Chapter 144: Sarah's Friend

Chapter 144: Sarah's Friend

The next day was Saturday.

Sarah found out first thing in the morning that Vincent had asked Claire to see a movie.

Over breakfast, she said with great interest, "Sweetie, do you know where your dad and I had our first kiss?"

Claire looked at Sarah cautiously.

These days, Sarah would randomly share her and Brian's love stories with her, then without fail steer the conversation toward her and Vincent.

With the movie date with Vincent in mind, the answer was pretty obvious — either the movie theater, or on the way there.

"Didn't people back in your day only get intimate after marriage?" Claire said on purpose.

Sarah gave her a playful look. "Where did you get that nonsense? Young people in our day were way more passionate and free-spirited than you kids today."

"I'll have you know, your dad and I had our first kiss at the movie theater."

Claire was speechless.

Of course.

Sarah had her own agenda and didn't care what Claire thought. She said straight out, "You're seeing a movie with Vincent today, right? I read the synopsis — there are some romantic scenes in it."

Sarah raised an eyebrow at Claire. "That's the perfect moment for you two lovebirds to get close. Sweetie, just go with it and don't miss your chance."

"And if the mood strikes and you don't feel like coming home, that's totally fine. I get it."

Seeing Sarah getting more and more out of line, Claire changed the subject and made a fuss. "Mom, do you think I'm in your way? Are you that desperate to marry me off?"

Sarah knew she was doing it on purpose and teased her with a smile. "I get it, you're embarrassed."

Claire buried her head in her food.

But Sarah wasn't done. "There's one more thing I need to remind you, sweetie — make sure to be safe."

"You're still in school. It's not the right time. Wait until after you graduate."

"Mom! Can you please just let me eat breakfast in peace? I'm begging you."

Sarah laughed to herself but stopped teasing her.

After breakfast, Claire asked Sarah if she had any particular scent preferences.

She was planning to design a custom aromatherapy scent for each family member.

But Sarah suddenly turned a little sad.

She said, "Someone once told me I was like an orchid — noble and beautiful, but understated. Design me something with an orchid scent."

Noticing the shift in Sarah's mood, Claire couldn't help but ask, "Who said that to you?"

Sarah was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "She was once my best friend. We told each other everything. But we haven't heard from each other in over 20 years."

"Your dad thinks something might have happened to her and she never got to say goodbye. But I always have this feeling she's still out there, alive and well — she just doesn't want to contact me."

Claire immediately thought of Sandra, who had suddenly cut off contact, and asked, "So she just disappeared on you out of nowhere?"

Sarah nodded quietly. "In college, we started Orsina Bags & Shoes together — she was even the one who came up with the name. But not long after graduation, she said she had to go back home to take over the family business. After that, nothing. Not a word."

"What about her family?" Claire asked, confused.

Sarah shook her head. "She transferred into our class in eleventh grade. All I knew was that her family was overseas. I never knew much more than that."

Claire gave a small, self-deprecating smile.

Sarah and her friend's story was so much like hers and Sandra's.

All she knew about Sandra was that she was a highly capable businesswoman with a vast commercial empire — but what her company was called, what it did, Claire had no idea.

Claire reached over and hugged Sarah. "Mom, don't be sad. At least the memories you shared were good ones, right?"

"Yes." Sarah patted Claire's back. "I'm not really sad. I just can't make sense of it."

"Then stop trying to. Some people are just meant to cross paths. If your friend really is still alive, maybe you'll run into each other again someday."

"Here's hoping."

At noon, Sarah had the kitchen prepare a big spread of Claire's favorite dishes. Claire ate so much she felt a little drowsy.

She went to lie down for an afternoon nap.

She usually woke up on her own after about half an hour.

But today, she fell into a dream.

Maybe it was because Sarah had been teasing her about Vincent that morning — in the dream, she and Vincent were doing some very intimate things.

Vincent drove to The Montague Manor to pick her up. When he pushed open the door to her room, he found her with flushed cheeks, hugging a pillow, mumbling something he couldn't quite make out.

She looked so soft and sweet that something stirred in him. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her rosy lips.

He only meant to steal a quick one — but the moment his lips touched hers, Claire suddenly let go of the pillow, wrapped both arms around his neck, and started kissing him back.

Vincent froze for a second.

Claire wasn't satisfied. "Put some effort into it," she said, displeased.

Her eyes were closed. She didn't seem fully awake — but Vincent wasn't in the mood to figure out exactly what was going on.

He leaned in, found those cherry-red lips, and kissed her deeply.

The taste he'd been longing for was finally his. Vincent felt his control slipping as the kiss grew deeper and deeper.

Claire thought she was still dreaming. She followed her instincts, giving and taking in equal measure — but gradually, something felt off.

Vincent's presence grew more and more intense. His lips grew hotter and hotter.

Her whole body felt like it was on fire, the heat making her tremble.

Something was wrong. Snapping to alertness, Claire's eyes flew open. Vincent's face filled her vision, their eyelashes tangled together.

He had her completely pinned beneath him, his lips still moving against hers.

"What are you doing?" Claire shoved him off.

Vincent's eyes were dark with desire. He smiled lightly. "You were the one who pulled me in. Don't believe me? Think back carefully."

Claire instantly recalled the dream — the intimate scenes, the way she had been the one reaching for him. Her face burned.

That was so embarrassing.

"I was asleep," Claire said, refusing to admit it.

"How you react when you're asleep — that's the most honest version of you." Vincent looked at her with a fond smile.

"What were you dreaming about just now?"

"Shut up." Claire cut him off and rushed to the bathroom.

If what she remembered actually happened, it was beyond mortifying.

At four in the afternoon, Vincent drove Claire away from The Montague Manor.

He'd made a reservation — dinner first, then the movie at Aetherpeak Studios.

They hadn't been on the road long when Daphne, back at the film crew, got a message from Martha.

"Ms. Montague, Mr. Thorne has taken Claire out. I heard they're going to dinner and then to Aetherpeak Studios to see a movie."

Daphne read the message, typed out a reply, and sent it to Selene.

"Forward this to that person," she added. "Tell him to make sure he gets clear shots of Claire."