Insane

Big Deal

6:34 p.m.

"I mean, it's kind of a big deal," Chloe says, reaching for the glass of red wine on the table.

"I did mean to tell you, but you've had so much on your shoulders lately. I thought it'd be best to just leave it alone for now." Bruce cuts a piece of lamb chop and places it in his mouth. "This is good," he says, pointing at the lamb chops with his fork.

"Not the first time you've said that," Chloe says and they both laugh.

"What can I say? This place just gets better and better every time."

Swallowing the piece of food in her mouth, Chloe asks "So, how exactly did it happen?"

"It was a miracle, actually. Just the day after I fired... Jack," Bruce shifts uncomfortably in his seat with the mention of the name. "I was a bit worried about the status of the company. He might've been a jerk but he did help out quite a bit with the increase in our stock prices. Just as I was about to call for a meeting with the board of directors, I got a call from Damien's company offering to sign a huge deal.

"I know you don't like keeping up with these stock news but Damien's company comes second in rank to ours. At the pace it's growing, I thought it'd only be wise to accept it. So I informed the rest of the heads and requested for him to come over for a quick introductory meeting."

"So, you guys haven't officially signed the papers yet, right? "

"No, that'll happen Friday, along with a celebratory party to announce the partnership of both companies."

Chloe takes another sip of her red wine and replies, "So naturally, there will be lots of press."

"Yes, and it'll assist both the companies with PR and marketing."

"I'm happy for you dad," Chloe says, smiling and reaching across the table for her dad's hands and squeezing them.

"Thank you, bear. Now," Bruce says motioning for the waiter nearby to pour more wine into both of their glasses. "I want you to be there at the party on Friday."

"Of course, dad. This is great news for you, I would love to be there to celebrate with you," she says with a big smile.

"Awesome. Damien seems to be very fond of you. I think he would be happy to see you there as well."

Chloe's heart speeds up, hearing his name. The big smile transforms into a nervous one. For some strange reason, she can't get herself to act normal around him. It's like her mind freezes and her whole body loses control to someone other than her.

The rest of their dinner passes in a haze as her mind continues going back to the limited interaction she has had with him. His stormy grey eyes and the perfect figure keeps flashing in front of her, despite all her efforts to concentrate on the conversation with her father.

9:07 p.m.

As soon as Chloe enters her house and changes into her pajamas, she picks up her phone to Facetime Stella and give her the latest updates.

"Come on, pick up. Pick up..." Chloe anxiously waits.

Connecting...

"Hey, girlfriend," Stella says, placing her phone down and continuing to cover her face with a charcoal facemask.

"Oh my god, you won't believe it!"

Putting down the mask, Stella asks just as enthusiastically, "What happened?"

"You know the guy that got me out of trouble that night and dropped me off in the building?"

"Yes...!"

"Well, his name is Damien Evans and-"

"Oh my god. The Damien Evans?" Stella cuts her off.

"What do you mean the Damien Evans?" Chloe asks with a confused expression.

"You know... Forbes 30 under 30 and  the Most Eligible Bachelor of this year?"

"No..."

"Well, of course, you don't. Everyone else besides you knows how insanely hot that guy is!"

"I mean, I have only had my eyes on one guy for the past 7 years. Didn't really have time to look at those magazines..." Chloe tries to joke but her voice gets quieter, giving away her sadness.

"Forget about that," Stella says trying to bring her mood back up. "Tell me more about him."

"Well, I went to see my dad today and ran into him. Apparently, he is the new business partner of Globex Corporation."

"Shut. Up." Stella says, her eyes widening in shock.

"I know. Such a coincidence, isn't it?"

"Hell yeah! Did you guys talk?" Stella asks, clapping her hand in excitement like a schoolgirl.

"Okay, calm down." Chloe laughs, seeing Stella like that. "We just shook hands, that's all-"

"Shook hands." Stella brings one hand to her forehead and the other to her heart and fakes a faint.

"Alright, I'm hanging up," Chloe jokes.

"No, no! I just got a little excited. Why aren't you getting excited, missy? Are you sure you saw him properly? Do you need to go see an ophthalmologist?"

"No, but perhaps you need to be reminded that I just got cheated on by my boyfriend of 7 years who I thought I was going to marry and be with for the rest of my life and have a happy ending with-"

"Okay, breathe!"

Hwoo.

Chloe lets out the breath she didn't know she was holding. "I just don't think I can look at another one of those species for the next century."

"Oh, come on. Not every guy is a jerk. Nice guys exist, and so does real love."

"I guess," Chloe shrugs.

"Okay, but promise me when the right guy comes along, you will give him a chance. You won't just shoo him away because of this one bad experience." Stella looks at her with hopeful eyes.

Chloe sighs but says with a smile, "Fine. I will."

"That's more like it. Alright, hun, catch some sleep. I'm sure it's been a long day for you."

"Yeah, I am pretty exhausted. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, love ya," Stella says, blowing a kiss to her.

"Love you more!" Chloe pretends to catch it and laughs.