CHAPTER 5: CORPORATE DINNER.

The next morning, Chloe was already dressed and ready to leave. But she remained seated in the living room, going through some of those documents that her mother had left there. Her sleep was very short-lived the previous night. With everything that was beginning to happen, her thoughts could not spare her a second of rest.

As she went through the documents, she found the acquisition slip. A familiar name was on it.

RICHARD MONTGOMERY….

She knew that was Ethan's father. But what would the man's name be doing there?

Her phone rang. Lily.

“Hello, friend," she said as she took the call and put it on speaker.

“Chloe, your new job is getting me jealous," Lily complained over the phone. “You've never been this busy. Now, we barely talk."

Chloe chuckled mildly and stretched out the document. Then, she took a picture of it and packed everything well.

“So sorry, Lily. Everything has been too demanding lately. But, trust me. I'll make it up to you this evening."

“I'll be counting on that."

“Alright. I got to go."

She wrapped up the conversation and left the house. Her mind remained occupied. She needed clarity.

★★★★★

At work, Ethan was in his office pacing about as he spoke into the phone, throwing orders here and there.

“I need a complete blueprint of the flow of money. I need to see the authorization trails. Show me who approved each of them. I need every detail on the discrepancies. Am I clear?”

A calm "Yes” response came through the phone. He pushed the red icon and dropped the phone on the table. His friend, Ryan, was seated and looking at him.

"You are looking completely worked up, man,” Ryan said. "You should give yourself a break. It might not be the way you think it is.”

Ethan stopped and turned to him. “You can't be serious right now. I need to know the truth behind the discrepancies and who authorized the outflows.”

Ryan nodded. "The matter definitely needs attention.”

As they spoke, Chloe knocked and walked in.

"Good morning, Mr Montgomery,” she greeted him. "Good morning, Sir,” she said to Ryan.

Ethan didn't even respond to the greeting. "Come on. Explain the thing with the financial records again.”

Chloe didn't hold back. She did exactly as she had been told.

“The missing documents from your desk are now being tracked by the IT department,” Ethan said.

Chloe is relieved to hear that. She hoped something good would come out of the search. But there was something else on her mind.

"Sir, can I ask a question?” She asked.

Ethan looked at her. "What is it? Go on.”

Chloe went on to ask about the company that acquired her father's company and if he knew anything about it.

“Why do you ask?" He asked her.

Chloe was hesitant for a moment, but she responded.

“The Tech company in question belonged to my father. The saga around that acquisition contributed heavily to my family's current financial struggles."

Ethan frowned. But before he could say another word, his secretary interrupted by reminding him of an important corporate dinner scheduled for that evening.

Ethan looked at Chloe. “You are coming with me."

Chloe looked surprised. “Did I just get invited somewhere?"

“Don't flatter yourself, young lady," Ethan replied. “You will be presenting our revis d proposal to two potential investors."

Chloe smirked. "You could have started with that.”

"Well, I didn't.”

Chloe spent the rest of her day thinking about the corporate dinner. It was going to be her first outing in the company. And she would definitely meet some top people. Was she ready for that?

She remembered her appointment with Lilly and quickly called her.

One ring…two rings…three rings…

“Hello, Chloe," Lily said as she took the call. “What's up? When are you getting off from work?"

Chloe cocked her hair. "About that, that's why I'm calling.” She paused. "A corporate dinner came up. And I have to attend with Ethan. So, I —”

Lily cut her short. "You are going on a date with almighty Ethan Montgomery. Go girl!”

Chloe almost choked. She couldn't believe her ears.

“It's nothing like that," she protested. “It's basically work outside the office. It's that simple.”

“Work today. Wedding invitation tomorrow," Lily pressed on. “Don't forget me when you become Mrs Montgomery."

Chloe laughed. She had no plans of being Mrs Anybody, especially not Ethan's wife.

They dragged it for a while before the conversation finally came to an end.

At the dinner, Chloe arrived before time. Ethan was already there. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, despite being simple. Chloe was wearing a purple dress.

“You are late," he said calmly.

Chloe glanced at her phone. “I'm five minutes early."

“Could have been ten," he replied slightly amusingly.

He went on to introduce her to the top investors. Soon, the meeting kicked off over dinner. Chloe presented the proposal and answered all the questions they had for her. Ethan just couldn't get enough of her. He remained silent and watched as she smoothly handled everything, even better than he had imagined.

After they secured the investments and were left alone at the table, Vanessa entered the picture.

“Hello, love," she said to him and touched his chest before sitting beside him.

She quickly noticed that Chloe was there. A wry smile crossed her lips. “You two seem to be working together quite too often.”

Chloe cleared her throat. "Good evening, Ma'am.”

Vanessa ignored her and turned to Ethan. "Remember the upcoming charity event. Our families are expecting us. We should go together."

Ethan's expression got cold. “I haven't confirmed my attendance yet."

Vanessa chuckled. “Your father has made arrangements already. Well, I thought you should know that. Enjoy your night, sweetheart."

She got up and left. Chloe heard everything but acted like she wasn't there. Ethan looked at her.

“Permit me to take you home tonight," he said politely.

Chloe shook her head. “That won't be necessary. I can manage on my own."

“It's late already. I insist."

Chloe reluctantly agreed. The drive home was marked by prolonged silence. Neither spoke for a good while.

“You seem distracted, Ms Bennett," Ethan finally broke the silence. “What is the matter?"

Chloe looked at him. She thought about spilling all her mother had said, but she knew better.

“Nothing, actually. Do you normally do whatever your father says you should do?"

Ethan turned to her. “Why would you think that?"

"Well, Vanessa and the charity event,” she replied.

Ethan sighed. "My father has a different idea of relationships. To him, marriage should strengthen the family's influence and all that.”

"Does he expect you to marry Vanessa?” Chloe pressed on.

Ethan was hesitant for a while, then replied, "That's what my father wants.”

Chloe sighed. "That sounds exhausting.”

"Not everyone gets to choose the kind of life they want," he chipped in.

Chloe responded almost immediately, “Maybe you're right. But that doesn't mean you should let someone else choose it for you."

No one said a word after that. Shortly after, the car stopped in front of Chloe's apartment.

“Okay. We're here. Thank you for the ride."

“Your work," he said, “it has been impressive. You've done well with the campaign."

Chloe smiled broadly. “Careful, Mr Montgomery. That's two compliments already."

"Goodnight, Ms Bennett.”

"Goodnight, your majesty.”

He watched her disappear through the entrance. For some reason he couldn't explain, he found himself smiling the whole time.