Eight- A date?

Deep in thought, Chloe wondered when she was going to get that one lead she was looking for. Time was moving fast and having nothing to do but chores upon chores was starting to get on her nerves.

True, it was part of her work so she had to be very patient and vigilant to get what she was there for. But, she didn't have all the time in the world to spend months in a huge house working her butts off. She had issues of her own to deal with.

Her hand clenching the edge of the tiled surface, Chloe let out a swear word.

Then, her train of thought drove in another direction.

Recalling Gabriel's and most importantly Amir's words about Nathaniel liking her, she wondered if she wanted to use that channel to get what she wanted.

Toying with real emotions was something that could become dangerous for her.

She let out a huge sigh, nothing was clear to her anymore. Maybe that was because her reason for being there was not yielding results. Assuming she had gotten that one lead she was so desperate for, she would at least know how to go about things then.

“There you are,” Lucille's voice cut her thoughts short. Her legs skimming the surface of the water body, Chloe looked up at her and her mouth had to fall open a bit.

Perhaps it had been a while since she saw Lucille, but her obvious weight loss was crazy. Crazy in the sense that it had been just four days since she last saw her and she was definitely looking okay the last time they briefly exchanged glances.

So, Chloe just had to ask concernedly, even though she still didn't like her, “Lucille,” her eyes roamed her protruding collar bone. “Are you fine?”

“Yeah, obviously.” Even her eye sockets seemed to be gradually swallowing her eyeballs.

“You don't seem fine Lucille.” Chloe insisted as she got up from the edge of the pool and stood at eye level with her.

“I…” A small pool of tears had already formed in her eyes and it seemed for a moment that she was about to say something, but a second after, she had a scowl on her face.

“It is none of your business if I am fine or not.”

“I know we don't like each other, but I am willing to help you the way I can with whatever.”

Lucille let out a shaky breath, her hands fisted as though she was trying desperately to not let a secret out. But, like earlier, that look of sadness and pain disappeared and got replaced with a sneer.

“Mind your business. I just came to tell you that Gabriel needs your help with some stuff in the library.”

“Okay.” Chloe wondered what it was that was wrong with her. But she decided to not bother herself much about it as she watched Lucille leave. After drying her feet and putting on her shoe, she made for the house.

She was already a few feet from the library when she saw Nathaniel come out of his room dressed casually in a fitted tee-shirt and skinny jeans. Immediately, without thinking, she threw herself into a dark space that just happened to be close by.

Chloe watched quietly as he suspiciously surveyed his surrounding.

'He must have sensed my sudden movement.' She thought as her teeth gritted in an unfamiliar manner. She was acting like she did him wrong and the best she could do was hide from him.

Now, that was just wrong.

What was more wrong was the manner with which her heart pounded as he walked by with his head buried in his phone.

As she left her hiding, Chloe had to ask no one in particular if something was wrong with her because even after his scent had left, her chest was still racing like he just confessed his love to her.

Frowning, Chloe managed to keep her system a bit calm and as she did, she analyzed her earlier reaction. So many thoughts flew to and fro as she made for the library and those thoughts were just rather silly.

So, Chloe did what she does best. She ignored her earlier silly, dramatic reaction.

~

"Why don't you girls have dinner with us this evening?" Gabriel said to break the crazy silence that ensued after their meal had been set on the table.

"Uh? Really ?” Lucille asked a bit too excitedly, Chloe had to roll her eyes. At that moment, her drastic leanness was not a concern anymore.

“Sure.” Nathaniel who had just entered replied and had his seat. “Is Madam Lugi still around? She can also join us.”

“She already left,” Lucille replied as she helped herself to a seat.

“Chloe?”

“Uh?” Her mind had traveled to the time she had stupidly hidden from him.

“Have your seat.” She nod and made for the chair opposite Gabriel. So she was not close to where Nathaniel was but she sure was prone to glares from both Amir and Lucille.

Minutes later, they were halfway into their meal which was fried rice.

“So how did your day go Chloe?” Nathaniel asked, his cutlery clinking as they kissed his almost empty plate.

“Cool, cool.” Chloe gnashed her teeth mentally. What sort of response was that?

“That sounds interesting.” She did not even manage to look him in the eye. “Cool, cool?” She heard him ask lowly.

“Gabriel, isn't it Donald's birthday party tomorrow?”

“Yes. And you know he is expecting you. And I mean, especially you.”

“It's like he is obsessed with me or something. I think I should go with someone. Or what do you think?”

“Hmm,” Gabriel put his fork down. “It is not a bad idea. Parties these days tend to be boring actually.”

“Chloe?”

“Yeah?” She managed a straight face as she stared into his blue eyes.

“Would you love to go with me?”

“Huh?”

“It will be like a date.”

“A date?” She had no idea why she acting so slow, it was not as though she embarrassed herself in front of him or something. And even if him liking her was what was making her act silly, she needed to get her act together since she didn't even like him in that manner in the first place.

"I'll go if she doesn't want to."

"Nobody asked you, Lucille," Amir spoke for the first time.

"Uh… sure. But I don't…"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of whatever you need."

"It will be fun, Chloe," Gabriel said, a huge smirk on his face that said- I told you he likes you.

“Oh okay.” At that point, Chloe knew she had one more mission. To guard her heart against the man with the gorgeous blue eyes that liked her.