Insane

Fate and Fireworks

Chloe makes her way down to the entrance of the building. There she finds a disheveled Jack pacing back and forth outside of the doors. She is thankful he is away from the guards in case they make a scene. The last thing she wants is to add more drama and issues to her already complicated life.

The little bit of sanity left in her told her to not to go, but somehow her legs carried her out and to him. 

Sensing her presence, Jack stops in his tracks and turns to her.

"Chloe!" He rushes to her and pulls her into a hug.

Normally this would melt her but the strong smell of alcohol and his rough hands make her stay alert.

Maybe this wasn't a good idea.  

Jack pulls away from the embrace and holds her face in his hands. 

"Come back to me, baby. I need you," he says in his drunk state.

Chloe doesn't say anything and looks down at the ground.

"Look at me," he says as he lifts up her chin with his hand. "I messed up, okay? Please, let's just sit and talk this out," he pleads.

Chloe shakes her head. "You're drunk, Jack," she looks up at him. "This is not a good idea," she tries to reason.

"I have been trying to get a hold of you for days. I feel like I'm going crazy. I love you, Chloe. I need you," Jack begs and looks at her with puppy eyes.

It is taking every ounce of her being not to give in. Despite how angry she is, deep down she wants to believe him and believe what she saw was a mistake. 

When Jack sees her silent, he grows impatient and grabs her shoulders harshly.

"I did so much for you! Do you know how hard it was for me?" Jack says through clenched teeth. "I had to put up with that douchebag dad of yours for 7 years. Seven. Fucking. Years."

Chloe gasps in shock, looking at the sudden change in him.

"I had to kiss up to his ass and pretend to be that perfect boyfriend of yours to get to the position I had. Do you know how hard it is to be screwing the same chick for that long?" he spits out angrily. 

Horror takes over Chloe's face and she stares back at Jack as her whole body goes numb. She can't believe what she's hearing. She has never seen this side of him. As a matter of fact, she didn't even know it existed.

Those loving green eyes that once used to look at her with passion are replaced by much darker ones filled with hate. 

"Did you really think you'd be the only one. I'm actually surprised it took you this long to figure out," he lets out a sinister laugh. 

Feeling lightheaded from what she is hearing, Chloe tries pushing away the man she no longer recognizes. 

"Where do you think you are going?" He pulls her arm back aggressively.

"Let me go!" Chloe yells and tries to jerk herself free, as hot tears flow down her cheeks.

Despite being drunk, Jack overpowers her and begins dragging her away from the building to a darker part of the block.

"Ouch! You're hurting me. Let go of me!" Chloe struggles under his grip. 

Just as she's about to scream for help, she feels Jack's hands loosen around her arm and sees him fall onto the ground with a loud thud. 

She notices a tall figure slowly walk past her to where Jack is and grab him by the collar. 

"She. Said. To. Let. Go," comes from a deep, chilling voice with a thick British accent.

"Who the fuck are you? Mind your own business," Jack spits out. 

Krrr.

Chloe flinches as she hears the sound of bones cracking as a fist slams hard into Jack's jaw.

Jack groans in pain as he touches his now bleeding skin. 

"Stay away from her. Or next time... there won't be a next time." 

Chloe gets chills just from hearing the words come out of the stranger. She is at a loss for words and doesn't know how to react. She is unsure of whether to feel safe or be afraid of him.

Sensing her discomfort, the man turns around and asks "Are you alright?" He places his hands in the front pockets of his suit and takes a step closer to where she is standing.

Déja vu.

Chloe's mind immediately runs back to the other night when she was followed. She gets goosebumps as the remembers the stranger standing across from her house. Could it be him?

She returns from her thoughts and for the first time, really looks at him. He is... handsome. Hair gelled back, sharp jawline, stormy grey eyes, dark navy suit in perfect condition. There is a hint of danger and mystery to him. Everything about him screams trouble. 

Realizing she hadn't answered his question, she gives herself a mental slap and says "Y-yes. I am fine... Thank you." 

He tilts his head to the left and gives her the slightest nod. 

"Allow me to walk you back." It sounds more like a command than a request. Chloe hesitates but after taking a glance at Jack, who is still struggling to get back up in his drunk state, she nods in agreement.

Once they are inside the building, Chloe turns to thank him once again. When she meets his dark eyes, she feels her heart pick up its pace. 

"I appreciate what you did back there," she manages to get out nervously, as she tucks loose strands of hair behind her ear. 

She feels heat rush to her face as she notices his gaze traveling from her face down to her body, scanning every inch. The atmosphere intensifies with each passing second and just as she thinks she's going to explode, her phone vibrates.

Thank god.

She looks down at her phone to see an incoming call from Stella. 

Shit.

"Sorry, I'm going to have to take this," she says as she picks up the phone to her ear.

He gives her another one of his slight nods. 

And with that, he turns on his heels and walks away, leaving her baffled.