What would you do if you stumbled upon a bride crying her eyes out minutes before the wedding, begging you to help her escape? You help her, of course. What would you do if you stumbled upon a drunken guy being mugged in the dark alley later that night? You help him too, of course. What would you do when you discover he was the same guy left hanging at the altar earlier that day? You regret everything, of course. What would you do when you start seeing that same guy everywhere you go? You fall in love, of course.
View MoreChloe
“No, Simon, don’t worry. I’ve got this.” When in reality, I knew I didn’t.Simon was my employee and friend for over four years, ever since I opened my pastry shop. He was the first person who answered my job listing; 20 at the time, tall, blond, Viking type, and it wasn’t a secret I liked him from the moment I saw him. Before I discovered he had a boyfriend. But him being so easygoing and friendly made that initial awkwardness vanish quickly, and we grew to be more than friends; he became a brother I never had.Usually, Simon was in charge of the delivery, but today his boyfriend was having knee surgery, and I understood he had to be there.“But…” he said, and I interrupted him.“No but! Go! That’s an order!” I commanded with a smile, knowing he wouldn’t misunderstand. “And wish Dave to get well soon!” I yelled after Simon, who was already on his way out.Watching him disappear from my sight, I sighed loudly.“Are you OK, Chloe?” I heard Abby ask from the storage room.“Yeah… just peachy.”We had this big event to cover today, a wedding. I’d been preparing for it for a week. Some wealthy playboy was marrying a trust fund Barbie, and all the news was talking about it.I made the wedding cake and decorated it as the bride’s mother instructed, including edible flowers and genuine gold flakes that cost a fortune, plus all the cookies, muffins, sweet pastries, and croissants they ordered. If anyone asked me, I would say it was all a bit too much... but nobody asked me. That’s why I didn’t voice my thoughts about the monstrosity I created. I was handsomely paid for the job, and I did the best of my abilities, so my conscience was at peace.Everything was fresh and packed into boxes, and the only thing we had left to do was safely deliver it to the venue. Abby and I started packing and securing the load into my old delivery van. The summer sun was climbing up the sky fast, and its warm rays caused us both to heat up. By the time we were finished, my skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat.Oldie, as we called it, was still functional, and I was reluctant to replace it, but if I survived today, the old metal can was going straight to the scrap yard!“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” Abby asked once we were done. Her smart eyes, hidden behind the big round glasses, told me she knew exactly what I was thinking.“No, you better stay here,” I mumbled, rethinking my decision about closing the shop for a few hours. Then again, mornings were usually the busiest part of the day. “I’ll be fine. Plus, I can’t ask the hot best man to help if you’re there.” We both laughed at the joke, and Abby returned inside to clean the mess I had left behind.What was my problem with this delivery? Clutch.Oldie had a manual gearshift, and it scared me like nothing else in the world. I hadn’t driven a car with a clutch for six years, and every time we had a delivery order, Simon would take care of it. Today he had somewhere important to be.I didn’t mind it, I swear. I loved him. He was my best friend. I loved Dave too, and I understood how stressful this was for them. But maybe I shouldn’t have lied that I’d be fine.After a quick prayer to all the invisible forces, I hopped in, turned the key on, and the engine roared to life. Even the sound made me shudder with anxiety as I knew what awaited. I didn’t even get past the gate when I lost the gas for the first time, and with a loud pop and a rough jerk, Oldie stayed buried in place.I felt my heart rise to my throat, beating with unpleasant bitterness in response to what I had just done and was about to do. Ignoring Abby’s worried stance when she peeked through the back door, I started the van again and slowly departed from the parking lot of my building. During the next mile, I lost the gas three more times, and each time, I am pretty sure my heart skipped a beat while the buzzing in my ears reached impossible levels.My right eye twitched in horror from the screaming horns of cars stuck behind me as I turned the key on and on again; the panic that overwhelmed me didn’t help my shaking hands. By the time I arrived at the Scott mansion, fear and stress caused the red muscle in my chest to beat so fast that I genuinely believed I was about to have a stroke. If I wasn’t constantly aware of the importance of making this delivery, I swear I would have left both the van and the goods in it ten traffic lights ago!When I finally parked at the back entrance of the mansion, it was half an hour later than I was supposed to be there, but I did not dare pass the 30-mile-per-hour limit.The atmosphere was chaotic. The employees and hired help for the day were running around, doing what they needed to make the most important wedding of the year perfect.“You’re late!” A woman dressed in a smart suit rushed to me, hissing. ‘A wedding planner?’ I wondered. She checked something on the list she was holding in her hands and, unexpectedly, whistled at a couple of guys passing nearby.“Hey, you two! Come! There’s a ton to unload here! Chop-chop!” She ordered. ‘Wow, talking about the efficiency.’I unlocked the back door and helped the guys unload the boxes, being especially careful with the cake. It was almost 3 feet tall and one of my most significant works. I was very proud of it, no matter how much it didn’t suit my liking.We took everything to the kitchen and packed up the boxes where the planner lady showed us. While making the rounds, I couldn’t help but discreetly look around. I’d never been inside the famous Scott Mansion before, and its interior was as impressive as its exterior. Everything was decorated tastefully, screaming luxury and power.“Mrs. Scott instructed me to hand you the check. But she forgot to give it to me, so wait here, and I’ll go find her.” The wedding planner gave me a tight-lipped smile, turned around, and stormed out; the sound of her heels tapping on the marble floor resonated off the walls.Mrs. Scott was the epitome of elegance. A strand of grey adorning her dark hair was worn with evident pride, and I respected that immensely. Large curlers were still on her head, but her makeup was flawless, as was her dress. Even the most unsuspecting eye wouldn’t miss a discreet metal cuff on the lapel, suggesting the famous designer and its price.“Good morning, Mrs. Scott,” I greeted her with a polite smile.“Good morning,” she returned in the same manner. The way she spoke screamed the high society in which she was born and married. “Here. Your check.” She handed me the piece of paper, and I took it with a curt nod. “Since everything is as we discussed, I’ll make sure to put in a good word for your work.” Well, this was a pleasant surprise!“Thank you, Mrs. Scott.” I was indeed grateful; her friends were known to organize important events, which could mean significant potential for me. “I’ll be on my way now.” I folded the check and put it in the pocket of my white coat.“You can find your way out, right?” Wow, this woman was unusually nice, but ‘you don’t marry your only daughter every day.’“Congratulations again.” I ensured everything was in place, and I’d forgotten nothing before exiting the kitchen. It was becoming too crowded, and my job was done.I tapped my coat pocket, ensuring the keys to my worst nightmare were still there, secretly hoping I had lost them somewhere. That would give me a perfect excuse to call the cab and leave the damn thing here, but no such luck.Wait, was this the right way? I snapped out of my thoughts when I reached the end of the hallway and found no exit I thought I would; instead, there was a window in front of me from which I could see a part of the backyard - but no door I had come through earlier.I turned around and assessed my surroundings. Hmm. The walls looked the same... Damn rich people and their maze-like houses, I cursed in my head.OK, I’d go back to where I came from and find the right exit. Halfway back, I heard a cry. A cry? It sounded like a cat stuck in a jar. I stopped for a second to listen, and to my surprise, I heard another one, only louder, but it was definitely not a cat.‘Walk, Chloe, just walk. Your job here is done,’ I told myself.But my curiosity got the best of me, and I pressed the doorknob of the room where I thought the yelps were coming from. And guess what? It was unlocked. My brain demanded I turn around and go straight home, but I paid it no mind. I knew I would regret this, but I couldn’t help myself.So, I opened the door, peeked inside, and instantly knew I should’ve listened to my gut when it told me to ignore this and leave.ChloeTen months laterTaking the last stroll through the new workshop, I made sure everything was set in place for tomorrow.The big day was coming, and I was reaching my patience limits. Although I double-checked that we didn’t miss a thing and that the plan for the opening was followed to the letter, I still caught myself expecting a catastrophic flaw to jump at me from the corner and destroy everything I had worked hard for.But the arm that wrapped around my waist chased away my doubts. And the kiss that captured my lips took me to heaven.“You promised to take it easy.” Gabe scolded me as I dived deeper into his embrace.“I’m just checking for the last time. My new crew is coming in tomorrow, and I want no lags in the production.”To my surprise, Gabe chuckled and tightened his hold on me. “For someone unwilling to expand their business, you seem eager to see it live now.”And I truly was. Somehow, the push Simon made with intentional overbooking and the support I got from Gabe
ChloeDecember was kind to us.As if some higher power was watching over me and ordering the rain to stay away, the first ten days of the month were the best I remembered since I came to live in LA. Skies were perfectly cloudless, and winds were unusually mild; nature conspired to give me the wedding I desired - an intimate ceremony with only the closest friends and family members gathered on the beach behind Gabe’s house.Our intention to get married as soon as possible did cause a few questioning glares and assumptions about the reason for the rush, but Gabe and I didn’t care. All we wanted was to say our vows and take one more step towards the future we wished to build for ourselves.With the set date nearing, my nervousness grew. Was it cold feet, I wondered. No. It, most definitely, was not. What’s more, I couldn’t wait to be the lawfully wedded wife of Gabriel Miller. Because there was no point in waiting. Everything that happened to us from the moment our destinies crossed path
Chloe“I was wrong.” The calmness coloring Gina’s voice scared the hell out of me. “I shouldn’t have tried to kill Miller for driving my best friend out of the city.” My eyes were glued to her form as she swung the glass of champagne and bottomed it up before her mask of indifference fell off, and she turned into a fuming beast. “I should’ve beat the shit out of you for being so fucking stupid! What is wrong with you, Chloe? Giving up the love of your life because of some trust fund bitch!…”“Hey! I had not-”“Wait! You tried to kill my brother?” a giggle interrupted my futile attempt at defense, and I folded in front of two women who joined their forces against me.“Yeah. But unlike my friend here,” she pointed a finger in my direction. “Your brother stood his ground proudly!”Sighing in defeat, I leaned in the jacuzzi and relaxed into the bubbles, but I couldn’t help the memories from running through my head. Indeed, the clash of my favorite titans was epic - Gina aimed for Gabe’s t
ChloeI wasn’t sure what I expected to find when we arrived at my apartment, but whatever it was - it wasn’t there.There was no chaos, no debris left at the foundation of my building, no paparazzi lurking in the neighborhood. Everything was… normal.After we landed at LAX, Gabe drove us to my place. Conveniently, his suitcase was in the trunk, and he wasted no time unloading it, taking me up on my old offer to move in. I helped him unpack and hang his suits and shirts on the racks, and as we worked together, side by side, I wondered if we would always be like this because I didn’t want it to stop.Even when we shared the sink while brushing our teeth or showering while getting ready for bed, our moves were synced to perfection as we had practiced them for decades and not a mere few months. But I wanted it no other way. If this time we spent together was any indicator of how our lives would be, I couldn’t wait for the rest of it to come.~ ~ ~“Oh, boss! We didn’t expect you so soon.”
Chloe“Little bit to the left!” I yelled from the ground as I navigated Gabriel’s hand on the roof while he tried to clean the clog in the rain gutter. “More… more…! There!”If anyone ever told me that the most handsome man I’ve known would be balancing on the short ladder, trying to reach a pile of leaves and branches while I shouted instructions, I would’ve never believed it! What’s more, I would’ve laughed.But here we were.For three days after he put the diamond on my hand, we were doing chores around the cottage, fixing whatever needed to be fixed, and we talked. A lot.No matter how many times Gabe denied my accusation of being the biggest romantic in the world, his words and actions never disappointed me but only proved I was right.That was why I had such a hard time reconciling Gabriel I loved, with the one that wanted to marry Molly. Even imagining him being ready to settle for anything less than what we had was… not a pleasant thing to think about.Then again, weren’t we a
Chloe“Grrrh… just a few more minutes!” I snuggled deeper into Gabe’s chest, relishing the scent of his skin.A tempting groan sent shivers down my spine, arousing my still-sensitive body; the night behind us was scorching hot despite the smell of snow in the air.“We need to get something to eat.”At the mere mention of food, my stomach started complaining loudly, invoking a wholehearted laugh from Gabe.“See? I have to feed you.”“There’s no delivery here.” I couldn’t help but tease him about his inability to prepare a simple meal. “But there is some food in the fridge; I‘ll fix us something.”I tried to get up, but Gabriel’s arms tightened around me, pulling me impossibly closer, and I could do nothing but comply - I didn’t get enough of him to compensate for the time I was without him.Now that things between us were clear, the silence was comfortable again. Lulled by the slightly fastened heartbeats that resonated inside his chest, I let my thoughts float freely.But no matter ho
ChloeI didn’t remember falling asleep; being in the arms of the man I loved with all my heart did wonders for my sleeping habits. Without recalling how I ended up on the soft makeshift bed in front of the fireplace, I woke up rested and energized - with a million questions and a few apologies waiting.Panic hit me when I failed to feel his heat - could it all have been a dream? Was it just a symptom of my addiction to him? A part of coming down from the high and clearing him out of my system? But my fear was short-lived as the refreshing coffee aroma filled the room and reached my nostrils, chasing away my doubts.Gabriel was here. He found me. He came for me… he loved me.“You’re awake! Good.” He urged me to make space for him, and I shifted, leaning against the old couch.A moment later, Gabriel was nested beside me, offering me one of the mugs I accepted gladly.A few sips of steaming black liquid to clear my thoughts were all I allowed myself before I spoke.“I’m sorry, Gabe.” I
Chloe“I know you can hear me, Chloe!” Gabriel roared as I stood in place, petrified, unable to move. “I won’t repeat myself!”I was never scared of him, not even when he confronted me that first morning he woke up in my home. And I had to admit that wasn’t the most pleasant sight.But now? Now it was a different story altogether.The door separating us was no obstacle to the waves of rage that rolled off him and struck me, shaking the ground I was standing on. I shivered in fear and anticipation at the same time as I reached for the knob; there was no doubt in my mind that the thin wood would end up scattered around in splinters if I didn’t comply with his demand.‘Man up, Chloe! It’s not some psycho killer there, but Gabriel! The man you love!’ so I pulled the handle.My eyes landed on the fuming figure, partially concealed by darkness, adding more weight to the anvil pressing my heart.Waiting for no invitation, Gabe stormed inside and shut the door behind him, locking them swiftly
ChloeTo say that I regretted not coming to the lake more often would be an understatement of the year! Or at least hiring an agency to clean the cottage occasionally. Because this? This was a total disaster!If anyone told me before I arrived that so much dust could exist in one place, I would’ve laughed loudly! But the dust did not laugh back at me.Not wasting any time, I pulled the heavy curtains to the side, revealing windows and letting light in. Rain was still drizzling, but the Sun chased away the clouds, silently promising a change of weather.As I assessed my surroundings and planned what to do first, coldness seeped through my clothes and raised my skin in goosebumps. I shivered and remembered the basement; some dry firewood should be stored there.A few moments later, I was walking down the stairs of the place that scared the shit out of me when I was a kid. Today? Well, I would lie if I said I was indifferent to the creatures that could be hiding in the shadows. But someo
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