Chapter 19

"IS SHE FOR REAL? I don't want to act like a child over-reacting to a text but damn. She shut me off!" Chloe walked in to the mansion followed by Amy after what she calls an "emergency".

All the girls were already seated on the living room as Chloe paced back and forth, furious about Beca and Lauren.

"Look at the bright side, Chlo. They were never alone. Julia's always with them so only she could tell the truth." Aubrey tried to calm her best friend down.

"And it's TMZ. They never report anything good. They love ruining careers that's their job." Flo added.

"What did she text you again?" Cynthia Rose asked, unaware of what was happening.

"She said she'll call me when she's back in LA because she has to focus on the album."

"Well, we can't really blame her. This is her first big client." Stacie shared.

"I just can't believe this is happening again. I'm her girlfriend now. I'm not someone she can just leave and run back to when it's convenient."

"Do you think she likes to do it? Have you ever thought maybe she really has to make the most out of the next few months to get this done and make a name for herself?" Jessica asked.

"She already did. She was a solo artist already." Chloe said as she stopped walking.

"Ginger, it's not just you. We understand how you feel. I'm not having fun as well. She's never around anymore but this is what she wanted since the day you met her. She didn't want to be an acapella singer. She fell in love with it after you convinced her. Then she became a solo singer which, she didn't get the hang off. Now she's back to where she wants to be."

"Great point. It's just that I'm scared. What if this never stops? What if she chooses a path where she doesn't want me to be there anymore?"

The girls fell silent. Chloe has a point. They don't know the way Beca thinks now and what her priorities are. She never had the time to talk to them or share anything about work because they had a rule, talking about work is never a good idea.

Aubrey pulled her best friend aside so the girls wouldn't have to hear what they'll talk about.

"Chloe, she'll be back in two days. You have work to do, so focus on that and get your mind off of her for a while. Try to enjoy yourself or hang out with Amy. Help her finish things with the café. I know your relationship hasn't been that long, but you've known her for years. You share the same love of music as she does so think about that. This is just her wanting to know herself more as a producer."

Chloe cried as Aubrey hugged her. "Bree, I'm going to tell this to you because you're my best friend but Beca's so checked out for the past two weeks. It's not like her."

"Give her a little bit more time, and if it doesn't go as planned. We'll kick her ass."

Chloe let out a laugh and went home with Amy. She sure has a lot of things to plan for the next few days. She's too caught up with her relationship with Beca that she forgot her other responsibilities. Everything the girls said were right and she knows she has the best support group who would always look after her.

IN MIAMI

Beca, Julia, and Lauren finalized three songs. After Beca texted Chloe, she worked non-stop at the studio and back to the hotel. Julia couldn't even talk to the brunette because she was too busy with everything.

Now they have 5 songs in total, only 9 left to go. There are 3 written song drafts already and Beca wanted to finish it when they're back in LA.

BACK IN LA

The trio arrived at Friday night. To Beca's surprise, the girls weren't there. She expected one of them to at least pick her up but she forgot it was her fault. She was detached the whole time and didn't bother to check her phone.

Julia offered her a ride home and reminded her to make it up to Chloe. Beca thanked the other woman and they said their goodbyes. Lauren wanted to record the album on Wednesday to give the other women a break from their trip.

Beca saw only her car was left at the garage. She was wondering where the girls were. She checked her phone and saw it was Friday. Of course they were out.

"Hi, Chloe. I just got home. Where are you?" she texted. She waited 10 minutes and checked her phone, there wasn't a reply. Chloe ALWAYS had her phone in her hand. It's her job and it's pretty obvious that she was a social butterfly among the group.

They were watching a movie at the mansion when Chloe read Beca's text. She resisted the urge of replying. She stood firm on her decision that Beca should have to deal with the way she did when Beca was in Miami.

"Oh hey, Beca's home!" Amy said. All the girls turned to Chloe.

"Why are you looking at me? I want to finish the movie. She's all grown. She can handle herself."

And with that, the girls knew what this meant. It meant war.

The thing about this is that Beca still had to make it up to Chloe after 2 months of being away and the fact that she could switch her off like that AGAIN. She had the guts.

The movie ended and the girls got hungry. Chloe suggested going to In-n-Out because she's been craving animal fries for weeks. The girls wanted to stay home but Chloe really had to get her damn fries so she left all by herself and told the girls she'll see them again next week.

Amy got home and saw Beca asleep on the couch holding her phone. She felt sorry for the girl, but she knew Beca was in the wrong this time. She left Beca a note on the table if ever the brunette wakes up before Chloe got home.

"She went to In-n-Out."

Chloe arrived shortly after and saw Beca on the couch. She couldn't help but be mad at her but since Beca just got home and she didn't want her to wake up with a stiff neck, she tapped her on the shoulder trying to wake her up gently.

"Beca, wake up. You have to sleep in your room after a busy trip."

The other girl was startled but she heard Chloe loud and clear. She stood up and followed Chloe upstairs. The redhead took her bags and carried it to Beca's room.

"Hey, don't leave. Cuddle with me?" Beca asked trying to hit Chloe's soft spot. The girl could barely sleep without cuddles.

"Try calling Lauren." The redhead said coldly.

Chloe was never that straight-forward. Beca knew what she did was somewhat wrong, but she had her reasons. She feels alone all over again just like the two months she dreaded.

Beca woke up and made breakfast for her housemates. Since the two weren't awake, she bought doughnuts for the girls at the mansion and left it with a note. "I miss you, girls. I have a surprise." She thought about it on the couch the night before. She knew she needed to make it up to them. When she got back, Amy and Chloe were already eating. She joined them and fixed herself her morning coffee.

"Good morning ladies." Amy gave her a high five and she tried to hug Chloe but the other girl dodged quickly.

"Thanks for breakfast. I have work." Chloe left and Amy couldn't believe what's happening.

"It's Saturday morning. Why do you have work?" Chloe continues to storm off.

Amy couldn't decide if she wanted to laugh or get mad at the redhead. She was unbelievable. This is the first time she saw Chloe resisting Beca's efforts. EVER.

"Clearly that didn't work."

"I know, Amy. Last night I asked her to sleep at my room and she told me to call Lauren. This whole thing is insane." Beca shared the memory from last night.

"Becs, have you ever thought that she isn't jealous of Lauren. She just wants you to treat her the way you used to. In all honesty, what you did is pretty shit."

"I ignored her for 2 days. That wasn't long." Beca felt helpless.

"Mind you, you've ignored her for 2 months. It doesn't make any difference. You clearly showed her you can shut her off any time you want to. She's your girlfriend now. That's something you should think of." Amy's words played over and over.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"I think you know, short stuff. This time you have to make sure you do her right, always. Anyway,

I'm heading to the cafe it's about to open in three weeks. You're definitely invited. Thank you for the breakfast. If music doesn't ever work out, be my head chef." Beca knew Amy was kidding but everything is getting too hard for her right now.

She's getting anxious about Chloe and her career. Her phone rang. It was from their group text.

Aubrey: What's the surprise Beca?

Lily: I ate the doughnuts. Thank you.

Stacie: THERE WERE DOUGHNUTS?

Cynthia Rose: I made breakfast. No doughnuts left. Lily ate them all.

Amy: They had doughnuts and you made us toast?

Beca: I'm taking you all to Hawaii at 12 noon. We have a private plane don't worry about the hassle.

Aubrey: You know how to spoil us too, huh?

Amy: Is Chloe coming?

Beca: What kind of question is that? Of course she is.

Chloe: I have a new client. I'm not coming with you guys. Sorry.

Beca: Are you serious right now?

Chloe: I won't adjust my time for you. It can't be that way all the time. I have work too.

The girls didn't even reply after. It was exhausting whenever the two argue. Beca decided to push through despite Chloe not coming. She did have a plan. Beca told Amy to gather the girls at LAX and she'll meet them there. She went to Chloe's office to surprise her and beg her to come with.

She was greeted by Amber, the receptionist at Chloe's new Public Relations company.

"Hi, Amber. May I please ask for Chloe's office?" She was always nice to people and the other woman smiled at her.

"Oh my gosh, you're Beca Mitchell! I'm sorry for getting too excited. Unfortunately, Miss Beale boarded a plane to New York for her new client."

"I know you won't name drop the client but how new is she?" Beca asked because Chloe never mentioned anything to her.

"I think she signed with us at 6 am earlier. But she has been in talks with the owner since last week."

"Thank you so much, Amber. You've helped me more than anyone."

"Miss Mitchell, may I please ask for a selfie?"

"Definitely! Let's do it." Beca smiled with Amber and it wasn't something she's used to but it's nice to see she made someone happy.

Beca called Aubrey "Hey did you know Chloe left for New York?"

"She just texted me a few minutes ago. I was about to tell you. She left earlier so I think she's almost landing."

"Bree, do me a favor and tell the girls we're going back to New York."

"Aca-fucking-scuse me?"

"Hawaii next weekend. Count on it."

"Beca, they're not on board. As much as we want to help you, this is between you and her now. We'll always have your backs but this is something you should sort out together. I love you both. Tell us everything. We'll see you when you get back here. Dinner's on me."

Beca hung up and knew Bree had a point. It's dumb to drag the other girls about this drama. She flew the private plane straight to New York and texted Chloe.

"I dropped by your office and Amber told me about New York. I'm going there now. I'll see you. Please don't run away from me."

Chloe spent the whole afternoon with her client asking about directions and requests that the artist has. The new artist was kind and sweet, it felt like they've known each other for years. The Billboard Music Awards started at 7 pm and both of them arrived exactly on time.

Beca didn't receive a text from Chloe so she decided to walk around the city during the afternoon. She got notified that Lauren was in New York too so she decided to check up on her.

"Hey, Lauren. You're in New York too? What for?"

"Hey, Becs. Why are you here? I'm going to the BMA's. Julia's coming too."

"Oh, that's why. I followed Chloe. She had a work thing to do. Is there an after party? I'm extremely tired, I'll just join you there!"

"There's an after party at 10 pm. I'll text you the address of the hotel. I'll ask my assistant. See you later, Beca."

"Thanks, Lauren. See you!"

She went to the hotel she checked in to and fell asleep for a couple of hours. She woke up around 8:30 pm and got ready to attend the after-party. She checked her phone and there was a text from Julia.

"Chloe's here."

What in the world was she doing at the BMA's? Does that mean Chloe's new client is a singer? She felt extremely out of the loop.

She made sure she'd look extremely hot so Chloe would be speechless. She wore a suit revealing her cleavage and abs. It looked good enough for her so she headed to the hotel. Lauren and Julia waited for her at the lobby.

"Hey girls. You realize we only spent a few hours apart since Miami right?" Beca asked the girls who looked extremely hot. Not to mention, the three of them were all in suits. They were the girl bosses of the night.

"Damn, mami. You didn't have to do us like that. You're hot." Lauren looked at Beca from head to toe and left speechless.

"You're too kind. So are you guys. We look like a hot trio right now." Beca returned the compliment.

"Let's get drunk ladies!" Julia grabbed their hands and lead them to the roof top.