CHAPTER NINE

"Of course I remember you" Chloe replied with a smile.

"Good cause we will be seeing alot from now on" she walked towards the principal's office.

"Oh my God, that was Stephanie O'Neal, multi-million dollar actress, ex girlfriend of William Channing" Cami was so excited to have a celebrity in their school.

"They never dated"Chloe added.

"Not according to the tabloids, how do you know her?"

"We met in Paris once, I am not a fan" she then exited the room.

"What's her deal?" Theo asked

"Everybody knows that Stephanie has a thing for William and her coming here just after he did means she's not giving up and Chloe most definitely does not like that idea"

"This should be interesting" Leo added

∆∆∆

During lunch, Liam came with Stephanie to the table where Chloe and her friends were at.

"Hey babe" Liam sat beside Chloe and Stephanie sat opposite them

"You remember Stephanie right?"William asked

"Yh I do, the hotel encounter"

"Well she decided to try out school here"

"That's great" of course Chloe was being sarcastic

"Well since I'm here, why don't you give me a tour?" Stephanie placed her gaze on Chloe.

"There are more than enough people who would be happy to do that. why are you asking me?" Chloe of course had to respond

"Because you are the one I want"

"Stephanie just ask someone else"Liam knew Chloe was uncomfortable with Stephanie around.

"it's fine, let's go"

Chloe and Steph stood up and left. there were some unspoken words between them. That hotel wasn't their first encounter.

"Oh shit not again" Chloe getting angry is never a good thing and now there's Stephanie to step on her nerves.

∆∆∆

It went on for days, Stephanie and Chloe going at it back to back but to everyone's suprise Chloe wasn't letting her anger affect everyone.

"What is your deal with Stephanie?why are you letting her push you around?"William was mad but also curious. Chloe never let's anyone push her around, never.

"William it's fine. This has nothing to do with you so please stop worrying about me."

"How can't I, do you want me to speak with Stephanie?"

"I told you, it's fine."

Things couldn't get more faurstrating for William. on one had there was his girlfriend and on the other his only friend. Later that day after the close of school, it was a Friday, William and Chloe had a date so he decided to take her home from school.

"William do you mind taking me home I didn't come with my car today" Stephanie obviously knowing that it's gonna piss Chloe off insisted on asking

"No Stephanie, I have a date"

"I'm sure she won't mind,right Chloe?"

Chloe took a deep breath and sighed. she then shook her head.

"I'll have my driver pick me up, take her home. We don't want anything to happen to our Nation's treasure" after speaking Chloe walked back inside the school leaving behind William and Stephanie.

∆∆∆

7pm

over the phone

"I want to see you"

"It's already really late William I don't want to go out"

"I'm not asking you,be here in 30mins"

William hung the phone,he really wanted to know what's going on inside Chloe's head.

30mins later Chloe arrived at the penthouse and proceeded to the balcony where William was sitting and waiting for her.

"I don't want to hear any excuse this time, tell me what is up with you a and Stephanie"

"Fine" Chloe took a deep breath

"It all started back when I was at the orphanage home, as you know Stephanie is an orphan.We grew up in the same orphanage home. We were the closest of friends, practically inseperable. We told each other everything and when my parents lawyer read their will to me I told her.  Stephanie was jealous and angry that just like everyone else I was leaving and she said she said she was going to tell everyone my secret. The only way for her not to talk was if I did everything she asked. Stephanie has always wanted to be an actress so she asked me to remember her when I leave and help her become an actress and that if she makes it big she won't tell anyone my secret. I had so much going on that I forgot about the promise I made to her so I understand why she hates me. Stephanie is a good person and I deserve everything she's doing to. I can't help but feel bad."

"Why don't you just apologize and explain?"

" I have tried but she won't let me, I know I messed up but I had so much on my plate that it slipped my mind"

"If you want Stephanie to forgive you give her what she wants. you have the resources to get her to sit for an interview with an international agency. it would be like you are fulfilling your promise."

"I'll speak to Sandra about it"

∆∆∆

The following Monday at school

"Stephanie wait up" Chloe chased after Stephanie

"What do you want?"

"I'm sorry, I know I messed up but I want to fix it. if it's not too late I got you an interview with the best international agency in the country. I didn't mean to abandon you, I just had alot to do. I really hope you believe me. I have never apologized to anyone before but your friendship means alot to me"

"It's not all about the acting gig Chloe, u were my only friend and not once did you bother to check up on me"

"That's why I'm apologizing now, I truly am sorry" Chloe had never apologized for anything ever before.

"Fine" since you are apologizing I have  to forgive you, and about that interview, I'm gonna take it. I mean who turns down a great deal"

"Gosh Steph I missed you" Chloe hugged Stephanie.

Isn't friendship a beautiful thing?

"So now for a personal question, what is your deal with boyfriend?"

"(chuckles) we are very good friends, I kinda like him but now that he is taken I'll back off. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up"

"You better give up" Chloe smiled

∆∆∆

Things were going great in the school it had been weeks since the new school session began and William and Stephanie had settled in, making new friends and all. Everybody was happy, everybody but Chloe. She knew that she had to keep her relationship with Liam a secret but William wasn't giving her any attention at all. He was more focused on his new friends than her.

"Common Chloe let's go, it's past 4 already" Cami began to get impatient

"He stood me up" Chloe whispers to herself

"What did you say?" Camilla didn't quite catch what she said

"Oh it's nothing let's go"

later that night Chloe got a phone call from William

"Babe I'm sorry, I totally forgot that we were suppose to meet up"

"Oh, you forgot"

"I'll make it up to you tomorrow, I promise"

"Fine, tomorrow then. I have to go to bed now. Good night"

"Good night"

***

The following day after school (Friday night) Chloe got all dressed up ready for her date but he was a no show

"Chloe go to your room and get some sleep" Sandra insisted

"That's twice this week he stood me up"

"Don't think about it too much"

"Why are you all dressed up, where are you going?"

"I have a date"

"Lucky you, who is he"

"I'm not telling you"

"Why?"

"Anytime I go on a date and tell you about it you do a background check on the person then I lose interest in them"

"Oh common nanny, I do that because I care"

"You don't have to worry this time"

"Why? Who is he?"

"Charles Dawson"

"Oh my gosh, Charles Dawson? as in the Charles Dawson?"

"Yes now go to bed, I don't want to call later and find out that you are still up"

"Alright alright, have fun"

"Good night"

Charles Dawson was a well known individual in the world of business. he was a 30 year old self maid billionaire and Sandra seems to have caught his attention.

***

"Where is Chloe?" William asked the twins

"Haven't seen her" Theo answered

"Well if you do tell her I want to see her"

Liam walked away

"The nerve of that guy" theo rolled his eyes. Chloe had brief her friends on the happenings in her life so they knew what was up.

Chloe ended up avoiding will for the first half of the day.

"Chloe why are you avoiding me?"

"Are you seriously asking me that? I should be asking you that, you seem to love standing me up I wonder why you are even talking to me"

"I'm not intentionally avoiding you, I'm just trying to protect you"

"Yh right"

He took her hand and dragged her to the middle of the hall

"I only avoided you in school cause I didn't want people to pester you but that ends now"

"Is that why you also cancelled on our date?"

"I had to do something for my mom, Chloe I want you to know that I love you, I want everyone to know that you are mine" he started increasing his temple. He was making an announcement to the whole school and people started recording. William Channing just admitted to being in a relationship. The tabloids were going to have a field day.

***

" I cannot have William be with this girl anymore, we have to tell him now before it's too late" Barbara said to her husband after seeing the news all over the internet.