Synopsis: Sequel to "Fading faster than the speed of light." It's been eight months since Chloe has last seen or heard from Beca. She had given up on any hope she had left in finding the DJ. However, as though it was fate, Chloe is given a second chance at making things right with Beca. What she finds out about the other woman though proves to be more than she expected. Will she help Beca get back on her feet, and will they find love again?
A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys, but Lies and Deception will be done any day now so i decided I am finally going to do my sequel! I hope you guys all enjoyed the first chapter, and try and stick with me. It will be a bumpy road, but worth it in the end. Enjoy!
If you wish to read Fading faster than the speed of light, it can be found in my previous stories.
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Chloe exited her car with a coffee in one hand, and a newspaper in the other. She let out a loud sigh before heading into the building to go start her day at work. As she waited at the elevator, her eyes scanned through the newspaper she was holding.
"Still hoping to find something, huh?" Chloe looked up and gave Jesse a small smile as the taller man approached her.
"More like I'm hoping to not find something," She folded the paper back up and looked back up at Jesse.
"Chloe it's been eight months, don't you think it's time to forgive and give yourself a break?" Jesse frowned.
"Jesse, she's out there somewhere scared and lonely and it's all because of me. I won't…I can't forgive myself until I know she's okay and safe." The elevator doors opened and Jesse gestured for her Chloe to go first. They both stepped in and waited as the elevator made its way up to the twenty-fourth floor. The two sat in silence for a while before Jesse spoke up again.
"So what time is your meeting today with the director for that documentary?" Jesse raised an eyebrow.
"In fifteen minutes," Chloe scrunched her face. Jesse laughed and shook his head as the elevator door opened.
"Always pushing it to the last minute," Jesse followed behind Chloe as they exited the elevator.
"Alright, well I'll see you at lunch time. You're joining Aubrey and me, right?" Chloe asked Jesse as she headed towards her office.
"Yeah I'll see you then," he smiled.
Chloe walked into her office and smiled at her a tall brunette who was sitting behind a desk, sipping on her coffee.
"Hello Stacie," Chloe approached the girl behind the desk. "Are there any messages for me?"
"Hi Chloe, no messages but a Mr. Steve Farkas is waiting for you in your office." Stacie gestured towards a separate room where Chloe saw a man, sitting behind her desk.
"Shit, he's fifteen minutes early!" Chloe hissed.
"Actually you're fifteen minutes late, the meeting was at 9:15am, not 9:30." Stacie smirked.
"Oh," was all Chloe replied with before she ran for her office doors.
"I am so sorry I am late, Steve." Chloe quickly approached the man, who immediately got up and smiled.
"Don't worry about it; it happens to the best of us." He outstretched his arm and shook Chloe's hand before resitting. "So shall we get right to the point then?" He smiled.
Chloe looked over at the man and took in a deep breath. Steve had been bugging her for help for the last two months. He mentioned something about needing her help for this documentary he was doing, she had no idea why he was interested in her though. She's only ever worked on future films and few TV shows, nothing documentary like.
"Of course, what is it you were looking for help on?" Chloe smiled.
"Well as you know I am working on a documentary, and I believe it's something that might be of interest to you. Plus I could really use your help." Steve slipped a DVD across Chloe's table and smiled.
"What's the documentary on?" Chloe cocked an eyebrow, her interest in his film suddenly peaking.
"Homeless people, drug addicts, prostitutes. I want my film to open people's eyes. I want it to show people what's behind the scenes, what people don't understand and how some of the best people in life can just take the wrong road and end up in a dark situation." Chloe's ears perked up as the man's words ran through her ears.
"That sounds like a great idea," she smiled cheerfully at the man sitting in front of her. "You definitely have me interested, have you already started working on it?"
"Well right now all I have is some footage. It's all rough and out of order, but if you watch the DVD you'll get the idea of what my plans are." Chloe grabbed the DVD that Steve had placed on her desk and she slipped it inside the DVD player behind her, which had a giant TV screen attached to it.
She grabbed the remote from her top corner drawer and turned the TV on. She then pressed play and watched as the screen turned on and Steve was standing beside someone who looked to be homeless. Chloe smiled as she heard each of the stories from each of the people Steve interviewed.
She couldn't help but think of Beca as she continued to watch the TV. She thought of her story, and she was misunderstood, just like most homeless people.
Hers smile immediately dropped though as she saw a familiar face pop on screen. A tiny brunette sat on a couch beside Steve. She looked tired, warn out, and completely out of it.
"And would you mind telling me your name?" Steve asked the woman sitting beside him.
"Beca Mitchell," she said in a very monotone and low voice.
"Would you mind telling your story to everyone?" Steve softly asked her.
Beca looked around her apartment as her legs bounced up and down and she began biting her nails. She looked back at Steve eventually, and slowly nodded.
Chloe's heart raced as she watched the video, she couldn't believe her eyes. She found Beca without even meaning to. It was like fate brought Steve to her and Steve brought Beca to her. A permanent frown resided on Chloe's face as she continued to listen to Beca's story. Although she already knew the other woman's past quite well, hearing it over again was breaking her heart just as much as it did the first time.
Then she heard it, she heard the one thing she knew was true, but never wanted to actually hear.
"So how did you end up back on the streets, and what's different about this time?" Steve frowned.
"Well my girlfriend I was seeing, we got into an argument and broke up. I ended up coming back to Atlanta with my father and lived with him for the first little while." Beca shifted in her seat as her legs began moving faster up and down. "Then the pain of losing her, losing everything started to become too much and that's when I turned to drugs, to numb the pain. My father found out and now I live here." Beca finished and looked away from Steve. The shame in her voice and eyes were clear.
"Do you mind telling us what type of drugs you're on right now, Beca?" Steve asked softly.
Beca looked at the camera and then back at Steve. Again she slowly nodded.
"Heroin," she whispered.
Chloe's jaw dropped as the words escaped Beca's mouth. She quickly went to speak up but was immediately at loss for words by what she heard next.
"And how do you pay for everything Beca?" Steve asked.
Beca looked down at her feet as her knees continued to bounce up and down. The room was completely silent for what seemed like hours. Eventually Beca looked back up at the screen and straight into Chloe's eyes.
"I do whatever I have to," she whispered.
"So…would that be anything like prostitution?" Steve softly asked.
Bece looked back down at her feet as she remained silent. Steve went to open his mouth to say something else, but before he could Beca spoke up.
"Yes," she whispered.
Chloe grabbed the remote and turned the TV off without a word. There was no way she could listen to anymore, she needed to find Beca and she needed to find her now. She turned back to face Steve who had a very confused look on his face.
"There were still some clips left." He informed her.
"That last girl that was just on…" Steve cut her off.
"Beca Mitchell, what about her?"
"I need her address, do you have it still?" Chloe quickly stood up from her chair and stared the man down.
"I do, but I mean I don't have the rights to give it to you. Why?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.
"I was her girlfriend; I'm the one who ruined her life. Please I need her address. I've been looking for her for the last eight months and I need to find her so I can take care of her and get her better." Chloe went silent as she searched Steve's eyes for sympathy. "Please," she whispered.
Steve let out a loud sigh as he grabbed a piece of paper and pen of Chloe's desk. He jotted something down and then handed it to her.
"Wood Street? That's all you're…" Steve cut her off.
"Go to downtown Pittsburgh, there is a 7-eleven on Wood street. You'll find what you're looking for. Be careful though, it can get dangerous down there." Steve frowned.
"Thank you so much Steve, I'll be in touch about the documentary. I have to go, I hope you understand." Chloe quickly grabbed her purse and held the door opened as she waited for Steve to exit.
"I do, and thank you for your time; I hope to be in touch soon." Steve exited her office and quickly headed for the elevators.
Chloe grabbed her phone from her purse and stood silently in front of Stacie's desk as she sent out a text message.
Bre, I won't be making lunch today or for the next few days. I'll explain later, can't text right now. Love you x.
Chloe sent the text message. She knew if she had explained to Aubrey what she was up to, Aubrey would insist on coming with her or telling her to wait it out. Chloe looked back up at Stacie who had a very confused look on her face.
"Stacie, I'm going to be gone for a few days. I need you to cancel any appointments I have and reschedule them. Anyone who asks, tell them it's personal and that I need the time off." Chloe looked up at Stacie and waited for her approval indicating she understood what she had just been told.
"Okay, but can I ask why?" Stacie asked confused by Chloe's request.
"I found Beca," was all Chloe needed to say for Stacie to understand. Without another word or waiting for a response from Stacie, Chloe quickly left the office and headed straight for the airport.