In order to avoid the judgemental eye of the public, Chloe wanted to stop the gossip radically, so she turned down Christopher’s offer to drive her to work everyday, and technically, it was not necessary in the first place!

“Chloe!” no sooner had she just made her first step into the company did Danielle called her from behind. Chloe pretended to have not heard her and took a stride. “Hey Chloe, don’t go! There is something I want to ask you!”

Chloe was dragged by Danielle into a corner, a place where almost nobody could see them.

“Excuse me, what is it?”

“I have heard that there will be a spa trip in several days, and there are only three spots for each group...” Danielle was shy to say what she wanted but Chloe could see clearly what she meant.

“Do you know who would go now, Danielle?”

“Not yet. I mean, Chloe, you can go as a family member, so why don’t you leave your spot to us, the proletarians!” Chloe thought about it and hesitated for a while, but still, she said yes.

When Chloe took the elevator to the top floor, she found Christopher was sitting in her seat and leafed though some files on the desk.

“Good morning.” Christopher stood out of the way as an indication for her to sit. After two week of being together, Chloe understood more about his temperament, so she just did as was told.

“You’ll go to the spa trip with me.”

“Oh, Danielle has told me.”

“Oh? What has she said?” Christopher asked, acting like a curious student, which made Chloe laugh.

“...she said I should leave my spot to one of them.” after omitting the family member part automatically, it was an easy story to tell. However, she didn’t notice the smile in Christopher’s eyes.

“If you don’t get the spot, you will have to ask for a leave. You can’t play the special identity card and ask for privilege from the company, and there will be no salary during the vacation.”

“... Yes, you are right! But I, oh no, I have promised Danielle! Maybe I shouldn’t go this time, you take them and enjoy yourselves!” Chloe stared at the ground and figured that going out for one week with no money, that was not a good deal, a very bad one actually.

“Maybe I’ll pay you the part you lose during the vacation?” though his offer was very alluring, after a reconsideration, it was still a privilege too.

“... actually, I do want to take a good trip, forget about the salary, I’ll ask for a leave anyway.” Chloe compromised. if the conversation kept going like just now, Christopher would definitely take her with him by all means so she might just well!

“OK, we’ll leave in three days, you can prepare for it.” Christopher ruffled her hair and headed into his office, ready for a new day’s work.

After she had finished her financial reports and sent them to Lowell, Chloe finally clicked into the group messages.

Danielle the Gorgeous: though Chloe won’t admit it, when I asked her to go with Mr. Cleveland as a family member and leave the spot for us, she agreed!

Lowell the Greatest: Damn! She did? Which means Chloe would ask a whole week’s leave very soon!

Grand-melon: let’s wait and see! [evil smile]

Lucy: honestly speaking, when Chloe’s seat was moved upstairs, I already found there was something usual was going on there between them!

...

After she had read all the history of the chat, Chloe found it too late to repent. What Danielle said was nothing but a trick! She lied helplessly on her desk, and her phone rang. It was an unknown number.

“Hello, who’s it?”

“It’s Christian Cleveland.”

“why would you call me?”

“Why couldn’t I, you phone number is no secret anyway.” there was an overtone in hie words which Chloe found very strange.

“What do you mean? Wait, why do you have my number?”

“Well, why don’t you tell me, why does Christopher have your number?”

“He’s the boss of my company and I’m his employee, so it’s just natural that he knows my number.” Chloe tasted the various inexplicable oddness in his words, then she remembered that time when he rushed into the street and blocked their way when they were on the way to the company.

“You know a guy named Vincent right? That private detective.”

“What about him?”

“Hum, do you really believe, that Christopher is a good guy? He is with you because he thinks you are cute? So I think I should kindly advise you that, you and Christopher are from two different worlds, so don’t be stupid enough to be played like a toy and still enjoy it, you are not his opponent!” Christian hang up. Chloe was all in a confusion. What did he mean?

She didn’t come to herself until Christopher came out from his office, the look that she stood up in a flurry exposed the fact that something was bothering her.

“What’s wrong?” Christopher frowned a little bit and noticed she was dodging his eyes and dared not to look at him.

“No, nothing.”

“Really? I don’t want to see you lie to me.”

“I’m fine, really, I am just a little, homesick.”

Chloe looked at the ground. Christopher saw her be like this and intended to ask no more.

“OK, thanksgiving is only within several days, let me give you a longer vacation. What do you think?”

“...” Chloe raised her head and stole a glance at Christopher, smiling, “are you going for a meeting?”

“Well I can’t come here for a coffee or, just to see you?” Christopher took Chloe’s hands and went near her face and kissed her cheek, then it was a simple hug, very soft.

“OK, then I’ll, go get you coffee.” Chloe took the elevator and went down. Christopher watched her leave and picked up her phone on the desk.

It was Christian’s number.