Chapter 157 - Meeting Him

''You look good. ''

Claire's eyes fell to her shoes, a rush of blood tainting her cheeks;

She had taken her time to look exceptionally beautiful for him. She was putting on a milk-colored V neck long dress, the V was cut low enough to show her perfect cleavage and the rest of the dress hugged her body defining her perfect figure. Her hair, which was long, was packed up in a ponytail and it fell to her back, she really took her time to please him, and she wasn't surprised when she saw him staring at her;

''Thank you, you look gorgeous too. ''

Her eyes fell to his long black coat which he wore over a dark red shirt that had the first two buttons unhooked in a s.e.xy way, highlights of his tattoo visible; one thing was certain about this man, he knew how to dress, he even looked better than most runway male models;

''Hmm, let's get going. '' Nicklaus said, opening the door for her to get in.

Once they were seated, Nicklaus moved to start the ignition before he thought of something and stopped; then he turned to look at Claire.

Claire felt her heart race at his scrutinizing gaze; she wondered what was on his mind.

Nicklaus stared at her; she was a good looking and gorgeous woman, but… she wasn't Tiana. When she walked towards him, he remembered the first time he and Tiana went out, she was putting on a red dress that day and when his eyes fell on her, his heart skipped a beat and he was temporarily paralyzed. But this woman, although stunning, had nothing more to it. He didn't feel anything, nothing at all, she was just a beautiful sight.

''Claire; right? ''

Claire nodded, her palms fisting on her laps;

Nicklaus gaze turned forwards before he looked at her again;

''I love someone else, Claire. '' Claire's eyes widened at his confession, and her lips moved but it could not utter any word.

Nicklaus's head fell, as the car became silent;

''Even right now, I'm still in love with that person. ''

Claire felt a tight tug on her chest, she found it difficult to breathe.

'' And I don't know if I can be able to stop loving that person. I don't want to lead you on in any way, so I'm telling you… ''

''Do you want to stop loving that person? ''

Claire asked, cutting him off;

Nicklaus turned to her, falling silent; did he want to stop loving her?

Loving Tiana was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to him, and even with the pain, he didn't regret it, but at that moment, knowing that she was with another man and didn't want him anymore, he wanted to stop.

''Yes ''

Claire's heart warmed at that information; she couldn't hide her smile;

''I'll help you, let's start from somewhere, if it doesn't work we can end it. ''

Her eyes stared at him expectantly, she wanted this to work, even when she didn't know much about him, just sitting beside him, her heart couldn't stop racing. She liked him.

''I can't promise you that I'll love you… ''

''I know, let's just try… '' she wanted to reach out and hold him, but she stopped herself;

''You may get hurt, Claire. ''

''I won't keep my hopes up. '' Nicklaus glanced at her and found her smiling;

She didn't know how much he was in love with that woman, if she did, she wouldn't be sitting here with him.

''Alright then,'' He said and started the ignition, driving out of her compound.

Claire's eyes widened,

Were… were they dating now?

She asked herself but she didn't dare say it out loud, her eyes peeked at him and she couldn't help smiling;

It seems her pursuit wasn't totally in vain.

…

Liam held open the door for Tiana and he stretched out his hand to her. She smiled at him as she stepped out of the car.

She was putting on a blue strapless dress; her bosoms highlighted as the dress hugged her skin;

Her makeup was simple but she looked flawless. Liam could not stop staring;

This woman, how blind was Nicklaus?

''You look amazing. ''

Liam complemented for the fifth time that evening; Tiana couldn't help chuckling;

''Now you're making me feel self-conscious, this is the fifth time you're saying that. ''

Liam grinned; ''I'm sorry, it's just that… I can't take my eyes off you. ''

Tiana's gaze met his and she smiled; if those words had left Nicklaus's lips, she was sure going to be blushing too hard now, but at that moment, she only wanted to go in and sit down, and she didn't find Liam's gaze mesmerizing at all. Well, he had beautiful eyes.

''Let's go in now, people are watching. ''

She broke the silence between them and looked towards the entrance;

''Right,'' Liam nodded and put his hand around her waists as they walked forward.

Tiana held her breath as she was very conscious of his hand around her, he was merely holding her, why was she feeling like he should not be touching her? Like… like her body belonged to another?

Nicklaus… what did you do to me?

Since Liam was not known officially, he greeted only a few people he knew before going to sit down;

Liam held out a chair for Tiana to sit but just when she was about to sit down; she heard a familiar voice.

''Oh Tiana? ''

Tiana froze for a second and looked up and her whole world stopped.

He had not seen her yet because he was talking to a couple. Tiana wished the ground would open and swallow her whole, but when she thought about it, he turned to her and their eyes locked in each other.

Ba-dum!

Tiana's heart thumped so loud that she felt her legs almost give way. Everything around her silenced and the only person she could see was him.

He was staring back at her with the same intensity, as though seeing through her soul, seeing her intense longing for him. But just when she thought he was going to walk to her, Nicklaus looked away.