Who's Claire?
1222 Words
Chapter 2
Evans POV
I stared at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over the call button, my jaw tightened as I dialed the number once again for the fourth time, only to be met with the same robotic voice, “The number you are trying to call is unavailable, please try again later, or leave a voice message.”
I slammed my phone onto my desk, leaning back in my chair, running a hand through my hair.
“Sam!” I barked, my voice sharp. Within seconds, Sam, my ever efficient secretary, stepped into my office.
His clipboard clenched tightly. “Yes, sir.”
“Find her! Now!” My tone left no room for argument. “I've been calling her, and she's gone off the grid. I need to know where she is.”
Sam hesitated, glaring at his notes. “Sir, I've already sent someone to look into it. I'll get an update shortly.”
I stood up, unable to sit still anymore. My mind was not at rest.
This contract marriage wasn't just a business arrangement; it was the key to securing the partnership deal that my company desperately needed.
And now, Linda Hart, the woman I paid to be my contract wife, fled and disappeared without a trace.
The thoughts made my blood boil. How could she just vanish after agreeing to this? Minutes ticked into hours as I paced back and forth.
Finally, Sam returned, his expression tense. “Sir, I have news.”
“Well-” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
“She's left the country,” he reported.
For a moment, the word didn't register. I stopped pacing, turning to face him.
“What do you mean she's left the country? She agreed to this.”
Sam's hand projected with a click, “I'm not sure why, sir, but she's gone. My sources confirmed that Linda Hart is on a flight to Canada as we speak.”
I felt the weight of the situation crashing down on me as my fists clenched, and I could feel the pulse pounding in my temples.
“And the ring,” I demanded. Sam hesitated again, and his stomach dropped. His pause wasn't a good sign.
“There's been a mix-up.” Sam admitted, his voice quieter now. “The ring was sent to the wrong address.”
For a moment, I couldn't speak. I stared at him, waiting for him to correct himself, to tell me this was all some ridiculous joke. But his face remained serious.
“Wrong address.” I repeated, my voice dangerous. “Who has the ring now?”
Sam slipped through his notes, and finally said, “A woman named Claire. We are looking into her background now.”
I sank back into my chair, my head in my hands. This was spurring out of control faster than I could contain it. The plan had been foolproof.
I'd send the ring, seal the ring, and move on. Now, not only was the original bride gone, but some stranger had my ring.
I exhaled sharply, standing up again.
“Track her down, the one that has the ring now, I don't care how long it takes, or what it costs. Find her. I need that ring back.”
Sam nodded and hurried out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My finger drummed against the desk as I considered my options.
Who was this Claire? And why does she have the ring?
Hours passed, and I couldn't focus. I tried to immerse myself in work, but every email report only reminded me of the deal hanging up in the air.
My business partners were relentless, bombarding me with calls and demands.
The marriage contract was the only thing that could secure their trust, because they believed that a married man could control anything. Without it, the entire deal could crumble.
Sam finally responded late in the afternoon, his expression triumphant. “We finally located her, sir.”
I straightened immediately. “Where is she?”
“She's an employee at your company, sir.” His words caught me off guard and I narrowed my eyes.
“In my company?”
Sam nodded. “Yes, sir. She works in the marketing department. We've confirmed her identity.”
I leaned backwards, processing the information. Out of all the people who could have ended up with the ring, it has to be someone under my nose.
“What's her story?” I asked. My voice calmed, but heaved with curiosity.
“She's just an ordinary girl,” Sam replied, choosing his words carefully. “Middle-class background, no significant tie or influence. She's been working here for about a year.”
‘Ordinary’ The word echoed in my mind.
How could an ordinary woman end up with something that was meant to change the course of her future? My curiosity deepened, mingled with frustration.
This Claire - this stranger, was now tangled in my carefully laid plans, and I didn't like the loose end.
“Send the guards to keep an eye on her,” I ordered. “Make sure she doesn't slip away.”
Sam hesitated. “Sir, do you want me to arrange a meeting with her?”
“No,” I said firmly, "not yet.”
For now, I needed to see her, to understand the person who had unknowingly become a key piece in this mess, but I still had other work to do. I don't have time to meet up with anyone right now.
By the evening, reports started pouring in from the guards. Claire seemed blissfully unaware of the chaos she'd walked into, but I wasn't.
The longer I thought about it, the more determined I became.
This wasn't just about the deal, the ring or the deal, it was about regaining control. The phone on my desk buzzed, breaking my thoughts.
I picked it up, and Sam's voice came through the line. “Sir, there's one more thing,” he said insistently.
“What?”
“She's been through something recently, a breakup. I believe it's all over social media,”
I frowned. “A breakup?”
“Yes, it seems she caught her boyfriend proposing to someone else, a friend, perhaps. She's been posting cryptic messages, but nothing about that shows she knows about the ring.”
“A breakup.” That explains why she hasn't contacted or questioned the ring's arrival.
She was too preoccupied with her own life falling apart. The pieces were beginning to fit together, but the picture was still incomplete.
I stood up, the decision was made. “I'm going to meet her.”
“Now, sir?” Sam sounded surprised.
“Yes, now," I said firmly. “I want to see her for myself.” The silence rested for a moment before Sam responded.
“Understood, I'll have the car ready.”
As I hung up, I felt a mix of emotions, and something I couldn't quite place.
Who was Claire, and how was she going to fit into my plans now? The answer would have to wait, but not for long.
But one thing was certain, I wasn't going to let her slip away. I was going to make sure that I used her, and gain the upper hand.
- Writer
