The night at the club continued, the music thumping louder, the crowd growing denser. Chloe leaned against the bar, her drink untouched as she tried to blend into the background. She was stealing glances across the room, keeping an eye out for one person she desperately wanted to avoid.
And then she saw him.
Chris, her ex-boyfriend, strolled through the crowd with his usual cocky swagger, his eyes scanning the room. Chloe's stomach churned as her pulse quickened. Without hesitation, she turned to Jack, her voice sharp.
"Seriously, Jack? You invited Chris?"
Jack flinched at her tone, his expression apologetic. "Look, Chloe, I didn't invite him, okay? My dad did. He's still a family friend."
Matilda, sensing the tension but unaware of its depth, tilted her head curiously. "Why wouldn't he be invited? Isn't he a family friend?"
Chloe's jaw tightened. "He's also my ex."
Jack sighed, clearly uncomfortable. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd actually show up tonight."
"Well, now I have to disappear," Chloe muttered, already scanning the room for an exit. "He can't see me."
Before Jack or Matilda could respond, Chloe slipped into the crowd, her heels clicking against the floor as she headed toward the bar for cover.
Chloe found a quiet spot at the bar and leaned heavily against the counter, signaling to the bartender.
"Just water, please," she said, her voice tight as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.
A voice interrupted her. "Boring."
She turned to find Ted standing beside her, his smirk firmly in place, his champagne glass catching the light.
"You again," Chloe said, exhaling sharply.
Ted's eyes glinted with amusement. "You're hiding out here, drinking water, at a party. Not exactly what I'd call living on the edge."
Chloe shot him a look, her smirk returning slightly. "What's wrong with water? Hydration's important."
Ted chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Fair enough. But you don't strike me as the type to hide from a good time."
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "You think you've got me all figured out, huh?"
"Not yet," Ted replied, leaning casually against the counter, "but I'm working on it."
Before she could retort, her body tensed as Chris appeared, his grin smug as ever.
"Long time, no see," Chris said, ignoring Ted entirely and focusing on Chloe.
Her grip on her glass tightened, her jaw clenching. "I don't usually talk to cheaters."
Chris chuckled, unfazed. "Are you really going to fight me at your friend's party?"
"I'm trying to ignore you," Chloe snapped.
Chris stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. "Come on, Chloe. Don't be like this. We were good together."
Her voice hardened. "Let go."
Chris ignored her protest, his grip firm as he leaned in further. "Why are you acting like this?"
Before Chloe could pull away, another hand intervened, prying Chris's fingers off her wrist.
"She said let go," Ted's voice cut in, calm but firm.
Chris turned to face Ted, his smug expression faltering. "We're fine here. You can leave."
Ted's tone remained steady, his gaze unwavering. "For your own good, leave this table."
Chris stared at him, clearly trying to intimidate him, but Ted didn't flinch. Finally, Chris let out a scoff and stepped back, his smirk returning as he glanced at Chloe one last time.
"Laters, baby," he said mockingly before disappearing into the crowd.
Chloe let out a shaky breath, her body still tense. She turned to Ted, her voice sharp.
"What just happened was none of your business."
Ted raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her tone. "He was grabbing your hand without your permission. I thought stepping in was the gentlemanly thing to do."
"I didn't ask for a gentleman," Chloe said, her voice rising slightly. "Who are you to decide what I need?"
Ted's smirk faded slightly, his expression softening. "You're right. I overstepped. I'm sorry."
Chloe grabbed her purse, her frustration boiling over. "I need to get out of here."
She stormed off, leaving Ted standing at the bar, his eyes following her until she disappeared through the exit.
Outside
The cool night air hit Chloe's face as she stepped out onto the street. She pulled her phone from her bag, quickly requesting an Uber. Her hands trembled as she scrolled through the app, her mind racing with the events of the night.
Footsteps approached from behind, and she spun around to find Ted walking toward her.
"Chloe, wait," he called, his voice softer now.
She stopped, her arms crossing over her chest. "What do you want?"
Ted slowed his pace, his hands in his pockets. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep in there."
Chloe's posture remained defensive, but her voice softened. "You didn't overstep. It's just… I didn't need anyone to fight my battles for me."
Ted nodded, his expression sincere. "I get that. And I wasn't trying to take that away from you. I just couldn't stand there and watch him treat you like that."
Chloe hesitated, her anger ebbing away. "Thanks," she muttered, her voice quiet.
An Uber pulled up to the curb, its headlights cutting through the dimly lit street. Chloe opened the door, pausing for a moment.
"Goodnight, Ted," she said, her tone more neutral now.
"Goodnight, Chloe," Ted replied, stepping back. "Be safe."
Chloe climbed into the car, and as it drove away, she glanced back through the rearview mirror. Ted stood on the sidewalk, watching her leave, his figure silhouetted against the faint glow of the club's lights.