Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Chloe Montclair

Spending just two days with Janet was a wonderful moment that I'm never going to forget. She's such a sweet soul and very considerate too. During these two days that she has been staying with me, Ken and I never talk to each other. He never bothered to ask if I'm doing fine or not.

I wonder how comes he ended up with such a beautiful family. He was nothing like his family. They're all nice and humble while he's full of ego and heartless too.

I was on my way to the kitchen to get myself a cup of tea before going out to work. Talking about work, my heart skipped every second I remembered that I'm going to meet with Sebastian. I don't know if I can do this or not but, I just have to face him. After learning that I bought a 5% share from his company, he insist on meeting me.

Just calm down, he's not going to know who you're. Have you forgotten? You're now Vivian and not, the old Chloe he took advantage of- my subconscious reminds me.

"Okay, calm down Chloe. You can do this!" I muttered under my breath.

And Tiana, I wish she was here with me. She would have done something about this whole thing. Having her beside me would have helped me a lot. Talking about her, I haven't talked to her since yesterday and I'm going to do that once I arrive at work.

Janet is still having her beauty whilst I have a pile of work waiting for me at the office. Before I could make my way into the kitchen, I heard the click of the main door opened and Tiana walked in with an elderly woman trailing behind her. She looks like in her early 50's or late 40's.

"Hey!" My face lightens up in happiness as I walk toward her and engulf her in a tight hug.

"I missed you." I muttered.

"Same here too. I missed you." She said before we both broke the hug.

"She must be mom." I said, judging from the bag Tiana was holding... I'm glad, she's back to her daughter for good. Her room also is ready.

"And you must be the wonderful Chloe my daughter won't stop talking about." Her mom said and I move closer to her and hug her lightly.

I was about to pull away from the hug but she held me closer to her tightly. I decided to engross myself in her warm hug and wrap my hand around her waist too. She broke the hug and held my chin in her hands whilst she look at me adorable. "Thank you so much for all you've done for my daughter. She told me every single thing about you and also what, you two have been through. How you've always supported her and been there for her... Thank you so much, Chloe. You have no idea what Greta favor you've done for me."

"It's fine, ma. And please, stop thanking me. As much as I've done tons of things for her, she's done twice much of it for me. Tiana is like my backbone, without her, I'm nothing. I'm glad, we found you after all these years and I will also want to apologize for not coming over with her. I've been busy with some personal things and that's why-"

"It's fine." She cut me off with a sweet smile plastered on her face. "She told me you've not been feeling too good. I hope, you're better now?."

"Yes ma, I'm fine now."

"Please, you can call me mom. I believe you consider me as your mother already?."

"Of course, mom! I'll be very happy to call you that. Thank you. Come on, come in and take a seat." I held her hand and guide her toward the couch before making her sit on it.

"I can't believe, you two just acted like I wasn't here with you. She's my mother, Chloe... At least, do not steal her away from me." Tiana whines and looks like she almost wants to cry.

Both I and her mom couldn't help but burst into heavy laughter. Then, we heard a voice say. "If they decided to team up, I can be your partner. I volunteer that." It's Janet.

"No, I do not want." Tiana declined her offer.

"Then, I'm sorry sister... You're on your own then." Janet shrug off her shoulder before sticking out her tongue at Tiana whilst her mom looked at Janet in shock.

"Janet!" She called out her name in a surprised tone.

"Aunt." She ran towards her and engulf her in a tight hug.

"What are you doing here?." Tiana's mom asked her.

"This is my friend's house, Aunt. I came to spend the weekend here since Tiana decided to leave Chloe here all alone herself.

"You crazy girl!" Tiana smack her arm and she did the same thing back to her.

"Hit me one more time and I'm going to bite your tongue." Janet threatened and Tiana stick out her tongue at her making both mom and I burst out laughing.

"You two can never change." She commented laughing.

"She started it first, Aunt." Janet complained.

"No! You started it first." Tiana replied, smirking.

"Okay, baby girls. I need to rush off to work as you can see, I'm all dressed already before you came in." I said to the both of them. "Mom." I called before facing her. "I'm sorry but, I need to rush off to work. I promise, to be back as early as I could so, I can catch up with you. I'm sorry that I have to leave home like this on your first day of co-"

"It's fine, Chloe. Take your time, we have all the time to catch up. Work is important, I will be here waiting for you." She said to me. Such an understanding woman. God! I can't wait to spend time with her!

"Hey! Hey! Stop right there Chloe Montclair! You're not supposed to go anywhere for today... I hope, you know that?."

"Yes, I do. But please, something urgent came up and I'm sure, you're going to support me on this once you know about it too."

"And, what's that important thing that you can't tell me."

"Sebastian." That was all it takes for my two friends to keep mum. They both looked tensed all of a sudden.

"Is everything okay with you girls?." Mom asked.

"Yes, mom. Everything is fine. It's all about work, he's our business competitor. I need to be on my way." I said.

"Are you sure, you don't want me there with you? I can just change into something comfortable and come with you, Chloe." Tiana proposed.

"No, it's fine. I can handle it." I gave out a small smile. Despite wanting her to be closer to me all through, I can't afford any mistakes too. I know Tiana too well, she might end up ruining everything all in the name of- she's mad at him.

"You two." I pointed between my friends. "I'm leaving mom in your care before I return. Take good care of her."

"We know our job, madame." Janet hissed and rolled her eyes making me smile. I picked up my beg and left the house after bidding them goodbye.

•

"Ma'am, Mr. Diego is here." My assistant, Kara announced as she entered my office.

"Okay, invite him in please." I ordered.

Seconds later, I watch him walk in majestically into my office with my assistant trailing behind him. My heart skipped again for the umpteenth time today. I don't know what's wrong with me. Why am I feeling this way? Why am I having such a weird feeling?

Why am I so scared of him this much?

Please, control your heart! Control yourself- I mentally scold myself.

"Ms. Censatio, finally meeting you for the first time." He said in a very arrogant and dangerous tone.

"Excuse me, but you-" Kara tried to say something to him but I cut her off.

"It's fine, Kara. I can handle this." I dismissed her. She looked at him one last time before walking out of my office.

I watch her retreating back and once she got out, my gaze fell on him.

Bastard!

After taking all of my father's money, he became cocky as he worked hard for it.

"Mr. Diego. Please, take a seat." I offered him a sit right across my chair.

"Am I supposed to do that? After all, this is my enemy's office." He said in a mocking tone.

"You knew, this is your enemy's den and yet, you walked into it with your two legs. I'm sure, you know you're safe and that's why you came all the way here from your office. Please, kindly take a seat, and let's talk peacefully." I said, smiling.

Bastard! You just wait and watch. Watch how I destroy you and make you pay for every single year that comes out of my eyes! For killing my mom! For betraying me with the help of my sister and, for sending me to jail and making life miserable for me there! I will make you pay for every single one of it you criminal!!!

He took his seat and I did the same too. But, he wouldn't stop staring at me. His gaze fixed directly on mine. "Mr, Diego... Is there something on my face? You keep on staring without saying a word." I said with a small smile on my face even though, I hate the fact that I'm smiling at him right now. All I wanted to do is to stab him right on his chest and watch him end up in jail.

I just wish I can do that as soon as possible.

"Not really..." He trailed off as he caress his chin with his thumb and index finger. "I had thought, after meeting you, I will be so mad at you for trying to get a share in my company but, I must confess, what I had expected to see is far different from what I thought."

"I, still don't get you, Mr. Diego. What are you talking about?." I asked in a confused tone.

I don't know why but, for some strange reason, I thought he knows who I am.

He can't, right?

"You look familiar." He stated.

"Familiar?." I asked with a nervous smile. "Come on, Mr. Diego. I don't remember ever meeting you in the past. I believed this is our first meeting, right?."

"Exactly! But, I feel... I know you from somewhere. You have the same body structure and your voice, so, so, similar to hers."

W.. wh.. what?!!!!

No, he can't find out already? How can he... How can he know who I'm with just one glance?

No! This can't be happening!

"Excuse me, Mr. Diego! You can't just come in here and start talking about me like that! I'm sorry but, is this how you behave towards your female business colleagues? I heard you're married and your wife is pregnant... Aren't you supposed to watch what you say to other ladies? At least, respect your wife!" I can't help but burst at him.

"Why do you look so tensed all of a sudden? I haven't said anything wrong, have I? I only said... You look exactly like someone that I know, someone from my past... You have no idea who it's. It can be my sister or, my fiance or, my wife so.., why do you look so upset about it? Or, do you have an idea of who I was talking about already?." He asked suspiciously and I gulp down my spit in fear.

What's this that's happening? What I was expecting is different from what's happening. He's not supposed to know who I'm! He hates me, right? He doesn't like me not.. talking of love so, how can he know who I am with just a glance?

Oh, Lord! Please, save me from this! This is not what I had planned for.