[center]“Hn. You’d be quite surprised at that girl’s tenacity, quite honestly. If it’s important enough, I’m sure she’ll come find you.” Christian responded with a short sigh, glancing back to where the girl was headed off of the beach. She was quite the firecracker, and that night had been no exception. Whomever the men were before him - it seemed their very presence had set Clara off. Either way, he would get to the bottom of it. 

“Well, it was nice to meet you both, but I’d better be going as well. G’evening.” He nodded and turned away from the two before quickening his pace to meet up with Clara who had covered much more ground with her long strides. She’d all at once slipped on her shoes once she’d reached the steps that led back into town, and her heels could be heard echoing throughout the alleyways. 

“Clara - wait up!” 

“Go away, Christian. I’m going home - aren’t you fucking happy about that?” Clara snapped, pausing only momentarily to grab at some of her skirts to walk a little faster. Her knuckles were white and she was drowning in the irritation that was all around her. Now that she knew what it was, the pull of that man was aggravating, and it took quite a bit to keep herself from running right back there. Asshole - that’s what he was. How dare he suddenly show up after all of this time - wanting to give that damn thing back - wanting to just be done with it all? No, it wasn’t that easy and Clara wasn’t about to allow it to be that easy either. She just needed to get him alone- away from that other man who was practically hanging onto him. 

“Cut it out.” Christian suddenly bit as he caught up to her and grabbed her suddenly by the elbow. The girl paused only for a moment before she yanked her arm back with another glare, her lips pursed in that all too familiar anger. “What’s your problem tonight? I knew it was a mistake to bring you here...” 

“Oh stuff it, Christian. I’m in a mood; deal with it.” 

“You’re always in a [i]mood[/i], Clara. Who was that guy anyway, Kieran- what’s his name?” Christian asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets. The girl was waking briskly enough and he could see his estate just ahead at the end of town. 

“He’s nobody. Just drop it.” The girl huffed in response, not daring to look back at Christian. A part of him had to have known. 

They both approached the manor quickly and Clara was the first to throw open the door and head straight to the staircase. “I’ll be in my room.” Was all that was heard before she was gone, a door slamming in her wake. 

Christian sighed as he stepped inside and shut the front door soundly behind him. He watched the stairs for a long moment before he turned to head to another room in the meantime. “I know, Clara... Like always.” He murmured, dropping himself down onto one of the armchairs. If he knew Clara well enough, he knew this mood was bound to last.... especially if his suspicions were correct... 

Clara had locked her door behind her and headed straight for the four-post bed, tossing herself back onto a sea of pillows. Her gaze lie only on the ceiling, trying to drown out her thoughts; drown out the sudden feelings that overcame her. It was as if that night played over and over again in her mind; the betrayal suddenly felt fresh; the wounds felt open and oozing. Her hand mindlessly came up to graze her own neck, fingertips causing shivers to run down her spine. Son of a bitch - she would find him tomorrow and she would put a goddamn end to it all... 

Her eyes slid shut but all she could think about was that night long, long ago. No matter what she had done, she couldn’t hide from those feelings - not with him that close... She needed to sever that tie -- she didn’t want to feel him; didn’t want to know he was in town; didn’t want to know that he was reachable - and had no inkling to want to see her either. 

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