Is this destiny?

Chloe's gaze fell on the bedside table and the folder that was resting on it.

It was the information on Mr. Baldeo that Aunt Wendy brought for Chloe to familiarize herself with her future husband.

Chloe never opened that folder, fearing the information she might find inside.

At that time, Chloe was imagining all kinds of scenarios. What if the guy is old? Or not-attractive? Chloe does not look at physical appearance, but when the only thing you have is a photo, appearance is the only thing you have.

Or what if he is young and handsome and eccentric? That made her think of Noah and she pushed those thoughts away immediately.

Chloe used to fear that folder like it contains information about a monster, but now it was different, as Chloe had no intention of sticking around no matter who he was.

She sat on the edge of the bed and took the folder in her hands.

She opened it and stared at the photo of a man who appears to be in his forties. Other than his slightly balding chestnut hair, he didn't have any other distinguishing features. He was not ugly, but not handsome either. Chloe was confident that she would not notice him if they passed each other on the street. Is this supposed to be her future husband?

Chloe started reading silently.

Martin Baldeo; born: January 9, 1979; age: 44 years old; marital status: single; horoscope sign: Capricorn; net worth: $17 million; assets:… Chloe saw a list of houses, stocks, cars, horses, boats… The man was collecting many things.

There was a sheet of paper in a resume-like format that included his academic achievements and another one with his family's history going three generations back… medical form confirming that he does not carry any genetic diseases.

She snorted when her eyes landed on a paper with a signature of a doctor that said how Martin Baldeo has no STDs and is physically able to produce a child.

Chloe closed the folder and kept it back on the bedside table.

She wondered, is this how they matched her with this man who is almost her father's age? What is wrong with Martin Baldeo if he was unable to find a wife 'regular way'? She will not buy an excuse that he was too busy growing his business and he had no time for dating. 

After looking at the information in that folder, Chloe confirmed that she needs to flee.

Chloe's thoughts drifted away. When is Noah's birthday? She didn't know when Noah was born, but he couldn't be older than 30. What about his net worth? Did he have any STDs? It didn't matter.

Glancing over the elegantly decorated room, Chloe felt suffocated. She had her apartment that was barely furnished, and it paled in comparison to this luxury that surrounded her, but in that simple apartment, Chloe was happy.

Chloe threw herself on her bed and hugged a pillow. She wondered, what was Noah up to and what was he doing?

She wanted to believe that he will come and rescue her, like a prince on a shiny horse, or maybe like a general leading an army, but she knew that both of those were just wishful thinking.

Was Noah even thinking about her? Or did he go to spend his time with someone less complicated? Someone like Daphne, maybe? Can she blame him if he did? After all, this was what she wanted, for Noah to stay away so that he is not implicated in her mess.

Chloe told herself not to cry, but somehow, the pillow was getting wet, and she was unable to stop the flood of tears that came to give her company.

She was used to crying in silence, but this time her heart ached like never before because she experienced joy and freedom and even though it eluded her, for those few brief moments, it felt real, and now it was gone.

…

"Chloe… Chloe…"

Chloe's mother called, pulling her out of her daze.

"Wake up, honey. People are waiting for you downstairs."

Chloe blinked and looked around. It seems that she slept off while crying. Well, it was not the first time.

"Who is waiting for me?", Chloe asked drowsily.

Chloe's mom's brows were furrowed in worry and the way she looked at the carpet told Chloe that she will not like the answer.

"Patriarch and seniors…", Chloe's mom said and added in a small voice, "It's about your engagement."

In an instant, Chloe was wide awake. "What? Already? How do they even know I'm back?"

Chloe's mom exhaled. "The moment you entered the Long property, security cameras picked you up. It's not difficult to figure out that you are home. Hurry up, they are all in the living room, waiting for you."

Chloe was not willing, and she was searching for an excuse not to go or at least to delay meeting with those people. She glanced at herself. A t-shirt and jeans. "I'm not presentable. I can't go like this."

"Then change, quickly. I'm going to entertain them. Don't make them wait too long. You know that seniors get easily agitated.", Chloe's mom said and left the room in a hurry.

Chloe was stupefied. Seniors are there? And Steve as well? Steve NEVER came to their home. What is going on? How long was she sleeping?

It was 4:14 PM.

Did Noah do something? Chloe dismissed that idea. What could Noah do to cause seniors and Steve to look for her?

Chloe wanted to ask her mother a few more things, but she suppressed her urge to go after her. What would her mother say? Considering that Chloe returned home, they probably all rushed here to seal the deal with Mr. Baldeo and in order to ensure that Chloe doesn't try anything funny, they even brought Steve! Is there something that can be worse than that?

It's not that she didn't expect this, but she didn't expect it so soon.

Chloe took a few deep breaths to calm down. There was no point in avoiding this. The best course of action is to plaster a smile and play along until she finds a perfect opportunity to flee. This time, even her parents won't know where she went.

'Take it easy, Chloe…', she told herself. 'Who knows… maybe they are here to say that the engagement with Mr. Baldeo is off?' One can hope.

Chloe went to her bathroom. Her eyes were still red, betraying that she was crying.

While washing her face with cold water, Chloe was chanting internally that whatever is waiting for her, she will take it with a calm demeanor, and then she will see what to do next. Panicking won't help.

After freshening up, Chloe went to her closet.

She looked around, taking in the space. She never realized how big her closet was.

Unfortunately, when she left home a week ago, Chloe packed all semi-casual outfits, and since they are still in the apartment, her options were now reduced to dresses that are suitable for cocktails and fancy parties.

On the bright side, since her usable clothes are not here, she can escape without much baggage. When she leaves the Long property, Chloe will go to her apartment first, pack things and then leave Los Angeles. There is a silver lining in everything.

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