When Claire returned, everyone was in the living room. She couldn't stop wondering about Bruno no matter how hard she tried to make assumptions about his predicament—the reason why he left his family for two years. As she approached them, Ryan's intense gaze thawed her thoughts like a candle in flames.

Why was he staring at her like that? Her breath shallowed the more she took steps closer, and he looked like a king on the throne as he took a seat on a wing chair, propping his ankle onto his opposite knee afterward. His gaze didn't free her even when he reclined back, resting his arms lazily on the wooden armrests.

"Hey, Claire, come in!" Bruno urged, waving at her to join them.

So fucking awkward. Claire wished she didn't come here today.

"How exactly do you two know each other?" Mr. Stevens asked, smiling confused at them.

"We met recently," Bruno replied.

"On the same day I met you both," Claire filled in, her eyes betraying her mind by stealing a long glance at Ryan as if she was explaining it specifically to him.

"What a coincidence," saying this, Mr. Stevens drew his glass of juice from the coffee table. "But I'm so happy you came to visit and brought this rascal back to us."

"No, it was all his doing." Claire sat next to Bruno, and across from Ryan, as her cheeks flushed with unfathomable warmth.

Brothers! They are brothers! Was fate fucking with her?

Ryan didn't say a word, but it felt impossible for him to avoid Claire's hazel green eyes that made her look like an angel with the little white sundress she was wearing, her wavy golden hair falling past her slender shoulders splendidly.

She looked different today. Perhaps... more beautiful? Maybe it was the dress. Or her glowing hair that complimented her bronze skin perfectly. But why was she with Bruno? With no deeper meaning to it, Ryan couldn't will his curiosity away.

Lunch was served shortly after, and Claire spent the whole afternoon in the mansion. She was able to learn that the boys' mother, Mr. Stevens' daughter, died two years ago and that's when Bruno left and only stepped foot in this house today.

Around six it was time to go. As much as Claire loved and enjoyed their company, their amiable laughter, and the warmth of their home, a reminder of how different her family was from theirs, she had to report at work first thing tomorrow morning.

"Consider this your home, okay? Because I'm sure you can make good friends with these two," Mr. Stevens told Claire as they stepped out of the house, ready for her departure to Lisbay.

"Okay, thank you." Claire smiled shyly at that friendship proposition.

With Bruno, yes. She was already friends with him.

But with Ryan, she could never see herself as his friend. She just couldn't.

"Going to the city?" Ryan asked from behind her.

Flouncing her body around, she muttered, "Yes."

"I'll give you a ride," he said curtly, and it occurred to Claire that this was the only time he'd spoken to her despite the many conversations they'd had today after and during lunch.

Ryan was more of a listener. Bruno and their grandfather did most of the talking, and all Claire did was smile, blush, and drop a few comments.

But she agreed to go with him.

"So, Mr. Photographer." She was now with Bruno, her smile tiny but meaningful. "I'm going now." She was still worried about him for some reason, as though she could see some hidden pain behind his broad, award-winning smile.

"Don't be a stranger," Bruno breathed, holding both of her hands delicately.

"I won't. And you gotta get out of this town once in a while, okay? Call me if you drop by in the city."

"Sure will, beautiful." He grinned playfully as he basked her into a friendly hug. "Be good, huh? And thanks for coming." He kissed her on the cheek, and her eyes flashed in a start when she noticed Ryan's subtle gaze toward their little exchange.

Her insides coiled, the reason unfathomable.

"You, too," she told Bruno, questing with everything she had to not look back at Ryan.

Why was she intimidated by him each time their eyes met? It tortured her to admit, but something was flapping inside her every time he'd look at her—the kind of look akin to a supercharged attraction that she hated to yield into.

"Done?" Ryan inquired, and she hummed a yes. He walked past Bruno and whispered, "We'll talk later."

"Yup," he agreed.

Claire slipped into a black Vogue, in which she sat next to Ryan in the front. He gave her a tight glance, his firm, and slightly calloused fingers laced around the steering loosely as if he was waiting for something before igniting the engine.

"What?" Claire quizzed.

"Seatbelt." His voice came out deeper and thicker than usual, almost mean but in a way that took her breath away.

She swallowed thickly and did as she was told.

Now that they were alone, the Vogue sliding slowly out of the compound, Claire had no idea how to go on about it. She was to be stuck with him for at least two hours, and she never knew what to say around him.

"Do you come here often?" Ryan broke the silence.

What a miracle! It took Claire by surprise.

"No, this is my second time in years," she answered. "And you?" Her eyes were on his face, studying the trail of his well-pruned beard accenting the stern jawline.

"Maybe once or twice a month." He eyed her this time, only fleetingly, before his blazing gaze strayed back to the front windshield.

"I see," Claire uttered, and she couldn't think of anything else to say.

Unlike Bruno, she found him difficult to talk to. But why? She wasn't afraid of him. No, maybe she was a bit intimidated by his strong aura, but she could handle that much, couldn't she? A lot went on Claire's mind until she chose to give up.

She took a nap throughout the way, only to realize they were already in the city, and it was dark, a long while later. Flashing her eyes open, she discerned that the car had stopped on a service road, and Ryan was on the phone once again.

Damn, does he ever take a break from his beloved phone? She scowled while rubbing her tired eyes to wake up fully.

"Okay, I'll speak to Harry and see how we can pin them legally," Ryan said into the phone and hung up a few seconds later. "Are you up?" he asked Claire, his voice cooler, eyes still on his phone.

"Yeah, I..." A long yawn muffled her intended reply.

A smile lingered on Ryan's face. "Where do you live?" he asked her.

"I live at—" She paused. Why is he asking? She narrowed her eyes dubiously at him. "I'll just grab a taxi, thanks," she said crisply.

"A taxi?" Ryan frowned. "Why? We came all the way here, I might as well drive you home."

"No!" Claire answered stoutly, and upon his gaped lips, she knew he was estranged by her crazy reaction. "Well, I don't want to inconvenience you, so I'll just take a taxi from here."

Why am I taking a taxi again? She bit her bottom lip, for it was almost foolish of her that she didn't want him to know where she lived.

Ryan tilted his head low in a lazy fashion, staring at her sideways. "You don't want me to know your home, is that it?"

"No, I didn't say that," Claire argued, and he lifted his eyebrow as he always did, challenging her. She sighed, exasperated. "Well, think however you want! I'll get going. Thanks for the ride," she said while grabbing her handbag in a rush.

Amused, Ryan's lips stretched into a small grin. She's cute. He hardly found women carrying such levels of innocence in his cycle, so it was quite intriguing. She was like a timid teenager, and all he was used to seeing were fancy and materialistic women who knew exactly what they wanted from him and whatever affair he'd indulge them with.

"As you wish" — he pressed the unlock button so she can successfully open the passenger side door — "but if I want to know where you live, I can find out in a snap of a finger, just so you know." He was smiling wickedly, his features devilishly gorgeous.

Claire snorted, her hand stuck on the door handle. "I dare you," she blurted out.

"Do you, now?" Ryan's eyes lit up as he sat upright, his grin wider and mesmerized now.

"Yeah," Claire snapped. "Besides, why would you do that? Are you attracted to me, Ryan?"

How stupidly bold, Claire. She firmed her eyes, nevertheless.

Ryan was increasingly intrigued by her. Maybe she wasn't innocent, after all. Those hazel green eyes were a more of spitfire now that he paid close attention. No, maybe she was just pretending to be some kind of damsel, wasn't she? His predatory thirst for challenge began to run him dry.

"Have a goodnight, Claire," he said, her question ignored.

She snorted again before muttering, "Jerk."

"What did you call me?" Ryan squinted his eyes tightly, but deeply he was dying to just laugh as he began to imagine so many ways he could shut that foul mouth of hers.

Fuck! He needed to let go of these lewd thoughts.

To let go of her for good.

"Handsome." Claire grinned, sarcasm evident on her mocking face. "Bye." She slammed the door as soon as she was out of his car.

Smiling, Ryan watched after her until a taxi pulled over and she slid in.

"Claire." For the second time, her name seeped off his lips like a whisper of the wind, and goddamnit he knew it wasn't gonna leave the tip of his tongue so easily.

__

At last, Claire was a career woman. It had been a few weeks since she started working for the construction company she'd once interned at, and her life had gotten busier than she was prepared to. It was okay. It meant less time for brooding and more time to be occupied.

She kept in touch with Bruno and they talked frequently. He'd become another good friend that she was slowly growing attached to, and recalling that she'd missed a call from him due to a tight headline that had everyone in the office going nuts, Claire called him back as soon as she arrived home.

"Hi, beautiful," Bruno uttered in that charming voice of his.

"Hey, boy, how are you?" Claire replied while kicking her heels like little monsters they were.

"I'm good, Busy day, huh?"

"You have no idea." She sighed heavily, and at times like these, she wished someone would hold her and kiss her and never let go, even though a good shower and sleep were all she needed.

"Oh, dang it. I'm sorry; I should probably let you rest."

"Don't be silly. Tell me, what's up with you?" She trudged barefoot toward the window and slid one shutter to block the breeze.

"Me? I'm good. And... actually... I'll be in the city tomorrow and maybe we can hang out? I miss your pretty face and I think it's a mental therapy I need," he teased.

Claire saw no reason to decline. She could never say no to Bruno who was the master of charming her without making her uncomfortable. Their relationship had been sort of platonic so far and it was the main reason why she felt safe with him.

At the end of the call, Claire decided to go out for some air. She would constantly feel overwhelmed being inside the house she called home unless she was ready to sleep. But she wasn't right now, and evening walks worked magic on her seasonal insomnia.

Sullenly, Claire strolled through neighborhood driveways, coming across a few residents and cars passing by. It was a normal distraction she needed. She stopped by the park and took a seat on the wooden bench, and her mind was free as she focused on the twinkling stars smiling down at her.

It was peaceful. How she wished her life was in the same harmony as the night sky. But all she felt was emptiness. Even at this moment, she knew there was something she yearned for so badly; each morning she woke up, and each night she went to sleep, she could feel the abysmal void in her heart.

Only the sound of her phone buzzing was able to bring her back to Earth. She fetched it out from the pocket of her black slacks and looked at the screen. It was a new number. She hated new numbers. Staring at the screen for a few seconds, she finally swiped a thumb hesitantly.

"Hello?" Her voice was careful.

"Hi... Claire." It was a male voice, deep and rich and thickly familiar.

"Um... who is it?" She could swear this voice wasn't new in her ears. Upon the caller's breathy silence, she gently asked, "Ryan? Is that you?"

"Goodness, I'm impressed." His arrogant-like laughter affirmed Claire's suspicion.

Damn him! How did he get my number? She sat upright, watching the dog walkers and cyclists breezing by the narrow trails of the park.

"I'm good. Is everything alright?" she queried, squinting her eyes to blur the confusion. "I mean, this is all too strange... you calling me."

"Why? Am I not allowed to call you?" Ryan remarked after a brief pause, only to add, "You dared me, remember?"

"No, it's not that! I mean...so you took it seriously?" How childish! Claire rumbled on, all because she was too stunned that he actually tracked her down, even if it was just a phone call.

Was it Bruno who gave him her number?

"I take every challenge seriously, Claire, you should be aware of that." His response was full of mockery, but Clare couldn't separate a hint of honesty in it.

She took a deep sigh, combing her hair with her fingers.

"Okay, dude, whatever." She almost rolled her eyes. "So, where are you, stalker?" It just slipped and regret pooled in her.

Why did she want to know his whereabouts?

"Still in the office, and I hardly think of myself as a stalker. You suddenly came to my mind so I gave you a call," Ryan answered bluntly and she could imagine those smoldering golden-brown eyes doing their usual bidding.

Now she rolled her eyes. "Really? I'm honored! Getting a call from the big shot Mr. Ryan Stevens? I should probably put a reminder," she taunted him.

She heard him laugh briefly before he asked, "Are you at home?"

"At the park, in our neighborhood, trying to clear up my head."

"I see," Ryan breathed feebly. "Would you mind having dinner with me?" he asked her straightaway.

Dinner? Claire shifted in her seat. Calling her out of nowhere and giving out a dinner invitation? Was it normal coming from a guy who barely talked to her?

"Um... I'm not properly dressed and I don't want to go home right now," she answered, staring at her office attire: a white chiffon blouse tucked into black slacks and a pair of flip-flops that replaced the black pumps she had on the whole day.

"What is properly dressed? Are you naked by any chance?" Ryan asked.

"Of course not! How vulgar!" Claire recoiled, and she could hear his amused laughter that strangely made her smile like a ninny. "Okay, fine! Don't say I didn't warn you when you appear in some gossip blog."

By now she knew Ryan Stevens was the President of one of the biggest real estate companies in Spain—the SK Group. All thanks to Gena's cyberstalking moves.

"No, that can't happen. I'm not a celebrity, Claire." He didn't seem to mind at all.

"Alright, prepare a taxi fare because I'm penniless right now." Claire stood up, grinning at this suddenly easy conversation between them.

How unexpected!

"That can be arranged without a doubt. Any more excuses?" Ryan queried.

"None?" Claire frowned, then smiled nervously as something weird was happening inside her tummy and she didn't appreciate it that much.

______

A/N: Along came dinner invitation lol. I'm excited for this one and thank you for sticking around.