"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
Clover was quite confused seeing some man who seemed gentle sitting in his space. His eyes brows as he walked forward. He stopped right behind Dylan and clenched his fist on the top rail.Chloe's eyes were up, and she was looking directly at Clover, who was still standing behind Dylan, doing absolutely nothing.When Clover noticed Chloe wasn't saying a word, he walked towards her and shifted his gaze to Dylan's powerful looking face."Hold on a second" Clover muttered slowly raising his index finger to Dylan. "Isn't he the man you…" His voice trailed off, and he crouched his head low towards a very nervous looking Chloe."Isn't he the one you told about me being your boyfriend? You told him we were on a date, doesn't that makes it feel like I'm your boyfriend?" He asked, and Chloe's eyes widened. She quickly turned to Clover, who had a mischievous look on his face."What… what are you talking about?" She spluttered."I heard that. I told you, right? I told you I heard you say I'm your
She quickly grabbed her duffel bag and stood up. "Can we not talk about that?"A sigh escaped from his lips. "I'm not saying we should talk about that, actually. I just asked a question. Why did you do that? Don't tell me you have grown feelings for me?"Chloe tried to hold herself from reacting, but a scoff left her mouth nevertheless. "Don't kid yourself" She uttered, feeling Clover had cracked a silly joke."I'm serious. Why did you do that?" He asked demandingly, with a stern look on his face. Chloe could only wonder why he was still pushing through with the darn question.Chloe sneered and shook her head. She knew the curiosity must be taking a toll on him. Who wouldn't be that curious, though? She actually told her boss Clover was her date, and he managed to hear it, putting her in this awkward and shîtty position."Well, If you must know. I did that to escape from him. I didn't want him asking questions. I mean, who suddenly goes to a restaurant like this with someone if it isn
Clover breathed deeply when he saw the trailer pass behind them. He threw his face at Chloe, who was vividly fuming. Her palms were still clenched on the steering wheel and her breath shaking vehemently."Wait. Chloe, have you gone mad?" He spoke with terrifying anger. Chloe scoffed in resentment, her nose flaring and sparks giving off in her eyes."Actually, you are the one who has gone mad. Clover? What's wrong with you? Is this really you?" She shook her head, with her voice lowering down a bit.He snickered and dabbed his stylish hair to the back. After tutting, he gave her an obvious reply. "Yes, this is me! It is really I, Clover, and all I said was the truth. I liked you. I always liked you and not your friend. Furthermore, I never asked her to grow those unnecessary affections for me" He continued after a brief pause, "That's not even what we should be talking about. You nearly had us killed. What if that trailer ran us over""Don't act oblivious" She said, emphasizing on each
Eric's brows sprang, and his eyes bulged when he realized what he had done - Hugging Chloe abruptly. He quickly let her go and took his gaze to the other side. He didn't want her to see how stupid or tenacious he was."I'm sorry about that" He tried his best not to stutter. Chloe could only look at him in deep thoughts."I'm truly sorry" He said again, wondering why she was not replying but staring intently at him instead.Chloe gulped heavily and nodded, like she had succumbed to his plea."Er… Yeah." She stuttered and thought why she had to speak that way. She wasn't the hugger, so why did she feel that nervous and anxious?Eric forced a small smile and turned to leave. Chloe watched him walk away from her. Her mind felt like it was burdened, and she felt like releasing it."Wait!" She suddenly screeched, causing Eric to stop his movement."Me?" He whispered to her hearing without turning over. Chloe took about three steps towards him."Yes. You're the only person one here" She said
Dylan pinched his brows and took his gaze away from her stretched arm, totally ignoring the wanting handshake. He took his gaze to her face and sighed deeply."I'm sorry, but I don't take things from strangers. Have a nice day, Miss Chloe Walker" He told her and pulled the door to shut it, but Chloe was quick in grabbing the door, and she opened it properly. She was fuming, but Dylan couldn't read her emotions but he could apprehend she was indeed upset judging from the way her hand tightly held the door."Aren't you being too cold? I was just trying to be nice and this is what I get?" Chloe shook her head."I never asked you for this. Anyway, if you really want me to congratulate you for packing in here… then receive my congratulations. And, can you let go of this door? I need to shut it"Chloe smirked at him. "He's indeed horrible. So much for being worried" She thought inwardly."Hello? I'm talking to you? I would appreciate it if you let my door go" He said.Chloe felt her head sp
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
"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