Claire’s POV 

Although I was apprehensive about Aunt Emily’s reaction to seeing me suddenly at her doorstep, she welcomed me with open arms. I ran into them, and broke down completely, unable to stop the teardrops cascading down my cheeks. 

“It’s such a pleasant surprise, my dear! I almost thought you had forgotten me.”

“No, Aunt Emily, you’re my favorite. I wanted to see you so badly that this time I didn’t wait for Mom and Dad to bring me here,” I lied, but Aunt Emily just wiped my tears away gently and led me inside. She knew me well and I could see that she had sensed that something was wrong with me. 

“I’m honored, dear. Come and sit and tell me what has really upset you so much. I promise I won’t tell a soul,” she said, leaning towards me as if it was a secret. I sighed, knowing that I had to tell her if I wanted to hide here for a long time.

I told her everything that had happened, and she nodded in understanding. “I agree it was very wrong of Nate to come to such a hasty decision without hearing you out, dear,” she said. 

“Stay here with me and complete your studies. I will talk to Nate. A stunningly beautiful girl like you will have many suitors and admirers, but that doesn’t mean we would make a wrong decision on the spur of the moment.”

“I want to be a hairstylist and therapist and have my salon all over the world. I don’t have time for the immature boys of my college, but Dad doesn’t understand me at all,” I wailed as Aunt Emily’s eyes twinkled.

“What about the mature boy that you like?” she asked with a mischievous grin.

I blushed to the roots of my hair. “He doesn’t even know that I exist,” I complained as she chuckled.

“I think it’s the other way round, dear. He must be fighting his urge to be with you, so he tries to ignore you,” she said, as my eyes widened with surprise. I had never given that angle a thought!

“No, no Aunt Emily, I’m sure it’s not that way at all. He’s much older and treats me like a kid,” I said as she chuckled again.

“Prove to him you’re no longer a kid!” her words got me thinking hard, but how could I do that? I was back at square one since I didn’t know his number.

“You can think about it later. Let me take you to your room. Why don’t you quickly freshen up and we can have breakfast?” she said, leading me upstairs to a nicely decorated room at the end of the corridor. Decorated in blush pink and beige, I noted a wide balcony attached to the room overlooking the neighbor’s house. It was a similar row house, just like Aunt Emily’s.

“This was my youngest daughter, Sarah’s room. It’s yours now. The house next door has been vacant for quite some time, so you have all the privacy in the world,” she said, smiling as she closed the door and left.

I investigated the room, the balcony, the ensuite, and a walk-in closet which, although small, was enough for me. Sarah’s clothes were still hanging there, and since they were my size, I jumped with joy. I had packed very little, so these could work for the time being.

I freshened up and went downstairs to have breakfast with Aunt Emily. “Why don’t you explore the colleges nearby and check out the cosmetology programs that they have?” she asked, and I nodded.

“But I don’t have funds, Aunt Emily. I left home with very limited pocket money, so I need to get a job first,” I said, knowing that I couldn’t afford my college fees. I would rather die than ask Dad for money!

“Rubbish honey, you’re just eighteen. It is your right to get an education, and Nate has to bear it. I will talk to him if you could complete your studies here,” said Aunt Emily. We tucked into the delicious pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with blueberries and walnuts. 

“Dad will never agree. If he does, I will check out the colleges nearby,” I said, knowing that Dad would come all the way here to fetch me rather than give him permission for me to stay here. It was an impossible dream, and I was safe only till Aunt Emily called him and told him about my whereabouts.

However, Aunt Emily didn’t speak to Dad immediately. After breakfast, she pushed me out of the house to search for a college to pursue my studies. My first choice was Santa Monica College, as it was the closest to Aunt Emily’s house. After retrieving all the information on the program of my choice, I returned home only to find that Aunt Emily had spoken to Dad already about me.

“Nate has realized his mistake, dear, and he doesn’t have any problem if you want to stay here and complete your studies. He has already given you access to your bank account and your card should arrive any time now,” she said as my jaw dropped to the floor. How was Dad so easily convinced? How did he give me access to my account? I was stunned into silence as Aunt Emily chuckled and continued with her preparations for lunch.

“Close your mouth, honey, it’s the truth. Once you get your card, get yourself admitted to the program of your choice. Now smile and help me with lunch,” she said as I came out of my trance.

“Yes Aunt Emily, thank you so much,” I said, hugging her as I went upstairs to my room to take a quick shower. Later, I helped her make the meatballs for lunch. My mood had already improved, and I was loving my stay here. How Dad accepted everything without a fight was beyond me, but I decided I would pursue my dreams here in Santa Monica.

Aunt Emily taught me how to prepare the perfect marinara sauce to dunk the meatballs in. We finished making the garlic spaghetti to go with it. I served the food on two plates and went to the dining table to gobble up the delicious food.

The next whole week I was busy with admission procedures and formalities. Then came the entrance tests and interviews. Finally, by the end of the week, I was successfully enrolled in college. I had just the weekend off and would start on Monday. I already received my bank card, so I went shopping for clothes and necessities. 

When I returned home, I found mom had dispatched my stuff from New York too. It was already afternoon, and I quickly arranged my closet. Satisfied, I longed for a luxurious bath before checking out my courseware. Things were going so smoothly that I felt euphoric and happy. I came out of my ensuite, after wrapping a towel around my damp body. Feeling on top of the world, I switched on the music and swayed and sang along, picking up another towel to dry my hair. 

Suddenly, I had the feeling of being watched. Glancing around me, to my horror, I saw a tall figure standing on the balcony of the house next door. His dark, intense stare checked me out shamelessly, as a small smirk hovered on his lips.

Aware of my near nakedness, I hurried to the door. I closed it and drew the curtains while his chuckle echoed in the still air. I just wished that the earth would swallow me and I could die out of embarrassment. How could I be so careless?