~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Claire~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well done Babe. You did better than I expected", I said patting the back of the love of my life.

"I still don't get it, why did you ask me to flirt with Sam, when you know that I am completely into you? Also you should have looked at your brother's grumpy face when he saw me with Sam. I mean I really don't want to start a fight with my new business partner" Jacob complained.

"It's really not that hard to understand why I am doing it. Oliver was just about to give up on everything when Sam left him. But seeing her with you has given him motivation to win her back. Because now he can clearly see that if he don't act then he might just lose her forever".

"And what good is this doing to Sam?"

"Well, Sam is now confusing her anger with her self respect. She is too stubborn to see it herself. You getting close to her will hopefully let her realise what she actually wants, or rather who she actually wants", I explained.

Cocking his head, he said, " in that case, don't you think you chose a rather much more handsome guy to play this part. I mean she might just end up choosing me".

"Ha . Ha .ha. very funny" .

"Do not underestimate me babe" he said pulling me towards him. "I can sometimes be irresistible" he said brushing his lips over my neck and I moaned in pleasure.

"I like this irresistible Jacob" I said holding his tie, pulling him, placing his lips over mine as I crushed mine on his.

"I love you" I whispered in his ears.

"I love you more babe" he said kissing my lips again.

Just then his cellphone ring made me jump back and I fell on the couch behind me.

"Gosh, careful. It's Oliver. Shhhh...." He said in a low tone and picked up the call.

"Hello Mr. Taylor. How are you feeling now?"

"Er... I am actually not sure if it's a good idea to ask Sam to report so quickly after what both of you have been through. She might still be recovering".

"No. I mean.... Er.... Alright Mr. Taylor I'll call her and..... Well then... Alright. See ya!"

And he ended the call after this short conversation.

"What was he saying? You seemed out of words" I said brushing his cheeks with my fingers as he sat down next to me.

"Apparently you brother is still pissed off with me for wooing his girlfriend. He said that he wants Sam to report at his office in half an hour. I said she might still be recovering and it doesn't seem like a good idea, but then he said he doesn't have time to waste and he might just himself call her and ask her to come".

"Typical Ollie!" I said smiling.

"I think he needs anger management sessions".

"He needs love. He needs to feel secure in love. He needs to know that Sam loves him even in presence of other choices".

"What other choices. I am already taken" Jacob said laying me down on the couch and climbing over me.

"Stop. Jacob. Please" I said giggling as he tickled me with his fingers.

I don't know when I fell in love with this incredible man. When he first came to see my ice skating competition, or when I saw him again at the meeting. I just know that I always felt a strong pull towards him everytime I saw him. Turned out that he was following me since one year and I had no idea. I am glad that he finally confessed his feelings to me. I have never been so happy in my life. It feels great to be in love and to be loved by the one you love. And I want that for Ollie too. I'll do everything possible to make this happen. And now that I have Jacob with me, I am sure I'll be able to make it happen.

***********

I entered Oliver's cabin without knocking as usual, but was taken aback to see Oliver holding Sam's hands. They pulled their hands immediately as they saw me.

"Er.... I think I forgot something in my car" I said turning around.

"No Claire. Please stay. I think Mr. Taylor will behave in your presence at least" Sam said glaring Oliver.

Oliver chose not to protest against Sam's comments. This is quite unlike my big brother.

"Claire did you get the final list of the designers which I asked for?" He said digging his face deep into his laptop.

"Yes, I have the list. I'll send it to you right now".

"Not to me. Send it to Sam." "Sam I want you to call each of them personally and give them a quotation for their latest collection. "

"Me. But I have no idea how much is the appropriate amount for the quotation?"

"Really Miss Ryan. I guess you have learned nothing under Mr. Richmond so far" he said looking at her.

"What do you mean?" She said in an angry tone.

"I mean I don't like listening to excuses Miss Ryan. So stop wasting my time and get to work" he said getting up and without saying another word left out of the room.

Me and Sam kept looking at the closed door for sometimes after he left.

"He can sometimes be an A**hole you know" I said trying to eliminate the awkwardness.

"Sometimes?" She said sitting back at the chair.

"I think your boss would be able to help you getting the right figures for the quotation" I suggested.

"Mr. Richmond?"

"Yes. I never had a chance to have long conversations with him, but he seems like a nice man. I am sure he'll be happy to help".

"Er... I don't know. But I guess there is no harm trying" she said picking up her phone to call.

Just then the door swinged open and there he stood, my charming boyfriend. Smiling at us. " Hello ladies."

"Oh Good morning Mr. Richmond. I was about to call you. Er.... Actually I needed your help".

"Sure. What help do you need?" He said bending towards me and my eyes opened wide in amazement. Us he trying to kiss me.

"May I" he said asking a permission to sit next to me.

"Eh Hun" I nodded still in a bit of a shock.

"Mr. Taylor has asked me to send a quotation to these designers and make sure we get the deal" Sam said almost panicking.

And then both of us heard a loud laugh. Why was he laughing at her?

"What happened Mr. Richmond?" I asked.

"I am sure your brother was teasing Sam. You don't need to send a quotation to the designers. I already told Me. Taylor that the designers have been finalized and Mr. Taylor agreed. I guess he was just joking" he said.

I could see Sam fuming with anger when she heard this. "Mr. Richmond, I don't think I can work with Mr. Taylor anymore" she said.

"What? Why? Look I'll talk to him about this. I am sure he'll not repeat such jokes in future. You need not worry about it".

"It's not because of this silly joke Mr. Richmond. I... I just can't" she said.

"You can call me Jacob, Sam." He said standing up and held her hand.

I got a little uncomfortable to see this. "Sam, I am your friend before being your boss. So, if you are not comfortable working with him then I won't force you. Alright?" He said looking into her eyes.

And she nodded. He moved forward and hugged her as she rested her head on his shoulder and said, "thank you".

I just felt very uneasy, sitting at the corner looking at them. So I stood up to leave, but then Jacob held my wrist before I could move, still holding Sam.

*********

I came out of the office and sat in my car. Looking at Sam being so comfortable with Jacob just created doubts in mind. Was I doing the right thing? What if she actually falls for Jacob?
And Jacob, what about him? Could he?? I just couldn't complete that question in my mind.

Just then someone knocked at the window pane, and I slid the window down. It was Jacob. "Can I come in?" He said smiling.

I opened the door and he sat next to me. "What is bothering you?" He asked.

"Nothing!" I said.

Holding my hand and moving my face towards him he said, "hey, you need to understand one thing very clearly. I love you and only you. And no one can ever take the place I have for you in my heart. I wish I could tell you how lucky I feel to have you in my life. And I would never ever do anything to jeopardize our relationship. Whatever I am doing is only because you asked me to. But if you are uncomfortable it can end right now. Do you understand?"

"I love you too Jacob. And I trust you. It's just that I know Sam is a beautiful girl and has got a golden heart. She is just too good and any guy would easily fall for her. And I was just insecure for a while".

"That is why I love you so much. You can see good in others, but don't realize about your own precious heart. You are a gem Claire. You care for your brother, his girlfriend, me your parents. Everyone comes first in your life, before you yourself. Only a person with a golden heart can be like that and I...." I just couldn't listen anymore and resist my feelings so I stopped him from speaking further by a kiss filled with all the love I had for him. As I kissed few drops of tears of happiness trickled down my cheeks.

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