Chapter 14 - Liar

Brian's heart fell, and with it, he hit his knees to the ground. Ryan not sure about what just happened, placed a hand on Brian's shoulder. "Brian, what happened? Is she ok?" "I lost her." With these words, Brian's walls went back up, but this time they were reinforced so no one can tear them down again. "I'm sorry Brian." Brian shot Ryan an icy look from hell. "One, don't ever mention her again. I don't want to see her I don't want to hear her voice. If she wants him then fine she can be with him. Two, for now on its Mr. Hughes. Anyone that addresses me differently will be terminated immediately." All emotion had drained from his face. His once warm, beautiful emerald eyes are now dark, empty and lifeless. Ryan watched this transformation and grew terrified.

.....

Phillip was proud of himself. If he couldn't have Chloe, then no one could. How could she even think about ending things with him? He was the best she would ever have, or so he thought. He looked down at Chloe, watching her sleep on her desk. She must have passed out from exhaustion. At least he could relax now knowing that guy will never want her again.

Chloe woke up to the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. When she opened her eyes, Phillip was standing over her. She jumped back suddenly trying to figure out why he was there. Didn't she send him a message saying she didn't want him? "What are you doing here?" Phillip gave her a look of regret. "Baby, I'm sorry I hurt you. I was stupid, but please don't give up on us. If you ever loved me, you would give us another chance." Chloe's patience ran thin, she stood up and began to push Phillip out of the office. "Phillip, I have tried this the nice way now I'm irritated. If you can't leave me alone and stop showing up in my cafe, I will get a restraining order. I'm done messing around." Phillip threw his hands into the air with defeat. "Okay, I get when I'm not wanted. However, how do you plan to message the new guy when I have your phone?" Phillip waved her phone in the air so she could see it. "Phillip give my phone back. Stop playing games." Phillip was holding her phone above her head like a child playing keep away. "If you want it, come and get it." Frustrated, Chloe hits him in the stomach causing him to bend over in agony. "Ahhh..... damn you, Chloe. you didn't have to hit me." "Got my phone back." She went through her messages. She was wondering if Brian sent a message or even called. Then she saw it, a three-minute conversation, With Brian. Did she speak to him? Growing confused, she looked at Phillip, and her stomach dropped to her feet. No...no...no..."You didn't answer my phone did you?" Phillip knew he had been busted. "Yes, I thought it was important, so I answered. Some guy asked for you. I told him you were indisposed at the moment then he asked who I was and I told him the truth. I was your boyfriend." Chloe felt nauseous after hearing this. "I'm sick I need to go home." She called Nathaniel to come to get her. "Chloe I could take you home if you're unwell."

"You have done more than enough Phillip. By the way, we are not together. That chance is gone. You and I will never be together again. I have no trust in your words. You can leave me alone, or you can suffer." Chloe left the office. When she left to find Sam, she noticed that the cafe was slow. They only had two patrons. "Sam, why are we so slow?" "I'm not sure. It'll be okay though. Are you okay?" "No, I feel nauseous. Oh, Phillip is no longer welcome here. If he comes in again call the police." "Yes, ma'am." "One more thing, I told Sally she could come back to work. However, she is to work under you. You are the manager. She will hold no title, so don't allow her to bully you." Sam's face lit up with these words. Finally, she can be in charge. "Yes, ma'am." Chloe noticed Nathaniel pulling up. "I'm leaving now. I'll see you tomorrow. I trust you."

Chloe wanted to talk to Brian; she wanted to explain everything to him. She wasn't sure just how she would explain it, but she would know once she saw him.

In the car, Chloe tried to call Brian several times, each time she got sent to voicemail. Growing angrier by the second, Chloe let out a sigh of frustration. "Nathaniel, I need you to take me home." Chloe decided to send him a text message. Hopefully, he will read it and trust her. 'Brian, I have this incessant need to tell you that Phillip lied. We are not together. I'm headed to my house to collect a few things, and I will be at my moms and dads if you decide you want to talk again.' "Ugh... Nathaniel, how can you get someone to trust you when you have others working against you? I'm not sure why I have the need to gain his trust or why I want to get closer to him, but its infuriating." "Miss, I believe that is called love at first sight."

"Me, love him? Ha, that is too funny. There is no way I love him. I bȧrėly know who he is. Does he have siblings? What about his mom and dad? Who is Brian Hughes? These are questions I still need answers to." "Miss, you don't need the answers to any questions except one. Why hasn't he responded?"

She knew Nathaniel was right and despised him for knowing the truth. "Don't act as if you know me. You don't know what I was thinking." Chloe let a smile slip across her lips. "Miss, we are here."