Chapter 6 - Surprise

After getting a long, hot, shower, Chloe heads to bed hoping to sleep. She turns out the light, shuts her eyes and lets her mind wander. After falling into deep sleep, she begins to dream of Ryan.

.....

While Chloe is sleeping, Phillip shows up at Sally's place. He heads in calling to Sally. "Hey Sally, Are you still awake? Sorry, it took so long. Chloe knows I'm cheating, but as she said her self, she has no proof." He walks to the bedroom and sees Sally dressed in a short see-through negligee. Her hair intentionally in a mess. What she called a sėxy mess. This look was laughable to any outsider. However, Phillip found it strangely attractive. He strides over to her, wrapping his arm around her waist and bracing her face with the other, he kissed her passionately. Then he shoved her into the bed placing himself on top of her. Trying his best to be seductive, he whispers in a husky voice. " We can finish this conversation in 10 minutes."

Phillip was not a man of stamina or courtesy. Pleasing a woman was not something he knew how to do. Sally only slept with him because Chloe had him. She wanted everything Chloe had. Everything she had. Her boyfriend, family, money, cafe, friends, education, and name. Sally wanted EVERYTHING of Chloe's. She always felt inferior to her, as if everything Sally had wasn't enough because with Chloe around Sally blended in with the background.

...

Several days passed and Chloe still hadn't spoken with Phillip. She has gone to work and come home. She didn't mind not speaking to him as much as she thought she would. She was just curious as to why Sally wasn't at work today. Chloe pulled out her phone, going through her contacts. Which consisted of a few people; Phillip, Sally, Sam, Nathaniel, and..Ryan? She stopped to stare at the name. So this is what he was talking about when he said 'You have my number. You can talk to me any time you need to.'

Chloe was struggling with the idea of whether to contact him or just let it be. To her, it was a silly idea. The fact she just met him several days ago and spoke to him briefly for a few hours that night, it was just silly. Chloe chuckled lightly to herself. With a small smile on her radiant face, thinking about that night and how that brief interaction caused her to question everything.

While pondering her dilemma, Sam stepped into the office. "There is a man out here looking for you." "A man?" A slight glimmer of hope springs onto Chloe's face. Her hoping it is Ryan and nervous, because what if it is Ryan?

Chloe made her way out the office, down a narrow hall, looks right, toward the sales counter to see....."Phillip, what? Why are you here? I can't talk right now Sally didn't show up for work, and I'm swamped." "Sally didn't show because she's sick she can't stop throwing up."

"Phillip, how do you know this? How come you know she's sick, and I, her boss, do not?"

Phillip suddenly became pale as a sheet ghost. Stuttering with almost every word trying to find an excuse. "Sh...sh...she ca...ca...called me. Said...she tried...to...call you. I told her I was headed this way and would talk to you."

Sam was serving customers while this awkward conversation took place. She found an opportunity to, finally, tell Chloe what she saw. Both Phillip and Sally deserved what was coming their way.

Sam finished filling a customer's coffee, walked over to the counter, looked at Phillip. Her eyes were screaming I'm telling on you. Phillip cast her a scornful look. He knew Sam was going to say something and had to stop her. "Don't you have work to do? Instead of being nosy, and in other people's conversations?" He stares at Sam, with a snobbish attitude. He was emphasizing his superiority and dominance.

Sam stomps off, infuriated but not defeated. She told herself just to wait till that bastard isn't around Chloe.

Chloe looks at Phillip in disbelief; he was unbelievable speaking to her employee in this manner. Chloe didn't like it when people were superior and flaunted it to the less fortunate. Disgusted with his attitude, Chloe yelled at Phillip. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO MY EMPLOYEE THIS WAY?" Phillip became embarrassed by her yelling. "Sweetie, calm down, everyone is looking. Don't get upset; I just reminded your employee of who she was. Your employee."

"Right my employee. Not yours, not for you to tell her what to do. Not for you to treat like garbage." "If I apologize, will that make you feel better?" "Yes. If you apologize, I'll think about forgiving you."

He already had bad news to tell her, so to keep on her good side he walks over to Sam.

"Sam, may I speak with you for a moment?"