Chapter 39-3

“Why now?” she curiously asked. “This is the first time you’ve wanted to meet my boyfriend on your own.” He shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly. “I heard on the news that there was an accident where he’s building a new hotel.” Ah, so that was why. Though Claire couldn’t help but think that Simon had joined the game too late. In fact, it was already over. Then again, Simon didn’t keep up with news and usually caught up after everything had died down a little. “Is he okay?” Claire was slightly surprised to see her brother’s concern. “He’s fine.” She answered. “Oh.” Claire’s eyebrows immediately twitched when she heard what she thought was disappointment in Simon’s voice. “Well, if he’s okay, then let’s go see him. What’s his name by the way?” Simon never bothered with her exes’ names. “Heath.” She muttered, feeling irritated from his demanding tone. “Heave? Like heave-ho? You’re sure he’s not actually a lumberjack or something?” “I said Heath!” Claire shouted, catching the attention of some people in the lobby. She immediately apologized and they turned away with smiles on their face. “Oh.” Simon held out the syllable. “Heath. Like the candy bar? Ha!” he snorted. Claire turned to her brother with a glare. He had purposely done that. And she had stupidly responded just as he wanted. As brother and sister, they knew what got on each other’s nerves. So just as Simon knew about her annoyances, Claire also knew about his. “At least he’s not a freckle-obsessed idiot.” Right away, Simon’s smile fell away from his face. The two of them had freckles, but Claire had come to term with hers a long time ago. Simon, however, was still worried about the fact that it seemed as if the amount of freckles on his face was increasing as he aged. Claire didn’t understand why he always had his panties in such a twist about his freckles. After all, he wasn’t a girl. Besides, Mai thought they were cute. That should’ve been good enough for him to get over them. “You’re lucky we’re in public Claire.” Then he glanced down at his kids. “And in front of Clay and Belle.” “Daddy.” Belle gripped his pants. “When are we going home?” “In a bit. First, we have to meet your uncle.” “Uncle?” Clay parroted. Simon nodded. “Uncle Heath.” Both Belle and Clay looked confused. It didn’t surprise Claire. After all, they didn’t really pay attention to any adults besides those they already knew. They could probably recognize Heath’s face if they saw him, but they didn’t know what his name was or what role he played in their lives…not that he played any. After all, he wasn’t really their uncle. Yet. Simon’s voice echoed in Claire’s mind. Claire watched as Simon stared at her for a few more seconds, then turned and walked towards the front desk. She followed after him, knowing exactly what he was going to do. He leaned up against the desk and looked at the male receptionist. They both smiled at each other. “Hey Simon.” The receptionist said before he nodded at Claire. “Hi Claire.” The siblings greeted him back simultaneously, but Simon added, “Where’s your boss?” When the employee looked at Claire in confusion, Simon elaborated. “Your big boss. The guy who owns the hotel.” Claire rolled her eyes at her brother. Simon was famous around the hotel because he was her brother. There wasn’t a single employee who didn’t know him. Amazingly, he was able to make them comfortable around him, just as Claire made them comfortable. It must run in the blood or something. “Oh, Mr. Bishop? He’s not in right now.” “What?” Both the Sparks siblings said with shock. Then Simon looked at Claire. “Why do you sound so surprised?” Claire didn’t bother answering her brother and instead, asked the receptionist, “Where did he go?” The employee shrugged. “I saw him walk out of the front doors and get in a car. He also mentioned that if you asked, to let you know that there’s a surprise for you up on the top floor. It’s his suite.” Simon immediately lost interest now that he knew Heath wasn’t around. “Well, I guess we can visit your Uncle Heath another day. Say goodbye to Claire, kids.” “Bye Auntie Claire.” Clay and Belle said before Clay hugged Claire’s legs quickly. Then they chased after their father as they exited the front doors of Bishop Lodgings. Claire watched them go before she turned back to the receptionist and asked, “You don’t know where he went?” He shook his head. “All he told me was what I already told you. He didn’t say anything about where he was going.” She thanked him before making her way to the elevator that went straight to the top floor. Claire got on and eventually reached the owner’s suite. When she stepped inside, the first thing she saw was the large pile of white papers and yellow files stacked on top of his dining table. Claire approached the pile and saw that there was a sticky note laid on top of it all. Done. Love, Heath. She reread the note again. And again. And again. Then before she knew it, she had taken the note into her hand and crumpled it up into a small ball. “Surprise?” Claire muttered.