Chapter 5

Chloe Beale is now online

Aubrey Posen is now online

Aubrey: Hey!

Chloe: Hi

Aubrey: So? How was your visit?

Chloe: What?

Aubrey: To LA?!

Chloe: Oh, right. Yeah, it was fine.

Aubrey: It was 'fine'?

Chloe: Yeah, we just kinda hung out. It was good to get away from stuff.

Aubrey: And Beca?

Chloe: Yeah, she seems good. Everything looks like it's in order in Miss Mitchell's life!

Aubrey: What do you mean?

Chloe: Nothing. She's happy, got a good job, finally doing what she wants to do, good friends, she's always out partying. She seems pretty content

Aubrey: ... why do I get the feeling you're not telling me something?

Chloe: No idea.

Aubrey: You better not be lying to me

Chloe: I've got nothing else to tell you Bree!

Aubrey: Oh please. How long have I known you? I'm not stupid.

Chloe: Fine. I embarrassed myself. In an incredibly undignified manner. And that's all.

Aubrey: You've done that before, nothing new there…

Chloe: It was different this time.

Aubrey: ?

Chloe: It's… no, it's gonna sound stupid.

Aubrey: try me?

Chloe: It's something I've thought about for a long time, and I just hate how I regret things I've not done more than I regret the things I have done. Anyway. I did it and now it… I just… I don't know. Its gonna change everything Bree, I've totally messed up this time. I have absolutely no idea why I thought it was a good idea. God, I do stupid things when I drink…

Aubrey: Are you talking about what I think you are?

Aubrey: Chloe, don't ignore me!

Chloe: Yes, fine – you know what I'm on about!

Aubrey: Oh my god Chloe!

Chloe: I told you it was stupid!

Aubrey: Well? What happened? Why is it so bad?

Chloe: Er, hello? Are you paying attention here? The whole thing is ridiculous…

Aubrey: Did you… you know…

Chloe: No, I didn't have sex, if that's what you mean.

Aubrey: Well. What happened then?

Chloe: I can't believe we're talking about this.

Aubrey: Chloe !?

Chloe: Fine! We just went out for a meal, this really sweet restaurant, really quiet – had a few drinks - and it was great, just the two of us – no Molly, no Alex, nothing. I can't remember the last time I felt so content like that Bree, its crazy. Anyway, after we'd eaten we went down to the basement below, some really underground club, the place was bouncing, and the guy on the door recognised Beca and invited her up for ten minutes in the booth, and oh my god Aubrey, it was insane. I've never heard anything like it.

Aubrey: She was good?

Chloe: Better. She was better than good.

Chloe: Incredible

Chloe: Amazing

Aubrey: Alright, calm yourself…

Chloe: Yeah, well, its true. We hung out in the club, dropped a few tequila slammers, and the next thing we're back at her flat and I've kissed her, and we're sleeping next to each other and I woke up holding her and… and then I snuck out…

Aubrey: Are you for serious?

Chloe: Unfortunately, yup…

Aubrey: Where did you go?

Chloe: I came home. I couldn't stay there! What the hell else was I supposed to do?

Aubrey: Er, stay? Stay and work it out? God you're an idiot.

Chloe: Aubrey – I have a child. A CHILD. An actual human being who I'm supposed to provide stability for and take care of and I cant just abandon her for some stupid high school crush I thought I'd otherwise managed to shake off. It was a kiss. A drunken kiss. That's it. I'll get over it.

Aubrey: I don't believe you

Chloe: You'll have to. Anyway, I've got to go. Molly's got to go to her dads, he wants a word about something.

Aubrey: Ok. Good luck! And be careful!

Chloe: I will. I'll be fine. He probably just wants to know why I left her with my dad rather than him – happy days. Bye Bree. I miss you xx

Chloe Beale is now offline

Dear Alex,

Thank you for your recent letter.

It would be my absolute privilege to attend your dinner with my wife, many thanks for the invitation.

I look forward to seeing you soon

George Beale

PS – Please, you don't need to call me Mr Beale; George will do fine.

Dear George,

Thank you, once again for attending my dinner party. I'm glad you particularly liked the mushrooms – they're a favourite of mine, and I've enclosed the recipe for your wife.

It was wonderful to get to know you and your family better too, and I don't think it's possible for me to express my gratitude at receiving your blessing. I'm thrilled to be able to be part of your family, and I'm incredibly excited for Chloe and yourselves to become a part of mine.

I'm sure Chloe will let you know as soon as the engagement is official, so for now I'd be thrilled if you could keep it as quiet as you can.

Thank you again sir,

Alex Miller