Claire descend down the stairs claded in pink top with handwoven off white cardigan and washed out blue jeans, her chocolate brown locks tied in a ponytail leaving few strands to fall over her face.

She took deep breath before stepping down the last stair. She gonna regret, she knows.

Claire walked towards the kitchen to get herself a glass of water to calm her nerves down, a weird sensation ran down her spine making her shiver.

"Breathe in" she inhaled, "breathe out" she exhaled air pressing her lips she took a shuddering breath.

Suddenly the sound of door bell made her jump on her place causing the water to spill on the floor.

"Christ" She whispered, marching towards the door to open it.

"Hey! READY?" This question wasn't the only thing thrown at her but it was accompanied by a very enthusiastic Arthur, who jumped on her to engulf her in a hug.

"Hmph" was all she could utter, detaching herself from him she gave him a tighted lipped smile.

"Hey come on don't be grumpy" Arthur pouted pinching her cheeks " You are going to be okay" He further assured.

A nod was her only response because she herself was in dilemma everything happened just so fast, she couldn't register.

"We are getting late cupcake" he patted her head tenderly smiling softly at her.

Arthur was the best person she could ask for in life, a person who was a friend but also a brother. He was a family from teasing her to looking after her like his own sister, from putting her in trouble to listen her trouble he stood by her side in each ups and downs of her life navigating her and helping her out. He was an anchor to her ship.

She smiled looking at him, grandma walked out of her room adjusting her rimmed spects "you are here" grandma spoke softly to Arthur motioning him with her hands to come in inside.

"No grandma we are already getting late, we must leave now" He said eyeing Claire.

Claire took a deep breath and turned towards grandma "yeah we must leave" she mumbled seeing anywhere but grandma.

Claire was talking to grandma but she was still upset with the fact that she agreed.

Grandma nodded proceeding to hug her, her eyes glazing with unshed tears "I love you" She whispered.

Claire couldn't hold anymore she hugged her grandma tightly "I love you too" Words left her mouth in mumbles.

Arthur walked in and joined the hug "don't cry alone ladies let me join".

Gradually they broke the hug, Claire nodded and walked out with Arthur.

~~●●~~

Claire sat in passenger seat whereas Arthur sat behind the steering wheel, he agitated the engine and drove towards the main road.

She got lost in her thoughts, her forefinger scrapping the skin near are thump resulting the skin to peel off and causing it sore red. She remembered when she received a call from an unknown number and when a decision was made which had the power to change not only hers but two or more lives on the way. Fate was decided, step was awaited.

Claire just returned home and was taking off her shoes to keep them on rack, barefoot she walked into her room to change when she received a call. Her phone blinked and vibrated the light catching her attention.

she picked up the phone which was kept on the table, call was from an unknown number she contemplated whether to pick it up or not but soon the call ended . She shrugged and tossed the phone on the bed before walking towards her cupboard when her phone vibrated again "oh for the love of god, who is it" she groaned.

She picked the phone, the same unknown number flashing on the screen "it better not be a prank call or else Arthur is going to be 6 feet under ground and this time I mean it" Claire narrowed her eyes punching the green button.

"Hello is it Claire D'Aboville speaking?" A sophisticated deep masculine voice asked from the other side.

"Yes, who is it?" She questioned frowning as she sat on bed crossed leg. " Its Finlay, friend of Marcellus" the male spoke again but this time with a soft chuckle.

"Marcellus who?" She spoke softly yet confused, the name ringing in her brain but she couldn't pin point the exact image of the person who's name has been addressed. Silence was followed after her response.

The other person was too stunned to speak for a moment "uh Marcellus as in MARCELLUS Ambrose" He emphasized on the name checking his phone if he called the right girl. Before he could put the phone back to his ear, his phone was snatched away.

All Claire could hear was some shuffling from the other side then a THUMB! followed by few incoherent and mumbling under the line "you don't have push me like that man fu-" all silent before another voice spoke, this time a more formal yet deep and husky, she remember it "hello" her frowned eyebrows shot up, eyes as big as soccer while mouth slightly agape.

Upon not receiving a respond from her the person spoke again "Hello" annoyance lacing in his voice.

Claire shook her head "yes" she spoke slowly gazing at the clock hanging on the wall Infront of her near the door that showed quarter to 10 at night. She thought as to why would he call at this time.

"So you don't remember me?" She could hear the smirk in his voice, she grabbed the blanket tightly "I do remember but I don't want to remember that's another thing" she gritted out.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk now all you going to do is remember me" He chuckled darkly. "In your dreams" She retort to which he only scoffed.

"Why did you call" She asked impatient to hang up the call so that she could  sleep snuggling into her pillow and get over with the day already.

Marcellus sighed "Listen I wasn't able to convince dad regarding this marriage crap so~" his voice trailed off.

"so? so what?" Claire asked sitting up straight ready to run to the window and jump off incase he said something she is thinking it is which she would not do.

"SO YOU AND I HAVE TO GET MARRIED CAN'T YOU GET IT?" His voiced raised causing her to freeze in her place. "NO" she shouted back, the idea of jumping off still sounded better in her mind.

"Ok listen I know neither you nor I want this marriage we just have to pretend for six months after that you your way and I my way that's it" He said.

"What makes you think I will agree to it" She asked standing up, moving towards the window. She heard soft breaths on the other side of the line before the person spoke "There is no other way, after six months we are going to apply for separation till then I will also be able to convince dad that it's not working between us and we want to sperate our ways" He explained.

Claire nodded "hmm okay" she agreed thinking this might help. "Okay" He responded before he hung up the phone.

After that call Arthur was the first and the only person she talked to informing him about everything. At first he doubted but then he also agreed with Marcellus' plan.

Now here she was heading towards the court for marriage, according to Marcellus they were going to have a court marriage so no one outside would know about it.

"Anxious?" Arthurs voice brought Claire back to present. "No" She replied turning her head to look at him.

"Yeah sure" He says eyeing towards her hand then back to the road. They reached there and Arthur searched for a vacant area to park his car.

After parking they both walked towards the entrance of the office where Marcellus was already present, he was wearing black three layer tux that fitted his body well, his black hair combed back neatly only few of them falling on his forehead. He was there with some other guy on his left who wore grey three layer tux with messy brown hair and ocean blue eyes all opposite of Marcellus. He quickly stood up from his seat grinning and extended his hand for a shake "Hey! My name is Finlay and you must be Claire" He chirped which resulted him to receive a glare from Marcellus, who was shooting daggers now.

"Hey, Yes it's Claire and he is my Friend Arthur" She introduced Arthur to him. Arthur smiled back and shook hands.

All this while Marcellus was silent "Let's get done with this already" He spoke standing up "You are ten minutes late by the way" He took steps towards her.

"Yeah there was some traffic" Arthur answered on behalf of her while Finlay went to talk to the marriage officer in office for the further process. He came back and then all of them went inside for the formalities.

The officer stood up seeing Marcellus walking in and then went back to his seat, he opened a register for them to sign.

Marcellus sighed it first and passed the pen to Claire. She slowly took the pen her brain conflicting on whether to run away or break the pen so there is no pen to sign. She quickly shook her head, looking around she found Finlay grinning in excitement, Arthur when found her looking at him passed a polite smile which she returned back and Marcellus was busy burning holes on register with his glare.

she took one deep breath muttering "only for six months that's it" she quickly signed it. Later the officer asked Finlay and Arthur to sign as witness.

After signing Finlay jumped on Marcellus engulfing him in a hug to congratulate him, Marcellus patted his back mentally preparing a note to deal with him later on.

Rings were exchanged between them and now they were married. Married with no emotions nothing but with the will of getting separated in six months.

Their lives were going to take new turns few good, few disastrous no one knows what future holds for them ahead.

________________________________________

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