Claire's Pov
"Let me go Dad,i'm going to jump out of this car if you don't stop right now" I tried to free myself from his grip but he held me tightly.
"Stop the car " ..he turned to face me"what is your problem Claire, can't you be grateful for once in your life,I just saved your life for crying out loud"
Is this man really bragging right now?,after he left me to rot with the Cornwell's for ages,"Ohh,now you want to be a father because you kidnapped me?,let me go,you know this won't end well if Richard Cornwell finds out you escaped with me".
A weird smile appeared on his face,"Leave the car", he ordered the driver,"you have got it all wrong dear, I'm not helping you to escape dear ,I just need to talk to you and that body guard of yours won't even let me close."
"So much for saving me from the shootout "I said scornfully .
"Listen to me Claire,I know that I have not been the best of dad to you and your brother,but you have to remember that at every point in time,you have to choose family,.....now, it's obvious the Cornwells trust you enough to send you as their representative,I want you to make use of it, you'll be my spy__"
"Stop that dad,what are you trying to say?" I had to stop him there ,he did not only sound foolish but selfish.I spent my entire Childhood making sure Luca and I survived in the Cornwell mansion,and he is here to say this?
"Listen to me Claire,you have to put your emotions aside ,the Cornwells sit on a large pile of money,and I want access to their territory,you have to help me out "he insisted.
"Even if I decide to help you dad,there is no possible way that I can ,I might work for the Cornwells but I have no access to the family files and secrets, and if you must know, I'm here on this risky trip as a punishment for Luca's fuck up ,now can you please let me go"... I was irritated,after all I went through because of him,he comes from nowhere to ask me to be spy and put my life at risk for him?
"Think about it Claire, eventually you'll figure out that family is everything" he said as he opened the car door for me to step out.
I immediately stepped out the car and jammed the door 'finally'
I quickly got into a cab,'I hope Stevon is fine' I muttered,I was hoping he did not get shot. My thoughts were put to rest as his figure became visible with the cab approaching the hotel,he was pacing around and yelling at everyone,.....his eyes caught mine as i stepped down from the cab,his face lit up and he ran towards me, drawing me into his warmth embrace.
"I thought something happened to you, don't disappear on me like that again, never again" he whispered into my ear.
A million stars exploded in my head,is Stevon Cornwell actually into with me?
He held my hands as we walked into the hotel room.
"Hey,you don't have to be scared, everything is going to be alright, this is not going to happen again,I have it under control,I promise" He tried to assure me.
I was not in the mood to talk so i replied him with a nod,but he had to address the elephant in the room.
"Where were you and how did you escape?"He questioned.
'Can't he just leave it to rest,now i have to lie to him,I possibly can't tell him I was with my Dad' I thought to myself.
"Uhhm,I escaped through the back door,I saw my father escaping and I followed his moves but before we could get to the hotel door,he left me behind, just as expected.
I quickly took a cab and sought refuge at a restaurant untill everything settled down".... I felt guilty for lying, we're just starting to understand eachother,I can't build whatever this is in lies but I'll be putting myself at risk if I told him the entire truth,it is Stevon Cornwell afterall,ever ruthless.
"Smart girl" he placed a kiss on my cheek and retired to bed .He was obviously exhausted.
"Good night Claire"
********
"I'll make sure that bastard father of yours pays,how dare he disobey my orders" Stevon walked into the room screaming.
'What is it this time?' I have been sleeping through the day that I was surprised when I checked my watch to see the time at half past 2pm.
Stevon was obviously back from another round table meeting but what did my father do this time around.
I stood up from where I was and walked up to, holding up his cheeks in my palm,"What is it Stevon?,what happened?" I asked.
"It's that father of yours, after the insanity he caused yesterday,i decided to give him another chance against popular advice,not only did he refuse to attend today's round table meeting, he against my injunction,burnt down 70% of Sir Donald warehouse in Chicago.Now the entire meeting is in shambles, people clamouring support for their preferred party,they even questioned my family's authority as the head of the Italy Drop,all because of him" he said boiling with anger.
"Calm down Stevon " I pulled him closer and placed a kiss on his lips,..."you have to take it easy Stevon,my father always acts reckless,you just have to be smart in dealing with him".
"Well that's the problem ,I have no grip of the situation anymore,my father has ordered us to be back home by tomorrow and be has booked the flight tickets already,fuck!!!!,he'll be so disappointed ". He reiterated while trying to get away from me.
"Stay calm Stevon"
"Only one thing can make me calm" he said,his eyes locked with mine.
"And what would that be?"
He held my waist and pulling me closer to him,he asked that most unexpected question,"will you marry me?"