Chapter 32 Clara's Motive

Chapter 32 Clara's Motive
Lucian's POV

“Thump-thump!” She let out a soft sigh, and I watched her chest rise and fall, her body relaxing into the pillow. Today was one of the best days of my life, and I carefully watched her, scared that she might stop breathing the minute I looked away.

“Sonia..” Her name came out in a whisper, and her sleeping face gave me joy. I caressed her cheeks, a broad smile plastered on my face. “You're beautiful. Very beautiful, and I –” I paused my sentence as I remembered what she had said during our intimate moment.

“Lucian, I love you….” I murmured her words under my breath and I quickly removed my hands from her.

I stood up from the bed and restlessly began to pace around the room. “There was nothing wrong with her liking me as her boss, but the way she had whispered it, meant she had fallen deeply in love with me, and she'd be expecting me to commit to her.

“Love?” I looked at her innocent face once again. “I don't deserve her. I'm broken, while she's a treasured gemstone. She deserves to be in love with someone who is mentally stable and will fully commit to her.”

“She probably doesn't mean it. People say a lot of things when they are horny. She'd have forgotten all she said in the morning,” I assured myself, but deep down I wondered if that was really the truth.

In my heart, I knew I loved her. And I wanted her to love me too, but it was impossible. I can't afford to be distracted by anything. Love is a distraction, and if I openly admit it to the world, my weakness would be out in public.

“I'm so sorry, Sonia. But I really can't give you what you want, my revenge means a lot to me, and it mustn't be jeopardized.

My phone rang, and I read the screen. It was a message from Clara informing me that she was downstairs. I needed an escape, something to make me forget my pathetic life, so I quickly went downstairs.

Clara stood at the door edge patiently waiting, and the minute she saw me, a smug smirk settled on her lips. It was like she was expecting me to come out of Sonia's room.

“Seeing how sad you look, I'm guessing you already know,” she murmured with an unreadable gaze, and I paused.

“What? You knew who she was all along?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Of course, I knew. What did you take me for? A moron?” “Everyone knows about your mysterious childhood crush. We just never expected it to be Sonia,” Clara paused and smiled before continuing. “She's too nice, not cut out for the rough life we live.”

I rolled my eyes, slowly coming down the stairs. “If she's not meant for our life? How then are you a Smithfield?” I asked, not as a sexist but out of curiosity.

Clara shrugged her shoulders. She always knew how to keep a nonchalant face even in the midst of confusion. “It’s your call and hers to make. But when troubles come, don't say I didn't warn you,” she replied.

We stared at each other in silence for what felt like hours. And I understood why everyone claimed we looked and acted like twins. Clara was a fighter just like me, she doesn't back down from a challenge, and when she starts something, she makes sure she follows it till the very end.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, breaking the tense atmosphere. It wasn't the right question to ask, but I'd thought she wouldn't be coming back when she told me she was going out.

Clara looked genuinely surprised at my question. “Brother, have you forgotten you were the one who begged me to come? Since you no longer need my service, you want to send me away, right?” She asked.

I snickered. “We both know you don't like staying in the same place for long, but ever since you found out about Sonia, you've been acting like my house is your second home,” I replied honestly, and Clara looked like a cat who had been caught cheating. I knew she was somehow interested in Sonia, even though she didn't admit to it, I could see the interest in her eyes.

I'd thought that no one other than Daniel and I were interested in the girl from twelve years ago, but Clara's sudden interest was suspicious. I'd have to keep her close and quietly observe her.

“Do you want me to leave your house then?” Clara asked, unfazed. “Brother, I know you're suspecting me. I might be the youngest but I'm not foolish. If you really want to know what I'm up to, then let me stay in your house. You can monitor me from up here,” she proposed.

I put my hands into my pockets. She had discovered my strategy so quickly.

“The almighty Clara is inviting herself into my abode?” I asked rhetorically. “Why should I trust you?”

Clara smug. “We are both bastards, Lucian. If you don't trust me, who will you trust? Also, Sonia needs a woman by her side, you can't fulfil all her desires,” she said, and I raised my brows, suspiciously.

“Are you seriously asking me for a threesome right now?” I frowned, trying to understand her words.

Clara's eyes widened. “Come on Lucian, we are half-siblings. And although I know you don't mind sharing, Sonia is not my type. She suits you better.”

I wanted to ask how she knew I loved sharing, but I didn't. It was too disgusting to say. I mean I, Lucian Smithfield, share? Not going to happen in a million years.

“Why do you want to help me? Tell me the truth?” I asked, cutting to the chase.

“I'm a woman born to a prostitute. No one respects me, not even my father. I don't have an important job in the company, and I'm always ignored. The chances of me surviving under Gawin's regime are too tiny, he hates me and will destroy me. So, I can't afford to miss an opportunity. You want revenge, I want a good position. I think we can help ourselves.” Clara explained with a smile.

I studied her, but not the way I'd been looking at her since we were young. I looked at her with the camera lens I used on my rival, and I noticed all I had ignored.

“Sonia, do you want to lead Smithfield Corporation?” I asked, and she froze.