Some time later, the dreaded moment arrived.
Her father opened the door to her room, a big smile on his face, the words announcing Thomas was coming in a few minute's time leaving his mouth in a sort of singing voice.
Chloe forced up a smile and a nod, not wanting to disappoint her father.

It might seem like she used him for gifts, following her will and all that kinda stuff most of the time but he was actually very dear to him. Especially after her mother left because she didn't think her family was important enough to keep around and that her career should be put first. Her father didn't leave her and never showed the possibility of doing it. He was loyal to his parental role and while he was away for work a lot, he still found, or at least tried to find, time to spend with her. She simply couldn't hurt him. And accusing his probably best and longest friend of repeatedly raping and harrassing his only daughter would actually break his heart.

So she played the part of the content, snobby teenage girl who was not overly excited over a visit but also wasn't against it.
Even though, she felt sick just thinking about the fact that she would come face to face with Thomas very soon again - too soon.
She didn't even really have time to mentally prepare for the encounter.

Feeling numb and slightly trembling at the same time, she slowly stood up from her bed, placing her headphones and laptop on the nightstand and walked towards the door. Her hand automatically stopped to hover over the doorknob. She was standing frozen for a couple seconds before taking a few deep breaths and opening the door to walk out and downstairs.

Her father was awaiting her at the end of the stairs. He was turned away, looking pretty excited and happy. He was telling someone about something, making wild gestures with his hands while doing so.
Only when she was a few steps away from the ground, she was able to make out who the person was. It was Thomas. He was there.

Chloe stopped -again- dead in her tracks. Her stomach twisted. His bright smile was triggering memories of the countless nights, he had been standing atop of her, flashing a toothy grin at her - though, that one was sinister, while the one he gave her father was innocent, friendly, not suspicious at all. Looking at this man from a stranger's perspective, he appeared to be a normal guy with a good sense of humour and well manners.
The blonde however knew his real self, the one hidden behind polite words and joke cracking.

She was pulled out of her race of thoughts when her father looked up the stairs and saw her. He smiled wildly, throwing an arm around Thomas' shoulders and pointing at him with the free hand. ''Chloe! There you are! Look, who's here!''
Once more, she forced the corners of her lips to twirl upwards while desperately hoping it didn't look to much like a grimace.

With shaking knees, she continued her way downstairs.
''Well, well, look at you. Did you grow a few inches while I was away? I must say, you've become even more beautiful since the last time I saw you.'', Thomas said.
His words sent a shiver down her spine. And it wasn't a good one. He was the only one who she could not appreaciate a compliment from. It creeped her out because it only reminded her of the whispers in her ear while he was touching her places, she didn't want him or anyone in the near future for that matter to touch her.

Mr Bourgeois laughed out loud. ''Oh, Thomas, always the chameur!''
''You know me, my friend, I wouldn't pass the opportunity to satisfy a women's wish to be acknowledged. Not that Chloe is in need of that. I assume, you have an infinite queue of admirers?'', he chuckled.
''There are quite a few.'', her father answered.
Chloe felt incredibly awkward. Not only were they discussing her love life (to top it off while she was standing right in front of her!), but it was also putting her down that her father didn't see that Thomas' words weren't the jokes he pretended to be making but actually the truth- the disgusting, horrifying truth.

''If you will excuse me, I- I have homework.'', she made up the lie while she was going along.
Her father looked surprised but approving. ''You're doing it yourself? Not your friend Sabrina? That's great! I'm proud of you, honey.''
''Yeaaah.'', she just said. ''Um, well then. Bye. Nice to see you again, Thomas.''
The last sentence burnt like acid in her mouth and she felt like throwing up, just speaking out his name.
His grin and nod just deepend the feeling.

She slowly began to walk up the stairs until she was out of sight. At that point, she sprinted into her room and throwing herself onto her bed, trying to calm her nerves which were close to a panic attack. What was she gonna do?