Claire turned and saw someone she definitely wasn't expecting to see. She immediately removed the ring and tucked it in her purse.
"Oh my goodness, Claire! It's really you," Maya exclaimed excitedly as she approached. Everyone in the cafe turned to look, but Maya couldn't care in the slightest.
Maya, a former colleague of Claire's from one of her early acting gigs, had always been the type to love the spotlight and not care who was watching and Claire always admired that about her.
But she wasn't sure if she was ready to keep up with that kind of energy as her mind was still shook by the news she had just received.
Was Craig really dead?
"Heyyy Maya! It's been so long," she replied, managing to force a smile.
"You bet your sweet ass it has!" Maya said with a rich, infectious laugh as she pulled Claire in for a warm hug.
The sophisticated scent of Maya's perfume filled Claire's lungs and the air around them. She couldn't help but notice how much better looking Maya had become since the last time she saw her.
That didn't come as a surprise however, considering how many blockbuster movies she had been in since then. Claire even noticed Maya had been followed by some paparazzi, who were still waiting outside the cafe.
Maya pulled back from the hug, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Claire, you look amazing! Look at you! Looking all bad and boujee," Maya commented, followed by the now-familiar rich laughter.
'Money really does change how you laugh,' Claire thought in amusement.
"You look so good yourself!" Claire responded, trying to keep up with Maya's excitement and hopefully distract herself from the sinking feeling within her.
"Oh stop it," Maya said dismissively with a cheeky smile and the wave of her hand as they both took their seats.
The booth they settled into had a soft, cushioned bench that wrapped around in a comfortable C-shape, and they sat opposite each other.
Maya continued, "I just put on a few pounds, starred in some blockbuster movies and-" she leaned in to complete her statement in a mischievous whisper, "-been having some great sex!" She concluded she burst into laughter.
Claire couldn't help but genuinely join in this time. It was always like that with Maya. But in that moment, Claire realized she hadn't gotten the tragic news.
"Umm Maya?"
"What's up baby?" Maya replied, her face lighting up as she leaned forward with interest.
Claire took a deep breath before she said simply, "Craig's dead."
After that, it felt like the entire room fell silent and they could only hear the sounds of each other's breathing.
"What?" Maya responded after what felt like forever.
Claire just watched as Maya tried to process the news. It reminded her of herself some minutes ago.
"That can't be right though, I was literally on the phone with him about thirty minutes ago. He was home with his family. Was it a heart attack?"
"The news doesn't say. Probably because it just happened and they're trying to get more information."
Maya placed a hand over her chest, her breath hitching. "This can't be real. Are you sure?"
Claire nodded, still hoping there was a chance she was wrong. "It's all over the news Maya. I saw the alert just before you walked in."
"I was literally… my phone, get my fucking phone!" Maya said to her bodyguards, her voice louder, causing people to turn around again.
As her guards scrambled to get her phone from the car where it was charging, Maya buried her face in her hands as the tears flooded out.
Claire slid closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She rubbed her back softly, not sure of what else to do or say.
Claire had never seen her this way. Craig was a father figure to all of them, supporting and guiding them through the complexities of the world of stardom. So even though she had never seen her usually composed and vibrant friend this way, she understood her.
"I'm so sorry, Maya," Claire whispered, her voice inaudible over Maya's muffled crying.
Maya raised her head up and wiped her tears, trying to pull herself together. "I have to leave… I can't be here," she muttered, sitting up straight.
Claire nodded in understanding as one of Maya's bodyguards handed over her phone. She barely glanced at it before tucking it away into her designer purse.
"Come with me please. A friend is the one thing I need right now," Maya said, reaching out to Claire with her hand, who took it.
Without another word, the two women stood, and as they walked out of the café, the flash of cameras almost blinded them.
The paparazzi, who had been lingering outside, rushed forward, taking shots of both Maya and Claire. Maya kept her head high, ignoring them, but Claire desperately tried to shield her face with her hand.
"Over here Maya!" one of the photographers shouted, but they kept walking, and Claire stuck close to Maya's side as the bodyguards led them to the waiting car.
Once inside, Claire was relieved as the chaos outside completely drowned out.
Maya exhaled deeply, still visibly disturbed, but more composed now. "I'll drop you off wherever, just let me know where you're headed," she said, her voice quiet, almost defeated.
"Just a couple blocks down to the store, I gotta pick up something for a friend," Claire responded, not willing to let Maya know where she really stayed.
"I could come with…" Maya said, her voice cracking a bit. Claire looked into her eyes and really felt compassion for her. She was not taking the news well.
"No, Maya, you should go home and get some rest," Claire replied as she reached out and squeezed her hands softly. And all Maya could do was nod in disappointment.
Minutes later, they arrived in front of the local grocery store. "ValueMart," the sign read.
"Take care, Maya," Claire said softly as she opened the door.
Maya gave a weak smile. "You too, Claire. Call me later, please."
"I will."
Claire stepped out and watched as the car drove away, leaving her standing alone in front of a store she didn't want to be at. She looked down at her watch and saw that it was getting late.
'Lucas is gonna kill me,' she thought with worry.
'Just like he killed Craig,' another voice whispered from within her.
"No he would never," Claire said out loud, but she knew deep down, she didn't fully believe that statement. Quite frankly, she had no idea what Lucas was capable of doing.
She tried to shake off the thought as she began walking home. The sun was setting and its soft yellow glow perfectly highlighted Claire's beautiful features.
Just then, a black Rolls Royce pulled up beside her, its surface shining in the setting sun.
'Oh my god.'
She didn't need to see who was behind the wheel to know it was Lucas's men. And giving her a feeling of de ja vu, the front window rolled down smoothly, revealing the same hefty man, "big John", who had approached her the very first time.
"Madame Benetti," he said in a monotone voice, "the Don wants to see you."
'Ah yes, whatever the Don wants, he gets,' she thought in frustration.
Then her stomach dropped at the realization that he might be inside. The thought made her hesitate a bit. Could she refuse? It's her life now.
After a moment of contemplation, she forced herself to step through the open doors. Immediately she got in, the unmistakable scent of Lucas's perfume filled her nose and she found herself staring directly at him.
Claire's heart almost popped out of her chest, but she forced herself to remain composed under his cold stare.
She reached for the ring with her thumb, but then she realized she hadn't put it back on since she hid it away from Maya.
'Oh god, no.'
There's no one to save her now. Lucas sat there, perfectly poised, not a single emotion on his face. The silence felt heavy, like the calm before a storm.
"Claire," he finally said. "Where were you?" Something told Claire that he already knew the answer to that question, so she just had to answer honestly.
"I needed some air after all the craziness over the past few days, so I went to grab some coffee nearby. Is there a problem with that?" Claire replied in defense.
"Not at all," Lucas responded, leaning back into his seat. "What I have a problem with is you looking for a way to breach our contract," he added.
Claire hesitated for a moment, taken aback by what he just said.
"What? What do you mean 'breach our contract'?"
Lucas turned his head slightly and pulled out his phone. With a few quick swipes, he tapped something and turned the screen toward her.
Her stomach dropped as she saw the image. It was a photo of her and Maya, taken just outside the cafe. Claire's hand was on Maya's shoulder, her face partially turned as if she had been trying to avoid the cameras. She swallowed hard, finally getting where Lucas was drawing his silly ideas from.
"Meeting up with old friends. First Craig, now Maya. Looking for a way to sneak out after agreeing to this life," Lucas said, his voice rising.
Claire paused again, then realization dawned heavily on her.
"Lucas, I… I never told you the name of my former director."
Lucas leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "You didn't have to," he said calmly, but in such a sinister manner.
"So you were following me? You had someone watching me didn't you?" she asked, because she realized there was no way he would've gotten those photos that quickly.
"I have people everywhere, Claire. That shouldn't come as a surprise to you."
Claire swallowed, trying to find her footing in this conversation. "So, what are you trying to say? That me meeting Maya was some plot to escape?"
"No Claire. I'm saying, if you're looking for a way out, you won't find it with her, or anyone else."
Claire's mind reeled back to the news alert, to Craig's sudden death, Lucas's leaving the house just as she brought him up, and in that moment, everything seemed to click together. She opened her mouth, barely able to form the words.
"Lucas…did you… Did you kill Craig?"
Then silence filled the car, Claire could feel her heart thudding painfully against her chest, and Lucas didn't blink, didn't move.
Finally, just as she almost reached her breaking point, Lucas's lips parted, and he spoke.
"I did."