VALLARTA SUPERMARKETS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

"The Supermarket, really, Alex?!" Beca frowned. "I didn't leave the house on a Saturday to be dragged here!" She groaned.

"It will be fun, Beca!" Alex laughed. "Isn't it right, Jesse?" She turned to Jesse who was also regretting his decision.

"Right. Whatever you say, Colling." Jesse sighed.

Alex had invited Jesse and Beca to go do the groceries with her-she wanted to de-stress, and instead of shopping for clothes and jewelries, she decided to fill up her refrigerator.

"You are unbelievable." Beca showed that she was disappointed. "Groceries, yay." She glared at the blonde.

"When you told us it's a matter of life and death, I actually assumed that we have to go undercover, join Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum." He explained.

"Well…" Alex led the way in, Jesse and Beca trailed behind. "You got the some of it right." She turned to her body guards. "They're joining us, so it could be that in a way."

"Ughhhh." Jesse and Beca groaned in unison.

"This feels like torture, Alex." Beca watched the blonde get what she needed. "How can this be fun?" She and Jesse dragged their feet, trying hard to keep up with the blonde who went over her list.

"Might as well wing it since you're here." Alex laughed. "Jesse Swanson and Beca Mitchell in a local supermarket. How thrilling is that?!"

"This isn't funny." Beca pouted. She adjusted her baseball cap, so she would still go unnoticed.

Jesse shrugged. "I do not have enough energy to complain. Go on, Collins. Do your shopping, we're right behind you." Jesse sarcastically remarked.

Alex didn't mind Jesse and Beca's complaints-they would rant about how crowded the store was, and how Alex was taking her time. She really did enjoy their company.

"Instant noodles, really?" Beca laughed when she saw Jesse toss it in the cart.

"Alex is paying, I can tell myself that I didn't buy it." Jesse grinned. "I heard they're really good, you know, plus, it's from Asia. "

Beca scrutinized the packaging and dropped it in the cart since Jesse was too eager to try it. They were continuously debating on what kind they're supposed to get since they didn't understand anything. Beca got out her phone and tried the Google Translator app, and it amused both of them-Jesse and Beca ended up translating most of the stuff from the Asian section.

Alex heard Jesse and Beca laughing-she was curious since she didn't notice them walk away from her. Instead of hearing complaints, all she heard was laughter.

She finally found the aisle where Jesse and Beca were-she laughed at how Jesse and Beca were amused by the app on their phones. They had to go to separate aisles just so they could exchange whatever they got.

Not being too obvious, Alex took her phone out and snapped pictures of Beca-she was smiling, it was the most genuine smile she has ever seen. She took and took, until Beca realized what she was doing.

"What are you doing, psycho?" Beca smirked.

Alex waved her phone at her. "Just trying to be a paparazzi. Don't mind me. Go on. Do your thing." She laughed. "It's not everyday that you see Beca Mitchell translating Asian Characters using Google Translator."

"Whatever, Collins." Beca shrugged. "This is fun, it's like scanning a QR Code or something."

Alex continued to take a few more photos, she viewed them and deleted the ones which were blurry due to Beca's giddiness. She managed to stop at the one where Beca smiled at her-it was the moment when the brunette realized that she was taking photos of her.

"Are you done, paparazzo?" Beca called out.

Alex didn't realize that she was staring at the photo. "Uhm.. yeah." She grinned.

"Hey, take more!" Jesse laughed. "If you want to experience being a paparazzi, try to get something at least that would sell to the papers."

"Like what?" She turned to the man.

"I don't know, make Beca look like she's only feeding on noodles or stuff like that?" Jesse stated. "Anything that has Beca in it would sell since she rarely goes out." He added.

"Oh my, Collins! I didn't know you need money!" Beca feigned a surprise look on her face. "Here, take a picture of me hugging all these packs of instant noodles." Beca gathered a lot. Jesse even helped by adding more. "I'll pretend that I do not see you." She snickered.

Alex couldn't stop herself from laughing while she was taking the photo. "God, you're a natural!" She exclaimed. "Go on, put them back!" She ordered.

"I am putting them back!" Beca replied. She called for Jesse to help her return all the packs of instant noodles, most especially on the top shelf. "The photos are beautiful, isn't it?" She asked while she was still busy returning the noodles in proper order.

"Yeah!" Alex replied. "Really, beautiful." She whispered to herself.

"What happened between you and Chloe? Aubrey told me Chloe found you." Jesse asked. Alex had to step out of the counter since she had an important call, so Jesse realized it was safe to talk about Chloe.

"Yeah, she did." Beca nodded.

"And?" Jesse pressed for more details. "You just can't give me that reply, Beca."

"She asked for another chance to prove herself." Beca admitted.

"And you did?"

"I did."

Jesse studied his best friend's face, which Beca found weird. It made her uncomfortable. "Dude, what are you doing?" She avoided Jesse's hands which were about to touch her face.

"Studying you." Jesse replied. "You don't look…" He stared at the brunette. "Happy."

"Isn't this what you were trying to tell me yesterday? You said that Chloe seemed to be serious and all that." Beca stated.

"I basically told you that Chloe must have been serious, yes." Jesse nodded. He put the groceries on the counter for it to be scanned. "I told you to think about it, I admit that. But, I didn't expect you to like say yes immediately or something."

"What?"

"I was supposed to tell you to take your time the next time you see her, but you immediately took off!" Jesse stated. "I was supposed to say something more!"

"Dude! I even thought you were on her side or something!"

"I was only stating what I noticed but, that doesn't mean…" Jesse shook his head. "Alright, forget it." Jesse laughed. "What's done is done."

"It isn't even final, you know." Beca lowered her voice this time.

"What do you mean?"

"A chance. I only gave her a chance." Beca stated. "It's not we're already together. No. That's not even sure yet, as long as she proves herself. But, how can she prove that when I don't give her the opportunity to do so, right?"

Jesse continued to put stuff on the counter-each item being scanned. "Well, I do get your point. Right." He stated. "But do you think she'll be able to?"

"I don't know." Beca shrugged. "We'll see."

"But… you know, Alex…" He gestured to the blonde who was still on her phone-her back turned away from them. "She really makes you smile."

"Do you like her?" Jesse teased.

"Jesse…"

"Come on, it's Alexandra Collins, Beca." He emphasized. "Not just a little bit?"

Beca tried to suppress the smile that she was hiding. "Well…" She nodded. "I like the feeling she gives me."

"But, you love Chloe, right?" He again asked.

"Yeah."

"Man…" Jesse put his hands on his shoulders. "You really have a complicated situation, my friend." He laughed. "You really have some issues to sort out yourself."

"I know." Beca replied. "Don't remind me, please."

COLLINS GROUP, DOWNTOWN, LOS ANGELES

Jesse and Beca, including Alex were supposed to hang out in Alex's condo but there was a sudden change of plans. While doing her groceries, Alex got an important call and she had to drop by their office to check on it.

"I'm sorry to drag you here with me, guys." Alex apologized. "I know we had plans but…"

"Alex, it's alright." Beca smiled at the blonde. "We can wait."

"Yeah." Jesse agreed. "Besides, you can give us a tour of your empire." He was amazed at how spacious everything is inside the building. "So, don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?" Alex clarified.

"Yes." Jesse and Beca again said at the same time.

"Do you want to come with me, then?" Alex asked as soon as they waited for the elevator. "I'll try to make my visit as quick as possible, then we can go."

"Look at you, being the CEO and stuff…" Beca teased the blonde. She admired how Alex was with her work. "It's amazing, Alex."

"Thank you." Alex looked away, she tried her best to hide the blush on her face. "We're here." The elevator stopped at the 25th floor.

"What you going to check on, by the way?" Beca asked before the elevator doors opened.

"Oh. The photo shoot." Alex replied. "The one for the endorsement."

"You mean, the one with…" Jesse chimed in.

"Yes." Alex smiled at the two. "The one with Chloe Beale."

"I'm so glad you came!" Amy rushed to Alex as soon as she saw her enter. "I was already hyperventilating since I'm in the same room with Chloe again!"

"Keep it professional, Amy. Thank you for reminding me that the shoot was today." Alex laughed at how her friend was being. "Is she here?"

"Yeah. She's in the other room." Amy replied. She saw Jesse and Beca talking in the corner of the room. "Oh, Jesse and Beca are here?" She turned to the blonde.

"Yeah. We have plans, so I'm just going to be quick alright?" Alex made her way to the other room where Chloe was waiting. "I'll just see how things are."

"You don't have to be worrying about the concept, Alex."

"I know." Alex replied. "I just want to see the execution."

"It isn't the commercial shoot yet. It's just promo photos. She'll just be posing with a phone in her hands, and that's it." Amy explained. "It will be fine."

"My dad hasn't been here, has he?" She asked.

"Nope." Amy replied. "He hasn't. He trusts you with it, you know that, right?"

"I know." Alex stated. "I just want to make sure."

"Chloe!"

Chloe was discussing matters with Stacie when Alex made her presence known. She didn't know how to deal with her ever since she came face to face with her.

"A-alex." Chloe smiled. "Hi!"

"I just wanted to check on you." The blonde smiled at her, and then, at Stacie. "Do you need anything?"

"No. No. We're good." Chloe replied.

"If ever you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me and Amy, okay?"

Chloe nodded her head in response. "I will. Thank you!"

Chloe was expecting that Alex would immediately leave the room as soon as she came to greet her, but she was puzzled on why Alex seemed like she had something more to say.

She was right-Alex had walked back to her when she was already almost out of the door.

"Chloe?"

"Yeah?"

"Uhm… About what happened recently…" Alex whispered. "I would like it if you won't tell Beca that I know about you, okay?"

"Why is that?"

"I just don't want Beca to be uncomfortable with the fact that I know." Alex replied. "It's better that way." Alex stated. "I think it's also a way to help her."

"Help her with what? Move on from me?"

"Not really." Alex stated. "More of like, helping her to be, you know.." She shrugged. "Happy."

"Damn, Alex sure has a thing for Beca." Stacie pointed out when Alex already went out of the room. "I mean, wow…"

"Stace!"

"Sorry! Not helping, I know!" Stacie stepped away from the red head. "You're good to go." She eyed the redhead from head to toe. "You look perfect."

"Are you going to be okay?" Jesse whispered. He and Beca didn't know that the call that Alex got was about the photo shoot-Chloe's endorsement.

"Yeah." Beca leaned against the wall. "It's not like I'm seeing a ghost or something."

"But you sure look like you did the last time." Jesse pointed out. "What are you going to do then?"

"Nothing." Beca shrugged. "You should be asking Chloe that question, not me."

"My, my, Beca Mitchell… A little bit hard there, aren't you?" Jesse laughed. They watched the crew set up the back drop for the photo shoot. "Why is that?"

"It's true!" Beca defended her response. "I shouldn't be doing anything. It's not like I promised Chloe something, you know. Like I said, she has to show me that she's worth it. Again."

Chloe was not informed that Beca was there during her photo shoot. She was expecting a text from Beca after all that happened between them at The Grove, but there was none. She tried her best not to overthink it, but she couldn't help it.

She was happy that Beca gave her a chance to prove herself again, but she realized that it wasn't an assurance-Beca can still slip away from her and she hated it.

She shrugged all those thoughts away when she was already called to be infront of the camera. She managed to have a lot of amazing shots in a few frames since she was already good with it-it was pretty simple actually, she just had to pose with a phone in her hand, and she found it easier since she had the freedom to do what she wanted to do. After all, she was advertising a telecommunications company.

She was almost down to her last frame when she heard a familiar laugh-Beca. She thought.

Chloe tried to search the room but she couldn't see where it was coming from-there were people around, and of course, Beca is short so it would be difficult to spot her in an instant.

"Is everything alright, Chlo?" Stacie approached the redhead when she stopped posing.

"Yeah." Chloe assured her friend. "I just thought I heard something." She replied.

The shoot finished earlier than usual, and Chloe decided to search the room for the brunette. "What is going on?" Stacie held her back. "Where are you going?"

"I think Beca's here." Chloe replied. "I heard her laugh."

"Really? I didn't see her." Stacie did the same thing, look around for their tiny friend. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Chloe stated. "I'm positive."

Amy happened to walk past Stacie and Chloe when she heard that both girls were looking for Beca. "Did you two say that you were looking for Shorty?" She smiled.

"Uhm, we just thought we heard her." Stacie replied instead of the redhead. "Is she here, by any chance?"

"Oh, yeah. She is." Amy nodded. She was completely oblivious of the situation going on between her friends. "She came in with Jesse and Alex. They're just around here somewhere, that I'm sure of since Alex hasn't signed some papers for me."

"Thanks, Amy!" Stacie exclaimed.

"Welcome, see you later, Legs!" She hugged Stacie. "And of course you, my idol, my one and only." She smiled at Chloe. "I'll see you too."

"I told you she was here!" Chloe replied. "I'll go look for her."

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you." Stacie adviced. "This is Alexandra's territory, and you're too eager, Chlo." Stacie pointed out. "I know that you want to make it right for Beca, and we should be grateful for that chance, but, you and I both know that this isn't the proper way."

Chloe pondered on that thought-Stacie was right, she needs to hold off. "Can we at least go and say hi?" She asked.

"Of course." Stacie nodded. "Let's go."

Jesse opted to hang out with Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum, he was curious on how they could stay silent and still for most of the time. He left both girls since Alex and Beca were too busy talking to each other about the show, Pandamonium. Beca happened to like Red Pandas, while Alex liked Pandas. It was a show that Alex loved on National Geographic, and Beca found it unfair that Red Pandas do not have a show like it.

"I'm telling you, Collins." Beca threatened. "If only I could adopt all the Red Pandas in the world, I'll produce a show like Pandamonium."

"I think you're not allowed, Beca." Alex grinned. "No way that is happening."

"That's why I said If only, Alex." Beca scoffed. "If only." She emphasized.

"I find them cute too, though." Alex replied. "Red pandas." She smiled at Beca who was rubbing her eyes. "Are you alright? Am I too boring to talk to?" She asked.

"No. No." Beca laughed. "I think I just have something in my eye."

Alex leaned forward and looked at it. "Do you want me to get rid off it for you? You're gonna have swollen eyes if you continue rubbing it." She offered.

"Can you, please?"

"Okay. Sit still. Let me." Alex leaned it and moved her face closer. Her heart was beating fast since it was the closest she's ever been with Beca. "She gently blew air on Beca's right eye for a couple of times. "There. Is it all better now?" She didn't want to move further away, but she had to.

"Yeah." Beca blinked for a few more times. "I think it's gone now. Thanks." She smiled.

"Ypu're welcome. Hey, wait-" Alex looked at Beca once more. Again, she leaned in closer. "Close your eyes." She instructed.

"What are you going to do?" Beca was worried.

"Just trust me." Alex snickered. "I'm not going to do anything."

"Okay."

Beca closed her eyes-Alex found it funny how Beca assumed that she was going to do something else. "Here we go." Alex whispered. "You can now open your eyes."

"What is that?" Beca saw Alex smiling back at her and it looked like she has something in between her thumb and index finger.

"Your eyelash."

"Huh?"

"You know what they say about eyelashes, Beca. You have to make a wish." Alex reminded the brunette who was hesitant about doing it.

"I'm not sure if I believe that." Beca laughed.

"Come on, don't spoil the fun!" Alex exclaimed. "Make a wish!"

"Okay. Okay, I will." Beca closed her eyes and paused for a brief moment. "Okay. I'm done." Beca blew her eyelash away. "Hope it comes true." She snickered.

"I knew what you wished for." Alex joked.

"Yeah? What is it then?"

"Red pandas." Alex laughed. "You wished that you could adopt them all. Isn't that right?"

"It is." Beca laughed. "You're right. I wished that I could adopt all the Red Pandas."

Chloe was surprised.

She knew that Alex and Beca really do hang out a lot but what she saw was different-it was like Alex and Beca had a special moment going on. Yes, right infront of her.

Her heart was pounding-she wanted to make Alex stop from moving closer from Beca.

"Have you found her yet?" Stacie asked.

Chloe didn't respond. Her eyes were still fixed on both Alex and Beca who were laughing at something, but they were closer this time.

Alex reached for something in Beca's face-Chloe couldn't figure out exactly what it was, but she didn't like how it looked like.

"Chloe?" Stacie tried to follow the redhead's gaze, and she did see what Chloe saw. "Oh. There she is." She casually blurted out. "Let's go say Hi."

"No." Chloe coldly replied. "I don't think she'd want us there."

"But, I thought you wanted to say Hi… What?" Stacie looked confused. She studied the situation before them and she watched Alex and Beca closely. "I know what you're thinking. Don't do it." Stacie gritted her teeth. "It will be a big mistake."

"I just can't…"

"Chloe. Calm down, it's nothing." Stacie tried her best to assure the redhead. "And you don't get to act like that since you're not her girlfriend. So, don't go over there-"

Chloe let go of Stacie's grip. "Let me go, Stacie!"

"Fine!" Stace raised her voice at the redhead. "Go ahead! Do what you want! But don't tell me that I didn't warn you!"

"Beca!" Chloe tried to mask her anger by grinning at the brunette.

"Hey, Chloe." Beca casually greeted. "How was the shoot?"

"It was great!" Chloe looked at the blonde who avoided eye contact with them. "Oh, hey, Alex." Alex, though, acknowledged the redhead's presence. "Uhm, so I was wondering, are you doing something after? I mean, I'm already free right now so we can get dinner or something. You and I."

"Uhm…"

"You won't mind, right, Alex?" Chloe smiled at the blonde.

"No. No. Not at all." Alex replied. "It's all up to Beca, but I would like to let you know that we have plans." She grinned. "But, it's up to Beca if she wants to go with you or not." Alex stood up and turned to Beca. "I'll check on Jesse. He might already be a bodyguard, we won't even know." She laughed. "Let me know, okay?"

"Okay." Beca smiled at Alex. "I will."

As soon as Alex excused herself, Beca sprang from her chair and pulled Chloe to the corner of the room. "Are you serious?! What was that all about?!"

"I just wanted to invite you for dinner, Beca." Chloe replied. "What's wrong with that?"

"Oh come on, Chloe!" Beca raised her voice, but still kept everything low-key. "You just didn't like the fact that I was hanging out with Alex. Admit it. I mean, what's with you?"

"Alright. I am jealous." Chloe blurted out. "I am, because you won't smile that way whenever you're with me!"

"Then why would you do that? Why would you come over and make it look like that we're dating or something." Beca replied. "News flash, Chloe, we aren't!" Beca exclaimed. "And do you know that Alex has no idea of the thing between Jesse and I? Oh God, you're going to make it worse!"

"I assumed you told her since you hang out all the time!"

"No, I didn't! I didn't even "break-up" with Jesse after we talked."Beca blurted out.

"Why not?" Chloe looked sad. "I thought you would."

"I didn't."

"Don't you trust me?"

"I want to, Chloe." Beca sighed. "I don't know. Really. And then you come over when Alex and I were talking, and then you act all weird. It's disappointing you know? I gave you a chance to prove yourself, and then look at you… it's like you relapsed or something." Beca looked at the redhead this time, sincerely. "Ugh. Do me a favor, will you?"

"What is that?" Chloe asked.

"Don't make me feel like what I did the previous night was a mistake. This isn't you, Chloe." Beca met the redhead's eyes. "If ever things work out, I want the real Chloe back. And I believe beneath all that fame and fortune of yours, there's still that Chloe Beale I fell in love with." Beca sighed. "Prove everyone wrong."

"What are you doing here?" Jesse asked Alex. He was surprised to see her out instead of being with Beca.

"Beca's talking to Chloe." Alex shared. She noticed the sudden look on his face. "They're just talking. You jealous or something?" She joked.

Jesse then realized that Alex really didn't know a thing at all about their sham relationship. He wanted to tell her, but he thought that it would be better if Beca would do it instead. "Hey Alex, you like Beca, right?"

"Uhm…" Alex blushed. "I know my place, Jesse. You're the boyfriend. Then she's in with her ex-girlfriend."

"The one with Chloe? How did you know?"

"I kind of figured everything out myself. Connect the dots, know that game?" She grinned. "That's funny though, is Chloe trying to get her back? I mean, are you okay with that?"

"I trust Beca." Jesse shrugged. "She knows what she's doing. We have to believe in her."

Stacie approached the redhead as soon as Beca left. "Are you alright?"

"Uh huh." Chloe sighed. "Can you be honest with me? Do you think I'm trying too hard?"

"I don't think you're even trying at all." Stacie replied.

"This is more difficult than what I expected it to be." Chloe complained.

"I thought you already expected that?"

"I thought way ahead of myself." Chloe watched Beca and Jesse get in Alex's car. "I just don't know how to deal with it."

"Let's be grateful that Beca didn't change her mind with what you did. Just let things fall in its natural pace, okay?" Stacie held the redhead's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You know why it's difficult?"

"Yup." Chloe nodded. "Beca already knows what she wants and deserves. That's why I really have to work hard. Am I right?"

"Exactly. The one you did earlier? That won't work. It would work-before." Stacie had no choice but to tell Chloe upfront. "This time, it's different. You don't have to rush her or bombard her. Reflect on it, Chloe. It's all here." Stacie put her hand on Chloe's heart. "The answers are all here."

"The problem isn't with Beca." Chloe realized. "The problem is with me."

A/N: I should have put this up immediately after I uploaded the last one- I'm sorry. I know that I have disappointed a lot of you with the previous chapter, and maybe, even with this one. But, I just want to say that with this chapter, I wanted to show that despite the fact that Beca gave Chloe a chance, it doesn't mean that she'll immediately be Chloe's girlfriend-there's still a need for Chloe to prove herself. It's not like they're together again-no, it's not that. I had to establish that here.

Again, I apologize to everyone. I know that there some of you who are really mad at me, but can I please say something? I appreciate all criticisms, since it's a part of it all, but I really don't like it when people hit below the belt. I recently got a guest review saying that I'm a moron, and I should stop writing since I'm wasting too much of that person's time, since that person didn't like what happened. That was way too low.

To that Guest: I'm sorry, but I don't only write for you alone-nor do I write according to reviews. I already have the story outlined, so I just go on as planned. I understand that you didn't like the previous chapter, I do. We're all entitled to our own opinions, and I respect you for that. But since I love all my readers whether they are guests or not, I again, apologize for how you must have felt with the previous chapter.

So yeah, I'm sorry. But, you can't stop me from writing. x