Love Against All Odds by Shirley Hugh

Chapter 16 

“As soon as they arrived, they said they didn’t want to stay here any longer and they wanted to go elsewhere. I told them I’d wait for you here.” Julia opened a bottle and handed it to Claire. 

Jeffrey had made Claire so angry earlier that she felt her head spinning. She took the beer and gulped it down. 

“Tsk, tsk, ponytail, white shirt, jeans… My dear, you are just like an innocent little girl.” Julia expressed dissatisfaction with Claire’s attire. 

After all, they were adults, and tonight was the best time to flirt with guys. 

“Do you expect someone to fall for you in those jeans?” 

“What? We’re just drinking, aren’t we?” Claire shrugged and took a sip of the cocktail. It was sweet and not as good as whiskey. 

Julia rolled over and pinned Claire down, unbuttoning three buttons of her white shirt before pulling the collar of the shirt to her shoulders, revealing Claire’s S**y collarbones. Then, she tied a butterfly knot at the hem, exposing Claire’s slender yet strong waist. 

The two handsome young men couldn’t even take their eyes off Claire. She looked wild and S**y. Such women were the most tempting. 

Claire couldn’t be bothered with Julia. Then, Julia loosened Claire’s ponytail, and Claire’s long curly hair fell, making her face even more charming. 

“Are you satisfied now, girl?” Claire rolled her eyes and picked up the bottle again. 

Julia, as if performing a magic trick, pulled out a pair of scissors from somewhere. She quickly cut several holes in Claire’s loose jeans 

“Oh, no, my new jeans! You have to compensate me.” Claire winced, her heart aching 

“Sure! I’ll buy you a new one.” Julia smirked. 

“Let’s find Jessie after we finish the bottle. It’s too hoisy here. Claire said close to Julia’s ear 

Julia nodded in agreement. 

Julia and Claire arrived late and were punished by Jessie to drink two glasses of beer. A few girls gathered together and laughed heartily. 

“How about we play a game? It’s boring to drink and chat. Julia was known for her mischievousness at school, and now that she was suggesting a game, it was certain that she had thought of a tew way to prank someone. 

Everyone was reluctane as they had been tricked by Julia too many times. Later, worn down by Julia’s persistence, everyone joined the game. 

“Hey, it’s Claire! Truth or dare?” 

Claire, who was unexpectedly chosen, chose “truth,” while Julia asked about the color of the underwear Claire wore today. Claire blushed and hesitated to answer. 

“It couldn’t be that you’re not wearing any, right?” Jessie jokingly speculated. Claire stammered, “N–No, it’s white.” Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. 

After a few rounds, it was Claire’s turn again. Afraid that Julia and the others would ask some intimate questions, she chose 

‘dare” 

If Claire had known that this decision would be such a momentous one, she wouldn’t have rushed to choose “dare.” 

“Take this piece of apple to the next room and ask the guys to exchange it for a bottle of wine.” Julia inserted a fork into a piece of apple and handed it to Claire. 

At first, Claire was quite brave, but as she stood in front of the neighboring room, she became hesitant. 

She didn’t want it to be this awkward. Gathering her courage, she put on a smile and pushed open the door to the room. 

Several guys were sitting on the couch, and all turned to look at her. One of them had his back to her, holding a microphone and singing a love song. It was a beautiful rendition she had never heard before. She didn’t interrupt until the music stopped. Then, she explained her request, 

“Can I exchange this piece of apple for a bottle of wine with you guys?” 

It seemed presumptuous. Claire felt embarrassed as she thought, ‘If it’s okay, everyone will be happy. If not, well… Forget it. 

“If you promise to be my girlfriend, I’ll agree to the exchange.” The man with his back to Claire finally turned around, and a mischievous face appeared before her. 

It’s Jeffrey!” she yelled in her mind. Why does it have to be him, that jerk?” 

Before Claire could say anything, Julia entered and pushed her into Jeffrey’s arms. In an instant, Claire became Jeffrey’s girlfriend without any reason. 

“So, my dear girlfriend, can you feed me the apple in your hand? Perhaps it was because he had just sung. Jeffrey’s voice was slightly hoarse. His voice was truly enchanting. As someone obsessed with men with good looks and attractive voices, Claire subconsciously fed the piece of apple to Jeffrey, her expression blank. 

“Pleased to meet you, my girlfriend,” said Jeffrey as he showed her an almost transparent smile as if it might disappear the next second. 

All of this played back in Claire’s mind like a movie, as clear as if it had happened just yesterday. Meanwhile, Gavin stood behind Claire, his Adam’s apple bobbing unnaturally. He was unsure of what he should say to break the silence. He was also well aware of Claire’s past with Jeffrey. 

Claire still had that blank expression, and she unconsciously looked at Gavin, the emotions in her eyes shifting from confusion to remorse. 

She suddenly realized that she shouldn’t be flirting with her… ex–boyfriend in front of her husband. It was unfair to Gavin. 

“I’m sorry.” The two words lightly drifted into Gavin’s ears, and his heart suddenly contracted, a dull pain spreading within him. He closed his eyes, no longer looking at Claire, and walked away. 

“Gavin, are you angry with me? Claire walked cautiously at his side. “No,” he coldly uttered. 

“You’re not angry, huh? she murmured, her inner voice laced with skepticism. Do you think I would believe that? Your expression has betrayed you! Claire observed the rigid set of his shoulders, the way his eyes seemed to avoid meeting hers, and she knew that he was far from indifferent 

Claire tugged at Gavin’s sleeve and smiled ingratiatingly. Please don’t be angry with me, okay? I just happened to see someone I knew so I went to talk to him.” 

‘She’s explaining herself to me!‘ Gavin thought in excitement. ‘She’s explaining herself to me! The corners of Gavin’s mouth couldn’t help but curl into a faint smile, but he pretended to be cold, wanting to see how Claire would try to coax him. 

“You’re angry,” Claire insisted, her voice a whisper. Her eyes were locked onto his, searching for the truth. 

“No,” Gavin repeated, his tone slightly softer now, but then he stared at Claire solemnly. His eyes bore into hers with an intensity that took her breath away. “I’m jealous. The confession hung in the air between them, raw and honest. His brows were furrowed while his l*ps parted slightly. It was as if the admission had taken something out of him. Claire could see the vulnerability there, a stark contrast to the aloof demeanor he had been projecting moments before. 

“What are you talking about? Don’t be silly” Claire turned her face away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. 

“I’m serious now. I saw that person, and that person is a man. So, I’m jealous” Gavin remained dead serious. 

Claire suddenly wanted to tease Gavin, and she smirked. “I know, but you’re different. He’s just an ordinary man, but you’re my husband, aren’t you, honey?” 

Gavin contemplated for a moment, and his l*ps parted slightly. “Say it again! 

“What?” 

“The term of address. Say it again. Say it, and the 

will be yours.” 

Rolling her eyes, Claire obediently said, “Honey.” 

Gavin ruffled Claire’s hair, feeling somewhat relieved, but that didn’t mean he had let go of his grievances completely.