Chapter Sixty Five

Ann chuckled. "You are the one who is making things hard. Just pack what you can. You can always buy stuff that you need. By the way, you haven't said anything about this place you're going to.. Or who you're going with. I know you are not going alone so why don't you just spill. I know it's none of my business but I'm entitled to a little detail... I will be handling stuff at the office for you when you are gone, am I not? So tell me what's going on…I need the gist"

Chloe smiled, but she said, "I can't“

“I think I already know who it is," said Ann. "I'm guessing it's Timothy Packard. You once told me about him, and honestly he's the only one you would be so secretive about"

Chloe gritted her teeth. She had wanted to keep this to herself because she didn't know how it would go, but a part of her was glad that she told someone about it.

"Do you think that I'm making a mistake by going with him?" she asked. "I know that I shouldn't. It’s unethical, and I have tried to end things, but I keep thinking about him and he isn't making it easy to forget about him. Please don't tell anyone yet. I'm not ready for that. I didn't even tell Evan about him."

"I think you should go," replied Ann. "You two look good together anyways. Screw the rules, If you guys get serious about each other, then nothing should stand in your way. And don't worry, I will cover up for you. You just have to give me some juicy details because I'm a very nosy person and hardly mind my business. And speaking of Evan and me not minding my business, guess what news is circulating the office? You wouldn't believe it. Apparently, Evan hooked up with someone at the party we had for Packard Enterprises.

Chloe involuntarily dropped the jeans she was holding on the bed and sat down immediately.

"That's not true," she said. "I know Evan. He would never do something like that. He loves his wife. Where the hell did you hear this from?"

"Many people at the office already know about it. Apparently the lady in question told someone about it and now a lot of people know. I'm sure it will be just a matter of time before the news gets to his wife.”

Chloe groaned. She hoped that this wasn't true. Just when things were starting to get better for Evan and his wife. She was shocked too. Evan was someone she was so sure wouldn't do such a thing, but it as it seemed, no one could be trusted. Her thoughts drifted to Timothy, could she trust him? Ann's voice brought her back to the present.

"Are you still there?"

Chloe shook her head. "Yes I'm here, Ann," she replied.

"Well, have fun on your trip"

"Thank you." Chloe said and hung up. She wasn't going to believe anything yet until she talked to Evan and that had to be after she returned. But oh, she hoped it was nothing but a rumor...

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"This is so beautiful" exclaimed Chloe as she and Timothy walked into the beach house that he'd brought them to.

Timothy smiled. "You like it?" he asked, loving the look of admiration in her eyes.

"Like it? I love it" said Chloe as she looked around with excitement in her eyes. "You own it?"

Timothy shook his head. "Well, not really. I wouldn't say I own it since it was my dad who bought it. Anyways, he and mum hardly come here anymore so I come once in a while when I feel the need to get away. It's a great place to relax."

"It is beautiful," said Chloe again. "And so quiet and peaceful"

"Yeah. I figured some quiet and peaceful time alone was what we needed."

He chuckled, and Chloe felt a lurch in her chest, the swelling of her breasts and tightening of her nipples, at the way the amusement in his face made him appear even more attractive....

Today he didn’t wear anything formal as he usually did. Today he was wearing jeans and a polo shirt. His hands were tucked inside his pockets and he looked simple, but it still took Chloe all of her will-power to drag her gaze away from the flexing of those muscles in the broadness of his shoulders. Even so, her nipples actually ached now, and there was a warmth between her thighs…

"Well, thank you" she said softly, "And thank you for bringing me"

"You're welcome. Want me to show you around?"

Chloe nodded excitedly. "Yes. Definitely"

Timothy let go of the suitcases he had dragged in with him and took her hand. "Well come on then" he said.

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"Wow!” Chloe said as they walked up the steps. She flashed him an excited grin that invited him to join her in her enthusiasm. “It’s like walking into a museum. A really cool museum”

Timothy smiled. He rarely noticed the grandeur, but now took in the inlaid marble floors that were the craftsmanship of a professional. Ornate mahogany trim and an enormous gold-framed mirror was hung on the wall. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling with murals and intricate plaster work. Truly, his father had done a lot of amazing work on this place, he thought.

"Clearly built for impressing visitors,” she murmured, lifting her gaze to the staircase.

"Well then, it serves its purpose, doesn't it? Look how impressed you are'' Timothy replied and grinned at her.

Chloe stared at him, and after the briefest confounded pause, she burst out laughing. It was, quite simply, the most beautiful laugh he had ever heard, Timothy thought as he watched her. Her laughter echoed to the ceiling, seeming to catch in the chandelier and make it shiver with musical delight. He was so caught by the sound, by the light and liveliness in her face, and he felt his chest tingle with an urge to chuckle. He wanted to see her and watch her laugh like that all the time. He liked the way he felt when he was around her. She made him happy. She made him want more out of life and he wanted so badly to make her see things the same way he did.

His butler, Anthony, arrived to sober them. Anthony offered to take her hand bag from her shoulder.