Be a fighter (a Bruno Mars fanfic)

Chapter 8, Wanted

A few weeks passed, I could walk again without help, and Peter was being a major help around the apartment. I'd go to work while he watched Zoey. I wrote little articles about him to almost unknown magazines so he wouldn't know. It kind of seemed like Zoey thought we were a family, which made things awkward sometimes, like when she asked me for a little brother.

*ring ring* I answered my phone. "Girl, you haven't called in so long. Is everything okay?"

"Sorry Lauren. I've been busy with work."

"Where's Zoey been then?"

"Peter has been watching her."

"Bruno? Watching Zoey?"

"Yeah, Zoey really likes him. He acts like he's her father."

"Does she know.."

I cut her off, "No. She doesn't know and he doesn't know that I know."

"Shouldn't you tell him?"

"If I tell him then I'll lose my job."

"Have you even written any articles yet?"

"Yeah, little ones in like unknown magazines."

"You know they want a big article from everyone by the end of the month, right?"

"Okay, not a problem."

"Ummm, Chloe? All the articles are going into Billboard magazine. It's the biggest month for them."

I slammed my arm on the nightstand. "FUCK!"

"Just change your name on the article."

"Then he'll wonder how this person knows so much about his life."

"I don't know then.."

*beep*

"Is that your phone?" I asked.

"No. I don't have another call coming. It must be yours."

*beep*

I looked at the screen, "work" it said.

"It's me. I got to go."

"Okay. Have fun."

"Oh yeah." I said sarcastically. I switched over to the other call. "Hello?" I answered.

"Chloe, we need you at a meeting ASAP."

"Alright. Give me a few minutes, I'll be there."

"It's at the regular spot."

"Okay, give me 20 minutes."

"We'll all be here."

"Okay, see ya soon." I ended and hung up. As I hung up, Peter walked into my bedroom.

"Zoey wants to go to the zoo." he said.

"Do you mind taking her?"

"You're not gonna go?"

"I just got a call from work. I have to go, it's important."

"What can be so important to go over at a strip club?" he asked puzzled.

"Ummm... New clothes, people, all kinds of stuff." I lied through my teeth.

"Okay..." he hesitated to go any further. He stared at me with those big, brown eyes that always seemed to sparkle.

"I really have to go. Thank you for all your help." I finally announced.

"It's fine. I'll take her."