Insane

Sorry, I broke your heart

"Ooh! that's adorbs," Stella says pointing at the short red skirt Chloe is holding in her hands.

"Are you sure? I really liked it when I bought it but it looks too bright now." Chloe sits at the edge of her bed and looks up at Stella with a frown.

"Yes! A hundred and 10 percent. Come on!" Stella says, plopping down on the bed besides Chloe. "It's the Fourth of July. You have to wear something red or blue."

"I know. It's not like you're going to let me leave this place without looking like the American flag," Chloe says while rolling her eyes. 

"Mhm," Stella says with a know-it-all look. "So go and get changed now." 

A good hour later, they both head out the door. Stella in a blue bodycon dress, white ankle strap heels, and a red crossbody bag. Her silky brunette hair is neatly tied into a half-pony and wrapped around a blue, red, and white bandana. 

Chloe decided to go for a more comfortable, laid back look and wore a white tee and sneakers with the red leather skirt. Instead of curling her hair like usual, she wore her natural straight hair and the same bandana as Stella to match with her. 

After Bruce shifted to New York City with Chloe when she was 7, Stella became her first friend. They were less like friends and more like sisters. The two of them were inseparable all since childhood. They attended the same private elementary, middle school, high school, and university. 

With one, comes the other. Everyone knows that. They always do everything together. Unfortunately, unlike Chloe, Stella isn't so good at holding onto her lovers. It is no surprise she is on to her 3rd fiance. Everyone seems to be attracted to her like a magnet because of her wealth, but Alex is different. He doesn't come from a wealthy family like her former love interests but he has a heart made of gold. It is clear he is genuinely in love with her and treasures her. 

Chloe and Stella both hop inside the uber and head to Time Square; the party central on any holiday. After hearing about Chloe's disturbing experience at the bar previously, Stella promised not to leave Chloe's side or to force her to mingle with strangers. Chloe decided to leave off the bit about getting stalked home that night as to not worry her further. She knew if she told Stella about it, she wouldn't let her go anywhere alone. 

Once they reach their destination, they get out of the car and make their way over to where Alex and a couple of their other friends are waiting. They all enter a building and pass through security to make their way to the rooftop bar on the terrace. This place is known for its amazing view and gets filled easily during holidays. People try booking months in advance and even then are sometimes waitlisted. However, being VIPs, Chloe and Stella have unlimited access to it and can easily walk in any time. 

Ding.

"Wow. This place is something." Mark, a friend of Alex, says as the elevator door opens to reveal a beautifully decorated rooftop. There are fairy lights going around the glass handrails and the place has pops of red, blue, and white decors. 

"It better be. After all, it is owned by the greatest man on the planet; my dad" Stella says sarcastically and they all laugh.  

They take seats near the corner of the rooftop and order their drinks. Chloe gets her usual glass of Rosé and enjoys taking slow sips in the company of her friends and some good indie-pop music playing in the background. Despite it being hard, she is trying her best to think of Jack less, day by day. 

Everyone told her to seek professional help and go to a therapist but she wasn't ready to talk about her open wound. The discovery of Jack cheating on her with his secretary Ann tore her apart. Bruce tried to keep his cool when he found out but miserably failed. He instantly fired both of them and banned them from ever being able to seek employment in any of the companies he had connections with.

Thankfully Chloe had already taken a week off from work in anticipation of her trip to Italy because she was not in the condition to go back. Stella did her best to keep Chloe occupied and spent all her free time with her. 

Chloe smiles to herself as she looks across the table at Stella, who is busy making silly jokes. She is really thankful for her. Stella is truly a gem.

Just when her thoughts are starting to shift away from Jack, she gets a text.

Unknown number: Chloe, we need to talk. 

Sent 10:43 p.m.

Her heart begins racing as she realizes who it's from. She had blocked his number and deleted him off of all social media. As much as she doesn't want to, her heart tugs at her and she can't help but think of the possibilities of what can happen if she gives him a second chance. 

Buzz.

Chloe looks down at her lap again where her phone is rested. 

Unknown number: Please Chloe. Just five minutes, that's all I ask for.

Sent 10:43 p.m.

Chloe nervously looks up to see if anyone has noticed her tense up and meets Stella's gaze. "Is everything okay?" 

"Yea-" Chloe's answer gets cut off by the sudden vibration on her phone.

She looks down to see an incoming call from that unknown number. Her mind goes blank as she tries to make sense of what's happening.

"Chloe. You look pale," Stella says with concern in her voice. 

"N-no no. I'm fine. I'm just going to the bathroom, okay?" Chloe cuts the call and gets up from her seat.

"Let me go with you." Stella grabs her hand.

"It's fine. I'm just going to the bathroom," Chloe says, trying to remain calm. Stella gives her a questioning look but lets her go.

The phone buzzes again as Chloe walks towards the lobby, leading to the elevators and bathroom. She stands in between the elevator and bathroom door as the phone continues vibrating. Frozen still, she contemplates on whether she should receive the call.

When it rings for the third time, Chloe finds her fingers pressing the green button without the approval of her mind. 

"Chloe!" she hears while she stares down at her phone. 

"Chloe! I'm sorry." 

Suddenly tears are forming in the back of her eyes as all the sweet memories of her and Jack flash in front of her eyes. Seven years of relationship vanished with just one action. 

"Please Chloe. Hear me out," she hears coming from the other end.

She finally raises the phone to her right ear and lets out the breath she didn't know she was holding. 

"J-jack" Her voice barely above a whisper.

"Chloe! Chloe, please give me just five minutes. Let me explain to you... I am sorry. I am truly sorry." She hears his voice crack and her heart breaks. She never wanted to see him crying. She wanted him to always be happy. Happy with her.

"Chloe, I promise. Ple-"

"Fine," she cuts him off. "Five minutes. That's all you get."

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"Ooooh. Chloe ma girl. Don't do anything dumb" 

*cough cough*

Oh hi :DD

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Let me know your thoughts are on it.

Until the next chapter.