Chapter 1 Dilemmas upon Dilemmas

Claire's POV

The living room felt smaller when Dad held my hands like this. His grip was warm but firm, and I could see that look in his eyes again. The one that meant he had plans for my life.

"Claire Smith my daughter, I want nothing but the best for you," Dad whispered.

I knew where this was going. All my life I had been living to please him, and now he was about to ask for something else. Why couldn't he just let me breathe for once?

"Do you remember Desmond Baggins, your senior and childhood friend? The son of Doctor Charles, my best friend who owns the second biggest lab in the city."

Of course I remembered Desmond. How could I forget him? But I wasn't about to make this easy for Dad.

"Claire! Can't you hear me?" Dad snapped when I didn't respond right away.

"Yes dad, sorry about that. I got lost in thoughts. Yes I remember him. What about him? I hope all is well?"

Dad's face relaxed. "All is well Claire. You know their family is well recognized for their impact in the city. Did you know that he kept the family business going? He's now a doctor. It would make me happy if you go visit him today."

"Congratulations to him, that's good news," I said, trying to sound casual even though my stomach was twisting.

"Yeah he's really handsome. I think you both should catch up since it's been a while. You don't really know where this boat of reunion might land. It wouldn't be bad if you both become something more. Oh apologies for saying too much. You both should just catch up for old times sake. You can't tell what will happen, you know?"

My skin crawled. "That's gross dad. We are just friends with no strings attached."

"I know but it wouldn't be so bad if you guys were more than friends. I would love it if you guys would be more than just friends because he's the best guy I want for you. He's a doctor and a scientist too, and he's the son of my best friend. If you guys get to know each other and perhaps you fall in love with him, it'll pave more ways for our family. Don't you think so?"

I nodded just to end this conversation, even though everything inside me was screaming no. I swore to myself right then that I would never make the mistake of falling in love with anyone just to please my dad.

"I'll go see him shortly dad, since it's what will make you happy."

Dad smiled and left me alone. I sat there thinking about what he had said, and finally decided I might as well get this visit over with.

When I arrived at Desmond's house, his maid opened the door. The moment I saw her face, my breath caught in my throat. Her face was bruised and swollen, purple marks spreading across her cheek like spilled ink.

I wanted to ask what happened but this wasn't my house and it wasn't my business. At least that's what I told myself as I stepped inside.

"Please sit down ma'am while I call him. Would you like to have anything?" she whispered. Her voice was croaky and I could hear tears threatening to break through.

Poor girl. She looked so troubled. I wished I could help her, but then again, maybe I could help her.

"Ma'am are you ok? I asked if I could offer you anything," she said again, this time louder.

"Oh sorry dear, I was lost in thoughts. Yes I'd love pancakes thank you."

I kept watching her as she moved around the room. The injuries weren't just on her face. Her arms had marks too, and the way she walked told me there were probably more bruises hidden under her clothes. Someone was hurting this girl, and I had a terrible feeling I knew who.

Suddenly I felt someone grab the back of my neck with enough force to make me gasp.

"Who the hell is that?" I yelled, spinning around.

The face that stared back at me was older now but still unmistakable. Desmond Baggins, my childhood friend.

The same Desmond who had almost beaten a boy to death when we were nine years old. I had told my dad about it that day, but he hadn't believed me. Now he wanted me to marry this monster.

Looking at the maid's bruises, everything made perfect sense.

"It's me Desmond! My beautiful long time friend. To what do I owe this visit?" he said, his smile too wide.

"Is that why you gripped me like that? Please don't try that again," I snapped.

"I'm sorry for startling you. I've missed you so much, it's been a while."

As I looked around the room more carefully, I noticed the portraits on the walls. Half naked women in compromising positions with men. The images made my skin crawl and I stood up immediately.

"Can I use the bathroom please?"

"Of course sweetheart, you're free. Olivia come take her to the bathroom! Be fast!" he yelled.

"Ok Sir!" Olivia replied, and there was something in her voice that sounded like pure terror.

"Shut your mouth! How many times have I warned you to stop calling me sir?" Desmond snapped at her, pointing his finger right at her face.

"I don't understand Desmond. Is there anything wrong with her respecting you?" I said, unable to keep quiet anymore.

"Stay out of this Claire, it's none of your business," he snapped back, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Olivia, come take me to the toilet. I don't have all day. I have somewhere to be right now."

She hurried ahead of me to show the way. Once we were alone in the bathroom, I pulled out a pen and wrote on a piece of paper.

"I will send someone to take you out of here. Just pack up your things and get ready."

I handed her the note and left the house immediately.

When I got home, the silence hit me like a wave.

"No one is home, that's perfect," I said out loud, and my voice echoed through the empty rooms.

I settled into the living room couch with a glass of Glenfiddich scotch and put on some Elle Goulding. "Let Me Love You" filled the space around me as I waited for my friends to arrive for the blind date they had promised me.

I closed my eyes and let myself imagine a different life. A life where I chased my own dreams instead of following daddy's instructions.

It was a beautiful thought, but that's all it would ever be. My father was too strict to ever let me have that kind of freedom.

I kept sipping the scotch while watching Grown-ish on TV. The show made me thirsty for exploration and freedom, but in my world that was just a fairytale.

Matilda, Ciara and Eliana were basically the only friends I had. My parents didn't approve of our friendship, but that wouldn't stop me from seeing them.

Since my parents were always busy with work and hardly ever home, my friends came over to keep me company so I wouldn't die of boredom.

After a few hours, I heard a car engine outside. Excitement shot through me like lightning. I knew it had to be my friends.

I rushed to the window to check. Someone was waving at me from the car, and even though I couldn't make out the face clearly, I knew it was one of them.

"Claire! Hurry up! Come downstairs, let's go!"

I recognized Matilda's voice instantly. I hurried upstairs to change clothes and put on some perfume that would drive men crazy.

Standing in front of the mirror, I saw my mother's reflection staring back at me. Her charming smile and hazy eyes lived on in my face.

"I am ready to be my mother's daughter," I whispered to myself. "It's time for me to spread my wings. I don't care what my parents do to me when they come home."

I rushed downstairs and out of the house. My three friends jumped out of the car and wrapped me in the tightest hug.

"Take it easy please, don't suffocate me. You know this is my lucky day and I want to enjoy the fresh air of the outside world. My parents lock me up at home like a princess waiting to be rescued by her charming prince."

I could see the excitement in their faces. They had been planning something special.

"Claire let's go, your surprise can't wait!" Ciara yelled. She was the curvy one in our group, always full of energy. She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the car.

My heart started racing. I couldn't stop thinking about what this surprise might be.

The drive wasn't very long, but it felt magical. I hadn't been outside in such a long time that this felt like a dream coming true. The windows were down and the wind was whipping through my hair, and for the first time in months I felt truly alive.

We pulled up to The Cosmopolitan, one of the most beautiful restaurants in town. Goosebumps spread across my entire body as we got out of the car.

We walked into the restaurant like we owned the place, like we were the girls from Charlie's Angels. Everyone inside was wearing blindfolds, but our arrival created such a stir that people were trying to peek at us through the fabric covering their eyes.

We became the center of attention within seconds. I could feel the tension in the air shifting toward us. The women at other tables were shooting daggers at us through their blindfolds as their dates kept turning to stare.

Suddenly my friends tied a blindfold around my eyes. This caught me off guard, but I couldn't really complain since this was literally a blind date and blindfolds were part of the whole experience.

They all put their blindfolds on too. After a few minutes, I felt around until I found a chair and sat down carefully.

"There goes your surprise!" their voices said in unison.

I waited, my heart pounding against my ribs. Minutes passed like hours.

Then I felt someone's hand touch my shoulder, gentle but confident.

"Who could this be? What kind of surprise is this? What are my friends up to? I just hope they don't get me into trouble," I whispered to myself, but the words got lost under the sound of my own racing heartbeat.