Chapter 11
Cole has sat beside Phoebe's bed for almost an hour. He clench and unclench his fist as he stares at her bruises all over her face and body. He recalls how scared and defenseless Phoebe was at the parking lot. I should be there to protect her! he thought for a while. What the hell am I talking about? I want to protect her! I want to be at her side at all times.. why do I feel like this?
"Cole?"
He quickly turn towards Phoebe and gave her shaky smile. "How are you feeling honey?"
Phoebe looks around. "Where am I? Am I in the hospital? I have to get out of here!"
"Don't worry, Phoebe," Cole reassures her. "I've arrange for a private room. No one knows you're here. I know your reputation is very important"
Phoebe gave a sigh of relief. "My company's very strict on reputation. I could get fired if this gets out"
He pats her hand reassuringly. "No one will know about this incident, Phoebe. I promise you"
"Phoebe, are you okay?"
Phoebe smiles. "I'm fine Piper, this is your third call today, and you always start off with the are-you-okay sentence"
"Well, are you?," Piper asks.
"For the billion times, I'm fine, Piper and please ask Paige to put the keys down and to step away from the door, she doesn't have to come here, I'm fine," Phoebe said exasperated. Automatically she heard a door slam and footsteps coming towards the door.
"Boy, Paige does has loud footsteps," Phoebe commented. She heard a chortle from Piper before Paige cut in. "I do not have loud footsteps!"
"I could hear your footsteps on the phone"
"Well, that's because I'm wearing slippers," Paige said. "So, are you sure I don't have to be there with you?"
"Of course I'm sure. If you and Piper come, they will definitely recognize me. I'm here under a different name you know"
"Fine, fine. Your reputation is very important to you. Stay safe Phoebe," Paige said worriedly.
"Thanks. Bye," Phoebe said, smiled and offs her phone. Stay safe. She looks at Cole. I will be safe with Cole by my side.
"Are you sure you're okay?," Cole asks worriedly. "You should stay a couple more days at home you know"
Phoebe sighed. "I'm fine Cole. One more word about resting, and I'll make sure YOU will be resting at home, permanently"
Cole lifts his hand in surrender. "Fine. Pick you up after work?"
"Em.. pick me up from work?," Phoebe asks. "Tate is in jail for crying out loud. I'm safe now"
"Yeah sure, but from now on, you're never leaving my sight"
Phoebe flush. "What do you mean by that?"
He lifted a brow. "Isn't it pretty obvious?"
She crosses her arms. "Amuse me"
He looks around, and starts to get uncomfortable. "Look, maybe we should discuss this some place else?"
"I agree-"
"Kate!"
Both of them turn towards Henry Denton. "Henry!". Before Cole could blink, Henry enfolds Phoebe in a hug.
"Where have you been? I've called many times, but you've never called me back!," Henry asks worriedly. "Where have you been?"
Cole lifts a brow. This doesn't sound like a worried boss.. this sounds like a worried lover!
"I'm fine, Henry. I was out of town. You didn't have to worry," Phoebe assured him hurriedly after seeing Cole's angry face. "I'll meet you inside Henry". Throwing a longing face at Phoebe, Henry turns to walk into the building.
"What the hell was that?," Cole said angrily.
"What are you talking about?," Phoebe replied.
"That's not your boss talking to you! It's more like a lover!"
Phoebe crosses her arms. "Are you.. jealous?"
"Jealous? Jealous?!," Cole laughs loudly. "Why should I be jealous? You should know that men aren't easily jealous like you women.."
"Oh ho, Mr. not jealous man, well, if you must know..," Phoebe hesitated. "Henry.. is indeed my boyfriend"
"Whhaatt!," Cole shouted. "Are you kidding me?!"
"Shhhh!," Phoebe hissed at him. "People are looking!"
"How do want me to react?! Congratulate you? Do you know I was going to ask you to be my girl-," Cole paused. "Look, I'm gonna go now". And he left.
I wonder whether telling Cole about me and Henry was the right thing?, Phoebe thought as she stirs her coffee. Me and Henry started going out after a month he hired me.. what was I to do? Henry's cute, charming and has a sense of humor. I didn't expect Cole to be in my life again. Suddenly she was tired of planning on revenge on Cole. Every time I'm one step of Cole, the next thing I know, I'm two steps behind him, and I'm sick and tired of all this shit.
"Kate? Maggie Watson is here to see you," Anna said through the intercom.
"Oh, goody," Phoebe muttered. "Send her in"
Maggie breezed in. "Hello Kate, long time no see"
"Okay, could you make this quick? I'm kinda in a hurry here?," Phoebe pretends to find some notes on her cluttered table.
"Sure," and threw some pictures onto her table. Curious, Phoebe picks up the pictures and froze. The pictures were taken the night Tate attack her in the parking lot. Phoebe looks up chillingly.
"Where did you get this?," Phoebe asks coldly.
"Oh, those pictures of you and Tate? Not very pretty isn't it?," Maggie removes an invisible flint from her dress. "It wouldn't be good for you if this picture gets out right?"
"Are you blackmailing me?," Phoebe demanded.
"Well, some people would call it such..."
"What do you want?," Phoebe asks angrily.
"My, my.. such impatience," Maggie giggles. "Well, do you remember our conversation a couple of days ago?"
"What conversation?"
"The conversation on how my company could give you profits.. and mine of course. A contract, darling. Don't you remember?"
"No, I don't remember meaningless conversations," Phoebe said. And was pleased when she saw Maggie's face darken.
"You do like to get on my nerves, don't you?," Maggie said. "Well, this time, I'm the one in charge now, so, what do you say about our deal?"
"Well, first of all, I think you're just one heck of a spoiled child who must always get her way, and I can't believe you would stoop so low just to get what you want.. well, it actually doesn't surprise that you would do stuff like this.. common, it's you we're talking about"
Phoebe gave a satisfactory smile when she saw Maggie grinding her teeth in anger. Maggie slams her hand on the table. "Are you done with insulting me? I'm the one in charge now, missy, and don't you forget it. Do you agree, or not?"
"Fine," Phoebe bite out. "Give me the negatives, now"
"Oh no," Maggie said happily and stood up, Phoebe stood up along. "After we sign the contracts, then, you can get the negatives.. unless.. I have better use for them..". She laughs evilly and waltzed out the office. Phoebe slowly unclench her fist and breathe heavily.
How on earth did Maggie took pictures of Tate attacking her at the parking lot? How did she even know Tate would be there? Did she happen to be there with a camera? That doesn't make sense.. But the main problem is.. what the hell is going on with my life??
She has a boyfriend.. she has a boyfriend??, Cole thought as he tossed his drink down in one gulp. Well, what do you expect, Cole. Do you expect her to be waiting forever? You're an idiot Cole!! The thought of Phoebe in Henry Denton's arms made him red, and pour a large portion of brandy into his glass and tossed it down.
