Chapter 17

Saturday had come and gone. It was spent with the family exploring the island and taking in the last few moments of paradise. Clarke had packed her bags, returned the Aston Martin, and flown home in the late hours of Saturday. She had taken a cab home and crashed in her bed as soon as she had stepped across the threshold of the apartment.

Sunday morning, she went to the museum early. There was lots of work left to do before the gala that was later that evening. But Clarke couldn't get the events of the last week out of her mind. She consistently thought back on the person who had been by her side for almost a week. The way his hand had felt in hers. And how sleeping alone had become so strange in such a short period of time. She wanted to talk to Octavia. She wanted her best friend's advice. But she hadn't seen her yet since she had gotten back and it was not a conversation she wanted to have over the phone. Especially not considering that it regarded her brother. Although Octavia had made jokes over the last few years about them being a couple being easy for their friend group. So, Clarke was sure it wouldn't be an issue. If anything, Octavia would probably start a fan club.

Clarke pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted her roommate that she would see her at the gala and that they should catch up after. Within seconds it pinged to indicate she had a response. Octavia agreed to both and was excited to see her best friend. With a sigh she decided to put it all to the sideline for now and focus on the gala.

She attended some meetings and spoke with some of the photographers who photos were part of the new exhibit. She got changed and did her makeup in her office. She was wearing a burgundy, floor length dress, and her hair was half up half down as usual. She made her way down to the event space. A few servers were setting out the last details but otherwise the hall was quiet. She walked over to the entry way of the exhibit hall. Two beautiful vases stood on short pillars on either side. In them were stunning bouquets, hand crafted by van Vliet the week prior. They were inspired by some of the photographs in the exhibit and the contrast of colours was breathtaking. Clarke admired the works for a while.

"You really do always admire the flowers more than the art," a voice spoke behind her. She turns to see Bellamy Blake. He is standing a few feet away. Dressed in a black suit with a burgundy tie. She recognized the suit as the one that had hung on the outside of the closet ready for the wedding in their hotel room in Maui. She tilted her head in questioning, trying to wrap her head around how and why he was here. "Octavia gave me her ticket. She thought you might be in need of a date," he offered with a half-smile. He was making sure he wasn't overstepping. Clarke smiled back. "Madi snuck me in early," he added, to explain how he had gotten past security a half hour before the event doors were supposed to open.

"Ah, I see," Clarke responded.

There was a moment of silence. "How is Astrid?" Bellamy asked.

"Better," Clarke nodded, "because of you." Bellamy almost looks defensive, like he doesn't want to have the credit for it. "She told me you were the one who found the emails."

Bellamy ran a hand through his messy curls. "It was mostly Raven to be honest," he confessed.

"So I heard," Clarke answered.

"I just had a feeling. And Astrid is a gorgeous person, she deserved so much better," Bellamy said, more to himself than to Clarke. Clarke nodded in agreement. They stood for a moment longer, in comfortable silence.

Clarke looked at the bouquet, her eye catching a particularly vibrant purple agapanthus in the middle of the arrangement. "I never got to properly thank you." Bellamy glanced at her from the side. "I'm really glad you came. Through all the drama and craziness, all the pretending, I'm glad you were there."

"I made a promise of that island," he responded. His tone soft yet serious. "To Astrid." He now turned to face Clarke again. The twinkle in his eye was deep and dark. "No more lies. So, here it goes. From the moment I met you, I knew I wanted you in my life. But I didn't realize until we were pretending to be in a relationship how badly I wanted you to be in my life in that way." He took a moment to collect his thoughts. Clarke could only listen. She didn't even notice she was holding her breath, waiting for what else he might say. "The truth is, I came with you to be your fake wedding date, but I wasn't pretending."

Clarke takes it all in for a moment. She shifts her weight, knowing she would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn't ask him the one question that had been burning inside of her for the last few days. "What about that night, after dinner, on the beach?" She was referring to when he had kissed her. When he had taken their subtle indications of romance to a new level. And afterwards made it abundantly clear that it had all been just another moment to convince the trio.

"I lost myself in the moment," Bellamy admitted. His voice was now low and husky. He seemed a little unsure about saying the words but the feeling behind them was crystal clear. "But then I pretended that I was pretending because I wasn't sure…if you were still just pretending," he finished.

They both couldn't help but chuckle at the predicament they had landed in and the terrible explanation Bellamy was trying to give.

"What about now?" Clarke asked softly. She took a small step forward, starting to close the space between them. "There is no tropical island, no wedding to break up, no family to impress, and no sports car to drive." Bellamy smiled at the last remark. "Right here, in this moment, in the heart of New York City, are you, Bellamy Blake, pretending?" her voice was light and slightly teasing. Full of wonder and hope.

"No, never again," he answered. "Are you, Clarke Griffin, pretending?" He tilted his head slightly in curiosity. It was like they were the only people that mattered in that moment. The answer to this question would potentially define the rest of each of their lives. A lively and almost electric energy surged within the walls of the exhibit hall.

"I stopped pretending a week ago," Clarke confessed.

Bellamy immediately closed the space between them. The energy in the room swiftly shifted from wonder and hope to need and urgency. As if they had waited years for this moment. Clarke's breath hitched in her throat once again. Her eyes were locked on Bellamy's. She was sure hers read exactly like his did, deep with longing. Bellamy put a hand on her face, the warmth of his skin welcoming on her cool cheek. Bellamy's other arm found its way around her waist. He gently pulled her ever so closer. There was merely space between them now, let alone air. Clarke took a breath.

Bellamy took one more instant to take her in. To truly see the features of her face and the ocean blue colour of her eyes. Then he leans in and kisses her. His lips melted into hers. Clarke suddenly pulled back. "You think they believed that?" she asked. Bellamy's eyes went wide. He physically flinched back a little bit. Clarke's mouth pulled into a teasing smile. She couldn't help it. Bellamy pinched her lightly in the sides. Clarke sniggered in delight. They both laughed.

Then Clarke pulled him close again and kissed him. This time deeply and passionately. He returned the kiss. "Oh, sorry," Madi's voice broke through the moment. They both turned to see Madi, holding a clipboard, standing in the entrance. "It's time," she said shyly, fully aware she had slightly ruined a beautiful moment.