Chloe shivered when she heard a loud squeal. She already knew who made that sound, obviously. She sighed deeply and looked away from the fashion magazine she was going through.
"Can you quieten down, Ariel?" Chloe sparked, with a scowl.
Ariel was her roommate and the same age as her, 25. Chloe watched Ariel, who was looking very delighted, her eyes ogling down at her phone.
"Oh dear" Chloe sighed and shook her head since Ariel wasn't saying anything. She adjusted to the end of the bed she was laying on and turned the next page of the magazine.
"Ah!" Ariel squealed again, but this time, it sounded sorrowfully. She looked up at her friend and frowned, with her arms crossed.
"Okay, what's wrong? You had better start talking because I don't get your behavior" Chloe said.
Ariel inhaled deeply and stood up. She walked to her friend and sat on the bed.
"This isn't good at all, Chloe" She said, shaking her head."What is it?" Chloe asked in a demanding voice.
"Tomorrow morning is my interview"
"Wow, that's great news, and shouldn't you be happy about it? What's with the sad look?" Chloe asked.
"Tomorrow is also the D day, and it's same time, Chloe" Ariel pouted.
"What do you mean? Do you mean the date you have with Clover? Can't you guys schedule it for another day? You can't miss this grand opportunity because of a guy"
"He's not any guy. He has been my crush since our first year of college and you, my best friend, knows that. He finally asked me out after all these years. You don't expect me to call him and say—Hey Clover, can we cancel tomorrow and go on a date next time?"
"Of course, you should do that. You finally landed this hot job people are dying for. I mean, I want this job, and you're toying with it because of who again, Clover?"
"You want the job? Then, have it" Ariel smiled, and Chloe's eyes widened.
"What are you saying? Have you gone nuts?" She spluttered in surprise.
"I'm not joking. Let's do this, why don't you go to that interview instead of me and I go to that date. Please, pretty please, don't say no. You know how much I loved Clover, and I still love him. This is our first date, which might make us an official couple"
"And I can see you've finally gone nuts"
"I'm serious, Chloe" Ariel held her hands. "Just do this for me, please. I don't know who can do this for me"
"Wait, you really want me to pretend to be like you?"
"Just for a few hours, Chloe"
"And what if I get caught, huh? It's game over, Ariel" Chloe snapped and got on her feet.
"You won't get caught. Well, that if you're careful enough" Ariel said and Chloe threw her a quick glare.
"Sorry" Ariel smiled nervously. "Look, Chloe. It's not that hard"
"Easy for you to say. What if I flunk the interview? What is gonna happen, huh?"
"That won't happen, ever. I trust you" Ariel smiled. Chloe scoffed and shook her head.
"Please" Ariel muttered, acting cutely.
Chloe sighed and licked her bottom lip.
"Okay then. How do we start?""Yes!" Ariel squeaked and hugged her. "Thank you, friend"
"You're welcome, I guess. Even if this is very wrong and dangerous"
Ariel disengaged from her and went to her desk. She sat in front of her laptop and began to operate it.
"So, instead of my passport, I sent yours. You're just gonna bear my name for tomorrow, Ariel Peters" She winked and Chloe rolled her eyes.
She walked closer to Ariel and stood behind her, watching as she operated the device like a pro. Apparently, Ariel is a hacker besides from being a computer-literate.
"So, how are you gonna change this passport later, huh?" Chloe asked.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten that I have a degree in hacking. My hacking skills can't be compared" Ariel smiled.
"Well, agreed"
"And done. I just replied to the company's email. I sent the personal information as well" Ariel said, as she turned the swivel chair around which made her face Chloe.
"I know you can do this" Ariel smiled briefly.
"Uh…thanks. And good luck with Clover tomorrow"
"Thank you!" Ariel squealed, and jumped up. She hugged Chloe, who started chuckling.
"You're the best, Chloe" Ariel whispered.
THE NEXT DAY*
"Wakey wakey" Ariel tapped Chloe who slowly lifted her tired eyelids.
"Awwnn… Don't tell me it's morning already. I'm so tired" Chloe moaned.
"And don't tell me you've forgotten what today is. C'mon, let's go to the bathroom and wash up" Ariel said and pulled Chloe by her arm to the bathroom.
*
Chloe and Ariel both walked out from the house with full smile on their faces. Chloe was wearing a white shirt with a black jacket over it. She had a black skirt worn and pretty dark shoes to match.
Ariel was the opposite. She was wearing a red floral dress which was at knee-length. Unlike Chloe, she had her hair down and she was on brown platform. She had jewelries on as well.
Ariel had full makeup done, which made her prettier than she always looked. Chloe was on simple makeup, and they both had black bags with them which hung on their left shoulder.
Ariel managed to flag a taxi, which they both boarded. After a few minutes, the taxi stopped and the two friends faced each other.
"You can do this, Ariel" Chloe smiled.
Ariel exhaled sharply. "I'm so nervous" She whispered.
"You don't have to. Just think of me whenever you feel this way, okay. You know I'm always rooting for you, right?"
Chloe smiled and nodded. She embraced Ariel, who reciprocated immediately. They slowly disengaged from each other.
"I think this is where we depart" Chloe said.
Ariel laughed.
"It's not like we are departing forever, so what's with the sad look. Don't worry about the interview, you'll make it""Thanks, Ariel" Chloe said and opened the door. She went out of the car and closed it right away. Ariel popped her head out of the window and waved at her. Chloe smiled, and waved back.
When the car was finally out of sight, Ariel turned to see the huge and tall building before her.
"Whoa. Welcome to DMC Company, Chloe or should I say Ariel" She smirked and walked in.
4 HOURS LATER*
Chloe had a broad smile on her face when she walked out. She looked like someone who had just won a lottery. It was obvious she did well in that interview.
"Let's call Ariel and see how hers went. She'll be happy the interview went smoothly" She smiled and brought out her phone from her bag.
Chloe gave Ariel a call, and it didn't take a second before it was answered.
"Hello, Ari-
"Is this the guardian of this owner of this phone?" A strange voice asked at the other end of the phone.
"Huh? Yes, and who's this?" Chloe questioned.
"The owner of this phone got into a car accident and is at the close by hospital right now" A stranger replied.
Chloe eyes bulged out and the phone which she was holding against her ear fell down the ground.
Chloe alighted from the taxi and sped towards the building in front. She ran in and went to the counter, panting heavily.
"Please...I...I was asked to come here. I heard my friend was here. Where's she?" She questioned, still panting.
"Oh! You were the one who answered the call earlier?" The chubby nurse asked, and Chloe nodded, trying to breathe well. She felt she was about to choke, but she cared less, and felt worry about her friend more.
"Hmm...Come with me" The nurse said and left the counter. Chloe followed from behind. She clenched her fists tightly as she took steps.
"Please, please" She kept whispering silently. The nurse finally came to a halt and opened the ward door before her.
"Go in and tell me if she's the one" She looked briefly at Chloe who simply nodded.
Chloe slowly walked in, her eyes were on the wall as she moved. She stopped by the bed and turned her head to see Ariel laying on it. She looked unconscious and numb. Ariel even had the vital sign monitor close to her.
"Wait, what? What…What's happening to her? Tell me. What's wrong with my friend? She was alright this morning when I saw her" Chloe cried out and the nurse walked closer to her with a doctor now by her side.
"Please, can you be calm? She's not dead…yet" The doctor said.
"What?" Chloe stuttered, and faced him quickly.
"She's in a critical condition right now. The medical team have all done their best. Despite all we did, she remained conscious. Her temperature, heart beat and sugar level are okay though they've been acting up" He explained.
"What are you trying to say, exactly?" Chloe asked, with tears slipping down her eyes.
"I'm saying…she might die, or she might live"
"No. Ariel will live. She must not die, but how did this happen? How did she suddenly become this way?"
"She had an accident while in a taxi. A truck suddenly crashed against them. The taxi driver wasn't lucky, he died on the spot"
Chloe sniffed and stared at Ariel. "Please, wake up, okay? I really need you"
Ariel had been her friend since they were four. They were actually orphans who grew up together in the orphanage and outside. They also did all kinds of menial jobs to fend for themselves.
"Here, your friend's phone" The doctor handed it to her. Chloe looked at it and hesitantly collected it from him.
"Please, do drop your personal information with the nurse. We will contact you when necessary and also email you concerning the hospital bills"
Chloe sighed deeply and nodded.
"I guess she never got to Clover" She thought.
*
Chloe unlocked the door and slowly walked in. She switched on the light and when the room brightened, she studied the empty room.
"Ariel, wake up on time. I don't like waiting long" She mumbled and laid on the bed. Her stomach growled, stating it needed food, but she ignored it, almost forgetting she was an appendix patient.
She heard her phone beep and she checked it. She frowned when she saw it was an email from the hospital. It stated her expenses.
"Gosh! 500 million dollars? How…How am I going to get this? Just…how?" She sobbed.
"I'm not even eating right, so why?" She wiped the tears off her eyes immediately.
She heard Ariel's phone beep, so she checked it. Likewise, it was email. She clicked it and saw the mail opened.
Her eyes almost fell off her sockets when she read it inwardly.
"Congratulations, you've been accepted to work as the CEO's new secretary. You're expected to resume work before 13th of February 2022, thank you"
Dylan adjusted his baseball cap, and studied the distant environment. He smirked and looked down at the golf club he was holding. He crouched, raised the club past his ear, and struck it down immediately. It hit the golf ball, which flew far."Wow, nice" A person voice was heard. Dylan furrowed his brows and watched the person come closer. He felt worried and anxious already since he couldn't recognize whoever it was.He has a predicament which is actually a secret. Not only that, but he even kept it from his entire family. He knew he wasn't really stable due to the frequent headaches he had, and even the dizziness was something he couldn't phantom.Thinking it was something minor and which simply would go away, he ignored it. However, all hell was let loose when he slipped down the stairs and hit his head really hard on it. Dylan passed out immediately and it after 10 hours, he woke up.When he did, he noticed something changed. He went outdoors and was so confused. He felt he needed
Danielle high heels kept clicking the titled floor stylishly. She was on latest designers from head to toe and looked expensive and beautiful. People kept staring with watering mouth. They couldn't help but murmur about who she could be or what she was doing in the company dressed like a non worker. She stopped by the elevator and entered. As usual, the people in there stared longingly at her with their mouths moving up and down, and to and fro. She inhaled softly when the door chimed and opened before her. She got down quickly and moved to her elder brother's office as directed by her mum. However, the scene she saw made her halt. Her brows raised as she watched, perplexed. She remembered how her brother normally avoided physical contact with people, and he even once told her he didn't believe in love and would never fall in love. And right now, he was hugging a lady tightly who by the looks of things doesn't fancy being hugged. "Damn" She chuckled. "So, It was all a lie, Poo" Dan
"What?" Dylan asked, wishing his voice never vibrated that way."It's me… Ariel" She said again, this time trying her possible best to remain calm."What's with the jacket?" He asked."I spilled coffee on my shirt" She answered."So, you…" Dylan's voice trailed off as he slowly moved to his desk. He sat on his chair and looked up at her."Were you trying to put me into trouble or what, tell me" He yapped.Chloe eyes blinked a hundred times out of confusion. She sighed silently and shook her head. "Sir, I don't understand what you're talking about""I should have fired you right now and right here, but since I already declared you are my secretary in front of my younger sister, I guess it means you'll be working for me, but please don't be annoying. I hate annoying people" He spoke with spite."Okay. Okay, sir" She replied fast."Start work tomorrow""What?""You heard me. Or, can you possibly work with me while smelling like instant coffee? Why didn't my sense of smell just go instead
Dylan adjusted his glasses and shook his head. "What's her problem?" He wondered.He took one last look at her door before entering into his apartment."Home sweet home" He smiled broadly and took off his tie.Dylan moved to one of the adjoining doors and opened it, which exposed his gigantic and beautiful dressing room. It has various brands of clothing, from suits to designed and casual wears.There were also neck ties, bow ties, shoes, wristwatches and all of such sort. He stood at the center of the room and watched everything before him. It was indeed a marvelous sight.*Chloe slurped the cold noodles from the cup and quickly drank water when she tasted how chilly it was."Goodness" She exclaimed."By the way though…" Chloe whispered to herself after remembering who she saw earlier. "What's my CEO doing here? Why…Why" She asked herself."Could he be living here? He had better not or I'll be busted. I'll be in deep shît, I tell you" She sighed deeply."If he's really living here,
Dylan sighed and walked up to the girls, who were smiling naturally at him. He faced the one who had raised her arm and smirked. "Let's talk, Danielle" He said, strictly without showing a tint of his white set of teeth.Jenny blinked her eyes, confusedly. Dylan was facing her, but he was referring to her as Danielle, who was just close to her."Have you suddenly gone blind, brother?" Jenny laughed.Dylan's eyes blinked a hundred times. It was only Jenny that called him brother in that squeaky tone."Oh Jenny" He cleared his throat dramatically whilst running his eyes at the ladies by her side to know who was his younger sister. Seeing nothing was working, he looked away."Danielle? Let talk. Meet me outside" He said and walked away.Danielle was watching him perplexed. She furrowed her brows and watched him leave. Her thoughts were endless."What could be wrong with him?" She thought. "He keeps acting weird or is he pulling some lame childish prank""Didn't you hear what your brother
Chloe quickly got on her feet and ran off without looking back. She ran down using the cumbersome stairs. When she finally got down, she held her chest."I'm going to die at this rate. What is she doing here?" Chloe wondered, pulling away the mask. "She didn't see me, right?" She thought.*"Why did you get drunk? It doesn't fit you" Danielle said as she covered him with the duvet. She had undressed him and arranged the room as well."You" He moaned after catching a glimpse of her."What now?" She asked, placing a flask on the desk. "Mum was worried and wondered why you didn't say goodbye before leaving. You weren't picking your calls either when she called. So, she asked me to come to your place and check up on you. She also made this dishes herself and persists you eat them tonight or tomorrow morning"Dylan only hummed."Since you feel sleepy, I'm going to keep them in the refrigerator. Make sure to warm it later and most especially, do eat it. Thanks" She said and grabbed the flas
From his desk where Mr. Samson sat, he kept peeking from his spectacles at Dylan and a lady who happened to be his secretary. Dylan was sitting on the sofa while Chloe was close to him, on her feet to be precise. "Hmm… Hmm," Mr. Samson cleared his throat and adjusted his spectacles. "What's your name, young lady?" He asked, looking at Chloe, whose eyes seemed to be growing bigger out of nervousness. "I'm Ariel Peterson, sir" She said softly, and a grin enveloped on his lips. "You were the one who replied to my email this morning?" He asked and she nodded. Dylan nudged her and she turned. "What did you both talk about?" He asked in a whisper. "Nothing much" Samson who kind of heard him replied. Dylan faked a cough and looked away. "I asked why you didn't show up, and she replied saying; My boss is sorry, and he promises to show up to apologize properly" Samson quoted and Dylan scoffed. "Indeed, I said… Isn't that so, Miss Peterson?" Dylan uttered and Chloe smiled nervously. "An
Mrs. McCoy raised both brows as she stared back at her staring and confused looking son."Darn it" Chloe grimaced and took her face away."Son? Are you alright?" He heard his mother's voice and his eyes bulged."Mum?" He called swerving his neck a bit like he would be able to see her face."Of course, It's your mother! Or don't I look like your mother any more because of my full makeup?" She asked and he smirked."Not at all, mum" He shook his head. "What are you doing here, though?""You mean I can't visit you?" She frowned and walked up to him."I'm not saying that""Anyway, I came to see you, my dear son. Did you eat the food that I prepared just for you?" She asked."Uh…It's still in the fridge""Oh Dylan! Why didn't you take it? Why?" She frowned and entered the room first, immediately Dylan unlocked it."I have something to tell you, son" She said and slowly sat down. Mrs. McCoy looked at her son, who took off his jacket and neck tie."What's it, mum?" He questioned and she exha