Entangled Strings Of Fate

Chapter 8: A Playful Chase

John, listened every word coming out of her mouth, attentively, and after a moment of silence, he accepted her apology, "It's fine, if you accept your fault."

Looking at the mess again, he remarked, "As I forgive you, could you assist me in picking up the items?"

With a nod, Jane got up, saying, "Sure," and started to help him without any hesitation.

Claire, who was enjoying it at first but after witnessing Jane receiving a lecture and seeing Mr. John struggling to pick up the scattered items on the floor, she decided to help him too and walked to the fallen decorations and things and started to pick them.

Seeing her help, John gently urged, "Leave it, sweetie," his voice warm and reassuring as he watched her busy hands.

"Jane and I can handle this together, right Jane," Jane just nodded in agreement, while John further added, "Besides, you shouldn't be worrying about any of this, it's all for your birthday. Just sit back and enjoy the day."

"Umm... it's fine with me Mr. John, let me help, this way it will be cleaned sooner," Claire said, smiling softly at him before turning to Jane.

Seeing her considerable thoughts, a smile spread across his face, and he continued picking and assorting things without saying anything else.

Seeing him busy, Claire whispered, getting closer to Jane's ear, "Were you running behind me with close eyes, that you just went and collided into Mr. John."

At this Jane rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh.

"By the way, it was hilarious! If only I had my phone with me, I would have recorded it." Claire spoke up again, this time chuckling at the memory.

Jane didn't respond immediately; instead, she waited until they had finished placing everything back in the boxes. After putting the last piece away, Jane breathed a sigh of relief.

They were going to help him further with the boxes outside.

However, before they could pick them up, one of Jeff's employees arrived and took two of the three boxes from the floor, greeting John with a smile as he did so. Mr. John and the other person then stepped outside, carrying the cardboard boxes, while Claire and Jane stayed behind.

Now that Mr. John was gone, Jane grabbed Claire's arm, catching her off guard, and said, "Promise me that you won't tell him anything... because it's really nothing."

Seeing her worried expression, Claire replied with a smirk, "Uh... yeah... say it to your face, as your expression and words don't match each other. Therefore, I can't believe you."

"My face? Well, you made me worried, which is why it might seem that way to you. But believe me, it's really just how I described it... more of... more of a fleeting crush, but we all have crushes time to time, right? It's nothing serious, seriously," Jane explained, trying her best to convince Claire.

But the urgency in her voice, said otherwise and Claire being an observant, was well aware of the unspoken chemistry that have been crackling in between Jane and Eric.

She had noticed how their interactions shifted whenever they were together—the hesitant laughter, the shared glances that lingered a moment too long, the little smiles that seemed to illuminate their faces. Anyone could tell that they had something in between them but why hasn't anyone noticed that she wonders it sometime.

Jane grew impatient with Claire's silence; thus, she pointed out, "Didn't you say it yourself that you won't say a word if I catch you."

Claire grinned and replied, raising one eyebrow slightly, "Yeah, but you weren't able to catch me until I stood closer with my mind elsewhere. You clearly took advantage of the situation right here."

This made Jane at the loss of words, but her eyes pleaded, catching that look, Claire agreed, "Alright, I won't say anything to him, now will you leave my hand."

"Only if you swear on me and make a proper promise then I'll leave you," Jane demanded, her eyes shining.

"Okay, I swear to you that I won't say a word to Eric," Upon hearing this, Jane released Claire's arm.

Just when she released her hand from her grip, Claire made a run from there to her room upstairs which was right up on the corner of the left wing.

As Jane saw her running, she sensed something was off. Reflexively, she dashed upstairs and found her standing inside the room, gripping the doorknob.

"Oh, my innocent friend, I crossed my fingers before promising you," she said with a toothy smile just before slamming the door shut.

"Claire! Open the door.. Claire! Claire!" Jane knocked loudly, but Claire didn't respond.

With a scoff, Jane declared, "Alright, don't open it, I'll see you in the evening," and then she stomped away.