Chloe Montclair

"But, you asked me to leave, right?."

"That's because I had to say that to you not that, I meant it." 

"So, I shouldn't leave?."

"Yes, stay here with me." 

"Well, I change my mind already. I'm leaving and that's the period." 

"Chloe, you wouldn't want me to kill you right? I'm going to kill you- No! I'm going to roast you alive, eat you and then, I can be sent to another year of imprisonment."

"You're crazy!" I looked at her unbelievable. 

"Yes, I'm crazy." She chimed in with me and laugh. "To be frank with you, I was only kidding a while ago. You just follow your heart and do what's right. I will always support you no matter what." 

"Yes, I know that." 

"So, he came here to show you this? I thought he ought to be here in 3 days after now. Why is he here today?."

"Well, how do I know that? That crazy man knows that I called him a dork's face!" I hissed in a frustrating time. 

"What?! How did he know that? No one was here when you called him that." Before I could reply to her, the phone he gave me earlier started to ring. 

I pick it up from the couch and widened my eyes in shock. 

You can't believe what he just save his contact with? 

"Who's that? And, where did you get a phone from?." Tiana asked me. I showed her who was calling and she burst out laughing. 

"Prince charming?." She said laughing again. 

Prince charming my foot! 

I slide to the green side and pick up the call. "what?." I asked him immediately after I picked up the call. 

"You did not just call me crazy? Saying I have a dork's face isn't enough for you and now, I'm crazy? Don't test my patience Chloe. You do not want to see the demon side of me, right? I knew you were fierce right from the very first day I set my eyes on you but, do not disrespect me." He said in a very cold tone. The same tone he used on the very first day he came here to meet me. 

"But how-" before I could finish what I was about to say, he hung up the call on me. 

I opened my mouth in awe. "What's it? What happened? I know, it's Mr. Stranger that just called you, what did he say?."

"He heard me calling him crazy and also a dork's face." I replied. 

"What?! But how?." 

"I... I don't know." I'm still in shock. It's not like there's any CCTV in here... Is it?

"Is there any CCTV in here? How does he know that we talked about him? Or, is he a ghost or something?." Tiana asked in a confused tone.

"You- silly girl." I said and this time around, it was I who smacked her. I made sure to smack her arm so hard to reset her memory for her. "How could he be a ghost? He's a big man and you know that."

"But, he's listening to our conversation! Wait a minute, I need to check if there's any CCTV in here." She said and started to roam about the whole room. 

Still on there when my phone rang again. It's still him 'prince charming' I read the name and hissed before rolling my eyes. 

"What?." I said again as I picked up the call. This time, I made sure to put the phone on speaker. 

"Tell your beautiful friend to stop searching the whole place. She can't find anything. Plus, don't forget what I told you... Think about it thoroughly and there's no going back after that." He said and hang up the call. 

Both Tiana and I opened our mouths in awe. There's no doubt, there's something about this room we do not know of. He can see and hear anything we do. 

She slowly walk closer and whispered in my ear. "He surely is a ghost... There's no doubt."

"You think so?." I whispered back.

"I know so." She affirmed. I smack her back. 

"Ouch! What was that for? You and no idea your hand is painful, right?."

"Well, yours is more painful than mine. So, what do we do now?." I whispered again"

"Nothing. After all, we haven't done anything wrong. So, where do we start from? And, where's Juliana? The food should be ready by now?." She said. the last part in an irritated tone.

"Wait, what?! I thought... I thought you went out to stop her from making you any meals?." I'm confused right now. 

"You thought, I was going to listen to you? Look, Chloe. You and I are two different people... I need to eat because I'm famished. You can't change that."

"But, I just told you it's not th-" I was still trying to put some senses into this woman's head when the door burst open and Juliana walked in. 

"Ladies, here comes your meal." She exclaimed in an excited tone. She's changed towards me ever since the day Ken showed up here. She also told me she has something important to discuss with me and, I'm going to talk to her about that later on... Maybe, in the evening. 

But, all that isn't the problem now... What I'm seeing right in front of me isn't funny and looks suspicious. I fixed my gaze at my friend and she refused to look at me. 

"What's going on here? Are we having a feast or something? much so, food?." I asked. 

"We're not having a feast but, a send-forth party."

"Send forth party? For who?." 

"You, of course! You see, Chloe. Mr. Domanco made it clear to me that you're going to leave this place in the next three days. I know, I've been bad and mean towards you but, this is the least I could do. I'm inviting your friends over to your room now so, you can have some special time with them. Now, I will excuse you two." She said and tried to leave but I stopped her. 

"Erm... Please wait." Before I could say anything... The room burst open again and our friends walked in one after the other. I can't believe this is happening. 

Is this a planned work between my friend and Juliana? Because I can't seem to understand what's going on right now. They all walked in and hug me one after the other. I guess, they're missing me already even before I leave. 

I had no idea I was surrounded by people like this who cherish me this much not until today. They all sit and were ready to start eating when Juliana walked out. I ran out fastly after her and stopped her before she could leave. 

"Erm, Juliana..." She turned around and smiled a little bit at me. 

"Hey! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with your friends?." She asked me. 

"I will but first, I will like to talk to you. Didn't you tell me, you have something to talk to me about?." 

"Yes."

"Can we talk about it now? I mean, if you're okay with it."

"Of course, I am. Can we go to my office instead?." 

"Sure. Right after you." I followed right behind her and we both walked into her office. I shut the door behind me and took a sit across from her. 

I looked at the woman sitting right across from me and mentally smiled. She has changed entirely towards me ever since the day Ken showed up here. 

She asked to have a peaceful conversation with me and here I am. 

"Firstly, I would like to apologize to you Chloe for all the bad deeds I've done to you. I know, I've hurt you a lot in the past, I've done a lot of terrible things to you... I would not want to remind you of the past again because it's just like an old wound that shouldn't be touched."

"You have never offended me but, I was so mean towards you. It wasn't entirely my fault. The truth is, both your sister and her husband came to me. She told me, you've always been bad to her ever since you both were kids. She told me, you were also not the biological daughter of your parents but yet, they treated you nicely. It took your mom a long time to conceive and she decided to adopt you but, you've always treated her who's the biological daughter badly."

"What?!!"

"Yes, that was what she told me about you. She also confirms to me that, there are a lot of several marks on her body given by you. You, secretly assault her. You also wanted to kill her because you found out you're not the biological daughter of your parents and also the fact that, you wanted to seduce her husband and take everything that rightfully belongs to her including your parent's wealth. She told me you succeeded though in taking everything but that boyfriend of yours run along with everything and left you behind."

"She was in so much pain and cried a lot when she told me about the whole story and I had no idea it was all a lie not until days back when Mr. Domanco showed up. He confronted me after having a conversation with you. I told him the truth but, he told me what the real truth is."

"I had no idea I've been fooled all these years and hurt you in the process. I hope, you can forgive me. I know, I was wrong. For believing her but at that time, I had no reason not to believe her. She was so real, every word that came out of her mouth looked so real too. And her husband, he was chiming in with her also and then... The news about you killing your mom was everywhere. The only thing I could think at that moment was to make you pay for all the bad deeds you've done to her family. I had no idea, I was hurting the innocent one all this while."

"Look, Chloe... I know it will be hard for you but please, find it in your heart to forgive me. Just forgive me and I will be okay." She said as she took hold of my two hands in hers. 

Why, am I not surprised by everything she had just said?

Chloe Montclair

Of course, Ken told me everything already and now, everything makes sense to me. When I was first brought into this place, I was treated like a piece of trash. The way Juliana has always treated me, the hatred from her, and how she made life miserable for me.

Janet didn't stop at that but, also gave her money to make life miserable for me in here. I thought she was the only one left for me. I thought, she loved me as her sister. What have I done to deserve all these horrible things from her? I've always loved her and cherished her so, why me? 

I'm mentally boiling in anger right now and I do not want to burst out. Not in presence of Juliana. She might think I'm like this because of her. 

"Hey, are you even listening to me at all?." I heard her say as her hand touch my arm which brought me out of my thought. 

"Of course, I'm listening to you. Look, Juliana. I've forgiven you, and I'm aware that all you did was out of lies said to you. It's your choice and you choose to believe her but, that still doesn't mean I'm going to blame you for that. The news was everywhere that, I killed my mom. Not only do you, everyone in this country hate me for that so, but I'm also not blaming you one bit for it. So, it's fine." I said the last part with a little smile on my face. 

"You know, it's hard to get people like you these days. I had no idea you could easily forgive me despite all the despicable things I've done to you in the past. Thank you so much."

"As I had said, I have no right to blame you. You're probably just doing your job that, you also hated me in the process."

"I'm sorry, Chloe. I'm truly sorry." I might have forgiven her but still won't stop the fact that she tortured me a lot. 

"Erm, can I leave now? I mean, we're done with our discussion right?." 

"Yes you can, but before that... You need to sign some papers. Everything is ready, you just have to sign them."

"Papers?." I asked confused.

"Mr. Domanco made the arrangements already. I'm talking about your freedom now but first, you have to do some important papers... So, just give me a minute." She said, got up, and brought a few papers with her. 

"So, you have to sign here and here." She said as she showed me where and where to sign. I did as I was told, and got up to leave but she stopped me again. 

What does this woman want from me again?

"Can I at least, get a hug from you?." I looked at her shocked. Did she just ask for a hug? Is she trying to be on my good books now because I'm about to be free from here and the fact that, I'm now connected to the president's son? 

No! You're getting crazy again, Chloe. Of course, her face says it all. She meant all that she had said. 

I moved closer to her and hug her briefly but, she pulled me back and hug me tightly. 

Okay.., I swear, this woman is acting strange. 

"Okay, I need to go now." I tried to break the hug but the door burst open. I rolled my eyes when I saw who it was. My crazy best friend. 

"Oh, wow! What a nice view I'm seeing right now." 

"What are you doing here, Tiana?." I asked in an irritated tone. 

Why am I being this way? Maybe, it's because of what I'm going through right now. I'm really hurt and truly wanted to break down but, I just can't do that. I've made a promise to myself not to break down anymore. 

I have to be strong no matter what the circumstances might be but again, not like this. This is too much for me to handle. 

Betrayed by my very own sister, my blood sister betrayed me with the man I fell in love with. 

She went extreme and lied against me. That wasn't enough, she brought me to hell just so I won't escape from here. 

Is there a sister who can go to any extreme just for wealth? She did all of this to me all because of our father's wealth. All she could have said was a few words to me. 'i want everything all to myself and, I would have need to her request. I'm not that desperate for the wealth or the company itself. 

"Don't tell me now that you're planning on leaving, you choose Juliana as your friend and now trying to cast me aside. You betrayal!! I've been there for you all these years and now, you find every little opportunity to yell and scream at me!!" She glared and hissed at me. 

She wasn't lying. I easily feel irritated by things she does now but, it wasn't my fault. 

"I'm... I'm sorry." I sighed and apologise to her. "It's not what you think." I said. 

"Then, how it's?." She asked as she placed her two hands on her side waists. Right now, she looks like a mom scolding her daughter. 

Maybe, Juliana did see what I saw and we both burst out laughing at the same time. "Okay girls, you two can go settle your issues in your room. I need to attend to some important matters ASAP." She said to us. 

"Sure, Juliana. Sorry for disturbing you." Tiana said sweetly to her and drag me out of her office before I could say anything. 

"Hey! Will you calm down? My hand might cut, hope you know that?."

"It won't. You're a strong girl." She said and stopped walking before facing me. "Now tell me, what have you been hiding from me?." 

"What do you mean? You literarily know about everything going on in my life so, what could I possibly be hiding from you?." 

"What did you go in there to do in her office? And, why have you been acting strange towards me? You're not cutting me some slacks at all!" She complained in a frustrated tone. 

I mentally roll my eyes. This girl is a total drama queen. 

"She told me to sign some papers and all that. And secondly, I apologize to you already haven't I? I didn't mean to act towards you in such a way... I'm just... I was only frustrated by the whole thing. I can't believe Janet could stoop so low and do such horrible things. I loved her! I cherish her so much! All she could have done was asked for everything! Everything and I would have gladly given it to her! I never wanted any of the responsibility bestowed on me anyways, I've always made complaints to my mom, told her to make her in charge of everything but she told me, that's what my Dad wanted besides, I'm the first daughter and my dad has put so much trust in me. I had no other choice... I really loved her so much!" I break down in tears. This is hurting me badly... My heart hurts!

"Hey! It's fine. I'm here for you, right? I've always been there for you and would continue to do that. Stop stressing yourself over things that don't worth it. Look, I know, she's still your sister no matter what but, she's chosen her path, allow her, and I promise to be always there for you. Your kind heart has favored you, Chloe. Are you the only girl in the whole world? Thousands of girls are out there which Mr. Stranger can choose from them but then, he chooses you instead. He shed more light on this and even made Juliana realize she has wronged you. You should be happy and grateful, don't you think?."

"But it's hard to let go of the pain, Tiana. Never in my wildest dreams will I think my own sister could betray me."

"And she did. The only thing you can do right now is to make your parents proud once again. Go out there, fight for what rightfully belongs to you, confront your sister, and hear her out. No matter what, she's still your sister and you can't change that fact."

I wipe off my tears, looked at her, and scoff. "You want me to sit and talk to someone who made my life this way? You think I will be able to control myself when I see her?!" I burst angrily at her. 

"Then, what do you intend to do? At least, you can't kill her, she's still your sister no matter what. It's advisable to take revenge on that monster who uses you and your sister at the same time but Safeeyah, you can't do her anything."

"Actually, I have a lot to do to her. She and Sebastian will pay for what they've both done to me. I will make them pay!"

"Chloe, calm down. You're taking this too far. I'm going to support you in whatever decision you make but, not hurting your sister. She's still your blood for goodness sake! Look, don't do anything stupid. You know I won't be out there with you to look after you so please, caution yourself as much as you could." She warned me in a strict tone. 

All this she's saying isn't making any sense to me. I've made up my mind. I will make them both pay for what they've done. She cease to be my sister the day she lay a trap for me and made a fool out of me. She cease to be the wonderful, innocent sister I so much adore the day she made me a murderer in presence of the whole world. No, I will never forgive her for this. 

She called for war and she's going to get it! 

"Christiana, are you supporting me in this or not?." 

"Of course, I will but yo-"

"There's no any but. You're going to be there for me right?."

"I just said I will and please, do not cut me off while talking. How are you going to take your revenge with this identity of yours? Your face... Everyone knows who you're. Don't you think, this is kinda risky for you to do? Why don't we tell Mr. Stranger to find someone else for the job." 

I looked at her unbelievable and burst into laughter. "Don't tell me, you're scared already?."

"Of course, I am! I cared about you."

"I will be fine, girl. Besides, Ken is there to protect me." I assured her. 

Chloe

"What are you doing here again?! This is not your home you know, that you can walk in and out anyhow you wanted." I hissed and rolled my eyes at him. 

My friend widened her face in horror as he walked into the room. She bowed to him and whispered. "I will leave you two to have a private talk." She said and left the room. 

"You're forgetting something, Ms. Montclair... Not only am I a businessman, not only am I a billionaire who traveled all over the world just for business purposes alone but also, into politics just like my father. So, this jurisdiction belongs to non-other than Ken Domanco." He said arrogantly as he walk over to the couch and make himself comfortable. 

I swear this man is getting on my nerves. But all the same, that makes more sense now. How he comes in here and leaves anytime he feels like.. he acts like this is his home. Besides, what if I wasn't putting on anything before he walks in, is that how he was going to see my nakedness?

"So, what do you what from me again this time around? I believe, you want something and that's why you came all. the way here again?."

"You know..." He started as he stood up from his seat and walk closer to where I'm standing close to my bed. He bends to my level and moves his face so close, closer to my face. 

I tried my best to avoid him and end up falling on the bed. He pinned me down on the bed with his manly body hovering over me. "W... Wh... What are you doing?." I stuttered. 

"Nothing much. Just a little bit more to make you believe I owned this place, everything in here... Belongs to me, including you."

"No! I don't belong to you. Besides, I'm human just like you, how can you own me?." 

"That's for me to know and for you to find out, sweetheart. So, never question me about me coming here ever again."

"But, what are you doing here?." I'm just too stubborn to listen to him. He knows that. 

"You called me up. What's it?." He asked with seriousness laced in his tone as he backed off from me and sauntered back to where he was sitting earlier.

Is this man crazy?!! I called him on phone two days back, the same day he came over here unannounced, I called him the evening of that very day twice and he didn't pick up his call. Believing he was going to return my calls and he did not and now, two days later, he showed up in his usual arrogant mood and told me I called him.

So, he saw the call?

"Wait, you saw my missed call or probably when I was calling you?."

"The two. I saw the two but I choose not to answer the call." 

"Ken!!" 

"You're forgetting something, Ms. Montclair. Only I have the right to scream out your name in such a manner. I'm only sparing you because I love your confidence. Do not make me show you the other side of me." He said in a very cold tone. 

My body shivered immediately at what he just said. The little he did to me the first day he came here, I knew exactly what he was talking about. 

"Now answer me, why did you call me? You should know I'm a very busy type. I do not have much time to waste here with you. Every second means a lot to me. Now, speak up." He ordered. 

"It's about my friend, Christiana. The truth is... I... Actually, I can't... I don't know how this is going to sound to you but, I can't leave here without her. Please, can you release her alongside me?." 

"No." He answered flatly. I wasn't expecting anything less either. I knew he will decline me but, I'm also not ready to give up. 

"She's my friend! She has been my friend for a while now and has always been there for me. I can't just leave her here, she will be lonely!" 

"I will believe, you came here alone, right?."

"What are you implying?." 

"What I'm insinuating is.. you came here alone and you're leaving alone. Plus, I need your service, not hers. So, why should I release her?."

"Because she's my friend."

"I told you, I can't release her just because of that. Give me enough reason to believe... She deserves to get out of this place?."

"Just like me, she was accused of the crime she's not committed. If she could get out from this place, I believe she can get her revenge too... I will help her make people who did this to her pay for their crimes. She has a very cruel uncle too and his son is worse. I'm sure, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I know you Ken, even though, I haven't known much about you yet but I believe... You've done a lot of research about me and everyone around me. You know exactly what I'm talking about so please, release her too. She's like a sister to me, someone I've grown a bond with... I can't leave this place without her... Please." I beseech him. 

He looked at me and sighed. "It was her uncle that killed her mom. It wasn't an accident." He said. 

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

"Should I keep quiet then since you're not ready to believe me?."

"No, that's not what I meant to say. It's just that... It's surprising! I know, they never liked her but still, they shouldn't have gone so far by killing her mom." I explained. 

"Killing her father wasn't enough and they decide to kill her mom too. There's this huge money, her father has, and if he was to be alive... They won't be able to get hold of it."

"Huge money? But, Tiana came from a poor family?."

"She has no idea of who her father is. He hid himself so well because of his brothers. Shit! I don't know why I'm saying all of these to you." He said in an annoying tone. 

"Now you see the reason why you have to help her right? She needs your help, please."

"You really want to help her, don't you?."

"She's my friend, Ken! I'm sure, you have friends too, a friend you can do anything for their sake." 

"Sit." He ordered. 

"But we're sti-"

"Fuck! Sit, Chloe, and stop arguing with me." That was the first time I heard him call my real name. It sounds good from his lip. I wish, he can continue to call me Chloe though instead of being formal. 

Idiot! What's going on in your head- I mentally scold myself. 

I did as I was told and took a sit gently across him. "Let's talk about us." He said. 

"About us?." I asked confused.  "What about us?." 

"I hope, you know you can't go out with this look?." 

"You mean, my face?."

"Hmmm." He hummed. 

"So, what do we do? I can't use a mask, can I? I've thought about it too and I had no idea of what to do." 

"You have to undergo facial surgery." He said like it's nothing. 

"What?!!! Are you crazy?!!!" I burst angrily at him as I jumped up from my seat. I swear, this guy won't be the death of me. 

Did he just tell me, No! He just ordered me to go for face surgery?!! Is he crazy?!

"I will believe, you did not just say that to me."

"Will you fucking keep calm and listen to me first?." He asked.  

"Can you stop cursing?!." I asked him too.

"Just why did I choose you of all people? Why must I be stupid enough to choose you?!" Is he also getting frustrated in the same way I am about him too? We're both getting frustrated with each other's but, that still doesn't change the fact that I'm doing what he just said. 

"You want to face my parents with this face? You of all people know that nothing is going to work out fine between us if you dare show this face to them."

"But still, that doesn't mean I undergo pains because of you! Why should I change my appearance because I want to help you?!"

"Point of correction, you're not helping me! There's no favor I'm getting from you rather, I'm helping you instead! I can choose any girl I want and you know that but, I also have my reason for choosing you. I know, you'll be ambitious and dedicated to the job given to you considering what you've been through and that's why I choose you so, stop telling me you're doing me a favor."

"I guess, you had no idea how happy your sister and that liar were without you. They ruined your life, put you in here to make you miserable but no, you're not bothered about all that. Those two can go to any extreme to make you fail again if you show this face to them. Do you think they'll let you be especially that bastard? He will make sure, he kills you for good!" Everything makes sense to me but seriously, face surgery?! I can't do it. 

"But, I'm scared! I don't want to change my appearance and of course, I don't want to undergo any pain too. It's going to be painful." I complained in a worried tone. 

"I'm going to be there with you all through the surgery. Besides, I'm not the only one who will be there with you but your friend too. You'll be fine, do not bother yourself about that and think about how to get your revenge on those who wrong you. That's why, we were able to get to this stage.. right?."

I wasn't listening to every other things he has been saying ever since he said, my friend is going to be there with me. Does that mean, Tiana is also free and would be coming along with me?

Before, I could react or say anything... He got up swiftly and rearrange his suit well on his body. "Since, we've both concluded that you're going to do as I've said... I will see you tomorrow then. Tomorrow is our last day of the agreement." He said as he tried to leave but I stopped him.

"Wait, Ken." I stopped him by holding his arm. 

"You said something earlier, you told me not only you will be there to support me but also my friend, Tiana. Does this mean... You're going to free her also? I mean, she will be free and she can come with me?."

"I thought you're smart so, why are you acting like you're not?." He said as he smack my forehead with his index finger lightly. 

"Ouch!" I glared at him. "Of course, I'm releasing her too. She has been through a lot just like you. She deserves to be happy and fight for what rightfully belongs to her." He said and I swear, without thinking twice, without knowing what's wrong with me... I jumped in him, wrapped my legs around his waist, and hug him tightly.