When Beauty Met The Beast

by Khardine Gray

  She broke down the minute he left on Saturday. It was good Wes was there because she didn't know how she could have managed.

  Chloe considered herself to be a well-rounded, intelligent woman who thought she knew a thing or two about people in general. Wade was, however, a mystery to her. She'd known him for a long time—a very long time—and yet she didn't understand him. She didn't understand how he could tell her that he didn't want her love one minute, and then the next he was acting like he cared about her. Packing her things and telling her to come with him because he thought she wasn't safe.

  It was very confusing for her and unfair to her heart. Her stupid heart that still longed for him, had rejoiced at the sight of him.

  Her heart would have led her straight into his arms if she didn't take a firm stand.

  It was too much for her, and she didn't know what to do. It took great strength to separate the events of the weekend from her mind and to focus.

  She was still trying to focus and maintain the balance she achieved as she sat behind her desk in the closet. The office was full as everyone was basically waiting to see Regina. She kept her eyes on her computer and went over the designs from the show that she wanted to be featured in the magazine.

  She'd opted for simplicity today, so pulled her hair back in a ponytail and wore a black business dress. Chloe looked professional and like all was well in her life. All she had to do was carry on the pretense for a few more hours. She'd get through her meeting with Regina and take it from there.

  Thankfully she was first. Regina wanted to see Chloe at ten a.m. It was nine thirty now.

  "Here, have this." Lisa came up to her with a steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. Chloe looked up at her and offered a smile. It was good that they could be so amicable in a time like this, when they were basically being pitted against each other for this job.

  "Thank you." Chloe took the cup when Lisa placed it on her desk.

  "You look really nervous," Lisa said, shaking her head. She rolled up the sleeves of her cerise blouse. The color was vibrant against her glowing dark brown skin. She'd worn the same coloring in her eye makeup and outlined her large chestnut brown eyes with a smoky black liner flicking the ends up at the corner for effect.

  With her pixie cut hair that enunciated her heart-shaped face and chic clothes, Lisa looked every bit the part of creative director.

  "I am," Chloe confessed.

  "You shouldn't be," Lisa assured her. "The show was sensational. Trust me when I say you got the job. Of course, I want the job for myself, but Chloe, I'd be lying if I said I could do the things you do."

  That made her feel really good, and Chloe respected her for being so honest and open with her. Lisa was amazing at her job, and often times Chloe didn't think she could compare.

  "Thank you. That means a lot to me." Chloe felt her eyes fill with tears. "I think you deserve the job too. Lisa, your work is amazing."

  "Thanks, but I seriously believe you got this." Lisa lowered her voice and looked over at Bridgette with her Morticia Adams black hair and gothic makeup. "I just hope that our luck doesn't turn over and Bridgette gets it." She laughed.

  Bridgette was horrible to everyone. Chloe felt for sure that if she had magical powers she'd transform them all into toads, or worse, blow them all up.

  "Me too." Chloe grimaced and started drinking her chocolate.

  "I don't think she will." Lisa smiled. "But I think you will." Lisa raised her brows.

  "Thanks Lisa. I believe in you too."

  "I know, that's why it'll be a pleasure to be part of your team." Lisa laughed again and sauntered away.

  Chloe watched her, feeling grateful for the boost. It helped a lot in light of the inner turmoil that boiled within her. She finished the hot chocolate and closed the file on her computer. She then made her way to Regina's office.

  Wes caught up to her when she was halfway there.

  "Hey there," he said with a smile. "Thought I'd walk you to the principal's office."

  She chuckled at that. "Thanks Wes."

  He stuck both his hands in his pockets as he walked beside her. "How are you feeling?"

  "Like the time when we crashed my dad's car in the lake, but not as bad as the time when we set the frogs free from the school lab."

  Wes started to laugh. She did too. Laughing eased her nerves.

  "Okay, but you don't have to feel as bad as either of those times."

  "You think I have a shot at this?"

  "Yes." He nodded. "You always did, and I shouldn't have filled your head with nonsense about Wade. Has there been any sign of him?"

  He lowered his glasses and stared at her.

  She shook her head and thought back to the whole upsetting incident. She remembered how panicked and upset Wade looked, but she couldn't allow herself to think about that. He told her he didn't want her love or respect. It hurt to no end to hear him say that, and she didn't think she'd ever forget.

  "I think he got the message."

  Wes sighed. "Chloe, do you seriously want him to leave you alone?"

  That was a good question and one she didn't want to think about now. However, maybe it was best to get this off her chest so she could feel less tortured going in to see Regina.

  They stopped on the mezzanine and stood by the balcony. She had a few minutes she could spare.

  "Wade's not serious about me, Wes."

  "He looked pretty serious to me."

  Chloe looked at Wes quickly, surprised by his comment.

  "Chloe, I can't stand the guy, but I'm a fair person. For some reason, he was worried for your safety. That's serious enough."

  "Wes, he told me he didn't want my love or respect. Do you know how bad I felt when he said that?" It destroyed her.

  "Chloe, answer me honestly. Do you love him?"

  The question threw her off balance completely and she was surprised at Wes for asking.

  However, as she searched his eyes she found the comfort she always felt, and the understanding she always needed. She knew that she could be real with Wes no matter how absurd a situation was, or how she felt. He was the friend she could always talk to and tell the truth to. She could reveal her deepest feelings to him, and he would never judge her.

  Did she love Wade?

  Chloe didn’t know if she should be worried that she didn’t have to think about the answer to that question.

  "Yes," she confessed. It sounded strange to admit something that her brain refused to accept, but as she said it her heart warmed and expanded just like it did the other day when she was with Wade.

  "Oh you poor, poor girl." Wes rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled.

  "Wesley." Now was not the time to joke. "I love him, but it doesn't matter anymore."

  Wes shook his head. "No Chloe, it matters now more than ever, because you love him." He emphasized every word. "So maybe don't close your heart to him just yet," he added.

  She found herself momentarily stunned.

  "Now go, get your new job."

  "Thanks."

  "Anytime." He gave her shoulder a pat then walked back the way they came.

  Chloe pulled in a deep breath to clear her head. She needed to focus again. With another breath, she proceeded to Regina's office.

  Her nerves spiked when Regina told her to come in after she knocked on the door. She did her best to stop her knees from wobbling as she walked in, but it proved to be a struggle.

  On a normal day, she would have relished the thought of coming in here. She'd always loved the way Regina decorated her office, with that cutting-edge style of glossy black and white cosmopolitan furniture that resonated success and inspired creativity.

  When Chloe was little, she used to get more excited about a trip to Regina's office than opening her presents at Christmas. That excitement stayed with her throughout the years and fueled her drive to do well.

  Usually when she'd come in here she'd practically skip into the room
, but today she could barely walk, and by the time she reached Regina's desk she was shaking and her palms dripped with sweat.

  Regina smiled at her, giving her that warmth she desperately needed now. It helped somewhat, and she tried to focus on that smile.

  "Chloe, dear." Regina got up, walked around, and gave Chloe a hug. "Are you okay?" she asked.

  Chloe hoped the dark circles under her eyes hadn't seeped through her makeup. "I'm okay," she replied quickly and smiled to add to the illusion that she was fine.

  "Let's sit here." Regina put her arm around her and ushered her over to the chaise lounge. While Chloe sat, Regina opened the windows above to let in the fresh smell of baked bread from the bakery across the street.

  The smile returned to her face when she sat next to Chloe. "My dear, I simply must start by saying how proud I was of you on Friday. I was in awe at the hard work you put in to make the show a success. We now have a multitude of requests for all sorts of things and the press is all over us." Regina looked so excited as she spoke. The sparkle in her eyes calmed Chloe a bit more, and she thought that this was a good start.

  "I'm really happy the show went well."

  "Sweet girl, you should be more than proud. You are going to go places in this business. That is why I feel like I should apologize to you."

  "What for?" Chloe straightened up wondering what that meant. Did Regina feel like she had to apologize because she didn't get the job? Is that what she meant?

  Chloe felt her heartbeat speed up, and her throat immediately went dry.

  "There is a lot of talent in the creative team. A lot, and you all work hard. I couldn't be more impressed with all of you. I know I have a good team." Regina's eyes brightened.

  Chloe's heart sank. This was her being let down gently. The tips of her fingers began to tingle, and the backs of her eyes stung.

  "They all give a hundred and ten percent," Chloe said, trying to distract from her discomfort, which was beginning to show as she fidgeted with her nails and shuffled in the chair. When the thought hit her that she'd been unsuccessful, her chest caved in. She thought about her plans to leave for Europe, and it saddened her to no end. She'd be leaving her friends, her life, a place she loved to work at. And Wade.

  Somehow, no matter what, she always managed to think about Wade.

  Suddenly the worry over everything boiled into one colossal burden on her shoulders, and she could no longer carry on the pretense that all was well with her.

  Her hand flew up to her mouth to hold her tears in, but it was useless.

  "Chloe, my darling girl, what's wrong?" Regina asked putting her arm around her. Concern filled her eyes.

  "I'm sorry. I don't mean to cry." If Regina's arm wasn't around her, she would have run out of the office.

  "What's the matter? Tell me."

  "I know you have to pick who you want, but I just wanted this job so much." Chloe dared not look her in the eye. "I wanted it so bad. I’ve wanted it all my life."

  Regina rubbed her shoulder. "That would be exactly why I chose you."

  Chloe turned to face her, looking at the woman she admired so much.

  "You…picked me? I got the job?" Chloe's heart jumped to her throat.

  Regina smiled. "Yes. I picked you, and I apologize for the stress that I clearly caused you. I have a great team, Chloe, who give a hundred and ten percent. But you give me your soul, and there is no measurement of that. The job was always yours. I just wanted you to feel the accomplishment of getting it amongst a host of other talented people."

  Her words gripped her and Chloe could see the depth of Regina's respect and appreciation for her.

  "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me."

  "I think I do. Chloe, I've been friends with your mother for a very long time. We are as close as you are with Taylor. I have loved you like my own, and I have always seen how gifted you are. If I simply gave you what you wanted you'd have no sense of achievement. You'd have no drive to work hard and push yourself to the limit of your talents. It would be easy to you. I wanted you to know that you worked hard, earned what you worked for. Do you feel that now?"

  Chloe hung on to her words, clinging on to every last syllable expressed by the woman she'd admired and revered all her life. "Yes."

  The feeling was so real she could almost touch it. Chloe thought back to the years she'd spent at Runway and all that she'd been through. All the work she'd put in to prove herself, all the effort she'd made to show she was the best and that she deserved to be creative director.

  The feeling that washed over her as she realized that she was the creative director was indescribable. It was powerful, and it filled her with an energy she'd never felt before.

  "Good." Regina nodded. "Always remember that feeling, and allow it to guide you. Remember that you can do anything you put your mind to."

  "Thank you," she breathed, giving her a hug.

  "You are more than welcome," Regina replied and smiled once she'd released her. "There's more though."

  "More?" Chloe returned the smile. "I don't know what could be better than that."

  "How about being in charge of Fashion Week, with me overseeing, and helping me to implement the amazing portfolio design you put together."

  "Oh God," she gasped. Chloe couldn't believe it. She was completely enthralled. Her. She was in charge of Fashion Week.

  "Regina. Me?"

  Regina nodded. "Yes. I was thoroughly impressed. So that means you're going to be crazy busy."

  "I will do anything and everything." She was so excited she couldn't contain herself.

  "Great, I'm happy to hear that. Also…" There was a flicker of mischief in her vibrant green eyes. "That would mean giving me a heads up before you run off with Wade Vanderville, and for heaven sakes, you'd need to be careful on that dreadful motorcycle. Your mother would have my head if anything happened to you."

  Chloe felt her face flush red in an instant. She opened her mouth to explain, but no words came out. Regina simply laughed at her reaction.

  "I'm so sorry." She couldn't have felt more embarrassed.

  "It's okay. I was young once. Just give me a heads up, we're about to get seriously busy and I need you."

  "Of course, and it's fine we're…" She was about to say that she wouldn't be going off with Wade anymore, but something tugged at her heart as she thought about what that would mean. She thought about her talk with Wes and stopped herself. "I promise I won't let you down," she decided to say instead.

  "I know you won't. Now come, I'd like to take my new creative director to breakfast. We can get some of those little iced buns they do in the bakery."

  "We're going now?" Chloe smiled.

  "No time like the present."

  This was what she needed, some good news. It would help her later when she had to deal with everything else.

  Chapter 12

  Taylor

  "To my dear friend for all her hard work." Taylor held up her ice cream cone and giggled. "Let the week-long celebrations begin."

  "Here here," Kelly agreed, raising her cone, too, which had strawberry and pistachio ice cream heaped on top.

  Chloe laughed at them both and joined in the ice cream toast. Tonight was ice cream, tomorrow pizza, and they'd plan from there.

  Taylor was extremely proud of Chloe, and she wanted to spend some time treating her. She was pleased to see Chloe looking so happy. She knew she'd been down about Wade and it was good that getting the job could bring her some happiness. They hadn't really talked about Wade.

  It was okay, though. Taylor understood that it would be awkward because she was his sister. She trusted that Chloe knew she could talk to her if she needed to, and Taylor would be there when she was ready.

  "Thank you, guys." Chloe smiled at them both and straightened up on the stool.

  Richard wanted to take Taylor to dinner tonight and had been very understanding when she asked if they could rearrange. She'd stopped getting herself all worked up fo
r the proposal because she didn't want to spoil it.

  She wanted him to propose when he was ready, and she wanted the glorious surprise of it too. She didn't want to spoil it for either of them, and she didn't want to waste their dates being disappointed because nothing had happened. She loved him too much to treat him that way.

  "Girls, would it be bad if we got pizza when we get in?" Chloe giggled.

  "My gosh." Kelly beamed with wide eyes. "I think I'm leaning towards saying that that would be a fantastic idea."

  "Whatever you want my friend. Let's eat till we burst," Taylor laughed.

  Kelly started to laugh.

  Sounded like they were going to have a fun-filled night of feasting. They all went crazy for pizza. Normally they acted like the perfect ladies with their food, like they couldn't eat much—especially in front of a guy—but place a pizza in front of any of them and they all transformed into little pigs.

  "Ahhh," Chloe said as she polished off the last of her ice cream.

  "You practically inhaled that," Kelly smiled.

  "It was delicious." Chloe giggled, flicking her ponytail from over her shoulder.

  "This is nice, girls." Taylor smiled at them both. It was going to change once she married Richard. She wouldn't be able to hang out like this whenever she wanted.

  "It is nice. We should dedicate one night of the week to hanging out." Kelly lifted her shoulders at the thought. "Like Wednesdays."

  "Yes, I agree." Chloe chuckled, resting her hands in front of her. Her glossy pink nails were the same color as the Formica table top. It reminded Taylor of bubblegum. "Wednesdays are fine." Chloe looked over to the counter with a faraway look in her eyes.

  Taylor wondered if she was thinking about Wade.

  "So," Kelly cleared her throat. "Is there any news of the said proposal, Your Majesty?"

  "Nope." Taylor sighed. "And, I've decided to stop preempting when he'll do it."

  "That's supposed to be the fun part." Kelly looked concerned.

  "I know. I just don't want to spoil it, and I want to be truly surprised when he proposes."

  Kelly nodded, understanding. But Chloe behaved the way she always did when Richard's name was brought up.