[121] a
This morning, Chloe prepared to leave for the café. She wanted to arrive earlier than usual. It didn’t bother her when she stepped out of the house, and Darren wasn’t there to pick her up like yesterday. After all, she was used to being alone with Budi.
“Are we leaving now, ma’am?” Brad asked with a puzzled look. He had just finished washing Chloe’s sedan. It was still partially wet since Chloe usually left thirty minutes later. He needed to be informed about Chloe wanting to go earlier.
“Yes,” Chloe smiled faintly. “Just speed up the car wash.” She knew Brad would be pretty surprised by her decision. But what could she do? She had some tasks to take care of at the café. Yesterday, Peni mentioned a discrepancy in inventory and cash. She also wanted to create a new recipe.
Coincidentally, she had invited Adrianna to come to Beverly Hills. She didn’t want to start making the recipe before Adrianna arrived. Amidst the overwhelming thoughts and distractions from Darren’s disappointed gaze and Leonel’s sudden intrusion, experimenting with a new menu was the best way to divert her attention. She needed a distraction. She didn’t want her mind to be consumed by those two things.
Damn it. Those two things prevented Chloe from getting a good night’s sleep.
“Alright, ma’am.” Brad hastened his work. Budi noticed his employer sitting silently through the corner of his eye, her gaze fixed on a single point. She seemed unfocused and preoccupied with many thoughts. Budi didn’t want to ask too many questions, but his employer’s condition was concerning. He tried to find out, but he was expected to finish his work and drive his employer to the café.
To pass the time, Chloe tried to redirect her thoughts. She opened her bag and took out her small makeup bag containing only a few items. Chloe wasn’t a fan of heavy makeup that would make her stand out. Her makeup was natural, not excessive, but it accentuated her beauty and made many men look at her a little longer. She styled her hair with a gentle burgundy color and a slight wave, complementing her oval face and fair skin.
She aimed for a simple beauty. That’s what Chloe did for her appearance.
“Ma’am, I’m ready,” Brad promptly informed her. Chloe nodded softly and started getting into her car. Unbeknownst to Chloe, her ex-husband Leonel had observed her every move from outside her house. He intentionally waited for Chloe’s car to exit the tall white two-story house gate.
“I hope that this time, I can be there for every little thing you do,” Leonel thought, a slight smile forming on his handsome face. Even Leonel took the time to groom himself to look even more attractive in front of Chloe, considering that his ex-wife appeared more beautiful than ever. Leonel wasn’t being insincere about Chloe’s beauty. During their marriage, Chloe had always been attractive. She was free to take care of her body however she wanted. But this time, Chloe’s beauty was different. It was as if the sun accompanied her every step. Her radiance, wide smile, and, oh my, everything related to Chloe seemed so different.
Leonel hoped that after Darren’s departure, he could capture Chloe’s attention and win back her heart so he could be in her arms again. Leonel didn’t care about the means as long as he could be back with Chloe.
Tring!Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
“May your desired hopes come true according to your dreams!” Agatha sent a message. She truly hoped that whatever Leonel did to get Chloe’s attention and presence would be granted by God. After all, any plans would be in vain if God didn’t bless them, right? That’s why, as Leonel’s parent, she wholeheartedly gave her blessing. Although there were still doubts about whether Leonel could be relied upon, considering the pain Chloe had experienced because of her son.
“Just pray, Mom!” Leonel replied.
Meanwhile, inside the car, Chloe chose to enjoy the journey. Her phone didn’t receive any notifications except from Adrianna. Over the past few days, her friend had been quite comforting amidst the overwhelming troubles. Although her intention in coming to Beverly Hills was to live peacefully, she tried her best to move forward despite the pain she felt toward Leonel.
She was fortunate to have Darren by her side. Although it was somewhat challenging to open her heart, at least he didn’t push her too hard. But why did Darren seem so insistent yesterday? Was it because of Leonel’s presence? Did Chloe want Leonel to come here? Not!
And now, Darren is entirely silent. There’s only one message that he has memorized by heart, what it says. Last night, Darren sent only one message to Chloe. Just one. It’s not like his usual string of letters that would make Chloe laugh while reading his statements. The content of that message informed Chloe that Darren would be in Surabaya for a week. Of course, this made Chloe sad but also happy. I don’t know. Chloe needed clarification.
Receiving enough pressure made her think, especially about meeting Darren’s parents. Why was she worried about that? Oh my gosh! Darren is single, a successful doctor and his family background is not ordinary either. And to be with her? A widow?
“Budi,” Chloe called out quickly. “Take me to the KFC outlet. I suddenly want some junk food.”
He would have already done it if Budi could suddenly hit the brakes. Fortunately, Budi was used to driving Chloe’s sedan at an average speed. So when something seemed sudden, he didn’t get too flustered about changing direction. Not because Chloe asked to stop at a specific place. But junk food?
The Chloe he knew always watched her food intake. She never ate recklessly and always controlled her portions. She preferred homemade meals over buying food. Even when eating out, as Budi knew about his employer, Chloe chose to eat at her café. It was clear that she knew how to cook and what ingredients to put into her dishes.
“Are you sure, ma’am?” Budi repeated the previous information.
“Yes. I suddenly want some fried chicken,” Chloe said, bewildered. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Maybe she needed to release the confusion in her mind. Besides, there was no Darren, who usually regulated and forbade her from doing something, especially regarding food. His words also sounded hurtful. What did he say? Wasn’t he serious? Where did that question come from? Given their closeness, Chloe couldn’t possibly learn to open her heart. Why was she being accused like that?
“Just forget it,” Chloe muttered indignantly. She put her phone back in her bag. She initially intended to reply to Darren’s message, but Chloe decided against it last night. Somehow, she felt unsettled because those words kept echoing in her mind.
Meanwhile, from a safe distance, Leonel followed wherever Chloe went today. Wherever she went, Leonel would be behind her. He planned to create an opportunity where he would be the one driving Chloe. He didn’t care if his ex-wife was angry or annoyed with his actions. What was essential to Leonel was being with Chloe. Imagining that made Leonel chuckle.
But Leonel frowned when he saw that the car wasn’t heading towards Chloe’s usual activities. He accelerated his vehicle to keep up with Chloe’s car. Leonel became more suspicious. He grew more curious about what his ex-wife was going to do.
“What is she going to do? Why isn’t the car heading to its usual destination?” Leonel pondered in his mind.