Profoundly, Chloe's eyes dug into the wall. Her hands were all shaky, but she managed to firmly grip onto her phone which was against her ear. She gulped hard and muttered; "Who is this?"Who could it be? An unknown number calling her by the name Ariel? Did someone know she was living a life of a lie? Did someone know of her fake life? Her thoughts rampaged around her scared mind.There was a laugh at the other end. "Do you find my voice strange, young woman? Or do I need to introduce myself?" The voice sounded.Chloe couldn't tuck in her curiosity anymore. She got on her feet and bit her fingernails like always. "What do you want from me?" She inquired."What are you talking about?" The voice answered fast and it felt childish."Huh?" She whispered, flapping her long lashes up and down."Gosh, Ariel. It's me, Mr. Samson""Mr. Samson?" She asked in a whisper. It was obvious she didn't even remember who he was."Goodness. Samson Campbell. Samson... Campbell" He said his name twice inte
A smile spread on Eric's thin lips. Just by looking at him, one would know that he was pleased. Not only Chloe's statement made him elated, but her voice brought solace to his wretched soul."Hmm… Instead of grabbing food, why not drink? A late night beer would do the trick" He said."Hmm… With lots of BBQs and chilly sauce that would be able to thaw the tongue?" She smiled and he chuckled."Sure thing. The bills are all on me" Eric spoke."Nice!" Chloe exclaimed and both of them erupted out a loud and wild laugh.However, a knock sent Chloe flinching. She rose and walked to the door."I see you have a visitor. Let's talk later" said Eric."Hmm… Sure" She replied and he hung up. Chloe stared at the door which was being knocked upon. She wondered who might be at the other end. Nobody knew where she lived. It made her nervous and, at the same time, curious."Hmm…Hmm" Chloe cleared her throat. "Who's there?" She asked, rubbing her wooden door.A loud sigh followed, and it wasn't from her
"Let go of me! Fûcking let go of my hair! Stand up! Stand up, I say!" Dylan yapped, crazily. Chloe scrunched her nose and squinted her eyes. With roughened lips, she replied, “Apologize first” "Ah…Ah…Ah" Dylan whimpered, feeling the pain of his hair being pulled from its scalp. "I'm sorry!" He barked. "Oh… Don't act smart with me. Saying that impolitely won't get you anywhere" She barked back. "Ow… Okay, I'm sorry. I'm genuinely sorry" He said, trying not to harden or rise his voice. Chloe smirked and let his hair go. Dylan heaved when he felt the pain subsided drastically. She sneered, and watched his face, which was occupied with a scowl. "Can you stand up now?" Dylan said, roughing his hair. Chloe blinked her eyes fast when she saw she was sitting on Dylan's body. She quickly sprang up and faked a loud cough. "You deserve it. Next time, behave well. I ain't no sweet neighbor. I don't tolerate nonsense" She said. Dylan sighed and proceeded to stand up, but he couldn't. Inst
She bit her bottom lip hard and bowed her head. "I'm sorry, sir" She whispered to his hearing. Dylan sniffed and rubbed his drink."Get me my usual beverage" He said and walked into his office. Chloe clenched her fist and wished days would pass by so that she would teach him a lesson at home, as Chloe Walker. Currently, she is Ariel Peterson, his naive and sweet secretary who ought to respect him.Chloe left her desk and took the company's debit card from Ellen before leaving the premises. It didn't take Chloe 10 minutes to come back and when she was back, her hand was clinging onto the coffee paper bag."Come in" She heard after knocking on Dylan's door twice.Chloe dabbed her hair and cleared her throat before entering the office. From the looks of it, he seemed busy. Dylan was going through some files on his desk, and he only spared her a glance."Your cup of cappuccino" Chloe said and dropped the coffee cup on the desk.Dylan only nodded, and she turned to leave. However, his voic
The driver held his nose feeling hurt, he took his gaze to Chloe who was staring nervously at him."Blood…Blood" She spluttered pointing her index finger at his face. The poor man looked at his hand and saw the red blood on his palm. He gasped in shock and coldly looked at Chloe, who seemed to be whispering at him in plea."Pretend you don't know me" She whispered to him, rubbing her palms."Chloe, What was that for? Hitting the man just like that?" Chloe heard Dylan say.She chuckled nervously and brought out a piece of tissue which she handed to the driver."I'm sorry, Sir. Please wipe it with this" She said.The man scowled as he wiped the blood stain from his face."I'm sorry" Chloe said again, this time whispering it."Why are you whispering?" The man whispered."You're whispering too" Chloe smiled, and the man chuckled lowly."I will explain everything to you, Mr. Ben" Chloe didn't stop whispering."I see you still recognize me" The driver, who happens to Be Mr. Ben, cooed."Of
"Huhm… What are you doing, Sir?" asked Chloe, defiantly. Dylan pushed his gaze towards her and scoffed, scornfully."What do you mean? Didn't you ask me to hold you? Isn't that exactly what I'm doing?"Chloe chuckled, which triggered his annoyance. "Sir, I mean… You should hold me... wrap your arms around my waist. This will make you not to trip during the ride"Dylan felt stupid at that instant. He cleared his throat and quickly yanked his hand away from her arm. Chloe shook her head and faced front, then wore her helmet back on."Sir, You got to hold me" She reminded."I'm not deaf! Just ride along and don't mind me. I can handle this myself. Goodness! Must you talk? Or have you forgotten how late it's getting?" He scowled.Chloe sighed and whispered a sorry. She held the handles and soon started pedaling. Meanwhile, Dylan could feel his body wavering."Should I hold her?" He thought, his hands slowly reaching her waist side."No!" He thought aloud and took his hand further away. "N
Dylan grew more perplexed as he gazed at her. His eyes traced to her hand, which was latched on his wrist, like it was begging it to stay. He scoffed and clicked his tongue before asking;"So what? If you aren't Ariel Peterson, Who are you?""I am… I am…At that instant, Chloe's eyes flew open and Dylan snapped his hand away from her grip. He coughed dramatically and pulled his face away."What gibberish were you blabbing in your sleep? Stand up this instant and bring our things along. It's late" He said and left her.Chloe scratched her head confusedly and took the belongings before scurrying off.*"Sir!" Chloe called and descended the stairs. She finally caught up with Dylan, and they walked in accordance."Sir?" She muttered, and he spared her a glance."Did I say or do anything weird while sleeping?" She asked.Dylan scoffed and pulled out the sunglasses which he wore. "What do you think?" He asked.Chloe's eyes widened. "Sir?" She gulped."What are you doing? Hurry!" He gnarled
FEW MINUTES AGO*Dylan took off his undergarments and took the white towel from the hanger, which he wrapped around his waist. He danced his way to the bathroom, went nude and turned on the faucet of the shower.He wriggled his body as the cold water poured on him. He took the bar of soap and started massaging it on his body and his hair."Nice" He hummed, and closed his eyes and dug his fingers thoroughly into his hair."Wait, What?" Dylan muttered and quickly opened his eyes. He had noticed that the water finding it way from the nozzle was getting lesser, and it discomforted him."Ouch" He whined and quickly shut his eyes which were being stung by the froth.He traced his fingers to the hanger and quickly pulled the towel which he used in wiping his face."What's going on, seriously?" He thought, feeling vexed. He scanned the area for a while, and that was when his eyes caught a huge cockroach on the wall staring back at him like it wanted to attack.Dylan's mouth tore open and he q
"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