The Mystery of Chloe B.

10 - A talented boy

"So? Feel better now?" Jerome asked.

Chloe looked at him with a smile. He'd been waiting for her for a good few hours, because after breaking the ice, mother and she couldn't stop talking. Yet, when Chloe left the room, Jerome was still sitting patiently in the corridor and just waited for her.

"Better." she smiled. "But there is still a long way to go."

"So, I'm not asking for details."

"You can ask. Although... I have to think about it all. I'm so confused..."

"Can I walk you home? You will ventilate your head instead of sitting in the car stuck in traffic jams."

"You know what? This is quite a good idea..." she smiled.

"So, let's go." He said, taking her hand. And she didn't object.

They walked in silence. Hand in hand. But Chloe didn't think about it. She was thinking of what her mom had told her, especially about her father. Her dearest, wonderful daddy, who would give her the whole world – except her mother. He was the one who had forbidden his mother to contact Chloe. How was it possible that papa was such a vengeful man? It was difficult for Chloe to accept it. On the other hand, however, she finally understood the condition for keeping this meeting in secret.

She also asked mother about Jerome. Why she trusted him so much to ask him to deliver the letter to Chloe. Mom smiled slightly and said warmly:

"You do like this boy, don't you?"

Chloe blushed, so there was no point in denying it.

"Jerome is a good boy." Mom added still smiling. "His dad raised him well."

"Mom... Are you and Jerome's dad...?" Chloe hesitated because she couldn't finish the question.

"No, honey!" Mom laughed, not minding this question. "We're not together. This is just my good friend. I didn't leave your father to get involved in a similar relationship. Besides, Jerome has both parents. And they still love each other."

"But you praise him so much."

"Because he's a wise father." Mother repeated. "He did what neither I nor your father could do. He said that if his son would take over his company one day, he must gain respect for work and people. That's why he told him to work. We treated you like a princess because we wanted the best for you. Now I'm not sure but I think we've hurt you..."

"A company?" Chloe spotted. "Mom, who is Jerome's father?"

"He didn't tell you?"

"I didn't ask."

"Then ask. I can't tell you anything more that he is a good father."

Chloe sighed. She still didn't know anything about this mysterious boy, who had already soaked in her life, in her thoughts, in her heart. How was it possible?

"Overwhelming, huh?" Jerome asked, looking sideways at her.

She raised her head and glanced at him. She was coming back to reality.

"Who is your dad?" she asked. As usual, frankly and bluntly.

This time he looked as if he became speechless.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered. "I shouldn't..."

"No, it's okay..." he stammered. "Your mom didn't tell you?"

Chloe shook her head.

"Did you ask her?" He asked, and seeing her confusion, he smiled broadly as if a thought had occurred to him.

"Yes." she answered quietly.

"So, it's interesting to you?"

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Never! I was just wondering..."

"On what?"

"Could Chloe Bourgeois be interested in just-a-dispatch-runner?" He asked, embracing her.

"Are you going to remind me of it for the rest of my life?" she winced.

"If you give me a chance, it can be for the rest of my life." he smiled and still gazing on her eyes, he leaned in to kiss her. And then she heard his question: "You know, Chloe?"

"Now?" she groaned with irritation. "Really now?"

"You need to know something. I'm not just a dispatch runner. You must know that..." he hesitated.

"Just say it!"

"My dad is Maurice Delacroix..."

Chloe froze. Tycoon in the financial industry. That much she knew. His name kept going through daddy's conversations...

"Then why are you a messenger?" She whispered, bewildered.

"To get respect for work, money and people." He replied, and she remembered that her mother had told her the same.

"So, you played games with me?"

"What? Never, Chloe!" he denied immediately and the added: "I mean, I've heard about you before, that you're a mean and spoiled girl."

"Thanks!" she snorted offended and wanted to move back, but he still embraced her.

"And then I delivered you a letter. And I saw the real you. And... I fell in love with you, Chloe."

Chloe needed a moment to think over all this information. In the end, however, she smiled and said:

"You're unbearable. Now, will you finally kiss me?"

"Be careful what you ask for. Because I can never stop."

"Good." She replied in her style, and he laughed in response and finally kissed her.

And Chloe, the expert of many areas of her life – not to say: almost all of them – had to admit again that Jerome was quite a talented boy.

THE END :-)