Forty- five - The topic in the air

They all sat quietly, staring at the little technology with a mix of annoyance and varieties of question within.

Amir got up and walked to the long deserted bar and poured himself a drink. He found a seat on one of the high chairs and watched from there, others as they pondered on one thing or the other.

He then decided to break the silence. "Can't we trace the purchase of the chips? That can give us something."

Sebastian looked up from his phone. "Yes we could. But that is an absolute waste of time." He dashed Amir's suggestion like that. Adjusting in his seat, he continued, "Do you know how many Tech markets out there would be selling this kind of chip? I would say we remain patient and ask Chloe what happened when she is ready to talk."

Amir sighed and took a quick sip from the cup of whiskey in his hand.

"Do you think she would talk?" Gabriel added almost suddenly, his hands tucked beneath his chin.

"How do you mean?" asked Amir.

"What if this person has something on her? What if he uses it to make sure she says nothing?"

"Now..." Amir got off the chair and began to pace. "That would make sense. Would his only reason for taking her be not wanting to be discovered?"

"You think there is another reason," Gabriel completed, sort of glad to see the serious side to Amir after a long while. He was beginning to fear that his friend was diving into enjoyment too much.

Amir paused his pacing. "There is a bigger reason. And only Chloe knows it."

"She is not going to talk so easily," said Nathaniel who strutted in, his hands pocketed.

"Did you ask her?" Sebastian asked, his eyes following Nathaniel as he sat opposite him, just where Amir was seated earlier.

"No. But I can tell she doesn't want to talk about it."

"How do we get her to talk?" Gabriel asked.

"Let's give her some space for now." Nathaniel's eyes went to the small table in the middle. "Is that what you found?" he asked Sebastian as he narrowed his eyes at the destroyed chips.

"Yes. They were planted in her sole."

"Her sole? You mean of her feet?" He never heard of such before.

"Yes. I am glad we found them on time."

"Should I try talking to Chloe?" Gabriel asked as the chip topic melted off. Nathaniel questioned him with a lift of his brow. "I won't push her. I will ask her reasonably."

Amir walked closer, saying, "I think it is not a terrible idea. She is very good friends with Gabriel."

"So what? She is not good friends with me?" Nathaniel returned hotly.

"Dude..." Amir motioned to keep calm. "Gabriel will just be asking questions. Nothing else. Right Gabe?" He faced the man whose new hair cut was still taking time to get used to.

"Yes."

Nathaniel sighed. It wasn't surprising to him that he would act that way. He just had to work on knowing when not to be so angered. "Very well then. I hope she opens up. But before that, should we quickly go over last week's unfinished work?"

They all nodded in agreement and reached for their systems at the corners they were tucked in and got down to business.

~

Chloe liked the view Nathaniel's room had. It was her first time noticing it as he never really opened the door that led to the balcony nor did he lift the window blinds a lot.

And whenever she happened to clean his room, she was more occupied with thoughts.

She then guessed not having anything to do can sometimes make one see the environment differently.

From where she sat, she didn't see much. But if she decided to walk to the balcony, a park-like view awaited her. Lands beside and behind the house revealed to her that she really hadn't been exploring much. Very far from the mansion was another huge bungalow building which she kept in mind to check out.

Other than that, small grasses and trees lined up accordingly to make the sight worthwhile.

A knock from outside erased the smile on her face.

Gabriel's head peeped in. "Can I come in?"

"Sure you can."

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he walked towards the bed.

Chloe took a look at her hands. "I am good now."

"You sure?"

"It sucks to see these marks. But I am fine, really."

"I am glad." He had his seat. "Chloe, you do know that you mean something to each of us right?" She found her smile again. It was hardly visible, but she felt it. "When you went missing, we had no idea what to do and as men who always have everything go their way, we hated that moment."

Chloe hoped he was not approaching the topic on her mind. Or rather, the topic in the air.

"And we will do all we can to make sure the person behind that moment is punished." Chloe drew her breath. "But we need your help."

"I can't."

"Uh?"

"I can't tell you who it is."

"Why? You are the only solid chance we have to nab this person. Don't you want to make him pay for what he did?"

"I can't." She shook her head, looking away.

"Does he have something on you?" Gabriel asked, watching her keenly. Chloe looked away even further. "He does, right? Chloe..." He reached for her hand. "Whatever it is he has on you, we won't judge you for it. Everyone has their dirty secrets."

Chloe sighed again. He had no idea.

"Gabriel, I am sorry. But I can't."

"I know you want to. It is okay to be scared." He tapped her hand comfortably before getting up. "Just know one thing, whenever you are ready to talk, we will all be here. Even if it is a hint you want to drop, do so. We will make sure to protect you."

The situation was getting way worse than the time she had to make decisions about her love life. "Okay Gabriel," she said in a low voice to not seem too adamant.

"Take care, okay?" She nodded and he planted a kiss on her forehead before walking out.

After the door slammed shut, Chloe made her mind go numb and embraced a nearby pillow, her body sprawled on the sheets.