Chapter 4 MEET AGAIN(2)

The people throwing hate at me are all Reed's fans! They just hate me because I'm his fiance! They'll find a way to hate me just for even breathing! Why do I have to give a fuck about thier shitty opinions?!" Claire yelled. She too was starting to get frustrated. She did not feel like she did anything wrong.

Ivan squinted his eyes at Claire. "Claire, I hope you know where you're coming from. Don't get arrogant just because you have a bit of success now" Ivan said.

Claire frowned. "What is that supposed to mean Ivan?" Claire asked.

"I just think that you should keep your head in the game. Don't think that you're on top of the world just because you're marrying Reed Hathaway! He gave you everything you have now, you aren't all that great yourself" Ivan said.

"Is that really what you think Ivan?" Someone said.

Both Claire and Ivan were so engrossed in thier conversation that they did not notice Reed walk in.

Ivan immediately looked away from Claire. "I'm just....I just don't want Claire's success now to get to her head" Ivan said.

Reed walked over to Claire and sat down next to her. Then he put his arm around her.

"Is that so? You really think that Claire is arrogant?" Reed asked. He was smiling, however, there was a hidden danger in his smile.

It was enough to make anyone who was looking at him shudder.

"I just.... you've helped her a lot Reed. She should not think that it's all because of herself only" Ivan said.

"I really don't think that it's all because of me though. Claire is talented. She's a wonderful writer. You know this right? Isn't that why you decided to take her under your wings and train her back then?" Reed asked. Be was still smiling, but his smile exuded danger.

Ivan wanted to say that he only gave Claire a glance because she is Reed's girlfriend but he shut his mouth when he saw the look on Reed's face.

"Of course ..she's a really talented writer" Ivan said.

He wasn't lying. Claire is really talented. But he just refused to believe that she had done it all on her own.

Why will anyone not take advantage of the resources that are available to them?

"Ivan, you don't need to force yourself to agree with us. When I arranged for you to be Claire's manager back then, I thought that you had the same thoughts as hers. She just needs to write and she needs someone who will arrange everything else for her. If she can't do whatever she wants with you here, then why am I still paying you?" Reed asked.

It was an obvious threat and Ivan got the message loud and clear.

He forced a small smile. "Of course Reed, I'll find a way to control the internet" Ivan said.

Being Claire's manager paid a lot and he definitely did not want to lose the position. He bowed his head and walked away.

Claire scoffed after Ivan was gone.

"Don't pay attention to those people. You are a talented woman. Anyone with eyes can see it for themselves" Reed said.

Claire rolled her eyes and got up from the sofa. "I really don't believe this! What the hell is wrong with people? They all said that I can't do anything great back then and when I did they said that I played tricks to get there?" Claire asked angrily.

Reed got up to follow her. "I said don't worry about them. None of them are important. I believe in you. Your fans believe in you. Everyone else is not important" Reed said.

Claire suddenly laughed mockingly. "Well, I do guess they're right. If it weren't for you, five years ago, I really don't think that I'd still be alive" Claire said.

Reed's smile faltered. He will never forget the day when the badly malnourished Claire stood in front of him and begged him to marry her.

"Marry me" she had said in a small voice.

Reed shook his head. The both of them had already come this far. Whatever intentions she had for getting together with him in the first place is no longer important.

"Claire, I thought we agreed to put this behind us? Let's not talk about it anymore. Besides, you saved me. If it weren't for you, I'd still be living my life doing whatever is expected for me. You gave me the courage to stand up for what I want" Reed said.

He grabbed Claire's shoulders and turned her around so she was facing him. "Claire....I love you" Reed said.

Claire immediately panicked. She looked up at Reed.

"Reed I ...."

"Claire, you don't have to say anything else. The both of us....we didn't start this five years ago. Even though I said I liked you back then, I needed you to get out of an arranged marriage and you needed me to well.... survive in the capital. But, I really do love you Claire. I hope that the both of us can always be like this, together forever" Reed said.

Claire smiled at him.. "Of course, we are getting married. We will always be together. We've already come this far"

As for love, stuff like that doesn't matter to her anymore.

Five years ago, she already told herself that if she can survive, she won't waste her time on imaginary things like love.

Reed pulled Claire into a tight hug. "Of course. We will always be together. Nothing will never be able to seperate the both of us"

But even as he said this, he felt fear deep down inside his bones.

There was this bad feeling that he just could not shake off. The feeling that he had never really known Claire.

That she had never really belonged to him.

Reed suddenly pulled away from the hug.

"Oh right! Jenna is opening her school next week and she wants us to be at the opening. Do you think that you can make it?" Reed asked.