4

Chloe Montclair

"Can you stop crying, Chloe? I hate to see you in tears please."

"He was right. I'm a bad person. I betrayed my family."

"No! He was wrong. You did not betray your family, girl. Your only mistake was, that you were in love. You were in love with that fool and he fooled you into doing things you weren't supposed to. Look, can you at least stop crying? I hate seeing you in this state." She said.  "Plus, why didn't you accept his offer? Don't you want to leave this place?." She added. 

"I do not want to talk about that now, Tiana." I said. 

"But why? That's a good offer. Besides, you can find that bastard and make him pay for all he's done to you with the help of Mr stranger, don't you think?."

"I do not wish to find or see him. He doesn't worth it. I don't care whatever he does for now. If I'm going to have a reason to leave here then, it will be because of my sister."

"Okay, fine! For the sake of your sister, can you at least do as he's asked you to do? You'll be free from this hell also. Why are being so persistent about this? Aren't you tired of this place?."

"And you?." I asked as I raised my head to look her in the face and wipe off my tears. "What about you? Don't you want to leave here for good? How can I leave without you? We've been through a lot together in the past years. You've always supported me and there for me, how can I leave you behind?."

"Is this because of me?." She asked. "Is that why you declined his offer?." She added. 

"How much did you hear?." 

"Enough. Enough for me to know he offered you $2,000 million and to be his fake girlfriend which you declined. Are you crazy, Chloe. This is a huge opportunity for you. Aren't you sick and tired of all these crazy people walking over us all the time?." 

"But I-"

"Thank goodness, Mr stranger hasn't changed his mind yet. He gave you 7 days to think about it thoroughly and you have all the time to make the right decision. We, have to get you out of this place, Chloe. You need to find your sister and also, find that scammer who scammed you."

"You think so?." 

"I know so. And, how comes there's a good room as this here? I never knew we have a good place like this here. It's beautiful." She looked around in awe and that was when I decide to take my time to study the whole place too. Tiana was right, the room is so beautiful. There is even a king-size bed here. The room looks cool. 

"You think, I can lay on that bed for some few seconds before that queen of the dragon come over to drag us out?." 

"You want to try it out?." I tease her. 

"Of course! I've never laid on a bed like that in my entire life. Besides, you're from a rich family so, all this won't be surprising to you. Come on, let's me enjoy the moment while I can." She giggled and ran towards the bed. She jumped on it happily and can't stop giggling. 

I looked at her, shook my head, and can't stop laughing. She's acting like a child right now. Though, I'm glad she's happy. I've never seen her this happy before. 

"Come on, Chloe... You need to lay on it too. It's so soft and comforting. I can lay on this bed forever." She said happily and drag me forcibly as I slumped on the bed too. 

Yes, she's right. I missed my comfy bed so much. Just like she's advised, should I accept Kenneth's offer? But, what will the world think of me? It will only tarnish his image more, I'm someone who they portrayed as a criminal... This can't work out between us. No, it can't. 

I was still in my world when all of a sudden, I felt someone slapped my arm roughly making me jerk in fear. I looked at the person and it was my friend Tiana. "What was that for?! That's so painful!" I hissed and rolled my eyes at her as I carefully rub where she hit. 

"Chloe, get up! Get up from the bed now." She said in a worried tone. 

"What are you talking about? Aren't you the one who forcibly made me lay on it and now, you're asking me to get up again? Plus, why are you standing and shivering? Is everything okay with you?." 

"Chloe, look at your back." She said in a soft tone. 

"Huh?." Is this girl okay at all?

"Just take a look at your back first. Stop looking at me like I'm some kinda crazy girl or something." She added. I did as I was told and jumped up from the bed immediately my eyes came in contact with who was standing right in front of me. 

The warder in charge of this horrible place, Juliana. She's just as horrible as this place. 

"Erm... We... We were just... I mean, it's not wh-"

"This will be your room from now on. But first, you'll have to excuse us as it needed to be thoroughly cleaned." She cut me off before I could finish my statement. 

Tiana and I looked at each other before we both burst into a peal of heavy laughter. "what are you talking about? Look, I know you don't like me Juliana because I've always gotten on your nerves but, can you stop mocking me already? I know, it was wrong of me to do this... I mean, by laying on a bed that wasn't even mine in the first place and I just apologize to you... I said, I'm sorry. It wasn't intentional to do th-"

"I meant what I just said, Ms. Montclair." She cut me off again. Okay, this isn't a joke anymore. Tiana and I looked at each other's faces for the second time in bewilderment. 

"What are you talking about? What do you mean, this is my room from now on?."

"Mr. Kenneth has instructed us to clean this room up for you and also, provide you with everything needed."

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm a prisoner here right? So, why should I be treated like some princess?."

"That's because it's Mr. Kenneth's wish and also the order given by him. We have to abide by whatever he says. Now, if you'll excuse us for some hours to rearrange this room to your taste." 

"But I-" 

"Sure! Thank you so much, Juliana." Tiana said to her in a sweet tone and drag me out of the room. Once we were out, she jumped on me and hug me tightly. "we've made it, Chloe!! I swear, I love you so much." She exclaimed in an excited tone before placing a quick peck on my cheek. 

"Are you crazy?! Made what? This is crazy."

"No, you my friend is crazy for not getting everything that's happening right now. You just hit the right jackpot! Just take a look at how Juliana was talking to you back there, with so much respect and she was using a very careful tone. You haven't agreed to Mr stranger's offer yet but, your room was changed, Juliana had started to give you the respect that you deserve now tell me, what next is going to happen when you say 'Yes' to him. I'm positive that, the whole country will kiss your feet!"

"Stop hallucinating, you idiot girl." I eyed her and smack her on the head. She needs to wake up from her dream. 

"Ouch! That was painful!" She glared at me. 

"Do I look like I care! Look, no matter what Kenneth does, I'm still not changing my decision. I'm never going to be his girlfriend."

"What?!! You're joking right?."

"Want to make a bet?."

"ARE YOU CRAZY, CHLOE MONTCLAIR?!!!" She screamed in my ear. 

"No, you're crazy for behaving this way." I again smacked her forehead for the second time.  "Why are you this happy? Haven't you thought of it? If I agreed to his request, we won't get to see each other again. Are you that happy to let me go? Haven't you ever thought of the time we've spent with each other? After losing my family, you were the next family that I had. You've always been like my backbone and you what me to leave and go away from here? Like seriously, Yazzidah? What am I to you?."

"Chloe, you were more than a sister to me. I wasn't happy that you were going to leave or probably agreed to his offer but at the same time, I want you to get out of this place. Look for your sister, asked for her forgiveness, and reconcile with her. She's your only blood relation left. You and I both know, she wasn't happy with you in the past, and maybe, she's still holding onto that to date. What if, you were not able to make it up to her till eternity? Is that what you truly want? Will you be happy? I know, you know, you mean no harm to your family in the past, do they know that? You haven't been allowed to explain yourself to her and I want you to do that. I was only worried about you. You know what, just think about it like Mr. Stranger had suggested and make a decision. No matter what your decision is, I will always support you." 

"And, what if I choose to accept his offer?." 

"I will gladly support you and be happy for you."

"Even with the fact that you won't get to see me again?."

"As long as you reconcile with your sister, I will be fine." 

"Do you even have feelings at all? Do you even care about me at all?!" I burst out at her. I can't believe she's saying all these to me.

"I'm sorry." She apologized. 

"Forget it. You want me to leave right? That's what you want, fine!"

"Chloe, come on! Stop being this way. Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay? To be frank with you, if I was asked or given the power to do anything... I will stop you from leaving. It's hurting already that you might leave me all alone here in the next few days. I wanted to punch Mr stranger so hard on his face as I overheard your conversation with him earlier... I hated him so much for coming all the way here and choosing you of all people to be his girlfriend when he can choose any lady of his choice. You think it's that easy for me to let you go but, I have to be happy for you at the same time... This is the right time to correct your mistakes. Make up for the mistakes you've made in the past by finding your sister. You must do."

"It's hard to let you go but, for the love, I have for you... I had to." Her face, eyes, and body language says it all. This lady in front of me was more than a friend. And, she's more than a sister also.

Tears well up my eyes. I've never had a sister or a friend who stood by me like Tiana. She's the best thing one could ever ask for. 

"I'm sorry too for saying out something I'm supposed to... I was only not comfortable with you wanting me to leave from here but, I heard what you said. I promise you, I'm going to make the right decision. Just promise me, you won't be upset with me no matter what decision I've come up with?."

"I promise you, baby girl. Come on, come here." She wide her hands out for me and I embraced her tightly. 

"We will stick together, forever. I'm never going to allow anyone to come in between us." I said to her, smiling but this silly girl just smack me so hard on my back. 

"I told you not to say anything for now, didn't I? Just take your time and think about it thoroughly.

"Fine! Mother." I teased rolling my eyes before we both chuckled at the same time. 

"Ladies." We heard Juliana's voice and we both pull each other from the hug. 

"The room is ready, you can both go to your room now." 

"We?!!!!" We both exclaimed at the same time.