Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Chaos
As Clarke sat down near the edge of the bed. She felt like dying. How on earth could she be marrying this high society, talented and witty but who betrayed her in the past. If it wasn't for her father, she would run as far away as she can, just to get away from her! Her eyes were all puffed due to crying for hours. But she doesn't mind. She would rather look unpresentable than smile while hating and at the same time loving this woman.
Door opened and Raven waved at her
"Clarke, it's time"
Clarke froze and heard herself saying "How did we come to this, Clarke?"
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It all started when everything came falling apart in her life. Her mother was one of the top scientists in a well known pharmaceutical company. Tough and full of passion, Abby Griffin got involved in what has to be a frame up or conspiracy. It was an ongoing battle that led Abby to be detained together with other scientists under her team. Her dad, Jake, who is an engineer fought for Abby for 5 years and finally succumbed into depression. Losing all hopes between them and giant Goliath. Jake, wanted to get the best legal in the nation to take care Abby's case. He pretty much spent their savings and wanted more. He went on gambling and began to eventually let go of of their other possessions.
"You can't blame him Clarke, he wanted more money and to get the best lawyers in town for me" Abby explained to Clarke in one of mother and daughter bonding during visits.
"But mom! Dad already sold your car, his car and whats next, mine?! Our house? Our ranch, our mowers?" Clarke frantically is crying over to Abby.
"It's different when you're gone mom." Clarke sobbed. "I'm so..rry Clarke" Abby sighs
Clarke, her friends and cousins would always visit Abby in the prison. In early years of marriage, Abby and Jake took care of their niece and nephew. Their parents died in a vehicular accident when Bellamy was 8 and Octavia, 5. Abby can't take it that her sister's children would go to foster homes. Amidst having Clarke and the two other kids, Abby and Jake made a career and built their dreams by buying a medium sized ranch from Jake's Uncle Ted. It helps the locals grow fruits, produce and other livelihood within the land. Jake felt that since Uncle Ted sold that in a almost one fourth of the price, he should keep his promise to help the locals having their livelihood in the land and lake nearby.
It has been weeks that Clarke noticed that her Dad keeps hosting poker games at their house. He would bring some of his friends and would play. Clarke did not approve any of this. She knew one of her Dad's friend is a professional gambler. His name is Tony "Casino Man" Woods. He owns several casinos in Reno and Vegas. Very wealthy and powerful man. Clarke remembers Tony though as a sweet and loving person. When they were kids, Jake and Tony would bring them to one Tony's wooden cabin by the mountains together with Tony's children, Anya, Lexa and stepson Lincoln. Tony's first wife left him and returned to Asia. Anya was left with Tony. He then got remarried and had his second daughter, Lexa. Both the Woods' children are older than Clarke and her cousins.
Their last vacation together in Woods' house, Clarke saw Lexa with a girl in a room. Clarke leaned over the door and in horror, saw Lexa was asleep while half naked girl was all over her. One of Anya's bandmates saw it too and pushed the door open and started to scream.
"I knew it Lynn, you're into Lexa!!"
Lexa woke up and removed the girl's arms all over her. She pushed her away after seeing Clarke staring at them, frozen by the door. But Clarke got her wits back as she was being pushed by others. The loud the jeering and screams from Anya's other bandmates made her aware of her surroundings. Clarke left in a hurry and remembered Lexa calling her name but she ignored it. After that event, Clarke stopped talking to Lexa. She would avoid her and would go with her cousins if found she'll be alone with her. She has no problem talking to Anya though.
The vacation ended that year and they didn't return to the cabin like they used to do for years. The Woods moved to New York as Anya took Law, while Lexa and Lincoln attended school in Scotland.
"Dad, why are you playing with Tony? Are you out of your mind? Clarke in a mad tone
"Relax sweetheart, it's just a game between old friends" Jake smiley answered
"But I heard you saying things about the ranch" Clarke continues
Jake was saved when Clarke's phone rang.
Clarke reached out for her phone and moved away
"We're not done, Dad" as Clarke stepped out of the living room
"What do you need Finn?" Clarke blurted out
"Let's talk Clarke, we have to sort things out"
"I have no time to sort things out with you, you better leave me alone for now"
"Clarke, I will go to your place, now" Finn pushes it
"Stop it Finn! You can't undo what happened and we're done already"
Clarke ended the call and quickly turned off her phone. She vividly remembered how Finn and his high society family reacted when learned about Clarke's mom. They didn't pass the chance to interrogate her during family dinner when he invited her over their place
"Do you think your mom did the sabotage, dear?" Melissa, Finn's older sister asked furiously out of nowhere
"I'm..we're not supposed to talk about it" Clarke almost swallowed her food without chewing
"These are giant in the industry Clarke, Abby should have known better not to clash with them" said Linda, Finn's mother
They ignored what Clarke had said and kept questioning her to the point of getting her opinion about her mother's intentions.
Clarke had no problem defending her mother as she knows the truth. But what made her sick was that Finn was comfortable just watching her being humiliated by her family. Clarke politely walked out that evening, feeling ashamed for Finn's lack of compassion for her. Was he too comfortable after proposing to her?
Clarke started questioning her relationship with Finn, his lazy attitude and most of the time taking advantage of her. She felt some kind of relief after dumping him 9 months ago. She should have done it earlier after that night of interrogation which happened almost 2 years. But she still took the time to understand Finn and his family.
Clarke asked Finn many times to accompany her to the prison where Abby was detained But every time, Finn finds his excuse and never really been with her. She grew weary of having him around and found the courage to finally let him go.