Dylan adjusted his glasses and shook his head. "What's her problem?" He wondered.
He took one last look at her door before entering into his apartment.
"Home sweet home" He smiled broadly and took off his tie.
Dylan moved to one of the adjoining doors and opened it, which exposed his gigantic and beautiful dressing room. It has various brands of clothing, from suits to designed and casual wears.
There were also neck ties, bow ties, shoes, wristwatches and all of such sort. He stood at the center of the room and watched everything before him. It was indeed a marvelous sight.
*
Chloe slurped the cold noodles from the cup and quickly drank water when she tasted how chilly it was.
"Goodness" She exclaimed.
"By the way though…" Chloe whispered to herself after remembering who she saw earlier. "What's my CEO doing here? Why…Why" She asked herself.
"Could he be living here? He had better not or I'll be busted. I'll be in deep shît, I tell you" She sighed deeply.
"If he's really living here, I need to be extra careful or else, I don't even want to think about it"
THE NEXT DAY×MORNING
Chloe exhaled and inhaled deeply before slowly opening her door. After peering and seeing the coast was indeed clear, she smiled to herself and came out from the room. She quickly locked the door and ran to the elevator.
"Wait please!" She shouted, seeing the elevator was closing already.
The person in there was kind enough to open it right up, which enabled Chloe to enter.
"Thank you" Chloe smiled and took her gaze to him. However, her smile soon disappeared, seeing it was none other than her CEO.
"Oh shît" She thought and quickly covered her sweaty face with her long hair.
Dylan, who was by her side, kept looking at the weird woman. "What's wrong with her now?" He thought.
Chloe was very relieved when the elevator opened. She sped off like flash, leaving Dylan in awe.
"Gosh. She's indeed a strange woman" He thought, shaking his head.
Dylan went out and entered his Bugatti, which he drove off with. Chloe, who had been hiding in a corner, sighed in relief and came out.
"I hope he didn't recognize me" She whispered and bit her lip.
Chloe looked at her wristwatch and gasped loudly. "I'm fûcking late!" She thought and flagged down a taxi.
*
"Miss Ariel?" Chloe heard a familiar voice and turned back. It was Ellen. Chloe smiled at her.
"The CEO is here already" Ellen reported.
"Yeah, I know. Does that make me late?" Chloe asked.
"Not really. It's still 7am… but how did you know?" Ellen asked slowly.
Chloe blinked her eyes fast. "Uh… I…I saw his car outside, yeah! His Bugatti" She laughed nervously.
Ellen looked confused. She shook her head and said; "I don't think so. He already left with his car. He went to see his sister"
Chloe felt stupid. "Oh, I see"
"How did you know he brought a Bugatti today? You didn't see it outside, did you? You are acting suspicious, Chloe" Ellen smirked and Chloe faked a cough.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Anyway, On my way to work here, I saw him in his car. He was leaving"
"Oh" Ellen mouthed. "Anyway, He emailed you based on his schedule this week, and he wants you to go through it. And also, there are paperwork he left on his desk, He said you should shred them at the machine"
"Okay, I will" Chloe said and went to her counter. She inhaled deeply and dropped her head on the desk. In less than a minute, she raised her head up.
"He went to see his sister? Why? Did anything happen?" She thought.
Chloe soon heard her phone ring, and she checked it out. It was an unknown number. After much hesitation, she finally accepted the call.
"Hello?" She said.
"Hello, Chloe" The voice said at the other end.
"Yes, this is Chloe. Who am I speaking with, please?" She asked.
"This is Clover. I've been trying to reach Ariel, but she isn't picking my calls" He said worriedly. "She never came to that date either" He further explained, and she bit her bottom lip.
"Actually, Ariel is... You know what, I will explain later, I promise. I'm quite busy now"
"Sure" Clover said and hung up.
Chloe sighed and kept her phone into her purse. "I guess he really does cares" She thought.
*
The maids and all household workers who saw an angry Dylan walking in bowed in respect. He totally ignored their greetings and walked straight to his mother's room.
"Where's Danielle?" He asked.
His mother sighed deeply and faced him. She was busy with her manicure.
"Leave" She ordered the maid and bowed and left.
"What's it again?" She inquired.
"Danielle pleaded with me yesterday to give her my debit card. I just saw the debit alert this morning. She never told me she would take this much. Damn, I'm pissed right now"
Mrs. McCoy scoffed. "C'mon, don't act like that. She's your sister and even a billion dollar won't change anything. You're a billionaire after all"
"Well, she collected that much without my awareness and I ought to know how she spent that that money"
"Calm down, son"
"Mum, tell me where she is, please" He said with a hoarse voice.
"Alright then. She's at the pool" Mrs. McCoy rolled her eyes. Dylan nodded and left immediately.
"Goodness. What's his problem?" She thought.
*
Dylan went upstairs and met Danielle on a swimming trunk inside the pool. She had sunglasses on, and she was holding a glass of champagne. Two of her old friends were with her, named Sasha and Jenny.
Jenny who's Asian and Korean by nationality has this knack for calling guys, brothers especially when she is familiar with them.
"Huhn! Isn't that your brother" Sasha whispered to Danielle who took her gaze to where Dylan was standing staring at the girls. She smiled at him.
Meanwhile, Dylan couldn't recognize any of the girls who seemed to be staring at him. Finding Danielle had this point was going to be hard.
"Brother!" He heard a joyful squeal.
"Danielle?" He whispered and came closer to the bubbly human at the center, who had her arm raised.
Dylan sighed and walked up to the girls, who were smiling naturally at him. He faced the one who had raised her arm and smirked. "Let's talk, Danielle" He said, strictly without showing a tint of his white set of teeth.Jenny blinked her eyes, confusedly. Dylan was facing her, but he was referring to her as Danielle, who was just close to her."Have you suddenly gone blind, brother?" Jenny laughed.Dylan's eyes blinked a hundred times. It was only Jenny that called him brother in that squeaky tone."Oh Jenny" He cleared his throat dramatically whilst running his eyes at the ladies by her side to know who was his younger sister. Seeing nothing was working, he looked away."Danielle? Let talk. Meet me outside" He said and walked away.Danielle was watching him perplexed. She furrowed her brows and watched him leave. Her thoughts were endless."What could be wrong with him?" She thought. "He keeps acting weird or is he pulling some lame childish prank""Didn't you hear what your brother
Chloe quickly got on her feet and ran off without looking back. She ran down using the cumbersome stairs. When she finally got down, she held her chest."I'm going to die at this rate. What is she doing here?" Chloe wondered, pulling away the mask. "She didn't see me, right?" She thought.*"Why did you get drunk? It doesn't fit you" Danielle said as she covered him with the duvet. She had undressed him and arranged the room as well."You" He moaned after catching a glimpse of her."What now?" She asked, placing a flask on the desk. "Mum was worried and wondered why you didn't say goodbye before leaving. You weren't picking your calls either when she called. So, she asked me to come to your place and check up on you. She also made this dishes herself and persists you eat them tonight or tomorrow morning"Dylan only hummed."Since you feel sleepy, I'm going to keep them in the refrigerator. Make sure to warm it later and most especially, do eat it. Thanks" She said and grabbed the flas
From his desk where Mr. Samson sat, he kept peeking from his spectacles at Dylan and a lady who happened to be his secretary. Dylan was sitting on the sofa while Chloe was close to him, on her feet to be precise. "Hmm… Hmm," Mr. Samson cleared his throat and adjusted his spectacles. "What's your name, young lady?" He asked, looking at Chloe, whose eyes seemed to be growing bigger out of nervousness. "I'm Ariel Peterson, sir" She said softly, and a grin enveloped on his lips. "You were the one who replied to my email this morning?" He asked and she nodded. Dylan nudged her and she turned. "What did you both talk about?" He asked in a whisper. "Nothing much" Samson who kind of heard him replied. Dylan faked a cough and looked away. "I asked why you didn't show up, and she replied saying; My boss is sorry, and he promises to show up to apologize properly" Samson quoted and Dylan scoffed. "Indeed, I said… Isn't that so, Miss Peterson?" Dylan uttered and Chloe smiled nervously. "An
Mrs. McCoy raised both brows as she stared back at her staring and confused looking son."Darn it" Chloe grimaced and took her face away."Son? Are you alright?" He heard his mother's voice and his eyes bulged."Mum?" He called swerving his neck a bit like he would be able to see her face."Of course, It's your mother! Or don't I look like your mother any more because of my full makeup?" She asked and he smirked."Not at all, mum" He shook his head. "What are you doing here, though?""You mean I can't visit you?" She frowned and walked up to him."I'm not saying that""Anyway, I came to see you, my dear son. Did you eat the food that I prepared just for you?" She asked."Uh…It's still in the fridge""Oh Dylan! Why didn't you take it? Why?" She frowned and entered the room first, immediately Dylan unlocked it."I have something to tell you, son" She said and slowly sat down. Mrs. McCoy looked at her son, who took off his jacket and neck tie."What's it, mum?" He questioned and she exha
Dylan had met his mother bleeding. He held her finger which blood oozed out from and looked around thinking he would find something to cover the cut with."How did this happen?" He asked, still looking around."I was actually chopping the veggies when it happened. I wanted to make something for you to eat tonight""You shouldn't have done that. Besides, the one in the flask could have been okay. Why bother yourself. For now, rinse your hand in the sink. I'm going to go get plaster to cover the cut so that it won't get infected" Dylan said and she nodded.He went into his room and changed into a casual wear before leaving the apartment.*CHLOE'S APARTMENT ~"Fûck. Why does my stomach hurt?" Chloe moaned, squeezing and hitting her stomach gently.She quickly covered the food since the pain wouldn't allow her to consume it. She got up and walked to the calendar which was hung on the wall."I hope it's not what I think it is" She prayed, scanning her eyes on the calendar whilst using her
Chloe pushed Dylan away as fast as she could and grabbed the paper bag on the floor."I'm sorry, sir" She bowed very low and Dylan wondered why she was doing that."I was almost close" He thought."Dylan!" He heard someone call his name and Chloe raised her head up. It was actually Jeffery who called him. He was driving on the road when he caught the two acting all lovey-dovey. He also didn't fail to take a picture and when he saw they had disengaged, he stopped his car and came out.Dylan turned his head and from his facial expression, he looked confused. He wondered who the person was."Dylan. What's up?" Jeffery winked and stretched his hand for a shake.Dylan looked at Jeffrey from head to toe. "Who could this be?" He thought."Why are you acting like you don't know me?" Jeffrey smirked.When Chloe saw it was a chance to leave, She started walking away from them slowly."Hold on, girl" She heard Jeffrey's voice."Excuse me?" Chloe whispered and turned to them."Do you know this pe
"What… What do you mean by I'm lying?" She inquired, trying her possible best not to stammer, since she could feel her legs getting all sweaty and wobbly. Even her palms were dampened by her sweat."You didn't come to visit your friend" He said, and she quickly turned to look at his face."And what does that mean? Of course, I came to visit my friend. Do you know, think I'm a liar, huh?"He smirked and folded his arms, with his back now to the wall. "So… Where do you stay?" He asked.Chloe gulped hard and scratched her chest. She wondered if Dylan was a flirt. First, he flirted with her at the convenience store and now, He's asking her where she stays?"Isn't he a psycho now?" She thought and shook her head."Well, you haven't answered my question" He said and she snickered."And what makes you think I'll answer that?" Chloe said."I just need to confirm if you're saying the truth""The truth? What truth?""That you came to visit your friend, and you thought this was his or maybe her
"Oh my God" Chloe mouthed and bent her head. "This…this isn't good""What's wrong?" Clover asked."Please, can we leave here" She quickly spoke out, leaving him confused."Huh? But why? If it's about the bills, you don't need to worry about that""No… It's not that. Please, Clover… I really need to leave""And can you tell me why? Don't you like here?" He inquired."Shît. This is going to be a big headache" Chloe gritted her teeth and raised the menu to her face. She peered to see Dylan walk to a chair. At the opposite side was a young and beautiful lady."Excuse me, who are you?" The lady asked.Dylan blinked his eyes fast and looked around. She was the only one who was alone so possibly, she could be his date."What do you mean by that? Are you trying to tease me now?" He chuckled nervously and adjusted his uncomfortable neck tie.The lady scoffed. "You look very modest and decent, but who would have ever known you're a pervert""Excuse me?" Dylan stood up."No, you excuse me!" She
"What is wrong? Did something happen?" Dylan quickly asked."I think somebody is on my tail" Chloe responded, her voice still sounding shaky."Somebody is following you?" Dylan asked, trying to comprehend what she was saying."Yes!" She replied quickly and nodded."Why?" He asked, standing up, with an arm resting at his waist."How would I know?""Where are you now?" He questioned."In the taxi" She answered."Oh wait. You mean a taxi is behind you… And it seems it is tailing you?""It doesn't seem. The taxi is tailing me""How certain are you?""I have never been this convinced. For every stop and turn, It mimicked us. I'm certain we are being followed by the taxi behind. What do we do, I'm scared" She said.Dylan sighed. "Do you have any guesses who might be tailing you?""Well, I did… Not anymore" She replied and rolled her eyes."You did? Why aren't you suspecting the person anymore… Wait a minute… Were you suspecting me?""What! Not at all. Why… Why would I?" She stuttered and fa
In Ellen's car and beside her, Chloe kept biting her fingernails bitterly with her eyes facing the windshield."Are you okay?" Chloe heard Ellen ask and she turned to her."Yes," Chloe responded with a smile."Huhn… So, you haven't told me where you stay" Ellen whispered."Just drop me at the next convenience store. I want to get something. My place is not too far away from here" Chloe replied."No, I insist I take you home directly"Chloe laughed wryly. "And why do you want to do that? I said I will find my way home after going to the closest convenience store here""Uhm… Alright then" Ellen forced a smile.The drive continued, quietly and smoothly. Ellen, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at Chloe, who wasn't even paying attention. Her mind was restless, and her eyes dug through the glass of the window, hoping she would see a convenience store nearby so that she would leave the uncomfortable car."Uh… Ariel?" Ellen called, timidly, and Chloe turned."So… Uh…" Ellen paused and
Dylan's eyes quickly flew open when he heard loud knocks against the door. He was sitting on the couch and sleeping before he heard the knock. He heaved and took his face to the side to see Chloe resting on his left shoulder, sleeping as well. He attempted to wake her but thought otherwise when his eyes became intoxicated by her face, which happened to be blank, of course. He remembered her eyes and slowly shifted his gaze down to take a profound look when he heard another knock, louder than the former.This time, Chloe was the one to open her eyes and she was shocked to see her head resting on Dylan's shoulder. "Oh no!" She said aloud and jumped on her feet."I'm sorry, Sir. I… I didn't mean to" She apologized and bowed her head a bit. "I let the sleep take over me" She further said, hitting her head.Dylan faked a cough and stood up. "It seems Ellen is here. Let's go check" He told her, and she nodded, following him from behind."Mrs. Ellen, Is that you?" asked Dylan, as he peeped f
In the aspect of all that was happening, Chloe's phone erupted out its loud ringtone, and she got up immediately. "I'll go get that. Just go on with your call" She said and walked to her ringing phone.She opened her bag and took it out. Seeing Eric as the caller ID made her pout. "Hmm... Hmm," She cleared her throat before accepting the call."Hello, Eric?" She said softly."I'm sorry, but I had to call. I've been waiting for ages, and you are not yet back. I was simply worried and had to call. I just hope I am not disturbing you" He said."Not at all. You are definitely no't. I am also glad you called. It shows you are caring and that is nice" Chloe smiled."Really? Well, That's a relief, then. So, where are you? Are you still coming?" He asked."Uh…" Chloe's voice drifted off as she scanned the room. "I don't think so. It's very late""Oh… I… I have been waiting, you know""Yes, I do, and I'm sorry. Possibly, we could meet next time. Something just came up which is inevitable" She
Dylan glowered at Chloe. "You are so unbelievable. Don't you want to leave here? Would you rather remain here?" He asked, his voice sending thrills into Chloe's veins."I… I don't quite understand what you mean" She stuttered.“Oh… Stop acting ignorant. You know what I'm talking about. I asked you to join me. Scream my neighbor's name with me. Who knows, she might hear us that way. Besides, the louder the voice, the better"Chloe swallowed hard and nodded. "Sure. So, What's her name again?""It's Chloe," He responded."Oh… Okay… Let's do this" She said nervously."Right. We will hit the door and yell her name on the count of three. Are you ready?" Dylan asked, folding his fist."Yeah" Chloe forced a smile and also folded her fist."One… Two… Three!""Chloe!!" They both screamed simultaneously.*Eric was still in the car, which was still packed at the side of the road. His mind was restless since Chloe wandered around it, relentlessly."I wonder why she isn't back? Should I just call
FEW MINUTES AGO*Dylan and Danielle walked into the gate and it closed on Chloe's face. He turned to face her and folded his arms on his chest."What's up, Danielle?" Dylan asked."This isn't upstairs" Danielle rolled her eyes. "Let's talk upstairs," She added."That is a waste of time. Besides, my secretary is not here so our privacy won't be invaded. You can speak. Step on it, I haven't got all day" He uttered."Poo" She whispered."Oh… What with this tonation. I think I know where you're heading to. Now, get straight to the point… What do you want from me?" He asked.Danielle sighed deeply. "I need your help""I know you need my help. Can you just go straight to the point before I leave you here""Alright… Alright" Danielle pouted. "So, I need money""Money?" He asked and she nodded."What for?" He questioned and a light frown occupied her face."I expected you to ask me how much and not what for. Are you even my biological brother?" She hissed and looked away."Only a fake brother
Chloe gazed at Dylan confused. "What's he blabbing about?" She thought and shrugged it off immediately."Mr. Dylan! Please, I want you to open your mouth. I'm here to give you your medicine" She said."It's you… Ariel?" He asked and she nodded.His eyes blinked once and when his sight got a hold of her, her face turned blank as usual. He managed to mutter a cuss word out of anger."Are you alright?" She asked, wondering about the sudden scowl which appeared on his face."Water" He whispered, holding his forehead.Chloe sighed and looked around the car. She saw a bottle of water and opened it for him. "Here" She handed it to him.Dylan collected it and looked at her. "The pill" He requested."Yes right" She nodded and brought out one before handing it to him."Here," She whispered.Dylan inhaled deeply before taking it in. After drinking another gulp of water, he gave her the bottled water, which she closed and kept."Thank you" Dylan whispered, shutting his eyes."You're welcome" She
"I'm sorry about that" Dylan muttered, staring at her face which was simply blank in his sight."You should be!" Chloe snapped and left him.Dylan turned his head around in amusement. "What's with that voice? Is she mad at me?" He thought.He attempted to open the door, but when he thought about the hoodie which was worn by his neighbor, he grew more anxious and worried."Could she be the one I managed to recognize? I doubt it" He quickly shook his head. "Maybe, I should go find out" He thought after a while and moved away from the door before heading to the elevator.*Dylan quickly ran down to see Chloe at the other side of the road. She flagged a taxi, which stopped at her side. After speaking to the driver, she entered the cab.Dylan dashed into his taxi and started it immediately. He moved behind the taxi, tailing it carefully. He didn't want it out of his sight.He sighed heavily when the taxi stopped at a street not too far away from theirs. His eyes carefully studied the taxi,
THAT NIGHT*Chloe took her red looking face away from the wet pillow and sniffed loudly. She had been bawling her eyes out since that evening and refused to eat."What am I going to do… you jerk!" She said aloud, crying the more.Her eyes went to her side to see her luggage standing there and staring back at her. After terminating her employment, Dylan handed the luggage to her. Fearfully, she left the company without saying a word to him. She didn't even bother to apologize or take the blame."I must be growing crazy. Why did I just leave like that without saying a thing. I could have gone on my knees" She didn't stop crying.Her stomach rumbled, giving her tears the chance to stop following. Chloe looked down at her flat tummy and made a disgusting look on her face."Don't even think about food!" She snapped.As if her stomach even heard her, it rumbled again, this time louder. Then, Chloe realized she was indeed famished.She stood up and was about to head into the kitchen when her