You guys are great, I'm glad you like my short story so far. Thanks for the reviews, follows and favorites. I don't own any rights to Hollywood Heights storyline or characters; this is the fantasy world I created.

Keeping Secrets Chapter 2

Welcome Home

I'm home alone so I keep the television on one of the news station. I want to know the minute Chloe is released from prison. The news of her parole has been on all channels and celebrity gossip sites since the parole committee's decision was announced yesterday. My other phone rings.

"Is there a problem with your release?"

"No, I asked if I could make one more call before I walked out the doors," Chloe says nervously.

"Don't be nervous. I arranged for a car to meet you out front. The driver will take you home."

"It's been five years, I don't have a home anymore," Chloe cries.

"You have a home. I've been paying the rent on your condo since I first visited you five years ago."

"You've done so much for me while I was in here. I know our friendship cannot continue once I walk out those doors. I'm really going to miss you," Chloe cries harder.

"I told you before, we will still be friends. I will just have to be more creative when I visit you. At least until I tell my family and friends about our friendship."

"You've jeopardized enough to come visit me for five years. I'm not foolish enough to think that your family and friends will want you to continue to be my friend once I leave this place," Chloe says.

"I don't regret visiting you and I certainly don't regret our friendship. I will find a way to continue to visit you. In the meantime, call me on this phone if you need anything. I asked the housekeeper to stock your refrigerator and cabinets and to make sure you had everything you needed. Now get off the phone and leave that hell hole. I will visit you in a couple of days."

"Thank you," Chloe says.

"You're welcome."

I know I'm risking everything by continuing my friendship with Chloe. Maybe it's time I told my family about what I've been doing for the past five years. I know pop will have a heart attack and mom will think I've lost my mind. The person I'm most worried about is my soul mate; will the love of my life forgive me and stick by me and understand my friendship or will the love of my life leave me and divorce me?"

"Chloe Carter is exiting the women's correctional facility," the news reporter shouts into the microphone, looking into the camera, "Miss. Carter, what are your plans now that you've been released?" the reporter asks sticking the microphone in her face.

Chloe doesn't respond, she continues to make her way to the car.

"Chloe, who is the mystery person that visited you these past five years?" the reporter asks following her as she makes her way to the car.

Chloe's step falters but she quickly recovers and continues walking to the car ignoring questions from the reporters and paparazzi. Once she reaches the car the driver opens the door and quickly closes it after Chloe climbs in. The driver runs to his door and gets in. He quickly pulls off; news reporters and paparazzi follow the car as it travels the forty-five minute drive to her condo.

Visiting Chloe is going to be harder than I imagined. I will have to be extra careful.

There are more news reporters and paparazzi waiting outside of Chloe's condo blocking the walkway to her front door. I pull out my secret phone and make a phone call. "Please have security clear the pathway so Chloe can get to her front door without any problems." I look at the television screen and watch as the ten security guards I hired are follow my instructions. News reporters and paparazzi are being forced to move away from the walk way.

Four security guards walk over to the car, one opens the door and reaches in to help Chloe out. They form a diamond pattern with Chloe in the middle and walk her to her front door. Another security guard opens the door as the others step to the side to allow her to walk into her home. I call her.

"Hello."

"It's me."

"You did all this for me?' Chloe asks.

"I wanted to make sure that my friend got home safely."

"Thank you so much. I hope those reporters and paparazzi don't stay out there all night," Chloe says.

"The security guards will take shifts watching your front and back doors until all this blows over. If you need to leave the house for any reason one will go with you."

"You don't have to do any of this," Chloe says.

"I want to do this for my friend."

"I know I keep saying this but thank you."

"You're welcome."

There is a knock on Chloe's door, "Miss. Carter," one of the security guard says, "there is a Jackie Kowalski here to see you."

"Let her in," Chloe says, "I gotta go, my mom is here."

"I'm scheduled to go to the studio this evening; I will call you later if it's not too late."

"Okay," Chloe says ending the call.

Now that I know Chloe is out of prison and home safe, I can concentrate on the songs I'm recording tonight.

Two hours later. I've been trying to focus on my songs for the past two hours but my mind keeps wandering. Why am I feeling guilty about my friendship with Chloe now? It wasn't a problem for me when I was visiting her. Maybe I will tell mom first. Mom is the rational one in our family; she's the family mediator. We all kind of take our queue from mom. She'll understand why I became friends with Chloe and stand by my side when I tell everyone else. I pull out my phone.

"Hello mom,"

"Hello sweetheart, how are you? I thought you were recording tonight."

"I'm fine mom," I sigh, "I have to be at the studio in an hour. The reason I'm calling you is because I need your help with something."

"What can I help you with? Did you see on the news that Chloe was released from prison two hours ago?"

"Yes I watched," I say biting my lip

"I wonder how she was able to afford the car and security guards."

"Maybe a good friend paid for the car and security guards," I began.

Mom chuckles humorlessly, "who would want to be Chloe Carter's friend? She has done nothing but hurt the people I love and care about. I hope she packs up and moves back to Fresno with Jackie."

"It's been five years mom, maybe she's changed."

"A leopard can't change its spots," she says sarcastically.

"I have to go mom, I forgot I was supposed to stop by Jake's office before I go to the studio."

"Wait, I thought you needed my help with something."

"I'll tell you about it later, I love you."

"I love you too, can't wait to hear what you record. You guys come by tomorrow evening for dinner, I'm making a pecan pie for dessert," she says before ending the call.

Well there goes that idea. I guess my theory of mom understanding my friendship with Chloe is out the window. Without her on board, I can almost guarantee I'll be disowned and in divorce court. I need to rethink my approach.

I'm going to toss a coin, heads Eddie, tails Loren. Chloe's friend will be revealed in the next chapter.