Chapter 8

'Cove of Cork'

"We boarded the same train. I missed my stop for you but... I know we're still meant to part. What am I supposed to do now that we've reached the end?"

Friday

Chloe stirs, stretching languidly as she notices soft noises of the city spurring up to life with the start of another day.

It's exactly five in the morning, a time which Chloe's body is accustomed to waking up, even without an alarm clock.

When Bella jumps up on top of her, she smiles, finally remembering where she is as she mumbles, "I'm up. I'm up,"

Sitting up, she stretches once more with a yawn before standing up to fold her blanket and stack up her pillows neatly.

She then crosses over to the kitchen, pausing for a moment on her way when she realizes that Beca's door was still left slightly a jar. Last night, Beca had sleepily mumbled about leaving the door open—something about preparing in case of a fire or apocalyptic earthquake—before crashing down the bed.

This morning, the producer has curled up underneath the sheets, surrounded by what seems like an army of pillows.

She wonders if Beca feels better now. She hopes she does.

Finally, deciding to give the sleeping brunette more time to sleep, Chloe continues on.

After an hour and a half, she's washed up and almost done cooking breakfast. By this time, she hears the blaring alarm being silenced in Beca's room for the third time. Finally, there's movement as she hears little muted noises and footsteps. It has her silently anticipating the moment the brunette walks out.

Beca in the office may be about getting right down to business, formal, highly organized and filled with such class from her shoulder-length hair combed to perfection, without a single strand out of place, down to her iron-pressed outfits and unblemished shoes yet surprisingly, Beca at home, before eight in the morning is simply an endearing sleepyhead with slightly messy bed hair, black oversized Give Me Coffee or Die shirt and eyes struggling to open as she groans about wishing for Sunday to come so she can stay in bed all day.

Chloe holds back a laugh as she bites her lip, a smile playing along her features before she pushes Beca's coffee cup towards her.

Beca eagerly takes a sip after a relieved 'Thank god' and unlike the first time Chloe made her omelets and toast with the presentation of a six year old—something that would make Gordon Ramsey throw a pan off the window—Beca dives in the dish without a look of skepticism.

She still frowns at Chloe's milky and sugary coffee cup though.

Guess some things just don't change.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes," she blurts out in an attempt for a conversation.

"I bet that's the reason why you keep crashing my place. That, and my cat," Beca mumbles and Chloe tilts her head as she sheepishly smiles.

"About that expensive perfume by the way…" she teases as Beca suddenly coughs up, beating her chest before eyeing her warningly.

"I can already smell my shampoo on your hair and my lotion. Stay away from my perfume," Beca points out, eyeing her sharply.

Chloe ends up wearing said perfume.

It's already seven past five when there's a knock at the door, the sound of the lock opening and in a few seconds Stacie pops in only to freeze, yet again, at the sight of them both—more like at Chloe wearing Beca's clothes while giddily about to spray perfume on her neck.

"It's not what you think," Beca immediately says in monotone as she walks towards Chloe, steps filled with purpose before taking the perfume bottle out of her hands and spritzing it up the air right above her—as she strictly says perfume should be used.

"Morning, Stace! This one over here got sick and was being stubborn when it comes to working herself to death last night so, here I am," she simply explains.

"O…kay?" Stacie replies, still looking mildly confused at the both of them before straightening up and composing herself

"Since both of you are conveniently here, let me remind you two that it's a Friday, the last Friday of the month to be exact, and therefore, we all go clubbing at Bellissimo tonight, like we always do on the last Friday of the month," she says, eyes landing straight at Beca like a warning as she says this.

The producer only rolls her eyes and exhales at this before getting ready to dodge Stacie's upcoming flick—assault—on her forehead. She fails.

"Oh, we might… not stay long though," Chloe cuts in, eyes darting back and forth between the two brunettes.

"And… why is that?" Stacie slowly asks, Bella now in her arms and the confusion back in her face.

"Important evening appointments," Chloe answers with a grin.

"It's a surprise she still won't tell me about," Beca mutters while Stacie's head instantly whips at Chloe's direction. "If I'm not home by midnight, call the police and track my phone's GPS," Beca adds to which Chloe quickly defends, eyes boring at Beca as she assures that the producer would end up thanking her.

"And where is this 'important appointment' happening?" the long-legged fashion designer asks.

"Somewhere… cool and fancy," Chloe explains mysteriously before eyeing Beca, "That I'm sure you'd love. Basically, they have lots of wine. I checked," she proudly says.

"Oh that's a relief. Can't wait," Beca says in pure sarcasm.

On the other hand, there's a look on Stacie's face she can't fully decipher. It's something akin to concern as she glances at Beca and somehow, Chloe suddenly remembers what exactly this day holds for Beca herself.

Stacie seemed to want to say something but when Beca starts walking towards the door, reminding them of the time and welcoming death rather than being late, it remains unsaid.

Whatever it is, Beca surely wants nothing more but to avoid it.

In the end, it's her that Stacie turns to, a gentle hand on her arm to stop her, leaving her with words that would bother her all day.

"Don't let her drink too much wine or whiskey and if anything happens, call us. At least, call me. And Chloe, please, don't ever leave her side tonight,"

Today, coincidentally, was supposed to be Beca's wedding. Chloe may not know the full story but the sadness in Beca's eyes is enough for her to understand the situation.

One year clearly wasn't enough to heal a shattered heart.

Focus is clearly not something Beca has today. Her morning has already started heavy with memories clogging up her mind from finishing any work. Suddenly she wishes that she was still sick. It would at least keep her from… thinking straight.

It doesn't even help that her friends keep worriedly glancing her way and how could they not?

Today was supposed to be... special.

She hates it.

She hates how unescapable it was, the memory of it and the emotional baggage it had left. No matter how hard she tried to think of anything else, something always pulls her back to it.

Even her mother has called her today all of a sudden and Beca had to assure her a million times that she's going to be okay.

Having said that, she glances at Chloe's direction, suddenly reminded of the very words the redhead has said to her last night.

Now she isn't completely confident enough to say that she's really doing okay.

Had she ever really been okay?

Shaking her head, Beca gets back to work mode, hoping to drown out all those thoughts in the very back of her mind.

She just prays that this day quickly ends so she can finally grab a glass of Jessica's expertly concocted alcohol and avoid the whole pity fest going on around her.

"What are you feeling like?" Chloe asks, Beca's phone in her hands as she scrolls through one of Beca's playlists on the Amplify app.

"Something smooth and relaxing," Beca replies distractedly as she meticulously adjusts the rear view mirror of her car.

"So… Khalid or Gallant?" Chloe asks again, seemingly having an internal debate going in her mind on which song to play, a frown forming on her head as she continues to browse.

"Uhh… Khalid," Beca absentmindedly answers as she finally gets the mirror's angle right.

"Okay. Oh! This one's perfect. Haven't heard this in a while," Chloe eagerly says as she chooses Khalid's Coaster.

The song continues to play as Beca finally locks in her seatbelt only to pause for a moment as the lyrics flow in.

All the things that I did for you, just wasn't it for you

Chloe's frown is slowly growing back in her face as she anxiously bites on her thumb, fingers itching to undo her mistake.

Moving on seems harder to do—

Beca inhales sharply, "On second thought, I think Gallant—"

"Yeah! Gallant it is!" Chloe quickly jumps in, nodding, the song changing in a flash to Gallant's Cave Me In.

"Seriously? Why are you both like this? We're never going to get to the club at this rate!" CR cuts in, loudly sighing from the back of the car and muttering her complaints—Y'all have serial killer traits—while Jesse rolls the end of his necktie in boredom, slowly shaking his head in disappointment.

Beca settles on one of the bar's stools she has long claimed as hers every last Friday night of the month while Jessica whips her a drink. It's seven in the evening and the group's still incomplete.

Ashley comes up to her side, setting a tray on the bar table for the new batch of orders, a familiar set of drinks to be exact and Beca already knows that two of those are for Amy to consume at the same time. It's what she calls Boom! There Goes My Sanity.

"I'd like to apologize again in advance for all the trouble the kids are going to cause," Beca says as she eyes her friends.

From the noise they are causing, it seems Aubrey has finally arrived.

Sighing, Beca grabs her drink and slides off the stool to head over their spot. Better to return now rather than suffer having to hear Amy or Flo yell for her like she's a child lost in a jungle—they had illegally used the club's sound system one time and had to be tackled away the microphone by security.

Since there's no need for introductions this time, CR proposes the first round of shots for the night. There's some lighthearted chatter around the table as they catch up with each other. Stacie invites all of them for her upcoming Fall collection launch in a few weeks while Amy has made them all swear to clear their schedules next month for, what she dubs as her wildest birthday bash. Of course, Amplify's biggest event doesn't escape the conversations and Beca is more than happy to let Chloe and Jesse do the explaining. They've honestly been preparing for a year and by this time, talking about it is getting exhausting.

A quick check of the time lets Beca know that she only has one hour left before she finds out where exactly the redhead psycho is taking her.

Taking a sip of her cocktail, she hopes to gain enough confidence to face whatever comes tonight.

Realizing that she might as well grab another glass, most probably the last one for the night, she excuses herself and returns back to the bar.

"I'll have what she's having," Chloe says to Jessica as she suddenly takes the stool next to hers.

Turning to Chloe, Beca tries her luck one last time, "At least give me a clue on who we're meeting," she exhales, subtly eyeing the redhead's deep blue knee-length dress for the night.

Appreciating beauty is not a crime after all and she has eyes with perfect 20/20 vision.

Or maybe she should stop consuming alcohol for tonight. It's messing with her head and Beca would very much like to keep whatever it is confined inside her head—or heart—to herself.

"Can't you just trust me for once?" Chloe replies with a smug smile—that Beca just wants to wipe off using her own lips.

Pushing away her glass, because it's the safest thing to do right now, Beca swivels her seat back to it's original position in order to keep her eyes off Chloe, "Trust is… something that I find difficult to give," she softly admits.

She feels Chloe's eyes fall heavily on her and really, she didn't intend for this to become some sentimental moment.

Being around Chloe just keeps opening doors within her she thought she's shut and locked away. It's getting so difficult to ignore all of it now.

She awkwardly glances down her watch instead, "Well, we should get going. You know I hate being late," she says with a light smile.

She motions to leave but a gentle hand clasping her own stops her.

When she reluctantly turns to the source, she finds eyes not filled with pity but with something that makes her insides twist and her chest bloom with warmth.

"There's nothing wrong with that… finding it hard to trust people. It is something that is earned and when you are entrusted to it, you should keep it safe because it's special. Nobody has the right to break it,"

Chloe looks at her sincerely and Beca finds just how calming those beautiful hues of blues are. She could drown in them and she wouldn't even care.

Her hand twists slowly, holding Chloe's hand as a silent reply because she can't trust her lips anymore.

Not when they are filled with longing. To believe in every word, to give her trust and to want what she could never have.

"Surprise!" Chloe excitedly says as they stop in front of the Ricardi Bellagio.

"See, I told you, cool and fancy. Reserving a table here takes months, well, except if you're rich and influential then it won't be a problem," Chloe says as she looks at the huge Italian restaurant in awe before returning her gaze over to the Beca standing behind her.

"Shall we?" she asks yet she doesn't get a response.

"Beca?"

There's a look on the producer's face that doesn't reflect her own and Chloe wonders what the problem is.

Her words have seemed to finally register in Beca's consciousness as she snaps back to life.

"I'm sorry, just… overwhelmed that's all," the brunette quickly says and Chloe frowns knowing that something is definitely up.

"Hey," she gently says, putting a hand over Beca's arm. "Are you alright? Because if you're not then we don't have to stay long. We could wrap this up quickly and go home. Just tell me," she says, every word filled with concern.

"It's fine. Like I said, just a little overwhelmed. It does take months… getting a reservation to this place," Beca assures her yet there's something in her tone that tells Chloe that there's something more to those words.

Like a first hand experience.

"Would it ease your anxiety if I finally tell you why we're here and who we are meeting?" she asks, fingers fidgeting and head tilting a bit to the side as she rocks on her heels.

She's been anxious about this moment too. As a matter of fact, it took her a while before she could sleep last night with thoughts about this meeting hindering her from resting her mind. She's a mixture of anxious, nervous and excited ever since this morning.

"Definitely," Beca answers in a hopeful tone and Chloe finally spills her secret.

"We got it! She finally said yes!" she blurts out.

Beca's face remains impassive and clueless, however, and Chloe tries not to combust.

"Paris Blake is going to our music fest! I got her maybe to become a yes!" she happily says. "We're here to have her sign the contract," she adds, holding up the file case she's been carrying.

Beca's face only seems to go pale, the shock evident as well as she stays rooted to her spot. It confuses her for a moment but this is a really sudden news and Stacie did say how much Beca hates surprises.

"I know this event means a lot to you so I had to fight for this because Paris being there will ensure the success of this festival," she says, stepping closer to fully face Beca.

"And like I said, I don't give up. I won't and I refuse to prove you right. I promised you this contract and here it is," she says with pride as dark stormy blues look at her prompting Chloe to admit sheepishly, "Even if I had to cry at the steps of a Metro car show, harass Barden media with my incessant emails, learn a gambling card game at a photoshoot to fight boredom, bribe the staff and stalk the ladies room like a creep," she smiles, looking down her high heels.

"So, can we go do this contract signing thing so I can call you 'Becs' and plan play dates for our cats?" she eagerly asks.

There's a mixture of emotions forming in Beca's face, those sad eyes flitting at her and back to the restaurant. For a moment, Chloe feels as if she's going to turn and leave but one deep breathe later, she looks back at her with this tinge of determination as if she finally made a choice.

Before Chloe could think any more to it, Beca straightens up, adjusting her dark gray suit, cotton white button down shirt, metallic rings and all, masking herself with that confident look she has whenever she is meeting one of the company's executives. The one that has earned her a reputation in the company. She nods once before speaking, "Let's go get that signature then,"

A smile springs on Chloe's face as she follows Beca inside. Chloe gives the name Paris chose to reserve under—an infamous way celebrities make reservations to keep the media out of their personal matters.

They are immediately escorted to the balcony upstairs where an empty table awaits them. It's ten minutes to nine and Chloe remembers what Paris said about this hour being the only free time she could give. With the new album being launched, various endorsements and press appearances, Paris is surely one of the busiest people in Hollywood these days.

So they wait.

Honestly, Chloe is just thankful to be there first because she feels her nerves bouncing everywhere. Next to her, Beca is the total opposite as she remains still in her seat, leaning back comfortably, deep in her own thoughts.

She must've done this a hundred times by now and Chloe envies that cool composure Beca gives off.

"Have you met her in person?" she suddenly asks, breaking Beca's thoughts. She did remember the way Paris had read Beca's name with so much meaning and she wonders if they had ran into each other by now.

"Yes," comes the short answer and Chloe waits for her to explain yet at this point it seems unlikely.

She would have asked something else like when can they order dinner or champagne—since it's a moment to be celebrated after all—when Paris Blake finally appears.

Chloe is up on her feet in no time and Paris greets her fondly. Those green irises looked tired yet still, she looked so beautiful with her unblemished skin, her smooth soft hair and that fresh sweet scent. Her designer blouse and jeans are no doubt expensive and her high heels shimmer even from a far.

Paris then fixes her attention towards Beca and Chloe is just about to introduce her, just in case Paris forgot ever meeting the producer, when the singer beats her to it.

"Becs,"

The nickname, said so softly and meaningfully, makes Chloe pause as she watches Beca's eyes lock into green orbs, face void of any emotion before she finally speaks.

"Rachelle,"

The silence that follows is uncomfortable and Chloe feels as if she's been thrown into a pool of ice water. The shock takes a while to wear off—it might not any time soon—and suddenly everything makes sense.

Beca had been sure that Paris wouldn't take the offer, more than sure actually.

Despite the producer's wide range of songs, none of Paris' work was included in Beca's music library. Even though Chloe knew that regarding Beca's taste in music, she would've liked them.

She even went as far as to saying she hated the song Friday which Chloe would've inquired further if Beca hadn't been sick.

Chloe should've known.

She had went through Paris' public biography many times. The sudden cancellation of show tours last year due to personal reasons, Paris not knowing who Amplify's—the biggest online music company—newest producer is despite having such a long list of connections in the industry and recently, for some reason, her sudden change of decision to sign the contract with the condition that Chloe brings Beca.

Most importantly, Chloe had overlooked the biggest clue. Paris Blake's real name.

Rachelle Anne Coltman.

But how was she to know? It was almost impossible that this Rachelle is Beca's Rachelle.

At this point, Chloe doesn't exactly know what to feel. There's a rush of emotions ranging from confusion to anger to guilt and possibly even hurt.

Anger at Beca for not telling her who Paris was to her in the first place. Had she known, none of this would've happened.

Guilt at the fact that perhaps Beca just wasn't ready to talk about the woman who left a gaping hole in her heart, betrayed her and caused such misery, one which Chloe could never imagine.

It was her idea in the first place. The big pitch in her presentation which she forced Beca to bet on.

Hurt at the sight she is seeing at the moment. This day had held such a burden in Beca's life and now she suddenly has to face the very person who caused it. The pain in those eyes are unmistakable.

Chloe can't protect her from this. Nobody can and she helplessly watches as the brunette manages to push through despite everything, head held high amidst the sudden turn of events.

Suddenly, Chloe feels like grabbing the glass of water in front of her and hurling its contents straight at Paris—Rachelle's face.

"It's an honor that you've decided to perform at our annual music fest. I'm sure that it's something that the fans would love to look forward too," Beca starts and Chloe's water throwing plans quickly simmer down.

The producer looks terrifyingly composed given the situation and Chloe instantly recognizes the Beca she is used to seeing in Amplify. The one that spearheaded one of the company's major events, the very same one that held the highest level of success in years. The respected over-all producer of events.

There's that practiced smile, the steady flow of well thought words, the easy rhythm of the conversation and the confidence that is carried all throughout their small business dinner.

It is then that Beca's words the night when she first crashed the brunette's place all come back to her and now she sees it clearly, where Beca was coming from when she warned Chloe that hearts as soft as hers will never make it in such a physically and emotionally draining job. Being entangled in this industry is not always fun.

It can destroy you.

Silently, her gaze travels towards Paris and finds that there's a look that tells Chloe that this wasn't what she was expecting. Beca's choice to opt for professionalism evokes the same amount of professionalism from the singer herself.

With the addition of Chloe's presence, personal issues are held back as the conversation regarding the contract continues without any hitches.

It doesn't take long until Paris is signing the renewed contract and champagne fills up their wine glasses.

Beca excuses herself to head to the comfort room and before Paris even thinks about it, Chloe is already up, throwing a hurried excuse of her own and quickly following the brunette.

"Beca," she starts, finding the producer in front of the sink. Hands on the edges, head down, eyes cclosed and shoulders slumped as if the whole thing took all the energy out of her.

It probably did. It's not easy, what Beca had just managed to do and face tonight.

It takes a few moments of silence before Beca finally looks up, eyeing her through the wide mirror in front of them.

"You convinced her. I'm impressed. You did a really good job, more than great actually considering how that deal had always been close to… impossible"

"I think you and I both know the real reason why she agreed to this," Chloe says. "And it was definitely not my flowery words and persistence," she adds.

"Still, she wouldn't be here without you,"

"Beca—"

"I'm fine, Chloe," Beca cuts her off quickly, almost like a plea to drop it. "Let's just finish this," she insists before walking past her and heading back to where Paris was.

With heavy steps, she follows without a word and forces down the bitter taste in her mouth.

"Again, it's a pleasure to have you with us this year," she hears Beca say, offering a hand for Paris to shake, eyes empty even with that practiced smile. They have just finished all three courses and are now preparing to part ways. The handshake was surely meant to be brief but before Beca withdraws, the singer's hold visibly tightens.

"Can we talk for a moment, Becs?"

The question is clear and Chloe knows that what she really meant was for her to leave and give them a moment of privacy. Somehow, she doesn't like that thought.

Stacie's reminder this morning hangs above her head but at this point, it's all up to Beca. It's her choice that really matters right now and Chloe's got a feeling that it's surely going to be Rache—

"I'm sorry but it's getting late. It's been a long day and I still have to take Chloe home. This… would have to wait," she says in a tone of finality as she retracts her hand back from Paris' hold.

"Have a good night," she adds before turning to leave.

Chloe doesn't even have a word to spare for the singer. If she did it is guaranteed to hurt and if not for Beca, she wouldn't even think twice about it. So she walks away instead, catching up to Beca's pace as they head back to the car.

The whole ride is filled with heavy silence and Chloe doesn't deal with heavy silences well. So when they finally stop in front of her apartment building, she's had enough of it.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Chloe blurts out the question as soon as Beca unlocks the car.

"Work and pleasure are two things nobody should mix together," Beca sighs, shoulders now sagging, head leaning back and eyes shut closed.

"Don't give me that crap. You should have told me who she was!"

"Then what, Chloe? What if I did then?" she demands, dark blue eyes finally opening to look at her piercingly.

"T-Then I would've stopped! Because clearly, she used my desperation to have her join our event to get to you. She insisted that I brought you with me. She's… she's such a bitch!" she almost screams out in frustration, feeling regret now that her earlier plan to give the singer a refreshing facial didn't happen.

The silence swallows them again while Chloe breathes heavily and Beca massages her temples.

"I said it's fine," Beca softly says but Chloe wasn't having it.

"It's not! You know it isn't, Beca. Stop saying that," she cries out.

The brunette finally pushes open the car's door, stepping out to walk around and open hers, prompting her to get out.

"C'mon, we got the contract signed. We're both tired. Let's just call it a night" Beca says.

Exhaling heavily and left without a choice, Chloe finally steps out. She hears the door shut behind her and Beca's footsteps walking away.

"You didn't have to meet her," she begins and the footsteps come to a stop. Chloe takes it as her cue to continue.

She turns around, Beca's back facing her, "Before we entered the restaurant, I told you that she'd be there to meet us. You could've just said no. You could've just left… but you still did it,"

Beca remains motionless, not even bothering to face her.

Chloe knows she's pushing it too far. Knows that she should stop but now that she's involved in this, she just can't leave it be.

"You said it from the beginning. The show would survive even without her. So, why?" she asks.

"Why bother when you clearly didn't even want to talk to her privately? Was it really worth it, having to go through all that, put up a fake smile and act all chummy with your evil ex-fianceé just so we could what? Have a super successful event?" she presses on, moving closer.

"Yes! Yes it was!" Beca finally says, frustration evident in her tone which makes Chloe stop because it seems that there's more to this than she initially thought.

Beca's voice falters as she turns to her.

"For you… it was worth it,"

Chloe feels like something hard slammed her chest and knocked the air out of her. Her confusion growing as she tries to take in what all of that meant.

"I don't... understand. Why…" she slowly asks despite already having a dreadful feeling as to what the answer might be.

"You wanted this so badly, to prove me wrong and show the world that you can do it," Beca says, eyes casting down the ground.

"I had no right to get in the way of that. I didn't want to either," she continues in barely a whisper that she's not sure if Chloe heard.

"You worked so hard for this. It doesn't matter if I have to meet the one person in the world who broke me apart into an irreparable mess tonight, of all nights, because…" she pauses, words seemingly hanging at the tip of her tongue and Chloe's heart beats loudly at the possibilities.

"Because you're special and getting burned in the process… was worth it,"

Beca eyes meet hers one last time, deep shades of blue filled with pain Chloe will never be able to ease as she stands rooted to her spot, different emotions pouring down in waves.

But words are lost even as Beca leaves and under the quiet night sky, Chloe's never felt so helpless.

Saturday

"Chloe!"

The mention of her name snaps Chloe's attention back to reality as she looks up at Aubrey. Suddenly she remembers why she is in Aubrey Posen's LA residence.

"Are you alright? I've been trying to catch your attention a gazillion times," Aubrey asks, head peeking from behind her massive walk-in closet and hands full with two beautiful outfits.

"Yeah, sorry, just thinking… things," she mumbles distractedly as she stares down at the gorgeous shoes Aubrey asked her to try on.

There's a party tonight. A top music executive's birthday party to be exact and people from all industries related to Hollywood are surely going to attend. Of course Amplify's events team has been invited and since Aubrey is also coming—the perks of being Velvet magazine's editor in-chief—they've decided to go together.

Stacie will try to catch up since she's still busy making sure her collection is perfect for the upcoming fashion show while CR and Jesse decided to just meet them there.

Aubrey has been so generous to offer her clothes that would surely make her stand out in a sea of glittering people.

But as exciting as it all sounds, Chloe does not have the heart to smile and be thrilled with the prospect of meeting Hollywood hotshots. Sleep had been elusive and now she feels like drifting into a vast ocean aimlessly.

"Bree?" she softly mumbles as she traces the hem of the dress Aubrey had thrown her way earlier.

"Hm?" the muffled response comes as the blonde continues scouring her closet for pieces to match with her outfit.

"Have you ever… hurt someone without meaning to?" she slowly asks.

The rummaging stops and Aubrey's head pops out from behind the closet door, a curious look in her eye.

"Hurt them how exactly?" she asks back cautiously.

Chloe chews her lip guiltily before exhaling loudly, a hand running across her red locks.

"Like… you unintentionally made them fall in love with you and now things are complicated because… you just…" her words trail off, the frustration rising at the pit of her stomach as she sighs heavily, not knowing how else to express all this heavy emotions.

"Don't feel the same way but don't know how to tell them because you care about them and don't want to hurt them?" Aubrey finishes for her, stepping away from the closet to sit down next to her.

Her words makes Chloe look at her like she's hit the right marks—which surprisingly, she did.

"I work for a magazine that actually has a relationship advice column in between all the fashion tips and interviews. I've heard this one before," Aubrey adds with a small smile.

"What should I do?" Chloe finally asks, not really caring anymore about anonymity. She's been desperate for an answer that she spent the entire night trying to find only to end up with nothing but dark eye circles.

Aubrey, in turn, places a hand over her arm warmly, "I'm no expert in relationships. I leave that to Lisa, our writer, but if you're going to ask me what I'd choose to do in a situation like this?" she says, thinking for moment before proceeding, "I believe that it'll hurt less for them if you'll be honest. If this person isn't an ass and really cares about you then they'd respect your decision. They'd accept that and move on. If not… then as Stacie says, get close, move your leg back then swing it up so hard until your knee hits them where it hurts," Aubrey answers truthfully, making Chloe shake her head.

Stacie, of course. The woman has unfortunately had tons of experience when it comes to jerks and douchebags that led her to earn a black belt in martial arts.

"She's nothing like that and that's what makes it harder… makes me feel guilty and inconsiderate," she almost whispers and if Aubrey heard everything, Chloe is grateful that she doesn't push for any more information.

"Those things are never easy and if you need someone you can talk to, I'm right here,"

Chloe nods, the heavy weight she's carrying easing up a bit as she finally smiles at Aubrey.

"Thanks," she sincerely says before shaking all those thoughts away and getting right back to their main focus, the birthday party happening tonight.

In a couple of hours, Chloe's all ready to strut any Hollywood red carpet as she steps out the car with Aubrey, her dark pink dress tracing her curves—plunging neckline included—matched with her sparkling, as she has called, Cinderella high heels.

Aubrey, looking elegant herself in a silver one shoulder dress, rates the look 'stunning' and 'magazine cover worthy'.

Jesse, looking handsome in his blue suit, and CR, dressed in a bold multicolor sequin jumpsuit, have arrived a minute earlier and are waiting by the hotel's entrance. Having them with her—along with the delighted praises they give her—eases Chloe's anxiety and hopefully she gets to enjoy the night even more as it progresses—and to also take at least one photo with Rihanna.

However, half an hour into the glamorous party and her hopes for an amazing night plummet down quickly. Chloe's mood turns unexpectedly sour as soon as one Paris Blake enters the room.

Of course she dazzles like the stars up above and commands everyone's attention immediately.

"And here I thought this hotel was snake free. They be crawling everywhere these days now," CR mutters, rolling her eyes as she downs her champagne and Aubrey clears her throat as a warning.

"But we're not here to wrangle snakes no matter how tempting it is so behave," she says as CR grumbles about threats regarding creepy crawlers bumping her way.

"That's Beca's ex-girlfriend," Jesse tells her after taking a sip from his cocktail.

"Cheatin', lyin', fake-ass bitch," CR cuts in with a wave of her hand.

"Yup, the famous Paris Blake is Beca's fourth mistake," Jesse continues as he smoothes his rose necktie, not noticing the lack of surprise from Chloe as he watches the singer, dressed in a beautiful red number as she poses for cameras.

Chloe eyes her with disgust.

"No wonder why Beca didn't want to come this year," CR comments before adding, "Somebody call the zoo, they're missing an occupant at the reptile section,"

"Or call Stacie, she's the expert in kick-ass animal wrangling," Jesse adds in as they high-five before turning to Aubrey expectantly.

Sensing their eyes on her, the blonde sighs, "What? It's not like she's my girlfriend. I don't have her schedule pinned on my fridge!" she answers before sipping her drink as they all look at her doubtfully.

In the end she adds in a softer tone, "She did say she might be late which is great because stopping her can be quite difficult when she is in… rage mode,"

"Rage mode," Jesse repeats as he and CR snicker. CR's subtle but not so subtle, 'Difficult but not impossible for a Posen' earning a sharp look from Aubrey herself before the birthday celebrant himself catches her attention. They greet each other like good friends—which they most definitely are—and talk about new projects from each of their line of expertise.

On the other hand, Chloe thinks it's not hard to imagine the possibilities had Stacie been here tonight. Despite the free and laid back overall attitude, Stacie Conrad is one hell of a storm when provoked.

Aubrey then introduces them to Henry, who just can't take a break from people greeting him left and right, invites them to have fun and encourages them to grab more drinks at the bar. He hastily leaves after being pulled away towards a huge cake that had been wheeled out just in time for the traditional blowing of sparkler candles followed by a chorus of cheers as fireworks go off above the glass ceilings.

Sparklers and fireworks. Guess Beca was certainly right about what to expect.

Her thoughts drift to the producer for a moment. Those earlier feelings of heaviness and worry coming back to remind her of last night.

Shaking them off, she decides to head to the ladies room for a bit. Slipping in and out the crowd until she finally reaches her destination.

Unfortunately, if she was hoping to find a place to breathe and clear her thoughts the ladies room might just be the last place Chloe should be entering because once her eyes look up, she finds Paris Blake touching up on her lipstick.

The singer spots her the moment she enters, eyes staring back at her from the mirror, reminiscent of that time they talked about hopes and dreams at another hotel restroom.

She's given a smile that Chloe loves to wipe off with a slap. Her blood boils just looking at her. She can't even believe how much she had adored her before she found out how manipulative and rotten she was. Chloe hated cheaters the most. Lying and faking everything in front of someone who loves you has got to be the most cruel thing a person could do.

"Chloe, you look lovely," Paris tells her while she takes the spot next to her.

"Thank you," she half heartedly says, not even bothering to glance her way.

"I don't see Beca around. Do you happen to know where she is?" she asks, trying to be subtle even though she seems to be failing.

As soon as the words leave her lips, Chloe is whirling around to face her, ready to unsheathe her claws. She's had enough fake smiling for tonight. Acting may be one of her passions but being a Hollywood robot is one thing she'll never be good at. Paris may be their biggest star for the music fest but Chloe's not tolerating any more of this.

"She's not coming. Not when you're here," she says through gritted teeth.

"Ah there it is," Paris hums, looking like she expected it. "So, they finally told you," she says, head tilting to the side as she continues to check herself in the mirror.

Chloe itches to smack her with her purse. The only thing stopping her is for the reason that said purse isn't hers but Aubrey's.

"I contacted you myself. You being in the music festival was solely my idea so if you have any questions or concerns regarding the event you can do so through me. Beca is going to be busy with important matters so stop bothering her," she bites back.

"Afraid that I'll steal her away from you?" Paris replies, finally facing her fully. Chloe frowns while the singer goes on.

"Just because you're occupying the spot were I once stood, doesn't mean that it's yours. Come to think of it, of all the women she could've chosen, it had to be a redhead who can sing. What do you think that says about your relationship?" Paris says in a provoking tone. One that is enough to make Chloe snap.

"Oh, no, I'm not afraid of anything and especially, not you. It's comfortable where I stand and I plan to stay for a very long time. Maybe even forever," she says, adapting the same provoking tone as she steps forward, eyes not breaking contact. She doesn't even bother correcting the singer. Not when she's found an edge in order to tear her apart.

"Beca is stronger thanks to you. She also now knows to choose wisely and pick the fresh from amongst the rotten. Ah, maybe I should be thanking you too," she smiles sarcastically. "If you hadn't had this terrible itch you had somebody else scratch a year ago then I wouldn't be here fully enjoying what you carelessly wasted," she finishes, not waiting for a reply as she leaves Paris Blake fuming with rage.

Chloe walks away with a triumphant smile which doesn't fade even as she heads back to her friends. Yet as soon as she tries to tell them what had a happened moments ago, Jesse almost chokes on his drink as they stare in surprise at the venue's entrance.

Chloe's smile finally disappears due to the fact of the appearance of one Beca Mitchell.

"See? I told you. No more cake or fireworks, the good stuff is finally being served and people are drunk enough so less serious interactions. We're just in time," Stacie says with a smirk as they enter the Hilton function hall. Her very own designed strapless red dress earning a lot of complimenting gazes which Stacie is very much used to by now.

"We've arrived. I've shown my face. Now can I leave?" Beca mutters, fingers anxiously tinkering with the metallic vintage necklaces complimenting her outfit, a white button down shirt underneath her pale blue suit.

Stacie smacks away her fidgeting hands before they both pose for the event's official photographer—photos will go straight to the glossy pages of Velvet magazine next month.

"Now there's proof that I came. Can I go now?" she mutters again only to be shut down by a stern 'No' coming from Stacie. They are then greeted by Henry, the birthday celebrant himself as Beca painfully puts up a decent smile.

It takes a whole lot of sappy compliments and catching up before the birthday celebrant is whisked away to another direction and Beca is back to fidgeting.

She hadn't planned on coming tonight because she's in no mood to party, has tons of much more important work waiting back in the office and last nights events would certainly make things… uncomfortable but Stacie had forcefully pulled her out of her pile of paperwork and kicked her into an outfit appropriate for the evening, stating that, eating free expensive food and alcohol is better than 'avoiding reality'—also, Stacie had her on a chokehold while dragging her away.

Stacie hands her a drink and Beca drinks immediately, hoping that the alcohol lessens the anxiety. It doesn't entirely work though because soon enough she spots her ex-fiancée chatting with acquaintances at the opposite side of the hall.

Unfortunately, with Paris actively starting to promote her upcoming album, this means that they'd be bumping into each other often and Beca had anticipated that. As a matter of fact, she had hoped that she wouldn't make an appearance tonight because now Stacie is fuming and ready to dive in for the kill.

"Hold me or I'm going to have my heels imprinted on her face and I really don't want to sacrifice my shoes!" Stacie hisses and Beca literally holds her, swiveling her just in time towards Aubrey's direction because she knows what her friend is capable of and those are not empty threats.

"Hey! You guys made it!" CR greets them and Jesse comments about some 'early Christmas miracle' that she's actually managed to leave work for a night of light partying.

Paris Blake becomes the main topic at one point but Aubrey tells them that thinking of worthless things is a waste of energy and when Beca agrees everyone instantly drops it.

But despite having Rachelle present, it's baby blue eyes that make Beca's heart fall into a messy beat.

Chloe looked lovely. She's always been beautiful but having her styled elegantly just made every woman in the room a distant blur.

The redhead's gaze meets her and it lacks the usual spark of energy she usually gives off. This makes her guilty because Beca knows she's made this awkward. Her stupid feelings had made the mistake of spilling out last night and regret had been her companion all night, trailing behind her like a shadow, reminding her about the mistakes she keeps repeating.

The only comfort she had was that the huge block weighing down her chest has been made light due to her unintentional confession. Letting out something she's tried so hard to keep is somehow freeing.

There's only one thing left to do and this is unconsciously the main reason she decided to go to the party.

Beca needs closure. She's spent a year with a gaping hole in her chest and she cannot afford another one. She wouldn't survive that.

Besides, there's something she needs to save.

Something far more important than unrequited feelings and impossible scenarios.

"Beca?" Chloe's voice is soft and uncertain behind her.

Beca's expected this. An hour into the party, she decides to get some space for herself to breathe and compose her thoughts. The space outside the hall was quiet and had a pretty view of the city. Nothing couldn't be any more perfect of a spot to clear her head.

She just hoped for more time but now that Chloe is here, guess time's up.

"Chloe," she says, turning to the redhead with a small smile on her face as she leans her back against the cement.

Beca receives a smile in return as Chloe leans her shoulder on the opposite pillar. The awkwardness follows. It's unavoidable given the situation.

"So," they both start at the same time and it's funny enough to earn another smile.

She motions for Chloe to go first and the redhead slowly nods.

"I thought you weren't coming tonight. What… changed?" she asks tentatively.

"First of all," Beca begins, "Stacie wasn't taking no for an answer," she smiles, shaking her head at the thought, "And second, I…" she trails off, choosing her words carefully.

"I wanted to talk to you… about last night. It's just wrong to leave things like that and I shouldn't have left without an explanation," she breathes out.

"Last night," Chloe starts this time and Beca's finger tangles around her necklace once more. Both of them avoiding each other's eyes. "Right, I just… wanted to know what exactly did you mean when you said that… well, that last thing you said… before you left?" Chloe asks and it's strange to find the naturally confident redhead this uncertain.

Inhaling deeply, Beca finally deems herself ready to answer this. It's out there now, open and bare. All she has to do now… is close it.

"I'm sorry," she exhales just as the flood of feelings start to bloom out of her chest.

It's hard but it's the only way.

"Beca, I should be the one saying that—"

"No, Chloe. I am sorry," she insists, taking up the courage to look up into those sad blue eyes.

"You have been nothing but annoyingly sweet and just so… you. These are my feelings and I don't want you to feel guilty or responsible for them. I'm sorry that I've burdened you with it. It was never my intention. And yes… I meant what I said last night about you," she confesses, slowly but surely.

"Honestly, I should be thanking you," she says and Chloe looks at her in confusion.

"Because I thought that being broken and empty is a permanent thing, that I'd never would be able to feel again. But then you came and there are parts of me that I thought would never be alive after all that pain," she blinks, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

"Last night, you made me realize that it's possible to restart again," she says, taking a step forward, hopeful.

"That all this time, I was only holding on to the memories. I got to face Rachelle again because it didn't hurt anymore. And that I was going to be okay because… you were there. So, thank you," she sincerely says.

She clears her throat, looking down for a moment before continuing, "I like you, Chloe, and I don't want you to change who you are or feel like it's your fault just because people find it so easy to…" she holds a steady gaze, words she's denied countless times finally making it's way out of her lips.

"… fall into your charm," she gets lost in an ocean of endless blue before catching her self in time.

"It just shows how awesome and genuine you are," there's a real smile on her lips now and she easily finds the words she thought she would have a hard time searching.

"I have no intention of trying to pursue this or force anything on you," she clarifies with a shake of her head. "I would never do anything that would make you uncomfortable or destroy something that you've already built with someone you love," she says, hoping to let Chloe know how much she meant every word.

"Which is why, all I truly want is that things would go back to the way they were—maybe a little less of the hanging out, you know what I mean," she quickly mumbles.

"A little personal distance between us, at least for now, would help so that someday… one day, maybe, at the right time, we could be friends? Well, that is if Paris Blake keeps her end of the contract in two months and… if you would still like to have me as… your friend?" she says, voice filled with anxiety softening by the end of her sentence.

The short moment of silence after she utters those words makes her fear the worse but Chloe squashes those fears down.

"We had a deal and I would love to have you as my friend… someday," Chloe replies with a growing smile on her lips and Beca already starts to hope for the future.

She nods, "Then I guess, I'd be seeing you on Monday?"

"I won't be late," Chloe fondly says.

Beca moves away to leave, having done what she meant to do all night, but Chloe stops her one more time.

"Beca, wait," she suddenly says and there's this look in her face that tells her that she's been itching to ask whatever seems to be bugging her all night.

"It's just curiosity—and you really don't have to answer this but… I just want to know if… Did I remind you of her? Was that why you felt things for me?" she says, a little too fast that it seems hard to decipher at first.

Beca's silent thinking must have Chloe suddenly going into a state of panic with the way she looks at her and fidgets with her bracelets. But before she retracts her words, Beca beats her to it.

"No. She's nothing like you. You are… special, Chloe," she says sincerely before finally walking away, her chest light and her mind free from worry. There's a sting somewhere in between her heart that keeps tugging at her but it's expected.

She's finally accepted it.

Leaving, since she's already way past her quota for socializing tonight, as she makes her way down the stairs, she is again brought to a stop and this time, it's none other than Rachelle herself.

And perhaps since she's in the process of closing things that are left open and hanging, she could finally close another unfinished chapter for good.

Following Rachelle towards the singers car, thoughts occupied with words she's longed to say for so long, she doesn't notice troubled baby blue eyes following her as she walks away.

Author's Note:

We've arrived at our final stop indeed. So, what now?

The end...?