Chapter 11

TESSA'S POV

After Aiden left. I sat dead silent, still shocked from everything that had gone down. Alone in my apartment, it felt as though the weight came down on me. Had I done what was right, really, or was it Aiden frustration bottled up inside of him, pushing me over the edge?

I wasn't deep enough in my head when the ringing door cut through the air. Chloe had texted earlier to let me know she was on her way over. Truthfully, really, I wasn't in the mood for company, but maybe Chloe's presence could lighten up my mood.

I worked the latch, swung the now-open door, and there she was, standing, one hand clutching a bottle of wine, the other donned with that mischievous grin.

"Surprise!" Chloe chimed, wiggling the bottle in front of me. "Wine for your sorrows."

I dredged up a smile and stood aside to allow her entry. "I don't think wine is going to help this time."

Chloe blew an exaggerated, melodramatic huff as she stomped into my living room, plopping onto my couch and kicking her shoes off. "Wine always helps, Tessa. Now spill it. What the hell is going on?"

I let out a heavy sigh and joined her on the couch, laying my head back to close my eyes. "I quit."

"You What?" Chloe's voice went up an octave, and I swear to God I could feel her eyes bore into me.

"I quit my job," I repeated, flat. "I sent in my resignation email today."

She let out a low whistle. "Damn. I knew things were bad, but I didn't think they were quit-your-job bad. What happened?"

I opened my eyes and stared pleadingly up at the ceiling for help over what to say. "It's been building for a while now."

"Yeah, but I thought you were dealing with it. You never said anything about quitting." There was a pause, then her voice turned soft and gentle. "Is this about Aiden?"

I let out a mirthless laugh. "Isn't everything about Aiden?"

Chloe gave the knowing look-the head cocked sideways. "Okay, what did he do this time?

“The way he's been acting with me over the past days, treating me like some whore that had no class and there's Damien, enforcing that our relationship was not over unless he says so. It's all just so exhausting. I don't think I'll dance around in this back and forth any longer with them.”

Chloe leaned back in her chair, screwing her face up in a frown. Hunching forward again, she set the bottle on the coffee table. "Alright, you're gonna have to give me more details, 'cause this sounds like a soap opera. Start from scratch.".

I groaned and slapped my hands over my face. "Okay, you remember the one night stand guy I told you about?”

“Yeah, what about him?” Her eyebrows raised in confusion.

“It's Aiden.”

Chloe's eyes had widened. "What the? Tell me you are joking. "

"I'm dead serious and that's not even the worst part," I continued, doing my best to block frustration from throttling my voice. "He walked in on Damien trying to harass me in the office and he tagged me as some cheap whore.”

Chloe leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. "So you quit because you were tired of being right in the middle of them and their drama.”

I nodded again, the weight falling upon me anew. "Exactly, I'm so tired of it, Chloe, tired of being stuck between them, tired of having to prove myself at every turn-it's like nothing I do ever stands good enough with Aiden, and then there's Damien … he just complicates things.”

For one long moment, Chloe said nothing at all, her brow furrowed as she digested it all. Then she blew out a sigh shaking her head. "I understand, Tessa. I really do. But quitting? That feels like letting them win."

I frowned, turning to her. "What do you mean?

"Look, you fought to be in the place that you are. You're damned good at your job, and you know it. Aiden knows it, too, even if he's too much of an ass to admit it. Quit feels like giving up, like you're letting them get in your head.”

I opened my mouth, but she raised her hand in that universal sign for shut up. "Look-I'm not saying you don't have a right to be pissed. Aiden was a jerk and Damien's not exactly helping the situation. But you're stronger than this. Don't let them push you out. Don't let them make you feel like you don't belong."

Sighing, I dropped my gaze to the bridge of my nose. "It isn't that simple, Chloe; it isn't just the job; it is a feeling. I'm always guarded around Aiden, waiting for what kind of mood he's in, trying to avoid another blow-up. It's enervating."

"I know that," Chloe said this time with softer emphasis, "but does there really need to be any other way out of this without losing everything that you've gained so far? Maybe all that is needed for now is you standing up against Aiden and letting him see that you're not running from him."

I snorted. "Easier said than done."

Chloe was smiling now, that wicked gleam dancing in her eyes. "You know I'm right. Aiden's used to getting his own way, particularly with people who work for or around him. He's probably not used to someone standing up to him."

"He's used to people being afraid of him," I muttered.

"Exactly. So, don't be afraid. Fight back. Show him that he can't intimidate you. And about Damien… I don't even know what to say. Just be careful around him."

I laughed despite myself. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not easy," Chloe said, her face sobering. "But nothing worth fighting for ever is. And trust me, Tessa, you're worth fighting for.”

Couldn't help but smile, at least she relieved my mood a little for the meantime. Chloe had that insatiable way with words when one looked at it from their perspective.

"Thanks, Chloe, " I said softly .

She waved me off as she rose clutching her purse. "Don't mention it. Now, I have to go home, but promise me you will think of what I said?"

I nodded, getting up and following her towards the door. "I will. Just give me a little time to figure out what is going on."

Chloe gave me a quick hug. "Take all the time you need. But don't let those two idiots get in your way."

I smiled as I let her out the door. "I won't try to.

She turned and disappeared up the hall, turning once to give me one last look. "Remember you are stronger than you think. Don't let anyone make you forget that."

I nodded, following her with my eyes down the hall until she vanished around the corner. Turning, I closed the door, a little better, yet puzzled.

Just about to turn into the living room, the doorbell rang again. I let out a loud sigh, thinking Chloe was coming back for something she most probably had left in her car.

I flung open the door, expecting to see her grinning face, but my breath hitched in my throat instead.

There he was, standing brooding and intense as ever.

“What are you doing here?”