Chapter 13

**CHLOE DUARTE**

"Did you like it?", Samanta teases as she notices the poor guy's expression.

"My God! There should be a law that forbids serving alcohol to you two!", I laugh as he hands over the bags that he has been holding while we dance.

"But you two have increased my desire to visit Brazil. By the way, I love you, Brazil!", he shouts with a mischievous smile making me roll my eyes.

I check the time on my cell phone and realize that it's not that late, I head back to the bar where I order a margarita from the bartender while Matt and Sam remain on the dance floor.

"Are you alone, beautiful?", I take a sip of my drink before turning my head to find a blond man sitting next to me.

"No.", I say firmly, realizing what his intentions are even though I don't know him.

"But may I accompany you? Such a beautiful woman shouldn't be left alone in a place like this..."

Without saying any words I look at her beautiful face that shows a huge smile, the bar is lit by several colored lights, but I notice the shade of green in her eyes that are watching me with great interest.

I have never been one of those women who goes out or goes to bed with an unknown man they have just met in a club, I had two experiences when I was in Brazil and they were too disastrous to remember.

"I can take care of myself, thank you!", I smile weakly and go back to drinking my margarita.

"I can see that you are the difficult type, you don't have to be like that. If you don't want my company just tell me and I'll leave you alone, my name is Matteo, what's yours?", Only now do I realize that he has a strong accent in his voice.

"You can stay, Matteo, I'm Chloe!", I end up giving up on kicking him out as I change my mind about wanting a companion.

I could even join in or call my friends, but I give up on that too when I look back to find Samanta dancing with a redhead while Matt is chatting animatedly with a woman in the corner.

They look like they are having fun and I would hate to spoil them.

"I noticed that you have a very strong accent, aren't you from around here?", I start to make conversation, settling down on the stool as I pull my dress down.

"I was born in England and moved here a few months ago to work on a specific project.", he explains, calling the bartender and surprising me when I see that he only orders sparkling water.

"Don't you drink anything alcoholic?", I ask curiously.

"I rarely allow myself to drink, my work requires a lot of attention and time, so I need to be sober!", he says laughing.

"What do you work on?"

Ok, I confess that I had a wrong impression of him, he may be interested in taking me to bed, but he knows how to react well even knowing that it will not happen, I like men who do not try to insist too much on women.

"I am a doctor, I studied medicine in England and moved to the United States when a tempting opportunity came my way, but what about you?", he asks, drinking his water while thinking about what to say.

"I'm not from here either, I'm Brazilian and decided to move here to further my education after I finished my Business School. I miss home, but I am happy when I realize that I am fulfilling my dreams.", I tell you that I miss my family.

"I completely understand Chloe, we love our family, but we have to let go of certain things if we want to achieve our biggest goals.", she says with empathy.

I'm even enjoying our conversation, he understands me perfectly and knows what I've been through to get here, but unfortunately, he pulls his cell phone from his jeans pocket when he realizes he is receiving a call.

"Sorry, I have to take this!", he says with a grimace as he gets up from his seat.

"That's fine", I confirm, watching him walk away and disappear as he heads for the club's exit.

I also grab my cell phone from my purse and check the time again, it is exactly half past midnight, and I could leave since I have to wake up early and be in a good mood for my second day of work tomorrow.

But feeling lonely among so many people, I open the cell phone gallery looking for pictures from when I was still in Brazil. An infinite number of images appear on the screen, all taken with my family.

I don't know if it is the effect of the alcohol or the conversation I had with Matteo, but I feel ridiculous when I feel my eyes watering as I look at a picture of my graduation where I am hugging my mother.

"Another one?", I am surprised when the bartender's voice asks me about the drink.

I stare at my empty margarita glass still wondering if this is a good idea, but I remember that the VIP entrance Samanta got us entitles us to free drinks on opening night, and I know perfectly well that a chance like this will take a while to happen again. So I'd better take advantage of it while I can.

"Yes, thank you!", I put my cell phone back in my purse to dry the corner of my eyes.

"Sorry for the delay, it was an important call!", I turn around to find Matteo in a hurry.

"Is everything alright?", I ask noticing his expression.

"Unfortunately not, it was the hospital alerting me that some victims of a car accident will be arriving shortly and I need to be there.", he explains with a grimace as if apologizing for not staying longer with me.

"I understand, go there to save lives!", I smile.

Standing next to me I notice for the first time his clothes, Matteo is a doctor and that means he has little time off and it is rare that he allows himself to relax and enjoy a night without the pressure of someone dying or suffering at his hands, literally.

"It was nice to meet you, Chloe. Call me if you ever want to talk or have dinner with me, I rarely have time for that, but I'll manage for you!", she says with a smile as she removes a pen from her blouse and writes down her cell phone number on a napkin on the counter.

"Thanks for the company, Matteo!", I thank you and accept the napkin.

"Take care, Chloe...", he whispers coming close to my face as he kisses my cheek.

I watch him go away still holding his number in my hands, he is nice, but I don't know if it would be a good idea to meet and relate to someone now. Still, I put the napkin in my purse.

I sit on the stool enjoying the electronic music that is playing while I drink my other margarita that the bartender just brought me.

"Who was that hot guy you were with?", I start to cough when Samanta comes up behind me with a smile.

"Do you want to kill me, crazy?", I murmur, still coughing.

"Sorry friend, but are you going to tell me who was the cute blond guy?", she asks, ordering a shot of vodka as she sits down on the stool next to me.

"His name is Matteo, an English doctor who recently moved here.", I tell her knowing that if I deny the information she will irritate me more.

"Mmmm, a doctor! Chloe, you have a great choice of men, first, it was the hot Mr. Colucci and now you meet a cute doctor..."

And here she comes again with this story with James...

"You won't stop mentioning Mr. Colucci, will you?", I ask, already knowing the answer.

"And you're going to keep denying that you're attracted to him until when? I know it seems wrong to be attracted to the boss, but we don't choose the people we're attracted to, Chloe."

I immediately think of James, his image is projected in my mind and a whirlwind of emotions comes over me as I focus my thoughts on him. It's wrong, but I can't help nor deny any longer the intense attraction I feel for this man.

It is something from another world, I feel nervous in his presence, but I also feel so good that it is hard to describe the right sensations that come over me.

I feel completely attracted to James, I continue to believe that the mysterious man in the elevator is him, but why did he deny it when I asked if he had met us before?

Maybe to maintain professionalism? Or maybe out of pure regret, he might be sorry for what we did in that elevator and is trying to forget everything that happened.

This should relieve me since if he forgets, we can continue with our professional routine as normal, but I feel no relief. I want him to tell me that he was the stranger who indescribably moved me.

"Chloe?", I turn around lost in thought when I hear Samanta shouting my name amidst the loud music playing.

I stare at my friend without saying a word, her clear eyes seem to see my soul, she knows me well and knows perfectly well when I am lying or hiding something.

"What do I do, Sam?", I ask defeated and denouncing that she was right all along.

I expect to hear a little cry of happiness, but it doesn't happen, she just sits on the bench and looks at me with affection and charisma.