It was a change of scenery for Claire. At this point, she didn't know if it's a good change or a bad one. She was tired of her cyclical life; eat, work, sleep, repeat. The pattern rang inside her head like a dull chore.

At the young age of 21, Claire Amadeux managed to work herself up to get a job that paid the bills. Just the basic necessities of life were all she needed. But was it all she wanted?

She had no exact vision in mind. What did she want? She knew she had no passion, goddess sake she had no passion for anything at all. But was she content though? There was something she wanted, something hidden behind her laid-back self. Something she knew she wouldn't find in the city.

No. Not in the city.

It was just her and her empty spacious apartment. This wasn't her mindset before though, she used to love the city. But that memory was now locked away somewhere in her brain.

But... she felt as if a huge part of her was missing. That she was a facade, and a new Claire would soon be emerging. She knew. She was sure of it. The pulsing in her blood, the very blood that ran through her veins. She was meant for something bigger. So when the advertisement for the farm showed up on the very same night she contemplated about her life, she knew. This was it. This was her chance to know herself, to find herself.

Risk-taker was a subtle way she described herself, if not a fool. When Claire saw the farm in person, she froze. She wasn't stupid, she knew that quitting her job and spending the last of her savings for a farm she'd only seen in an advertisement once was a big risk.

A risk she stubbornly shoved aside. But still... how she hoped...

Another term she describes herself was that she was a fighter, and a fighter she was alright. Never would Claire back down from a fight. May the gods and goddesses help her.

All the built up emotions inside her wanted to escape. Anger, denial, self-loathing, helplessness, hopelessness. And the Mayor dared to provocate her. Even worse, he made her look like a fool.

Everything after that was red.

Without a thought, she picked up her hammer from inside her sack. Mind you, it was a big hammer. She didn't know where she got all that strength from but she managed to swing it from above. But she was too slow.

Fortunate for the short Mayor, who seconds before was laughing at her. He managed to dodge the smash, a cry escape from his lips. Surprisingly, Claire liked it. Claire heaved as she tried to lift her hammer again, but all that stamina was now gone.

Well then, if I can't smash, I can slash.

Throwing the hammer aside she opted for a sickle. The man began to move backward. Claire let out heavy pants, her face flushed. The short man was shaking, his face driven by fear. Then she slashed.

Had she killed a man? She felt like she hit something, or something stopped her.

A firm hand wrapped around the snath of the sickle, causing her arms to buckle and release her grip.

"I don't know what's happening here, but if he did something to harm you I'd help you cut him to pieces." Claire's sapphire blue eyes widened.

A guy stood in front of her, his frame stood between Claire and the short bastard. Her sickle in his left hand.

"I'm-i'm really sorry Miss," The short man shakingly walked towards her, fiddling his fingers. Claire still found it hard to catch her breath. She bent downwards and placed her hands on her knees, her golden blonde bangs hiding the tears that almost fell from her eyes. Pathetic.

"I'm Mayor Thomas, the mayor of this lovely town. It's nice to meet you, Miss?" Silence. Holding back tears was something Claire wasn't good at. You see, she was an expressive person, but she didn't want to show her weak sides yet.

Mustering the last of her courage, she managed to speak out. "Claire. Claire Amadeux." She said as she stood straight and faced the mayor, giving a glance to the guy beside him. His son, maybe? He was roughly her age, except maybe a few years older.

"I'm sorry that you had to sell everything you had just to buy the farm," Claire balled her fists, her mouth pressed into a thin line. Yes, she confessed. She was an idiot for that, but she didn't need to tell him that.

"It once was a glorious ranch but the owner passed away months ago, no one wanted to take over the farm, so the MT realtor made the advertisement sound cheesier hopi-"

Someone cleared his throat. It wasn't Claire. The Mayor and the blonde looked at the young man. Who by the way, was still holding Claire's old sickle. "This is where I have to speak. If you don't mind me introducing myself. The names Jack. Jack Jackson and I believe this farm now belongs to me." The words came out from his lips smoothly, and he directedly looked at Claire.

The words itself sounded hysterically funny, at least that's what Claire thought first. "Well, you must be lost. I bought this farm a little while back. So why don't you run along?" The words came out rudely than she expected it to be. The moment their eyes locked, brown meeting blue, something clicked. No, not that silly love at first sight children called. It was competition, a challenge.

They say that the eyes are windows to the soul. Claire believed that. His eyes glinted in mischief, but something told her that he was someone not to be taken lightly.

"Well listen up blondie, as much as I'd love to have a beautiful girl sleeping with me, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I mean, unless you'd like to work for me of course." He rose an eyebrow, a coy smirk appeared on his face. Claire couldn't help but notice that he was... odd. He had a pull on her. Everything about him screamed 'charm'. That pissed off Claire even more.

Before she could retort, the Mayor interjected. "Now, now, I'm sure that there must be a civil way to settle this." He said, giving Claire a look. The guy named Jack handed him a paper. The mayor read it, his face contorting in confusion.

"I'll call the MT realtor to give you a full refund, I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding." The mayor said slightly wincing atthe blonde's stern look. She didn't care if it's a wrecked farm, I mean yeah she did, but keeping the farm was more important. "No. I'm keeping the farm. I bought it. If we need to discuss it more I'll call my lawyer." Claire hoped they didn't call it a bluff, she barely had any money left to get back to the city.

The brunet's brows rose. He stared at her for a moment and cocked his head to the side. A visible smile on his face. Claire had a feeling that this guy was playing with her. "You know. Even if you call a lawyer, you know I'd win. The rights to the farm belong to me. But I'm giving you a bargain here." He chuckled.

Claire shot him daggers. Yeah sure he could win, but we don't know that, right? I mean, I'm not backing down from a fight. But why was this place in the market anyway if there already was a will?

"Ohhhh I just had the most pleasant idea!" The Mayor cut the blonde's train of thoughts. "W-well why don't you... both run the farm? It would be good for Mineral Town. Both of you have...equal rights to the farm, and judging by how it looks. Two working together would be better than one. And in no time this farm would return to its former glory!" The Mayor said as his hands fidgeted, looking very cautious. Claire scoffed. But it actually was a pretty good idea, she knew she lacked the physical strength to remove all those rocks and boulders. A partner would come in handy, but she was sure that having him as a partner wouldn't work out.

She eyed Jack warily. He was tall, she barely reached past his shoulders.. or maybe she was just short. Then Claire realized that she was eyeing him obviously. She quickly averted her glance to the mayor and before she can speak, the mayor opened his mouth.

"Well, Would you look at the time! The decision is for the both of you to make. Both of you can discuss the matter, and let's settle it tomorrow. I, on the other hand, have responsibilities to be taken care of at the Valley. Don't forget to say hello to the neighbors!" The mayor chirped in, and with that, he left the farm. Leaving the blonde and brunet alone.

Making sure the Mayor was gone, Claire decided to speak, but Jack beat her to it. "Nice to meet you again, Claire Amadeux." He said, smiling at her, while extended his left arm and handing her the

sickle.

Again?

-_-_-_-_-Leave a review or some suggestions if you please!Thank you for taking your time to read this.