Stacie saw Chloe turn away from Beca and Trish kissing. She leaned into Chloe.
"Come on, Chlo," Stacie whispered in Chloe's ear. "You're doing great. You just need to hang on for a few more minutes. Okay?"
Chloe nodded. She wiped her eyes before the tears fell.
Th-thanks, Stacie," Chloe said.
Aubrey was standing next to Beca thanking her for the performance.
"It was really a great show, Beca," Chloe said showing no signs of the tears she was hiding.
"Thanks, Chloe," Beca said blushing. "I'm glad you, you all, liked it."
"How about we head to the bar and get some shots?," Fat Amy says.
Everyone agrees.
"I think I'm going to head up to my room," Chloe said. "I didn't sleep well last night and I'm really tired. I'll see you guys in the morning."
Everyone leaves and Chloe heads to the elevator while the rest of the girls hit the bar. Chloe manages to keep the tears in until she's in her room. She slams the door and leans her back against it.
"Why am I crying?," Chloe thinks to herself. "I should be happy that Beca has found someone."
Chloe wipes the tears from her face as they continue to fall. "So, why does it have to hurt so much?"
Chloe is now sobbing as she slides down the door until she is sitting on the floor. The next thing Chloe knows there is a pounding noise. She lifts her head to see that she is laying on the floor by the door. She doesn't know when she fell asleep or how long she'd been asleep for. Suddenly the banging starts again and she hears someone calling her name.
She stands on shaky legs and opens the door to find Stacie and Aubrey standing there.
"What?," Chloe asks.
"We wanted to make sure you were okay," Stacie says.
Chloe steps aside and opens the door to let them in.
"I was sleeping," Chloe says.
"It's only been an hour since you came up here," Aubrey tells her. "And you're still in your clothes."
"I told you I was tired," Chloe said giving away nothing of the way she was feeling. "I came in and immediately crashed. Now, if there's nothing else, I'd like to go back to sleep."
Aubrey looked at Chloe. She looked tired. Aubrey still had a feeling there was more to it but she couldn't figure out what it was.
Stacie also looked at Chloe. She knew that Chloe had come close to crying after seeing Beca and Trish kissing. But she seemed normal, and just tired now.
"Okay," Aubrey said. "We just wanted to check on you and we did. We'll say our good nights and let you get back to sleep. Sorry to have woken you."
"It's okay," Chloe said. "Thanks for looking out for me, but I'm fine. I'll see you at breakfast."
Chloe opens the door to let the two girls out.
"See you at breakfast," Stacie said, giving Chloe a kiss on the cheek as she walks out.
"You know you can talk to me," Aubrey said stopping in front of Chloe.
"I know," Chloe says quietly.
"I'll see you at breakfast,"Aubrey says and leaves.
Chloe closes the door behind them. She opens it a moment later and puts the 'do not disturb' sign on the door handle. She closes the door and goes over to her bed. She takes off her shoes, jeans, and shirt and crawls into bed. She turns out the lights and is asleep in seconds.
Stacie goes back to Aubrey's room with her. She hadn't seen the blonde in over 3 months and she was making up for lost time. Stacie walks over and puts her arms around Aubrey's waist. She moves the blonde's hair and starts kissing her neck.
"Do you think Chloe is really okay?," Aubrey asks.
"So, we're going to talk about Chloe now?," Stacie asks pulling away from Aubrey.
"I'm sorry, babe," Aubrey says. "It's just I haven't seen Chloe in several years and she doesn't seem herself."
"Well, she is the President and CEO of a mult-million dollar company," Stacie said. "And then all the stuff with her dad making her marry that guy Ray, and her divorce. Plus, seeing Beca after all these years with someone else. That's going to take a lot out of anyone."
"I guess," Aubrey says.
"I know we haven't seen each other for a few months," Stacie says. "But why didn't you tell me Beca was engaged? It happened kind of fast don't you think?"
"It's complicated," Aubrey said. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Beca didn't want any of the Bellas to know. She hadn't planned on bringing Trish but she sort of insisted on coming so she could meet everybody before the wedding."
Aubrey pulls Stacie into her. She kisses Stacie and the kiss gets heated pretty fast.
"Let's not talk about Beca or Chloe anymore tonight," Aubrey said.
"Good," Stacie says. "I can think of better things to do with my mouth besides talk."
Aubrey kisses Stacie again, slowly pushing her back toward the bed.
Beca and Fat Amy are the last two still hanging out at the bar. Trish got tired and had gone to back to the room to go to sleep. Beca was still on a high from her concert.
"Here's to Beca Effin' Mitchell," Fat Amy said, raising her shot glass to Beca.
Beca taps her shot glass to Amy's and both girls downed their drinks. Beca coughed slightly.
"Wow," Beca said. "I haven't had tequila in a while."
"I find that hard to believe," Amy says, waving the bartender over.
Amy and Beca both order a beer. The bartender grabs two bottles and sets them on the bar in front of the girls.
"Believe it," Beca tells her. "Tequila gets me into too much trouble."
"Sounds like quite a story," Fat Amy says. "Do tell."
"Maybe another time," Beca says sipping her beer. "Let's just say it complicated my life and I don't know how to un-complicate it."
"Well, if you ever need to talk," Amy said seriously. "I'm here. Let's not lose touch again. Okay?"
"I know," Beca said. "I was a real dick just cutting everyone off back then. I was hurting so bad and I didn't know any other way of handling things. But, I promise, it won't happen again."
By 2:00 am everyone is in bed and sleeping. Chloe was awakened at 7:00 am by the sound of her phone ringing. She reached onto the night stand where she had left it charging and checked the caller ID. She sighed and answered the phone.
"What, dad?," she snapped.
"Is that any way to talk to your father?," her father yelled at her.
"What do you want?," Chloe said through clenched teeth.
"Ray was arrested last night," her father said.
"And I need to know this why?," Chloe asked.
"He was your husband for God's sake," her father snapped at her.
"Was is the operative word," Chloe snapped back. "And that was only because you forced me to marry him. We're divorced now so he is no longer my concern."
Chloe hung up the phone and shut it off. She knew her dad would just call back and yell at her. She held the reins of the company now and did not answer to him. Not having her father around her constantly was one of the high points of moving to LA. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep so she got up and got in the shower.
Trish woke a little after 7:00 am. Beca was still asleep so she quietly went into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. Once she was ready she decided to head down to the hotel restaurant and grab some breakfast and take a walk. She knew Beca would sleep for several more hours and she wanted to see a little of Atlanta. She was surprised to see Chloe already in the restaurant when she got there. She went over to Chloe's table.
"Hey, Chloe," Trish said.
"Hey, Trish," Chloe responded. "What are you doing up already?"
"I was going to ask the same of you," Trish said with a laugh. "Mind if I join you?"
"Oh, um, yeah, sure," Chloe says. "I'm just waiting for Aubrey and Stacie."
"I just wanted to talk to you about your move," Trish said.
"What about it?," Chloe asked.
A waitress comes over and asks Trish if she'd liked to order. Trish says she'll just have coffee now and will order when the rest of the party arrives. She then returns to her conversation with Chloe.
"Well," Trish said. "I know you need to move in like 6 weeks. I'm not sure we can do closing and all that before you actually move."
"Really?," Chloe asked. "I'm willing to pay whatever I need to so I can move in as quickly as possible."
"It's not a money issue," Trish said. "It's more the paperwork and inspection. That sort of thing."
"Oh," Chloe said. "What if I just pick one of the houses you were going to show me? Could we get everything started now?"
"I wouldn't be a very good real estate agent, or friend, if I allowed you buy something, sight unseen," Trish told her. "I do have a temporary solution if you want to hear it?"
"Um, okay," Chloe said. "What is it?"
"You can stay in my condo until everything is settled," Trish said. "I've practically moved in with Beca and am hardly ever at the condo. It's just sitting there empty."
"I can't ask you to do that," Chloe said.
"You're not asking," Trish said. "I'm offering. It's furnished, it's near your new office, it's available immediately. What more can you ask for?"
Before Chloe could respond, Aubrey and Stacie appeared at the table.
"Good morning," Stacie said.
"Good morning," Trish responds.
"Good morning to you both," Aubrey said taking a seat.
"Hey," Chloe says.
The waitress comes back and all the girls place their orders. The waitress leaves and everyone sits quietly.
"So," Aubrey says breaking the silence. "What were you two talking about?"
"I was just offering Chloe the temporary use of my condo when she comes to LA," Trish said.
"I thought you were buying a house?," Stacie asked Chloe.
"I am," Chloe said. "I just may not be able to move in as soon as I had hoped."
"My condo is just sitting there empty," Trish said. "I think it's the perfect solution for Chloe."
"That's very nice of you," Aubrey said.
"Well," Trish said. "I have a feeling we're going to be great friends. It's the least I can do."
"It does sound like a great idea, Chloe," Stacie says.
"I agree," Aubrey says. "It will take some of the pressure off of the move and opening the new office."
"What do you say, Chloe?," Trish asked.
Chloe looked down at her empty coffee cup. She knew Trish was just being nice, but she still felt weird about the whole thing. She couldn't think of one good reason why she shouldn't accept Trish's offer. Oh, there is one - she is hopelessly in love with Trish's fiance.
"Um, thank you, Trish," Chloe said. "I'll take you up on your offer. I'll pay rent or utilities or whatever while I'm there."
"Not necessary," Trish said. "My dad bought the condo for me and has a 'household account' set up to automatically pay for everything. You'll only have to worry about food."
"Okay, then," Chloe says with a smile.
The girls finish her breakfast and Trish says she was going to take a walk around and do a little sightseeing.
"We were going to do the same thing," Stacie says. "We can go together."
"Great," Trish says enthusiastically. "Beca is still sleeping and knowing her she won't be up for hours."
"Care to come with, Chloe?," Aubrey asks,
"Yeah," Chloe says. "Sounds good."
The waitress brings the check and, over everyone's objections, Chloe takes care it for everyone.
"Ready to go?," Stacie asks.
"I just need to text Beca real quick," Trish says. "Let her know where I am so she doesn't worry."
Trish sends her text and the girls leave the hotel. Trish grabs Chloe's arm and Chloe throws a shocked look over her shoulder at Aubrey. Aubrey just smiles and raises her eyebrow. Chloe rolls her eyes and stops. She stoops down to tie her shoe and manages to keep Trish from grabbing her arm when she resumes walking.
The four girls walk around and had a good time. They made their way back to the hotel when Beca texted Trish that she was up and wanted to get lunch.
"Beca's up," Trish said. "She said something about lunch. You should all come too."
Stacie and Aubrey looked at Chloe.
"Brey, did you make any plans for lunch with the Bellas today?," Chloe asked.
"No," Aubrey said. "Today was just to do whatever you wanted. Although, we could see if all the Bellas were up for lunch together."
"Maybe we could just meet back at the hotel restaurant," Stacie said. "Send out a group text to the Bellas and let them know so if they want to join they can."
"Great idea," Aubrey says. She takes out her phone and sends out the text.
"I'll text Beca," Trish said.
The girls make it back to the hotel and find Beca, Amy, Ashley, Jessica, CR, Denise, and Lily already at a table. The girls all sit and Chloe finds herself sitting next to Trish. The waitress comes and takes everyone's drink order.
Chloe notices that Beca and Trish are having a whispered discussion that seems to be a little heated. She tries to ignore it but can't help listening when she hears her name.
"Why would you do that?," Beca asks Trish.
"Because her house won't be ready in time," Trish said. "It's my condo and I can do whatever I want with it."
"Where are you going to stay?," Beca asks looking around to see if anyone is listening.
"With you of course," Trish said. "I've practically moved in anyway."
Beca sighs and runs her hands through her hair and down her face. She doesn't get a chance to say anything more as their drinks are brought to the table. The waitress then takes their lunch orders and leaves the table. CR asks Trish about how she and Beca met.
"Well, my dad is Beca's boss," Trish says. "He owns the recording studio Beca works at. Beca mentioned she was looking to buy a house and my dad recommended me since I'm a real estate agent. While looking around for a house we hit it off and started hanging out. And, long story short, now we're engaged."
"Well, congratulations," CR said, "I wish you both nothing but happiness."
"Thank you," Trish says.
"Thanks, CR," Beca said. "I hope you'll all be able to make the wedding."
"When is it?," Ashley asked.
"July 5th," Beca tells them.
"Whoa," CR says. "That's like two months away. Will it be in LA?"
"Yeah," Beca said.
"I'll try and make it," CR says. "I can't promise though. My wife and I have reservations to take the kids to Disney World at the end of June. I don't know if I'll be able to get any more time off."
Lily and Denise both say they should be able to make it.
"I'm just in San Francisco," Ashley says. "I'll put it on my calendar and be there."
"I live in San Mateo," Jessica said. "I think I can make it. Hey, Ashley, maybe you can pick me up and we can go together."
"I'd like that," Ashley says with a smile. "Looks like we'll both be there."
"I don't care what I have to do," Fat Amy says. "I'll be there."
"What about you, Chloe?," Trish asks. "You'll already be in LA."
"I'll do my best," Chloe said. "But work keeps me really busy. Our office will have only been opened about 2 weeks, so I'll have to see how it goes."
"What about you, Aubrey?," Ashley asked.
"Well, seeing as I'm Beca's Maid of Honor," Aubrey says. "I have to be there."
"And, I'll definitely be her plus one," Stacie says.
"Aubrey already gave us all your addresses," Beca said. "You should actually receive your invitations by the time you get back home."
"I'm so glad most of you can make it," Trish said. "I need some normal people there. My dad has invited practically the entire client list of the studio, not to mention most of the employees."
"What clients?," Fat Amy asks.
"People like Adele, and Pink," Trish says. "Um, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z and Beyonce."
"Holy shit, Beca!," Fat Amy says. "You're going to have Beyonce at your wedding!?"
"I'm not sure, yet," Beca said. "She was invited. It doesn't mean she'll come."
Trish laughs. "I'm sorry," she tells them. "I'm so used to being around all of them since my dad owns the studio, I forgot it's a big deal when they show up to something we're having."
"Beca," Stacie says. "You've been working for Trish's dad for five years, and you didn't meet until like 6 months ago?"
"Yeah," Beca said. "Our paths may have never crossed then if I hadn't mentioned I was looking for a house to buy."
"It's a wonder we ever met at all," Trish said. "I've been to see my dad so many times and all I ever heard was 'Beca is such an asset to the studio' and 'I guarantee Beca will win a grammy this year.' She was always busy recording somewhere in the studio whenever I was there."
The food is served and everyone starts to eat. Several conversations are going on around the table.
"How are you holding up with all the wedding talk?," Stacie whispers to Chloe.
"Pretty good actually," Chloe said. "I'm just trying to work out in my head how to avoid the wedding without seeming petty."
"At this point," Stacie said. "I think the only one who thinks you're really going to try and make it is Trish. No one else will fault you for not wanting to go."
"I know," Chloe said. "But, I wouldn't be much of a friend to Beca if I don't go."
"Well," Stacie said. "Aubrey will be busy with Maid of Honor duties so you can always hang out with me."
"That's tempting," Chloe says with a smile. "But, I do need to see how things are going at work first. I'll do my best to be there."
"That's all we ask," Stacie said.
Chloe's phone rang and she looked at the caller ID.
"Would you please excuse me," Chloe said to the group. "I really need to take this."
Chloe accepts the call and says "Chloe Beale" as she walks toward the lobby. The others watch her leave.
"She seems really stressed," Ashley says.
"Being made the President and CEO of a multi-million dollar company at 23," Jessica said. "Will do that to you."
"I read that profits since she took over have gone up something like 300%," Stacie says. "She knows her stuff. To bad it puts such a crimp in her social life."
"We need to get her to relax," Trish said. "I really like her and I want to make sure when she comes to LA she isn't always working."
"She already said that she would be super busy getting the new office up and running," Beca said. "I don't think she'll be up for socializing for a while."
"We'll see about that," Trish says with a small smile.
"I know that look," Beca says. "That's your 'I've got them on the hook now I just have to slowly reel them in' look."
Chloe comes back to the table.
"Brey," Chloe says. "I can't have breakfast with you tomorrow. I need to catch an earlier flight to LA. Can we do dinner tonight? We can order room service in my room and talk."
"Sure," Aubrey says. "Everything okay?"
"Just a few problems with the new office," Chloe said. "I have to try and put out some fires. They wanted me to leave tonight but I told them no."
"What time will you be leaving tomorrow?," CR asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Chloe says. "My assistant will text me the details as soon as she knows them."
"Well, I for one expect to hear from you now and then," CR says. "No more radio silence. Okay?"
"Don't worry," Chloe said. "I missed all you girls. It won't be another five years before we see or speak to each other. I promise."
"What exactly does your company do?," Fat Amy asks Chloe.
"Well," Chloe says. "Beale Corp. is like the umbrella and we oversee a lot of smaller companies. We work with anything from micro-chips, to research, to recording equipment."
"Recording equipment?," Beca asks.
"Yeah," Chloe says. "We own 'BizWiz. They manufacture the 'Biz2000'."
"No way," Beca says mouth agape. "We use the 'Biz2000' in the studio. It's like the best recording equipment around."
"Thank you," Chloe says with a small laugh. "Wait until you see the 'Biz3000' in action. It should be available in about 6 months or so. I've actually been working with them on it myself."
"Why is the CEO taking such an interest in this particular piece of equipment?," Trish asked.
"Um, because of Beca actually," Chloe said. "When we were at Barden she used to talk about producing music all the time. When I heard about 'BizWiz' it brought back some fond memories. I just had to buy the company. I want to make sure that the product we put out is worthy of the Beale name backing it."
"Look at you," Stacie said nudging Chloe's shoulder. "Being all corporate and everything?"
Chloe blushed. She could feel Beca's stare and it took every ounce or restraint not to look at her.
A/N: I made up the Biz2000 equipment and BizWiz name. If there really is such a thing out there, it is purely coincidental.