Episode 2
1393 Words
Chapter 2
Claire groaned as she walked into the hotel lobby, spotting Hendrix leaning against the bar, sipping a whiskey. She had been dreading this moment for weeks, ever since their parents had announced their engagement at a family dinner. Claire had always thought of Hendrix as a playboy, and the last person she would ever consider marrying. And now, they were stuck planning a wedding together.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Hendrix said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. "The ice queen herself, Claire."
"Don't be ridiculous, Hendrix," Claire replied, her voice cold. "We need to discuss the wedding plans."
"Oh, joy. Can't wait to hear your ideas, Claire. I'm sure they'll be as exciting as you are," Hendrix said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Claire rolled her eyes. "Let's just get this over with. Where do you want to start?"
“Why don't you start with some drinks?” he said, offering her a glass.
“No thanks I don't take alcohol”
“Really” Hendrix was perplexed, he wondered how many lies she could tell so easily.
Hendrix shrugged. "How about we start with the guest list? I have a few hundred people I'd love to invite."
"A few hundred?" Claire's eyes widened. "We can't have that many people. It'll be a circus."
"Ah, come on, Claire. Lighten up. It's a party," Hendrix said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Claire sighed. "Fine. But we need to keep it small. Just close friends and family."
Hendrix raised an eyebrow. "You mean like, 50 people?"
Claire nodded. "Yes, that's a good number."
Hendrix snorted. "You're kidding, right? That's not a wedding, that's a dinner party."
Claire's face tightened. "I don't want a big, flashy wedding, Hendrix. I want something intimate and elegant."
Hendrix shook his head. "You're such a buzzkill, Claire. Fine, we'll do it your way. But can we at least have a decent DJ?"
Claire hesitated. "I was thinking more like a string quartet."
Hendrix groaned. "You're killing me, Claire."
As they continued to plan the wedding, Claire couldn't help but notice the way Hendrix's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.
But as the days went by, she found herself looking forward to their planning sessions, just to see him.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Claire said, shaking her head as they pored over the wedding plans.
Hendrix chuckled. "I know, it's crazy. But I have to admit, I'm enjoying this."
"Enjoying it?" Claire raised an eyebrow. "You mean, enjoying torturing me with flower arrangements and catering menus?"
Hendrix grinned. "No, I mean enjoying your company. You're not as terrible as I thought you'd be, Claire."
Claire rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks. I think."
Hendrix leaned in, his voice low. "Seriously, though. I never thought I'd say this, but... I'm actually looking forward to spending time with you."
Claire's heart skipped a beat. "Oh?"
Hendrix nodded. "Yeah. You're not what I expected, Claire. You're... intriguing."
Claire's eyes locked onto his, a spark of electricity passing between them. "Intriguing?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hendrix smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yes. And I think I'm starting to like it."
“Well don't think too much about it, I'm only doing this because I wasn't given a choice” Claire said trying to distance herself from him.
As they gazed at each other, the tension between them was palpable. It was clear that this was no longer just about a business arrangement... but a real connection.
********
Days passed, and Claire and Hendrix continued to plan the wedding, bickering and snarking at each other along the way. But as they spent more time together, Claire began to notice little things about Hendrix she hadn't seen before. Like the way he laughed when he thought no one was looking, or the way his eyes softened when he talked about his family.
One evening, as they were discussing the catering menu, Hendrix turned to her and said, "You know, Claire, you're not as terrible as I thought you'd be."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, I think."
Hendrix chuckled. "No, seriously. You're actually kind of...fun."
Claire's face softened slightly. "You're not so bad yourself, Hendrix."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, a spark of understanding passing between them.
"Maybe we can make this wedding thing work after all," Hendrix said, his voice low and husky.
Claire smiled, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Maybe we can."
As they continued to plan the wedding, Claire found herself enjoying Hendrix's company more and more. They started to share stories and laughter, and Claire discovered that beneath his playboy exterior, Hendrix was kind and caring.
One night, as they were leaving the hotel, Hendrix turned to her and said, "Hey, Claire? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Claire replied, her heart beating slightly faster.
"Why do you always wear your hair up?" Hendrix asked, his eyes curious.
Claire's face flushed. "I just like it that way, I guess."
Hendrix nodded. "I think you'd look beautiful with it down."
Claire's heart skipped a beat. No one had ever complimented her like that before. "Thanks, Hendrix," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
At this point, Helena sauntered into the room, her eyes fixed on Hendrix. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The happy couple, planning their wedding."
Hendrix looked up, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "Helena, what are you doing here?"
"I heard about the arrangement," Helena said, her voice sugary sweet. "And I just had to come and offer my congratulations."
Claire's eyes narrowed. "Thank you, Helena. That's very kind of you."
Helena's gaze never left Hendrix's face. "Oh, it's no trouble at all. I'm just happy to see Hendrix so happy."
Hendrix shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Helena, we need to focus on the wedding plans."
Helena pouted. "Oh, of course. The wedding. How exciting. I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle... with Claire."
Hendrix's eyes flashed with irritation. "Helena, stop it."
But Helena just smiled, a sly glint in her eye. "Oh, I'm just getting started. You see, Hendrix, I have a little secret. Something that could change everything."
Claire's eyes snapped at Helena's face. "What are you talking about?"
Helena leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm talking about the fact that Hendrix and I... we have a history. A history that Claire here knows nothing about."
Hendrix's face went white, and Claire's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?" Claire demanded.
Helena smiled, a triumphant look on her face. "Oh, I think Hendrix can explain. Can't you, Hendrix?"
And with that, Helena turned and walked out of the room, leaving Hendrix and Claire in a state of stunned silence.
Claire's eyes blazed with anger. "What is she talking about, Hendrix? What history do you have with her?"
Hendrix sighed, rubbing his temples. "Claire, it's not what you think. Helena and I... we were together a long time ago. Before I even knew you existed."
Claire's face fell, her voice barely above a whisper. "You were together? How long ago?"
Hendrix hesitated. "A few years ago. It was a brief fling, nothing serious."
Claire's eyes narrowed. "A brief fling? That's not what she made it sound like."
Hendrix stood up, his hands spread wide. "Claire, listen to me. Helena is just trying to cause trouble. She's jealous of our arrangement, and she's trying to drive a wedge between us."
Claire's laughter was bitter. "Jealous of our arrangement? You mean our fake marriage? The one that's supposed to be a business deal?"
Hendrix's face softened. "Claire, I know this isn't ideal, but-
Claire cut him off, her voice cold. "No, Hendrix. I don't want to hear it. You should have told me about Helena before. Now I wonder what else you're hiding from me. I knew you as a play boy, but I was beginning to believe that you had dropped your act for the sake of this so-called marriage, but it seems nothing has changed."
And with that, Claire turned and walked away, leaving Hendrix looking frustrated and worried.
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