Chapter 11

'Rose'

"I wonder how I'd tell you how lovely you are? I wonder how I'd tell you that from you I could never part? I wonder if roses as blue as your eyes can convey all these secret desires in my heart?"

Beca. The name that swims through Chloe's head all night making it hard for her to sleep. Dark blue irises look back at her whenever she closes her eyes, staring at her in a way that makes her stomach twist. If she lingers a bit, she could almost smell that familiar perfume that her senses already associate with the brunette. If she stays even longer, she starts seeing Beca in Rachelle's arms backstage at the music festival. The mere memory twists her insides the wrong way and it bothers her enough to angrily kick away the sheets.

It makes her feel so… irritated.

She hopes to restart tomorrow morning, to have everything figured out. But when Sunday morning comes greeting her with the gentle rays of the sun, there are so many more questions to ask and she's desperate for answers. Tossing and turning in her bed, she only releases frustrated sighs before finally getting up.

She stares in to space for a while, her body not really up to functioning in the regular pace as it normally does. It's like she's been dragging dead weight all night. When she comes back to her senses, she hears small noises outside her room. Aubrey must be up by now, getting ready for her daily morning run.

Chloe started joining her ever since she's began living with the blonde about a month ago.

A month since she left Matt.

Closing her eyes, she sets her thoughts elsewhere, back to where it had been drifting off to earlier.

Beca.

Chloe sighs again because these relentless thoughts about the brunette are starting to make her go crazy.

Deciding that a morning run would help clear her thoughts, she gets up to hurriedly change into an appropriate exercise outfit and join Aubrey in the living room. Her friend now also dressed in jogging gear as she ties up her running shoes.

When Chloe enters, Aubrey greets her with a smile and gestures for the door.

They have something important to discuss after all.

There's a question left unanswered last night because Aubrey, like Beca, needs to get at least seven hours of sleep to function and whatever they are going to talk about definitely requires more than seven hours of serious discussion.

She hasn't forgotten the look on Aubrey's face last night. One that is a mixture of shock, amusement, curiosity and disbelief rolled into one.

She expects the same look this morning when she greets her friend but Aubrey fixes her with something that seems ready to tackle down any issue there is, no matter how big it is. There isn't an ounce of judgement in those eyes. Only an open and accepting vibe, willing to help her with her dilemma.

Chloe just hopes she's ready for it.

The answer, that is.

"It's the same girl, isn't it? The one who confessed to you months ago."

It's the first question Aubrey asks her an hour into their run. They've stopped for a short break, walking slowly up on the hiking trail to a view overlooking the neighborhood.

Chloe takes a lungful of air, breathless after their run while she takes in the pleasant view.

There's no reason to hide it after all. Keeping it in would not help her. She already feels like exploding whenever she thinks of it. So she solemnly nods to affirm Aubrey's assumptions.

Chloe had never been the type to hold back. Once she likes someone, she boldly shows it. Her actions are always the first to betray her. Her body craves any sort of connection to the object of her affection, a touch, fingers tracing on skin before gently curling them around a hand or softly raking through hair. It evolves into an embrace, tightening and lingering longer every time they meet. Then all there's left is a kiss to seal the deal.

Her favorite thing? Curling up in her special someone's arms and breathing in their scent.

Now here comes her problem.

This is… new. Something she hasn't done before. Chloe had always prided herself for being open and adventurous but this? This was so different. It's so… fragile and Chloe doesn't want to break it. Ever.

"I started realizing that I'm also attracted to women back in high school." Aubrey suddenly tells her, making Chloe look back at her.

"It started as a simple crush. You know, girls have girl crushes which sometimes evolve to jealousy, which is normal but," she pauses, a small smile on her face as she looks down on her shoes, shaking off dirt from the trail.

"But when you start wondering what it'd feel like to kiss those pretty pink lips during those sleepovers and frown at the guy she crushes on because he's a dumbass but she can't see it, well, that's when I started to realize that I've began to harbor feelings for my best friend." Aubrey says, there's tinge of sadness to her tone and Chloe doesn't really have to guess how it all ended.

"She's married now, to a great guy, and has two beautiful children. I was at her wedding." She breathes out before looking back at Chloe and then pointing a finger to herself, "Maid of honor." She proclaims with a light laugh.

Chloe gasps in disbelief, a hand to her chest but Aubrey easily waves it off.

"I'm okay now. Have long been over it when the news broke. It feels like ages ago ever since," she assures her.

"Did you tell her?" Chloe asks curiously.

"No. I never got to and it really doesn't matter now. We had went to different colleges and then I finally felt safe to come out as bisexual. My dad had a heart attack, literally," she says but immediately adds after seeing Chloe's shock, "He survived. My relationship with him though, not so much." She turns serious at that, looking out into the view in front of them.

"I'm sorry. It's almost the same story with some of my friends." Chloe says with a sigh. She only used to listen to these things and try to offer all the support she can get.

Now… it feels as if she's finally, truly, starting to fully understand how they felt. It is different standing on that very spot rather than observing from the sidelines after all.

"We talk now, more than before, but it's still a sensitive matter. So, it's been awkward at family reunions ever since," Aubrey shakes her head before turning to her.

"What does it feel like whenever you're around her?" the blonde gently asks and Chloe could already feel a blush creeping on her cheeks.

She has never told anyone about this and she has definitely not talked about a girl like this before.

But then she thinks about those familiar set of dark deep blue eyes, looking at her like there was nobody else in the room. The image of Beca finally confessing her feelings for her at the Hilton. She remembers her smile, sad yet somehow still happy to have gotten it out of her chest. To be free of a burden she had carried for some time now. The memory of her walking away after she admits that Chloe is nothing like Rachelle. Affirming just how special she was, unlike anybody she's ever felt drawn to.

Ironically, that's how Chloe feels about her now.

Chloe had rejected some people before, all men, and some haven't been as respectful and easy as Beca had handled it. The amount of respect, sincerity and care the brunette gave her is unrivalled.

Beca's offer of friendship is genuine, Chloe could tell. It wasn't something that had ulterior motives in them like that guy back in college who still tried to make a move on her even when he said that being friends was alright.

Her mind then drifts to the night of the event. Beca's carefree smiles as she fondly calls Chloe with a new nickname, her sweet little words before she dropped her off and the way it feels to just pull her in her arms.

A smile graces Chloe's lips.

"I… feel like there's nothing I need to worry about. It's so easy being around her even though," her smiles widen at the memory of their rough second meeting, "she was being so cold and frustrating at first."

She inhales deeply before letting out an audible exhale.

"But I knew she was someone whom I wanted in my life. She saved me when my life was a mess and people like that are very rare to find so I," she prolongs the last word, trying to connect all the pieces together. "I wanted to be close to her and now thinking about it. Maybe I wanted to be close to her because of…" she trails off, not knowing how to proceed with all this.

With the truth. With the feeling that maybe her heart had always felt that strong tug towards Beca before she even realized it.

She feels Aubrey's hand on her shoulder, "Hey," she gently says, making her look at her.

"I haven't felt anything like this before, Bree. It's scary and confusing—I don't want to mess up," she breaks, the weight on her chest now taking its toll on her heart.

"Somebody has already messed her up so badly and now this! All that I'm realizing and feeling now for her…" she shakes her head.

"Chlo, look at me," Aubrey softly says and Chloe slowly does as she's told, finding understanding light green eyes staring at her.

"There's no need to rush. You don't have to figure everything out all at once and put a label to anything immediately. Coming to a point like this in your life, it's huge, I know, but it doesn't really change who you are deep down. You're still you, the bubbly sunshine with a heart of gold," Aubrey sincerely says as she lifts her chin up.

"I suggest you take things slow. Let it sink and settle down first. Both this new realization and these feelings you might have for this girl. Then when it does fall in to place, embrace it."

Aubrey brings a hand to her cheek, her thumb brushing her skin as she looks at her fondly.

"I was scared of what I felt for a couple of years too. It wasn't… what society deems normal but it's not wrong. It never was and I was stupid to think so. When I finally completely accepted who I am, everything felt right," Aubrey drops her hand and turns to the serene view,

"Chloe, what your heart decides to feel is never wrong."

Chloe makes her way to the local animal shelter, her chest now feeling much more at ease than it had been last night. Aubrey had been right. She was overthinking things and worrying over nothing.

Taking things slow is a great idea. So she may have feelings for a certain amazing producer. Still, whether it was just overwhelming adoration or romantic attraction, Chloe wanted to be sure.

She had to be. Because breaking this one is the very last thing in this life she wants to do.

Once she enters the shelter's glass doors, she happily greets Gary and Linda, the two people in the world Chloe deems to have the biggest hearts in the world. They've been managing the shelter for years, advocating for animal rights and continuously fighting against animal cruelty.

Chloe knows how hard it is and vows to help, even in a small way. Besides, taking care of the sweet babies may be tiring but she finds that animals have this way of taking all her stress away and Chloe needs something to get her mind busy with before Monday rolls in again.

"You're late."

Those are the first words that greet Chloe when she finally enters the cat area. Deep blue eyes look up at her and Chloe's heart shoots up, beating furiously at the sound of that familiar voice.

The words she's heard in such a strict tone months ago are now said in an endearing way that Chloe couldn't stop the smile breaking in her lips.

Beca, dressed in a casual button-up plaid shirt—black leather jacket hanging in a corner—and faded dark fitted jeans matched with a pair of black sneakers, sitting cross-legged on the floor, a cat lounging on her lap while holding another cat in her arms. She looked really content sitting there that Chloe's feet drag her over to the brunette's side like magnet, enticing her to sit down as well.

"I see you already have this room covered. Have you sworn your love to all the cats here again?" she asks, watching as Beca tenderly runs her hand up and down the cat's fur.

"Yes and also apologizing for having neglected them for the past two months," she laments before lowering her head down a bit, lips brushing against cottony fur to softly whisper, "Which I promise will never happen again, my love."

Chloe laughs at the sweet exchange, getting this strong urge to grab her phone and capture the moment. Maybe she should remind Stacie to send her that promised video of Beca and Bella she never got to send.

Chloe gives in to the temptation eventually when Beca is wrapped in a cat hug. The soft feline's head settling comfortably at the crook of Beca's neck.

"Delete that photo, you psycho."

"Nope, not happening, Becs. I'm keeping this forever."

The producer simply sighs at her reply just as an alarm goes off and Chloe realizes that it's coming from Beca's phone.

"Cuddle time's up," Beca simply answers at her questioning look before putting back the two cats in their kennels and then taking two others. She then resets the timer.

Piecing things together, it takes seconds before everything finally clicks.

"How long have you been here?" Chloe asks in amazement.

As it turns out, Beca had been setting play times for all the cats and if Chloe's assumptions are correct, by the direction Beca is going these next two cats would be the last ones.

There are currently thirty-four cats in the shelter right now.

"Uhm, since early morning?" Beca answers as she sits back down next to her, handing her a cat.

Having felt Chloe's eyes staring at her in awe and disbelief, the brunette quickly replies, "They don't have families, you know. They deserve hugs," she says in a matter of fact tone.

Beca outside of the office is definitely a different person and Chloe is still currently trying to process the fact that the Beca in front of her is actually real. CR and Jesse had been telling her all these stories about Beca back in the day and how great it would've been if they met then.

Chloe finally sees it.

In addition to that, now that they are officially friends, Beca seems to have shed off tons of her defensive layers around her and is easily showing a side to her that only a few get to witness.

The thought has her insides twisting and the internal battle to resist hugging Beca or pulling her close at the moment is a struggle for Chloe.

She's now aware that this is not just any simple admiration.

Oh, it's probably so much more.

Beca suggests they dine out after finishing volunteer work and Chloe quickly agrees, not wanting to part just yet.

Not yet.

If only she could hang out with her all night, she would.

Unlike, the reluctance to be anywhere near her before, Beca is now the one to initiate everything. She picks the place, even telling her a funny memory of it when Stacie, CR and Amy forcibly brought her along ages ago to stalk this guy Flo had been dating that time.

"Basically, CR thinks he's an actual serial killer and we spent the entire night following him," Beca was saying before she sips on her wine.

"No way!" Chloe says in between giggles, her head feeling so light she could almost float away.

Having again discarded her leather jacket to the side with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, Beca's arm brushes against hers and some time in between a couple more hearty laughs, Chloe gives in to find just how soft Beca's skin is underneath her palms.

It's magnet, Beca is one big magnet and Chloe can't stop herself.

"I love this song," Beca suddenly says as she bobs her head a bit to a song from Seawaves and it makes Chloe lightly sway because they have similar taste in music and it's almost perfect, how easy they click together.

She feels tipsy yet she hasn't even consumed wine.

"Rachelle and I used to dance to it a lot whenever we got drunk. So now, whenever it comes up I feel like drinking and dancing," Beca continues, seemingly unaware of the way Chloe stills, fingers stop playing along skin, her hand slowly slipping away from her soft hold on Beca's arm.

The information, which Chloe isn't sure whether Beca had intended to share or just something she had unconsciously let slip from her lips, wakes her up from the happy cloud she's been floating on all day.

There's another reason why Chloe fears for her growing feelings for Beca.

Images from the huge event last night floods her mind again. She almost forgot about it to be honest and now she feels like some force slammed her back down the ground to remind her of reality. She tastes something bitter on her mouth again but this time, she's aware of what it is.

She knows what it is now and truth be told, she rarely tastes it.

Chloe Beale doesn't get jealous often. She's always been confident and trusting—too trusting, according to Tessa but Chloe defends that being committed to a relationship also means complete trust.

When it comes to this case however, Chloe knows she doesn't have any right whatsoever to be jealous.

Doesn't mean that it'll hurt less though and again, Chloe's fears take over.

This might only be a crush but it's already starting to sting.

And here comes more of it.

"I saw that post she made last night," she starts, eyes looking down at the food. "She's mentioned you in it. A little thank you, I believe. You guys seem to be… okay now," she continues, poking on the bits of beef on her plate.

"Yeah, we actually are. I mean, I think it's healthier to be civil with your ex than loathe them," Beca admits, gently swirling her wine, "Better if you're friends but that really depends on you and how the relationship ended."

Chloe nods at that. It's a good point.

"So, are you guys… giving it another shot?" she slowly asks and as soon as she does, regret instantly kicks in. She blames that small flicker of hope in the back of her mind.

"I just observed a couple of things here and there—but you don't have to answer that—I'm being nosey, sorry!" she continues, rambling about as the awkwardness takes over.

Beca lets out a small chuckle, erasing the discomfort Chloe feels as she shakes her head, "No, we're better off as friends," she says, voice slipping into a softer tone.

"Oh. Really?"

It definitely sounded too eager and Chloe mentally kicks herself for that.

"I-I mean, it looked like the both of you seem to be getting closer nowadays so I thought…" she lets her words hang, hoping that Beca fills in.

She does.

"I… think it's best this way. It's just… not there anymore. I find that I was only hanging to the memories which was why I had a hard time moving on," Beca's eyes are now the ones looking elsewhere, settling out the glass windows of the restaurant.

"I realized that I'm not what she needs and… we won't be able to go back the same way we used to anymore. At least, not in that way," Beca sighs and Chloe finds her so pretty in the deep orange glow of the led lights.

She itches to reach out, wrap her in her arms and tell her that…

"You deserve better. Someone who will love you until the end."

Beca looks back at her and Chloe longs to capture the moment because really, it's beautiful. Beca is incredibly beautiful especially when her lips curve up to the side.

"You deserve someone better too. Someone who will love you until the end," Beca says back to her and Chloe's heart swells to the point that it almost aches.

It whispers cunningly, 'can that someone be you?' and her fingers twitch, longing to hold something.

Something precious.

Yet Chloe knows, if she's not careful, she could break it.

And no matter what she does or how long it takes, broken things will always have cracks and with such beauty staring right back at her, it is the last thing she wants to do.

"What? I'm not changing it. You can't make me," Chloe says adamantly as music drifts all over the limited space of Beca's car.

The brunette stares ahead, seemingly trying to figure out the sudden music choice.

They are currently in front of the restaurant, inside Beca's car, having already finished eating and now Chloe's just picked a song.

"I told you I do like Billie Eilish. That's my girl and this is a really great song," Beca quickly clarifies. "One of my favorites actually."

"But you have that look," Chloe presses on.

"What look?"

"That look."

Beca turns her head towards her, a puzzled expression on her face. They stare at each other and it only lasts for a few moments before Beca finally exhales.

"Ocean Eyes was a song I had on repeat for a month. It is a very beautiful song," Beca starts and there's a hint of something more in those lines. Chloe can tell so she waits, eyes boring at the brunette.

Her silent inquiry finally pays off because Beca finally breathes out in defeat.

"I practiced playing it on guitar because I liked this girl back then and I wanted to sing it to her," Beca almost groans, a palm coming up to cover her eyes in embarrassment and Chloe's jaw drops, face filled with amusement at the confession.

"Oh my god! What? That's sweet! I called it since day one though, the Beca Mitchell has a romantic bone inside her!"

"Shut up, Beale," Beca coldly says, eyes still avoiding hers yet the small smile on her lips betrays her.

They settle into silence before Chloe finally asks, "How'd it go?"

"Didn't do it."

"What?! Why?"

"She liked somebody else," Beca breathes out, shaking her head at the memory.

"That's sad."

"Oh yeah. It kills."

"If it's not for you, then it isn't."

The silence overtakes them again and only when Beca starts to drive off does Chloe speak again.

"But wait, you can still play this on the guitar, right?" she eagerly asks, eyes brimming with awe. She's known that Beca creates amazing beats but never has she thought that guitar was an instrument the producer is familiar with.

Beca looks away, sighing, "I sold my guitar so, no, there's no way you can make me play it now," she says.

"But why?" Chloe asks, the disappointment clear in her tone.

The answer takes a minute long and when it comes, Chloe finally remembers why making music had been lost to Beca.

"Rachelle gave it to me. Back then, it was a painful reminder so I got rid of it. It was a really beautiful guitar though," Beca says wistfully and that made Chloe think.

"Too bad, I really wanted to hear you play," she mumbles, looking out as they pass by shops and buildings.

"I've probably gotten rusty at it though," Beca tells her and two questions pop in Chloe's head.

"Do you play any other instruments?"

"Uhh, the piano? But I'm not very good at it."

"Were you part of a band? Like, in college or high school?"

"Well… I was part of a band in high school. That… didn't last long," Beca says, tilting her head a bit to the side.

"Were you the vocalist?"

"Uhm…"

"You were, weren't you!" Chloe suddenly says in excitement, grabbing on Beca's arm to squeeze it. "I can't believe that I'm learning so many things about you tonight," she continues and Beca swats her fingers away.

"Stop or I'll have you type all of my emails and papers tomorrow," Beca threatens and Chloe finally remembers that they get back to work tomorrow.

Somehow, the thought of seeing Beca tomorrow doesn't make her dread Monday like everybody else does. On the contrary, she can't wait to work tomorrow and it's a refreshing change. From disliking having to face another day in Amplify to eagerly looking forward to it, Chloe is glad how it all turned out.

"Oh c'mon, you can't do that to your favorite employee," she teases and Beca eyes her sharply.

"You aren't."

"Your second favorite employee?"

"Nope."

"Third?"

"…fine. You are," Beca hesitantly admits and it brings a smile on Chloe's face.

"Third's not bad for a newbie like me."

"Yeah, stay positive," Beca mutters sarcastically and Chloe laughs.

Their light banter continues and Chloe's heart sinks when they finally arrive in front of Aubrey's house. They've been together for almost the whole day and yet it still feels so quick.

Too quick.

Beca steps out with her to bid her goodnight and Chloe's already wishing for tomorrow to come.

"Becs," she starts just before Beca turns to get back inside the car.

"I'd really like to hear you play someday," she says softly when she steps forward to wrap her arm around the brunette's neck for a hug.

She can't help it. The pull is too strong for her to keep resisting.

"When I get my hands on a guitar, you'll be the first one I'll look for," Beca promises her just as softly, a hand resting on her back and Chloe feels that drunk kind of high again.

She inhales and Beca's scent fills her lungs.

Letting her go was almost difficult. A part of her leaving with those dark blues.

Chloe wakes up with a smile on her face. It's a bright Monday morning and she's humming a happy tune as she walks into the kitchen.

Aubrey, who is all fashion ready and enjoying a hearty breakfast, looks up at her curiously before sipping her Cappuccino.

"Somebody's in a good mood today," Aubrey muses, eyeing her with curiosity.

Chloe turns to her, her hand pausing from stirring her coffee.

"What do you mean?"

Aubrey shrugs and looks back down at her breakfast, "Your impossibly chipper than usual and singing love songs early in the morning, a Monday morning to be exact," she observes before slowly adding,

"You and Beca seemed to have hung out last night."

It's subtle but it's there, the implied meaning behind Velvet Magazine's brilliant editor in-chief and Chloe almost chokes on her Latte, panicking at the thought that Aubrey must have caught on.

Still, she tries to deflect, "Oh, I kinda' forced her to come volunteer with me at the animal shelter months ago and she seemed to have grown attachments to the all the cats. She was at the shelter today and so, we decided to dine out afterwards," Chloe explains, eyes wandering over to her own cat, Mallows, who seems to be strolling in from his daily morning walk—Aubrey lets him out the backyard door sometimes.

"Of course, the broody little monster turns into mush when there are cats involved. That's why Stacie gave her Bella on her birthday, to keep her from inflicting wrath upon mankind," Aubrey rolls her eyes, fingers flourishing dramatically and making Chloe chuckle. She then finishes her coffee before hastily standing up to clean her plate and cup.

"I'm just glad that you guys are getting along well. It takes quite a while for Beca to warm up to someone," the blonde continues and Chloe contemplates if asking about Beca would ultimately give her away. There's just so much she wants to know about the brunette.

"So, I heard that she used to sing in a band before. That, and making really catchy beats," she starts just as Aubrey dries up her cup on a rack.

"Yeah, apparently she's so good that she was offered contracts by not just one but two huge music labels. She declined. Both," Aubrey says as she wipes her hands on a towel.

"Why?" Chloe asks in disbelief.

"Because Beca loves to make music but she doesn't want the fame. It's not easy to get her to sing in front of people then and way more harder now… after Rachelle," Aubrey sighs, shaking her head. "But that girl has talent and Paris Blake's 'Friday' sounds way better with how it was originally created. It had a slower, sensual electronic beat, a soft, almost vulnerable delivery and with Beca singing it," Aubrey lets out an awed puff of air.

"It'll make the likes of Alina Baraz, Lana Del Ray and maybe even Halsey jealous. You should do a duet with her. I bet it'll make the angels cry."

The information leaves Chloe wanting to hear Beca sing even more. She's heard a snippet of it back then when she walked in on her months ago but that's just it.

She needs more.

"Does Beca like flowers?" she asks, words slipping out her lips and she wishes she bit her tongue instead because it's a very obvious hint right there.

So she explains immediately, "Her table needs life and plants are good for the health, keeps the stress away and Beca's… always in a grumpy mood at work which in turn stresses us all out."

She stands up as well, not even bothering to finish her coffee as she desperately tries to keep her hands busy. She feels awkward and it's uncomfortable. She doesn't even dare look into Aubrey's eyes.

"She's not allergic to them," Aubrey says before picking up her obviously expensive designer handbag, cellphone in hand as she starts heading off but then pauses midway to add,

"Oh, and they have to be blue," Aubrey suddenly informs her, eyes moving up from her phone to face her.

This time Chloe finds the courage to look up, a blank look on her face prompting Aubrey to explain.

"The flowers. No matter what kind they are, Beca likes them as long as they are blue."

She leaves Chloe with that and walks out to her car where she brings her phone close to her ear and speaks words Chloe is unable to hear.

"Stace, can you come by the office today? It's about Chloe… and Beca. I have a hunch and it's strong."

Chloe greets everyone with a smile on her face as she enters the building and rides up to her floor, a beautiful bouquet of beautiful blue roses in her hand.

She had so much time to spare with her now short commute to Amplify which was why she was able to make a quick stop to the flower shop a couple of minutes ago.

She feels so light and her thoughts so clear, looking forward to the day ahead of her.

"Hey Chlo!" Jesse greets her. He has just arrived as well with his pink tie designed with some Looney Tunes character—it's Bugs Bunny.

"Ooh! Flowers! Secret admirer?" he asks teasingly, looking at her intently, a brow arching up as she shakes her head.

"No, it's for Beca. Just a little something to brighten her morning," she says as she starts placing them on a vase.

"Great idea! God knows we need Beca to be in a good mood during our evaluation. I am not looking forward to having my mistakes pointed out first thing in the morning," he shudders at the thought before settling down his own work station.

When CR comes in bringing some snacks in what she calls a pre-evaluation meeting stress snack break, the flowers are now beautifully arranged on top Beca's table.

Chloe listens to CR's complaints about her annoying neighbors loudly getting it on late at night but her eyes watch the clock obsessively. Her fingers anxiously drumming the wooden surface of CR's table as she silently counts down.

3, 2, 1…

On cue, the elevator's bell sounds and its doors open to reveal Beca herself, striding confidently towards her table. She's in her usual classy style, a button-up vintage blouse tucked in black slacks peeking underneath a dark open coat. Her heels clacking on tiles as everyone pauses to acknowledge her.

Like clockwork, Jesse scrambles up to his feet, swiping up a small pile of folders and important papers stacked in a corner of his desk as he prepares to give Beca the schedule for today.

CR sighs as she fixes her table, murmuring something that sounds like 'oh boy, here we go again' while Chloe silently eyes the brunette.

Suddenly she feels nervous because the last time she left something on Beca's table that isn't coffee or tea ended up in the trash bin. It's very unlikely though, especially with her winning the bet and forming a great friendship outside work but some part of her still worries.

Beca still is her boss after all and Amplify's Beca is a complete opposite from… cat loving, cute-sized, broody but still adorable Becs.

Gnawing on the bottom of her lip, Chloe's eyes keep flitting upwards as she watches Beca momentarily pause when she catches sight of the bouquet. The producer's face is unreadable and Chloe's anxiety increases by the second.

She watches Beca's fingers slowly reach for the note which bears Chloe's loopy handwriting and reads it quietly.

'Morning! Flowers for the best live events producer ever!'

At the end of the note, instead of Chloe's signature smiley face drawn on it, there's a small heart. Then a letter C scribbled at the bottom.

After a breathless amount of seconds, the corner of Beca's lips twitch before slightly curving up to one side. It's small and barely even a proper smile but the little slip doesn't pass Chloe.

It makes her realize just how much she observes Beca's facial features, intentional or not, enough to read through the serious cold front Beca keeps putting on at work.

Chloe's heart quickly soars at the reaction. It pulls a smile on her own lips as she ducks down her own corner to hide it.

When she lifts her head up moments later, Beca is now strictly on business mode as Jesse talks to her like nothing out of the ordinary happened. The blue flowers still sitting on her table as if it has always been there.

Minutes later, a meeting is called and Beca still presents them of a list of things that they did wrong and how to improve them next year. They each get constructive criticism and all but it doesn't dampen the happy cloud Chloe is still floating in. She just happily accepts it all, taking notes and already planning on what to do next year. The energy to work not diminishing all day that even CR looks at her in disbelief. Noting that nobody could possibly be so motivated on a Monday.

It's still tiring at the end of the day though but when Chloe looks over at the blue flowers on top of Beca's desk, creating a striking contrast to the brunette's black and white aesthetic, her chest feels light enough to battle the tiredness.

It doesn't even matter if it's now past six in the evening or that earlier on, both CR and Jesse had wondered why she isn't going home yet. There's not much to do just yet given that they've just wrapped up an event— Their next one is the year end special concert and that's about three months away.

But no, she's not going home just yet. Not when a certain person is still busily reviewing papers on her desk.

"You can't seriously be finishing a week's worth of work," Chloe points out as she plops down the chair in front of Beca's table, arms on the surface as she rests her chin on top of them while watching Beca work.

She finds that she likes watching Beca being so focused on something. Or perhaps, she just likes watching her.

Official office hours are over, it's six in the evening and she's already clocked out which means, Beca cannot boss her around anymore. At this point, Beca is just her Becs now.

Her Becs, it sounds so good and Chloe had to stop her mind from lingering further.

"There's nothing else to do so, working it is," Beca mumbles, eyes still on the papers in front of her.

The reason strikes a realization inside Chloe as she suddenly straightens up.

"Hold on, are you telling me that the only reason you work overtime is simply because you have nothing to do?!" she asks in an incredulous tone, eyes widening as it bores into Beca.

The producer in turn hasn't looked up at her but Chloe sees her blink several times before shifting a bit and seeming really flustered at being caught.

"…what else am I supposed to do?" comes the meek reply before being followed by a less serious, "I'm married to my work remember? I sleep with it on my mind and wake up thinking about it."

Beca clears her throats as she quickly adds, "Also, finishing work in advance is very efficient when meeting deadlines."

Their first last Friday night introductions come pouring into Chloe's memory and finally she sees it. The façade Beca keeps holding starts to chip off. The reality behind the prestigious label she carries finally coming to light.

Beca's scared. She's scared of looking beyond work. She may have moved on from Rachelle but that's it. She's hesitant to go even further for fear of being unable to deeply connect with someone. For fear that if she does, she might end up torn into pieces once again.

But she wasn't afraid to feel something for you, are the words that whisper at the back of her mind.

It would've been you, it taunts her. But then, after all this time does she still feel the same?

Chloe doesn't want to know the answer just yet.

Pushing that voice away, a strong sense of determination suddenly washes over her.

"Stop."

She brings a hand down on top of Beca's papers. The commanding tone of her voice making the producer look up at her. It's deadly but Chloe is not fazed.

It's a deadly cute look

"That's enough. We're going," she says, leaving no room for arguments as she stares back sharply and adding a very serious, "Now."

Surprisingly, dragging Beca out of the office wasn't as hard as she thought it would be. In less than five minutes, she's pulling the reluctant brunette by the hand away from her table. She doesn't let go of her until they reach Beca's car and Chloe finds just how perfectly their clasped hands fit.

Chloe takes the wheel, pointing out that too much work isn't healthy.

Beca grumbles her counter-complaints along the way but eventually turns on the sound system to pick a song.

She takes Beca to one of the most interesting cafés she knows. It was Tessa who actually introduced her to it and they've kept coming regularly when they had time to kill.

"So… this is what people do after work?" Beca skeptically says as they sit down on one of the tables. "Play board games?"

Chloe nods enthusiastically, already choosing which board game they would play.

"It's a gaming café, Becs!"

"Nerd."

"Say whatever you want to say, grumpy, but you're just pissed because you know I'd win. I always do," she teases, eyeing Beca playfully and she can see the familiar look of competitiveness in those dark blues.

Hours later, in between burgers, fries and iced lattes, laughter drifts like an addicting melody. Beca looks so relaxed and unaware. It's a good look on her. Chloe does win most of the time but that doesn't really matter. What does is how she realizes just how happy she is in Beca's company.

And how fast she is sliding down deep. She wants more and one day it just might bite her in the ass.

Author's Note:

It's a shame that blue roses don't really exist in a natural environment.

Send blue roses to the person you secretly love.

Summary of this chapter:

Chloe, figuring out how feelings work and ultimately learning the first step in wooing a woman. Aubrey, a sweetheart who already knows how to woo the females and is imparting her knowledge to Chlo Chlo. Should also get a degree in law, criminal justice, security management, computer forensics or basically whichever is needed to become a detective. Stacie is going to lose her shit with Aubrey's investigation report. Beca being a soft bean that deserves flowers and must be protected. Bechloe going out to have fun and basically, being cute.

Bella, not mentioned in chapter but is definitely the expert among all of them when it comes to attracting females and has the most number of girlfriends.

Thanks for tuning in.

See you next Friday, loves!