63. Friends Or Lovers

Chloe’s Pov

I took an early leave to go home today, from work.

I was so tired. Tired of everything.

My shitty love life, and the fact that Jackson, who I presently liked, thought of us as friends and nothing else.

These were my thoughts as I entered my car, zooming off at high speed. My thoughts drifted to Orange Summers—the only place that I took comfort in.

“Chloe, I see you’re here again?” The bar tender called out, as I dragged a stool, sitting on it. Seemed he was used to my presence so much already.

“Yeah Ray… I want four bottles of beer, please.”

I ordered, bringing my phone out from my purse and settling it on the bar’s table. I texted Eleanor, but it seemed like she was busy with work too.

Of recent, she was the only one I turned to in times of need. Friends at my workplace, only remained professional because I kept it that way.

“Drinking alone?”

My eyes bolted at the gentle and soft voice I heard.

For some minutes, I thought I was dreaming.

But when I turned my head back to face him, I knew I definitely wasn’t.

“Mr celebrity coming all the way to Orange Summers… what are you doing here, anyway?”

I asked, arching a brow as I sipped the glass of beer with my eyes directed to him.

“Looking for you,”

“Stopped by at your office and was told you took an early leave and wasn’t feeling well.”

Jayjay muttered, dragging a stool just beside me.

His hands rudely grabbed a bottle of my beer as usual, opening the bottle and sipping directly from it. Since we met, it seemed his choice of white outfit had slowly faded.

Instead, he seemed a little in tune, blending with what most fashionable men wore.

“Are you okay, mon cherie?”

I could swear my heart rapidly thudded, as he said those words.

I wasn’t.

I wasn’t okay.

But I can’t admit it, Jackson. Cause…you’re the cause.

“Yeah sure,”

I breathed out.

“I just um,” I took a sip of my beer, looking away from him. “I think it would be best if we stop seeing each other.”

“Why, Chloe?”

“Is anything the issue? We’ve been going good as friends and I certainly don’t remember having any argument with you.”

“Where is this coming from?” he gripped my shoulder saying. I looked into his warm eyes, before sighing and ripping his hands off me.

“Are you really that insensitive? All this while, you stood up for me, pretending to be my boyfriend.”

“Did you not ever think my feelings would be affected?”

“Is that what this is about? I did all those things to make your ex jealous.”

“To make him know what he had lost— a beautiful, outgoing and smart woman.”

“Really? How about calling me pet names like mon cherie, before you even knew I had an ex? Did you think that was okay?!”

I suddenly yelled, not knowing what came over me.

Seemed like a sudden emotion outburst was fueled by my desire to keep it in. But I couldn’t…

That was not me, this wasn’t me, Chloe.

“I like you, Jackson.”

I confessed.

“I really, really like you; a lot wish we could put meaning to it.”

There was a surprised look on his features. Like I had suddenly said something out of the blue, catching him off-guard. But this was the truth, and I couldn’t hide it anymore.

“Since the first time you drank with me, outside the bar, I fell. And I want to be caught, by you.”

I said, reaching out to hold his hands.

But he immediately untangled them from mine.

“Chloe, I um…”      

An astounded look of surprise, plastered on my face.

“You don’t have to give me a reply now. I know, it’s supposed to be the other way round but…”

“You don’t understand, Chloe…I—"

“I’ve never had to chase anyone so badly, all my life. This is the first time, I-I have fallen for you and I swear I didn’t mean to.”

I cut him off saying. I didn’t want to be rejected again, dammit.

“We can’t be more than just friends, Chloe.”

His words made me regret confessing my feelings.

And I felt like a clown; a total fool.

“Because…”

“…there is someone else. Because, there is a woman I like.” he retorted.

I gasped at his words, with humiliation slapping my face to reality.

I mean, what was I even thinking?

I immediately dropped my glass of beer, grabbing my purse to go.

Double thinking the situation, I stopped on my spot.

“Who is she?” I asked.

 “Tell me, who? Is she Eleanor?”

He sighed, standing up to my eye level.

“Eleanor wasn’t ever in my heart romantically.”

Jayjay stated, with a stern smile.

“And I take it you’re not handling this well, that’s why I can’t tell you who she is.”

“I’m sorry,”

I almost felt a part of my heart stab in hurt, the moment he said those words. I suddenly felt hurt and nervous and needed some air.

“I can’t be that man to you, Chloe.”

…

Eleanor’s Pov

“You’re resuming as Pink Moda’s star model? I see Big James visited you already.”

Liam called out, the minute I went to drop some files in his office.

Sheesh… couldn’t believe he couldn’t even call his own father, dad?

“And who told you that piece of information? You’re stalking me once more, aren’t you?”

I asked, folding my arms with a stern expression. Even if we were dating, it didn’t mean he had any right to do so.

“I’m entitled to stalk you, Eleanor. Whenever I want, and when I feel like it.”

Liam retorted. I immediately took two steps back, with a slight grin, knowing once his hands touched mine…I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

“Come here.” he said, with a lustful look on his face.

The last time we did it in the office was a mistake. I simply wasn’t allowing that repeat itself again.

“In your dreams, Liam.”

Somehow, he was able to maneuver his way through. With a tight grip around my waist, he asked,

“So, what did Big James tell you, apart from that?”

“That would be easier as dad, you know.” I snorted.

“It would be, but he prefers that amount of nobility as a member of the James bloodline.”

Liam stated, in confidence.

What was it about this famous James family?

“Now…tell me or else I’d kiss the truth out of you.”

“Really? Then I’d like to see you try.”

Liam immediately enclosed his lips with mine. He commenced making out with them with his hands roaming around my bosoms. My hands were around his neck, resting on his broad shoulders.

And…dammit. I could feel his hardness, just as our bodies moved in motion.

“You like testing me, red.”

A sly remark was made by him. My head was blank, and instead filled with recessive emotions.

“I don’t like testing you, Liam. I’m just…I’m just like this.”

I truthfully said. Liam briefly pulled away from the kiss.

“I know…and I appreciate you for being true to yourself— a lot.”

He said, before taking my lips.

“If you weren’t, there was no way this almighty billionaire would have fallen for you in this first place.”

He pulled back again, moving to whisper in my left ear.

“I love you, red. And.. I can’t imagine any part of my life without you in it.”

My heart thudded rapidly.

And I suddenly felt some water pool up in my eyes, not sure why I had suddenly become emotional.

All this while, I had thought he was infatuated.

And whatever feelings he had would soon fade. But love?

“Damn…I love you too, Liam.”

I gasped out. “With you, there’s no place I’d rather be.”

My hands collided, spreading apart on his chest as I said.

The make-out session was really starting to become heated by the moment. Liam lifted me up in his hands with my legs around his waist. The center of my both thighs connected with his hardness which made me, moan in delight.

“And, thank you…”

“For explaining it all to Big James…for saving me the other day in Mexico and… from the angry mob too.”

I added, knowing I had been looking for an opportunity to tell him this.

“In fact, thanks for keeping up with my feistiness. Coming close, even when I push you away.”