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V A U G H N

Michael Hill is the worst scum to exist on Earth. His classy high-class face can't do justice to his black heart. As he sits across from me and Claire in the hall, he has a blank expression on him. His eyes move between us as we sit there with fake smiles plastered on our faces. The level of discomfort I feel right now is unimaginable.

"You two are in love?" Michael asks, pointing a finger at the two of us and Claire nods. "Love?"

"Yes."

The sweetness in Claire's voice is almost disturbing after the way she spoke with her Dad an hour ago. The girl could have been a great actress if she wasn't interested in the fashion industry.

"And you want to marry him?"

"Yes," Claire says, nodding again.

"But you hate him." Michael frowns.

"I never did." Claire looks at me and smiles innocently. "We've always been in love. We were just afraid of telling you."

Only I notice the disgusted look she throws at me after she spills out those words. It is like she just swallowed fat. I wonder if I should take that as a red herring.

Beside Michael, Isabelle Hill lets out a loud gasp making me steal a glance at her. She looks uncomfortable too at the news.

Michael grabs my attention by suddenly bursting into loud laughter. It is a diabolical laugh and something which I expected from him even before we came here. Claire squeezes my bicep at her father's reaction and I lean back on the sofa to look at her. She has her eyes fixed on her father just like her mother's are fixed on me.

Their entire family is a comedy of errors.

"Claire, love, I know you're pissed," Michael says when he has calmed down. "But there's no way you can make me believe that you're lovers. You hate this guy. He isn't worth it."

If Claire wasn't holding me, I would have sprung upon Michael. I have had enough of his shit and even the sight of him irritates the hell out of me.

I don't understand how Claire even made me agree to this but I just feel this intense protectiveness when it comes to her. I am never letting her marry Senator Campbell, not till I am dead.

Chris would have expected that of me. It might just be an excuse but I can't bear the thought of Claire being someone else's before I have gotten the chance to make her mine — and definitely not Senator Campbell's. I am supposed to hate her for giving up her trust in me along with everyone else four years ago. But here I am, playing her game for her.

"We love each other Dad and I'm marrying Vaughn even if you say yes or no," Claire declares.

"You can fall for this guy but not for Senator Campbell." Michael's voice is stern and his eyes flicker to me. I see the rage in them even before he speaks. "He killed my son! Your brother!"

I need a distraction. I need a fucking distraction before I do something stupid to this annoying man.

Claire's hand on my bicep gives a sudden shake and she drops it. I take a look at her and find her shivering slightly. I don't like seeing her like this. She is scared of her father.

I rest my arm on the headrest behind her and see Michael's eyes follow my movements. Pinching a strand of her blonde hair between my fingers, I let it slip and she glances at me, making me throw a tight-lipped smile at her.

"What's the price, Michael?" I ask, trailing my thumb behind Claire's earlobe.

Claire's skin is cold, like ice. I wish I could warm her up.

"What do you mean?" Michael questions.

"I mean how much are you selling your daughter for?"

Claire flinches under my touch and as much I despise the words that just escaped my mouth, Michael Hill needs someone to talk to him in his language. Misogyny drips from his every word and no one has taught him a lesson that he desperately needs.

"I'm not selling my daughter!" Michael booms, nearly getting up from his seat but Isabelle pulls him back.

Michael might be a misogynist but he and Isabelle love each other a lot. I have no idea what a woman like Isabelle saw in him but she is deeply devoted to her husband.

"Aren't you?" I click my tongue and that infuriates him more.

His nostrils flare and Claire grabs hold of my hand, squeezing it.

I ignore her as I focus on the spot between her neck and ear, leaning closer. I brush the tip of my nose over the spot knowing that it will spite Michael who is watching us closely. I try to take no notice of how good she smells.

"Get your hands off her, you filthy bastard!" Michael bellows and it makes me chuckle. I pull away from Claire and lean back on the sofa.

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Hill," I begin. "You give me Claire and I'll buy all your debts."

All three Hills snap their eyes at me. Claire's blueish ones widen and her lips part in surprise.

"Wh...what?" Michael falters, staring at me as the high rise and fall of his chest become visible.

"I'll buy them all," I say. "Give me my girl and I'll buy them all. That's more than what Senator Campbell will do for you."

"You can't do that. You'll never be able to pay that much," Isabelle chimes in.

She has her eyebrows narrowed in a thoughtful look while Michael just looks too stunned to speak.

"What are you doing?" Claire whispers to me, very softly so that only I can hear, but I don't pay attention to her as I lean forward and put my elbows on my knees, clasping my hands together.

"Doesn't sound much?" I continue. "Fine, let's raise the bar. I'll even buy a share in your corporation."

"You...it's...it's too much. You don't know what you're saying —" Michael stammers.

"I don't care. I'll buy it all. I only have one condition," I cut him off and look straight into his eyes. "Claire will be mine."

Silence follows my words and the Hills look like someone has given them a kiss of life. Isabelle's tensed face breaks into a hopeful smile and she gives a clap of her hands, sighing delightfully.

"I can't believe this! That will be the end of our problems." She puts her hands on her husband's forearm. "Michael, this will solve everything! Oh, Michael! Please...look at the bright side."

"I can't...can't accept this." Michael shakes his head, looking at the floor. "You killed my son, my heir...you can't offer to save us. I can't—"

"It's your only choice, Mr. Hill," I interrupt. "Claire's mine. She'll be my wife even if you accept or not. It's better if you do though. It'll be easier that way."

"I can't!" Michael jumps up from his seat as he shouts. "This will be disrespectful to my son. My Christopher!"

"Christopher would have wanted you to be happy." I get up from my seat, casually closing a button of my suit. "You've my offer. Take your time to think about it but leave Claire out of your business transactions. She's mine now."

Michael descends back into the single-seater and Isabelle rubs his back to soothe him as he covers his face with his palms. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost being the keyword here. Michael Hill has given me guilt to last a lifetime.

He insulted my parents, and my family; he left my Dad devastated, ruined my relationship with my mother, and caused us a scandal. Even though he had his reasons, some scars hurt even when they are nothing but a scar. Michael Hill gave me the scar that I have in my heart and I am showing him the mercy he doesn't deserve.

I withdraw my eyes from the older Hills and walk out of their sitting space. As I stride towards the door, footsteps follow behind and I know who they belong to even before I turn.

"Vaughn," Claire calls just as I spin around and she stops near me.

"Claire."

"What you did there..." she starts, two pink spots blooming on her cheeks. "You didn't have to but thanks. I really appreciate that."

I slide my hands into my pockets as I try to bring back the cocky smile I always have when talking to her but it is difficult because Michael has ruined my mood. I instead settle for a blank expression.

"I'm just keeping my part of the deal, Claire. Lovers, remember?"

She tears her eyes from me and if I am not dreaming, I see the blush grow darker on her cheeks.

She looks so cute.

When she looks up at me, I see a shine in her eyes. I haven't seen that in years. It is a sight for sore eyes.

"Thank you, Vaughn," she breathes, suppressing a smile, yet, I see a faint hint of it on her lips.

It is strange that we are meant to hate each other just because her family decided that I wasn't worth it. I know deep down that Claire doesn't understand this either. Conversing with her is like adding fuel to the years of tension sizzling between us but I have grown to love hating her. We both have, I guess.

"You're welcome, nemesis."

I wink and give her one last look before turning back and stepping out of the Hill's mansion.