CHAPTER 3

Jack apologized as Claire just kept mute. She was having shrills run down her spine as she also perceived his body scent. They got out of the elevator and Jack saw her at the door while Maxwell and Jack went their separate ways in the company. Jack was happy ever since he met Claire. It was as though their meeting had rekindled the liking he had for her back then. She had slimmed down and looked more beautiful than before. Jack couldn't stop thinking of her even at home as Maxwell watched him angrily. Whenever he was on call with Claire or spoke to her, Maxwell got unnecessarily angry but hid it away from his brother. Claire on the other hand was free to everyone and had no problem with talking to Jack like casual friends. They chatted away their nights for the past few days of the week which was a weekend. Jack asked her when he was going to see her again on a call. Maxwell was passing by his room when he heard loud laughter coming from his brother's room. He put his ears close to the door to hear what he was saying as he was sure it was a phone call with Claire. What Jack didn't know was that Maxwell had met with Claire even before now. He knew her early back then in school even though they didn't attend the same school. They both met in a joint Olympiad competition and became rivals ever since then. Claire had proven herself to be capable of achieving great things and was given a trial where she won in her school and was sent out to participate in inter competitions. That was the first time that Maxwell felt that he would not necessarily get the first because Claire Evatt was a very strong opponent for him at that time. Maxwell fell into a memory during a meeting. He didn't realize that he had fallen in love with Claire Evatt. He participated in All the leagues and games that she participated in. Though he was arrogant and cold towards her, he had a soft spot for her. In a debate tournament back in school, the list for the semi final contestants were out. While Maxwell was checking for his name, his eyes caught a glimpse of Evatt Claire's name. A smile lit his face as he was happy that she was also contesting too. He would finally get the chance to see her face to face and might even talk to her. He was filled with excitement. The day of the competition came. All the contestants from different schools showed up and took their various seats. It was a day that everyone was looking forward to, especially Maxwell. It was the day that he was looking forward to seeing that damsel again. This time, he promised himself to talk to her at least. He couldn't contain his excitement as he sat down, waiting for everyone to take their seats while he searched for her amongst the other contestants but she was nowhere to be seen. Though worried at her absence, Maxwell was able to lead his team to the finals by winning all stages of the competition. Now he was going to face Claire's school in the finals. After two weeks of the competition, Claire Evatt still didn't show up. This made it easier for Maxwell's school to win in the finals, leading his school to victory as he was awarded prizes. He was giving a speech on the podium when he noticed the empty seat of his opponent, Claire Evatt. The secretary, a middle aged lady, noticed that Maxwell was absent minded as she brought him back to reality. "Hey…be focused. You're still on stage." She whispered to him from his back. Maxwell swallowed some saliva and finished what he was saying after which he requested for a break and ran off the podium to look for Claire. Maxwell Evans parked his car in front of the police station where Claire Evatt worked. He remained in the car, feeling an impulse of not knowing what to say. He wondered how to start a conversation with Claire, it was long since they last saw each other. Many years have passed, Maxwell was not sure if Claire will even remember him. He started his car engine to drive away and leave since he felt there was no use in meeting with someone who won't recognize him nor knowing what to say to her when he saw his younger brother running into the police station with a lunch box. He didn't even want to think about what his brother wanted because it was clear and obvious that he liked her. Maxwell knew his brother, always on the spur of the moment, found it interesting to pursue, found it uninteresting and then thrown aside. Can't count how many love debts have been incurred over the years. He just watched as the drama unfolded before his eyes. Maxwell drove out of the parking lot when he noticed his brother leaving the police station with the lunchbox in his hand. Maxwell was secretly delighted as a sly smile played on his left cheek and lips. He could do nothing but snicker. Jack felt rejected but encouraged himself to continue to work hard, hoping to achieve success by the end of the day. Jack was dejectedly walking away when Maxwell horned for him. He looked up and recognized the car to belong to his brother so he got into the passenger's seat. He didn't even remember to ask Maxwell what he was doing there. "Hey, you alright?" Maxwetasked Jack as he saw how disheartened he looked. "I'm fine…what brings you here?" Jack finally remembered to ask his brother. "Came to see someone…and you?" Maxwell asked as he stole a look at his brother. He didn't want him to suspect that he came to see the family detective, Claire Evatt. "I came to see a friend." He replied. "Since when did you start having a detective friend?" Maxwell asked his brother as he played with his fingers.on the wheel. Jack looked up at him in surprise. "How do you know she's a detective?" Jack asked, taken aback in curiosity. "You introduced her to me at work…forgotten?" Maxwell replied back as he looked at his brother, their gaze meeting each other. "That's right. Claire, right?" Jack remembered. "Guess so. How's she? Were you able to see her?" Maxwell inquired. "Not really…she wasn't around when I went so I had to leave." Jack replied back. "Not a waste of time I guess." Maxwell whispered to himself. He was happy that he didn't waste his time going in to look.for her when she's not around. Also, what would her colleagues tell her when she comes back? That a man came looking for her? Or that her suspect came to see her? He didn't know that his brother had heard him already and thought that he was talking to him. "Why did you say that?" Jack asked. "What?" Maxwell asked in return. "Not a waste of time…why?" Jack asked again. "Err…well…you wouldn't have met me to drive you back. You got lucky that I was still around…" Maxwell saved himself immediately as Jack nodded like a small school boy. "You've always saved my ass since we were kids." Jack replied with a smile. "You're welcome. That's why I'm your big bro." Maxwell teased as he served into a corner sharply. "I really admire you Max. When will you bring a girl home?" Jack asked as Maxwell choked on his brother's words. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Jack asked in a concerned manner. Maxwell looked at his brother as he saw the area and concern in his eyes. No wonder he was able to have the majority of the geos flirting around him and he could get any girl his heart desires. Maxwell knew that he was more handsome than his younger brother but hardly any girl came around him because of his coldness and he didn't bother. But now, he was about to chase after a girl whom his brother could win in just a minute with those eyes. "Hey…" Jack called back his brother's attention as he waved into his face. Maxwell blinked as he looked up and just then, realized that he was almost driving into a ditch. "Watch out!" Jack cried in a loud voice as Maxwell turned the steering wheel swiftly and dodged falling into it. "Be careful man!" Jack reprimands brother. "I've got this scary cat." Maxwell replied as he looked at his brother all over and they laughed. "How about you?" Maxwell asked as he kept a straight face towards where he was driving. "What?" Jack asked him. "Do you have any women?" Maxwell asked as he regretted asking such a question. He wished he didn't ask his brother that. Jack just smiled as he played with his fingers like a little school boy. "Stop that!" Maxwell found himself saying that on top of his voice. He disliked how his brother behaved so childish sometimes. He felt he could get any woman he wanted by doing that which made Maxwell grow even more jealous of him. "I'm planning on getting back with my secondary school crush." Jack replied with a dry smile. Maxwell felt like he was about to get choked on hearing that. He tried his best to hide his expressions. "That's good. Who's she?" Maxwell asked as though he had forgotten about it or rather, wanted to be sure if it was what he was thinking. "Claire Evatt." Jack replied with a broad smile as he called the name with every bit of excitement in him.