Chapter 111: Chapter 111

''I don't know what life is going to bring, the only thing I know is that I will forever love you.'' - www.lovethispic.com

Claire's POV

It was an ethereal feeling for me, being engaged with the love of my life. Every day was like a dream come true as Jason went out of his way and took me out on a date nearly every night. We went for long walks, exotic dinners, and movies. Aunt Sarah might have had an inkling as she dropped by twice before Sunday. Maybe it had something to do with Mandy who got me ready that night. However, Jason steered the conversation clearly away from us and they concentrated more on the upcoming wedding instead.

Finally, two days before the wedding and Jason drove us to the venue but to my utmost surprise, there was no one there. "Where's everyone?" I asked as we proceeded to check in.

"They will arrive tomorrow. So we have a day to spend here. Just you and me," he told me in a low whisper. It sounded tempting and I couldn't contain the excitement I felt. I looked forward to spending a day with Jason in this beautiful paradise on earth. The venue was beautiful with the lush green hills stretching till eternity, gurgling fountains, beautiful rose gardens and water features in between, fat geese waddling about, and swans swimming with their necks held high. I was immediately in love with the place. We completed all the formalities and were led to an executive cottage overlooking one of the lakes on the premises.

"Wow, I love the tranquility all around here," I gasped, sitting down on one of the couches on the patio. Jason joined me with our welcome drinks and we sat sipping and watching the crystal clear waters of the lake.

My dad owned many such properties all over the world but the beauty of this place was enhanced by the fact that Jason was there beside me.

"And I love you," he said with such simplicity that it took my breath away and made me gaze up into his eyes. I wanted to confess my own feelings to him although he knew them already.

"I love you more, Jason. I have and I always will as long as I am alive," I said, seeing the look of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected me to blurt out what I had been hiding deep inside my heart for nearly six to seven years. Although he knew that I loved him, saying it aloud made his face brighten up with happiness. He picked me up in his arms and placed me on his lap.

"Is that so?" he asked with disbelief, making me blush. "How is it that I know of it now?" I rolled my eyes yet the smile never left my face. I knew he was teasing me.

"Of course, you knew about it," I said not believing him at all.

"Have you ever told me?" he asked and I shook my head. "Then how will I know, love?" I felt guilty and played with the button on his shirt.

"At first when we were younger, you never used to talk to me so how could I tell you? Then when you left you didn't keep in touch with me at all," I complained and he held his ears in apology. I knew he was in contact with my brothers, all of them except me.

"I promised my dad that I would stay away from you, I would give you the space to grow. In fact, we moved away from New York because of my growing feelings for you," he explained and I gaped at him with surprise.

"Did dad know about it?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Yeah, our parents knew everything. In fact, the day you turned eighteen, they started planning our wedding," he told me and I listened to him with my jaws dropped to the floor. Did I uselessly escape from home? Was it Jason whom my dad wanted me to marry all along? Then why didn't he say so? We could have been saved from all the trouble.

"Did he arrange our wedding even before I ran away from home?" I asked and Jason nodded.

"Yeah. So actually speaking, those anonymous letters were nothing but an excuse for Uncle Nate. He was looking for an opportunity to get you married to me. It had been their dream since the day you were born," said Jason.

I facepalmed realizing how foolish I had been.

"What happened?" he asked curiously.

"I shouldn't have run away from home in the first place. it was such a waste of time," I told him but he shook his head.

"No, it wasn't. I didn't want an arranged marriage for you. I wanted to make you fall in love with me. I wanted you to experience everything a couple in love does. I wanted to woo you to the point where we couldn't live without each other," he told me and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.

"When I told our parents what I wanted, they were apprehensive at first since they knew how rebellious and stubborn you were. They thought it was an impossible task but then they didn't know what I did. They didn't know that you liked me already," he said with a wink. I blushed and looked up at him curiously.

"So, who told you that I had a crush on you?" I asked him and he chuckled.

"I can tell you but promise me that you won't kill my little buddy," he said with a laugh making me instantly suspicious. Who could his little buddy be? Definitely, it was one of my brothers, that was for sure but which one?

"Isn't it too late to kill him? Anyway, he helped us after all. I should be treating him instead," I chuckled.

"Tristan told me long back when I was going away to California. I was upset and cried like a baby and he witnessed everything. At that time, he was the only one who knew about my feelings for you. He comforted me and gave me hope by telling me about your feelings for me. He also kept in touch and sent me photographs of you after I left New York. They helped me a lot and soon I could get over my heartbreak and concentrate on my studies. Dad too helped. He promised me that if I made myself capable for you, he would talk to uncle Nate about our wedding. So, that was what I did, I studied hard and made myself capable for you," he told me as I gazed into his eyes. So much was happening behind my back and I had no idea about it at all. At least Tristan could have given me some hint at least.

"My God! So much happened around me and I had no idea about anything," I finally said, looking disappointed.

'It's good that you didn't know. Some things are best left at the hands of fate, Claire. We were destined for one another and therefore we reunited after six years. True love isn't so weak that it will fade away so easily. I'm glad that you escaped from home. At least we got a chance to experience our own love story, right?" he said and I smiled. Yes, of course, he was right.

"Yes, Jason, you're right," I said with a sigh.

"Then kiss me first and then we can take a walk around the place," he said, pulling my face towards his for a kiss.