He blinked his eyelids when he saw his friend in the doorway holding an unconscious girl in his arms. At first, he didn't know what he should be thinking about, and seeing the perplexity on his face, he guessed that he himself hadn't fully grasped why he had done it.
- You were supposed to go home to rest, and you came back to the company with a corpse? - Chris put down his pen and looked at the brunet with interest as he placed the girl on the leather couch. He took off his jacket and covered her with a cloth so she wouldn't get cold.
- Don't ask for anything. Just let her stay here until she sobers up. I would rather not add to her problems.
James sat down next to his friend and squinted at the sheets of paper to look at how much Chris had managed to do in his absence.
- I don't understand. Why did you take care of this girl? You never take care of people you don't know. Besides, she's a nutcase, and you brought her to the office? Do you know what will happen if my father finds out about this?
- He won't find out. The bodyguards won't say anything, and you're my friend, so you'll cover for me, right? - He looked at Chris investigative, and when Chris nodded, he glanced at the cards again. - I know what I did is unacceptable, but I couldn't leave her like that.
- At this point you're weird, but I'm not asking anything more. Just let her stay here," Chris replied, furrowing his brow. He completely did not understand why James had taken up with this girl, but he sensed that there was something between them. Everything pointed to it.
*
She opened one eye and looked around the room distrustfully, realizing she didn't recognize the place.
Something was wrong.
She raised herself up on her elbows, cursing in her mind the headache caused by drinking a lot of alcohol. She remembered everything up to the moment when she was sitting in front of the company where they treated her so nastily. Then the movie stopped for her, and a complete void stuck in her head. She had no idea what was happening to her, currently she was unconscious.
Massaging her forehead, she blubbered because she felt that if she didn't drink water in a while, she would die from the dryness in her throat.
She rose from the couch and took off her jacket. She smelled an expensive perfume coming from it, so a light went on in her head, making her guess who this person was. Tentatively, she looked around the interior and noticed that she had woken up in the office.
She opened her eyes wider when she noticed a man sleeping uncomfortably at his desk.
She realized it was him. The director who had approached her last night when she was already semi-conscious.
She tilted her head to see if he was really asleep and, despite her bad mood, smiled because he looked adorable in that position.
She couldn't understand him. She didn't understand why he took care of her when he could have just called the police.
He didn't, and in this way he garnered a small plus from her.
Chris returned to the office and stood in the aisle when he noticed that the blonde was already up. The girl was looking at the sleeping James, which made it clear to the brunet that there was indeed something between them.
- She looks sweet, doesn't she, crazy girl? - he asked by way of introduction, with which he pissed her off at first. Chloe looked back as if scalded, and her lip trembled.
She had no particular affection for him. He had fallen for her the first time she met him, and every time she saw him she felt like shooting him in the face.
- Give me some water," she threw back gruffly, reaching out for the bottle he held in his hand.
Chris smiled maliciously and shook his head. The blonde squinted and ran up to him, boorishly snatching the plastic container, which she even coveted.
The boy was amused by the whole situation, so he managed to outsmart the blonde and lifted the bottle up. Being less than thirty centimeters taller than her, it looked comical when the blonde jumped up and fiercely fought for the bottle of water.
- Too short legs, Missy. - He teased her, having a laugh about it. The girl was getting more and more nervous as he realized how much she suffered after drinking a lot of alcohol.
- Don't be rude, Chris said. - They both looked at James as he discreetly appeared beside them and handed the blonde another bottle. The girl snatched it from his hand, not intending to thank him for the friendly gesture. Polite phrases were words that struggled to come out of her mouth.
She was so thirsty that she drank half the bottle at a time. Chris opened his mouth, clearly shocked by her attitude. It was the first time he'd seen a girl behave so plaintively.
- After all, she's a monster, not a woman," he stated, looking at her with disgust. James threw his friend a warning glance, letting him know to stop similar remarks in her presence. He did not want some unpleasant confrontation to occur between them again.
Chloe drank the rest of the water and lifted the empty bottle with a satisfied look on her face. She pointed it straight at the trash can, which stood at the other end of the room.
- I'm good, aren't I? - She asked, to which James nodded. He looked uncertainly at his friend and, with a motion of his hand, asked him to leave the office.
- Why? What do you want to do with her? - Chris did not think about the words he said, making his friend uneasy. The brunet rolled his eyes, seeing the smirk on his face. He knew him inside out, so he guessed what his best friend was thinking about.
He threw him a stern look, and then Chris headed for the door without protest. He raised his hands, laughing under his breath.
- I just want to talk to her. I need a little privacy.
Chris nodded and pressed on the door handle, but just then he heard someone's footsteps. He panicked because he knew they would both get in trouble for keeping a stranger girl in the office.
- Someone is coming. No one can know about her," he said hastily, pointing his finger at the blonde girl. The girl raised an eyebrow as she did not understand the hysteria over her presence in the office.
The secretary wanted to go inside, but Chris perfidiously slammed the door in front of the employees' noses. He croaked when he heard Isabelle's surprised voice.
James grabbed the blonde by the hand and led her to the desk, which she didn't like. She shrieked when he forcibly shoved her under the piece of furniture, meanwhile sitting down on the chair to hide her.
- What are you doing? - She raised her voice, displeased with the director's conduct. The young man put his finger to his lips, asking her to calm down; however, Chloe was stubborn and was not going to follow his command. - Why should I be quiet? I just want to get out of here.
- You'll be out in a minute, okay? If anyone sees you, we'll be in trouble," he replied and hissed under his breath when she specifically pinched his calf.
- I'm not going to see your lower body," she replied, and James leaned over and put his hand over her mouth as Isabelle barged in looking suspiciously at Chris.
- Why did you close the door in front of me?
James let out a groan of pain as Chloe bit his finger out of nervousness. However, he quickly grunted back, which did not escape the secretary's attention.
- Isabelle, you need to stop entering the office without permission because over time an uncomfortable situation could arise.
The brunette sent him a forced smile and lightly tapped him on the shoulder, thus letting him know that she had caught on. She headed to James' desk, since he was the one she was interested in.
- Our plans have changed again because of him," she said, pointing at Chris with a dismissive hand motion.
The chairman's son was unhappy with the words she spoke. He crossed his arms over his chest, jealous of his friend's relationship with his secretary. Although he didn't show it, everything was boiling inside him.
- After all, I didn't promise you anything, Isabelle," James began calmly and squirmed when he felt his teeth on his finger again. The brunette looked at him closely as she noticed that he kept his hand under the desk. - You asked me to accompany you to your meal, but I warned you that I might be busy. I'm sorry if I offended you.
- What are you doing under that desk? - She asked, slightly leaning over to see what was causing the director's strange behavior.
- I'm trying to catch a mouse, but it keeps biting my fingers," he announced half-jokingly, which immediately made Chris feel better. The man laughed under his breath, putting his hand to his face as Isabelle shifted her gaze to him.
James suddenly hollered loudly as Chloe pinched him too hard. She pushed back his chair and angrily stepped out from under the desk, blowing unruly strands of hair off her face.
Isabelle opened her eyes wider, startled by the appearance of the unfamiliar girl.
- Why were you under the director's desk? - She asked, visibly shocked, and then Chris could not stand it and burst into a loud laugh. Although Chloe had been discovered by their secretary, he couldn't help seeing the shocked look on the brunette's face.
- What's it to you? - She replied rudely, recognizing in her the girl from yesterday. She did not make a good impression on her.
- A little big that mouse. - The secretary turned to the director, not hiding her indignation. It wore her down to think that James was hiding an unknown girl in the office.
- And how aggressive," Chris added, seeing the blonde's sharp gaze.
*
Aaron ran up to Kylie and grabbed her around the waist, joyfully lifting her up. The girl completely did not understand where he got this enthusiasm from, but she was happy to be greeted so nicely by her beloved.
The boy put her down and stole an innocent kiss from her, showing his teeth in a charming smile. Passing students looked at the couple with curiosity, as Aaron was one of the most popular guys at the university.
- Why are you so happy? Is something wrong?
- I just love you," he announced with a happy tone in his voice.
- You're not up to anything, are you? You are usually so loving when you need something," she stated, looking at his face investigative.
- I'm happy because you came under the university," he replied, nuzzling his face into her hair.
- Did you betray me? - With this question, she made him immediately pull away from her and, blinking his eyelids, he looked at her with astonishment in his eyes.
- Did I betray you?
- Did you ask me? You tell me. You are acting strangely. - Kylie crossed her arms over her chest and looked around curiously. She glanced at the girls passing by, assessing their appearance to ascertain whether she should be jealous of his relationships with other female students.
- I tried to greet you so nicely, and you hastily drew the wrong conclusions. I get the impression that you have stopped trusting me recently," he pronounced with sadness in his voice.
Kylie closed her eyelids and rubbed her face with her hand, as she felt terrible at one point.
Aaron was right.
Why couldn't she accept that the boy was simply happy to see her? Was it because of her beloved's friends, whom she downright hated? She couldn't bear the thought that half of his friends were girls — attractive peers who repeatedly tried to get his attention.
Although she tried not to think about it, each time she staggered into a vicious circle and told herself that Aaron was a desirable boyfriend who could forget about her at any time and become interested in another girl.
She knew perfectly well that he loved her very much, but this ultimately did not convince her that she could feel safe. Any girl who hung around her beloved was a potential threat to her.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. I don't suspect you of anything," she spoke up after the long silence that reigned between them.
- You made me uncomfortable, Kylie. I've noticed that you're looking at me with suspicion more and more, and that's disturbing. We've been together for so long, and you've never been as jealous as you are at the moment. What's going on?
- I swear nothing," she replied, looking at the ground. - I just see how other girls look at you and it bothers me. Almost everyone in town knows you and knows that you're perfect boyfriend material, and that shatters my confidence. I'm afraid that one day there will be someone who will turn your head.
He didn't respond. He glanced to the side and slightly shook his head.
- Do you know that this is not right? Since we are together, you should trust me no matter what. Why do I feel otherwise?
- I'm an idiot," she replied in a sad voice, closing her eyelids. - I don't know what is happening to me. Every day I love you more and more, and I think that's the reason I'm starting to go crazy. I'm sorry, Aaron," she added, embarrassed, covering her face with her hands.
The boy took her in his arms.
- You are not an idiot, Kylie. I love you and I will never let you feel threatened again, do you hear?
Aaron could be rude to others, but when it came to the girl he loved, then he turned into a walking ideal.
*
Chloe threw the secretary a furious look as the two entered the elevator. Isabelle offered to take care of the girl and lead her out of the company without suspicion, but the blonde didn't need a guide dog to obediently evacuate her to the exit. She had an irresistible urge to beat up the stylized maiden, especially for yesterday.
- I don't know who you are or how you ended up in the director's office, but I don't like it. Stay away from him, do you understand? - Isabelle spoke up, looking ahead.
Chloe snorted under her breath. Standing behind her, she pulled her by a strand of hair. The secretary looked back and smoothed her hair, wrinkling her eyebrows.
- I wanted to make sure it wasn't attached," Chloe explained, seeing the look on the brunette's face. - You look like a doll, so you probably like artificiality. I bet you are no stranger to plastic surgery," she replied with a forced smile.
- You... - She didn't finish as the elevator doors opened and men dressed in suits entered. Isabelle adopted a sweet smile and politely greeted the company employees. The men looked charmed by her appearance and attitude, which annoyed the blonde.
She hated guys who drooled at the sight of pretty girls. She hated them in general because they irritated her. She felt like ripping everyone's appendages out, especially when she was in a bad mood.
Chloe got off at the first floor, and Isabelle followed her, and before she got outside, she felt the secretary grab her arm.
- Wait," she ordered her, but Chloe violently pushed her hand off her shoulder. - Don't ever show up here again because I won't be nice once more.
These words agitated the blonde because she hated it when someone told her what she should and should not do. Especially since it was a lady who had her tips glued on every morning.
Chloe turned to face her and sent her an arrogant smile.
- In that case, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll drop by to visit you. - After these words she left the company, laughing under her breath when she imagined the face of the smug secretary.
She looked in front of her and squirmed when she saw a student heading to the company, exposing her to ridicule. She felt like killing him for getting her a job in which she was treated so nastily.
He noticed her, and a friendly smile appeared on his face. He raised his hand, but the girl ignored him and walked past.
- Hey, what kind of greeting is that? - He replied, offended, embracing the pretty brunette. Chloe guessed that it was his girlfriend because she measured her distrustfully.
- You'd better not speak to me at all. Your Miss Gomez has clearly made fun of me, so shove this job up your ass. This company sucks, and I will set it on fire at the earliest opportunity," she announced with an offended tone in her voice, crossing her arms over her chest.
- Miss Gomez informed me that you were completely unsuitable, but I guessed that something was wrong. She's a nasty woman. She let me down," he said, looking at Kylie. The brunette did not take her eyes off the girl, wondering how Aaron knows her.
- At most, I'll die of hunger," she proclaimed, looking at the people passing by.
- Together we'll figure something out. I never leave friends who need help.
Chloe threw him a nervous look.
- Since when have we been friends?
- Let's say since the other day. So how? Will you accept my help, or would you rather die of starvation?
The blonde scratched her head and pouted her lips, wondering what she should do. The boy was different. He didn't beat around the bush, and she didn't see any artificial concern in him. He was sincere, and she liked that.
- Be that as it may. What's your idea? - She glanced sideways with slight confusion, as accepting help from others was troublesome for her, however, she had no choice. She could agree or die on the street in the near future.
- To start with, we could go somewhere to go crazy. I was at the university for a short while and did truancy with my girlfriend. Another day in a row," he stated, kissing the brunette on the cheek.
- I don't have anything to do with myself anyway, so I don't care," she replied with indifference in her voice. Seeing that the brunette is still looking at her, she rolled her eyes and extended her hand to her. - I'm Chloe and you don't have to worry about your guy. He is not interested in me.
- Are you a lesbian? - Aaron opened his eyes wider, increasingly fascinated by his new friend.
- In your dreams.
*
Chloe jumped up and sat on the wall, opening a can of beer. She had been feeling like an alcoholic lately, but this helped her temporarily forget her problems.
Kylie grabbed Aaron's hand, stopping him with her when he was keen to join his new friend.
- I took you to the weigh-in because we were going to spend today alone, and you took in this girl? - She asked with reproach in her voice. - Besides, you are drinking again, and I stop liking it, Aaron.
- Kylie, come on. We are at such an age that this is the best time to have fun. Do you want to mull forever? We need good entertainment, more company.
- Is my company not enough for you anymore? - She carefully looked into his eyes, searching for the truth in them regarding the question asked.
The boy put his hand around her face and gave her a kiss.
- Let's not argue again. Let's just spend a nice time together, okay?
She didn't answer, so he handed her a can of beer and led her to the wall. He helped the girl sit down and took a seat next to her. She was furious, but she wasn't going to argue with her beloved any longer. She knew it was pointless, since he would eventually put his best foot forward.
- From here is the best view of the city.
Chloe nodded and took a sip, staring blankly at the landscape in front of her. Aaron glanced at her, and his attention was caught by the bracelet the girl was wearing on her hand.
He looked at it with interest, since he had seen an identical one before.
- Where did you get it?
The girl glanced at the bracelet and then at him, twisting her lips in a grimace.
- What do you care about it? Why is everyone interested in my bracelet?
Aaron remembered who owned a similar thong. It seemed fascinating to him, but he considered it pure coincidence.
- Do you know what? - Both girls looked at him, noticing a beaming smile on his face. - I'm missing some craziness, and since today is Friday, how about I throw the house party of the century?
Kylie shook her head, but didn't say a word. She didn't like the idea because she realized that Chris would get mad. A similar situation had already occurred once, and Aaron had received a slap in the face from him.
- Do what you want. This is your cottage. Why are you telling us this?
Chloe didn't look excited, but she thought for a moment about relaxing properly. A house party at a student's house would be the perfect forgetting of reality.
- And will you come? - He asked the blonde, to which she shrugged her shoulders.
- If you like, I will come.
- You have to be because I'm sure you will be the one to rock the party. So it's decided," he announced, clapping his hands.
- You are quick to make decisions. I get the impression that you're very reckless, but that's your business," Chloe stated and threw him a puzzled look as he snorted with laughter.
- The one who is not reckless spoke up. Look at you.
He was direct. She liked such people, so she became more and more convinced of him and believed that he would help her get back on her feet.