Hired Love
Chapter 44

When Stacy's door rang the next Saturday morning, the last person she expected to see stood at her front door.

"Oh, fuck no." She said in an exasperated voice, making to close the door.

"Stacy, wait. Please, just hear me out." Claire said, blocking the door with her foot.

"I don't have time for this nonsense, and I really don't want to see you again, as in ever." She said into the small space that remained due to Claire's foot. "I came to apologize."

"For which of your multitudinous sins?"

Claire hesitated before answering. "Listen Stacy, just hear me for a few minutes and I promise I'll get out of your hair, and you'll never have to see me again."

Stacy sighed, rolling her eyes. Claire was so persistent that she knew that shutting the door in her face wouldn't do much in the way of getting rid of her. She was dreading this conversation. After what Claire had pulled about two weeks ago, it was hard to believe she'd suddenly had a change of heart.

She pulled the door open, standing with her arms folded across her chest. "You have five minutes."

Claire nodded, licking his lower lip. In truth, she looked like shit. There were bags under her eyes, and it looked like she hadn't slept in days. Stacy refused to feel anything for her; she'd ruined her life. It was only fitting she was miserable too. "Do you know why I was always so jealous of you?" Claire began.

Stacy frowned. That wasn't what she'd been expecting.

Claire went on, without waiting for a reply. "It was because you didn't even have to try. You were effortlessly beautiful. You have always been. It's why people liked you for no reason. I thought it was because you were so quiet all the time, so I tried to be like you."

Stacy was dumbfounded. What was Claire talking about? She was jealous of her?

"When that didn't work, I settled for being the opposite of you and actually try to get people to like me."

Claire's voice broke at the end, and she hugged her denim jacket closer to her body. Stacy was glued to the spot. She'd never in her wildest dream imagined that her older sister was jealous of her.

"I know I've not been the best of sisters and I know nothing I say will ever make up for what I did at the house, but I just want you to know I'm sorry for everything. With Matt and Roman, everything.

If it means anything, Matt approached me first. When I noticed he was making sexual advances towards me, I should've rejected him. I shouldn't have let it go on, but I did and I'm sorry. I've just been so bitter and blinded by my selfishness that I never bothered to stop and think about how much I was hurting you. I know I'm a bitch ninety-nine per cent of the time and I'm the last person you want to see right now but I just can't bear the thought of you hating me." The gears in Stacy's head were rolling. So Matt had been the one to initiate it. Something told her she probably shouldn't be taking Claire seriously but at the same time, she figured she had no reason to lie. What she couldn't believe was that Claire had been jealous of her.

Her sister was beauty personified. She broke necks as she went and always left the men wanting more. How was it possible that she'd been jealous of her, Stacy who was boring and quiet and always on the sidelines? "I broke up with him. He's a fucking idiot and the biggest mistake of my life."

Stacy's emotions were all jumbled up. She had no idea what to feel. Matt was so insignificant to her that she didn't think twice about him. Even if she forgave Claire, it wouldn't change the fact that everything was ruined.

"I don't know what to say, Claire. You really hurt me. You can't just expect me to forget all that happened and accept you back as my sister." She said.

"I know that."

"I'm glad that you took the initiative to apologize. It means a lot."

Claire wiped the under of her eyes. "You don't have to forgive me, Stacy. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, mom isn't sick at all." "What?"

"Yeah, she's not sick. She only said that so we'd hurry up and get married."

Stacy chuckled. That was so like her mother, playing on people's emotions just to get what she wanted.

"You should call her. She misses you."

Stacy nodded, swallowing with great effort. "I'll try."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Claire nodded. "I'm leaving. I just wanted to stop by and let you know how I felt."

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere I can get my life in order. I'm going to start afresh, build something new for myself."

For the first time since they'd started talking, Stacy smiled. Maybe there was still hope for Claire. She hoped she would be opportune to see how everything turned out.

"I'll send you the address once I settle down." Claire said.

Stacy gave her a small smile. "I look forward to it."

Claire nodded, turning on her heels and walking down the hallway. Stacy stood at her door, watching her. They'd really come a long way since childhood. Their differences had made them shaped them into who they were and their bond as sisters had brought them together to this moment. Stacy didn't know what the future held, but she was eager to find out.

When Claire got to the elevator, she paused and spun her head around to look at her sister. "Go get that man of yours, will you?"