Chapter 4 - Only The Beginning

“Oh shit, oh shit” Chloe muttered under her breath, her steps unbalanced as she pushed open the gate of Damien’s penthouse.

Last night was a mistake. Just a stupid impulsive mistake.

She needed to get home. Needed to forget about what just happened. Needed to forget about him.

But how could she? His voice? His touch? His scent? She could still feel him.

Chloe shrugged, she shouldn’t be thinking about him.

Her phone buzzed before she could gather her thoughts.

She searched through her purse, cursing when she saw her sister’s name flashing.

Sienna.

Chloe let out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t want to hear her sister’s voice. She didn’t want to talk to her, but against her better judgment, she answered.

“What?” She snapped.

“Where are you?” Sienna’s voice was maddeningly composed. “You know you’re supposed to be here by now.”

Chloe frowned. Her mind is still sluggish from the alcohol and exhaustion. “Here? Where’s here?”

Sienna sighed. “At Dad’s Chloe. The meeting? You’re supposed to be here.”

Chloe’s breath got caught in her throat.

The meeting. She’d completely forgotten about it.

Between Ryan’s betrayal. Sienna’s deception and last night’s terrible decisions. She had been avoiding anything remotely connected to family.

But there was no running now.

She had to be at that meeting, she promised her father. Which means she had to see Sienna.

Chloe let out a huge groan. Could today get any worse? She thought to herself.

“Fine. I’ll be there soon.”

“Good, and do me a favour -try not to look like a wreck. I can hear it in your voice.”

“Screw you.” Chloe cursed. Hanging up the phone before Sienna could respond.

Of course, her sister could pretend like everything was fine.

She exhaled sharply and flagged down a cab, sliding into the backseat with a weary sigh. The drive to the Bennett Manor was a blur and Chloe slipped off into a light nap.

As the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand estate. Chloe was awoken by the familiar weight of her father’s expectations pressed down on her chest. She wasn’t ready for this.

“There you are.” She heard a voice hail her from a distance.

Chloe shrugged. Wishing the ground could open up and swallow her.

Sienna greeted her with a carefully crafted smile. One that tried too hard to be normal.

But she wasn’t buying it, her eyes dragged over Sienna, unimpressed.

“Spare me the fake pleasantries, Sienna.”

Sienna’s smile wavered for a second. “Chloe -“

“Let’s not pretend we have anything to say to each other, I’m here for dad.”

Sienna face shown with disappointment, but Chloe was already walking past her. She had nothing to say to a sister who could betray her like that.

As she made her way to her father she paused to take a look at herself in a mirror facing the room, she looked like a mess.

She hastily runs her hands through her hair, smoothens her dress and in the fleet of the moment she takes a sniff of herself. Her face wrinkled in disgust. She smelled like alcohol, cigarettes and Him.

She found her father in the dining room, seated at the head of the long mahogany table. James Bennett was as composed as ever, his sharp eyes scanning her the moment she entered.

“You’re late.”

Chloe met his gaze, forcing her posture to remain straight despite the exhaustion pressing down on her. “I got here as soon as I could.”

James gave a slow nod before gesturing for her to sit. “We have important matters to discuss. You’ll be handling a negotiation soon, and I expect you to do it well.”

Chloe’s fingers curled slightly against the table. “What kind of negotiation?”

Her father leaned back. “Cross Corp has been making aggressive moves in the market. If we don’t secure this deal, it could cost us.”

Chloe tried not to let her exhaustion show. “So, you want me to handle the talks?”

“Not just handle them. Win them.” His expression was unreadable, but his voice was firm. “Their lead negotiator, Damien Cross, is known for exploiting weaknesses. You need to ensure he doesn’t get the upper hand.”

At the mention of the name, something in Chloe’s gut twisted.

Cross Corp had always been their biggest rival and Chloe had heard of Damien Cross. However, she had never put a face to the name. She knew he was ruthless, manipulative and some even say intoxicating. And now she gets to meet him? Speak to him? That means the deal was very important to both companies and she couldn’t afford to let her father down.

“Okay Dad” I’ll handle it. She said with the little courage she could muster.

“Damien Cross is known for playing dirty, I need you to be careful, do not let him get the best of you,” James warned.

Chloe felt a knot in her stomach. This was more than she bargained for. However, she knew her responsibilities as interim CEO and she knew she had to make this work.

“I won’t let you down, Dad,” She assured her father.

Sienna, who had been silent until now, offered a hesitant smile. “You’ve got this, Chloe.”

Chloe shot her a hard glance, which caught their father’s notice.

He picked up on the tension immediately. His sharp gaze flickered between them.

“Is there something I need to know?”

Chloe let out a humorous chuckle. “Oh I don’t know, maybe because I grew up with a backstabbing liar?”

James sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He stood up, buttoning his short jacket.

“I’m sure you can sort it out on your own.”

“Oh Dad, you haven’t heard..”

“Chloe don’t..” Sienna intervened.

James Bennett shook his head as he walked to the door. He stopped just before leaving and turned back.

“Do not fail me.”

Chloe swallowed, the words felt heavier than they should have. Like they carried a weight beyond business.

And then he was gone. Leaving only Chloe and Sienna in the suffocating silence.

“Chloe, can we talk….please?” Sienna pleased knowing it could do no good.

But before she could finish, Chloe pushed her chair back and stood.

“I’m leaving.”

As she strutted out, Sienna followed her. “Can you just listen to me for a second?”

Chloe reached for her car, where it had been parked since her last meeting with Ryan and Sienna.

“Not in the mood.” She blurted.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you..”

Chloe turned, her glare sharp enough to cut.

“Well you did, you did Sienna. You went behind my back. You lied to me for months. You screwed my boyfriend and now you say you didn’t mean to hurt me….screw you.”

Without waiting for a response, she slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door shot.

“Screw this.” She lamented as she turned on the ignition. Leaving her sister to her guilt.

As Chloe prepared to drive off, her phone buzzed.

She stared at the screen, it was an unknown caller.

She answered, breathless and annoyed.

“Hello”

A familiar teasing voice slid through the line.

“Hey sweetheart, how much have you thought about me?”

Chloe’s breathing slowed, and her grip on her phone tightened.

It was him.

Her mystery man from last night.

Her pulse spiked. “Who…how did you get my number?”

A low chuckle rumbled through the speaker.

“See you soon Chloe.

And then the line went dead.

“Hello, hello.”

Chloe sat there, her heart hammering against her ribs.

What the hell had she gotten herself into? She didn’t know what to think. But one thing was certain.

This was only the beginning.