A Lie So Beautiful

6.Claire

Mia's Point of View.

Mia: Claire!

The moment I said that, I instantly regret it. I mean what was I thinking, how can I just call a random person Claire. No matter how much they look alike, I should know that Claire can never be here. And no one can ever be Claire. I must be crazy.

But what I don't expect was

The girl: Hello, I guess Jace has already introduce me.

Mia(confuse): Huh?

The girl: You just call my name right? Claire.

Mia: Your name is Claire?

Claire(confuse): Yes Iam Claire, Claire Morrison.

And she advance her hand to shake, but I was too shock that I just shake her hand and keep staring at her. How can two people be this similar. Its like she is the older version of my sister Claire.

And I guess I stare too long cause she was fake coughing to break me out of my staring state. Ahhh so embarrassing, but I quickly get out of my surprised state and introduced myself.

Mia: Iam sorry for that. Hello Iam Mia, nice to meet you.

Claire: Likewise.

But while we were introducing our self, Jace has been acting weirdly. He keeps on staring at Claire with a look of shock and I can even see a tinge of being scared. He look so uncomfortable standing there.

But what caught my eye was the expression flowing by in his eye, the happiness mixed with sadness, the anxious yet relief and a strange look I do not have the knowledge and courage to decipher, all pass by when he look at Claire.

And Claire just look at him with bittersweet expression, she look at him with a smile at her face but the frown in her face can also be clearly seen.

And all this make me uncomfortable strangely.

Jace seem lose somewhere, now with a blank face. To bring him out of it I call him.

Mia: Jace?

And when I call him, he look like he was shaken awake from a dream. He look shock to see me in front of him but I don't know why?

And when I look at him confusedly and give him a small smile, its like that bring back my Jace. The warm look he always give me was back, the look on his eye change back to the normal one I know, also giving me a small smile.

But what comes next make me so much more uncomfortable, just as Jace avert his eye from me , the look he gave the guy whose name I don't know yet, is scary . Jace look like his anger know no bounds. He look at the guy with pure rage.

While I just stare at them in confusion.

Why is Jace so angry?

They are his friends, I thought he will welcome them with an open arm.

But here is the complete opposite of my expectation.

Seriously what's wrong with them?

On the other hand, the guy does not seem affected at all, rather he just gave a nonchalant expression.

Like he expected Jace will be angry.

But why?

This is getting weird and confusing for me cause all three of them, they look like they knew what's going on.

And me I just look at them as if, I am watching some enemies accidental meeting, not at all a friend union.

But as amusing as this was, the awkwardness I feel is killing me so I decide to break the ice.

Mia: Jace?

Jace: Oh sorry. Mia can you please show Claire around. I have something to talk about with Mike over here.

Mia: But you..

And before I finish he was gone dragging Mike along with him while I just murmur to myself " haven't even introduce us".

Jace is weird today.

Claire(fake coughing): Ummm

Mia: Oh sorry, come in.

And I lead her to the living room offering her some juice. After which follows an awkward silence. Yes, Iam like this. Initiating a conversation is way out of my league.

We just awkwardly smile at each other sipping our juice. But after a while Claire ask a question, which I thank God for.

Claire: Why did you call me Claire if you don't know my name is Claire?

Mia: You really look like my sister who is also named Claire.

Claire: Really! What a coincidence, I also thought you really look like my sister , who also has the same name as you.

Mia: Really! Maybe it's a fated thing. You guys look so alike, so beautiful. If she could grow up, Iam sure she will be as beautiful as you.

Claire(confuse) : If she could grow up?

Mia: Emm! She passed while she was very young.

Claire: Oh Iam so sorry. I must have brought up a hurtful memory.

Mia: Its fine, memories with her are always a happy one. But tell me about Mia.

I quickly change the subject to Claire's sister, cause everytime I talk about my sis, I end up crying in frustration. I can't remember anything clearly, I know her face through all the pictures and the small small scene I remember from my childhood and the only thing that comes to my mind is she is really beautiful with that gorgeous smile. While Iam deep in thought, Claire brought me out of it

Claire: Mia is the sweetest, she always run after me to take her wherever I go. Crying her eyes out when something doesn't go her way, sulking cutely with that pout when unhappy, always asking for hugs and cuddling everyone. And when she is happy, she come running to share it with me, she pretty much share everything with me, also stealing all my stuff or buying the same thing to be like me. She is really the best.

Oh, Iam sorry, Iam just blaberring away.

Mia: No!No! Its fine, I really love the bond you guys share. But your sister must be a lot younger than you, she sound like a kid by listening to what you say.

Claire: Yeah, she is just a kid. She will forever be a kid to me now.

Huh! Forever be a kid? Oh maybe she just see her that way because she is younger than her. Just as I was about to ask more about her sister, my phone rang showing Justin as the caller.

But when I pick up the call and hear what Justin says, my heart skip a beat but not in a good way. I don't know when I stand up, grab my keys and sprint out , driving to the hospital.

I reach there in a record time, 15 minutes. And sprint up in the VIP ward.

And open the door in haste not caring how loud I seems

Mia(worried) : Dad!

Chris: Hey Mia.

Mia: What is this, I told you not to stress and work too much. Now look at you.

Chris(chuckling): Clam down, I just feel a little uncomfortable in my chest. Nothing serious, I told Justin not to tell you but now look at what he has done. Making my Mia worried.

And I just glared at him, first he made me worried by being sick and now he wanna hide it. That little.

Chris: That sound so much better in my head, I should have never said it.

And that make me smile, actually dad has a poor heart, and if he stress too much, it can lead to heart attack. And sometimes when he is too tired or overworked himself, he always fall sick.

Mia: Just try not to get sick okay! I was so worried you know.

And I got teary eye again, this always happen when dad get sick. I can't help it, I only have dad as my family and he was given to me as a miracle. Loosing him will be like loosing my everything. He is the main reason why Iam having such a good life and I don't want to and can't give that up.

Chris: Aww my baby girl, come here. Give your old man a hug.

And I just flung to him, him being sick is the absolute worse. I hate it.

Chris: Come on Mia, Iam alright. Don't cry hmm. Iam absolutely fine. Iam gonna be with you till the day Justin is a drama king okay?

To that I just laugh, the day Justin becomes less than a drama king is not a possibility, that's why dad and me always use this instead of things like eternity.

Justin(coming in): How can you father daughter use my name like that? Iam gonna sue.

Chris, Mia: And our point is proven!

We said it at the same time, high five each other laughing. Justin also join in.

Mia: Justin, you got dad's report?

Justin: Nop! But Dr.Johnson says he is good as new. So he will be fine.

Mia: Thank God.

Chris: I told you, nothing was wrong with me, its just Justin overreacting.

Mia: Shuss dad. This is the only time Justin overreaction is useful, I should take full advantage of it.

Justin: Tch! I don't overreact at all. Its just last time I hide this from Mia, she make all my ladies friend think Iam a gay! Even Jace was convinced.

I burst out laughing remembering that time, one girl seriously cry hearing that news cause he was her crush, that why I end it there. Ahhh what a loss of opportunity.

I even got Justin kneeling to end it already. Good times.

Chris: Talking about Jace, where is he? Aren't you supposed to be with him Mia?

And Justin and dad look at me expectantly while I just stare back.

Oh No!

Iam so gonna be scolded, cause you see this is not the first time, I have a tendency to run away quickly without saying anything when I have any emergency.

I guess it become a habit from work, cause here the moment I see some emergency I gotta do something fast for them to survive, I don't have time to review or tell someone.

But that's not the point, the point is today Jace is gonna kill me.I was warn that last time was supposed to be the last time this ever happen.

Justin: Call him already, that dude freak out far more than I do. And that's saying something.

Mia: Maybe you should call, and I'll act all sad later. Then he won't be mad.

Justin: Tch, he was the one who set me up on a date with a dude when you keep telling people Iam gay. Why would I lie to someone as scary as him?

Mia: Hmph you scarydycat!

Justin: Look whose talking?

And I just childishly stick out my tongue, with him doing the same to me.

Mia: Dad? Can't you?

Chris: Oh! No!No! That dude can be scary, Iam in my old age, I don't wanna suffer like Justin.

Mia: You guys are really... Ahggg

To show that Iam frustrated , I even stomp my foot, leaving the room to call a tiger named Jace.

When I take out my phone I see many missed call from Jace, making me more scared and unwilling to call him. Right then a call came again and of course its Jace.

I very reluctantly pick up.

Mia: Hey, sweet Jace!

Jace(angry) : Sweet Jace, my foot. Where are you?

Mia(quickly) : You see, Justin,toldmedadwassicksoIwithouththinkingrushtothehospital. Iam sorry.

Jace: I can't believe I can even understand this now, what does that say about you huh? Anything serious with Chris?

Mia: Dad's fine. He said its just feel a little uncomfortable in his chest.

Jace: Okay! I'll be there is a minute.

Mia: Its fine here, you should be with Claire and Mike.

Oh yeah I completely forgot about them. How rude of me.

We invited them and I just run away with no explanation and now even Jace is coming?

Ahhh this is the first time I meet anyone connected to Jace and I just sprint out on them.

I should have at least explain what's going on. They must be confuse. Mental facepalm , please note.

Jace: First you forgot me and now you are chasing me away? Are you testing how mad I can be?

Mia: Its room n.o 5 in the VIP section, I'll see you there. Now babye.

With that I quickly hang up, I know for a fact that he will be mad. I guess I have to officially apologised to Mike and Claire later on. Now I have to deal with angry Jace, I can't afford distraction.

Like I said this is not the first time this happen. And once, he even have to search for me for a whole day in a very huge amusement park.

Boy! Was he mad that day. But not because he search the whole day but because he thought something happen to me. And was super worried and freaked out.

But in my defense, I went with an ambulance which has a very critically hurt patient, completely forgetting him with my phone. It did not end well for me that day which make me look forward to today more.Sarcasm very much intended.

In about fifteen minute, Jace was here. He comes in the door and give me a good glare while I give him a very big smile.

Jace: Hey old man, you okay!

Chris: Of course Iam, Mia and Justin are just over reactor.

Jace: That's a relief then. Try not to get ill at all, if not ill be always forgotten. Now to the people who forget me.

While my dad laugh, I just give Jace a grin not saying anything cause for a matter of fact I have search through all kind of excuse but come up with none. While I just smile on, Jace continue to glare at me, making me more nervous and just blurt out

Mia: Ahhh bathroom, yes bathroom is where I need to be.

With that I rush out, I am sure Iam just making him more mad but I need preparation. So its best I buy some time and calm myself.

But I don't really need the bathroom so I decide to get some coffee.

With that I went to get some coffee, for all of us except dad and me.

But when I was getting back after I get the coffee, I saw Jace waiting for me halfway in a secluded terrace like thingy, with a bench actually meant just for dad as its just outside his office, which is very near to the room he is in right now.

I thought of running but hey I must face him sometime so the quicker the better I guess.

Mia: Ohh don't be mad! Iam sorry, so so sorry. And as a bribe coffee?

And he just glare at me while I look at him with a puppy face trying to win him over, but as expected it does not work. It never do.

Jace: How many times have I told you not to just go away like that. You scared me, when Claire said you just run out in a hurry. Mia, are you listening.

I must have zone out halfway cause I can feel something is not right.

Mia: But rather than mad , why are you sad?

Jace: Huh?

He look so upset right now, not at all mad. Jace is someone who is not very open about his feelings.

He always say yes to everything I say, even if he hate the idea of it, rarely sharing his point of view.

Everytime he will let me believe what I want to believe rather than telling me the truth.

For him its like whatever I love is what he will be.

And knowing this, I try my best to know what is actually going on and not just what he says is going on.

And I take it as my duty to try to know what he like, what he feels and what he doesn't like.

Iam getting pretty good at it , but I fear someday, I might not be able to tell and he will end up upset or I may even ignore what I know just cause he don't say anything for my selfish reasons.

But for now, I know for a fact that he is not happy about something. So let's try solving this first.

Mia: You look so sad right now, not mad. Even if you said you are mad you just look sad to me.

Jace(chuckling) : Hmm, you really know me well. How do you do that? I thought I was doing pretty well.

Mia: Ehh! This is basic if you are gonna be someone's girlfriend. I did my homework, doing pretty good right?

Jace(chuckling) : Of course! Its Mia, if she is not doing good, who else will be.

He may say that, but I bet looking at his expression he don't wanna share what's going on. But Iam okay with that, he will come to me if he wanna, and waiting for that is okay by me. And right now comforting him is my first priority. And if by not sharing he feels better than so be it.

Mia(acting smug) : Well I can also tell, you don't wanna share what's going on now. And Iam okay with that. Getting greater huh?

Jace(smiling): Iam so blessed to have meet an angel as my girlfriend then.

I really don't know how to share now, but once I figure myself out, I swear I'll come to you first.

Mia: That's okay, you take your time. But if there is anything I can do to make you feel better; you can come running to me okay?

Jace: Actually there is one thing you can do.

Mia: Really?

Jace: Can I get a hug?

And I just melt right there. He look so vulnerable right now, and the fact that he is opening up this much to me is more than enough for now.

So with a smile, I open up my arm to give him a big warm hug.

Mia: Come here big guy.

Jace: Thank you, for always being so understanding.

Mia: So, Iam forgiven right.

Jace: Hmm Promise, this is the last time okay?

Mia: Okay promise.

Jace: Then I have no choice but to forgive you.

And like that, another sweet moment pass by with a smile.