ChloeLike the calm before the storm, my life resembled the safe harbor since Gabriel Miller became part of it.And just like a cloudless, sunny day could unexpectedly turn into a dark blizzard that destroyed everything in its way, so did my life veer suddenly, and happiness was replaced by sorrow.Maybe I should’ve seen it coming. Maybe I should’ve known from the beginning that good things cannot last forever, and what Gabe and I had was far beyond good. It was perfect! Therefore, it was doomed from the start.But I was so lulled in the cocoon of love I failed to notice when the clouds began to form. They caught me off guard, unsuspecting of the demise that rolled over the horizon until it was too late.Though, that’s exactly what love is – blinding to everything else but itself.I didn’t want to believe it at first because she had slipped my mind long ago. I’d forgotten entirely about her and the dress I kept hidden until the night she came to claim it back.To say that I was surpri
GabrielIf I were honest with myself, I’d have to admit I never expected to trip and fall into the bottomless pit of love Chloe Danvers represented.Yet, here I was, having the hardest time controlling the goofy smile that crooked my lips while sharing the conference room with a dozen sector managers who needed to keep believing their CEO was a strict boss.But I couldn’t help it. Especially now when I knew with certainty that my feelings were reciprocated. Because being loved by Chloe was a borderline… miracle? Was that the right word? Yes, it was.Disbanding the meeting, I returned to my office in a rush to finish all the pending paperwork before I could return to her. Hmmm. I grunted at the memory of the dark, shiny eyes that trapped me and kept me a prisoner of their depths from the first moment I saw them. Though, I had no intention of escaping their imprisonment. I wanted to be chained to them forever.There were moments when I questioned the pace our relationship was moving for
GabrielI drove to my beach house like crazy; speeding tickets were tomorrow’s problem.All I could think about was getting to my closet, packing a suitcase with my favorite three-piece suits, and going back home.It was funny how the house I was so proud of stopped being the place where I wanted to spend the nights. It stopped being a home that offered peace because there was nowhere I’d rather be than by Chloe’s side.And considering how we met and everything that transpired between us, the apartment above the pastry shop had an allure I could not explain, but there was no resisting its call. It was where I belonged.I wanted to call her from the car and warn her that Molly was back. I didn’t want her to find it out any other way but from me. However, I decided to wait and tell her in person. In the end, Molly’s influence on our lives was undeniable. Fuck, if there weren’t for her, we’d probably never meet. Besides, Chloe couldn’t hide how torn she was about aiding her escape that d
Chloe‘It seems you don’t know him as well as you think you do...’ Molly’s mocking voice rang in my head, repeating those hideous words over and over again.When I saw her hanging around Gabriel’s neck, kissing him passionately, I ordered the driver to return me from where we started the ride. Deep breaths helped me hold myself together and not fall apart in front of a stranger, but no power in the entire universe could’ve stopped my tears from falling.After she left earlier, I did the only thing my scrambled mind could come up with – I called the taxi and headed straight to Gabe’s beach house. I knew he’d be there to pick up some of his things, and no, waiting for him to arrive was not an option. I was too distressed to just sit on my ass and count the seconds until I saw him.But this turned out to be a mistake.Because Molly wasted no time. She had already gotten to him.I bit my tongue hard to keep screams from escaping, but I could do nothing for my bleeding heart. It broke into
Chloe“Hey, Chloe!” Simon shouted the moment I walked into the workshop. But when his eyes registered my appearance, he frowned before he kept shooting questions. “What happened to you? You look like a great flood survivor!”He couldn’t know the truth. In fact, no one could.“Warming up for tonight.” a smile crooked my lip. To my best friend’s unsuspecting eye, I must’ve seemed hungover because he bought my excuse without a blink. After all, we did have a party to attend later.I took a moment to inspect the store, only to find everything in perfect order. Everyone was busy with their tasks, and before I had a chance to get to work, too, Simon jumped in again.“This journalist was here when we clocked in. He said a mutual friend told him about you and recommended he write a story about this place. He’s waiting for you in the front.”I froze, struggling to stay composed. This had to be Gemma’s doing. That amazing woman was so generous to me, and how was I repaying her? Breaking her son
Chloe“What the hell was that?”Oh, fuck!There was no chance I’d destroy my best friend’s bachelorette party with my drama. Yes, if it was her suffering from heartbreak, I’d pause my life to be there for her. And in any other case, I would rush to her to be my shoulder to cry on. But not her wedding, no. I would never forgive myself if I destroyed her happiness.Realizing I never even considered what I’d tell people about why Gabriel and I weren’t attached to the hip anymore, I shrugged and proceeded inside, trying to buy some time with silence.Like a pit bull fixated on a stray cat, Gina followed me to the kitchen as I advanced towards my goal – the champagne that had been chilling in the fridge since yesterday.“Don’t look at me like that!” I chuckled while pouring two high glasses with the bubbly liquid. “We had a disagreement,” what an understatement! “It’s nothing you should worry about.” I tried to brush her off, but unlike Simon, she wasn’t buying what I was selling. Her accu
Gabriel“So, just like that?” Ryan eyed me suspiciously as he leaned against the pool table. “No explanation? No reason?”I shrugged my shoulders in response. There was nothing I could say that I hadn’t already repeated a dozen times.“But why? I don’t get it.”‘Neither do I, buddy. Neither do I.’ I thought, but stayed silent and bent forward to aim the ball.One, two, three… and miss!Dang it!All right. That would be enough drinking for tonight; I pushed the glass filled with amber liquid away and strengthened up. Based on my previous behavior when I had too much to drink, there was no doubt where I’d end up, but tonight that door wouldn’t open no matter how much I knocked.When I started planning Ryan’s bachelor party, I considered organizing a classic clubbing with our friends or even a trip to Vegas, but nothing seemed suitable for the occasion. A few girls and a lap dance sounded like a great solution, but I had a feeling Ryan’s newly discovered infatuation wouldn’t appreciate i
ChloeAlthough I was involved with organizing the wedding from the beginning, my surprise at how the venue turned out was genuinely pleasant. Tables were already set and decorated with a charming combination of white flowers, while the altar and the chairs covered with silk were being placed as we arrived.Gina chose the most prominent spot - the Greystone Mansion. It started as a joke when she declared she wouldn’t settle for anything less than the most expensive venue, and Ryan went and made reservations. Later, she protested and wanted to cancel, but her future husband did his magic and convinced her it was, in fact, the perfect place to say their vows.The hairstylist and make-up artist were already there, and they started working on Gina the moment we entered the apartment preordained for the bride. Even though they insisted on dolling me up, I categorically refused; too much color never looked good on me. So I opted for bolder eyeliner and red lipstick, a combination that never
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