Chapter 9 Back In The Game

“Ms. Rodriguez, come to my office.” Mr. Bailey hung up the phone right away.

Chloe rolled her eyes. He would never change.

At that cold morning, she was sadder than the normal. She was tired of doing nothing at the office. It felt like a waste of time for her being there. While Brianna was freaking out overworked, Chloe was playing cards online.

“Good morning, Mr. Bailey.” She said, with her head down.

“Is there a problem, Ms. Rodriguez?” he asked cautiously, analyzing her moves.

Mr. Bailey saw her earlier that day in the Coffee Room. She looked sad and bored. Something about that bothered him.

He got up from his chair and walked around the table to stop in front of her.

“No. I just don’t have a lot to do, you know.” she was sarcastic.

“Look at me.” he ordered calmly.

Chloe looked up at his eyes without saying a word. She didn’t want to fight.

Mr. Bailey approached and placed his index finger on her chin, lifting it slightly.

“Go talk to Brianna and take your duties back.” he simply said.

“What?” a sparkle suddenly appeared in her eyes. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, Ms. Rodriguez. I don’t pay you to be a ghost in this company.” He mocked.

Chloe looked at him confused. Was he joking? That cold, untouchable CEO was joking? Hell should have frozen, Chloe thought.

She smiled broadly as she felt her mood change for the better.

“Thank you, Mr. Bailey!” and suddenly she hugged him tightly.

That was unexpected. For both of them.

Chloe was embarrassed when she withdrew her arms around his body. Mr. Bailey was petrified by the unexpected touch. His body was contracted and he didn’t change his position.

“I’m sorry.” Chloe said without looking him in the eyes. She turned around and left the room.

Evan was still trying to figure that situation out. Why did he want to see that smile again? Why he was worried about her? And the most important question: Why that hug meant so much to him? Maybe it was the fact that he had never been hugged that way, with so much affection and empathy.

Chloe, in turn, was blaming herself for the thoughtless attitude. She was so happy to have her job back that she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Did you won the lottery?” Brianna asked when she saw her friend crossing the doorway.

“Almost!” Chloe said while she was sitting in front of the blonde-haired woman.

“Spill out, Chloe!” Brianna was impatient.

“Good news! Mr. Bailey gave my duties back! You’re free!” Chloe laughed without containing her excitement.

“Thank You, Lord!” Brianna got up from her chair, with her arms wide open. “I can’t believe it!”

“Yeah, I’m really happy! Now, give me the papers because I’m back on business!”

Chloe stood up and took a pile of papers that Brianna gave to her.

“Good luck!” Brianna said. “Ah! We need to celebrate! 10pm at NYXX?”

“You’re kidding me? That nightclub must cost my wage!” Chloe was unsure.

Not even in her best dreams, Chloe could pay to dance in a place like that. It was one of the most popular nightclubs of NYC.

“That’s why we need to go! I have free tickets for both of us!” Brianna had a malicious face.

“No way! How come?” Chloe asked discredited.

“Tyler Preston is one of the owners. He came here, we chatted and he invited us. It will have a special attraction tonight, besides of us, of course!” Brianna spoke nonstop.

“I don’t know, Bri… That's not my thing, you know.” Chloe was hesitant. “You and Tyler, huh?”

“No, no! He visits Mr. Bailey once in a while and we chat. That’s all! And you don’t have the right to say no today! I will wait for you!” after a pause, she completed: “We can talk later, I really need to finish this report now.”

Chloe left the room thoughtful. She wasn’t a party girl and she was not into clubs but Brianna insisted and her friend was working really hard those days. They deserved a little fun. In addition, it could be the first and last chance to visit a place like that.

When Chloe arrived in her office, she was already thinking about the outfit she would wear to fit in that expensive place. Suddenly a question came on her mind that made her shiver.

Mr. Bailey would be there?