Chloe texted me; she was telling me that she wanted to spend the night with me. Chloe is my best friend, we met in college. Most people call us sisters. While I went to law school, she went to the school of interior design and that was the only time we didn't see each other often.
Even though I live in a penthouse, I don't own a pet. I've never tried owning one. All I ever do is talk to myself and Alexa. The excuse I give myself is that I'm just too busy to go have fun or perhaps I might have social anxiety.
I was watching the new season of Bridgerton, and I couldn't understand why she hid her identity as Lady Whistledown. While I was figuring that out, I got another text from Chloe.
Her text read: Come help me with the bags, I'm downstairs missy.
"Bags?" I murmured. I stood up quickly and ran to the door. I got into the elevator and went to the last floor.
"Argh… finally!" Chloe said.
"Why are you being dramatic? I rushed down immediately after I saw your text," I replied.
I helped her with the grocery bags. Chloe loves to cook and she never visits without getting foodstuffs. We headed back upstairs.
After we had arranged the groceries, I went back to continue my movie while Chloe went to shower.
I didn't hear her coming. She pushed my shoulders from behind "Someone asked me out yesterday, Marilyn," She squealed with excitement.
"Yay!" I exclaimed reluctantly and looked away for a moment. I was happy for her but I wasn't at the same time.
"Looks like someone isn't happy," Chloe said.
I shrugged and responded to her "I am, I swear… I didn't know that you two were going to take things seriously after the one-night stand."
"I didn't either. I guess that's what love feels like" She drew me closer and placed my head on her chest. "I want your blessings," She added.
I sat upright and stared into her soul. "Seriously?"
"Well, yes Marilyn. You're my best friend."
"As long as he makes you happy, I give you my blessings." With a huge smile on my face, I hugged her.
We exchanged some cheek kisses and hugged each other even more.
"Is there anything you want to talk about?" She asks me.
"My mom wants me to join my stepdad at the Tech Vargas conference in Philadelphia."
"But I'm not sure if I'm ready… my papa was a happy man, Chloe, he'd never commit suicide." I sobbed.
She got up from the couch and dragged me to my feet.
"Isn't that what you've always wanted, Marilyn?" She asked. "You gotta go if you want to see your father's killer!"
"I know, I know!"
"You have worked so hard to get to this stage so don't put it in the trash just because you don't like your stepdad."
"Okay okay. I'll leave tomorrow then. Come help me pack."
We went into my room. I pulled out my pink duffle bag from underneath my bed.
"So, what's the plan?" Chloe asked me.
"Well, I'll stay with my mom for a while I figure out how to work as their lawyer. I need good closure to be able to take them down."
"How about work here?"
"I've resigned."
Chloe's mood changed instantly. "OMG!" "Are you trying to tell me that if you get the job you're moving to Italy?" She panicked.
"Yes."
"It is too risky. I can't let you do that Marilyn."
"Only if I get caught. Besides, I'm a Smith, not a Guerra"
"That doesn't matter."
"It does. I'm going to tell Mom about all of this. I'll get an apartment. You can use my car and live here while I'm gone"
"How long will you be gone for?"
"Maybe a year or two" I hugged her again and after a deep sigh, I continued. "I don't have to worry about you because you've found a man that loves you."
"If I didn't come here tonight, would you have hidden all this from me?"
"Hell no! I was going to tell you tomorrow then leave on Friday."
"You're gonna need some more clothes then" She laughed.
"I'll only need a few clothes. If it works out, then you'll send me my suitcases."
"Okay."
We continued packing. I saw the lingerie Chloe had gifted me for my birthday last year. I showed it to her.
"You wanted me to have a man so bad." We both laughed.
"Yes, and who knows? You could meet a sexy Italian man over there. Take it!" She winked at me.
My cheeks turned red. "Noooo" I screamed.
I haven't told my mom that I'll be coming, I wanted to give her a surprise. Looking at Chloe, I got emotional. I wasn't ready to leave her all alone at all.
"We should go to bed," she said from behind me.
"Why don't we watch a movie instead, I'm not sleepy"
Chloe didn't want to. "Pleaseeeeee stay" I pleaded with my hands together giving her the puppy face.
"Not that face arghh" Chloe grunts. "Fine!" She agreed.
"Move that ass girl," She yelled. I quickly created a space for her on her couch.
We spent the whole night watching movies till we both fell asleep on the couch.
I woke up lan hour later. I turned to look at Chloe; she was still fast asleep. I sat up for a minute to think about what I'm leaving behind.
"It's too late now." I muttered to myself.
I picked up my phone and clicked on my iMessage. I wanted to text my mom, but I stopped myself. I know I wanted my coming to be a secret. I shut the screen off and laid down back with Chloe. It wasn't long before I fell asleep.