can,"I patted his back, in an effort to make him feel better.

"I doubt you would. Your mother's gonna do all she can to make sure I don't see you again."

"She told you that?"I asked, breaking the hug so I could see his face.

"Indirectly,"he answered.

"That's her problem. I'll definitely come find you no matter what she says, so don't worry, okay?"I held his hands and squeezed on them. He nodded with a small smile.

"You'll be fine, right?"I asked.

"I'll try to be. Only Gawd knows if I'll be able to survive without your sumptuous meals,"he teased and I rolled eyes.

"C'mon Dad. I learnt how to cook from you so duh. I think you'll be just fine,"i beamed.

"I guess you're right. Have a safe flight, Princess. Call me when you've settled?"

"Will do, Daddy. Love ya,"I pecked his cheeks before walking over to Amaya who's been unusually silent.

"Hey,"I called lowly. "Are you okay?"I asked. My question seemed to burst a whole balloon of emotions cause she burst out crying.

"Why do you have to leave, huh? How the hell am I supposed to live in this boring town without you? Can't you just stay?"she cried, balls of tears gushing down her eyes.

"C'mon, you were fine with my moving yesterday...."I was saying.

"That was before I did some thinking. Who's gonna wake me up early in the morning? Who's gonna make sure I don't get too drunk at parties and stay out of troubles? Who's gonna eat with me during lunch time? I can't do highschool without you,"she cried, her face getting all red and puffy.

A sad expression fell on my face. I understood her perfectly. I've lived here in Florida all my whole fucking life. Amaya was the most constant thing in my life, after my parents of course. Leaving my life here behind wasn't easy on me either.

"Come here,"i pulled her in for a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you like hell. I'll miss you, babygirl,"she sniffled and I sighed, trying hard not to tear up as well.

"We'll be fine,okay? We'll call everyday like you said. FaceTime,"I repeated her words.

"That shit doesn't level up to the real thing,"she snorted tearfully.

"Yeah, but that's our best option right now,"I spoke as a matter of fact.

"I guess,"she broke the hug, wiping off her tears.

"Besides, it's just a few months left and highschool's over. We're still sticking to our plans. Same Uni,"I reminded.

"You're right. I'll just have to cross fingers and pray I survive the next six months without killing someone,"she sighed and I laughed.

"I'll pray too. I can't have you turning wild,"I chuckled.

"Yeah,yeah. Whatever,"she rolled eyes, hugging me again.

"Don't forget to do a video of your new room, okay? And also check out the new stepdad. He'd better be hotter than your dad, else I'm definitely going to be telling Helen my mind,"she frowned. Well, I think it's safe to say Amaya once had a small crush on my dad cause of how handsome he was.

"I won't forget to do as you asked, don't worry,"I mumbled.

"Aren't you girls done yet? Claire we need to fucking get moving!"mum yelled from her car. Yeah, the car I think her boyfriend bought her.

"Go on, bitch. I love you,"she kissed me goodbye and I returned it before running off to join mum in the car.

As we drove off, I continued waving goodbye to my dad and Amaya till they were out of view. I kept my eyes outside the window after that.

"Sweetheart,"mum sighed after minutes of silence. "This move is going to benefit you as well. This could be an opportunity to get you to loosen up a bit,huh?"she suggested.

"I love the way I am, mum. I get that you're extroverted. You socialize and do crazy stuff, but that's you. I'm me and I think you'd better accept it. Whether we move or not,I ain't changing,"i deadpanned. Was being an introvert a crime? Fuck, the conversation was exhausting.

"It's okay. You can do whatever it is you want then. I'm sure you'll love it there,"she gave me a warm smile. The same smile that once upon a time gave me comfort. But now? It just annoyed the crap out of me.

"Did you even love Dad at all?"

"Oh,honey. Not this question,"she frowned.

"I'm asking cause I'm curious. I need some answer,"i spoke with a shrug.

"It's a talk meant for adults, Claire,"she snapped and I held back a scoff.

"Perfect. I'm 19."

"Claire Scarlett!"she banged on the wheel in front of her.

"Fine,"I let my back fall back on the chair's rest as I folded my arms while looking out the window.

The rest of the drive to the airport was so damn silent. We got to the airport and mum drove us to some private area before getting out. I followed suit and then realized some men in black were waiting for us.

"Miss Lance. The jet's ready for your flight to Pennsylvania,"one of them spoke and I gave mum a look.

We were flying to Pennsylvania on a fucking jet? A PRIVATE jet?? Where the hell did mum find this man?

"Thank you, Jack. Get our things off the car. Claire?"mum called me as she walked towards the pretty jet. I followed suit, trying not to make my awe obvious.

Did I say the exterior was amazing? Well the interior was Nirvana. It was so fucking beautiful.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"mum commented and I hummed in agreement, taking my seat in silence. Only Gawd knew if mum loved this one for real or it was just his money she loved.

Putting on my headphones, I shut my eyes closed, my mind spiraling round all the recent events in my life. I slept off sooner than I expected.

★★★

"Honey? Baby, wake up. We're here,"mum's distorted voice pierced into my ears causing me to snap my eyes open.

"We're in Pennsylvania. Get your ass up,"she spoke again before walking away.

"Shit,"I mumbled tiredly, rubbing on my eyes before getting up, my phone and earphones in hand as I followed her out.

A Lamborghini was waiting to take us and this time, I wasn't as surprised. If the man could afford a fucking private jet, what was a car?

I got in, my eyes still so heavy with sleep. Fuck, I needed my bed.

"We're almost there, Claire. Please, behave. Rowan's a good guy, you'll like him. He draws too, just like you,"she spoke and I rolled eyes.

"Oh really? Yippee,"I mumbled sarcastically. Well, I was a pretty good artist. Won a few small awards from my school.

"C'mon, Claire. I'm not asking you to accept him immediately. I'm just saying to put an effort, 'kay?"

"As if I have any other choice. I've heard you,"I muttered lowly and she nodded.

"We're here,"she announced about five minutes later and I looked up from my iPad to see we just drove into a huge compound.

Dude was surely so fucking wealthy. What on Earth could he possibly have seen in mum?

"Mum, are you sure he knows you have a child as grown as me?"I asked and mum replied with a glare.

Okay, fine. I take it that he knew.

"Ma'am,"another guy on black opened the door for mum and I.

"Thanks, Dave. He's home, right?"she asked with a smile on her face.

"Yes, ma'am,"he bowed politely.

"Come with me,"she nodded at me before walking towards the main building's door. She pushed the bell and about thirty-five seconds later, the door opened.

"Babe? Fuck, you're here,"the man smiled and my nervous system dropped to sixty percent.

"Hmm. Missed me?"Mum stalked her way closer to him before pressing her lips on his.

Uhm, I'm here. No PDA please!

"Hell, yeah. I did,"he chuckled playfully.

Gawd. He was hot. Amaya needed to hear this.

Blue green eyes, pale fair skin, moderately long black hair which draped over his forehead. The man looked so damn young and curse me for saying he and my mum looked good together.

I could see how he looked at her. He loved her just as much as Dad loved her.

"I take it that you're Claire?"his voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Uhm....."my hold on my iPad tightened. I had a problem with socializing, don't judge. "Yeah. That's me,"I gave an awkward smile.

"Well believe me when I say I've heard a lot about you. It's good to finally meet you,"he extended his hand for a handshake and I hesitantly take it.

"I'm Rowan Finn." He looked nice.

"Claire,"I returned.

"Now that the intro part is over, I'll have someone take you to your room. I know you're exhausted. Flights can be pretty tiring,"he spoke understandingly.

"Yeah, thanks,"was my reply.

"I got you. Uhm, Sarah?"he called, pulling mum inside and I followed, locking the door behind me.

"Boss Rowan,"a blonde scurried into the scene.

"Ma'am Helen. It's nice to see you here. Ma'am,"she nodded towards me and I nodded back stiffly.

"Take Claire to the room I had you clean up yesterday,"he instructed.

"Alright, boss."

"Claire? You can take a look at it and tell me if there's anything you'd want to change,"he spoke and I nodded.

"Okay. Thanks,"I spoke before hurrying after Sarah who'd began walking up the stairs.

"Here you go,"she pushed open a door and my jaw nearly dropped.

How the hell did he know I loved black? Hell, it was perfect.

"Thanks. Help me tell Rowan I like it,"I spoke lowly and she nodded.

"Will do,"she smiled before walking off.

"This is amazing,"I mouthed to myself. I plopped down on the bed and hell, I didn't feel like I ever wanted to get up.

I remembered I hadn't contacted dad and Amaya, but hell. My eyes seriously wanted to be clamped shut so I just gave in, making a mental note to call them when I woke up for dinner.