《Loving The Devil》


 Chapter 1 - 1 :The Bestfriend

    Two years, it has been two years since her parents passed. Still, a beautiful, angelic like woman sits at their graves. With raven black hair, that was beautifully tied in a bun. Clear deep blue eyes, eyes that were her fathers, carried drops of tears in each corner. Her skin usually carries the glow of the summer sun, now pale as freshly laid snow. Although it has been two years since her parents passed, Chloe still comes every year on the anniversary of their death to visit with them.


    Little did Chloe know, she was being watched. For, several rows over was a tall, exquisite, mysterious man. He stood there thinking to himself, watching her, feeling her loneliness, fighting the urge to go up and kiss away her tears. For him, he felt it was a sad sight to see an angel cry.


    "Miss.... are you ready to go?" Chole looked up to see a man that stood just over 5''6". His gray hair neatly laid on his head. By his looks, you can tell the years haven''t been very good to him. He was Nathaniel her driver and housekeeper.


    "I''ll be right there. Thank you, Nathan." She looked up at the crimson, orange sky, before standing. Said a little ''Thanks for listening'' prayer. After she got up, she could swear she saw a glimpse of someone standing under a tree watching her. However, when she focused her eyes no one was there. "Miss, is something bothering you?" Nathaniel said staring at her confused look. "No. Let''s go, Nathaniel. Sally and Phillip must be worried. I fear we may have stayed a bit too long. I just wanted to update them (her parents) on how everything has gone this past year."


    Indeed, so much has happened. After her parents'' tragic accident, she did her best in trying to fulfill their wishes. She tried to keep their company ''Company A'' afloat the first year. However, it was a lot harder than she originally thought. In the last year, she sold her parents company to an unknown buyer. She bought a little cafe, which she runs with her best childhood friend, Sally. She did her best to be a good girlfriend, but lately her boyfriend Phillip has been growing distant. She can''t remember the last time that she spent some time with him. As she gazes out the window, lost in her deep thoughts, the car pulls up to their destination.


    No sooner than Chloe steps out; a thin, fragile-looking woman, runs up to her. It was Sally, with her brunette hair tied in a messy bun hair sticking out everywhere, her dark brown, almost black, eyes looking like she is guilty of something. She stood about 5''2, shorter than Chloe, and she yelled " WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I''ve been looking everywhere for you. I called you several times, in which I got no answer. We were busy, up to our ears, and just slowed down. Now you show up, I know you are technically the boss, but I can''t manage this place without you." At this point Chloe has stopped listening, Sally has a habit of dramatizing everything. So Chloe didn''t think much of it being busy. Instead she just simply said "Looks as though you survived. Besides, Sam was here to help you wasn''t she?"


    Sam was their employee. She stood about 5''3 and had hazelnut hair, and hazel eyes, slim to medium build. All-in-all pleasing enough to look at. Sally hired her, said she would do, because she doesn''t outshine Sally. Chloe likes her all the same; she has a nice relaxing personality.

 Chapter 2 - 2: The Boyfriend

    The moment Chloe entered the cafe, she saw Sam attentively cleaning tables. "Hey, Sam, were you guys busy today?" Chloe asked as Sally shoots Sam a malicious look. Trying to convey that if Sam tells any other version to her story, she will regret it.


    In return, Sam simply smiles and states "We have been fairly busy, nothing we couldn''t handle. Oh, did Phillip get ahold of you? He stopped by looking for you; I ?ssumed he would try to call." Chloe doesn''t notice the discontent on Sally''s face. This was something between Sally and Sam.


    ....


    Earlier that day Sam had walked in on Sally kissing Phillip. Sam was so shocked that she slammed the door and tried to hurry away. When Sally caught up with her, she just said it wasn''t what she thought and to dismiss it out of her mind.


    Currently, Chloe looks at her phone and sees that she has no calls from Phillip. She tells Sam "thank you, but he hasn''t called. Let''s close it up it''s getting late." Chloe steps away to the office with Phillip filling her thoughts. Sally on her heels, starving for gossip.


    "What''s wrong Chloe? You don''t look too well. Did something happen between you and Phillip?" Sally stares at Chloe with a sparkle in her eye, feeling like she will finally get her chance.


    Chloe looks distraught and confused " I''m not sure, he has been weird lately. I mean today was the anniversary of their death, and he hasn''t called to check up on me. It seems like everyone is forgetting about them and moving on. While I''m still here moping about and it''s not just today. Recently it feels as though he is avoiding me, I just wish I knew why." Chloe starts to tear up, her emotions getting the best of her. "Sally, do you think he wants to break up? I mean what if he thinks I''m boring, or what if he wants to leave me because I haven''t given ''IT'' to him yet?" Sally sees the sadness in Chloe''s eyes as she remembers how Chloe is still a v?r??n. "Chloe, how is it possible that you still have your virtue? You guys have been together for almost three years. Why haven''t you slept with him yet? You know he''s not going to stick around much longer if you haven''t given it to him or won''t. What are you scared of?"


    Chloe stops counting the books and stares at Sally. "I''m not scared I just want it to be with the right guy. I was going to let him have me, but then my parents passed. Since then we haven''t had the right time."


    The room went quiet, with both women deep in thought at this time. When a loud knocking sound comes from the office door, both ladies became startled and jumped.


    "Honey, are you in there? May I come in?" It was Phillip, "Yes, you may come in. I''m sorry that I missed you earlier I was at the cemetery." Phillip opens the door, the old heavy wood scrapes against the wood flooring. "Need to get this fixed." He looks at Chloe and then at Sally, smiles a crooked smile and walks forward. "So, who was the mischievous one who mentioned I stopped by?" "Sam told me." "She should be fired for getting into my personal affairs." "She will not. She has done nothing wrong. Why, don''t you want me to know you dropped by?"


    "It''s not that sweetie; it''s just, I..... I wanted to surprise you, and now it''s all messed up. I don''t want to argue. It seems that''s all we do anymore is argue." "I''m sorry are you ready to go home? I can get Sally to finish here." Sally looks at Phillip with pleading eyes, not wanting to finish the work but instead wanting to finish what they were doing earlier. Phillip noticed this and smiled.

 Chapter 3 - 3: The Cheater and the Mystery Man

    Phillip had been faithful for the first three months he was with Chloe. To him, the only reason to stick around was for her virtue. He felt like he deserved to have it. It''s not like he was ugly. He stood 5''9, crimson red hair, brown eyes, fairly built and from a good family background. Who wouldn''t want to be with him? He just couldn''t figure out Chloe and why she wouldn''t sleep with him. Telling himself, it''s her fault he sleeps around. If she would just give in and let him have her, then he would leave. She is the one that keeps dragging this out.


    He turns to Chloe "It''s ok, sweetie, why don''t you stay to finish up here and I''ll drive Sally home. On the way back I can bring you some food? Sound good? Let''s go, Sally." Before Chloe had a chance to respond they both walked out the door chatting amongst themselves.


    Chloe left alone, thought about calling Sam back just to sit with her. She didn''t like being left alone. While thinking to herself, she hears the sound of the cafe door open, footsteps walking around. She walks to the dining area looking down to fix her apron "Phillip, did you forget som...." When she looked up, she saw a breathtakingly mysterious tall man standing in front of her. Chloe has never encountered a man so devilishly handsome that it made her forget what she was saying. So she just stood there staring at him, not making any sound.


    In a hurry, she spits out "closed." This man looks at her knowingly smiles; his perfect white teeth glisten under the fluorescent lights. "Miss...." Chloe understood that he was waiting for her name. However, all she could do was smile and nod. It seems she has forgotten her name. "Ummm... Are you ok Miss? I hope I didn''t startle you. I broke down just outside and wanted to know if I could use your phone?" Chloe finally regained her composure and managed to speak. "H...hi m...m...m...my n...name is Chloe." Chloe slapped her forehead with embarrassment. "Miss Chloe, pleased to meet you, I am Ryan. I apologize for the intrusion, but as I said my car broke down, and I need a phone." He thought using a fake name would make getting to know her easier.


    "Sounds like you are up to something Sir. Seriously, who doesn''t have a cell phone anymore? How old do you have to be not to have a cell phone?"


    "Miss Chloe I''m 35, how old are you, that you still make ?ssumptions? I have no Ill intentions towards you, and I do have a phone it''s just dead. I forgot my charger... at home." He wanted to say his other car but didn''t want to scare her away with money. He found her to be quite charming, a little weird, but most of all he felt like his heart was going to burst from his ?h?st, it was beating so loud. This woman that stood before him was bewitching. He has never before seen such a beautiful sight. When she spoke her lips were inviting, almost as if begging for him to kiss her. "Oh, I apologize" She flirtatiously laughs. "I just ?ssumed, and I shouldn''t have. I do have a phone you can use." Handing Ryan her cell while keeping her eyes on him. She didn''t want to look away and felt that he didn''t either. At this time he decided to call his phone so that he could have her number, then he called his driver to pick him up. "Miss Chloe" "Just Chloe please, miss sounds too formal." "Chloe then. Thank you for allowing me to use your phone. You have a wonderful night."


    "Ryan, wait... um since you have to wait why don''t, I make you a coffee. It won''t take long. Promise." She knew she had Phillip, but for some reason, she didn''t want to let this man leave. She felt that if she let him leave she may never see him again.


    Beaming brightly Ryan walked over to Chloe. Invading her personal space, getting just inches away, intentionally speaking in a low voice, almost a s?xy whisper. "You don''t want me to leave do you?"

 Chapter 4 - 4: Why?

    Chloe then blushes, because of how close he is and the fact that he seemed to have read her mind. " It just.... it would be a crime if I made you wait outside for a lift." Chloe takes a step back, trying to put distance between him and her. Harmoniously, they step together. Him wanting to keep the closeness, her wanting distance. She had never been this close to another man, other than Phillip. "Ryan, I want to apologize if I mislead you. I have a boyfriend. It would please me greatly if you took a step back."


    Ryan enjoyed how he made her feel. With a devilish grin, he stepped back giving her space. "You didn''t mislead me. I do hope your boyfriend treats you like a queen. However, Miss Chloe, I should be going. You have my number if you wanna talk I will always listen. Goodnight." With that, he left. Just as fast as he entered her life, he was now gone.


    .......


    Meanwhile, Phillip drove Sally to her home. On the way, they laughed and carried on about how gullible Chloe was. "I''m glad you drove me home. I can''t stand the thought of you being with her." Sally gives Phillip a sad look. "Awe, thanks, sweetie. I''m glad I drove you home as well. It''s been a stressful day at work. I need to relax a little before going back to her." Phillip had a simple accounting job at a small unknown firm. His status was a medium working class. Still, it didn''t compare to Chloe''s status. Currently, she held millions in her savings account. She spends well under what she has, and she doesn''t flaunt her money because it always irritated her when others had status and showed it off.


    "How long are you going to spend with me before going back to her?" Sally said this as they were pulling up to her house.


    "About 20 minutes maybe. I know it''s hard on you and I do wish we could spend more time together, however, I have to go back to her." Straining to say the words to her, Phillip gives her a look of sympathy. "Why don''t you just leave her and be with me? You like me better anyway. I give you what you want she never will. She told me that tonight. She said she didn''t love you and will never give you everything." Sally spoke with disgust in her voice. Thinking about what she could do to make him stay with her and not go back.


    "Sally it has been three years I''ve invested into her. I will get what I want even if I have to take it." He gives Sally a look of satisfaction. "When that happens, I''ll leave her, and we can be together then. I care more for you then I do her."


    Sally steps out of the car, walks to her door and turns to Phillip. "Until you leave her it''s best if you don''t join me. No more s?x until she is gone." "Sally you can''t do this, you love me. Don''t make me choose. It won''t end well for you. I only sleep with you because she won''t have s?x with me."


    Furious with his words, Sally starts to cry. " Are you serious right now? We both know you don''t mean what you''re saying. It''s cruel of you to say things like that." She storms inside making sure to lock the door behind her so he couldn''t follow.


    Pissed off, Phillip hits her door and then storms off to his car. He was cursing Chloe for making his life hell. If it wasn''t for her, he could have whoever he wanted. If she would just give in, none of this would be happening. To Phillip, it was all Chloe''s fault, and he was ready to teach her a lesson.


    ......


    Chloe, now alone in the dead silent cafe, stood like a statue. She is thinking about the man that just left. Wanting to know him wishing to see him. What is this feeling? She has never felt like this before. She finds herself wishing she wasn''t with Phillip. That way she wouldn''t regret not kissing him and feeling guilty. She was still deep in thought about Ryan when Phillip walked in startling her. Chloe jumps, "What are you doing here? I thought you were taking Sally home." Phillip looks at her with disdain in his eyes. Anger emerges from his voice. "I did take her home. What are you doing just standing here?" Chloe then realized that she had been standing for 30 minutes now. With Ryan''s face freshly meshed in her mind. His lips, his eyes, his body, that voice she shivers while thinking about it. She looks at Phillip and realizes how plain he is. "Phillip, why are we still together?"

 Chapter 5 - The Kiss

    Phillip was flabbergasted by her words. Never in a million years would he have thought that she wanted to end this relationship. Before speaking, he thinks carefully of how to keep her. All his anger, from before, dissipated. "Chloe, what exactly are you talking about? We are together because we care about one another." Phillip let out a large sigh and continued. "How about we head home. get some sleep and talk about this later?" "Phillip, there is not much to talk about, but I am tired." Chloe closes down the shop and heads home with Phillip.


    Outside her shop sits a black, tented car across the street. Inside the back seat is a tall man with deep penetrating eyes. Observing Chloe and Phillip come out of the cafe together. "That must be her boyfriend. Find out everything you can on him. I don''t like him."


    "Yes, Mr. Hughes." His ?ssistant looked at him a little confused. "Speak Ryan or I will have to fix the wholes you are burning into my head."


    "Mr. Hughes, Why did you give that lady my name and not yours?" "Ryan we have been around each other for 15 years now. I think you have earned the right to call me Brian. The reason behind it is because I want her to know me, not Brian Hughes, but the real me. I caught a glimpse of her at the cemetery while visiting mom. I have never wanted to get to know a woman like this before." Brian smiles, admiring the girl he just met. In all his 35 years, he has never met a woman quite like her, except for his mother. She was also headstrong, beautiful, intelligent and one of a kind. "Let''s go, Ryan, I believe she will come to her senses, sooner or later. Let''s go home."


    ...


    Phillip drove Chloe home in a silent car. All you could hear was the sound of the heater blowing. Chloe was staring out the window again trying to get her thoughts together. However, her thoughts kept filling of the mysterious man, Ryan. She kept remembering how he made her feel the closer he got. Usually, she can resist a man''s charm, but he was different.


    The car almost reached Chloe''s house when Phillip''s phone went off. He had received a text message. It was from Sally.


    ''I''m sorry we were fighting. I shouldn''t have said the things I did. If you still want to come over, you can. I''ll be waiting.''


    Chloe looks at Phillip and breaks the silence. " Who was that?" " It was work. They want me to come in tonight an important account needs to be reviewed. So I''m going to drop you off and head over."


    Chloe started to think about what Ryan suggested ''I hope he treats you like a princess.'' At this thought, she realized Phillip didn''t treat her as he should. He was always making excuses for why he couldn''t spend time with her. She looked angry thinking about everything she had been through with Phillip. Finding herself wishing Ryan was beside her and not Phillip. Then she laughs and pushes the thought out of her mind. She must be crazy she had only just met this man earlier tonight. It''s unbelievable how much he has caused her to question her self. Once they arrived at Chloe''s, She stepped out of the car turns to Phillip before closing the door, giving him a look of knowing.


    "I know your cheating. I can''t prove it, but I know." She shut the door and took two steps before Phillip exited the car in a hurry, stumbling to catch up with her. "I''m not cheating on you. It is work. If you loved me, you would believe me. I''m telling the truth" Phillip grabs Chloe turning her around so she can believe the mask he is wearing just for her. "Chloe I love you." He plants a rough, revolting kiss upon her lips. Usually, she wouldn''t feel this way. However, today she felt like she wanted to puke. As she shoved him away, she felt bad for how she felt and looked at him with disdain in her eyes. "I believe you. I''m sorry." In reality, she didn''t believe him. She saw the message earlier on his phone. She just couldn''t see who it was from. She just wanted the kiss to end so she could run to take a shower in bleach.

 Chapter 6 - Surprise

    After getting a long, hot, shower, Chloe heads to bed hoping to sleep. She turns out the light, shuts her eyes and lets her mind wander. After falling into deep sleep, she begins to dream of Ryan.


    .....


    While Chloe is sleeping, Phillip shows up at Sally''s place. He heads in calling to Sally. "Hey Sally, Are you still awake? Sorry, it took so long. Chloe knows I''m cheating, but as she said her self, she has no proof." He walks to the bedroom and sees Sally dressed in a short see-through negligee. Her hair intentionally in a mess. What she called a s?xy mess. This look was laughable to any outsider. However, Phillip found it strangely attractive. He strides over to her, wrapping his arm around her waist and bracing her face with the other, he kissed her passionately. Then he shoved her into the bed placing himself on top of her. Trying his best to be seductive, he whispers in a husky voice. " We can finish this conversation in 10 minutes."


    Phillip was not a man of stamina or courtesy. Pleasing a woman was not something he knew how to do. Sally only slept with him because Chloe had him. She wanted everything Chloe had. Everything she had. Her boyfriend, family, money, cafe, friends, education, and name. Sally wanted EVERYTHING of Chloe''s. She always felt inferior to her, as if everything Sally had wasn''t enough because with Chloe around Sally blended in with the background.


    ...


    Several days passed and Chloe still hadn''t spoken with Phillip. She has gone to work and come home. She didn''t mind not speaking to him as much as she thought she would. She was just curious as to why Sally wasn''t at work today. Chloe pulled out her phone, going through her contacts. Which consisted of a few people; Phillip, Sally, Sam, Nathaniel, and..Ryan? She stopped to stare at the name. So this is what he was talking about when he said ''You have my number. You can talk to me any time you need to.''


    Chloe was struggling with the idea of whether to contact him or just let it be. To her, it was a silly idea. The fact she just met him several days ago and spoke to him briefly for a few hours that night, it was just silly. Chloe chuckled lightly to herself. With a small smile on her radiant face, thinking about that night and how that brief interaction caused her to question everything.


    While pondering her dilemma, Sam stepped into the office. "There is a man out here looking for you." "A man?" A slight glimmer of hope springs onto Chloe''s face. Her hoping it is Ryan and nervous, because what if it is Ryan?


    Chloe made her way out the office, down a narrow hall, looks right, toward the sales counter to see....."Phillip, what? Why are you here? I can''t talk right now Sally didn''t show up for work, and I''m swamped." "Sally didn''t show because she''s sick she can''t stop throwing up."


    "Phillip, how do you know this? How come you know she''s sick, and I, her boss, do not?"


    Phillip suddenly became pale as a sheet ghost. Stuttering with almost every word trying to find an excuse. "Sh...sh...she ca...ca...called me. Said...she tried...to...call you. I told her I was headed this way and would talk to you."


    Sam was serving customers while this awkward conversation took place. She found an opportunity to, finally, tell Chloe what she saw. Both Phillip and Sally deserved what was coming their way.


    Sam finished filling a customer''s coffee, walked over to the counter, looked at Phillip. Her eyes were screaming I''m telling on you. Phillip cast her a scornful look. He knew Sam was going to say something and had to stop her. "Don''t you have work to do? Instead of being nosy, and in other people''s conversations?" He stares at Sam, with a snobbish attitude. He was emphasizing his superiority and dominance.


    Sam stomps off, infuriated but not defeated. She told herself just to wait till that bastard isn''t around Chloe.


    Chloe looks at Phillip in disbelief; he was unbelievable speaking to her employee in this manner. Chloe didn''t like it when people were superior and flaunted it to the less fortunate. Disgusted with his attitude, Chloe yelled at Phillip. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO MY EMPLOYEE THIS WAY?" Phillip became embarrassed by her yelling. "Sweetie, calm down, everyone is looking. Don''t get upset; I just reminded your employee of who she was. Your employee."


    "Right my employee. Not yours, not for you to tell her what to do. Not for you to treat like garbage." "If I apologize, will that make you feel better?" "Yes. If you apologize, I''ll think about forgiving you."


    He already had bad news to tell her, so to keep on her good side he walks over to Sam.


    "Sam, may I speak with you for a moment?"

 Chapter 7 - Know Your Place!

    Sam already regretted drawing attention to her self. So when Phillip confronted her, she felt obligated to speak to him. "I can spare a moment. What is wrong? Am I not doing my job correctly?" "Let us speak over here privately please."


    As they walk to a secluded corner of the cafe, Chloe takes out her phone and sends a text message, simple but elegant. "Hey Ryan, can you chat? This is Chloe Wilson by the way." She hit send and anxiously waited for his reply.


    "Sam, I am aware of what you saw that day. I am not gonna try and deny that it didn''t happen. I plan to tell Chloe on my terms, not yours. Even if you tell her, she won''t believe you, even if she did she would hate you for telling her. Cant, you see how in love with me she is? You would kill her with news like that. So if you care about her at all, you will allow me to tell her when the time is right. What am I worried about? If you told her, I could just convince her you were lying then tell her to fire you for trying to break us up."


    "You know, I have seen a lot of trash lately, but who knew that it was just all falling out of your mouth. Do you think your hold on her runs deep? Do you think she is so naive, that she will simply believe the rubbish you call dialogue? How about the knives you call emotions? Let''s test it out. I''m willing to lose my job but are you willing to lose your trophy?"


    Phillip stared at her dumbfounded. Not sure how to handle this. Never before has a woman spoke to him this way. He is appalled, he is enraged, he is turned on...?


    All he could manage to do was look at her with a glazed over expression. Sam walked away having said her peace. She knew something like this would happen and already prepared a backup plan.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at Company A, on the tenth floor in a meeting room full of executives and a CEO, a small ping was heard. Once this was heard, the group grew terrified. With petrified looks on their faces looking at each other, waiting for the big icy boss to reprimand the guilty person.


    To everyone''s surprise, the icy boss takes out his phone, gives it a look, and...smiles? To them big boss Brian Hughes never smiled. He was known for being an icy, overbearing, and conscientious person.


    It surprised the group, even more, when Brian dismissed the meeting. "We are done here. Everyone go back to work. I shouldn''t have to babysit you." Once Brian left the room, he sent a message to Chloe. "Chloe, for you my dear, I will give you all my worldly time. Did you, my angel, want me to stop by?" Without waiting for a response, Brian headed to the elevator. Before the doors opened Ryan came running "Mr. Hughes, I have the information you requested. That...." Brian interrupted him, "Follow me; we shall discuss this on our way.


    ........


    Back at the cafe, Chloe received a text message from Brian. After she read it, she couldn''t stop smiling. "What has you so happy?" She looked up to see Phillip standing there staring at her with a serious look on his face. "We need to talk. I''ll meet you in the office." As she watched Phillip walk away, she got a heavy feeling in her ?h?st. "Sam, I''ll be right back. Hold down the fort." Chloe went back to the office to talk to Phillip. She started to feel like she should tell him about Ryan. The guilt was eating away at her like termites.


    ....


    "Her boyfriend''s name is Phillip Dawson. They have been together for Three years. He works at a small accounting firm. He has also been cheating on her for two years and nine months. He has no money and came from no status." Like a good soldier, Ryan started giving the information over and trying to be fast and smart. He feared what would happen when the boss caught on to this guy cheating on Chloe. Brian grew infuriated with this information. How could ''a nobody'' cheat on a precious goddess like Chloe? "Ryan, hurry." Telling Ryan to drive faster. He didn''t know if she knew, all he knew is he wanted to be there when she found out.


    ...


    With Chloe and Phillip in the office talking, Sam grew worried. Worried that he wouldn''t tell her, instead, he would take the cowards route and lie.


    In the office, silence spreads. The pair were staring at each other intensely. Waiting for the other to speak. "Why were you so happy earlier?" "A friend of mine said something amusing. He can be a bit full of himself."


    "Chloe, are you cheating?" Chloe grew angry. She couldn''t believe the cheater was accusing her of cheating. Gritting her teeth "No, I would never consider it." She managed to say this much with a clenched jaw. "I kinda hope you would have been. It would have made this easier. Sally isn''t sick; she''s pregnant. It''s my child. Yes, I''ve been sleeping with her for over a year now."

 Chapter 8 - Finally

    Chloe was shocked; she dropped into her chair full of disbelief. She knew he was cheating, but with Sally? "You have been sleeping with Sally? ..... I mean Sally of all people?" "Chloe I didn''t want to tell you like this, but I wanted you to hear it from me."


    "And she''s pregnant? What am I supposed to do with this information? Do we break up? Do you plan to be with her, raise the child?"


    Chloe was frantic; she felt as though her whole life had been violently ripped away. At this moment she wanted to get away from Phillip, Far away.


    "Chloe, I don''t know what Sally and I are gonna do, but I know I don''t wanna lose you. I love you."


    "Phillip, how dare you say that. Do I look stupid to you? Get out. Just leave, Phillip. I don''t want to see you I don''t want to speak to you I want you gone." Phillip tried to insist on staying when Chloe had enough and walked out of the office. "We''re closing early today and may be closed for the next few days."Chloe walked to the door to put the closed sign up when it opened, causing her to fall forward into a pair of strong, capable arms. For a moment she didn''t want to leave. These arms made her feel safe.


    "Chloe, you''re unreasonable." Phillip spouts this as he sees another man holding her. "We just fought and now you are running into another man''s arms? I knew you were trash."


    The cafe has grown quiet, everyone staring at Phillip with disgust in their eyes. Even if she were in the wrong, he had no right to say that. Chloe shoved her face into this stranger''s ?h?st crying at the point. "Miss are you ok?" She found this voice very familiar and looked up. Her eyes looked like red rubies. Her face was botched from wiping her face. Her nose was wet and runny. Still, she let a small smile cross her face. "It''s you." She had never been so happy to see Brian. She felt relief from her problems. Brian looked at Chloe and the state she was in, then looked at Phillip giving him a malevolent look.


    Brian wanted to hurt Phillip. Who was he to speak to his angel that way? Phillip stared at Brian with disgust. Watching Chloe cling to him and this guy was consoling her. "Chloe who is this guy?" Chloe turned to Phillip, and with the most confident voice she could muster up. "This guy is my new boyfriend. I''ll be leaving with him. Don''t follow me." Phillip outraged, ran to Chloe reached out to stop her from leaving when Brian grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Squeezing his arm, Brian told Phillip, "You heard her, I am her new boyfriend. Not you. If you dare try to touch her again, I will not go so easily next time." " Angel, let us leave now. I''ll get you away from this garbage you call ex." Brian lifted Chloe into his arms. One hand under her legs and another behind her back. Feeling like a bride, Chloe blushed through her tears, Smiled at Brian, looked at Phillip "Enjoy your next life. If I ever see you in my cafe again, I''ll call the police. Sam close it down and have a nice three days off." Sam looked at Phillip thrilled at the outcome, then ?ssured Chloe that she heard her.


    Brian walked Chloe all the way to the car holding her. Thrilled Chloe called him her boyfriend even if it was just to get back at her ex. "Did you want to talk about what just happened?" "No not just yet. Do you think you could take me to the cemetery? I need to be alone for a minute. I can''t think about what to do next. I guess I''ll have to move because he knows where I live. Ugh. why did this have to happen?" Brian took her face in his hands gently making her look at him. He spoke in a soft, gentle tone "It happened because he is scum. He was good at hiding it. This happened because you loved him. It''s ok that you called me your boyfriend in the heat of the moment. I understand if you didn''t mean it. However, I wouldn''t dislike it if you did mean it." Brian smiles and places a kiss on her forehead, not wanting to push her limits just yet.


    "Ryan..." Brian interrupted her "Brian, my name is Brian. He is Ryan. I misled you earlier. For that I apologize, It was shameful of me." "Brian, thank you for telling me, but don''t ever lie to me again. Promise?" "Yes mam'' I promise. Never again will I withhold information or lie to you." "Good now about us being together. I feel as though we should keep ''dating.'' I don''t want him to know the truth. Besides, it could be fun." A mischievous smile spread onto Brian''s face, fun indeed.

 Chapter 9 - Letting Go

    Brian drove Chloe to the cemetery. Where she got out once again to tell her parents what happened, he stood by the car watching her. Once again admiring her. She still glows even with the depressed aura around her. The sky turned dark and gloomy, almost matching her mood. Droplets of rain start to fall when Brian pulls out an umbrella and walks over to Chloe.


    Chloe was deep in her conversation, telling them about the events that have unfolded earlier that day. Brian stood behind her not trying to listen, but when she gets to talking about the handsome man and how she is glad she never let Phillip have her v?r??n?t?. Brian blushes, knowing this wasn''t meant for him to hear. When She finished, she realized it was raining. She looked behind her to find Brian with an umbrella. "Um... how long have you been standing there?" She blushed hoping he didn''t hear what she said. Brian wanted to ease her mind, but it would mean he would have to lie to her which he promised he would never do. So he decides to tell the truth. "Awhile, it started to rain and to keep you from getting wet and sick I came to cover you with the umbrella." Chloe looks him up and down. She feels the heat running to her cheeks. He had indeed covered her but forgot about himself. In return, he stood there his jet black hair dripping wet. She watched the rain fall on his perfect face sliding down his luscious lips. His soaked shirt clung to his skin, revealing the perfect outline of his six pack and his V line.


    She had to turn away; his looks made her want to give him everything. "Let''s go shall we?" He read the situation and tried to divert her attention. Not realizing that she felt the more he tried not to be s?xy the s?xier he got. Chloe stood up and walked next to him trying to share the umbrella. Both of them trying to find something to say, neither able to.


    Once they get seated in the car, Brian asked where she wanted to go next. "I''m not entirely sure. I don''t want to go home. Phillip is probably waiting for me. I guess I could go to the hotel. I''ll need to stop for clothes though. " "Not to be presumptuous, but you could stay at my place for as long as you need." Chloe raised her eyebrow, giving him a look of surprise. He sees this look and immediately deflected because this look of her turned him on. "You would have your own space, room, bathroom, and even some spare clothes. Nothing will happen that you don''t want to happen. You could take all the time you need to readjust." With this reassurance, Chloe found herself agreeing to his offer. Her scarlet face gave her emotions away. Thinking about sharing a roof with this man made her shy.


    The car grew quiet; s?xu?? tension rose with each passing moment. That was until Chloe''s phone started to ring. She looked at the caller i.d. and saw it was Phillip. She ignored the call sending it to voicemail. Bryan watched her actions taking an accurate guess on who the caller was after Chloe''s phone lit up with a voice mail notification she received a text message. ''Chloe, I know I have no right to ask but where are you? I''m at your apartment. There is no sign that you have been here. I''m worried about you. You just left with some random stranger, and no one has heard from you. If you don''t call me soon, I''m going to the police with that guy''s license plate number. He will go to jail for kidnapping.'' When Chloe finished reading this, she lost all remaining respect for Phillip. How dare he? He acts like I''m a child who can''t handle herself. Frustrated, Chloe kept making growling noises. Brian found this attractive, and when he couldn''t stand it anymore, he extended his hand brushing her cheek, trying to gain her attention. Chloe''s body reacts to this movement. Chills ran down her body and became intoxicating. Brian leaned down and kissed her soft lips. He kissed her tenderly, afraid that he will break her and expecting her to push him away.


    Chloe was surprised by his kiss at first. She fully intended to push him away. However, when she lifted her arms the wrapped around his neck instead ¡ª pulling him into a deeper kiss. Brian noticed her actions lets out a little smile and kisses her deeper, more passionately. With things beginning to heat up between the two, Ryan cleared his throat to remind them of their location. Brian pulls away first. " My sweet, if you wish to continue this, we can do so at a later date. I apologize for kissing you. I shouldn''t have done so." Chloe was a little disappointed at his words. She couldn''t figure out why he said that when he, clearly, wanted the same thing she did.


    "You don''t have to apologize Brian. I would have pushed you away if I didn''t want it" Hearing that she wanted him made Brian''s body heat up again. He rolled down the window to let the cool air hit his face. "Chloe, I promised I wouldn''t lie to you, so I won''t. I want you, I really do, and usually, I wouldn''t have a problem getting what I want. However, I did happen to overhear that you are still virtuous. I do not wish to take that away from you. I want you to want me to have it. Before that happens, you must love me 100 percent with all your heart. Right now that can''t be said. You just found out your boyfriend was cheating with your best friend and she got pregnant. Before you can get over that you have to confront the problem. When you can do that you will finally be able to move on."


    Chloe disappointingly sat next to the one person she couldn''t have when her phone pinged two more times. This time it was a message from Phillip and one from Sally.

 Chapter 10 - In Your Face.

    Chloe opened the message from Sally, first. "Chloe, I know Phillip spoke to you. I''m not sorry I slept with him. He was only faithful for the first three months of your entire relationship. I''m having this baby with him, and I plan to marry him. You know, I did you a favor. So, you can''t hate me at all. I see you closed the store I''ll be in tomorrow to open it up. I need the money, and I am still the manager and your best friend." Chloe read this and became appalled at her behavior.


    Brian watched as she started to viciously send a reply. "Is everything ok angel?" "No, it''s not. Sally slept with my ex and had the nerve to make it all my fault. She said I didn''t have a right to be mad, and Phillip had been cheating after the first three months. She also informed me that she thinks she is still working for me and we''re still best friends." Brian became awkward, not sure what to say "Mmm-hmm." Chloe didn''t seem to notice and began to read what she was writing. "Sally, I am saddened to inform you, you are fired. Haha, just kidding I''m not saddened. However, you are fired. Fired from my cafe and fired from being my friend. With friends like you, who needs enemies? I just feel that you have stabbed me in the back way too much. Congratulations on having a baby with a cheating horndog. I wish you both the best happiness. Quick question, how long before he cheats on you? Once a cheater always a cheater. Ta-Ta" Satisfied with her reply she sent the message and read the one from Phillip. "I''m serious call me, or I''m calling the police." This angered her even more. With a loud sigh, she looked at Brian.


    "What''s the matter, love?" "Phillip is threatening to file a missing person''s report, claiming you kidnapped me if I don''t contact him. I''m sorry I got you into this mess." Chloe was about to break down crying at this point.


    As the car reached a driveway with a four-story mansion at the end, Brian embraced Chloe; he wanted to console this fragile woman. "I can fix that. Ryan call the chief. Let him know the situation. Put a stop to it before it starts." Ryan nodded in agreement.


    .....


    Phillip was with Sally when she got the message from Chloe. Sally became enraged; she had just been fired."I can''t believe that bitch. She just fired me. What is she thinking?" "It will be ok Sally. I''m going to the police, obviously, that person kidnapped her and is forcing her to write these horrible things. She hasn''t even contacted me, and there is no way she is mad at us. I mean its little push over Chloe."


    Phillip contacted the police station and tried to file his report. When he gave his name, he was automatically sent to the chief. "Mr. Dawson, we take these matters seriously. Filling a false report is against the law. Miss. Willison already notified us of your intentions. She told us who she was with and where she is at. So if you continue to file a false report, I will have no choice but to arrest you." "She did what? Fine, I''ll get to the bottom of this. She won''t get away from us that easy" Phillip hung the phone up aggravated at this point. "Can you believe she went to the police already?" Phillip wasn''t sure what to do now. "You could always go to her job and her home. Wait for her to show up and demand she leave that guy. Who the hell is this guy? He looks too good for her. Phillip, did you two actually break up?" "As far as I know yeah. She met the guy at the door and said it was her ''new boyfriend."

 Chapter 11 - The Castle

    When Chloe got out of the car, she stopped in amazement. Brian''s house was huge; the outside was lit up like a Christmas morning, the beige trimmings bounced off the white walls. The driveway glistened like morning snow. It had bright green grass wrapping around each side. In the center was a huge fountain made of marble. She was admiring the features of the house when Brian walked up next to her. "Everything ok? You have been standing here for about 5 min now?" "Oh...Um...Ummm...your house is huge. Please don''t tell me you are a drug lord. God, please don''t let me regret my decision." Chloe grows worried realizing she hadn''t asked what Brian did. She thought it wouldn''t matter but looking at his house; now she wished she would have asked.


    Brian laughed at her reaction. Seeing this laughter come from Brian, Ryan stood astounded by this reaction. He had never seen this man laugh before. However it seemed this woman had changed him, he now has feelings. Amid the laughter, Brian managed to speak. "Angel, I can promise you I have no illegal dealings. Everything I have I worked hard to obtain. I am a businessman. I''ve obtained several large corporations and work hard to revive them. I do hope this answer is enough." Walking forward with Brian leading Chloe, She took a deep breath of relief. "I apologize for the comment it was out of line. I was just in disbelief. I''ll only stay for a few days and then head back home. I still have duties to tend to. I can''t just hide out forever." Brian lead her into the house. Stepping inside, it looked like a palace a large staircase greeted them with a staff of maids and butlers lined along each railing. Everyone completely poised and greeted Brian. "Welcome home master." Then shifted their attention to Chloe. Surprised to see Brian with a female, they gave her a look mistrust. Each was wondering what tricks she pulled to gain Brian''s favor, but none expressed their concern. "This is Miss Chloe Wilson. She will be staying for a little while. While she stays, all of you are to treat her properly and are not to gossip about why she is here. Any concerns you may have you can address to Ryan or me. That is all; you may now go back to work." Chloe admired Brian; he was clear and ?ssertive. When he spoke everyone listened and no one dares break his rules, or they should be thoroughly punished. "Follow me I''ll show you to your bedroom. This will forever be your room if you decide to stay longer or come back." Chloe followed him like a lost puppy. Speechless as she walked she viewed the paintings and photos on the walls. They all portrayed a happy family of three. On the third floor, he stopped at the third door on the right. He smiled at her bewildered face."This is your room." After he opened the door, Chloe was stunned at its beauty and couldn''t find the strength to move. He grabbed her hand and led her in. Upon walking in, she noticed the large bed with a white majesty style canopy. Beside the bed, there was a small nightstand with a reading lamp. After she turned around, she noticed a door to her right and door to her left. "Where do these doors go?" She opened the one to her right to a deep, walk-in closet. It must have been about 12 foot long and 24 foot wide. She closed the door as fast as she opened it. "It''s as big as a bedroom. What is behind this door? As she opened it Brian spoke. "It is a bathroom. I should mention it is a shared bathroom. Be sure to lock the other door when you are in here. You will want to avoid any mishaps." She walked in taking notice of how large it was. Across from her door was the other door he spoke of. To her right was a walk in shower. She noticed in the shower was a ceiling mounted luxurious rainfall showerhead. Next to the shower was a floor to ceiling mirror. To her left, she noticed on the far wall there was an extra wide Marcy Hammered copper double-slipper tub. She has always wanted to have this tub. She just felt 4,000 u.s.d. was too much for a tub. Seeing it now she wished she would have gone for it. A few feet from the tub was the toilet and across was the sink with the traditional medicine cabinet above it. "Wow. This bathroom is every girl''s dream. It''s even painted in a ?ustful red. Plant some candles and some white rose petals, and it could have a romantic vibe." Before realizing what she had said and whom she was speaking to, Brian took advantage. "Good to know. So you like romance?" "What girl doesn''t like to be romanced?" Realizing what she had just said she grew highly embarrassed. "I''m sorry I shouldn''t have said anything like that. I was just thinking aloud. I don''t want you to have the wrong impression of me. I''m not a floozy." Brian chuckled at her remark and choice of words. "That could never happen." "So who''s room is over there?" "That would be my room."

 Chapter 12 - The Castle 2

    "Your room? You''re so close..." Growing nervous Chloe couldn''t help but think about him being in the next room, and now they share a bathroom. What if she walked in on him or him on her? What was she going to do...


    "So it is getting late if you wish I can have to staff prepare dinner for you." Brian watched as she fidgeted with her hair, obviously nervous. Watching this attractive woman do this began to turn him on. It was now taking every ounce of willpower not to push her down onto her bed and ravish her. Brian knew this couldn''t happen. She may be his for tonight but what about tomorrow?


    "It''s ok Brian I''ll just head to bed and rest. It has been a long day. I do want to get a shower first if you don''t mind." Realizing they were still in the bathroom, Brian left out. "Please excuse me. I do still have some work to complete." With that, he shut the door. He stood on the other side wishing he could go in. "What has this woman done to me?" He thought aloud. He had noticed the change of behavior when he was around her ¡ª walking to his bed, grabbing papers off his desk. "I should just build a wall and shut her out. Who am I to come into her life and mess thing up?" Pondering what he should do, he lifted the documents into his ??p and began to review them.


    Chloe finished her shower, got dressed and felt she needed to let Brian know she was out. So she walked to his door and knocked on it calling his name a few times. "Brian... Brian are you awake?" She slowly pushed the door open and peered around, seeing the light on she thought he must be up. She walked into his room, walking toward the light. "Hey, I just wanted...." She stopped mid-sentence noticing he had indeed fallen asleep while working. Taking the documents from his hands, she set them on the nightstand. She then covered him trying not to wake him. She turned out the light and went back to her room.


    What a day, it has been eventful and relaxing in the same. Her thoughts consumed her, mainly about who Mr. Brian is. She drifted off to sleep.


    Sometime in the night, Brian awoke to find himself in a blanket and his work on his desk. Trying to remember if he had done it already or feel asleep doing his work, he decided to push the thought away. Who else other than himself would be brave enough to enter his room?


    ......................


    Several days have passed, and Chloe found herself dreading going home. Although she didn''t get to spend much time with Brian, the few encounters were enough to make her smile for a lifetime. Luckily they didn''t have any issues walking in on each other in the bathroom. She wasn''t sure if she regretted it or not. As she is packing to head home, she heard a knock on her door. "Miss Chloe, are you about done? Your ride is here." It was one of the staff. "Yes, I''m about done. Has Brian made it home yet? I wanted to thank him and say bye." "No ma''am not yet. Would you like to leave him a note?" "No that will be ok. He knows how to reach me."


    With that, she finished the last few things grabbed her bags and headed for the stairs. Now usually in books and films, this would be the part where the guy is either waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs or would rush out for an epic goodbye. Well, This wasn''t Chloe''s case, and she knew her luck wasn''t that good. With a sad sigh, she left knowing she had to return to reality sooner or later.

 Chapter 13 - Heartbreak

    Even though they both agreed to "date," after she left and went home, life became busy. She did manage to speak to Brian a few times and exchanged a few text messages every now and again. But Seeing each other, that has been a new issue. Their relationship was more like friends than anything else. When she opened the cafe back up, she became surprised by the unexpected amount of customers. "Sam, where did all of these people come from?" "I have no clue but if it keeps up this way you may have to hire new hands." Chloe laughed she knew Sam was right. Working through the lunch rush, she hears the bell ring. "Please have a seat anywhere; we will be right with you." Chloe was serving a table when she felt a tap on her shoulder. This tap was different than anything she had felt before. It cast off an eerie feeling of cold dread. Slowly she turned and saw Phillip standing there. His eyes were sunken in. His skin was pale and blotchy as if he hadn''t washed since she saw him last. He looked thinner, and his clothes were worn and falling off. What happened to him? It''s only been about a week since she saw him last. "Phillip? What are you doing here? Why do you look so terrible?" She cast a look of pity and sorrow for him. "Chloe, can we talk? Please just hear me out." Reluctantly, Chloe took him by his hands and led him to the back office. "Sam cover for me."


    Once in the office, she gave Phillip all of three seconds to speak. "Whatever you have to say do so now. You won''t get a second chance." Chloe sat down at her desk propped her feet on the desk her arms relaxed over her ?h?st.


    "Chloe, I am sorry. I don''t know what I thought when I cheated. It took for me to lose you to realize what I wanted. If you are willing to forgive me maybe, we can work things out and be together again. I love you, Chloe. I don''t think I can live without you." Chloe was perplexed by his words. "...." Not knowing what to say she just sat there ¡ª thinking about her life without him and her life with him. For some reason in spite of everything she wanted to speak with Brian more than anything. She wanted to know how he felt.


    "Phillip I want you to know I forgive you and Sally. But I''m not sure what you are expecting here today. If the answer is for us to be together, I''m not sure that can happen just yet. I do still have a boyfriend." "Please, Chloe you and I both know he was never your boyfriend but some random guy you chose in a fit of anger." "He is more my boyfriend then you ever were." With rage in his eyes, Phillip grabbed Chloe slamming her into the desk. "More than I ever was hun? Does that mean you gave ''it'' to him?" Struggling to get out from under him she wasn''t sure how to answer his question. If she replied yes she knew it would anger him if she replied no she was not sure of the outcome. "PHILLIP GET OFF ME!" Chloe yelled hoping someone anyone would hear. Phillip gave a mischievous grin; he knew with her actions that no other had touched her. Which, to him, meant he still had a chance. "I''m sorry Chloe I got jealous thinking another man had touched you." "Phillip please just give me some time to think things over ok?" Chloe, shaking at this point, flinched when he leaned down to kiss her cheek. When Phillip left the office, she slumped into the chair with a loud sigh of relief. Wanting to talk to someone anyone, she picked up her phone and called any random number. "Hello? Chloe is everything ok?" This voice, this is the voice she wished to hear right now. Chloe began to feel calm again and started to tell Brian what happened. "You''re kidding me. Where did this take place?" Chloe had just finished telling him everything that took place about 15 minutes ago. "Here at the cafe. I''m still here with Sam. She is on the floor dealing with customers. "


    Outraged by what happened, Brian began to blame himself. If he didn''t push her away knowing she was leaving. If he had just made her stay, what could he have done to prevent this from happening? Then what he heard next was deafening. "Brian, I know that we are technically together. but if you don''t object I would like to try and work things out with Phillip." Brian''s face turned five shades red. His blood was boiling the thought of losing her to that filth. What should he do? How should he respond? So Brian being Brian gave the coldest response he could muster. If she were going to break his heart, he wouldn''t give her the satisfaction of knowing. "Honestly, we b?r?ly know one another. I don''t see why you are asking me. If you want him, go, it makes no difference to me. Your not that special of a person anyways." With these words, Brian hung up the phone. His heart broke into pieces. Shattered and hurt Brian threw himself into his work, being more cold and distant than usual. Ryan had an idea of what happened but couldn''t get Brian to talk about it.


    Chloe sat there staring at the phone, almost wishing it would do a trick, at least then she wouldn''t look so stupid. All she wanted was for him to say no, that he wanted her and Phillip couldn''t have her. How did it turn so bad so quick? Chloe pondered on whether she should call him. Finally making a decision, she called Brian one last time. He didn''t answer so she left him a voice mail. "I''m not sure what I did wrong. Maybe it was nothing, whatever it was I''m sorry. I just wanted you to say you wanted me and to never go to him. I wanted to feel like I mattered to someone. I guess I''m just a joke to be thrown around. That''s fine. ''BEEP.'' "Damn it." Chloe wanted to call back but decided to leave a text instead. "I thought I was falling for you. But instead, I fell for a joke. Bye." She then gathered all the courage and sent one other text. "Phillip, we will never get back together. Our time has passed. All that is left for us is friendship. Tell Sally I forgive her. If she wishes she may return to work." After sending the last message, she began to cry.


    In the meeting, Brian''s phone went off several times. Without looking at who it was from Brian continued his meeting. Knowing it was from her, he fought every urge to cry. He needed his walls again. Ryan grew impatient waiting for him to grow up and answer her calls. Ryan noticed that since the earlier conversation with Chloe, things have been worse everywhere Brian goes. Once the meeting ended Ryan pulled him aside "Brian, I do hope I can be frank with you." "What is the problem?" "Sir, please just give her a call. Let her explain. You''re scaring the staff." "Fine." Giving in Brian opened his phone to reveal he had a missed call, a voice mail, and a text. He listened to the voice mail then read the text. Almost overwhelmed with emotions Brian gave her a call. She didn''t answer, so he called her again. A male voice answered, "Hello who is calling?" "Where is Chloe is she ok?" Fear turned into panic Brian was not sure what to feel until he heard the next set of words. "Chloe is indisposed at the moment." " Who are you to be answering her phone?" "Phillip, her boyfriend."

 Chapter 14 - Liar

    Brian''s heart fell, and with it, he hit his knees to the ground. Ryan not sure about what just happened, placed a hand on Brian''s shoulder. "Brian, what happened? Is she ok?" "I lost her." With these words, Brian''s walls went back up, but this time they were reinforced so no one can tear them down again. "I''m sorry Brian." Brian shot Ryan an icy look from hell. "One, don''t ever mention her again. I don''t want to see her I don''t want to hear her voice. If she wants him then fine she can be with him. Two, for now on its Mr. Hughes. Anyone that addresses me differently will be terminated immediately." All emotion had drained from his face. His once warm, beautiful emerald eyes are now dark, empty and lifeless. Ryan watched this transformation and grew terrified.


    .....


    Phillip was proud of himself. If he couldn''t have Chloe, then no one could. How could she even think about ending things with him? He was the best she would ever have, or so he thought. He looked down at Chloe, watching her sleep on her desk. She must have passed out from exhaustion. At least he could relax now knowing that guy will never want her again.


    Chloe woke up to the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. When she opened her eyes, Phillip was standing over her. She jumped back suddenly trying to figure out why he was there. Didn''t she send him a message saying she didn''t want him? "What are you doing here?" Phillip gave her a look of regret. "Baby, I''m sorry I hurt you. I was stupid, but please don''t give up on us. If you ever loved me, you would give us another chance." Chloe''s patience ran thin, she stood up and began to push Phillip out of the office. "Phillip, I have tried this the nice way now I''m irritated. If you can''t leave me alone and stop showing up in my cafe, I will get a restraining order. I''m done messing around." Phillip threw his hands into the air with defeat. "Okay, I get when I''m not wanted. However, how do you plan to message the new guy when I have your phone?" Phillip waved her phone in the air so she could see it. "Phillip give my phone back. Stop playing games." Phillip was holding her phone above her head like a child playing keep away. "If you want it, come and get it." Frustrated, Chloe hits him in the stomach causing him to bend over in agony. "Ahhh..... damn you, Chloe. you didn''t have to hit me." "Got my phone back." She went through her messages. She was wondering if Brian sent a message or even called. Then she saw it, a three-minute conversation, With Brian. Did she speak to him? Growing confused, she looked at Phillip, and her stomach dropped to her feet. No...no...no..."You didn''t answer my phone did you?" Phillip knew he had been busted. "Yes, I thought it was important, so I answered. Some guy asked for you. I told him you were indisposed at the moment then he asked who I was and I told him the truth. I was your boyfriend." Chloe felt nauseous after hearing this. "I''m sick I need to go home." She called Nathaniel to come to get her. "Chloe I could take you home if you''re unwell."


    "You have done more than enough Phillip. By the way, we are not together. That chance is gone. You and I will never be together again. I have no trust in your words. You can leave me alone, or you can suffer." Chloe left the office. When she left to find Sam, she noticed that the cafe was slow. They only had two patrons. "Sam, why are we so slow?" "I''m not sure. It''ll be okay though. Are you okay?" "No, I feel nauseous. Oh, Phillip is no longer welcome here. If he comes in again call the police." "Yes, ma''am." "One more thing, I told Sally she could come back to work. However, she is to work under you. You are the manager. She will hold no title, so don''t allow her to bully you." Sam''s face lit up with these words. Finally, she can be in charge. "Yes, ma''am." Chloe noticed Nathaniel pulling up. "I''m leaving now. I''ll see you tomorrow. I trust you."


    Chloe wanted to talk to Brian; she wanted to explain everything to him. She wasn''t sure just how she would explain it, but she would know once she saw him.


    In the car, Chloe tried to call Brian several times, each time she got sent to voicemail. Growing angrier by the second, Chloe let out a sigh of frustration. "Nathaniel, I need you to take me home." Chloe decided to send him a text message. Hopefully, he will read it and trust her. ''Brian, I have this incessant need to tell you that Phillip lied. We are not together. I''m headed to my house to collect a few things, and I will be at my moms and dads if you decide you want to talk again.'' "Ugh... Nathaniel, how can you get someone to trust you when you have others working against you? I''m not sure why I have the need to gain his trust or why I want to get closer to him, but its infuriating." "Miss, I believe that is called love at first sight."


    "Me, love him? Ha, that is too funny. There is no way I love him. I b?r?ly know who he is. Does he have siblings? What about his mom and dad? Who is Brian Hughes? These are questions I still need answers to." "Miss, you don''t need the answers to any questions except one. Why hasn''t he responded?"


    She knew Nathaniel was right and despised him for knowing the truth. "Don''t act as if you know me. You don''t know what I was thinking." Chloe let a smile slip across her lips. "Miss, we are here."

 Chapter 15 - Nincompoop

    Brian stood in his office leaning against the floor to roof window. He stood there trying to guess what happened. He had her and just like that he let her go. Maybe it was for the best. If she ever got hurt because of him, he would never forgive himself. While self-reflecting his phone rang, he glanced in the direction of the noise to his desk. "I can''t; I just can''t talk to her. I can''t hear the words from her." The phone stopped ringing, and a text message popped up. Ryan cautiously walked into the office. "Mr. Hughes? Are you not going to read that?" Ryan was headed to his desk to drop some files off when he noticed the notification. "Leave it be. Are those the merger files? Drop them there and leave." As cold as stone Brian knew that if he read the message, it would be the end of him.


    As Ryan was leaving the office, he stopped to look at Brian''s phone. Once he read the message from Chloe, he got happy. There may still be hope. This means that Brian hasn''t lost her. He knew what he had to do. "Mr. Hughes, Why don''t you take a break and go visit your mom." Brian sighed, he knew that Ryan was right. Seeing his mom always made him feel better. "Get the car ready I''ll be down in a few. Cancel all of my appointments for the rest of the day." Ryan headed out to get the car happy with himself. Hopefully, she will still be there.


    .....


    Chloe finished grabbing a few items from her home. She looked around and tried to think if she may need anything else. If all goes as planned, she may not be back for a little while. "Okay, Nathaniel we may leave now." They left the house headed for the cemetery. Chloe went to her parent''s grave and hoped that he at least read her message.


    Brian was leaving his office when an attractive woman stepped into view. "Brian, baby, oh how I''ve missed you. Where have you been?" Brian didn''t want to deal with this woman right now. She can be very delusional. She got it into her head once that she and Brian were in a relationship. "Leave." Brian gave her the coldest look he could manage. With a black aura, he walked past her. "Don''t follow." Brian got into the elevator making his way to the garage. When the elevator doors opened, he spotted Ryan. "That girl is back. Have security throw her out and get a restraining order. "


    Brian climbs in.


    On the way to the cemetery, Brian kept thinking of Chloe how she is a remarkable woman. With just a look she could make his heart stop and take away his breath. Why must he be so stubborn? He should just contact her. If he did what would he say? What would she say? No, she''s with him again, remember?


    Immersed in his thoughts, he didn''t realize when they pulled into the cemetery that someone else was there. "Mr. Hughes, We have arrived." Brian sat thinking for a second of whether or not he should get out. In a sense, he knew how he was behaving and that his mom wouldn''t approve of it. He also knew there was no fighting it either. He decided to get out and face his conscience.


    While walking to his moms grave, he noticed a small figure in the distance. He knew who it was and knew she was also visiting.


    Brian gave in walking to her. "Miss Chloe, how are you." He chose to act like nothing ever happened between them. Chloe jumped in surprise. She knew his voice; this is the voice she had waited to hear all day. "Brian." She said his name with a smile. She turned to see Brian standing behind her. His face was sorrowful. Her heart broke seeing him like this. She originally thought he read her message, but from the look on his face, she could tell he hadn''t. "What are you doing here?" Brian''s eyes narrow, seeing her now, she looks like she is happy. This pained him to see. He wanted her to be as miserable as he felt, he just couldn''t figure out why. "I''m here to see my mother. She passed when I was 13."


    "So, I won''t dance around the subject. I''m going to be honest, and brutal, and you are going to sit there and listen. I refuse to be treated like some second rate floozy. I am a person, I have feelings, and you will hear them." Brian was dumbfounded by this little woman. She was no longer a little angel but a spitfire demon. "Yes. I''ll listen to what you have to say. I may not like it, but I''ll listen."


    Chloe took a deep breath let it out to relax a little then let him have an earful.


    "You dare believe someone over me again I will make you suffer. Phillip and I are not together. I told him I was through with him, done. You would know this if you picked up the phone just once. I don''t know why but for some reason I can''t stop thinking about you. It''s weird because you sir are an ?sshole. When I asked you if you thought I should get back with Phillip you should have told me no. I was your girl and would forever be your girl. You are a nincompoop."


    Brian laughed at the way she scolded him. It was innocent like a school girl. This made him happy because that meant that he didn''t touch her. "Why are you laughing? I''m getting onto you here." Brian reached out softly grabbing her face. Placed a strong, passionate kiss on her lips. Their tongues entwined feeling each other passionately. He wanted Chloe to know she was his. He pulled her to him one hand was around her leg pulling it up to his h?ps. And the other hand was tugging at her hair. Making her m??n with his touch and kisses. Coming to her senses, she lightly pushed him away. "Brian we can''t continue this here."


    "My apologies ma''am I got carried away. I do believe I crave you more than I realized. Would you like to go out?"

 Chapter 16 - Money

    Chloe''s heart leaped out of her ?h?st. Is this real? Somebody pinch me. Brian was still waiting for an answer while she was in shock. "Yeah. We can go out. You mean on a date right?" Brian finds amusement in her question. "Yes, silly girl on a date." "Yeah, that''s not a problem. Can we go tomorrow? I have plans tonight." Brian raised his eyebrow. "Oh really, What kind of plans do you have?" "I have to get my room back. My sadistic boyfriend kinda stole it from me." This made Brian grin. "So I have earned the title boyfriend?" "That''s all you heard. Haha, you didn''t hear me call you sadistic?" "Honestly, no. All I heard was ''boyfriend.''" Walking back to their cars Brian tried to convince Chloe to ride with him. She refused because she wasn''t sure how far things would go given the opportunity.


    ....


    Phillip found himself at Sally''s yelling about Chloe and how she hit him. "Shut up Phillip. For twenty minutes now you have done nothing but bitch and complain. She doesn''t want you anymore, and frankly, I''m beginning to see why." "Watch your mouth, Sally. You are still carrying my child. If I wanted you to speak, I would tell you to." Sally sat pissed off at Phillip. She couldn''t believe he spoke to her that way. If she were Chloe, he wouldn''t have spoken to her like that. "I can''t believe you would say that. Do you not love this child or me?" "Honestly, no. I despise both of you. If you hadn''t gotten pregnant, Chloe wouldn''t have ever found out." Sally began to cry; she loved Phillip, so why was he treating her this way? "You are a bastard. I don''t want this child anymore. I thought if I got pregnant, then you would leave that prude and marry me." Phillip grew angry and slapped Sally across the cheek. "I told you to watch your mouth. You will not talk trash about her especially with the lack of experience you have. Did you get what you wanted? You have everything she had, are you happy?" Phillip was enraged with Sally. It wasn''t really because of Sally though. It was because Chloe chose some random guy over him.


    ...


    The night turned to day, and Chloe found herself waking to her new room. She looked around and found a familiar face laying next to her. In a panic, she checked to see if she was still dressed. "Whew!" Relieved that she was still dressed she laid her head back down. She was taking in the wonderful sight of Brian sleeping. His messy hair laid on his cheek, his long eyelashes, his luscious lips. She laid there admiring his sleeping face. "Are you gonna lay there and stare at me or kiss me?" Chloe blushed, she thought of the passionate kiss they shared yesterday and knew it couldn''t happen again. If it did, would she have the willpower to stop him? "I think I''m just gonna get up now. Busy day, but why are you in my bed?" "To be honest. I couldn''t sleep knowing that you were in the next room. After that kiss yesterday it seems to be all I can think of. However, silly girl, don''t worry, I won''t push you to do anything you don''t want to do, ever." Brian reached over and kissed her on the forehead. A bit disappointed, Chloe got up and began getting ready for work.


    Brian was disappointed in himself. Last night, after they got home, she got ready for bed. He laid on his bed and kept thinking of her. What was this feeling? It felt exciting. He wanted to rush to her room and ravish her. He knew she was still a v?r??n and he wanted to be the only man she would ever touch and that would ever touch her. In the midst of his thoughts, he found himself in her bed wanting to protect this silly perfect angel.


    "Don''t you have work today?" Chloe''s voice invaded Brian''s thoughts. "Yes, ma''am. I have to complete a buyout." "Okay then get up and get ready. I have to go to ''the cafe.'' I have been procrastinating, and I can''t do that anymore." "Silly girl, I have more than enough money to support both of us. You don''t have to work." "Silly boy, I don''t need your money, and I don''t need to work. I work because I like to. I have a cafe because it employs others. The people I employ, I also enjoy being around." Brian was impressed. To be able to meet a woman like her, and she is completely independent, it was amazing. He did feel a little more useless than normal. He still felt happy because he had found a woman who liked him for him and not his money. A woman who can support herself and not rely upon others for support, this just might be the woman of his dreams.

 Chapter 17 - Silly Girl

    When Chloe showed up for work, she saw Sally sitting at the front bar. When Sally turned around, she saw a bruise on the right side of her face. "Did Phillip hit you?!" "Don''t worry about it. I mad him mad. It was my fault." "Don''t worry about it? Seriously? Sally, you don''t need to stay with him. I know what you are going through. I dated him remember, hitting a woman is one thing but hitting a pregnant woman is different. I will not allow him to get away with this." "Chloe! Just stop, I''m with Phillip now not you. You''re just jealous that he chose me."


    Chloe was revolted by her accusation. "Seriously Sally is that what you think? I don''t want Phillip. I have Brian now. Of course, I don''t need a man; it''s just nice to have one. Phillip could never be Brian. I''m rather glad Phillip made his choice, or I would still be pining over him while he slept with you." "I''m sorry Chloe that''s not why I came here. I wanted to know if your job offer was still available." "Yes. I know you now have a little one to think about which is why I offered the job. Besides, I was mad about him cheating, but I''m not anymore. I can''t be too mad when it has given me the best person I could ever have." "When can you start?" When Chloe spoke about Brian her face glowed, almost like a new bride. "I see that you are happy. I was shocked to hear you had someone new. But I''m glad you are happy. I can start today." "Okay. But you have to work under Sam and do everything she tells you. If you can''t do this, I don''t see you working here." Sally gritted her teeth not happy about working under Sam. "It''s acceptable; I will do my best to get your trust back." "Oh and Phillip is not allowed here, Sally. If he comes to the cafe, he will be arrested." "I understand I just don''t know how he will take it."


    .....


    At Company A, Brian walked into the lobby smiling for once. He couldn''t stop thinking about who he woke up to. When the receptionist saw this, she was confounded. She had never seen him smile. It was attractive. "Hello Mr. Hughes, You look pleasant today." Brian glared at her. "Are you here to work or flirt? If its work, then get back to it. If it''s to flirt and find a rich man, then leave immediately. I do not tolerate slackers in my company." Ryan raised his eyebrow baffled by Brian''s reaction. "Sir, she was just complimenting you." The receptionist vigorously shook her head up and down. "Yes sir, Yes sir. I was just complementing you, sir." Brian looked at Ryan and then the receptionist. "Your fired, clean everything out and be gone in 30 minutes or I''ll have the police escort you off premises." Brian continued to head to his office. Now his day has turned sour because he knew that lady was flirting with him. This he would not tolerate. The last thing he needed was for someone to spread lies to Chloe. He needed her to trust him and wouldn''t give her any reason not to.


    "Send out a company-wide letter. Anyone who is caught gossiping or flirting will be fired immediately." Ryan agreed and thought ''man, I thought she saved us from the tyrant, but it appears it''s only around her that he changes.'' Brian headed to his office, sat down at his desk and typed a message on his phone. ''Hey, silly girl. I miss you already. About that date tonight: 8 pm at Le Bel Endroit. I''ll send Nathaniel to pick you up. Wear the outfit." Brian was laughing and scheming like a little schoolboy with a crush. This was definitely a sight to see.


    ...


    Chloe and Sam were doing inventory when Chloe''s phone when off. "Are you going to check it?" Sam looked down at the phone. "Not right now we''re still working. It''s probably just from Brian. He will understand." "Okay, I''ve heard you speak of this guy a handful of times now you have to spill. what''s his deal?" "Honestly Sam, I''m still figuring it out. I can''t come within three feet of this guy and not want to disrobe him. I know once I do all bets are off. We kissed yesterday and my heavens neither of us wanted to stop." Sam giggled like an elementary school girl who just had seven minutes in heaven. "I''m glad you''re not with Phillip anymore he was too abusive, not to mention a cheater. I kinda feel bad for Sally. No matter her crimes, she doesn''t deserve to get abused." "I know, I stayed with him all those years because I thought I loved him and when he hit me I really felt it was my fault. It wasn''t like he hit me all the time. Just when I made him angry. I can only imagine what Sally is going through. I need to do something." "Chloe you don''t need to get involved. She will work it out." Feeling the mood decline. Chloe checked her phone. She read the message and became confused.


    What dress was she to wear? At this time Sally came to the back with a dozen white roses and a beautifully wrapped box. "These just arrived for you. I''m not sure who they are from there was no card and the delivery guy wouldn''t give me a name." Chloe smiled. "I know who they are from. Such a cheesy move. Adorable, but cheesy." She sent a message back to Brian ''I got the dress. I will wear it just for you. You are incredibly cheesy. But I like it; you don''t have to try too hard I already like you.''


    Brian let out a hearty laugh when he saw the response. ''Silly girl, the world isn''t enough for you. So I shall start by giving you the universe. You deserve to have everything.'' Chloe chuckled at his cheesy response. With her heart racing and her palms sweating she gave him her epic response. ''I already have everything. I have you.'' When Brian read this his heart almost jumped out of his ?h?st. He was so excited, he shouted at Ryan, "Tell the whole company everyone is getting a raise." Ryan was so shocked he stood there for a few minutes. "Sir are you okay? Did she propose to you?" "Don''t be silly Ryan it''s too early for marriage." Brian showed him what she said, and after reading it, he understood. The only other person who felt that way about him was his mother.

 Chapter 18 - The date

    Chloe and Brian met for their 8 pm reservation. Chloe was wearing a long, off the shoulder, royal blue, mermaid style dress with a lace floral design. When Brian watched her step out of the car, he felt several things at once. He was a very lucky man. That dress was made for her, and how badly he wanted to take it off.


    Chloe spotted Brian; he was wearing a matching royal blue tuxedo with a long black tie. When she saw him, she blushed knowing he was there just for her. "Wow. You look...I don''t think they have invented a word for you yet." Chloe was at a loss for words. He was very dashing in his outfit. "I pale in comparison to you my angel. The only thing more beautiful than that dress is you." Brian laid his hand on her waist gave her a proper public kiss and escorted her inside.


    Inside, was quiet and empty. "Honey, why is the place empty?" "Well, I know you don''t like it when I throw money around but I wanted our first date to be special, so I bought out the place for the night." "I guess I could let this one slide. After all, it came from your heart." Chloe and Brian sat eating dinner and enjoying each others company. Brian never thought he would feel this way about anyone. They were having a wonderful time when Chloe received a phone call from Sam. She looked at Brian apologetically "I''m sorry, it may be important." Brian nodded to let her know it was ok while she answered. "Hey, this better be life or death." "Chloe you need to get to the hospital fast. Phillip showed up. He got into an argument with Sally saying it was her fault you left him and wouldn''t come back. He beat the shit out of her. She''s pretty bad. I had to call the police and an ambulance. He left before they got here." Chloe''s face turned a sickly pale color. Brian grew worried about seeing this. "Baby, what happened?" "I''ve got to go. I''m sorry this was lovely, but I have to leave. Sally is in the hospital." With that, she left for the hospital.


    Brian was furious, not at Chloe he understood her position. He just knew Phillip had something to do with everything. "Ryan, find Phillip I don''t care where he is. Find him. Bring him to me. Put him in the cellar. I''ll deal with him when I get back. I want to be there with her." Ryan knew what he wanted. He hadn''t seen this side of Brian since before he acquired his empire. "Boss, are you sure? What if she finds out?" "Relax, I won''t kill him..... yet."


    ....


    At the hospital, Chloe rushed into the E.R. and told the receptionist that she needed Sally. After the receptionist looked into her computer, she gave Chloe a sorrowful look. "I''m sorry ma''am. She''s in surgery. She had some internal bleeding. I don''t know much more information. If you have a seat when the doctor is done, I''ll send him over." Chloe took a seat, struck with panic and fear, she wasn''t sure what the hell happened. So she dialed Phillip''s number. She got his voicemail and was infuriated. "Right now Sally is in surgery. You better hope she makes it out alive. I will find a way to make you pay for this. Beating me is one thing but to beat on a pregnant woman. What the hell is wrong with you?"


    At this time Brian had walked up behind her and heard her. He stopped in his tracks. Pain struck his ?h?st when he heard that this idiot actually dared to put his hands on his angel. A fire of rage surged through him. He wanted to kill Phillip now. He wanted to erase all knowledge of Phillip. However, calming himself down he remembered why he was here. Tapping Chloe on her shoulder, "Silly girl, you didn''t ask me to come with you." He gave her an affectionate kiss and with sad eyes looked at her. Seeing Brian made her relax a little. Although, Chloe was hoping he hadn''t heard what she said and tried to ignore the fact that he just might have.


    "Yet, here you are. You would follow me to hell and back wouldn''t you?" "Yes, ma''am I would. I would fight every battle you ever needed and stand victorious calling your name." With a few words, Chloe knew she was in love with this man. She wanted to tell him. No, she wanted to shout it to everyone. But, the only thing that kept her silent was the fear of being hurt, used, played, and thrown away. She knew in her heart he was not like Phillip, but her head had other opinions. Until she could get them on the same page, she wouldn''t dare say how she felt. "You, my good sir, are one smooth talker." Chloe deflected her feelings. Brian was a little hurt knowing what she did and why she did it. However, he couldn''t show it to her. He knew her reasons, and until she overcame them, he wouldn''t push the issue. "What happened to Sally?" Chloe explained to Brian in as much detail as she could without telling him that Phillip had hit her before.

 Chapter 19 - Unwanted

    Several hours passed when the doctor finally showed. Chloe couldn''t make out if he had good news or bad news. "Miss, are you the family of Sally Johnson?" Chloe bombarded the doctor with questions. "Yes, is she okay? What about the baby? Are they going to make it? How bad is she? May we see her? Please don''t tell me she died." Brian wrapped his arms around Chloe embracing her and trying to comfort and support her. Preparing for the worst news, Chloe held Brian''s hand. "Miss Johnson will live, she is going to have a hard recovery, but she will recover. She is going to need all the support she can get. We haven''t told her yet, but she lost the child. When she wakes up, it would be nice to have support when she hears the news. She does have several broken ribs, a broken arm, and wrist. Her face is swollen and stitched. You may see her once she wakes up." "Thank you, doctor." After hearing the extent of her injuries, Brian knew what he had to do. He knew that if he wouldn''t have stepped into Chloe''s life that could have been her lying there.


    Chloe held Brian''s hand while walking to see Sally. When they reached the room, Chloe opened the door. She saw Sally lying there battered and unconscious. Sally looked as though a bus had hit her. "I can''t believe he went this far. What was he thinking?" At this time, Sam came in saddened at the sight of Sally. "He just showed up at the cafe, yelling and screaming about how if she wouldn''t have gotten pregnant then he could still have you. Somehow he found out that you were with Brian on your date. I don''t think he fully understands that you are not his anymore." Chloe and Brian exchanged looks.


    "So this happened because of me?" Chloe began to blame herself. "Silly girl, this didn''t happen because of you. It happened because he is a psychopath. He saw that you were happy with someone else and wanted to ruin it. I won''t allow that to happen." "Brian, calm down. It will be ok. Don''t think about him we need to be here for her." Brian knew she was right. It infuriated him thinking about what she must have gone through before he met her. "Did he ever hit you, Chloe? Before you answer, remember we agreed on no lies between us." "I know what we agreed upon. I was there. Yes, he has hit me before. Mainly when I refused to sleep with him. I had much rather take a few hits than sleep with him. I think it''s why he was sleeping around." Hearing her talk so casually about this upset him. He wasn''t upset with her. Just what she had to go through. She was perfect. A perfect angel sent from heaven and was hurt by another man. He will pay!


    The women were talking about what happened when Phillip was around when Brian''s phone rang. "Hello, is everything okay?" "Hey boss, we found him. He is in the cellar tied up and waiting for you." "Okay, I''ll be right there." Brian looked at Chloe hoping she wouldn''t ask. He didn''t want to scare her off, and at the same time, he didn''t want her to stop him.


    Chloe noticed that he had an urgent matter to attend and couldn''t explain what was going on. "It''s okay. You may go handle your business. I had Nathaniel leave the car, so I can drive home when I finish here." Brian nodded. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but it was still too soon.


    ....


    Brian went to the mansion cellar, and sure enough, Phillip was tied to a chair screaming his head off. "YOU DON''T KNOW WHO YOU ARE MESSING WITH! I WILL HAVE YOUR LIVES FOR THIS! YOU CHICKENSHIT BASTARDS! LET ME GO.! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Brian went up to him and spoke in a low deep, intimidating tone. "You are lucky. I do indeed know who you are. Someone not worth being on this planet for much longer. My actions from here forward, I will never regret. I will only regret Chloe''s wrath when she finds out what I will do." Brian knew he couldn''t kill him. Even if Chloe didn''t have feelings for Phillip anymore, she would be upset because Brian killed a person. "Chloe? What does she have to do with this? Who are you? Does she know what you are up to? I will...." Brian hit Phillip in the jaw causing him to spit blood. "I will only give you this one chance. Boys untie him...Phillip, you can fight me like a man, I know you can beat women but what about a man? If not then you can stand there while I beat your ?ss." Phillip didn''t say anything and took a swing at Brian. Brian gracefully took a step back dodging the hit. Phillip took another swing, and again Brian dodged. Brian swung on Phillip hitting his eye. Phillip lunged at Brian. Brian took the hit wrapping his arms around the top half of Phillip throwing him to the ground. Phillip let out a groan. "Ahhh. I give, I give." Brian wasn''t about to let him go just yet. His anger was getting the best of him. He grabbed Phillip by the collar and started to punch his face. Ryan stood by and let Brian get about five hits in before reminding him he couldn''t kill him. "Boss, if you hit him again he will die. Think about Chloe!" Chloe''s face popped into Brian''s thoughts. He stopped hitting Phillip. "Drop him at a hospital. Have someone visit when he gets out to let him know next time will be worse if even thinks about going near Chloe or anyone she cares about." Brian left upstairs to get cleaned up before Chloe came back. He sent her a message ''I made it home I''ll see you when you get here. Be safe, angel."


    While waiting for Sally to wake up, Chloe was talking to Sam. "He is the sweetest man ever. When he spends his money, it''s not to impress me like others. Like when he bought out the restaurant. It wasn''t to impress me. It was so we could be alone for our first date." Sam swooned over the story when Chloe''s phone went off. She read the message and smiled. "Awe. This makes me want to head to his place and just give him my everything." Chloe Blushed thinking about what he would look like n?k?d. "ugh... get quiet guys your too loud." Sally had awoken. "My head is killing me. Where am I?" Sam and Chloe looked at each other worried. "Sam, what is the last thing you remember?" "Sam and I were at the cafe working when Phillip came in yelling about you." Worried about whether or not she should tell her Chloe stands. "I''ll get a doctor. They may want to evaluate you now that you are awake."


    "Chloe, we have known each other for a while, now. I know your hiding something what is it?" Chloe''s face turned white; she never thought she would have to break the news. "Just let me get the doctor." "No! Tell me now!" "Fine. Phillip beat you really bad. The doctor said you broke several bones and had internal bleeding. You also...lost the baby."


    "....." Sally sat not knowing how to react. Then threw the closest thing to her at Chloe. "It''s all your fault. I would still have my baby if you didn''t go off being a tramp. Get out! I don''t ever want to see you again." Sam and Chloe darted out of the room. "Don''t worry she''s only upset right now. She isn''t sure who to take her anger out on. Just head on home, I''ll keep you updated." "Okay. I know and thank you."

 Chapter 20 - Big Bad Wolf

    It took several days for Chloe to get an update on Sally. Brian actually found out she was doing better and they planned on releasing her in about a month. Sam called Chloe telling her how she saw Phillip in the Emergency Department. He was beaten up very badly. With him not pressing charges and no one knew what happened. There was no suspect. Chloe had closed the shop for a few days in light of what has happened. Brian took off a few days so he could be with Chloe. He didn''t want her to be alone with the guilt Sally shoved on her.


    "Angel, what do you want to do? We can''t just sit around all day." "But sitting around feels great. I don''t wanna move..." Chloe said in a childlike tone. Brian walked to her on the sofa. He placed a hand on each side of her head. "That''s fine. You don''t have to move. I''ll do all the work." A mischievous smile cast across his face. "You wouldn''t dare." Chloe teased. Brian grabbed her legs pulling her into the couch. He kissed her lips, teasing her. She let a m??n escape her lips. He kissed her more passionately, deepening the kiss each time. Chloe m??n?d with p???sur?, loving the taste of his lips. He moved, kissing her neckline. Brian kneaded her br??st in one hand while wandering through her hair with the other. Chloe was playfully pulling at his hair wanting more from him. "Grrr... angel, if you keep pulling my hair, I won''t be able to stop my self." "Who said I would want you to stop?" Brian gave into defeat. He got off the sofa and tried to walk away. Chloe watched as he tried to get rid of his hard-on. She blushed to realize how big he was. "Silly boy, you can never win against me. I am the master." "Ugh... It''s not fair. Obviously, I want you. But I''ll never make you do anything you don''t want to do. So when you act like that, I don''t know if you really want to or not." "Brian, I do want to just not right now. I am absolutely sure that I want to with you." Chloe watched him look like a sad puppy. It was so cute she had to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I just want to wait a bit longer, please. We have only been dating for a few weeks." "I know, but with you kissing me like that it becomes hard." Chloe let out a chuckle. "I bet it is hard." she pointed to his p?n?s that was still hard from earlier. Brian grew frustrated with her and stomped off. "I''m going to get a cold shower. You are not welcome." Chloe watched him leave admiring the effect she had on him. She did want to give him her v?r??n?t?, but she was scared. What if he dumped her after? What if she was no good? These were questions that riddled her brain.


    Brian, now out of the shower, sat on his bed thinking about the events that just unfolded. "I will get that silly girl back for that. She is undoubtedly eviler than I originally thought. Next time I won''t stop until she says stop." Brian knows she is pushing his bu??ons and it''s getting hard for him to resist her. The thing about Brian that almost nobody knows is that Brian is also a v?r??n. He just never allowed women to get this close to him. Chloe is the exception. Brian even allowed Chloe to make his place her second home. She still goes home to make sure things are going okay with Nathaniel. Other than that she stays with Brian. Not because she can not stand to be alone but because she enjoys his company much more.


    ....


    Sally and Sam were sitting at the hospital when Phillip came in. "Sally, I want to apologize. I should have never put my hands on you. I was upset that Chloe left me so easily. But I found a way for us to be together again. I just need your help." Sam tried to shove Phillip out of the hospital room. "You get out. You have no right to be in here. Sally doesn''t want you Here."


    "Sam stop. Leave Phillip; I can''t speak to you right now. You''re the reason I''m in here. You did this. If I do ever forgive you, it won''t be today. So get out." Sam heard Sally say these words, but her eyes said something completely different. Her eyes expressed rage and scorn. Sam also felt it was toward Chloe still. Ever since she lost the baby, she had avoided saying Chloe''s name and waiting for Sally to bring her up. That never did happen. So when he showed up and spoke her name. The rage came flowing back. Not when she saw Phillip, only when he said, Chloe. She felt the need to inform Chloe of the situation. "Hey, I''m going to grab some coffee. Do you want anything?" "No, I''m okay. Thank you, Sam." With that Sam left the room.


    Phillip still inside, took a hard look at Sally. "It is all my fault. I should have never made the choices I did. I was immature and selfish. I drug you into all of this, and I shouldn''t have. I have a way to make everything right again." Sally was still seething about the whole situation. "It''s all Chloe''s fault. You still want her even now. How do you know she hasn''t slept with him? I love you and want you, but you just want her. Do you really expect her to forgive you and get back together? I am always getting the shit deal of things and getting the second-hand toys. While she lives a pristine life, it''s not fair." "I know, I''m sorry. You forget I was with her for three years and she never let me touch her, no matter what I did. So why would she give in after a few weeks to some guy she b?r?ly knows? I think that guy has her brainwashed. If we could make her aware of this, she will come back. Then we all could be happy." "It doesn''t work that way. I''m tired and in pain. You need to leave. Besides she said he was a good man why would she leave him?" "Sally, look at my face. That guy she is with did this to me. He beat me within inches of my life. I only just got released today. She doesn''t know who she is with. Just help me. I''ll leave, but you need to think about what I said. You have my number. Let me know what you decide. "


    Sam walked down to the lobby to call Chloe. "Hey, Phillip showed up at the hospital today. He was rambling on about how he had a way to fix everything and get you back. Please be careful." "Thank you, Sam, I will be careful. After what he did to Sally, I can''t believe he would think I would get back with him. I''m happy with Brian. I just might let him have my v?r??n?t?." "Wow. That is a huge thing. Please be sure it is what you want and that you are not being pressured. I''m going to head back in and make sure he doesn''t hurt her again. I''ll update you soon. Bye."


    When Sam hung up, Chloe had an ominous feeling. She wasn''t sure about why she had this feeling, but she had hoped she wouldn''t have to find out. "Who was on the phone?" "It was Sam. She said Phillip showed up talking about how he is going to get me back. She was worried something would happen." "Silly girl, I would never allow anything to happen to you. You are far too precious to me." Chloe blushed, she never had a man talk to her the way Brian does. He made her feel like she was the only one in the world, which is why she had been so cautious about being with him. She could only pray he wasn''t a wolf in sheep''s clothing.

 Chapter 21 - Hero

    Several weeks passed, and Chloe still hadn''t taken Phillip as a threat. Brian on the other hand immediately had his men tail her and watch over her. She knew this. It was obvious. They were not discreet by no means. Chloe went back to work, afraid of losing her business if she stayed closed for too long.


    It was just after the lunch rush. Only a few customers were still in the cafe when a creepy looking guy came in. "Excuse me, are you the owner? I heard she was beautiful and easy. You are the only beautiful, easy looking girl I see." He shoved Chloe down and held her in place with all his might, not letting her move. He tried to kiss Chloe; she fought him the best she could not wanting his gross lips to touch her. "GET OFF ME!" Chloe screamed for help, getting nauseous every time his lips made contact with her skin. Sam rushed over trying to pull him off to no prevail. Sam grabbed the phone, "Get off her or I''m going to call the police." Suddenly the guy was abruptly pulled off of Chloe. Someone hit the guy and yelled, "If your face shows up around here again, I''ll put you six feet under!" Sam and Chloe recognized the voice. Both looked in the direction the voice came from and saw...Phillip.


    "What are you doing here?" Sam looked at him disapprovingly. "What no thank you for saving Chloe?" "Thank you for saving me, Phillip. Now get out." "Seriously? I just happened to cross by the cafe. I heard you scream and came as quick as I could. I saw that disgusting pig all over you and got worried for your safety." Chloe was trying to keep from throwing up. First, this guy is all over her then Phillip of all people saved her. She just wanted to go home and shower. " I said thank you now leave. Sam let''s go. Just lock the door we will count everything tomorrow. I''ll have Nathaniel drive you home. I don''t feel well and need to go home." Phillip didn''t look too happy with Chloe''s choice. "I''ll drive her home, Sam. Nothing funny I swear. I''ll drop you off where ever you wish." "What makes you think I need a ride from you? My boyfriend will be here any second he can take me back home, with him." She felt the need to make him aware that she now lived with Brian.


    Chloe told him this trying to get rid of Phillip. She no longer felt safe around him and didn''t want him near. However, Thanks to the detail Brian had followed her, he had already been notified about Phillip showing up at the cafe. So Brian, in fact, was on his way. Lucky her, his company is a short five-minute drive down the road. She still hadn''t been to his work yet, so she didn''t know his company was her family''s old company.


    "Chloe please, let me take you home. I don''t trust that boyfriend of yours to keep you safe. I can keep you safe, like just now." Just as Chloe was growing tired of being around Phillip the front door opened. A deep masculine voice boomed through the cafe. "Really, how do you plan to keep her safe? You think you can do a better job than I? See the difference between you and me is I''ve never hit a woman, and I actually love Chloe." Brian quickly grew embarrassed for he just realized he told Chloe he loved her. He had been dying to tell her for a while now, but he had hoped for a more romantic setting, not like this.


    Chloe blushed, Brian loves me? Oh wow, Brian really loves me. I should say it back, right? "....." Chloe opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was puke.


    Phillip took his chance. "See your love turns her stomach. She can''t stand to be around you. You literally make her sick." Brian shoves past Phillip scooping Chloe up in his arms. "It''s not me that sickens her it''s you. Besides, didn''t I tell you to stay away from her or else?" "Again if it were not for me that guy would have had his way with her." "That is the only reason I''m not beating your face in right now" Brian leaves with Chloe in his arms realizing she never did tell him she loved him.


    Brian sat her in the backseat of his car and drove her home. The whole ride she didn''t say anything. He watched her, feeling sickened about what happened. He was beating himself up about how he should have gotten to her sooner. He wished she would just close the cafe and stay home forever. He knew that was an unreasonable request and would never think to ask it of her. They eventually reached their home, Chloe still hadn''t said a word and in fact, fallen asleep. Brian gently scooped her up and carried her to her bed. Assuming she must still be in shock, he laid her down, kissed her lips and covered her up. He went downstairs to talk to Ryan. "How did the meeting go after I left?" " It went. They didn''t like the proposal. The board said it was a waste of their time and that if you couldn''t be there, they didn''t want to hear it." "Why do we have a board? Senseless bunch of old coots. Ugh. I''ll deal with them. I do need you to see if you can find out who ?ssaulted Chloe today. Also, find out why the security detail was useless in stopping it." "Yes sir, I hope she is okay." "I hope she will be okay as well and pay a visit to her subordinate Sam. Make sure she is alright, she was scared out of her mind today." "Yes sir, I will pay her a visit." Ryan bowed his head and left. How come things like this keep happening? It was as if the universe didn''t want them together.

 Chapter 22 - Truth

    A few days have passed since the attack on Chloe. She still hasn''t come out of her room and Brian has grown impatient waiting on her. He wished there was something he could do. He knocked at her door. "Angel, are you coming out or do I need to come in?" He waited, no one answered, so he spoke louder. "Ready or not I''m coming in." He used his master key to unlock her door. "I didn''t want to use this, but you have left me no choice." He said as he opened her door. Chloe was curled up in her bed. He knew she was eating because the servants would bring her food. He tried to give her space since that night but enough was enough. He wanted his angel back. That guy will pay for ?ssaulting her. He sat on the edge of her bed and stroked a piece of hair off her face. "Beautiful, are you going to come out soon?" Chloe looked up at him. "I''m sorry, I don''t know what to do. I have always felt safe at the cafe but now..." Brian''s heart broke. He scooped her up and hugged her tight. "I will do whatever it takes to make you feel safe again. I just need you to come out of the room. Please." Chloe knew it was time. She couldn''t let her fear run her life. Brian was here to keep her safe for now. "Alright, I''ll go downstairs, but you can''t leave my side. Not yet, please." Seeing her like this was painful to him. He thought about it. He knew he could send Ryan to fill in but that would only be a temporary fix. He needed a solution that didn''t put her in danger like last time. His security detail was supposed to watch her and keep her safe from Phillip. They did that, however they just sat outside her shop. So when she was ?ssaulted they didn''t know. "I''ll stay with you for as long as you need me to. I just need to go back to work after a few days. Is that okay? I promise you I will always do what I can to keep you safe." Brian gave her a another hug. ''I love you'' he thought to himself. Remembering she still hadn''t said it back not wanting to pressure her to say it. After all she had been through a lot these past few days.


    ........


    Brian instructed Ryan to take over for a few days at the company. He also instructed his security to watch over her, but this time they were not to leave her side. If she went somewhere, they were to be by her side. He wanted her to have bodyguards. He believed Phillip had something to do with that guy ?ssaulting her, but they were having a hard time finding this guy to prove anything.


    ........


    "Sally, I did it. She is beginning to doubt everything." Phillip burst into Sally''s room excited about what happened. "What did you do? Is she okay?" Sally grew worried since she knew the kind of person Phillip was. "Yeah, she will be fine. I told the guy not to take it to far. Besides, I was able to jump in and save her. No harm done." "Phillip, you''re scaring me. What exactly did you do?" With a crooked smile plastered on his face. The air grew thick and cold. Sally shivered thinking of how creepy Phillip looks now and how desperate he has grown. In almost a whisper Phillip leaned in. "I hired a random guy to ?ssault Chloe so I could jump in and save her. She will forever remember me as her hero." Sally was appalled by his actions. She wanted him gone. How could she honestly feel like she had ever loved him? "You only want her because you can''t have her. How could I ever love you? To think I was going to have your child. I want you to leave. Leave now and never come back." Phillip became aggressive toward Sally. Shoving her into the hospital bed, he stared into her eyes. "You think you can get rid of me that easily? You will never be rid of me. If I fail, I will name you as an accomplice, and you will go down with me. I will make sure she never forgives you, and you will be alone for the rest of your life. I''ll leave for now, but I will be back." Sally laid there in fear of what he might do to her and what might happen to Chloe. Regret filled her heart and her thoughts. She needed to talk to Chloe. She had to know what''s going on and now, Sally wanted to help stop it.


    .............


    At the house, Brian brought Chloe downstairs, he wanted to cheer her up but wasn''t too sure of how. "Chloe please talk to me. What happened?" Chloe finally told Brian what the guy did to her. Furious, Brian leaned in to kiss her. "I''ll make that man''s touch disappear. " He kissed her lips tenderly. Chloe enjoyed his m??ning slightly. Brian moved his kisses to her neck growing more intense. "Brian, I don''t think we should go too far here. It''s not appropriate." She felt the need to stop him before they became intimate. Brian stopped immediately.


    Hearing her words disappointed him, but he knew that she spoke the truth. " Silly girl, you are mine and only mine. I will gouge out the eyes of any man who covets you. I will always find you no matter what." Chloe felt his passion for her growing and became moved by his words. "You are the only man I want to give my self to. I''m no longer afraid. I want you to have me." Brian knew what she meant. He couldn''t be any happier than at this moment, but before he could have her, he needed to fix some issues first. "I''m glad you want me s?xu??ly. It''s just not the right time. Please hold onto it for me just a little while longer. Then I will take everything that is mine." Brian pressed his forehead to hers wanting her to feel what he was feeling. Chloe wasn''t disappointed by his words. In fact, she was happy. This meant he truly had feelings for her and respected her as a person. This was the moment she had realized something huge. "Brian, I....I.."


    Brian gave her a confused look. "Is everything ok?" "Yes, it''s perfect." She wanted to tell him then. She wanted him to know how she felt, but to say those words. Once said, can never be taken back. She decided to wait, wait until everything blew over. She refused to tell him in this chaos.

 Chapter 23 - Ryan and Sam?

    Sally didn''t know what to do. She struggled over how much she despised Chloe, but that despise wasn''t Chloe''s fault. In fact, Chloe didn''t know why and Sally knew this. Still, Sally didn''t want to contact her. She didn''t want to hear, ''I told you so.'' So she opted to call Sam instead. "Sam, I have something I need to tell you. Please come by and see me soon." "I don''t know if I can Sally. You have been over the top bitchy lately, and Chloe hasn''t been to work, so I have to cover for her and you. It''s been crazy here at work. I just can''t." "Sam it''s about Chloe. Please come." "Fine, I''ll come over tonight after I close. Bye." Sally began to feel bad for her behavior towards everyone. Maybe she had been a bitch.


    ....


    Sam was getting ready to close when the bell rang. Confused about who could be coming this late, she poked her head around the corner and yelled, "We are closed." She spotted a handsome man standing by the door. "May I help you, sir?" She was cautious because of what happened to Chloe. "Are you Sam?" She nodded to confirm. "Hey, I''m Ryan. I''m Mr. Hughes'', right-hand man. He wanted me to check on you and escort you. Miss Chloe was worried after what happened." Sam took a long look at this man. He was trying to determine if she could believe him or not. "Okay, you saw me. I''m fine; you may leave now." Ryan was taken aback by her attitude; he was also intrigued. This woman didn''t hesitate to snap at him. This has never happened before. Usually, women are nice to him just to get close to Brian. "You''re right I came, I saw, but I''m not leaving. I promised that I would make sure you made it home safely and I intend to do just that. Be a good girl and don''t make me toss you over my shoulder and carry you home." Sam was perplexed by his words. She was trying to decide if he was telling the truth. Better not chance it, she thought. "Fine, you may escort me home. However, I have to make a stop along the way. You can join me if you wish." Sam finished closing up and sat in the passenger seat of Ryan''s car. "Where to?" "The hospital, Sally called said she needed to talk to me." " Do you know what it is about?" " Yeah, didn''t I tell you I''m a mind reader. I know what everyone is thinking all the time. I can never shut it off." She rolled her eyes with her remark. The more attitude she gave, the more attractive Ryan found her to be. "Really? Mind reader huh? How did you learn to be so sarcastic?" Sam rolled her eyes again. She was unimpressed with his station...even more so with him. They reached the hospital to see Sally. Sam tried to get rid of Ryan, but he just escorted her inside. "You don''t have to walk with me. People will get the wrong idea and think we are together. " "Would that be such a bad thing." "Yes, it would. I don''t want them to think I''m dating an annoying man-child." Ryan stopped in his tracks. Surprised she called him that. "That''s a great idea, Sir. You walk ten paces behind me, so they don''t think we are together." Sam kept walking forward. Ryan didn''t know what to think of this woman. She acted as though he rubbed her wrong somewhere before. However, he did not recall ever meeting her. "Did I do something wrong to you?" Sam turned and gave him a distasteful look. Without responding to his question, she opened a room door and stepped inside. "Okay Sally, I''m here. What was so important?" "Phillip came by here and what he said was concerning. He said..." At that point, Ryan walked into the room. "Can I help you, sir?" Sam turned and saw who it was rolled her eyes again. "He is with me. Go ahead and finish. I don''t have all night." Ryan watched her feisty attitude. The more he watched her, the more attractive she became. He liked the fire in her soul. "Phillip showed up yesterday. He was bragging about how he set Chloe up to be ?ssaulted so that he could be her hero. He wanted her to doubt everything she believed in. He is trying to get her back and obviously by any means necessary. You have to tell her. She needs to know the tricks he is playing on her. Please, also tell her I know it won''t mean much, but I am sorry for everything." Sam and Ryan stood quietly for a few minutes before Sam responded. " I''ll make sure she knows, and I''ll make Phillip pay for this. He will never hurt you, Chloe, or anyone else I swear on my life." Ryan pulled out his phone and sent Brian a message to make him aware he will be dropping Sam off at her house and headed back to him. He needed to tell Brian what happened. He knew as soon as he told Brian, he would kill Phillip. But, if he didn''t, and Brian found out, he would kill Ryan.


    "Well, I need to go, Sally. I have to get up early and open the store. Bye." With that, they left. Sally sat wondering if she did all she could to warn Chloe. Sam and Ryan headed out of the hospital. This time both of them processing the information they received. "Sam, don''t worry about it, when I go back to the Hughes Estate, I''ll inform Miss Chloe about what we were told here today. I''ll take you home." The ride home Sam was quiet. How could Phillip do that to Chloe? Ryan reached over and grabbed her hand. "It will be ok. I''ll make sure nothing like this ever happens to any of you ladies ever again." Sam just sat there thinking and holding his hand. She noticed his touch seemed to ground her so that she wouldn''t float away into her thoughts. When they reached Sam''s place. It was a humble, single floor, brick home. It wasn''t much, but it was enough for her. "Thank you, Ryan. I trust you and your boss to take care of Chloe. I think of her as my sister, and if anything happens to her on you guys'' watch, I will hunt you down personally." "Yes ma''am, we will do everything in our power to take care of her." When Sam heard this, she left without a goodbye and went inside her home. Ryan stood there wondering why she didn''t at least say goodbye. Then he smiled knowing he will see her again. On the other side of the door, Sam leaned against it. She realized that she was so nervous around him. She found him deeply attractive but didn''t want him to know that. He must have women fawn all over him every day. She sighed, knowing if she hadn''t left when she did she would have kissed him. She felt like it wasn''t her place to do that. After all, he was a much higher station than her. She was low, middle class and he was a middle-upper class. Their worlds were too far apart. She felt she needed to keep it that way.


    ......................


    When Ryan showed up at Brian''s estate, the first thing he did was pull both Chloe and Brian into the living area for a meeting. "Miss Chloe, Miss Sam wanted me to let you know that Phillip was behind the guy who attacked you. He hired him to ?ssault you so he could rescue you. He wanted to make sure you questioned everything you knew." Chloe sat appalled. She actually fell for it. She locked her self up for days because she felt scared. Not knowing why that guy acted that way. Then she grew angry. "I can''t believe this. You know what? I do believe it. It''s just like Phillip. With him, it was and always will be about his wants and his needs." Brian took her hands into his. "Angel why don''t you go shower. I need to talk some things over with Ryan. Business and all." "Okay sweetie, I need to cool off anyway." After the guys were sure she left and was out of earshot, "Find him. Leave a suicide note at his place asking for forgiveness from everyone. Explain that he realized what he did was wrong and he couldn''t live with himself. Then kill him. I want photo proof that he is dead." "Yes sir, I''m already on it." Ryan nodded to Brian. He became thrilled smiling from ear to ear. Glad he was about to get rid of Phillip forever.

 Chapter 24 - Worried

    Phillip found himself at Chloe''s old house. He told Nathaniel that he was there to pick up a few things that Chloe had set aside. Nathaniel let him in and had him sit in the study. He called Chloe to notify her of what happened. "Miss Chloe, Sir Phillip has arrived here looking for some items he had left behind." Chloe was confused; sure he had collected everything when they broke up. Brian saw her confused look and asked: "What''s wrong, angel?" "Phillip showed up at my place. Nathaniel called me to notify me. He put him in the study for now. I have to go find out what''s going on." "No. Tell Nathaniel I''ll be right over with Ryan. We will handle this for you. I don''t want you anywhere near him." Chloe nodded and got back on the phone. "Nathaniel, leave him there. I''ll send Brian and his ?ssistant Ryan over to handle this. Thank You. While I have you, I need you to meet me tomorrow at the Cafe." "Yes ma''am I''ll wait for them to get here and I will see you tomorrow." When they hung up the phone, Nathaniel went into the study and saw Phillip rummaging through the office. He cleared his throat. "Ahem...Sir, she is on her way to meet with you. She sends her apologies for not being here already." "Thank you, Nathan." "It''s Nathaniel, sir." He bowed and left.


    Brian collected Ryan, and they headed to Chloe''s house. "When we arrive we are going to get him out of her house and into the car. I''ll drive him to his place, and you drive his car. We will set him in his office and finish him off there. Remember, no one is to figure out the truth. No evidence what so ever."


    "Got it, boss. Quick and painless is a little more than this pig deserves. I''d love to rough him up a little."


    "I know, I would like that as well. But we can''t put the girls into any danger or into any situation that would cause them to lie for us."


    "Understood. We are here."


    Ryan and Brian exited the car and knocked on the front door. "Nathaniel, Chloe sent us to get Ryan."


    "This way, sirs. He''s in the study still" Lead to the study, Ryan and Brian exchange looks confirming their plan. Brian spoke up, "We can take it from here. We''re just going to take him home. You can go to bed now." Nathaniel nodded and left. He wasn''t sure what they wanted or why but he knew a good servant always did as they were told. When Brian and Ryan entered the study, Phillip looked confused. "Who are you guys and why are you here in my girlfriend''s house? Get out now, or I''ll call the police." Ryan and Brian exchange looks of disgust. "Are you serious right now? Your girlfriend? Who might that be the family dog? Because Chloe is my girlfriend. One day soon she will be my wife, and I''ll do whatever it takes to protect her from you." "Your lying she would never get with a guy like you. She still loves me; we are just on a break." "You are delusional. She stopped caring about you when you cheated on her. I was there to pick up her pieces and show her what real love is. I showed her that it is ok to be taken care of and not left to fend for herself. I showed her how strong she can be and how great it is to be loved by someone. What did you ever do for her?" Phillip stared at Brian dumbfounded of what to say. He knew Brian was right. He became hostile toward Brian and tried to hit him. Ryan came up from behind Phillip and hit him in the head with a paperweight from the desk. Phillip fell to the ground. "Was that necessary?" "Yes, I didn''t feel like breaking Chloe''s house. I don''t want to make her mad. She''s your girlfriend, not mine. I can''t just make her happy as you can." "Yeah, your right. Now grab him and let''s go finish this." Ryan picked Phillip up and threw him over his shoulder, and they both left the house. Ryan placed him in the back seat of Brian''s car as instructed and shut the door.


    "Okay, I''ll see you at his house. Do you have it?" Ryan nodded and pulled out a Beretta 92. "It''s unregistered and untraceable. " "Perfect." Brian got into his car and drove off.


    ...


    Chloe was pacing back and forth in the living room. "Miss Chloe, please have a seat. It will be okay." Chloe was worried about Brian. She was worried Phillip would hurt Brian. She felt helpless. Brian and Ryan pulled up into the driveway. Seeing this Chloe ran out to check Brian''s health. "Are you ok? Are you hurt? He didn''t hurt you did he?" She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Brian couldn''t contain his smile. "Silly girl, even if he tried to hurt me he wouldn''t be able to. The only weakness I have is you. Since you are safe, I am not hurt." He smiled warmly giving her a kiss. "Yeah, I''m safe too. Man, I wish someone cared for me like that." Ryan said sarcastically. Brian shot him a look. "You would have someone like her if not for your attitude and lack of interest." "I''m sorry if I don''t want those gold digging women. They only ever got close to me to get with you. I''ll have you know I have actually found a woman who piques my interest. She''s not like the others; she doesn''t want you or money." "Really? Are you sure she even wants you?" "That''s cold Brian." Chloe chuckled at their banter. It was unusual to see. Brian only acted this way with Ryan. If anyone else dared to act this friendly with him, they were met with an icy gaze and two words either "Get lost." or "You''re fired." This much has become clear to Chloe. After they entered the house, Brian dismissed the staff and took Chloe to his room. "Why did you bring me here?" "Don''t worry we won''t do anything you don''t want to do. I only have one expectation. I want to sleep with you." Chloe was shocked, and her face gave away her feelings and thoughts. She blushed. "Brian, we can''t do that yet, I''m not ready." Brian let out a hearty laugh. "Silly girl, what is going on in that head of yours. I meant actual sleep. I just want you by my side so I can keep you safe. You are such a pervert for such a virtuous woman." Brian continued laughing. Chloe playfully hit his arm. "You are so mean. What am I supposed to think when you word it like that? You so did that on purpose." "Yes, I did. Your reaction made it perfect." He kissed her gently. "Let''s go to bed. It''s been a long day." Brian went to the bathroom to get ready for bed, while Chloe climbed into bed and covered up, nervous about being in the same bed with him. When Brian came out, he was wearing no shirt and a pair of long johns. Chloe blushed again admiring how s?xy he was and how ''big'' he was. He climbed into bed laying on his back. Grabbed Chloe and moved her closer laying her head on his ?h?st. "It''s okay to sleep closer. I won''t bite you unless you want me to." Chloe''s face was red as a tomato. She laid there trying not to make sudden moves. Brian noticed how tense she was and began to run his fingers through her long hair. Before long, with the sound of his heartbeat and the feel of his hand going through her hair, she had fallen asleep. He kissed her head. "Goodnight love, I hope when you find out what I did you can forgive me." Brian closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He was hoping that when she woke up, she would still care for him.

 Chapter 25 - His Death

    Chloe woke up to an empty bed. She blushed to remember how they slept in the same bed last night. "He must have gone to work," Chloe spoke aloud. When the bathroom door opened, she jumped and let out a squeal. "Eeeek. Oh my goodness you scared me." Brian walked out of the bathroom wearing a blue business suit. He looked great in anything and nothing. Chloe couldn''t take her eyes off him. She suddenly had the urge to rip his clothes off him. She blushed, scolding herself for thinking that way. "Chloe, your burning holes into my suit." She came to her senses. "Sorry. Are you headed to work?" "Yes, there is an important matter I have to take care of. The board requested my presence." He gave Chloe a kiss on her lips. She deepened the kiss wanting just a little more. "Angel, when you kiss me like that I don''t want to leave. You are an evil woman. Temptation at its best." Chloe smiled. "I don''t want you to leave. I want you here with me." "Silly girl, you''re being very tactless. You know I have to work; therefore you tempt me in such a way." Brian kisses her again pulling back quickly. He smiled knowing he had made her flustered. "I''ve got to go to work. I love you, Chloe. You be careful today please." "Yes sir, I''ll be careful." Chloe knew she loved him, but she was still hesitant to say it to him. She just felt like it wasn''t the right time especially not in passing. Chloe got up getting ready for work. Today is the day she puts everything past her and moves forward.


    ...


    Chloe arrived at the cafe to find Nathaniel waiting on her. "Ma''am, you asked to see me?" "Yes, please come in." She unlocked the door and allowed Nathaniel to enter before locking it back. Usually, she would not do this, but previous events taught her different. "Have a seat." They took a seat at one of the tables. Chloe pulled an envelope full of documents out and handed them to Nathaniel. He stared at her confused. "Miss Chloe, what is this?" "These are the documents that you have to sign. I''m giving you the house, and I will provide monthly payments for you as a retirement bonus. I want you to live your life. You have been with me since I was a little girl. You have protected me and took care of me. It is time I repay the favor. Since I''m now living with Brian, I don''t want the house just to sit there. It is now yours." Nathaniel started to tear up. After years of taking care of people, someone is offering to take care of him. With tears in his eyes, he signed the papers. "I will always be there if you ever need me, Miss Chloe. You are like my own daughter." Chloe gave Nathaniel a hug and sent him on his way. She opened the cafe, ready for a long day of work. When Sam showed up, she was frantic. "Chloe, Chloe, Chloe did you see? Have you seen the news? I can''t believe it happened. How are you? Are you ok?" "Sam calm down and breathe. Use small words. What are you talking about?" "Phillip, he''s all over the news." She turned the new on. "See."


    "BREAKING NEWS."


    An announcer came over the television. "Phillip Dawson was found dead at his home this morning. The authorities have gone on record stating it was a suicide. He left an apology letter confessing to a few crimes that were not mentioned. He was fighting with the guilt and depression of hurting people close to him. The authorities said it was a gruesome scene. He apparently shot himself in the head in the study of his home. No witnesses were present. The authorities said his girlfriend is the one who found him." Chloe switched the television off. "Still making messes for others to clean even after death. Let''s get to work." Sam looked at Chloe sympathetically. She knew Chloe had feelings for Phillip. She was with him for almost three years. "Chloe, are you going to be okay?" "Hahaha, yes, I''ll be great. Now I don''t have to look over my shoulder wondering who the next person to ?ssault me will be. I don''t have to worry about Phillip coming into my life to mess things up. This is great news. I think I''ll attend the funeral just to make sure the bastard is dead." Chloe was, in fact, ecstatic. She couldn''t be happier right now. Karma got her justice. She sent a text message to Brian. "I didn''t want to do it this way, but we need to talk asap. I saw on the news that Phillip committed suicide. I want the truth. We can talk later at the house if you wish. But I want you to be honest with me."


    .............


    Brian was in the middle of his meeting when his phone went off. "Excuse me for a moment." Brian read the message and went pale in the face. "Ryan step into my office with me now. Everyone take a 10 min break. We will meet back here to continue the meeting." Brian left with Ryan on his heels. "Boss, what happened?" "Not here." Brian reached his office and entered. "Close the door behind you." He handed his phone to Ryan. " Read the last message Chloe sent." Ryan read the message and grew pale in complexion.


    "Does she know? How did she figure it out? Is she upset? Will she turn us in?" "Slow down. First, I would not be with her if she were stupid and naive. I expect nothing less from this woman. However, I have to tell her the truth. I promised I wouldn''t lie to her. I don''t think she will turn us in. However, I don''t know what she is feeling either. All I can do is hope she cares about me enough to understand why it was done. I just wanted you to know what happened so you can prepare adequately." "Yes sir, I''ll make sure everything is in order. I know the cops found no evidence of foul play. So I''m not sure who would believe her if she did say something." "Whatever the consequences are I''ll take full responsibility. I''ll talk to her later and see what happens. Let''s go back to this meeting and wrap things up." Brian continued his meeting with worry about how Chloe is going to react to the news. He wanted more than anything to hide it from her, but he knew it was too late for that.

 Chapter 26 - First

    Brian worked hard for the rest of the day. He wanted nothing more than to get home and talk with Chloe. When Brian finished his work early, he instructed Ryan to bring the car around. He decided he was going to pick Chloe up from work. That way, if she wanted to go anywhere else, other than with him, he could oblige. He sent Chloe a message notifying her that he was picking her up and what time. On his way to the car, he was ambushed by a familiar woman. "Brian, why do you keep avoiding me? You know we were meant to be together." She wrapped Brian in an unwanted hug. "Get off me now. I don''t want you. All we had was one single date. I didn''t even sleep with you. Leave me alone, or you will regret it." "Come on baby, I know you just put up this wall to keep others out, but you don''t need it for me. Why can''t we be together?" "Why? You want an answer, then fine. One, you are too clingy. Two, you are too stupid. Three, you lather yourself in makeup to hide your ugly personality. Four, you don''t care about me. I just happened to be the first guy to turn you down and not sleep with you. Five, I already have a girlfriend whom I love very much. Are these reasons enough for you?" Brian pried her off of him and hopped into his car. "Leave before she tries to get in." Ryan sped off.


    ....


    Chloe and Sam were closing the cafe when Brian and Ryan showed up. "You look beautiful Chloe." Brian walked up to her kissing her passionately. Chloe returned the kiss. Their tongues entwined in a ?ustful kiss. "Get a room. Nobody wants to see that nasty stuff." Sam teased. Brian and Chloe both laughed. "Your only jealous because you have no one to kiss," Chloe told Sam mockingly. "Oh really, and who says I don''t?" She went to Ryan, grabbed his head and planted a steamy kiss onto his lips. Ryan was caught off guard, but then he gave in. He was kissing her like the world was about to end. Sam became swept up in the moment and became aroused. "Ahem. Are you two going to screw on the cafe floor or get a room?" Brian and Chloe were proud that their friends finally got together. Chloe spoke to pull the two apart. "Hey, why don''t you take her home, Ryan. You can use my car and just bring it back to the estate when you''re done. Brian and I can manage without you. I won''t kill him I swear." She nudged Brian to agree. "Yeah. Go ahead. We will be ok." "Are you ready Chloe?"


    "Almost, we have to finish up here, and then we can leave. You guys can take a seat." Chloe and Sam finished cleaning and grabbed the register drawer of money. They took it into the office to count and do the books for the night. "Oh my heavens, Sam you just kissed Ryan." Sam squealed like a teenage girl. "I know, I didn''t even think I could do something like that. But my God, that kiss. Holy shit! I''ve never had sparks like that in my life. It was electrifying." "It''s amazing, isn''t it? That''s the same feeling I get it every time I kiss Brian, its epic." Chloe swooned over Brian while Sam swooned over Ryan. The boys grew impatient, waiting, "When are they gonna be done? I still need to talk with Chloe." Brian began pacing back and forth. "Calm down, dude. I don''t think she''s mad. I mean look at the kiss she gave you." " I understand your point but what if it was a goodbye kiss?" "Boss, calm down. What has this woman done to you?" "I fell in love, Ryan. That''s it; I''m going to see what is taking them so long." Ryan jumped up, grabbing Brian. "No, you can''t. Don''t bother them. They are probably in there gossiping about us." Ryan tried to talk sense into Brian and keep him from interrupting the girls. He was holding on to Brian, who was more built than Ryan and just a few inches taller. Brian began dragging Ryan to the back. When they got to the back, they were play fighting and being loud. Chloe opened the office door and saw them being children. "What is going on here?" Brian and Ryan shot up and gave her a look like they were caught by the teacher. "Nothing." Chloe laughed at them. "Give us a minute, and we''ll be finished." She closed the door and looked at Sam laughing. "They are grown children. Anyway, just put everything in the safe, and we''ll deal with it tomorrow." "Okay boss, I really want to go home anyway." The girls left the office. "We''re ready to go." The four of them left the cafe splitting ways into separate vehicles ¡ª Ryan and Sam into one car and Brian and Chloe in another.


    Brian was getting anxious over how to start the conversation. Chloe could see this, so she took the lead and spoke. "What happened to Phillip?" Brian almost slammed on the breaks trying to stop the car. "Right to the point, I see. Are you sure you want to know?" Chloe grabbed his hand and held it in her hands. "Brian. I just need the answers to two questions. Honesty is all I''m asking for. First question: Did you and Ryan kill Phillip and make it look like a suicide?" Brian took a deep breath and answered. "Yes, we did. However, we did it with good reason." "Second question: Did you do it because he hurt me and you love me enough to kill him?" "Yes. I couldn''t stand knowing that trash like that hired someone to ?ssault you. I will not apologize for loving you and wanting to protect you. No matter what happens between us at least I know you''ll be safe from him." Chloe leaned over and gave Brian a deep kiss. "You misunderstand me. I''m not angry. I have never had someone love me so much before. I''m kinda glad Phillip is dead. One less prick the world has to put up with. He was a terrible person who did terrible things. I love you Brian, and I''m not going anywhere." Brian smiled. He was ecstatic, Chloe finally admitted how she felt. "You said you love me." "Yes Brian Hughes, I love you. Now take me home. I want to give you another surprise. You haven''t lied to me. You have protected me and shown your love for me in many ways. I feel it is time I do the same." Brian drove the car, headed for the estate.


    .......


    Along the way to Sam''s house, Ryan couldn''t stop thinking about the kiss. "Sam, that kiss. What did it mean to you? I mean did you kiss me to prove a point or because you wanted to?" "Ryan, first, I don''t do anything if I don''t want to. Besides, why would I need to prove a point? I kissed you because I like you, dodo head." Ryan pulled into Sam''s driveway and parked the car. "Well, I like you too. I really liked the kiss we shared." Ryan leans in to get another kiss only to meet Sam''s hand. "Whoah there, big boy. Just because I like you doesn''t give you permission to get fresh with me. I''m a lady." Sam opened the door, leaned to Ryan and gave him a quick kiss. "However, I did enjoy kissing you too. Thanks for the ride and goodnight." Ryan sat there a bit dumbfounded. "What just happened? I''m not sure if I got turned down or invited." Ryan left Sam''s and headed back to Brian''s to drop off the car. Sam was inside her house reexamining the events that unfolded. "Ugh. I should have just invited him in. Why do I have to be so stubborn? I should have said ''I felt it too. and I want to continue where we left off.'' No...I just had to be stubborn and refuse him. All because I knew that was what he wanted. I''ll be kicking myself in the ?ss all night now."


    .......................


    Brian and Chloe arrived home. Chloe jumped out of the car. "Meet me upstairs in your room in five minutes." She dashed off upstairs, running to the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror after showering and changing into a black knee-high, lace negligee. "Come on Chloe. You can do this. Don''t be afraid. This man has given you everything. You want to give him everything. You got this." Chloe was giving herself a pep talk when Brian opened the bedroom door. "Chloe are you in here?" "Just a second. I''ll be right out." "Okay girl it''s now or never." Chloe opened the bathroom door standing in the doorway like a shy school girl. Brian stared at her, blushing. He had never in his life seen such beauty before. He walked to where she stood, scooped her up into his arms, and made his way to the bed. He gently laid her down on the bed, as though she would break with one wrong move. He spoke in a low husky voice.


    "Silly girl, you have no idea what you are asking for. Are you 100% sure you want to do this?" "Brian, I''m never 100% sure about anything except my love for you. Besides, if it doesn''t work out between us, I have nowhere to go." "What do you mean? You have your place." "No, I gave it to Nathaniel. It''s in his name now. I never planned on going anywhere. I have only planned on staying in your arms." Brian was overjoyed hearing this, and he began kissing her passionately. Their kisses grew deeper and began to spread. "Please be careful with me. I''ve never had s?x before." Brian slowed down. "I haven''t either." Chloe''s heart quickened. They were about to become each other''s first.

 Chapter 27 - Deflowered

    Brian kissed Chloe on her lips and moved to her neck. With each kiss, Chloe felt electrocuted. She m??n?d, wanting more. Brian lifted off her negligee. Chloe took his shirt and pants off. She stared at his almost necked body admiring how wonderful he looked, almost like a man chiseled from clay by Aphrodite herself. Brian spoke in a low soft tone. "Baby, are you sure you want to do this? We can wait if you want to. There is no rush." He was worried she might have been nervous but more so because he was nervous. He didn''t want to hurt her. After all, he was above average in ''size.'' "Yes, I''m sure Brian. I want this." She took off his boxers.


    When she saw his manhood, she gasped. "Oh my. Wow. Someone was blessed." She began to stroke him. Brian laid her back onto the bed. "I''ll go slow. I''ll try not to hurt you." Brian spread her legs. He slowly inserted his p?n?s into her. She felt a sharp pain and then warmth. Brian thrust in and out slowly. He was taking his time to allow her body to adjust. After all, he didn''t want to put her into the hospital. Chloe m??n?d first from the pain. After a few minutes, she m??n?d from the p???sur?. " You can move faster baby." On cue, Brian thrust faster. Not missing a beat he pushed into her harder. Each push Chloe grew louder with her m??ns until they became screams of p???sur?. Brian kept getting faster.


    Until " Oh God. I''m so sorry baby. I just came in you. We forgot the ??nd?ms." "It''s ok I''ve been on the pill since I was 16. My father demanded it. I just never stopped taking it." Brian felt relieved. He got up went to the desk drawer grabbed a ??nd?m and went back to Chloe. "It''s ok. I have plenty thanks to Ryan. Ready?" Chloe was a little shocked. "You want to go again?" "Yes. We will go all night until I know you are satisfied." Brian kissed Chloe and began to get aroused again.


    Night fell, and dawn approached. In total, they wound up going five rounds. Chloe was sore and couldn''t bear to get out of bed. She smiled reliving the passion they had shared that night. She grabbed her phone and sent Sam a message. "Hey, I''m not coming to work today. I had s?x last night with Brian. I will tell you details later. Cover for me." Almost immediately Sam replied. "laughing my ?ss of right now. It''s about damn time. Go get you some of that stud muffin girl." Chloe laughed at her response when the bedroom door opened. "Angel, I brought you breakfast." Brian set the tray down and kissed her lips. "Breakfast in bed. Someone is happy." Chloe chuckled.


    "How are you even able to walk?" "Because I run every morning. I have naturally high stamina." "Wow. You run on purpose? I feel bad now. You have to work hard to look great. I just look great naturally." Chloe laughed. Brian playfully pushed Chloe back into the bed. "Silly girl, you are asking for it." Chloe was laughing hard at Brian. He began to tickle her like a child. "No.. stop." Chloe laughed harder. "Ok... I give you a win. You win." Brian grinned knowing he succeeded. "Not fair. It is not at all what I thought you were going to do." "Are you ready for more s?x after last night?" "Um. Well, maybe not. I''m still hurting." "Well eat up and replenish your strength. When you''re done, I''ll take you to the bathtub." Brian kissed her gently and got up headed back to the kitchen to clean his mess up.


    When Chloe finished eating Brian came back almost on cue. "Ah, you have finished great. He went to the bathroom and ran some bath water. He put bubbles in the tub with warm water. He wanted to help her relax. He walked to Chloe lifting her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss as he carried her. "Angel, you are making me hard again. Be careful." Chloe smiled. She was happy to hear the effects she had on him. He placed her into the tub. "I want you to relax, for now, Angel. I have to head to work for a quick minute, but I''ll be back later. I love you." "I love you too Brian." They kissed before Brian left to get dressed for work.


    ....


    Ryan was driving Brian to work. He noticed Brian kept getting distracted and then he would smile. "You finally got laid!" Ryan exclaimed. "Focus on the road. I don''t want to die because of your careless driving. But, yes Chloe and I made love last night. Not that it is any of your business." Brian had a serious tone with a smile plastered on his face. "What happened with you and Sam?"


    "I don''t know. I thought we were hitting it off and then she threw a curveball and switched everything up. She said she liked me and she liked our kiss but got onto me because I wanted to sleep with her." Brian leaned forward and smacked Ryan in the back of his head. "Ouch. What was that for?" " Thinking with your d??k and not your heart. Sam will not be another conquest for you." "Hey! It''s not like that. I really like her. I guess I got my signals mixed up. I just hope she isn''t pissed at me." "Drop me off and go talk to her. She is at the cafe by her self today. You should offer her a hand. This time don''t think about s?x. Allow her to decide if and when s?x will be an option. For now, just show her who you are." "Won''t you need me today?" "No. I am capable of doing my job without you. I''ll pay you twice as much to help her out today. So for today, your job is at the cafe." "Yes, sir." Ryan dropped Brian off at Company A. Brian gave him a time to be back to pick him up and take him back home and then dismissed him. Brian was in the elevator when his phone went off. It was a message from Chloe. "Hey my love, I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I miss you." Brian smiled as the elevator doors opened. The people waiting on the elevator saw him smile and stood there in shock. "Either get on or step away." They frantically entered the elevator. Brian responded to Chloe. "I''m just fine, angel. I''m just getting to the company. I''ll talk to you later. I love you, baby. Take it easy."


    While Brian was dealing with everyone at work, Ryan headed to the cafe. When he arrived, he saw Sam unlocking the door. He went up to her. "Hey beautiful, how was your night?" Sam smiled at him. "It was great. I slept alone in my bed, and it was great. What are you doing here?" "I was instructed to ?ssist you today." "Well then, don''t dawdle come inside." Sam was actually happy to see Ryan. They forgot to exchange numbers, and she had wanted to ask him out. "You can start simple. Put the chairs on to the floor. I will be in the office finishing the work from yesterday." "Yes, ma''am." Sam went to the office and began her paperwork.


    After about ten minutes Ryan walked into the office. Sam didn''t notice him come in. Ryan snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey there, beautiful." Sam jumped screaming. "You scared the living daylights out of me." She playfully hit him. "Don''t ever do that again." Ryan laughed. "I''m sorry I really didn''t mean to scare you. Although it was funny." "No, it wasn''t." Sam started to laugh. Then Ryan surprised her with a warm, gentle kiss. " Sorry for kissing you. I couldn''t resist any longer. I like your laugh; it''s adorable." Sam Blushed. "It''s not adorable. It''s silly." "Then I''m silly because I do like it. It is followed by a wonderful smile." Ryan kissed her again. "Would you like to go out with me sometime? I guess I should have asked that before kissing you." "Maybe and yes, I''ll go out with you. It could be fun."

 Chapter 28 - Old Friends

    Chloe was taking her time in the tub and remembering every passionate touch from last night. She couldn''t believe he could be so sensual. She felt like their bodies were in sync with each other. Maybe he''s a mind reader she thought. To her, it seemed as if Brian already knew what she wanted, and when. He quickly found all her s?ns?t?v? spots. She felt like she was in heaven. She had finally decided to leave the tub and get dressed after her body started to wrinkle. Her phone had begun to ring while getting dressed. She rushed to answer thinking it was Brian, tripping along the way. "Hello?" She answered without seeing who it was from. "Hey Chloe, can you come to see me today? I miss you. I am sorry about the things I said last time you visited me. Please come by for a minute at least." Chloe recognized the voice, Sally. "Hey Sally, yeah I think I could stop by and speak with you. We have something to discuss anyway." Chloe hung up the phone and proceeded to get dressed. Pain still coursing through the body. She took some medication to ease the pain and headed to the hospital to see Sally.


    Arriving in Sally''s room, Chloe noticed a depressing Aurora around Sally. "Are you ok?" "I wanted to see how you were doing. Considering Phillip''s untimely...death..." It hit Chloe as to why Sally called her here. Sally was genuinely upset because of Phillip''s death. Chloe had forgotten how much Sally loved Phillip. Chloe was glad he was dead. "I''m sorry for your loss, Sally. I know that no matter how he acted or how he felt you still loved him. In the end, he had done everyone a favor." "That''s just what I wanted to speak with you about. Phillip wasn''t suicidal. He would never have killed himself. Someone set him up. No offense Chloe but he wouldn''t have left his suicide note for you." Sally was hysterical almost screaming at Chloe. "Calm down Sally I am sure the police and coroners know what they are doing. What are you implying?"


    "Chloe, I think someone killed Phillip." Sally broke down crying. Chloe knew what happened. She knew Sally was right. She chose to make her feel paranoid and cover for Brian. Brian has done everything for her. That is more than anyone else has bothered to do. "Sally, no one killed Phillip. The report said there was no forced entry; he shot himself. The funeral is tomorrow. I think you are just upset. I know he didn''t treat either of us well. However, you still managed to love him. Through it all, you loved him much more than I ever did. I didn''t plan on attending his funeral, but if you want me to go with you, I will." Chloe held Sally''s hand stroking the back of her hand tenderly. " I can''t attend. I am stuck in a hospital. I know he was killed. I won''t drop this until I know the truth." Sally snatched her hand away from Chloe. "You may leave now. I thought you would hear me out and agree. I guess I was wrong." Chloe left Sally''s room a feeling of dread washed over her. What if she does find something? What would happen to Brian? She needed to talk to him and let him know what has happened. Just when she thought things were going to be okay, this happens, and it''s like a slap in the face.


    Chloe picked up her phone to dial Brian''s number only to realize he must still be in a meeting. She contemplated what she should do. Head home, head to his office, or head to the cafe? She wasn''t sure who she could talk to about this and what would someone say about her situation. It felt like the whole world was now enemy number one. One slip up, or one person, that''s all it would take to put him in jail. It hit Chloe, what if things didn''t work out with Brian? She just gave him everything she was, and she knew his secret. What if he ever thought she would tell someone? Would he have her killed as well? She didn''t ever think he was capable of something like this. It hit her like a ton of bricks weighed down by water. It hit her how real the situation was and what could happen. This was why he asked if she was afraid of him. At the time, she thought it to be a silly question. But, now that she has had time to think about it...and it hit her hard. She realized how afraid she truly was. "Damn Sally putting these crazy thoughts into my head." Chloe decided to drive and to keep going until the gas ran out and she couldn''t drive anymore. She wanted to think and to clear her head. Thinking logically everything has happened fast. How long has Brian been watching her? How long have things been falling apart without her realizing it? What can she do at this point? How can she fix things and make them better? Deep in her thoughts, she found herself at the beach. Her phone lit up; she checked the caller I.D. She read Brian''s name and allowed it to go to voicemail. She needed to think. She needed time to figure things out. Why was she now scared of him?


    ....


    Brian finished at the office and returned home. Expecting to see Chloe either in the bed, wore out, or in the living room relaxing. He couldn''t find her in either place. He grew worried and searched the entire house looking for her only to find it empty. He picked up the phone and dialed her number. Voicemail; what is going on here? Where did she go? He looked at the phone and dialed Ryan''s number. Maybe she went to the cafe.


    " Hello is everything ok, sir?" "Ryan, have you seen Chloe today or heard from her? I''m worried. I got home, and she wasn''t here, and I called her but no answer. I''m just paranoid, right?" "Boss, calm down everything will be okay. She couldn''t have gone far. I''m sure she is okay. I''ll have Sam give her a call and see where she is." Brian sighed a breath of relief. "Yeah, okay, you do that. I''ll just wait here. She probably went to the store." Brian tried to convince himself that things were okay, but this nagging feeling kept creeping its way back into his heart. He knew something was wrong.


    Ryan looked at Sam who was already on the phone calling Chloe. She shook her head no when she reached her voicemail. "What is going on? Brian is really worried, and now I''m becoming worried." "Did something happen between the two?" Ryan blushed, knowing that they had both just made love the night before. "They both finally got laid." Sam dropped her jaw in shock. After staring at Ryan like he had done some kind of new trick. She finally spoke. " Chloe gave ''It'' to him? Wow, she really needs someone to talk to. It is important that we find her quick. Knowing Chloe, she is probably in a downward spiral."

 Chapter 29 - Realized

    Chloe stood watching the sunset. Her thoughts became one with the ocean. It felt as though the wind was lifting the weight off her shoulders and sweeping it to the ocean. This is why she loved the ocean. She felt at peace. After hours of listening to her phone blow up, she was finally able to get her thoughts straight. She finally knew what she needed to do. She walked back to her car and sat for a second. She then pressed dial on her phone. When the other line answered, a thick, worried, familiar voice came across, almost yelling. "Chloe, where are you? Are you okay? Tell me where you are, and I''ll come get you. I''m not sure what happened, but we can talk this through. Please, say something." Chloe took a deep breath, smiled, and spoke calmly. "Baby, I apologize for causing everyone to worry. I''m headed back home now. I''ll meet you there. I had a lot on my mind, and I will tell you everything when I get home. Okay?" " How far away are you?" "About an hour. I will be okay. Talk to you later." "Chloe wait!" With that, Chloe hung up the phone. She knew Brian wasn''t happy with her disappearing like that, but she needed to clear her head.


    Meanwhile, Brian sank into the couch and let out a loud sigh of relief. "She is okay and headed back home." He spoke to Ryan and Sam who rushed over as fast as they could after searching for her for almost two hours. "Where was she? Did she say what happened?" Sam gave Brian an aggressive tone, almost demanding answers. "No, she didn''t say. Just that she was okay and headed home, she said she would explain everything when she gets here." Brian looked a little worried. He wasn''t sure what she wanted to talk about or what could have been on her mind so bad that she would just disappear like that. He wanted to call her back and demand answers, but he was afraid that she would disappear from his life if he did. "Thank you guys for coming over. If you don''t mind, I would like to speak to her privately. I''ll call Ryan later and let you both know what happened." Sam gave a disapproving look while Ryan nodded and grabbed her hand and headed for the door. "No problem boss. We have plans anyways. Let''s go Baby." Sam wanted to stay but when he Ryan called her Baby like that her heart fluttered and her feet followed behind him like a love-struck teen.


    Brian was left alone and pacing back and forth waiting for Chloe''s return. About an hour later the front door opened and in stepped Chloe. "Baby, I''m s..." Before she could finish her words, Brian had run up and scooped her into a hug. "I was so worried about you. I''m glad to see you are safe." He kissed her lips. Not wanting to let her go he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She was quiet. Mostly because she was admiring how much this man loved her. She had never felt such love from another man before. He laid her on the bed. Then he spoke firmly to her. "Now speak, tell me what has you so bothered that you couldn''t even call me. I don''t know how many times I have to tell you to rely on me. It worried me. We had an amazing night together and then today you disappear on me. What am I supposed to think?" Chloe looked at him with a loving smile; a tear rolled down her face. She was happy to have this man in her life and sad because he was right. She should have contacted him; she made him worry too much. She spoke softly to him, not wanting to upset him and not sure how to tell him everything. "I''m sorry, Baby. After getting a long bath this morning, I received a call from Sally. She asked if I could meet her at the hospital. She had something important to talk about. I went, thinking she may need a friend right now because of everything. When I got there, she talked about how she felt Phillip''s suicide was staged. She said he would never have left his suicide note about me. She felt he was really beginning to move on. She said whoever killed him must have been able to pay off the police department to cover things up. Also, She said she would get to the bottom of it and make his killer pay for what they have done." Chloe paused to view Brian''s reaction. He seemed unphased and still looked at her with care in his eyes. Waiting for her to finish her story, he nodded, so she knew to continue.


    "When I heard this, I tried to tell her that from what the police told me and what the report showed, it was a suicide. The reason he wrote the note for me was because of the harm he had caused me. He was apologizing for the crap he pulled. She didn''t believe me and continued to say he was killed. That no matter what, she will find evidence of foul play. When she does that person will pay. After leaving the hospital, my mind was so full of questions. All about what would happen to you. What if she were to find something and it led back to you? What would happen? How could I stop this from happening? Then my mind went to, ''Did I make the right choice?'' Being with you, I mean. It jumped from one thought to another. Before I realized it, I was at the beach sitting and listening to the waves crash on the shore. After sitting and letting the ocean take my problems away with every crash it made to shore, I was able to come to one conclusion." She sat up and grabbed ahold of Brian''s hand. His face looked hurt, almost as though he didn''t want to hear the next part. "I realized I love you, and for that, I will trust you and walk through fire with you. I would give you my life if I needed to because you are worth everything this world has to offer and more. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe as you would for me. I''m done letting people walk over me. I refuse to stand by when others show you ill intentions. I want to be by your side as your queen to this ruthless empire of a world." When Chloe finished speaking, she kissed Brian passionately wanting to express how much she loved him and wanted to give him everything. Brian was no longer upset. He was overjoyed and kissed her back, pushing her to the bed; their bodies became entangled into one. He has done everything to express how much he loved her and, until now, questioned how much she loved him. However, there were no more questions...only their love for one another. He wanted her and didn''t want to share her with anyone. She was his.

 Chapter 30 - Falling in love

    After leaving Brian''s house, Ryan and Sam were in the car when Sam became upset. "How dare you drag me out of there like that. I wanted to wait until Chloe got home. I was hoping to give that woman a piece of my mind. She just up and left and rejected our calls. I thought we were closer than that." Sam was about to continue her rant when Ryan reached over grabbing the back of her head and planted his lips on hers prying her lips apart so their tongues could intertwine together. Sam allowed herself to become immersed in his arms. She was enjoying the kiss pulling him closer to get a deeper kiss. She wanted more. Then, Ryan pulled away. His lips were already missing hers. "I''m sorry I kissed you like that, but you wouldn''t hush so I could talk. She will be fine and reprimanded for her fault. Boss will make sure of that. Right now, I believe they have some things to talk about when she gets back, and we have a date to attend." Sam gave Ryan a pouted look not thinking about Chloe but wanting to have that kiss again. She began to blush thinking about how amazing he kissed and the possibility of what could follow. Ryan glanced her way and noticed her blushing. "How are we supposed to go out when you give me such a ?ustful look? Did you want to cancel the date and just head back home?" Sam swiftly looked away. Embarrassed he had read her mind. "No. We should go out." Anything to change the subject. This man is going to be the death of me; she thought.


    Ryan gave her a mischievous grin and drove off. He was unsure of where to take her for their date. So he drove towards the city. He found a spot to park about a mile from the theater. After pulling over Sam gave him a confused look. "What are we doing?" "It is a nice night out, so I figured we could go for a stroll." Ryan got out of the car and rushed to Sam''s door to open it for her. She gracefully stepped out of the car and went to the curb to wait for Ryan.


    Ryan held her hand as they walked down the sidewalk, coming by a street vendor. Ryan stopped and looked at the menu. "Are you hungry? We should grab a bite to eat. I heard this place is really good." Sam looked at Ryan, confused and relieved. "Yes, this will be fine. I''ll eat whatever you order. By the way, where are we going?" "Its a surprise." Ryan flashed a devilish smile, making Sam blush a bright red. He ordered their food, and then they picked a bench to sit on. They sat and ate their food while enjoying their time together. Sam''s thoughts were wandering to Chloe and what could have happened to her. Ryan noticed the distant look in her eyes and guessed as to what was bothering her.


    "Chloe will be fine. Please don''t worry; everything will turn out fine." He reached out and gave her a deep hug. After finishing their meal, Ryan stood up and took Sam''s hand. They then began walking down the street together. They came up to a massive theater. Ryan started to walk inside, but Sam was still confused. "What are we doing here?" We''re going to see a live play. I thought it would be fun." "I''ve never been to one before. This will be interesting." Sam followed him up to the large double doors, where a man stood out front taking tickets from everyone who entered. After giving the man their tickets, Ryan led her through the doors where another man waited to guide them to their seats. It wasn''t too loud inside but louder than she thought it would be. Everyone was taking their positions and carrying on conversations in hushed voices. Sam was indeed surprised, and she couldn''t stop smiling and enjoying every moment of this new experience. Once the play began, everyone got quiet and watched. While Sam was watching the play with stars in her eyes, Ryan was watching Sam. He loved how her face showed her excitement. Her eyes glowed, and her mouth grinned with a never-ending smile. She sat watching every move and hung onto every word. She didn''t take her eyes off the stage, and he didn''t take his eyes off her.


    When the play finally ended a standing ovation was awarded. As Ryan and Sam made their way outside, Sam kept ranting on about how much she loved the play and how wonderful of an experience it was. Ryan was glad she was happy and was happy himself. "I''m glad you enjoyed yourself. I was actually a little worried you wouldn''t like it. It surprised me with how much you have enjoyed our date. I have to do better for next time." Sam smiled and looked over at Ryan. "You don''t have to do better, anytime I spend with you is the best time of my life." After saying this, she began to skip to the car playfully. Watching this childish side of her, Ryan found his heart beating faster, and a single thought found it''s way into his mind. ''I''m falling in love with this girl.''


    ............


    While everyone on this night was having sentimental moments and sharing their time with one another, Sally laid in her hospital bed, contemplating how to move forward with her investigation. The one the cops deemed a suicide. She knew in her heart that wasn''t the case. She even had an idea about who caused it. Sally grabbed her ??ptop and began researching. She opened the internet and typed a name in the search bar, Brian Hughes. "I will expose you for the fraud you are. You have taken everything from me, and I won''t let you get away with it." Sally began researching everything she could find. Writing down little side notes and compiling every piece of evidence she could find. Unfortunately, she won''t be able to find much on the internet. This only meant he had things worth hiding and was careful nobody knew.

 Chapter 31 - Chloe

    Chloe kept letting her mind wander to the other night when she confessed to Brian. She couldn''t help but think about their shared time after their conversation. He was amazing, and she knew that. She also knew his dark secrets. Those secrets that could land him in prison if someone else found out. She wondered if this life was worth it. Was being with him worth this trouble? If someone wanted to get to him all they would need to do is get to her. She knew this, and it worried her. She was his weakness, and he was hers. She couldn''t help but wonder how long her happiness would last. She was absolutely in love with Brian and nothing could change that...or so she thought. She began to remember Sally, her best friend since childhood, and everything they went through together.


    The words Sally shouted to her sat at the top of her mind. "He was murdered, and I will find out by who and make them pay." Chloe was worried but unsure for whom. Was she concerned that Sally would discover the truth? That Brian would harm Sally? That Sally would lock up Brian? Why did it have to be like this, boyfriend against friend? She knew she had to pick a side and wasn''t sure how to decide. Yes, Sally had messed up and done so much wrong in the past and present. Brian had only killed Phillip to protect her. Yes, it was terrible, but it was for her. What kind of person did that make her, that she just accepted the fact that he actually killed someone? Chloe knew what she was getting into. She just chose to push it to the darkest places of her mind and never think about it. This was a man that she was falling in love with. Why couldn''t she have met Brian first? If that would have been the case, then she wouldn''t have been with Phillip, she wouldn''t have ever been cheated on. Phillip would be alive, and Sally would still be pregnant. Maybe Phillip and Sally would have a happy life. Chloe knew that what if''s and wishes didn''t mean a thing. This was the real world where things are messy, and people hurt one another. Feelings didn''t matter in right and wrong. In fact, she knew it was wrong of Brian to kill Phillip. She also knew Sally was right, and one day Brian would need to pay for his crime. She just hoped that day wouldn''t come anytime soon. She had hoped Sally would forget about everything and let her be and also hoped that Brian wouldn''t hurt her. She Felt compelled to see Sally. She just didn''t know if Sally would even see her after the last time. She needed to know how much Sally knew and what she had found out.


    After deliberating with herself for what seemed like hours, Chloe decided to visit Sally, all against her better judgment. Hopefully, some time alone allowed Sally to move past everything, and things could go back to normal.


    Chloe arrived at the hospital. This time she sent Brian a message before getting out of the car. "Brian, I have left to go visit Sally. I have to know what she knows, and hopefully, I can help her put her suspicions to rest so things can go back to normal. I have to do this. I miss my best friend. I love you, and we''ll talk after I get out." She turned off her phone and went inside to see Sally. Arriving at the front desk, she asked the receptionist for Sally''s room number. Chloe didn''t want to go up to see Sally first, just in case she had changed rooms. "Room 456. Take the second elevator to the 4th floor and turn right. At the second intersection, turn left, and it''s the 3rd room on your left." "Thank you, ma''am." Following the directions, Chloe made her way to Sally''s room.


    A feeling of dread hit Chloe''s stomach, making her feel nauseous. ''I shouldn''t do this. I miss her, but she has done so much wrong to me. Maybe I should just go home. Ugh... Who am I kidding? I need to find out what she knows and how much she knows.'' After convincing herself to get it over with, Chloe pushed open the door. "Sally... It''s me, Chloe. I wanted to talk to you." Sally heard Chloe and became startled. Sally was worried she would never get this chance. "Chloe! I''m so sorry with how I acted last time. I was upset and took it out on you." Sally greeted Chloe with a hug. Chloe was confused and unsure of what to think. "Did they give you new meds?" Sally shook her head. "No."


    She was smiling so widely that her lips were almost touching her ears. She was trying her best to hide the deceit behind her smile. Chloe looked at Sally trying to determine if her smile was genuine. Realizing the only way she would find out is to play her game. "Ok. I''m glad you''re doing better, and I forgive you. Can we be friends again?" Sally got out of bed and wrapped her arms around Chloe. "Of course we can be friends again, silly. So what is going on with you?" "Same. Brian is wonderful as always. He treats me so well." The girls spent the rest of the evening gossiping and catching up ¡ª neither showing suspicion towards the other and both having ulterior motives.


    "So when are they letting you out of this place?" "The doctor said next week, maybe. He said I am healing well and should be able to go home soon." "That''s great. You need to take it easy when you get home and don''t go crazy." Sally chuckled at Chloe''s comment and thought; I won''t go crazy I''m just going to prove your boyfriend ruined my life and ruin his any way possible. "I won''t, promise." "Well, I had better be going now. I don''t want to make Brian worry. Since the other night, he likes me to keep him updated, so I don''t run off without saying goodbye." "Ok. See you later, and we should hang out after I get out of here. Brian, you, and me, I mean." "Yes, that would be great Sally." Chloe left the room sending a text message to Brian about her departure. Not sure about what just took place or even how to feel about her newly recovered friendship. But, what she did know was she needed to proceed with caution and be very careful about what she allows Sally to know.

 Chapter 32 - Safe

    After arriving home, Chloe was greeted by the staff and a warm hug from Brian. "Long day?" "Yes, the longest. You?" "It was rough, but so much better now. How did it go with Sally?" "Well, I''m not sure, actually. It seemed to go well from an outsider''s point of view. However, I feel like she has something up her sleeve. I do want to forgive her and forget everything that has happened. It is just hard to put that much faith in Sally. Am I stupid?" Brian wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "You could never be stupid. Stupid choices yes, but you couldn''t be farther from anything stupid. You are the smartest person I know and the most beautiful woman I know."


    Brian placed a kiss on Chloe''s head. She looked up and kissed his lips. A sudden wave of nausea washed over Chloe. As she ran to the bathroom, holding her hand to her mouth, Brian stood confused. "Baby, are you ok?" He yelled while chasing after her. When he arrived in the bathroom, he found Chloe bent over the toilet trying to keep her hair from falling in, while puking. Brian walked over and held her hair while rubbing her back. He made her feel safe. No matter what his touch always felt like home. When she finally stopped puking, she rinsed her mouth out and sat on the toilet.


    "Sorry about that. It must be my nerves." "Are you sure, baby? Maybe you should see a doctor. It could be something worse." Chloe looked at Brian and clearly saw the concern on his face. She knew he was worried. She was deeply and utterly in love with this man. "I will be fine, baby. If it continues I''ll see a doctor, I promise." "Okay, I will trust you. I''m just worried, that''s all." "Don''t worry, love. Everything will be ok. As long as you are by my side, there isn''t anything I can''t get through."


    Brian and Chloe fell asleep late that night not because of her being sick, or because of intimacy, but because Brian was worried for Chloe and Chloe was concerned about Sally.


    While Chloe, Brian, Sam, and Ryan slept, Sally was up plotting her revenge against Chloe. Sally had a plan, and the first step was to gain Chloe''s trust. Sally was being released in the morning and was planning a day for her and Chloe. She wanted to take Chloe shopping and to lunch. She had the whole day planned. Sally hoped to insert herself into Chloe''s life. Her ultimate goal was to keep her away from Brian. She wanted to hurt him. First, she needs to see how much Brian cares for Chloe. If her plan is successful, his world will crash and BURN!


    Morning came. Chloe woke up with a feeling of warmth. She laid her hand on Brian''s muscular arm, which was wrapped around her keeping her close as if he were afraid to let her go. She smiled at the thought. She turned to face him. Admiring his resting face. "Has anybody ever told you it''s rude to stare?" "I see you''re awake. I was just looking at how handsome you are and in disbelief that this is real. I still think I''m dreaming." Brian leaned over and kissed her. "Still think your dreaming?" She smiled. "Yes. As long as I have you, life will always be a dream." When she kissed him, her body reacted and lit on fire.


    "I have to head to work, Babe. Please behave while I''m gone and don''t get into trouble." Chloe let out a loud chuckle. She knew he was half kidding and half serious. She felt life couldn''t be much better than this.


    ....


    Sally waited in her room for the doctor to come and release her. Today was the day, the beginning of the end. Today she would set her plan into motion and without complications. Once the doctor came and set Sally free, she walked out, calling Chloe. It was essential, for her plan to work, that Chloe agreed to go out, or she had to let Sally come to her. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go out and have fun today? Either shopping, movies, beach, or just get a bite to eat and hang out. I missed you." When Chloe answered, she didn''t expect Sally on the other end and was cautious of going out without Brian. "I don''t know Sally. Brian isn''t home, and I don''t want to leave without him." "Oh. Well, I understand. Is it ok if I come over then? I promise we will have fun." Chloe thought for a little bit. ''What harm could come if she came over?'' "Ok. I''ll send you the address. You can come over for a little bit."


    While waiting for Sally to show up, Chloe sent Brian a message saying that She would have company and explained the situation to him so he wouldn''t be mad when he got home. She was getting things ready when she heard a knock on the door. "That must be her." She opened the door to find Sally standing there. "Come in. I don''t have too much for us to do, but we can pour a glass of wine and sit and chat for a while." "Sounds perfect. So this is your house, wow, it''s huge. What did you do, marry a rich old man?" "HaHa, no, I didn''t marry anyone. This is my boyfriend''s home, and he isn''t old." "He must really care about you." "I feel as though he does. He would do anything for me and I for him. Life has been wonderful with him. I couldn''t ask for anything more." "Have you guys discussed children?" "No, we haven''t had that talk yet. I eventually want children but I don''t think now is the time. I''d want to be married and settled down before that happened. What about you? would you try again?" Sally thought about the question. ''How dare she asked me that knowing it was her fault I lost my child. ''Calm down, Sally, don''t show her how upset you are. Make her feel safe.'' "I guess when I find the right guy, I would settle down and have kids again." Chloe remembered how Sally lost her first child because of Phillip. "I''m sorry Sal, I didn''t think. I can be really dense sometimes." "Its ok Chloe. I have had months to get past it. I shouldn''t have blamed you. I should have left when I found out. No, I had to stay. I was in love with a man who didn''t love me." "He loved you in his own twisted way." "Enough of the doom and gloom talk, let''s get drunk and have some fun. Show me around the mansion." Chloe laughed and showed Sally the home. They sat and caught up with each other''s life. Chloe was feeling more relaxed and felt she had her friend back. As time does when one is having fun, it flew by quickly. Before the girls knew it, Brian had arrived home from work. He walked into the living room, hearing laughter and joy coming from in there. "Seems like you girls are having fun." Chloe jumped off the furniture and wobbled to Brian. "Soooo much funny. Ims glads you''re homes." Brian laughed. "I think you have had enough. You''re slurring your words." "But baby, I knew when I enough. You not soss me." Brian let out a hearty chuckle. "I love you, baby. Here, tell you what, I''ll sit with you for a few then we can head to bed ok?" "What''s bout, sssssallllyyy?" he looked past her to see Sally sitting and watching them interact. "Sally, I have more than enough guest rooms. Why don''t you stay the night?" "Umm. Are you sure? I don''t want to impose." "I''m sure. Besides, if I allowed you to drive home, not only would Chloe kill me, but I think my mom and dad might come back from the grave and kill me too." Brian let out a smile. "If you don''t mind, I''m going to put her to bed. See you later. It''s good to see you''re doing better." "Ok. So I just pick a room?" "Yeah. Just grab any room. You...let''s go." Brian scooped a reluctant Chloe up in his arms. "I don''t wanna go to bed. I''m not tired." "What are we, four?" "No, you''re handsome and a s?xy God." Brian''s face flushed. Her words turned him on, but he knew with how drunk she is he would never try anything. After taking her to the room, he laid her down and tucked her into bed. "Goodnight angel." He kissed her forehead and prepared for bed. Sally searched the house, trying to find evidence to use. She stopped when she came to his private office. She thought about not going in. ''Well if I get caught I can always say I was looking for a room to sleep.'' She headed in and searched. she found a few helpful documents. Documents that would make their lives fall apart. She just needed to wait for the right moment to use them. As she left the room, she ran into a maid. "I''m so sorry. I''m a bit lost. Brian said I could stay the night and to just pick a room, but I can''t seem to find any." "That''s ok ma''am. you can follow me." She was led to a room with a beautiful bed. "Ahh. What a life you have made here, Chloe. It is going to be so much worse for you when everything is taken." Sally laid in bed and fell asleep.

 Chapter 33 - Nightmare

    As time went by, Chloe and Sally grew in friendship. Chloe began to feel like the world was coming together again. Like everything was falling into place. When Chloe fell asleep, it was a quick, peaceful sleep...until her dream hit.


    -A small child stood in the road, crying. Rain fell, and a bright light followed by a loud horn blaring. She thought her world was over. Her life was over. Until a boy pushed her out of the way, getting hit in her place. She still cried, thinking the boy had died. When the driver rushed over, blood and rain had mixed into the concrete. She just knew he was gone. She didn''t even get to thank the boy. The ambulance pulled up with sirens blaring, and the police walked her to the car to take her home. "Little girl, what is your name?" "Chloe.....Chloe Wilson." " What are you doing here? Where are your parents?" "I ran away from home. Mom and Dad said they had to go away for a while." "Ok. We will take you home." She tried to inquire about information about the boy, but no one would speak of it. Did the boy die because of me?-


    Chloe awoke in a cold sweat and tears running down her face. How could she forget that boy? How could she forget that because of her a mother is childless? Chloe looked at the time at 4:32 am. "Damn, It''s still too early." She wanted to go back to sleep but was afraid of the nightmare returning. Why now must she be reminded? She looked over at a sleeping Brian. Chloe decided not to disturb him and climbed out of bed. She left the room after washing her face...trying to wash away the nightmare. She recalled the event. She tried to forget the memory. To push it away, she didn''t want to remember the horrors of that night. She was 10. He was older. Probably about 14 or 15 at the time. She remembered the sound of the car hitting him. This memory haunted her, the sound, the iron smell mixed with rain. The darkness of the night lit up by rescue lights. She cried again. Sitting in the chair by the kitchen table, holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee. "Baby, are you ok?" Brian walked in and seeing her like this, broke him. He grabbed her to hug her tight. She pushed him away. For the first time since they have been together, she refused his embrace. "Baby, please talk to me. I can''t help you if I don''t know what''s going on."


    Chloe looked at him with tears pouring down her pale skin. She was terrified. How can she tell this man, the man she loved, that she was a killer? She couldn''t. So she told him instead. "I had a nightmare. I''m sorry, nothing to worry about. Sorry, I woke you." "You didn''t wake me up, sweetie. My alarm woke me up." "Alarm? What time is it?" "7:42 am. I have to be in the office soon. Are you going to be ok? Can I call Sam or Sally? Maybe both?" "No, they are taking care of the store today. I was going to take off because I still haven''t felt well and wanted to go to the doctor." "Do I need to go with you?" "No. It should be ok. If anything happens, I''ll let you know. You have a good day. I have to go soon." "Okay baby. Please don''t ever push me away again. You have no idea how much you mean to me."


    After their conversation, Brian left for work, and Chloe prepared for her appointment. She was a little worried. Only because she had been sick for a while now, it started about a month ago after Sally got released from the hospital. Maybe it''s just nerves. I will found out today.


    Brian arrived at work, and after collecting his mail from his secretary, he sat in his office going through the pile of letters. The usual bills, stalker letters, and offers from other companies to either join or buy out. He stopped when he came across an envelope with no return address. He opened it cautiously. His jaw dropped when he read the contents of the letter. ''I know what you did to Phillip. I know the real truth. I know how long you stalked her before talking to her. Does she?'' Furious, Brian yelled for his secretary. "Katie!? Get in here now."


    Seconds later, a timid blonde woman stepped into his office. "Yes, Mr. Hughes?" She spoke softly, not wanting to anger him farther. She had only been his secretary for about three months. She heard the rumors about how cold and ruthless he can be. Until now, she didn''t believe them. Now she stood in front of a man who was boiling with rage and looked as though he could kill someone. Every word he spoke caused fear to shiver down her spine. "Who dropped of this letter? How did it get here?" He held up the envelope so she could see what he was talking about. "I''m not sure, Sir. I picked up the mail from reception like I always do. It was mixed in the mail." "Fine. You''re dismissed." "Yes, Sir." She left closing the door behind her.


    Brian picked up his office phone and dialed the security extension. "This is Mr. Hughes. I received a letter today from an unknown source. Please review the tapes and see who dropped it off. Double security and make sure this doesn''t happen again." He slammed the receiver down. He picked up the phone and called Chloe. "Hello?" "Hey Angel, I just wanted to see how you were doing and make sure you''re ok." "Yes, I''m fine. I''m at the doctor''s waiting to be seen." "Ok. Please be careful on your way home. Let me know when you make it home. I love you." "I love you too, and I will." Brian hung up the phone and called Ryan. "Ryan, come to the office as soon as possible. Something happened, and I need you. Don''t ask, just come." Brian then hung up the phone again. "What did I do? Whoever sent this will pay." Still furious, Brian tried to do some work while waiting on Ryan.


    "Ms. Wilson? Follow me, please." Chloe followed the nurse and was led to a small room. "Take a seat the doctor will be right with you." "Thank you." Chloe looked around the room, her nerves set in and anxiety shot up. It has been crazy lately. She has been working at the cafe non-stop. The business has been at its highest lately from open to close. Brian has been busy with his work. Thinking about it, she has never been to his office. She never asked him exactly where he worked.


    A peppy voice shattered her thoughts. "Ms. Wilson, How have you been feeling lately?" "Hello, Dr. Ashton. I have been sick lately. I am feeling nauseous and tired all the time. Please give me some good news. Maybe some medicine to take care of the problem." "Ms. Wilson, there isn''t anything I can give you to make you feel better. However, in nine months, you will feel as right as rain." Chloe looked at the doctor in confusion. "Ms. Wilson, what I mean is, you are pregnant. About a month along if I''m reading this correctly." Chloe sat in utter shock. What...How...Brian!?

 Chapter 34 - Crashing Down

    Chloe drove home, worried about how to break the news to Brian. How will he take it? Will he be upset? This isn''t something they have discussed yet. She pulled into the driveway and called Brian as she promised to do. "Hey baby, I wanted to let you know I made it home. I''ll tell you about the appointment when you get home. Love you." "Okay baby, I''m glad your safe. I''ll talk to you later. Bye." When Chloe hung up the phone, she felt her heart in her throat. She still hasn''t found a way to tell him yet, and she had just a few hours to figure it out.


    Ryan showed up at the office in a panic, trying to figure out what was so urgent. "Brian, is everything ok? I couldn''t figure out what the problem could be." " Ryan, someone knows everything." Ryan looked confused and uncertain of Brian''s words. "Ok. Slow down and tell me what happened." So after a short explanation, Brian sat dazed. "I have security looking into it, but what do I tell Chloe? If something happens to her, I''ll go crazy." "Brian, calm down. No one knows what happened. This could be bait. Someone probably wants to see how you will react and go from there. I bet they don''t even have proof." "Yeah. You are probably right, and I need to calm down. It will be okay." "Feel better?" "A little. But I will be much happier when I find out who is doing this, and what exactly do they want?"


    About that time the office phone rang. "Sir. This is Bruno from security. We found the footage you requested. All we could get is a male dropped off the letter. He was wearing a hoodie and had his head down the entire time. So no clear vision of his face." "Damn it!!! What the hell is going on? Why did I think it would be this simple." "Brian, calm down it will be ok. We will find out who this person is and what they want. For the time being, don''t tell Chloe and go about business as normal. It doesn''t seem to be a threat for now. We will solve this." Brian hung his head low. After all this time, he and Chloe had on understanding, and that was no lies or secrets. Yet, this was the largest one of all. This could make everything fall apart. However, he somehow knew Ryan was right. For now, he won''t say anything.


    Chloe paced back and forth in the bedroom. She was trying to find the best way to tell Brian. She was worried about how he will react. She still wasn''t sure how she felt about children, let alone how he would feel. All she could do was hope for the best. If he refused the child, what would she do? Would she keep it? Have an abortion? Give it up for adoption? Questions like these ran through her mind all day, and all she could do was wait to have them answered.


    When Brian made it home, the events from earlier that day played in his head like a broken movie reel. He knew he had to put on a brave face. Just when it came to Chloe, all his barriers seemed to disappear. "Chloe! I''m home, baby!" He shouted. Hopefully, she wasn''t home yet. Then he heard the sound of footsteps coming from upstairs. He followed the sound and opened the bedroom door to find Chloe pacing. "Baby, What''s on your mind? It seems something is bothering you." Chloe looked at him with a sullen look, tears forming in her eyes because she knew it was now or never. "Brian, you may want to sit down. I don''t know how you are going to react." With a worried look, Brian sat on the edge of the bed. "Baby, you''re scaring me. What''s the matter?" "Brian, Baby, when I went to the doctor today... they told me something big... I don''t know what to do or how to take the news. I''m still in disbelief." " Chloe, it''ll be ok. Just spit it out." Brian growing irritated, half because she was rambling and the other half because he was expecting the worse knew possible. "Brian, I''m... pregnant." Chloe paused to look at Brian and see his reaction. He sat motionless on the bed. Processing and trying to understand her words. "You''re what?" "Pregnant." "That''s what I thought you said." Brian stared at Chloe, trying to find answers written in her face. "Chloe, I never wanted children. I''m sorry, I don''t know what to say. I love you, but children was never an option. Are you sure your pregnant?" Chloe broke into tears. Her worst fear came true. " YES! YES, I''M PREGNANT!! Why would I make this up? Do you think it''s fun for me to stand here and tell you, the man I love, that I''m pregnant and to hear that you never wanted children? Do you think I do this for sport? If you can''t, accept that I''m pregnant with your child. A child that is half you and half me. Then I don''t know what to do. I do know one thing, after today, I''ve had plenty of time to think about it, and I do want to keep it. With or without you." Brian was bewildered by her words. As he sat there, Chloe watched as his bright blue eyes turned dark. His face showed no emotion at all. She was scared for the first time with him. She was terrified of what he might do. Brian suddenly stood up, causing Chloe to jump back out of fear. "If you think I''m going to allow you to choose this thing over me, you have seriously lost your mind. I refuse to allow you to go anywhere. I will not allow you to have a child."


    "ALLOW? YOU ALLOW? I''M SORRY, BUT YOU NO LONGER GET THAT CHOICE. YOU MADE YOURS. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DONT WANT KIDS. I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING CHILDREN BUT THIS? BRIAN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO DO? BEAT ME LIKE PHILLIP DID TO SALLY??" Chloe was filled with rage. The one person she thought was different, the one person she thought would be by her side no matter what and through everything, is the person to hurt her the worse. She didn''t want to hear anything else. She didn''t want to be around him any longer. Without another word, she ran out of the room. Brian was surprised by her actions. He stood there for a second then realized what just happened. He chased after her calling for her to stop. She ran out the front door, climbing into her car and left. "DAMN IT CHLOE!!!" Brian knew he had messed up. He shouldn''t have said those things. When she told him she was pregnant, he should have jumped for joy. This he knew, he just couldn''t bring himself to do that. Not when this threat looms over their heads. He couldn''t imagine bringing a child into this world, not knowing if the threat is real or not. He watched as her car left. Dread filled his heart, and he fell to his knees in tears. The first time he could recall crying since his parents passed. What was he supposed to do now? He has just lost the woman he loves and his child all in one afternoon. All he wanted to do was take everything he said back and explain the situation calmly to Chloe. But now, he felt he would never get the chance.


    As Chloe drove off in a hurry, she was furious with Brian and how he reacted. How could he despise children so much that he couldn''t even be happy for the child they were going to have? Chloe needed to talk to someone. She needed to vent and think. Her emotions were all over the place. She went to pick up her phone to dial anyone who would listen but realized she had left her phone at home. "What am I to do now?" She found herself driving toward her old house, to Nathaniel''s. She pulled into the driveway and sat in the car. "What am I doing? I should go back and talk to him. Make him see what I see." She became startled by a sudden knock at the window. Nathaniel was standing there confused. She opened the door and climbed out of the car. "Ms. Chloe, what are you doing here so late? Is everything ok?" She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, crying into his ?h?st. "Nathan, it''s bad. It''s all over, and I don''t know what to do." Nathaniel led her inside and served her tea. "Calm down, dear. Tell me everything." So, Chloe spilled her tears and told him everything that happened. When she finished, he sat thinking. "First, I want to say you are a brave woman. Second, congratulations on the little one. For now, why don''t you go to sleep in your old room? I never changed it. Get some rest and well discuss this in further detail tomorrow." Chloe nodded her head in compliance and headed to her old room. She laid on the bed and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.


    -Sirens blared, and lights flashed. She saw the blood almost liquify in the rain. A passing car squealed by, and a flash of a man laid on the ground. Brian? What is he doing here? Why is he laying there bleeding? She tried to yell for him, but no sound came out. She cried, but it didn''t matter how much she cried, the rain continued to wash away her tears. She sat in the back of an ambulance, waiting for someone to explain what happened. Explain why Brian laid on the ground wet from blood and rain. Waiting to find out if he was ok. She tried to run to him, but an officer stopped her. "Whoah little one. You don''t want to see that. He is badly injured. He saved your life just now. Where are your parents? Why are you out so late?"

 Chapter 35 - Losing Everything

    Chloe awoke to Nathaniel shaking her. "Ms. Chloe! Ms. Chloe! Wake up!" She caught a glimpse of worry on his face. "What''s the matter? Why are you shaking me?" "Ma''am, I have been trying to wake you for thirty minutes now. You were screaming Brian''s name in your sleep. I was worried." "Nathianel, may I ask you a question?" Concern was written on his face. "Yes ma''am you may ask, and I''ll do my best to answer." "When I was about ten, I ran away from home. While I was out, I got into an accident. A little boy pushed me out of the way and saved me. I was wondering whatever happened to him?" "Miss, this isn''t something we should dwell on. What brought this along?" " I keep having nightmares about the event. I guess since I found out I''m going to be a mom, I worry that I won''t do a good job considering I took someone else''s child away. But last night. I dreamt that Brian was in his place. It was strange." "Miss, the boy lived. He didn''t die that day. He was injured, but your parents took care of him and his medical expenses. I thought you knew this? The boy came around several years ago looking for you. I thought he had found you, considering you were close." "Really? Who is it? I don''t remember meeting anyone several years back other than Phillip. Was it Phillip?" "No miss. I guess if he hasn''t revealed himself to you yet, then it is not my place. He must have a reason to keep that part of his life a secret. Well, Miss, Breakfast is ready, and I called Sally over to visit. She has called here worried about you." "Thank you, Nathan. I''ll be out in a moment, let me get changed." Chloe was left with her thoughts running wild. ''So the boy lived, and I know him or knew him. This is too much. I''m quite glad Sally is headed over. I need to vent. I still can''t believe the fight I had with Brian. These stupid hormones.'' Chloe left the room headed to the kitchen when a knock reverberated from the door. She opened the door to see Sally standing there with a grin on her face. "Why are you so happy?" "Because I woke up this morning. What happened? Why are you back here?" Chloe sighed. A million and one questions this early in the morning was not her cup of tea. "Come in, Sally; I was just about to sit down and eat." The girls sat at the table while Nathaniel served them. He was happy to see Chloe again, just not under these circumstances.


    "What happened with you and Brian? Why are you here?" Chloe reluctantly told Sally what happened. "Now I don''t know what to do. Should I keep the baby? Should I just leave him and raise it on my own?" "Hey, don''t worry, you have time to figure it out. I have somewhere I need to go. Why don''t you come with me? It''ll be fun, I promise." Sally grinned a devilish grin. "You know what, I could use some fun. Sure I''ll go. Let me go change first." "Ok. I have to make a call first. I''ll be waiting outside." Sally headed outside dialing a number in her phone. "Hey, it''s me. It''s time. She''s pregnant. Send the last one. Say we have her and his child. He will never see them. it''s all his fault." She hung up the phone. "Okay, I''m ready. Where are we going?" Climbing into the car, Sally smiled. "It''s about a three-hour drive. Why don''t you get some sleep and I''ll wake you when we get there." "Okay and thanks, I know I haven''t been much of a friend but thank you for being here and dragging me along."


    On Brian''s way to work, all that was on his mind was Chloe. He tried everyone they knew, and no one had seen her. He couldn''t figure out where she might be. He grew worried about finding out why she hadn''t come home last night. Hoping he hadn''t ruined everything. He wanted her, and if that meant having a child, he could live with it. He needed to find her so he could tell her. He was on his way to his office when his secretary stopped him. "Mr. Hughes, another letter came. This time it was given to the mail person." Brian snatched the letter from her and hurried into his office. "So quick? Is he getting desperate or bold?" Brian read the note and cried for a second time.


    - Dear Brian,


    This is one of the hardest things I''ll ever have to do. I can''t stay with you. I want the baby more than I have ever wanted anything in my life before. I don''t blame you for not wanting children, but this means we can''t be together anymore. I can''t face you knowing how much it will hurt me to say these words. So I choose to write this letter instead. Don''t bother looking for me. You will never find me. I loved you, Brian, but your words will forever haunt me. Maybe in the next life, we can find one another. For now, I will raise the child on my own. Maybe one day I will move on and get married to another. Hopefully, you can do the same. I wish you the best of luck in a childless life. Bye forever.


    With ever ending love


    Your angel


    Chloe.


    When Brian read the letter sent from Chloe, his legs gave out, causing him to fall. His heart felt like it was being torn out through a shredder and then set on fire. All he could do was cry to release the pain and anger. He couldn''t believe Chloe left and wouldn''t allow him to reconcile and accept the baby. He knew it was all over. His world meant nothing without her in it.

 Chapter 36 - Hell on Earth

    There was silence until a loud knock followed by a familiar voice came resonating through the door. "Brian, hey bud. Your secretary told me you had been locked in the office for three days now. Open the door, please. Let me talk to you and see if you''re alive." A rustling sound could be heard from the other side. Then, the lock tumblers could be heard falling into place. Ryan opened the door. What he saw was heartbreaking. Brian sat in his chair, slumped over the desk. His hair a mess, his face was scruffy, his clothes were disheveled. Brian hadn''t slept or showered in three days. Food containers were shoved into the trash. "Brian, come on, this isn''t you, man. What happened?" Brian lifted his head, and sorrow was obviously plastered on his face. "She is pregnant, its mine. She left me." Brian began to tear up. "Wait..she''s pregnant? And she left you? Brian, are you sure about this?" Brian sat up and looked Ryan in the eyes. Ryan saw as all emotion was leaving him. The light that nested its self in his eyes since Chloe has been around suddenly died. "She told me four days ago that she was pregnant. I was so stressed out from the letter we had received that I didn''t stop to think about how she felt. I yelled at her and told her I didn''t want the child. Before I could apologize, she ran off, leaving her phone. I called everyone I could think of. Then, the next morning, I received this." Brian gave him a letter written by Chloe.


    Ryan read the letter and reread it. "Brian, when did you get this? Like, exactly when?" Brian looked at Ryan with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Three days ago. Why do you know something? Did she speak to Sam?" Ryan gave a look of concern. "I don''t know what it means, but three days ago, Chloe left a note which gave Sam the cafe. She said almost the same exact thing here in this letter. Sam and I didn''t think too much of it since we hadn''t heard from you. We thought you guys had eloped. That is until I got a call from your secretary saying you''d locked yourself in here. " Brian gave a look of disbelief. "How could I be so stupid? I actually thought she would leave me. I gave up on her. I bet that psycho has her, and has all this time. Ugh. I should have known better. Why didn''t I investigate after I read it?"


    Ryan watched as fire for revenge flickered in Brian''s eyes. He stood mere inches away from Brian and once he saw his eyes, he slowly took steps back. He didn''t want to be in range for what was about to come next. Brian grabbed his stapler off the desk and threw it into the wall. "Calm down, Brian. We will find her. I would ask Sally, but she quit, and no one can get ahold of her. Have you tried her old place? Maybe she''s there." Brian headed to the door then stopped suddenly. "You said Sally has been missing as well? Since when?" "Yesterday, she quit her job without notice. Sam has been covering for them both. Why?" "Because it''s suspicious. The first letter, Chloe, the cafe, and now Sally? Something is not right here. Come on were headed to see Nathan. I bet he knows something."


    Brian frantically drove to Chloe''s childhood home. When he arrived, the front door was cracked open. Brian barged in yelling for Nathan when he found him lying on the ground. Brian rushed over, shaking Nathaniel, trying to wake him. When Nathaniel began to stir, Brian became aggressive. "Nathan, where is she? What happened? Who did this? Was it Sally?" "Brian, calm down and let him breathe." Ryan ran interference. "Nathan? Hey, man, can you hear me?" "Argh. My head hurts. What happened?" Nathaniel opened his eyes, seeing Brian. "How long have I been out? Did I die and go to an alternative world?" Ryan laughed. "No buddy, here sit up and tell me what happened?" " Not much to tell. The girls left to go somewhere, and I was cleaning the kitchen when someone came from behind and hit me over the head."


    "Girls? Which girls?" "Chloe and Sally." Brian raged with emotions. He shouted. "I knew it! I knew that conniving bitch had something to do with it. When I find her I''m going to make her wish Phillip would have killed her!" "Brian, calm down. We don''t know that for sure. Nathan, did Chloe say anything to you about leaving town? Did she say she was taking Sally with her?" Nathan rubbed his head, trying to remember. "No, she said Sally invited her somewhere and that she would be back later. Something about needing to call Brian." Brian looked depressed again. "Okay, thanks, Nathan. The ambulance is on their way. They should be here soon. We have to go find Chloe."


    "Thank you, master Ryan. Oh, and master Hughes? Chloe is starting to remember the accident. I found out today that you haven''t told her that you saved her life. Why?" "Because I didn''t save her life that day. She saved mine. After I got better, I tried asking my parents about the girl, and they wouldn''t give me any information. I later found out that her father had paid my parents to keep their silence. I guess he was afraid they would press charges. After they passed, I found the records of the payments that her father kept paying them. When I worked up the courage to talk to him, I found out they had passed too. So, I attended the funeral and saw Chloe there standing beside you for comfort. I watched as she even shined while death was near. She was a beautiful beacon that shined on my dark soul. I knew then what I know still. I fell in love with her that day. I then began to follow her for a little while. I found out she had someone and backed off. But then I found out she went to their graves every year alone. I had to see her. So, I did secretly. Then, one day she was much sadder than usual. Her light was growing dim, and her soul was dying. I had to do something. So I waited until the cafe was closed and pretended my car and my phone had died. But no, I never told her because I never wanted to scare her off. I was worried about how she would take it." After hearing the story, Nathaniel urged them out before the ambulance arrived. "I''ll handle this you go find her." Brian rushed home to clean up. "Okay, let''s go to the office and call him in. I need him to find Sally. If we find her, we find Chloe.

 Chapter 37 - Kidnapped

    Three days ago...


    ...When Chloe left with Sally, they had a relaxed atmosphere and blaring music. "So where are we headed? By any chance, on our way back, could we swing by Brian''s so I can talk to him? He must be worried." "Chloe, if he were worried he would have called you. You are so hung up on him and having his child, and yet, you have no clue who he really is." "I know what I need too." "Ok, so you''re just stupid?" "Really, Sally? I thought we were going to have fun?" "I never said it would be fun for you!" That''s when Sally shoved Chloe''s head into the door, causing her to become dizzy. "That hurt, what are you doing, Sally?" "I am ruining you. I''m going to take everything from you." Sally pulled off the main road onto an abandoned path. At the end of the road was a small house. Sally parked the car and drug Chloe kicking and screaming into the house. She threw her into an unoccupied room with a small bed and a bucket. A tiny ray of light found its way in through the window. "Let me go. Sally, I thought we were friends, let me out of here. When Brian finds me, you will be sorry." "Why, because he will kill me like he did Phillip? I loved him, and Brian took him away. You don''t know everything about him. Are you aware that he bought your parents company?" "He wouldn''t have. Even if he did, it''s just business." Chloe beat on the door. Sally shoved a large envelope underneath. "Look at what I found out. Phillip wasn''t the first person he has killed. Brian Hughes has killed five people in the past. He had also been stalking you from several years ago." Chloe threw the papers across the room. None of which she wanted to hear. "Your lying. Why are you lying?" "Oh and Chloe, he won''t be coming for you. You just made it way too easy." Just then Chloe heard a door open and shut and a male voice in the next room. Chloe began to scream for her release. "Shut up in there. No one even knows you''re here. I sent your precious Brian a letter saying that you left him. He won''t be coming for you. Oh, I also forged the release of your cafe to Sam. No one will miss you." Chloe cried at what the unknown male told her. "Lucas! That is not what we discussed. We were going to lure him here and kill them all." "See Sally, that''s too simple of a plan. I want payback. He killed my brother. I want him to suffer. I made it seem like she left everything. In reality, I''m going to take care of her until she delivers, then I''m going to take the child and send her head to Brian. I''ll raise the child to hate his father. So when they meet, the child''s heart will be so full of hatred that he will kill his own father." Chloe heard this from the other side of the door. She broke down believing them, with how she left Brian, who wouldn''t believe it. Chloe felt her world getting smaller. ''If it''s my child they want then I''ll make sure they never have it.'' Chloe''s plan? She was going to starve herself until it caused a miscarriage or death to both. Just because Brian didn''t want it, doesn''t mean they get to have it. She would do everything in her power to keep if from Sally and that man. She sat on the bed, praying Brian didn''t fall for their tricks. The light became dark, and she knew it was night time. Sally came back with food and more papers. "Here eat and read. It''s not poisoned. These are a few documents I took from Brian''s office. Apparently, you saved him. Well, he actually saved you but that''s not the way he tells it." Chloe looked at Sally with disgust. "I will get out of here, and when I do I''ll make you pay!" She lashed out to Sally, and Sally took a step back. "Now now, don''t get hostile. I just wanted to show you the pictures that I found of you. They were taken secretly and for a long while now." Sally threw the folder to the floor, causing the pictures to scatter. There were photos of her and her parents, her and Phillip, her at work. Creepy, stalkerish photos. "What are these? Where did you get them?" "The man you so freely gave yourself to and love so wholeheartedly, I found them in his office. Along with these documents. He bought your parents company. He played you and you''re just too stupid to see it." "If I was being played, then why didn''t you allow me to stay? Why kidnap me? Wouldn''t I have suffered more by being there?" "No. He never planned to tell you. Why would he? You have given him everything. For me to make you suffer, I found out that telling you the truth about your one true love would hurt you more than anything I could ever have thought up would. Now I have some business to attend. You sit here and think about what I told you." Chloe sat, crying. "Why me? Why are you doing this to me? Your an evil bitch!"


    Half of Chloe hoped Brian would find her and the other half, wished he wouldn''t because she wasn''t sure how she felt about him. Knowing that he had been stalking her and knowing who he used to be, she became scared of Brian. She cried herself to sleep, hoping it was all a bad dream.


    Chloe awoke to Sally, pouring water on her. "Wake up, bitch! Your nightmare isn''t over yet. I have wonderful news; no one has questioned you being gone. Also, I quit my job." Sally laughed. Chloe began to cry, wondering why? She had begun to lose track of the days. Not sure if Brian would ever save her. "He will find me, and when he does, you will pay!" Chloe slapped Sally. "Damn. I''ve been wanting to do that for a while now." Suddenly Chloe felt a sting across her face. Chloe hit her back. Then Sally hit her again and again. She was almost releasing years of pent-up jealousy and rage. She kept hitting Chloe, causing blood to splatter along the floor. Chloe tried to fight back, but she was weaker in this state. "Hey! Hey Sally! Get off her! You''re going to kill her! Remember the baby!"


    When Chloe saw the mystery man, it hit her of who he was. "Lucas?" Chloe spoke weakly. Her body was about ready to give. She has starved herself since coming here. "Sally, we need the baby alive. If you kill her too soon, everything will be for nothing." "She killed Phillip, your brother, because of her, he is dead. She deserves the same fate." "She will get hers, and he will pay. For now, I need you to stay calm and exit so I can fix her up." Sally left Lucas alone with Chloe. As she exited, she cursed Lucas for not letting her put Chloe in a coma. When Lucas reached for Chloe, she jumped. "Calm down, Chloe, I won''t hurt you. I need you alive." "Lucas? Why are you doing this to me? I treated you like a brother." "Why? Because Brian killed Phillip for you. He was a douchebag, but he was still family. He didn''t deserve to die." "Didn''t deserve? He killed an unborn child. He beat Sally and left her to die. He abused me and attempted to **** me more than once. He was cruel, and I''m glad he''s dead!" Chloe tried to provoke Lucas; she wanted to die. Chloe was depressed and pissed. She drew what strength she could find and punched Lucas in the face. "You bitch! You will pay for that. I''ll make you suffer more than ever now." He stormed out and locked the door behind him. She could see Sally sitting on the counter, drinking some kind of liquid. "That bitch. She will pay for that." "Oh. so it''s only ok for you to hurt her but not me." "I didn''t lay a hand on her yet. But she will suffer. There will be no food for her tonight. Make her starve. we''ll weaken her so she won''t pull shit like that again." "Have you heard anything from any one of her friends?" "They don''t suspect anything yet, and Brian has been locked in his office, too depressed to confront any possibility of the truth." "That''s good. I want him to suffer."


    The third day passed quickly for Chloe. They starved her again. She was growing weaker by the second and felt that if she weren''t found soon, she would actually die here. She fell into a deep sleep and woke up to someone hooking her to some machines and an I.V. line. She had become disoriented and not aware of time or people. After some time she passed out and slipped into a coma from malnutrition.

 Chapter 38 - Rescued

    Brian and Ryan headed to the office. Once there, Brian made some phone calls while Ryan straightened up the office. "Found him. He''s on his way, maybe this way we''ll get answers. He''s expensive, but Chloe is worth everything I own." "How long?" "Should be coming any second now. He wasn''t far. Although he wasn''t happy either, he was already on another job when I summoned him. But he is the best of the best at finding people." There was a knock at the door. "Sir, there is a man here to see you." "Let him in." A man stepped in; he was shorter than both Brian and Ryan. He had a medium build. "Hi Mr. Hughes, you needed my services?" "Jacob. It''s good to see you again. I need to find someone who has kidnapped my girlfriend. If we can find her, then we can find Chloe." "Is this the same Chloe you had me locate years ago?" "Yes, but the person we need to find is her ex-best friend Sally. We believe that she kidnapped Chloe." "Ok. So how do you want me to proceed?" "Any method possible. If you come across red tape let me know and I''ll fix it." "Alright, sir. I understand fully." Jacob''s job is to use unorthodox methods in finding people. If needed, he can hack any system in any database to get what he needs. He has bribed many officials and even has tortured a few people for information. He works freelance, and this makes him expensive. "The price of this hurried information is 7.6 million. If there are no problems, I''ll proceed here and just jump into it." Without hesitation, Brian spoke. "Money is no issue. I need her found two days ago. Find her at all cost." "Ok. Lend me your desk." Brian cleaned off his desk and set up his ??ptop. Brian paced back and forth, feeling impatient. "Brian, sit down he will be done soon enough." "I found Sally. She has been in the same spot for over 2 hours now. I ?ssume this is where she is keeping Chloe." Brian rushed to Jacob''s computer to view the location. "Let''s go, Ryan. Gather the Elites and let''s head there. Tell them we will meet them there and not to enter until I arrive." As they headed out the door, Ryan called The Elites.


    The elites are a unique security detail that Brian hired. The group was specially trained in hand to hand combat and the art of every weapon. Not one man could stand against them while heading to the location Ryan received a phone call. "Yes. Ok. Alright. I''ll tell him thanks for the update." "Who was that?" "The Elites. They have arrived on location. They are staying hidden and observing. They see a male and female but no others. They are waiting for us to arrive." "Ok. we are almost there."


    They arrived on the scene. Tom, the Elites leader, met with Brian and learned the details of what is going on. They made a plan to charge in with no mercy and take Chloe back. Ready to head into the house, Brian became worried, a sickening feeling washed over him, feeling of dread. It overtook his emotions, and he charged in alone. "Where is she? Where is Chloe? What have you done to her?" He saw a man sitting in the living room, and without further questions, rage took over, and he began to beat the man senseless. "She is in the back room. Stop hitting me!"


    Lucas was bloody and b?r?ly holding on when he spit out Chloe''s location. Ryan pulled Brian off Lucas while the Elites surrounded him with guns pointed. "Brian, go get your girl. We have these two." Brian walked to Sally. "She was your friend. How could you do this to her? All she ever wanted was your happiness. Did you know that''s why she left Phillip? She left him because she found out you were sleeping with him. She didn''t want to stand in your way. If it had been any other female, she would have fought. But because it was you, she gave you what you wanted. This is how you repay her?" Sally felt a sting on her cheek. Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew, at this moment, she was screwed. Brian went to the back room and kicked in the locked door. He froze when he saw Chloe lying there, seemingly lifeless. She was breathing, but b?r?ly. Brian scooped her into his arms, ripping the IV line from her arm. He carried her out of the room; tears could be seen dropping from his face. Brian''s emotions were everywhere. "If she doesn''t make it, or the baby doesn''t, you are both dead." He spoke through his tears.


    "It''s not our fault. She tried to starve herself to death." "Shut up. Take them away from here. Brian let''s get her to the hospital." Ryan stepped in to gain control as Brian felt he was losing control by the second. In a trance, he walked to the car and placed Chloe''s limp body into the back seat. "It will be okay baby. I''m here, and they won''t ever be able to hurt you again. Ryan, I''ll kill them both. They put their hands on Chloe, and she has been beaten. She still hasn''t woke up." "It''s ok. We''re almost to the hospital. She will get the best treatment."


    Arriving at the hospital, Brian rushed Chloe inside, telling the staff her condition and the situation. Without further questions, the staff rushed her into a room where they examined her from head to toe. They checked on the status of the baby, and they tried to wake her using several methods. When they finished, the doctor came and spoke to a very impatient boyfriend. "What''s going on in there? How is she? How is my baby? Please, doctor, I need her." "Calm down, Mr. Hughes. The patient is in, what we hope is a temporary coma. She passed out due to trauma to the head and malnutrition. We are doing everything we can to help her. When she wakes up, you need to be there."


    "I have every plan to stay by her side. But what about our child? Is it ok?" "No. I''m sorry, but she was only a month pregnant. With the stress she endured, there was no way for the baby to survive. I''ll be back later to check on her condition; you may go see her now." Brian tried to process what the doctor had said. He went into the room and saw Chloe hooked to several machines. He sat beside her and cried while holding her hand. How was he to tell her that the baby she wanted so much is gone? The baby he wanted is gone. How does one come back from this? To Brian, it was weird. He didn''t want the baby to begin with, but knowing that it was part of her, of their love, he began to think, how could he not want it? Life is cruel because now he can never have it. "Chloe baby, I''m here. I just need you to open your eyes. Please, baby, just wake up." Brian kept weeping for the loss of his child and the pain for his girlfriend. He felt helpless.

 Chapter 39 - Time

    It''s been five months, five grueling, terrible months since Chloe fell into a coma. Brian waited by her bedside every day, waiting for her to wake up. He was waiting for her to show any sign of hope. Ryan has stepped in and offered to take care of Chloe while Brian was at work. Brian accepted under the condition that he was to call every hour with an update. Sam took over the cafe, waiting for a glimpse of hope that Chloe would pull through. Sally was arrested. While sitting in jail, she killed herself. Knowing that she killed Chloe''s baby, somehow gave her the satisfaction to end her life. Chloe laid unconscious in the hospital room, while Brian sat next to her talking to her and holding her hand. "Chloe, please angel, wake up. Please just give some sign that you are still with us." Once again, he held her hand as always and kissed the back. This has become the new routine; the difference this time was Chloe. Chloe roused, moving her hand from his. This sudden movement startled Brian. At first, he thought he was seeing things, and there was no way she could actually be awake. He sat for a second, wondering if it was real. Once Chloe ?r??n?d and tried to open her eyes, he dashed out of the room, yelling for a doctor. He called both Ryan and Sam to come immediately, telling them there has been a change to her condition. "Ms. Wilson? Can you hear me? I''m Dr. Nazareth, do you know where you are?" Chloe looked around and saw she was in the hospital. "Hospital." She replied hoarsely. "I''m in the hospital, right?" Chloe looked around the room. "But why am I here? Did something happen?" Brian looked concerned and worried. "Do you not remember?" Brian spoke. "No doctor, I don''t remember how I got here." "Doctor? Do you know who I am?" "Um... are you not another doctor?" Brian grabbed the doctor by his arm, dragging him out of the room. "Doctor, What''s going on? Why is this happening?" "It seems she has amnesia. We''ll have to run some tests. Prepare yourself for the worst. She could regain her memory, best case. Worst case, it may never return." Sam and Ryan showed up as they were talking in the hallway. "Brian, she''s awake? Can I go see her?" "Before you go, Sam, prepare yourself. She seems to have forgotten some things and people." "Oh my, ok I''ll take it slow." Once Sam entered the room, Chloe grew happy to see her. "Sam! Thank God you''re here. I was beginning to think that no one cared. How long have I been here, and who are they?" Chloe pointed to Ryan and Brian, who exchanged looks of worry. "Chloe? What''s the last thing you remember?" Chloe thought for a while. "Ah. Our July event at the cafe." "Chloe dear that was about seven months ago." "Seven? What happened, and why are they here? Do I know them?" "Chloe sweetie..." "Hey I''m Ryan, Sam''s boyfriend and this is my friend Brian. We have known you for over a year now." "Really? Do you mind? I would like to speak with Sam alone." "Sure thing. We will go get some coffee." Ryan pushed a zombie-like Brian out of the room. Brian was still in shock that Chloe, his love, didn''t remember him. "Ryan, what am I going to do? She doesn''t remember me or what we had together. She doesn''t even remember she was pregnant. How am I supposed to tell her about the baby? Do I even tell her?" Brian was losing hope by the second. His aura was dark and full of despair. His eyes were heavy with sadness and loneliness. He felt his world shatter. Brian thought he could handle things when she woke up that at least she was alive. But once reality sat in and he realized she didn''t know him, that pain was indescribable. "Hey, look, man, I know it seems bad right now. Maybe she will remember you. Have hope. She is alive and awake. We will take it slow. Ok. One day at a time."


    Chloe sat, waiting for Sam to explain what happened. "So... What exactly happened?" "Chloe, um... Sally kidnaped you. Do you remember?" Chloe shook her head no. "She did what? Why?" "Um... There is more. You were pregnant, and..." "I''m pregnant?! Who is the father? I have a boyfriend? I''m not a v?r??n?" " Slow down, yes, you were pregnant. The father is a great man. Yes, he was also your boyfriend. That man is Brian. The guy who just left. You have been dating for a while now. Almost a year. Sally kidnapped you because she blames you for her losing her baby and Phillip dying. By the way, Sally is dead; she took her own life. I know this is a lot to process, but I felt you needed to know." Chloe sat in shock by the news. How did she forget everything? She looked at Sam, confused about whether or not to believe her. It felt surreal. "There is no way any of that is true. Is it April fools? I''m being pranked, right? I would remember having a boyfriend let alone getting pregnant, and Phillip dying and Sally getting pregnant. Not to mention her death. Very funny Sam, you can tell everyone I fell for it. bring everyone out." Chloe stared at Sam for the longest time, waiting on some kind of confirmation that it was all a joke. But, all she could see was the pain and sorrow in her eyes. When she saw how serious Sam was, she then realized it was the truth. She sat with her hands on her head. It was all too much to believe and too much to take in. She didn''t know what to do. The doctor walked back in, "Miss Wilson, we are going to run a few tests to make sure you are ok." "Okay? Okay? I can tell you, doctor; I am not okay. If what Sam says is true, then I will never be ok." Brian and Ryan walked back into the room, catching the end of the conversation. "What do you mean you''re not okay? Where does it hurt? what can I do for you?" Brian went into overprotective boyfriend mode. When Chloe looked at him confused, wondering why he was acting that way. He realized the horrible dream was real. He became quiet and excused himself from the room. Ryan looked at Sally. As if she could read his mind, she nodded. "Go, I''ll take care of Chloe." "What is wrong with that guy? Why did he act like that?" "Have you forgotten Chloe. In that guy''s mind, you are together. In your mind, he is a stranger. You see the problem." "Yeah, but that''s not my problem. I didn''t ask for this." "Neither did he!" Chloe sighed, realizing that sooner or later, she will need to speak with him. "Can you guys ask him to come back. I would like to clear this awkward air." Sally perked up. "I''ll go get him." She ran after Brian. She found him in the waiting room. "Good I found you. Chloe wants to speak with you. " "I''m not going." "What? why? She asked me to get you; she wants to talk with you." "Why should I go? So she can stare at me like a stranger? So my heart can break every time I look into her eyes? She may have Chloe''s looks and her voice. But those eyes are not Chloe''s. Her eyes were full of life and brought light into my world. These eyes are dark, and life has left them. It''s like she died and it''s all my fault." "Brian Lee Hughes! How dare you? You sit there complaining and acting as though your girl has died. She is in the other room. You need to go talk to her. Sit with her and explain the most you can. Maybe something will come back." Ryan stood over Brian, yelling at him. "Dude, Calm down we''re in a hospital." "And What are they going to do? Throw the owner out?" "I own this, not you. Fine, I''ll go see her. If for nothing else but to say goodbye."


    A light knock could be heard in the silence. "Come in, please." As Brian walked into Chloe''s room, Chloe observed the pain in his eyes and the sadness in his posture. "I''m glad you came. I feel like I owe it to you to listen and try to remember. It''s true. I can''t remember you, but for some reason, I feel sad that your sad, and that makes me feel guilty. I don''t know you, yet at the same time, I don''t want to hurt you either." Brian sat and listened to her. Tears were reaching the edge of his eyes. His voice cracked when he spoke. "I am Brian Hughes. We have been dating for almost a year. We...we..." Brian stopped and broke down crying. Chloe jumped up out of bed and ran to him, hugging him. She wasn''t sure why, but she felt a need to comfort him. When she opened her mouth to speak, a rush of familiar words flooded. "It''s okay, whatever the problem we will fight it together, I want to protect you as you have protected me, I want to be your queen to this ruthless empire of a world." Once she said these words, Brian grabbed her and kissed her. With this kiss, her memories flooded back, causing her balance to waver. "You remember?" "I didn''t until you kissed me. It was like a key to the lock of my memories." "But what you said? How did you know?" "I didn''t, I felt the need to comfort you, and when I spoke, it was like deja vu. But Brian, I remember you." She pushed him away and stood on her own, walking back to her bed. "I remember everything." "That''s amazing." "No. Brian, we need to talk"

 Chapter 40 - Space

    Brian didn''t like it when he heard those words from her. "Its ok Chloe, we will talk. Later, please? I just want to enjoy this time with you." "That''s the thing, Brian. I don''t think it can wait any longer. Sally told me some things about you. Some things that concern me." "I can only imagine what that Witch would tell you." "Please just listen and then tell me its all lies. Please." "I don''t know if I can do that. It depends on what she told you." Brian gave Chloe a soulless look. He had guessed what Sally told her. However, he still wanted to hear it from Chloe. "Sally said that you''d killed more than just Phillip. You also have been stalking me for a while now. She said you bought out my company and that you have been using me all this time. Please tell me it''s not true. I''ll apologize for not trusting you, and we can return like normal. Please?!" Brian''s features grew dark, and Chloe dreaded the next words. "It''s not all true. Its lies mixed with truth to cause doubt between us." "So you haven''t killed five people, and you haven''t stalked me?"


    "That is true." Chloe became flushed and ran to the bathroom. Her stomach turned at the thought of him being a stalker. Brian hurried behind her only to have the door slammed in his face before he could reach her. He pounded on the door. "Chloe! Please open the door. I have to explain it to you. After you hear me out if you wish it, I''ll leave you alone forever. Just please allow me to explain." Brian Pounded on the door again, pleading for her to open. Chloe was inside crying, feeling betrayed, feeling as though the man she loved, she b?r?ly knew. Wishing she would have never regained her memories. "Leave! I don''t want you here. I don''t want to see you or hear from you. Leave now!" Chloe was a mess of emotions. She was sad, furious, lost, hurt, and felt betrayed.


    Sam and Ryan rushed into the room upon hearing the commotion. "What''s going on? Why are you beating on the door? Is Chloe okay?" Sam rushed to the door and heard Chloe telling Brian to leave. "Brian, I think you should leave for now. Give her some time she will remember you." Brian shot Sam an unpalatable look. "She already remembers everything. Now she hates me, and it''s all that bitches fault. The worse part is she has her mind made up about me already. In her eyes, I''m the bad guy. She won''t even allow me to explain the situation." Brian turned and headed out of the room, hanging his head in defeat. Ryan stopped him, "Hey, it will be okay. Let Sam talk to her and give her some space. Maybe then she will come to you wanting to talk." "Yeah, maybe...I don''t know anymore." After Brian left, Sam knocked on the bathroom door. "Hey sweetie, he left. Can you come out now?" Sam pleaded for her to open the door. Slowly Chloe opened the door popping her head around the door, examining the room for Brian. When she didn''t see him, she stepped out with tears running down her face. "Awe, Chloe, Sweetie." Sam held Chloe tight against her ?h?st in a hug.


    "It will be ok. Come, sit, we need to talk. Ryan, Sweetie, go see about him. Please, we can''t let this happen to our friends." Chloe and Sam sat down, Chloe still crying, "I... don''t... know... what... how... please." "Calm down, Honey, slowly tell me what happened." "Sally... told me... that Brian staled me for years and only used me all this time. I asked him, and he didn''t deny it." "Chloe, I know." Chloe shot Sam a look of betrayal.


    "What do you mean? Explain!" "I saw Brian come around before you met him. He used to come in, order coffee black, and sit in a booth by himself. I asked him one day, and he said he was working the courage up to thank you for saving his life. He said that when you were younger something happened and because of that you saved his life. I didn''t ask too much more. I thought you knew this. I thought that when you finally met him, he had told you that''s why you were together." "No. I don''t remember saving him. I have never saved anyone in my life. I couldn''t even save Sally, so he must have been mistaken." "I wouldn''t know maybe that''s what he wanted to explain to you. As far as him using you? Chloe, honey, Do you really think...at any point...that this man didn''t love you? You don''t see the way he looks at you, or how worried you make him when you''re not around. How about the fact that the entire time you were comatose he has been by your side day and night. He never left your side. He was here begging and pleading for you to wake up. When we were all giving up hope and ready to let you go, he fought for you and said that you wouldn''t leave him. He said that his and your love was strong enough to pull you back. That you swore, you wouldn''t leave him. He cried for days after finding out you miscarried. Blamed himself saying he was stupid and did enjoy the idea of being a father that he would love the kid because it was part you. That he knew no matter what the child would be great because it would have you as a mom. Does this sound like a man who used you?" Chloe sat, shocked by her friend''s words. Disbelief settled in, and when reality woke her up, she bawled. She knew he loved her, and she loved him. She was stupid and allowed Sally to influence her choices. She knew what she had to do.


    Brian left the hospital before Ryan could catch up with him. Ryan called his cell several times, failing to speak with Brian. Brian headed to his house. It felt weird being there without Chloe. His depression grew with each memory they shared. Every room had shared memories of Chloe. The living space where they laughed, cuddled and watched movies, the kitchen where they playfully cooked together, the stairs he carried her up every time she fell asleep in his arms, and of course, the bedroom they shared and the bedroom that was hers. Every time he shut his eyes, she was what he saw. He couldn''t escape her, and he didn''t want to. Brian sat in self-loathing. Wishing he would have told her the truth. He should have fought harder and kept her safe. He knew Sally was up to no good, he should have seen it and stopped her. Brian called a staff meeting within the house. "I''ve decided that I will be leaving. I don''t know for how long. While I''m gone, Chloe will still be staying here after she gets better. I expect you to continue doing your jobs. You will still be compensated for your work, that will not change. If there is an emergency, have David call me. I''ll be at the beach house in Palawan. That is all." Brian headed to the room to pack a few things. If she wanted space, he was going to give her space.

 Chapter 41 - Palawan: Beach House

    Word reached Chloe about Brian''s plans, and she immediately instructed the doctors to release her, or she would walk out. The doctors obliged and released her per her orders. Grabbing her belongings and dressed in nothing but a hospital gown, she left the hospital. Buzzing down the streets, taking turn after turn, praying she reached Brian before he left. She needed to clear things up before he left. He needed to know that she was sorry and didn''t want space. She pulled into the airport, dashing through the crowd and shoving one person after the next. When she finally spotted Brian about to enter his gate. She gathered all the voice she had and shouted around the loud bustling of people. "BRIAN HUGHES, STOP!!!" Brian heard her voice and turned to see her struggling to get past the crowded area. Brian smiled for a split second and then turned and exited toward the plane. Chloe stopped pushing through the crowd. She fell to her knees and cried. She knew he saw her; why did he continue to leave? Did she push him away too many times? What was she to do now? She was too caught up in her emotions to realize someone had placed a hand on her shoulder. "Chloe, why don''t you stand and come with me?" She knew from the voice it was Ryan. She looked into his eyes and cried again. "Why did he leave me? He saw me and still left." "Calm down. We can get you a plane ticket to join him. If you want, go chase him down and make him listen. Don''t give up." Chloe nodded her head. "Yes, where did he go?" "First, you need to get changed." Chloe finally realized that she was still in her hospital gown. It caused her to blush. "Yeah, maybe we can find some clothes." Chloe laughed nervously. "It''s ok, sweetie I brought your clothes. After you left me at the hospital, I called Ryan, and he filled me in on what he knew. He picked me up from the hospital after you left me." Chloe smiled when she saw Sam. Glad to have such wonderful friends. After changing into something more decent, Ryan bought her a ticket to Palawan. He provided her with the address for the beach house where Brian was to stay. The only worry Chloe had was, what if he left to be with another woman?


    Brian heard someone call his name as he was boarding his flight. He turned and saw Chloe shoving her way through the crowd. He laughed a little, seeing her attire. This meant she left the hospital without changing. He turned and entered the gate to his plane. He knew she wanted to talk, but he had a plan, and this plan called for her to follow him. After boarding his private jet, yeah he could have made it wait, after all, he did own it. He sent Ryan a message ''Chloe is at the airport half dressed. Please get her some clothes and buy her a ticket. Give her this address 123 XXX ST. Tell her to follow me and make it your idea. If she knew, she would never follow.'' Brian then shut his phone off and instructed the pilot to take off. He had to hurry so he could prepare for his guest. After about an 18-hour flight, Brian departed his plane and headed to the house. He made a few stops to ensure that everything went according to plan. He had already determined that if she followed him, then she was his, but if she didn''t, then he would let her go and never come back. Seeing her again would have been too painful. A sigh of relief escaped his lips when he finally received a message from Ryan ''She is headed your way. It''s all up to you now, so don''t let me down. You have about 20 hours before she lands. Make it worth the while.'' Brian smiled, knowing she followed meant everything in the world to him that she was on her way. It said she still cared, and he still had a chance. Before the kidnapping, he had plans to apologize and try to explain everything to her, but that ?unt ruined it all. Now, he wouldn''t miss the chance a second time.


    Chloe sat on the plane, worried about every possible outcome when she would arrive to see Brian. She knew the trip would take forever, and she was prepared.


    At the airport, Sam looked at Ryan disapprovingly. "You know, if she gets there and he breaks her heart, I''m going to break you, right?" Ryan laughed. "Honey, do you think I would have sent her if he didn''t want me to?" Sam thought for a moment and reached a conclusion, slapping Ryan playfully. "You jerks planned this?" "No, he planned it. He told me to put her on a plane and gave me an address to give her. It is all Brian." Sam found herself swooning at the romance of it all. Ryan became a little jealous, knowing what was turning in her head.


    Chloe finally landed and found there was a huge language barrier. She wasn''t sure how to hail a cab, let alone give directions. While standing outside the airport, she noticed a slender man holding a sign with her name on it. She went up to him, pointed at the sign, and pointed back at herself. She was trying to signal that he was waiting for her. The driver acknowledged and ushered her into the car. Chloe didn''t think too much about the situation. She just figured Ryan had set it up for her. Either way, it made it so much easier. As she was traveling down one road after another, she noticed the scenery. There were bright green trees, with an almost perfect view of the ocean at every turn. It was breathtaking. She thought to herself that she would need to thank Ryan for this chance to see such a sight. After about 30 minutes of driving, the car pulled into a narrow drive, and the driver ushered her to exit. After she climbed out of the vehicle, the driver took off. "Hey, where am I?" She yelled to the driver who didn''t stop. "Ugh!"


    She turned and took a look at the massive house. It was a wooden structure with an elegant dark brown color. She looked at the single floor home standing on stilts. She ?ssumed it was in case it flooded. There were three flights of stairs she had to take to get to the house. She thought the place looked like something out of a Southern Living magazine or something. She began her ascent upstairs and almost forgot why she was here when she finally reached the top. The top of the stairs led to a wrap-around porch, which gave a magnificent view of the ocean. As she walked around, she noticed that the side of the house facing the sea was made of glass. She gasped when she saw inside; everything was so beautiful. She spotted a comfy fireplace and a fluffy white couch. After taking in the sights, she decided to knock on the front door. She waited and knocked again. No answer, until she heard a familiar voice from behind the house. Walking back again, she saw Brian. He was leaning against the railing. She became shy for some reason and a bit embarrassed. It couldn''t have been because Brian stood in the light with nothing but shorts on.


    A sight she has never experienced. He stood with his six-pack abs leaned against the rail with his beautiful wavy hair flowing in the wind. His bulging biceps...ugh, Chloe get a grip. She dozed off into a dream world. Snapping her back to reality, "Hey, beautiful. I see you found me." "Um... Yeah, I felt we still needed to discuss a few things." "That''s a great idea. I made dinner, do you want some?" Chloe was shocked because he didn''t sound mad even though he had every right to be. "Yes, I would love dinner."

 Chapter 42 - Story Time

    Brian ushered Chloe to the dining table, where he had prepared a lavish meal. She sat at the table, fidgeting with her hands and her napkin. She knew they needed to talk, but she couldn''t find the words to speak. At the current moment, all she could manage was to stare at him. Her mind went blank, leaving her body a drooling mess. "Chloe, are you okay? I think you have drool on your chin." Brian said, mockingly. Chloe snapped back into reality and wiped her chin only to find nothing there. "You are mean. How are you gonna tell a lady something is there when it''s not?" Feeling the need to repay the sincerity, she said: "I bet you have practice telling women something is there when it''s not." She smiled, pointing her eyes to his crotch. "Oh baby, you most definitely know what I have there, no need to lie. But if you forgot with that case of amnesia, then I will be more than happy to show you after dinner." Brian set a plate of delectable food in front of her. Her eyes grew big at the sight of it. She was astonished by his cooking skills. She politely waited for him to take a seat and begin to eat before she took a bite. "So, what brings you here? I thought you wanted space." Chloe hurried to swallow her food so she could speak. "I wanted space. Not for you to fly halfway around the world. I couldn''t let you leave without telling you." Her voice trailed off. She scolded herself for not being brave enough to spit it out. It wasn''t the first time she has told him, but why was this time so much harder. "What? What did you want to tell me?" Brian was doing his best to keep a straight emotionless face; in reality, he wanted to grin knowing what she wanted to tell him. Chloe looked at the table to gain the resolve to speak again. "I wanted to say, I''m sorry. I love you and am willing to hear your side and to try to see things from your perspective." "Okay, how about I tell you a story." Chloe sat picking at her plate; she nodded for him to continue. " There was a boy who was being neglected by his parents. His parents, who shoved him onto the closest servant and thought if they showed him any attention, it would spoil him. The boy ran away one day and saw a beautiful girl crying in the middle of the road. Before a car could hit her, he shoved her out of the way. He was badly injured and woke up in the hospital. The doctors explained how lucky he was to be alive. The boy saw his parents sitting and weeping beside him. Because of the accident, the boy''s parents began to love him with all they had. When the boy reached ?du?thood, he tried to find the girl and gain any information he could. After his parents passed, her name was finally given to him. So he sought her out to thank her for saving him. If it hadn''t been for her that day, his parents might have never noticed him." Brian paused, noticing Chloe had finished her food. He stood to take her plate to the kitchen. "Is that the whole story? What happened to the boy and girl?" Chloe was more than interested in the story now. Brian chuckled at the sight of her. It reminded him of an innocent child hearing a bedtime story. He grabbed two glasses from the counter and a bottle of wine. He didn''t prefer wine, but he knew Chloe liked it, so for her, they will share a glass. He motioned for her to follow him to the living room to get more comfortable. "The boy did eventually find her. He hired someone to help find her and acquired her address. After a long period of looking, he became nervous about confronting her. One day, he gathered all his strength and showed up at her home. He met her father, who explained that the girl was in a relationship and was ?ssured that he would pass along the message of gratitude. He thought the father was trying to run him off; maybe he knew who the boy turned out to be. Maybe he was just acting like a father. However, the boy left only to keep an eye on her from a distance. He still had the urge to protect her because he knew she was the only love he would ever have." Brian cut the story short and walked to the fireplace mantle, removing a beautifully rose printed hand-carved wooden box. "Come on. You cant end the story like that. What happened? Did they ever meet again? Did she love him? Did they get married?" Chloe was at the edge of her seat, wanting to know how the story ended. Brian smiled while walking back to sit next to her. "Yes, they did finally meet. By chance, they visited the same graveyard. He spotted her from across the yard and had to speak to her. He went to see her at work and had to come up with a ridiculous story about his phone being dead. She was going through something bad in her life, so he felt the need to protect her once again and asked her to live with him. She went through a long road to get her happy ending, including pregnancy. When she told the boy, he was so worried that he would lose her and acted out of fear. She ran away, upset. She got kidnapped, amnesia, and found out a horrible truth. So the boy made the single best choice of his life. He would leave. If she followed, he knew she loved him, and if she didn''t, he would never return. He was lucky because she followed. Now the boy kneeled before the girl and asked. Chloe, will you be my wife?" Chloe, now in tears, looked down as he opened the box to see a shimmering gold band with small soft pink diamonds embedded in the shape of a heart. She looked at Brian, who was still waiting for an answer. She was so shocked by the proposal that all she could manage was a nod. Brian sat down beside her, placing the ring on her finger and pulled her into an ?r?t??, seductive kiss.

 Chapter 43 - Pleasure

    Brian moved the kiss to the nape of her neck, causing her to become wet with anticipation. She felt his member press against her and how it was growing with every touch. When he touched her, a fire erupted within her. She had never felt so sensual from anything before. She knew this time was different because this time she knew he was hers and she was his. He pushed her down on the couch, continuously kissing her. He stopped kissing her long enough to remove their shirts while remaining pressed up against her with his groin. He began kissing her again and took off her pants and und?rw??r. Brian kissed a trail down to her navel and then down to her v???n?. She gasped, loudly m??ning while he played with her ???t?r?s using his tongue. She thought to herself that this man really knew what he was doing. She m??n?d louder, pulling on his hair and digging her nails into his back. She knew that if he kept going, she would finish very soon. Brian sensed her p???sur? about to erupt, so he stopped and stood to undo his belt and to let his pants and und?rw??r fall to the floor. His manhood stood erect, and she couldn''t help but want to taste the sweet dew on the tip of it. He saw her ???k?n? her lips. "Go ahead, taste it." He stated in a s?xy, raspy voice. His voice turned her on even more. She did as she was told but not before making the comment, "Yes, sir." With a mischievous smile on her face. This was a side of Brian she had never experienced before. But she liked it. She liked it a lot. She lovingly grabbed his ever-growing member in her hand and began to tease the tip with her tongue until Brian let out a deep growl. "Woman open your mouth and drop your hands." Chloe smiled and complied, doing as she was told. Brian slid his hands into her hair, grabbing a fistful and guiding his throbbing shaft into her mouth; he began to slide his manhood in and out. Moaning, she began to tear up with p???sur? as his pulsing member kept hitting the back of her throat. The deeper he went, the more tears she shed. She wasn''t used to su?k?n? him this way and to take it in so deep was so new to her. Brian pulled her head off his manhood and kissed her furiously. She felt his need for her and was almost at her limit. All she could think about was his large member sliding into her soaking wet v???n?. "Please... Put it in." She begged. He was hearing her plea, which aroused Brian even more. However, he wanted to tease her just a little longer. "Put what where? You are going to have to say it if you want it." Chloe gave him a pleading look and spoke. "Please put your throbbing anaconda into my wet hole." Brian was satisfied with her response and laid her back on the couch. He spread her legs, rubbing her ???t?r?s with his hand. He watched as she m??n?d and arched her back, begging for more. "Ahhh..." Brian slid two fingers into her, playing with her g-spot while using his thumb to play with her ???t?r?s. This triggered a more significant reaction from her. She came into his hand. Pleased with her response, Brian rubbed his member against her ??b??, teasing her hole and then he shoved his manhood deep into her. Thrusting deep with a steady pace, he watched his angel m??n with p???sur?.


    "Ah, yes, Brian. Harder." Brian loved it when she yelled his name; it allowed him to know that he was the only thing on her mind at that moment. His movements became swift and steady. Thrusting into her and shoving his whole shaft deep into her as she begged for more. He flipped her over in mid-stroke, his steel-hard Johnson never leaving her warm tunnel, and pulled her luscious hair making her groan with p???sur?. He sped up his pace and gave her everything he had. Thrusting into her faster and more profound. Building up and intensifying until, finally, both bodies became one as they climaxed in sync, relishing in the glory of their shared p???sur?.


    After they both came, Brian lifted Chloe and carried her to the bathroom. "Hey, what are you up to?" "Well, I know you need to get cleaned up, and I guessed that you wouldn''t be able to stand, so I am carrying you." He said this with a smile across his chiseled face. Chloe gleamed with satisfaction and nestled into his strong arms, enjoying the fact that she was his to have as he pleased and whenever he delighted. Brian placed her into the bath and ran the water, asking if the temperature was to her liking. After adjusting it a few times, he poured bubbles into the tub so she could relax more. Finally, he kissed her gently on her forehead. "You relax and enjoy yourself while I go and finish up some work." He gave her a kind smile and walked out. Chloe sat in the tub thanking the heavens that a man like him was sent to her. She enjoyed the pure ecstasy he provided when they were together, and at times like this, she regretted being away from him. He was her drug, and she was addicted.


    After about an hour of bathing, she left the bathroom and searched for Brian. She eventually found him sitting at a desk in what could only be the study. When she walked in, he smiled at her. "Did you enjoy the bath?" "Yes, thank you for everything." She walked up behind his chair and ran her fingers through his hair. "Are you almost done with work?" "No, Ryan sent me a list of clients who are requesting my presence and demanding that I come back immediately. I told him to stall just a while longer. I want to spend more time with my beloved."


    Chloe blushed, hearing his words. She pulled his hair slightly, and a groan escaped his lips. "You keep that up, and we will have to go for round two." She smiled and tempted him further. She leaned down, kissing his neck and nibbling on his ear. She knew it aroused him, and she wasn''t afraid of the consequences. Brian let out a loud growl and spun around in his chair. Facing her, he buried his face in her ?h?st. Then he gripped her backside with both hands and lifted her to place her onto his ??p. "You have no clue as to the effect that you have on me. If it were my choice, you would be locked up and never allowed to leave the bed." "Would that be so bad?" She smiled, teasingly at him. He twisted the chair around to face the desk and cleared the desk off, setting her on top. "Looks like the angel didn''t get enough earlier." A sly smile escaped his lips as he spread her legs and played with her again. She laid back m??ning and gripping the edge of the desk.


    Once Brian successfully aroused her to his liking, he stood up and bent her over his desk, shoving his throbbing member into her once again. As it slid into her, a loud m??n escaped her lips, and on cue, with each thrust, she grew louder. But Brian wasn''t going to allow her to get off as quickly as he had earlier. He was more aroused now than before. His motions became more intense and rapid. She scrambled to find something to hold onto. If not for the desk being bolted to the floor, it would have moved across the floor with her. In the moment of her third release and him still pounding only one thought crossed her mind. ''This is what it means to fu?k your brains out.''

 Chapter 44 - notice

    hey my loyal fans. I''m writting to tell everyone how sorry I am that I havent updated in a while.i am having personal problems at the moment. hopefully I can get to it soon. However it has not ended. I fully have a plan of what I want to do from here. Have faith I will be back. wish me the best of luck guys.

 Chapter 45 - notice 2

    So.. I''m a bit ashamed to admit. I ran out of inspiration for this book. it was a good run, however, it''s not where I wanted it to be. I know this book left many unanswered questions. For that I apologise. I am currently working on a new piece of work at the moment and hopefully it will be better than the last. Loving the devil was my first attempt at actually writing anything. It was an inspiration to me. I want to continue writing just not this story. I give my humblest thanks and sincerest apologies.