Chapter 4

The Church

"Claire!"

Claire was awakened by someone calling her name but instead of seeing someone, she saw nothing but smoke. Her heart was pounding so hard. Suddenly, she felt tears flowing from her eyes.

"Claire!"

"Claire! Hey wake up!"

Alice shook the redhead when she heard her sobs upon entering their room. Claire finally woke up, soaking in her sweat.

"Hey, what happened? Nightmare?"

"It felt so real…"

"Shh, stop crying. It was just a dream. Do you want me to get you some water?"

"Yes please."

"Stay right there."

"Thanks."

Alice quickly got off the bed to get some water. Claire was already recovering from her bad dream when Alice came back.

"Here. So tell me what your dream was?"

"I don't know. I think I was in the middle of a fire. "

"Oh my, you're burning?"

"No, I don't know. I didn't see fire eating my flesh but I could feel the heat. I can still even taste the smoke right now."

"Do you think it's a premonition?"

"No. The place isn't familiar."

"You said that it wasn't clear. And besides, what if you haven't found that place, YET?"

"It wasn't clear but I can see that the place isn't concrete that's why it's burning. The hotel is concrete, our place back home is concrete, I can't think of any place where that fire could happen."

"But—"

"Enough! Hey, you're supposed to be making me feel better!"

"Oops, sorry. I was just carried away."

"You watch too much, dear."

"I think so, too. Let's just forget about it. It was just a dream anyway."

"Right. Anyway, where have you been?"

"Exploring the mansion…"

"And how did it go?"

"It was better than I thought! The whole mansion is a paradise. We should explore together next time."

"As soon as we finish our main agenda here."

"Sure! I can't wait!"

Claire was about to put the glass on the counter when she noticed something lying on the floor.

"What's this?" the redhead asked smiling.

"That's mine!" Alice immediately took the photo from Claire's hand.

"Where'd you get that? You're beautiful!"

"I know right. I'm always beautiful."

"No kidding. I never thought you could be photogenic!" Claire teased.

"Hey! Is that a compliment or an insult?!"

"Depends on how you take it! Don't tell me you have a secret lover?"

"Of course not! I just met him a while ago!"

"Oh! So this is why you chose this place!"

"What? I chose this mansion because it's beautiful."

"Oh really, huh? Not because you're planning of meeting someone?"

"Stop it, Claire!"

"You're inlove!"

"I'm not! Don't be silly. I just met him."

"Well then, you like him."

"I—, I-I …"

"You do! Oh my god! This is major good news! I thought you were a lesbian!"

"Excuse me! How could you!"

"Kidding! I'm happy for you, Alice!"

"Well… thanks…"

"So! You admit it!"

"I—, fine! Yeah I like him."

"So who's the lucky guy?"

"Matt."

"Matt?"

"Yeah, I met him at the garden. He lives here."

"Is he handsome?"

"More like a prince."

"Oh. My. God! I never thought you want to be a princess! You're really surprising me, Abernathy!"

"I didn't say I want to be a princess."

"Whatever, Alice. So when can I meet him?"

"I don't know… Maybe next time I see him."

"So, he's the one who took this picture?"

"Yeah."

"He's a great photographer."

"I know! He can make everything look beautiful!"

"I better meet him soon. I want him to take my pictures!"

The two giggled in their room fantasizing about the blonde's new crush.

Claire was able to get a good night sleep after the nightmare. She woke up early and decided not to disturb Alice from her sleep. She also finished a meeting with her clients early, giving her the chance to get back to the hotel before lunch.

On her way to the mansion, Claire noticed an old church. Claire wasn't a religious type of woman or someone who's fascinated with old stuffs but there was something in the church that was dragging her to check it out. She got out of her car and stood outside the church, analyzing the place.

Shortly, she decided to go inside. She has no plans of praying so she just find a place near the main door to sit. Someone sat near her but her thoughts were drifting away, she didn't bother to look. After a couple of minutes, she finally decided to go back to the hotel. She was on her way out of the church when she noticed the one who was sitting near her. He was on his knees, praying like an angel. Claire felt a sudden spark inside her, making her heart beat faster than usual. She was stuck in her place until the guy finally opened his eyes, catching sight of her.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The guy apologized with a smile.

The guy immediately went back to a sitting position to give way to Claire. It was no help, the guy's tantalizing blue eyes staring at her only made Claire froze more in her place.

"Are you okay, Miss?"

"Uh, yeah… I'm just… my feet… it's numb."

"Oh! Happens to me a lot. Will you give me the permission to help you, my lady?" the guy gestured in the most polite way. Claire almost melt.

"Well, Uh…"

"It won't hurt, I promise." The blue-eyed guy smiled.

Claire felt a sudden guilt coz her feet wasn't really numb.

"Go…" the redhead answered.

The guy helped Claire sit down then went on his knees and took the redhead's feet.

"Does it tingle?"

"Uhm… a bit…"

He took a piece of pen from his pocket and put it in between Claire's big and second toe.

"I know this looks funny but I read this and tried it as well. It was very effective on my side."

"I- I don't know what to say… I think it's working…"

"Really? Well, that worked fast!"

Claire bit her lips, she reacted too fast.

"It really is effective!" Claire said. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome, my lady. So next time your feet gets numb again, you know what to do."

"Yeah. Thank you again. Uhm, I think I should be going…"

"Oh sure. Take care."

"Thanks. Uhm, can I have this pen?"

"Sure. It's all yours."

Claire was about to stand up when she lost her balance. Fortunately, the guy caught her in his arms.

"Hey, are you really okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I'm too clumsy."

"You should take care of yourself, I'm not always around the corner, you know." The guy winked.

Claire gave a nervous laugh. She feels like her whole body is numb.

"I think I should lead you in your car."

"No, you don't have to."

"I insist."

"Well, if that's what you want…"

Claire straightened up and tried to focus so hard on walking while the guy followed her. Finally, they reach the place where Claire's car was parked.

"Here we go. Thank you for coming with me, I feel like a kid." Claire joked.

"Well, I used to be a baby sitter."

They both laughed.

"So, I really should be going…"

"Sure. Drive safe."

"Thanks!"

Claire went inside her car and started the engine. Before reaching a curve, she gave another look at the church. She's not religious, and definitely not a very nice person but one thing's for sure, she's absolutely coming back to that church.

AN: READ AND REVIEW! :D

kennedy fan and TomoyoMisaki: I'm very sorry for taking super duper LONG TIME to update. Internship is really eating most of my time. T_T Anyway, here's the fourth chapter! Hope you still enjoy reading this story. I will try very hard to update as soon as possible!