Chapter 101: Chapter 101

Claire's POV

It's been three days since I returned home from Auckland. Jason spent every night with me, on my bed, making love to me as if his life depended upon it. He refused to go out with his friends and made lame excuses when his mom called him for dinner. Aunt Emily was still away at Sandy's home as one of the twins was unwell and admitted to the hospital.

So when Stefan called to inform me that dad was coming here to get me home for gran's birthday celebrations, I panicked. I wanted to inform Jason to stay away from aunt Emily's house for the next 48 hours as dad could arrive anytime.

I didn't want to leave Jason and go home alone, yet I didn't want to miss gran's birthday. Gran's birthday was next week, so I would be away from Jason for more than a week. With a heavy heart, I packed whatever I needed.

When Jason came after work, I informed him about my conversation with Stefan. He was upset, it was obvious, but he too knew how much gran meant to me. He couldn't attend gran's birthday celebrations as he would have to fly to Hamburg after two days for a business deal. He kissed me goodbye and dragged his feet to go to his parent's house for dinner while I waited for dad.

Dad came late, hugged me, and went straight to bed. I had cleaned and made a room ready for him. I trudged to my room, to sleep, but sadly sleep eluded me the whole night as I twisted and turned, missing Jason's warm body wrapped around mine. By morning, I was sure I looked like a zombie. After breakfast, dad informed aunt Emily about our plans. Jason came down to meet dad and they caught up with one another. I looked away as I couldn't look at him. After loading our luggage, he turned to me and hugged me.

"Come soon. I'll die without you," he whispered, holding my hand in his large ones. However, my throat was choked with unshed tears and I couldn't say a single word to him. It seemed as if I wouldn't be able to survive a single day without him. Tears pooled in my eyes at his words and I gulped down the raw emotions clogging my throat.

"Me too," I whispered and he kissed my forehead, looking dejected and upset. He released my hand slowly and I climbed into the car with dad, leaving Jason behind standing and staring after us.

The whole journey I thought of Jason and tears sprang to my eyes. If only he could go with me, I would have been the happiest person alive.

We reached New Jersey by evening, going to our grandparents' mansion where gran lived with her trusted housekeeper Martha.

My whole family was gathered there, mom came rushing to me, "Are you, unwell honey?" she asked feeling my cheeks and forehead. I wasn't physically sick, I was lovesick. It wasn't even a day and I had already started missing Jason.

Gran came out and hugged me." Claire you're here? You look like you haven't slept for ages," she said, eyeing my tired eyes from lack of sleep yesterday night.

"I'm fine, just a little tired," I told them just when Tristan came out to watch me closely. I was immediately on high alert knowing he could see through me well.

"I think you're lovesick," he said while I glared at the brat and gran chuckled at us.

"I'm glad that Jason's taking care of her," said mom as Tristan eyed me wiggling his eyebrows, his signature gesture. I blushed at their interrogations.

"I'm going up, which room is mine, mom?" I asked and she led me upstairs to a corner room. Gran lived here in New Jersey, in the mansion that grandpa built, refusing to shift to New York with us.

"Jason cares about you, honey. You know that, don't you?" Mom said while I looked around the room, placing my luggage to unpack.

"Yes mom," I said blushing as mom chuckled and left.

I went down and wandered aimlessly on the grassy lawns when Stefan joined me. We hugged each other. "How are you, Claire?" he asked as I sat with my head on his shoulder.

"I'm missing Jason so much Stefan, I think I will die of heartache," I said as he nodded in understanding.

"You're in love with him Claire," he said knowingly. My eyes widened as I stared at him dumbfounded by his statement. How could he be so sure? I was thinking that this was love but I wasn't very sure. Now that Stefan had mentioned it, I started thinking deeply about it.

"I don't know what this is Stefan," I said confusedly.

"Don't worry you'll figure it out soon," Stefan said comforting me. His words had me thinking hard. Is this love that I felt for him? Did he feel the same for me too? He must feel something for me. His words proved to me that he did feel something for me.

Mom called Stefan and he went inside. I sat still staring at the little lily pool, at the koi fishes playing about. Yes, the heartache that I felt, and the longing to be in Jason's arms indicated clearly that I was hopelessly in love with Jason.

I got up with this realization and went inside. Mom, dad, and my brothers were all sitting, planning the birthday party. I sat beside mom and stared at nothing in particular, thinking what Jason meant when he said,

I'll die without you.

I couldn't wait to go back and tell him about my feelings for him. Julian patted my shoulder and I came out of my reverie and looked around me. Everyone was staring at me.

"What?" I asked annoyed that I was caught up in my world and didn't pay attention to what they were discussing.

Mom and dad exchanged a glance. "Nothing honey, just go to your room and sleep a little. Okay? You'll feel better," said mom.

I nodded, glad to escape and be all alone. These feelings were new to me and I had to come to terms with them before I could face everyone.

I had a hunch that the crush wasn't just a crush anymore and I was right all along. Jason was indeed my true love, my home, my soulmate.