Twisted Fate

Claire Walker alighted the cab and she stared at the gigantic mansion before her. She thought to herself if she could ever live in a place as big in her life. But she just smiled, walking past the men in black suits who guarded certain angles of the mansion. She arrived at the door and rang the doorbell.

She waited a while before the door opened, revealing a maid.

" Miss Claire. Do come in. " The woman said, paving way for her and Claire stepped in. She halted when they arrived at the large living room.

" Miss Josie is waiting for you in her room. " The maid said.

" Thanks. " Claire murmured and the lady turned her back towards her, strolling into the kitchen.

Claire ascended the long stairs and when she arrived at the hallway, she started across the alley, walking past numerous rooms. She finally halted at a door and she placed a gentle knock on it.

" Who is it? " A feminine voice inquired.

" It's Claire, Miss Arrington. " Claire answered, pressing her ear to the door to listen for a response but nothing but silence met her and suddenly, the door opened, revealing a young, beautiful woman who smiled.

" Claire. Please come in. " The woman said and Claire walked into the room.

" How are you? " The woman asked, shutting the door.

" I am fine, miss. " Claire replied.

" I always tell you it's Josie. " The woman said and Claire bites her lip.

" Anyways. I have been waiting. What took you so long? " Josie asked, walking to the mirror and sitting on the chair.

" I am sorry miss-. "

" Josie. " Claire quickly corrected herself.

Josie smiled, picking up the comb on the table as she passed it to Claire who immediately received it as she began to comb Josie's hair.

Claire stared into the mirror, watching Josie whose eyes were closed and she felt as if she was staring at a fine replica of herself.

It's funny enough how her employer, Josie Arrington shared so much resemblance with her, yet they weren't related.

" I noticed the house was silent. Are your parents not around? " Claire asked.

" No. They won't be back until tomorrow. " Josie responded and Claire nodded.

" Claire? " Josie called.

" Yes? " Claire responded as Josie snapped her eyes open.

" Do you ever wonder why we look so much alike? " Josie questioned and Claire moved her mouth to talk but she was lost for words as the question was pretty unexpected.

Yes, she had thought about it. But the only thing Claire frequently wondered of is if she will ever get to live such a luxurious and wealthy life like Josie's just because they looked so much alike.

" Yes. I have but I really don't think there is any significant reason. " Claire finally responded.

" I think there is. " Josie said.

" You do? "

" Yes. " Josie responded.

" I don't know what it is but I just know there is a reason. " Josie said and Claire said nothing, dropping the comb when she finished.

" I should get to my duties. " She added and Josie nodded, walking out of the room.

She began to clean each room in the house, except for Mr and Mrs Arrington's. For some reasons best known to them, they didn't like her as much as Josie does and Claire wondered if it was because she shared the same looks with their daughter, yet she was nothing but an orphan.

It was until late afternoon before Claire finally finished with her chores and she returned to Josie's room.

" I just wanted to inform you that I am leaving. " Claire said and Josie raised her gaze from her laptop which she was working on.

" Oh... wait. " Josie said, standing up and she moved to the wardrobe. She brought out an onion coloured gown.

" What do you think? " Josie asked, showing the dress to Claire.

" I think it's very beautiful. " Claire responded.

" And I am sure it would look very amazing on you. " Josie said.

" What do you mean? " Claire questioned, her brows raised in confusion.

" You are aware I am getting married in two days, right? "

" Yes. " Claire responded.

" Well, I want you... to be my bridesmaid. " Josie said.

" What? No. I... I can't. " Claire said.

" You can. I can think of anyone else to ask. " Josie said and Claire stared at the dress, tongue-tied.

" I can't accept this. It must cost a lot. "

" Yes. It does and I want you to wear it to my wedding as my bridesmaid. "

" But what about your parents? I don't think they would entertain the idea of a commoner like me attending such an important business. "

" I can handle my parents. And you are not a commoner. You are my friend. So the question is... will you be my bridesmaid? " Josie asked and Claire inhaled sharply.

" I will be happy to. " Claire said and Josie smiled, wrapping up the dress and she put it in a bag.

" Here. " She said, advancing it to Claire who slowly received it.

" Thank you so much. " Claire mumbled.

" No, thank you. " Josie said.

" I should get going now. "

" Right. You take care. " Josie said.

" And you too. " Claire said and she left the room and exited the mansion.

She boarded a cab and it soon pulled over at a house.

Claire paid the cab man and alighted the car, shutting the door.

She walked to the door and opened it, stepping in. She moved to the living room and heard footsteps. Claire raised her gaze to see her younger brother juggling down the stairs.

" Hey, Cole. " Claire said, dropping her bag on the table.

" Did you get something? I am starving. " Cole said, peeking into the bag and his brows narrowed when he saw the dress.

" Don't touch that. " Claire said and Cole withdrew his hand.

" Where did you get this? " He asked but Claire ignored him, walking into the kitchen.

She moved to the fridge and opened it but there was nothing in it except for two apples, a cereal and a pack of pasta.

Claire closed it back and she went to the living room.

" You are not going to tell me how you got that dress? It looks expensive. " Cole said.

" It is. " Claire mumbled, grabbing the bag.

" There are two apples and a cereal in the kitchen, Cole. You can eat that now and microwave the past for dinner. " Claire said.

" What about you? " Cole asked.

" Don't worry about me. I have to leave soon. I am going to take a shower. " Claire said, going up the stairs.

She arrived at her room and dropped the bag on the table as she immediately went to the bathroom. In no time, Claire was done and she got dressed in jeans and a top. She grabbed her bag and phone, exiting the room.

" Cole, I am leaving. " Claire called from the living room.

" Stay indoors and lock the door. Don't open the door for anyone. " She added.

" Yeah. I know. I am not a kid. " Cole said, walking out of the kitchen with a bowl of cereal.

" Yes, you are. You are only 12. " Claire said and he frowned.

Claire smiled as she walked to him.

" Take care. Bye. " She said, kissing his forehead and she ruffled his hair.

" Stop doing that! " Cole said and Claire chuckled, exiting the house.

She hailed a cab and it soon pulled over at a bar.

Well, yes. She has two jobs. She was a cleaner by the day and a bartender by night.

Claire moved across the people and she went to the counter. She sighted a guy coming her way and she immediately turned her back to him.

" I see you already, Claire. " The voice said and she bit her lower lip.

Claire turned on her heel to see the one man so she much detests and it was no other than the famous and rich Mason Rogers. He smirked, leaning a hand on the counter.

" Are you avoiding me? " Mason asked.

" What do you want? " Claire asked, ignoring his question.

" Well, you know. The usual. Bring it over to my table. " He said, walking away and Claire glared at his back.

She sighed, picking out a bottle of whiskey and a glass cup. She placed it on a tray and walked over to his table.

Claire leaned down, placing the drink and glass cup on the table and she turned to leave.

" Hey. Hey. Why are you in such haste? " Mason asked and Claire turned to him.

" You haven't poured my drink yet. " He added and Claire sighed, dropping the tray.

She grabbed the bottle of whiskey and opened it. Claire decanted some of the liquid in the glass cup and she dropped the bottle.

" Satisfied? " She asked.

" Why don't you sit with me for a while, huh? "

" I am working. " Claire said.

" I am sure your boss wouldn't mind. "

" Because you are rich? "

" Yes. And I can take care of you. You won't have to work in this place. Just sit down and let's have a drink. You and me. " Mason said.

" I don't need you taking care of me. I can do that myself. Now if you will excuse me, I have to return to my work. " Claire said, grabbing the tray and she turned to leave.

" You can keep playing hard to get but you will come around just like the rest because you are all the same. All nothing but a fucking whore. " Mason said and Claire halted abruptly on her tracks and she turned to him.

" What did you just call me? " Claire snapped, her eyes blaring in anger.

" Oh, you heard me. " He said and Claire scoffed.

" I bet you just go about calling every other woman who refuses to sleep with you a whore, isn't it? "

" No. No one refuses me. And that's what so fucking annoying. "

" Oh, yeah? Did that hurt your ego? How about this? " Claire asked and she grabbed the glass cup of whiskey, splashing it all over his face.

" What the fuck!? " Mason yelled, standing to his feet and he fluttered his eye lids rapidly, staring surprisingly at Claire who stared back at him with no ounce of remorse.

And everyone around watched in nothing but shock.

" Claire! " A voice snapped and she turned to see her boss.

" What the hell did you just do?! " The man yelled, moving closer to the scene.

" I just taught an asshole a lesson! " Claire said, turning to Mason who scoffed unbelievably at her remark.

" And before you fire me... " She paused, turning her gaze to her boss.

" I quit! " Claire blurted out, slamming the glass cup on the table as she walked away.

Claire grabbed her bag and walked out of the bar, having people stare in bewilderment at her.

She hailed a cab and in no time, she arrived home.

Claire gently shut the door to the house and she walked up the stairs. She gently opened the door to her brother's room and she saw him fast asleep.

Claire pulled a smile and she closed the door. She walked to her room and moved her feet to the bed.

She picked up the frame on the table and stared at the middle aged man and woman in.

Why did you guys have to leave so soon? Claire asked, tears gathering up her eyes.

She sniffed, lying face up on the bed. She shut her eyes, pressing the frame to her chest and soon Claire drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Claire was up and dressed for work at the Arrington's.

Claire juggled down the stairs to meet Cole already dressed up for school.

" Here. Take this. " She said, advancing some dollars to him and Cole received it.

" You got back early than before last night. " Cole said.

" Huh? "

" I heard you come in. It wasn't even 10pm yet. What happened? " Cole asked and Claire bit her lip.

" It's nothing. " She said.

" Common. You don't want to get to school late. " Claire said and Cole sighed.

" Why am I asking? You never tell me anything anyways. " He said, walking out of the house.

Claire sighed, following and she locked the door.

She hailed a cab and dropped her brother off. Then she headed to her work place.

Claire alighted the cab and exhaled softly staring at the mansion. She felt each day she looked at it. It just seemed much more beautiful and bigger. She looked around and noticed none of the guards were around. She walked to the door and rang the doorbell. She waited but didn't get a response. She rang the doorbell again and still, there was no response.

Her brows narrowed as she gently turned the door knob and the door opened. She gently walked into the house, shutting the door behind. Claire walked to the living room but she stopped dead on her track by the scene before her.

Her bag fell to the ground as she gasped, raising a hand to her mouth and Claire stared in horror at Josie Arrington who was in a pool of her own blood. She moved her wobble feet to her body and stared at the blood which flowed.

" Oh my god " Claire muttered underneath her breath.

" Josie. " She called, her voice barely audible as tears gathered up in her eyes. She fell to the ground beside her body and she wanted to touch her but she stopped herself. One thing she has learned from horror movies.

You don't touch the body. You don't touch anything at all. Claire told herself and she inhaled sharply, withdrawing her hand.

Claire looked up at the stairs and the imaginary scene of Josie falling off played in her head. She could feel her heartbeat racing as she gazed at Josie.

Her dark hair was sprawled out and her arms were twisted.

" Oh, god. Please don't be dead. Don't be dead. " Claire muttered, tears rolling down her cheek.

" Hello? Hello. Is anyone there? Somebody please help! " Claire yelled but nothing but absolute silence met her.

Where the hell is everyone? Claire thought and suddenly, the door burst open and the Arrington's walked into the house.

" What the hell is going on here? " Mar Arrington said, staring shocked at the scene before him.

" Josie? Josie. Oh, my god! Josie! " Mrs Arrington yelled, rushing towards her daughter.

" Josie... Josie! No. Josie. " She sobbed, shaking her.

Claire stared at Mr Arrington who immediately rushed to his wife and dragged her away from the body.

" No. No! Leave me alone. Oh, Josie. No! " His wife cried and her husband embraced her, burying her face into his chest while she struggled.

" Anna. Anna! You need to calm down. " He cooed, holding her still and she shook her head, looking at him with teary eyes.

" No, Jason. That's... that's not Josie, right? That's not... Tell me that's not my daughter lying there. Tell me! " Anna yelled and Jason couldn't say a word. He just hugged his wife instead and she hugged him back, crying profusely.

Anna finally pulled away from her husband and she sniffed.

" What the hell happened? " Mr Arrington questioned, looking at Claire who snapped her gaze to them.

" I... " Claire paused, swallowing deeply.

" What the hell did you do to my daughter! " Anna Arrington yelled, rushing to Claire.

" What the hell did you do to her! You commoner! " Anna yelled

" Nothing! " Claire said, her whole body shaking.

" I... I didn't do anything. I just... I just arrived and I... I met her like this. " Claire whispered, tears streaming down her eyes.

Anna let go of her and she looked at her daughter. She fell to the floor, screaming on top of her voice and Claire glances at Jason Arrington who has mixed expression on his face.

He sighted something crumpled in Josie's hand and he moved closer to her body. Jason bent and opened Josie's cold palm. He saw a note in her hand and he glanced at his wife. Jason collected the note and opened it.

" What? What's in it? " His wife questioned as he stared at the writing in the paper.

I am sorry, Mom, Dad. But I just can't be that person you want me to be. I have moved to a better place. Forgive me. Jason read and he bit his lower lip, staring in anger at Josie's body.

" What's in it, Jason? " Anna asked

" A suicide note. " Jason mumbled and Claire snapped her gaze to him.

" No! No... that can't be true. " Anna muttered and she moved to her husband, snatching the note from him.

" Oh, my god! " Anna said, raising a hand to her mouth.

" No.. no. No, Josie! " Anna yelled, tears streaming down her face and she felI the floor.

" Where the hell are the maids and the guards, huh? Where the hell is everyone?! " Jason yelled and Claire stood still to the ground, burying her gaze to the floor.

" What are you standing there for, huh? Call 911 immediately! " Anna yelled at Claire who flinched.

Claire moved her wobble feet to her bag and she collected her phone from it with shaky hands.

She dialed 911 but suddenly, Jason moved and snatched the phone from her.

" We are not calling 911. " He said, cutting off the call.

" What?... What do you mean? " Anna asked.

" She is gone, Anna. " Jason gritted out and she blinked, staring unbelievably at her husband.

Claire snapped her gaze to him, not believing he just said that.

" What did you just say? " Anna questioned, walking close to him.

" She is gone. " Jason repeated and Anna slapped him hard across the face.

" Don't you ever... ever say that to me again, you hear me! " She said, pointing a finger at him.

" Now, hand over the phone. " She said.

Suddenly the guards rushed into the house and they all halted abruptly on their heels when they saw Josie's body.

" Where the hell were you all, huh? Why the fuck weren't you all at your posts?! " Jason demanded and all of them shook with fear, gazing at the floor.

" I asked a question! " Jason yelled.

" It was... it was Miss Josie. She... she asked us all to leave and not return in the next one hour. " One of the guards responded.

" She what? " Jason asked, his brows knitted.

" Ye... yes. She... she threatened to fire us if we didn't leave. " Another guy said.

" Oh, god! " Anna whimpered, slumping into the couch and Claire gulped down nothing.

" And the maids? Where are they? " Jason questioned.

" She sent them to get things from the grocery store. "

" She planned this? She planned all of this? " Anna asked no one in particular.

And nothing but silence reigned as Jason Arrington paced about the room.

" The two of you... " Jason pointed to two guys out of the six standing.

" Tie her up and lock her up " Jason ordered and Claire's eyes widened and they guys stared at each other, none of them moving.

" Are you going to make me repeat myself?! " Jason snapped and the two men immediately moved towards Claire who stepped back.

" I swear Mr Arrington. I didn't do anything to her. I didn't-. "

" Get her out of here now! " Jason said, cutting Claire off and the two men grabbed Claire by the hand, taking her away.

" Please... I don't know anything. I swear! " Claire yelled on top of her voice as they dragged her away.

" What the hell are you doing, Jason? " His wife questioned.

Jason Arrington stared at his daughter's body, ignoring her and he turned to the remaining four guys.

" You two... " He pointed at two of them.

" Wrap up her body and take her to the basement. " Jason ordered.

" And you two... clean this place up and get me every information on Claire Walker. " Jason said, pointing his finger.

" Yes... boss. " They all chorused and Jason turned to his wife.

" You... Come with me. " He said, walking away and his wife followed him. They arrived at their room and Jason shut the door behind.

" What the hell is going on, Jason? " Anna questioned.

" Relax. " Jason said.

" Relax? You just stopped me from calling the emergency when I just found my daughter lying in the pool of her blood and you are telling me to relax? "

" Goddammit, Anna, just shut the hell up! I am trying it think " Jason snapped and his wife flinched.

He sighed, rubbing his temple.

" I didn't... I didn't mean to yell. I am just. I am lost here too, Anna. Freaking lost. " He mumbled, resting his hands against the table.

" Why do you think she did it? " Anna asked softly.

" What do you think she jumped off that stairs, Jason? " She asked and Jason shook his head.

" I don't know. " He mumbled and Anna gently sat on the bed, sobbing quietly.

Jason turned to his wife and moved closer to her.

" Hey, She is gone, okay? There is no point shedding tears. We can't afford to let this affect our business "

" Business?! Oh, so that's all you care about? My daughter is dead, Jason and all you care about is the business?! "

" We had a deal with the Gold's, Anna. What do you think will happen when they find out Josie committed suicide, huh?! "

" That means, no deal! They will withdraw their funding and what do you think will happen to us, then? We will go down the fucking drain, is that what you want?! "

" What I want is to call the paramedics, Jason. We could still save her. " Anna cried.

" There is no saving anyone! She is gone! " Jason yelled.

" Is that why you asked your men to bundle her up like a piece of trash? " His wife yelled back.

" Yes! Because no one can know she is dead, Anna. No one can know Josie is gone, you hear me? "

" What? ... what do you mean by that? " Anna questioned and Jason rubbed on his temple.

" I have a plan. " Jason said.

" What plan? "

" We are going to use that girl. "

" What girl? Claire? "

" Yes. We will have Josie's body cremated. "

" What?! No way! "

" Don't start, Anna. Just listen! " Jason snapped and Anna swallowed her guts.

" This will only be between you, I and the people in this house. I will make that Claire girl a proposition. She will become our new Josie in exchange for 1 million dollars "

" What the hell are you talking about, Jason?! "

" She is the perfect person. Weirdly, the two share almost the same looks. No one will notice a thing. And it will be like our Josie never died. " Jason explained and Anna shook her head in negation.

" No. We can't... we can't do that to Josie. " She mumbled.

" We have to. And after all we gave her, this is how she repays us? " Jason asked and Anna sniffed.

" And you can wipe off those fake tears. She was never our real daughter to begin with. " Jason said, walking towards the door.

" Where are you going? " Anna asked.

" Stay here. Take a nap if you must. I am going to handle this mess. " Jason responded, walking out the door and he locked it behind.

Two guards came up the stairs.

" Boss. We found out something about Claire. " One of them said.

" Yes. What is it? "

" She is an orphan and she has a younger brother. "

" Do you know where she lives? " Jason questioned.

" Yes, boss. " The two men chorused.

" Good. Bring the boy over here. Do it secretly. I don't want no fuck ups. Bring him here immediately. " Jason ordered.

" Yes, boss! " They said and walked away while Jason walked toward his study.

" An orphan. Perfect. " He mumbled.

Jason stepped into a room and he locked the door behind. He turned to Claire who was tied to a chair with a sellotape pressed to her mouth

Claire stared at Mr Arrington and she watched him grab a bottle of whiskey, decanting it into a glass cup.

He drank the content in one gulp and exhaled.

" Claire Walker. " Jason muttered, leaning against the table.

" You know I never could understand what my daughter saw in you. But you just might be useful after all. " Jason said.

He walked towards her and he peeled off the sellotape from her mouth.

" Please... I didn't do anything to your daughter. I swear. " Claire cried.

" Oh, I know. My daughter committed suicide, Claire. Of course you have nothing to do with it. " Jason said.

" I have a proposition for you. As you know, my daughter was supposed to get married in two days. "

" Yes." Claire whispered. " I was supposed to be her bridesmaid. " She added, gazing down as tears slipped her cheek.

" What do you think about being the bride instead? " Jason Arrington questioned and Claire raised her gaze to him.

" What?... What do you mean? " Claire asked.

" I know you have no parents and you are obviously poor. What if I gave you a million dollars, huh? "

" Why... Why would you want to give me a million dollars? " Claire questioned.

" Because you will take Josie's place. You will become the bride and your name, Claire Walker will cease to exist. " Jason said.

" You are asking me to pretend to be your daughter? "

" Except you won't really have to pretend. You two share the same looks. It shouldn't be hard. Actually, with the amount I am offering, it's a fair deal. " Jason said and Claire couldn't believe her ears.

" Your daughter just committed suicide and you want me to replace her? " Claire asked, wanting to be sure she heard him clearly.

" I am pretty sure that's what I said. " Jason said and Claire scoffed.

" What kind of a man are you? " She asked before she could stop herself

" I am a business man. And in the business world. No matter what happens, business has to go on. " He said, smiling and Claire shook her head.

" This... this is madness and there is no way I am indulging in it. "

" Josie was nice to me. She took me as a friend and I won't do this to her. No. " Claire said adamantly.

Jason nibbled on his lower lip, gazing down.

" You see, Josie wasn't just nice. She was a good little girl who does what Daddy tells her to do. But I guess that's what makes you two different so I would have to do things the hard way. " He said and Claire felt her heartbeat thud against her chest.

She swallowed nothing, watching him open a drawer and her breath seized for a second when she saw him bring out a gun.

" What... What are you doing? " Claire asked and he pointed the gun at her.

" When I made my proposition. I failed to add one thing. This isn't a request, It's a demand and you will comply whether you like it or not. " Jason said.

" You think I am afraid of you? Or that gun? Go ahead, pull the trigger. Hell, you would be doing me a favor. " Claire blurted and she could feel her heart beating loud against her chest when he cocked the gun and moved close to her.

Claire shut her eyes when he pressed the gun to her head and her entire body shook with fear.

" I wonder if to call you brave or stupid. " She heard him say and Claire slowly opened her eyes to see he had lowered the gun and she exhaled softly.

" But you see, I had my guys do a little background check on you and guess what they found? "

" You are not only an orphan but you have a sibling who is 12. I kinda figured you would be like this so I told them to pay him a little visit " Jason said and Claire felt her heartbeat hammer against her chest.

" You are lying! " She said.

" Oh, but I am not. " Jason uttered and the door burst open as two guys walked in with her younger brother, Cole who had his mouth sellotaped.

" Oh, my god. Cole! " Claire yelled, struggling in her seat and Cole was pushed to his knees as tears streamed down his eyes.

" Let him go. Let him go! Please... please. I beg you. Let him go. " Claire cried, tears brimming her eyes.

" It's your choice to make, sweetheart. You will take Josie's place and your brother gets to live. "

" I will do it. I will do anything. Please just let him go. Please! " Claire pleaded.

" I am sorry I didn't hear you. " Jason said, pointing the gun in his hand to Cole whose eyes widened.

" I said I will do it. Anything, I will do it. Just let him go. I beg you! " Claire said, struggling in her chair and Jason smacked his lips, dropping the gun.

" Now, that wasn't so hard was it? " He asked.

" Please... " Claire sobbed.

" Take him away. " Jason said and the two guys grabbed him.

" Don't hurt him. Please. I am begging you. I will do anything you want. Don't hurt him. " Claire shouts, watching them take her brother away.

" Now. Are you ready to comply? " Jason asked and Claire sniffed, nodding her head.

" Your brother will remain here until the day of the wedding. " Jason said.

" What? No. I already agree to do anything you want. "

" You see, that's not how business works. I make sure to have a leverage against my opponent so they won't turn back on their words. " Jason said.

" So your brother will remain here until you have married into Gold's family. " Jason said.

" The Gold? " Claire asked, her brows knitted.

" Yes. Ryan Gold. That's the name of the man you will be getting married to. " Jason said.

" What's going to happen to Josie's body? " Claire asked.

" I do the questioning and the telling. You just do the listening. "

" No. If I am going to do this. I need to know exactly what I am getting myself into. " Claire said.

" Fine. Josie's body will be cremated. "

" What?! "

" Yes. That is the only way. We can't bury her. It will draw attention and there will be questioning. " Jason explained and Claire was mute as she swallowed.

" Do you have any friends? Relatives? Boyfriend? Ex boyfriends? " Jason asked.

" No. " Claire murmured.

" Good. An orphan with no one at all but a brother. This will be easy. "

" I am going to hold on to your phone. You will be given Josie's phone. Your life as Claire Walker has ceased to exist from this moment forward. " Jason said.

" Why is this so important to you? Why can't you just tell the Gold's what happened and grant Josie a proper burial. Why are you trying to cover things up? " Claire questioned.

" Because their marriage was something discussed by my family and their family for each person's benefit. "

" An arranged marriage? " Claire asked.

" Yes. " Jason affirmed.

" So you killed her then? " Claire asked and Jason narrowed his brows.

" What the hell are you talking about? "

" You killed your own daughter for your own selfish gain. She probably committed suicide because she was done living with a controlling maniac like you. " Claire blurted and it took seconds before he spoke.

" You have got a sharp mouth. " Jason said.

" Did you go to college? " He asked.

" Yes. Studied business administration. "

" Great. Cause you will be taking up Josie's position as the CEO of AJ Enterprise. "

" And finally, your money will be sent to you as soon as the wedding is done. " Jason said.

" I don't need your money! " Claire said.

" Well, your loss. Do we have a deal? "

" No. I am only going to do this on one condition. Once I get married. My brother is leaving this mansion. "

" No. Your brother will remain with us here, even after the wedding. We can't afford any of his friends seeing him. "

" So you are just going to keep him locked up? "

" No. He will be sent to a boarding school. Out of town. I will fund the bills. "

" I don't need your charity. " Claire gritted.

" Oh, but you do. You don't want his life being put to a stop, do you? " Jason asked.

" Fine. But I need your word that you will not hurt even a strand of hair on his head. "

" Well, as long as you comply and do not tell a soul of our little deal. He will be perfectly fine. "

" So... Do we have a deal, Miss Claire. Oh, no it's Josie now, isn't it? " Jason asked and Claire inhaled sharply.

" As soon as you ask your guys to untie me " Claire said and Jason smiled.