When Beauty Met The Beast

by Khardine Gray

"No, I'm free." Kelly smiled.

  "Can we grab some ice cream?"

  "Is this a yay-I-just-handed-in-my-application-let's-go-for-ice-cream kind of trip?" Kelly smiled.

  Chloe wished it could be that, and truthfully it should have been. The application signified a step in the direction she wanted to take her career. What could be better than a chance at seizing an opportunity if you were desperately looking for one? But, the heavy significance she placed on it made her want to run outside and scream. Then there was Wade. Seeing him made her feel worse.

  Chloe shook her head and brought her hands to her cheeks. "I need to cool off." She sighed.

  "You poor thing. Okay, let's go to Gellatinos." Kelly nodded. They did the best ice cream there. She rose from her chair and grabbed her bag, ready to go.

  "I need the biggest cone with at least five scoops of double chocolate."

  "Geez, you are stressed."

  "You don't know the half of it."

  They left and the minute they stepped outside onto the crowded sidewalk Kelly linked her arm with Chloe's and pulled her closer. "Chloe, I have a massive bone to pick with you." She had that playful manner that suggested mischief.

  "What'd I do?"

  "How comes you didn't tell me that Wade's a complete hottie?"

  Chloe winced. She'd forgotten that Kelly hadn't met Wade. She came about a year or so after he left. "No, I don't talk about him, ever."

  Kelly frowned at her. "Girl, are you crazy? The man is hot, super hot. You can't tell me you don't think so. You'd be lying through your teeth."

  "Kelly, there is more to life than good-looking men. Also, it shouldn't matter what a guy looks like, only what's inside."

  Kelly laughed in her face. "That's a joke, right? For you who agreed, only this morning, to go out with a guy who looks like Brad Pitt. You should have seen your face when you saw his picture."

  Chloe sighed. That was true. "Kelly, Wade is a whole other species. Yes, he may look good, but that is the only good thing about him."

  Suddenly Kelly gasped, and her eyes went wide. "Oh my gosh, what happened?"

  "What do you mean?" Chloe grimaced.

  "Chloe, you little devil. You better tell me right now. I know you."

  "Nothing happened." Chloe narrowly missed a teenage boy on a skateboard that sailed by her. She would have collided with him if she didn't jump out of the way. "I don't know what you mean." She regained her composure.

  "Something happened between you two." Kelly tugged on her arm. "We're several feet away from the building. Tell me now."

  Chloe opened her mouth to protest but found she couldn't. No one knew what happened between her and Wade, or rather what didn't happen. She couldn't have told Taylor, although Chloe suspected she must have known that something happened between them. After that night, Chloe didn't go back to Taylor's house for weeks, and during the holidays when Wade was around she was nowhere to be found. At times she couldn't escape him, usually when their families had planned to do something together. It was those times when he would mentally torture her.

  Kelly continued to look at Chloe, her eyes wide with expectancy and mischief. "I'm waiting, Chloe, and the suspense is only making my curiosity worse."

  "It was a long time ago."

  "You slept with him?" Kelly cried a little too loudly, and a man going past with his Chihuahua turned and looked at them.

  "No, and could you keep it down?" Chloe hissed. Kelly answered with a laugh.

  "There's work people around." There was. They were down the road now, but she could see several people from Runway either coming from the building or walking back towards it. Chloe pulled Kelly along until they were much farther away, deciding she'd tell her what happened.

  There was too much on her brain to bottle more stress in, and talking to Kelly always helped. However, Kelly laughed at her when Chloe was done filling her in. By then they were at Gellatinos.

  "That was eons ago. You were eighteen. Maybe he doesn't even remember."

  Chloe frowned at her. "Yes, he does damn well remember. He just came to see me so he could torture me." It sounded ridiculous for her to say it like that, but she was tired of it. Tired of his need to remind her that he'd never be interested in her and that she didn't fit his type of woman. The ridiculously thin models and gorgeous women who flocked to his side.

  Kelly narrowed her eyes and brought her hands together. "Really?"

  "Yes. I don't know why he feels the need to even speak to me. He always brings up the incident every chance he gets." She slumped against the padded leather back of their booth.

  A sly smile lifted Kelly's red lips and made her blue eyes flicker with interest.

  "So, you're telling me he just got back from wherever, after being away for five years, and he comes to see you so he can torture you."

  "Exactly."

  "Chloe, don't you think that's a little strange?"

  "He's like Hannibal Lector except he looks better and doesn't eat people."

  "You are so funny. Has it ever occurred to you that just maybe, maybe he might like you."

  Now that was funny, and Chloe was too appalled at the thought to laugh. "No, of course not."

  If he liked her, they wouldn't be having this conversation now. She would have lost her virginity to him when she was eighteen. If he liked her, even a little bit, he wouldn't tease her like they were still in school and he wouldn't have spoken to her the way he did. Granted, while she may have told him to jump up her ass, he didn't have to ask if it was an invitation.

  Who said things like that?

  Geez.

  "I'm just saying there's a possibility." Kelly lifted her delicate shoulders into a shrug.

  Chloe shook her head. "Uh uh, no way."

  Wade was a thorn in her side, and the best way to deal with thorns was to pick them out, toss them away, and never look at them again.

  That was precisely what she planned to do with him.

  Chapter 3

  Taylor

  Taylor could hardly contain her excitement. What a great day. It was so perfect. First she found the ring certificate in Richard's pocket, then Wade came home. She didn't think she could be happier, and she'd had a hard time restraining the endless smile on her face.

  She was seated in Chez Moi waiting for Richard. He wanted to see her for a very special dinner reservation. Oh, she wondered what that could be?

  Taylor couldn't resist the little girly giggle as it escaped her lips. That Richard with his charm. He'd certainly enchanted her, and she would forever be under his spell.

  She loved him so much. There had always been something captivating about him that drew her to him, right from the first time they met. Every day since had held its own excitement, and she couldn't wait to see him. She wondered how he would propose and what the ring looked like. She wondered what he'd say to her. Would he be creative and write her a poem, or maybe he would say a few words declaring his love for her then ask her to be his forever?

  Richard wasn't the starry-eyed romantic she was. He was more of a doer. She knew that he loved her from the things that he did. To her, that was better. It was better to have someone who showed you they loved you rather than someone who was always telling you but disappointing you at the same time.

  She sat back in her chair and smoothed her perfectly straightened hair down the side of her shoulder. It had taken hours to get it like this. Since she wasn't able to get an appointment at the salon, Kelly had helped her, and it turned out great. To complete the look she wore her favorite dress: a gold bodycon that showed off her perfect shape.

  Now all she needed was Richard.

  It was after eight now. He said he'd aim to get here for eight but might be late. Poor Richard, as hard as he tried, he could never be on time for anything.

  She'd told Wade about him but didn't mention the ring certificate because she felt it was too soon. Wade looked strained enough as it was from their emotional meeting. When he looked at her, he gave her that s
orrowful look, showing how sorry he was that he left and let her down.

  She wished she could say that she didn't feel abandoned and disappointed by his departure but she couldn't. Taylor was, however, too happy to have him back to think about any issues she might have had with him leaving. And she was a hundred times happier to have him back drug free. Today she felt a sense of peace and contentment she hadn't experienced in a while.

  Wade looked so much better than when she last saw him. It was a memory she would prefer to forget. He looked like he'd been in a fight and wouldn't tell them what had happened. She guessed it had something to do with his drug problem. He and their parents had a terrible argument because he was supposed to be in rehab. He smashed his room up as they argued and then he just walked out, walking straight past her without as much as a goodbye.

  It was horrible, and it took her a long time to accept that she'd either never see him again, or he'd hopefully come back when he was ready. Thankfully he sent her the occasional message from time to time and a postcard when he went to a new country. She was glad that he'd at least done that.

  She looked ahead and saw Richard rushing up to her looking very flustered. Sweat dripped from his dark spiky hair, and his clothes looked a little ruffled.

  "Richard." She smiled at him sweetly as he approached her.

  "Hey, babe. I'm sorry I'm late." She stood up as he came around to her side to kiss her.

  "It's fine, don't worry." She beamed, reaching up to slip her arms around his neck. Her six-inch golden heels added to her height and gave her long legs the illusion that she was naturally tall. She did, however, love that Richard could still tower her by another couple of inches.

  "Taylor, something bad has happened." Alarm filled his rich brown eyes, and a look of uneasiness settled across his handsome face.

  "What? What's happened?" She straightened up and gazed up at him.

  "A pickpocket took my wallet on my way here." He shook his head and frowned.

  "Are you okay?" She released him and brought her hands up to her cheeks.

  "I'm fine, just annoyed. He must have taken it while I was waiting to get you flowers." He huffed. "Babe I chose the perfect roses, then when I went to pay I realized the wallet was gone. There was a shifty guy who bumped into me just before that. How original." He grimaced, frustrated.

  "I'm so sorry." She was robbed once back in college, so she knew how he felt.

  "Taylor listen. I have to go to the police. There was some important work stuff in my wallet and my security pass." He was a scientist and worked at a research facility. She could imagine the threat and fear of what could happen if the wrong person got inside the facility. Plus, the worry of what could be stolen and tampered with. The facility specialized in research to cure diseases. "I'm also going on a business trip tomorrow. That was why I wanted to see you tonight." He sounded flustered.

  "Oh, you're going away?" She tried to hide her disappointment. It wasn't that she disliked him going away. She knew he had to travel with his job, but of course she thought he'd be proposing tonight. That was the disappointment, especially since he had created a lot of hype earlier about the dinner.

  Maybe it was just her eagerness, and understanding special to mean what she wanted it to mean.

  "It's just for the week. One of the guys that was meant to be going to help on the clinical trials pulled out at the last minute due to a death in the family. I had to fill in."

  "Of course, I completely understand." It sounded like an unavoidable situation. "Richard let me come with you to the police."

  "No, no." He shook his head. "I got this. Besides, look at you." He looked her over with approval. She loved that even though they'd been together for two years he could still look at her like that. As if she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "You don't belong in a police station. Not dressed like that, babe."

  She guessed she could agree. Her dress wasn't for the police station at all. It was the type that would attract a lot of unwanted attention, and it was only intended for his.

  "Call me when you're done. Maybe I can meet you back at your place." She looked him over, not bothering to hide the seduction in her stare and her voice.

  "I would love nothing more, but we both know we won't get any sleep if you come back to mine. I need to be alert and focused tomorrow." He chuckled.

  "Okay. Your loss," she teased, poking him in his chest.

  "Yes, it most assuredly is. How about we aim for breakfast tomorrow? I have to leave at eleven, so we could meet up early."

  "I like that. I'll get there for eight."

  "Brilliant." He gave her a quick kiss and cupped her face. "I love you, beautiful."

  There. There was the magic that melted her heart. It was all there in his words.

  "I love you, too." It was always when she said that to him that she felt in awe at their relationship. She was in love with him and what they had. She'd never thought she'd have that with anyone and was so glad that it was with him.

  He kissed her again, and she watched him go.

  She missed him already and missed the promise of tonight. Every moment spent with him was precious to her.

  It was fine. The night was still special and the day was still perfect. Of course, with the exception of Richard's wallet being stolen.

  She was still happy and still looking forward to her proposal with great anticipation.

  Taylor should go home, but the thought of being Mrs. Richard O'Brian made her stay a little longer. She was in the mood to celebrate, so she ordered the restaurant's finest meal of marinated steak adorned with chestnut mushrooms and roasted spring vegetables. And since no fine meal went without a good glass of wine, she ordered their finest of that too.

  Chloe

  Wes cleared his throat loudly, eliciting a few curious stares from the neighboring tables in the staff restaurant. Chloe had been seated with him for the last half hour trying to eat what she could of her lunch. As like breakfast, she hadn't managed to get past the first mouthful. At least at breakfast she'd just started the day with her continuous job worry. She also had to evade Kelly with her disgusting tea, and her questions about her date with Chase, which had gone so well they planned to meet at the club tonight.

  But now Chloe couldn't eat again because Wade was here sitting at one of the tables a few rows ahead of them. Right within her line of sight. There were so many empty tables, but he'd chosen to sit there so she could see him.

  He was watching her when he first sat down, but then two of the guys in finance who he used to hang out with came up to him and started talking.

  Chloe peered over the top of her book, looking at him. He'd had his hair neatened up since yesterday. It was short and spiky and had that sharp outline around the edges most men had. It drew even more attention to his striking, chiseled features. The dark clothes he wore, too, gave him that element of bravura and style.

  He glanced her way and looked back when he saw she was looking. Knowing any interaction would infuriate her he raised his glass of drink and tipped his head at her. Chloe answered with a scowl.

  "Jesus save us. Please. Anytime now would be good," Wes grumbled, giving her foot a little kick under the table.

  Chloe winced at the impact, again causing people to look. "What is the matter with you, Wes?" She shot him a withering glare.

  He ran his hands through his mass of dark curls. "Are you totally kidding me? How can you ask me that?"

  "You just kicked me," she complained.

  "Because you deserved it."

  "Wes, you think I deserved to be kicked when I'm already down?" She was down-in-the-dirt down, and this here lady was tired.

  He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and flicked back a lock of his dark hair as it fell forward onto his forehead. "You are not down, you silly girl."

  "I am not a silly girl. You're silly." She'd known Wes pretty much the same amount of time as she'd known the Vandervilles. They went to school together, had been lab pa
rtners and drama duos throughout high school. They were what you'd call life friends. The kind that grew on you.

  He worked with the technical team, and just like high school she worked closely with him here too. He was hugely responsible for bringing her ideas to life. It helped a lot that he knew her so well. He understood her, her thoughts, and what she meant when it seemed like she was talking gibberish to everyone else.

  For example, he'd be the one to decipher that if she said she wanted fairytale purple, he knew that meant a lavender sort of color with glitter dashed across it.

  "This is like high school."

  "Wes, if you kick me like that again I will pull your hair out." She pointed her finger at him and grimaced.

  "Go ahead. I'll happily volunteer if it gets you to stop pining over that dumb jock," he hissed and shook his head at her. He and Wade had a terrible history. To be honest, his history with Wade had been quite bad. Worse than hers. All she had was that stupid incident, but Wade bullied Wes a lot in high school.

  "I am not pining. I am scowling."

  "Chloe, you think you're scowling. What I can see is pining."

  As far as Wes was concerned she probably still looked like the girl who used to draw “Wade and Chloe forever” love hearts in her school books. He'd never known about that humiliating experience and would most assuredly laugh at her if he did.

  "I am not. He just gets under my skin. I want to go over there and wring his neck."

  "Okay Chloe, you are far too angry right now, and that is super weird. Just ignore him. Who knows, he might go away." Wes rolled his eyes. "Again."

  Chloe looked back to Wade and saw that the finance guys had left. But now he was full-on staring at her. Anyone else would have looked away, or just not stared in the first place. But oh no, not King Wade who thought the general social rules and norms didn't apply to him. She forgot that he lived outside of reality and thought himself above everybody else.

  Well, that was fine since Chloe could stare back too. She dropped her book and fixed her eyes on him, challenging him. He had the audacity to give her that menacing grin and enraged her further by dropping his eyes to her breasts and explicitly focusing his gaze there.