Chapter 3

Four months feels like four years.

Chloe watches the judge sign the final divorce decree from her seat beside Julia Morrison. Chris sits across the courtroom with his attorney, looking smaller than she remembers. The proceedings took sixteen weeks of depositions, financial disclosures, and arguments over furniture that neither of them really wanted.

"Congratulations" Julia says as they leave the courthouse, "you're officially free"

Chloe doesn't feel free, she feels hollow, betrayed and hurting.

That night, she finishes packing the last boxes from the downtown apartment,her father helped her move everything to her new apartment in Santa Monica. 

The Santa Monica apartment is smaller but has ocean views. One bedroom, one bathroom, an open kitchen and living area. It's quiet. No memories of Chris here. No ghosts, just her and her broken heart.

Her father helps her unpack the essentials. "Your mother wants you to come for dinner this weekend”he said, almost like he's asking her,

"I can't, I have the Sterling Tech launch event on Saturday."

"Sunday then?"

"Maybe"she answered reluctantly 

He studies her face, "You're working too much Chloe"he said in a very concerned tone.

"Work is the only thing keeping me sane,i can't sit back sulking “she said as set up the last cabinet 

After her father leaves,her phone rings, Sarah, her assistant.

"I know it's late" Sarah says. "But we have a problem, The keynote speaker for Saturday's launch event just canceled, We need a replacement"

Chloe closes her eyes,"who was it?"

"David Chen was going to present the campaign strategy"

"I'll do it"she said leaning back on her couch 

"Are you sure? I thought you wanted to stay behind the scenes"Sarah asked 

"I built this campaign, I should present it" she opens her laptop. "Send me David's presentation deck, I'll rework it tonight" She said to her as she hung up 

She works all through the night, rebuilding the presentation from scratch, Her version is sharper and more confident, She practiced the delivery twice, timing herself. Eighteen minutes. 

Perfect she has to give this campaign all she got 

Saturday arrives with clear skies and an ocean breeze. The launch event is at a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills. Two hundred industry professionals, clients, and media representatives.

 Chloe arrives early to check the setup, she was dressed in an expensive crimson suit that complements her figure,her dark hair fell in waves…her brown eyes sharp but steady.

The ballroom is elegant, Round tables with white linens, A stage with massive screens flanking a podium Everything looks professional…..Polished.

Richard finds her backstage at ten "You look nervous."

"I'm not nervous" Chloe answered 

"Liar" He smiles, "You're going to be great, This campaign is brilliant,Just remember to breathe" he assured her.

The event starts at eleven. Chloe watches from the wings as Richard delivers opening remarks. Then the Sterling Tech CEO talks about innovation and market disruption. Standard corporate speech.

Then it's her turn.

She walks onto the stage her heels clicking and carrying a small remote for the presentation, The lights are bright,The audience is a sea of faces she mostly doesn't recognize.

She clicks to the first slide. The Sterling Tech logo appears.

"Good morning everyone,I'm Chloe Bennett, Senior Marketing Executive at Anderson enterprise, For the past three months, my team and I have been developing a campaign that will position Sterling Tech as the leader in data security solutions" she began calmly…

She advances through the slides, explaining the strategy,Target demographics, Media placement,Creative approach,Budget allocation…Her voice was sharp yet steady,Professional and Confident.

Halfway through the presentation, she notices someone in the back of the ballroom, A man standing rather than sitting…Tall, dark hair, wearing a suit that probably costs more than her car. He's watching her with an intensity that makes her lose her place for half a second.

She recovers quickly and continues.

When she finishes, the audience cheered and applauded her

She answers questions for ten minutes…..thoughtful questions about metrics, timeline, and expected ROI. She handles each one smoothly.

Backstage, Richard claps her shoulder. "That was perfect Chloe,The CEO is thrilled"

She smiled softly,

"You should network, there are some important people here" Richard suggested.

Networking is the last thing she wants to do, but she plasters on a professional smile and walks into the reception area 

She's talking to a potential client about their Q4 marketing needs when someone appears at her elbow.

"Excuse me" A deep voice "I hate to interrupt, but I have to correct something you said in your presentation"

Chloe turns and finds herself face to face with the man who'd been watching from the back,Up close,he's even more striking…Dark hair, sharp cheekbones, piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through her.

"I'm sorry?" she says coolly.

"You cited a statistic about data breach response times. You said the industry average is seventy-two hours." He pulls out his phone and shows her a recent report. "It's actually sixty-eight hours as of last quarter. The number changed three weeks ago."

Heat rises in her cheeks, she he'd used outdated data.

"You're right," she says. "Thank you for the correction"

"Lucas Sterling" He extends his hand.

She shakes it, His grip is firm and warm. "Chloe Bennett."

"I know,he said calmly, "I watched your entire presentation,that was Impressive work" 

“Thank you” Chloe responded smiling 

He slides a business card from his jacket pocket and hands it to her,"I'm looking for a marketing director for my company,you should come work for me" he said more like an order 

"I have a job" she spoke politely 

"I'm aware. He leans slightly closer. "You're brilliant,Ms Bennett That presentation was flawless,minus the one outdated statistic, which I only caught because I obsess over industry data…You deserve to work somewhere that recognizes your talent."

Before she can respond, a woman appears beside Lucas. Stunning,mid-twenties,designer dress, She loops her arm through his possessively.

"There you are" she says with a slight Italian accent. "I've been looking everywhere for you”

"Isabella" Lucas's expression shifts slightly "This is Chloe Bennett. She gave the presentation on the Sterling Tech campaign today"

Isabella extends a perfectly manicured hand, "Isabella Romano,Lucas's girlfriend" 

Girlfriend. Of course he has a girlfriend,Men who look like Lucas Sterling always have girlfriends.

"Nice to meet you Isabella" Chloe says politely.