Usually, she was someone who could keep a secret and act very calm and collected in any situation. But when she faced her homegirl after reporting her findings, she felt indescribable guilt that made her nervous.
"A—Anyway, I have lots to do. So I better return to my desk and work!" Diamond said.
"Okay, let me meet Vernon. There is something that I want to discuss with him," Chloe said. She stepped towards the CEO's office door, but Diamond quickly blocked her.
"L—Let me confirm whether he is busy or not, girl!" Diamond said frantically.
She opened the door and yelled loudly, "Mr. Phoenix Gray, Chloe is here to speak with you!"
Vernon, who was still busy calling one of the executors, was surprised. He quickly ended the call and cleared his throat before confirming, "Let her in."
Diamond sighed in relief.
Really, they were just discussing how not to be discovered by Chloe, and they were so close to getting caught red-handed just now.
She stepped out of the door frame and stared at her homegirl. She forced a smile and said, "He is free to meet you now, homegirl."
…
Chloe definitely sensed there was something off with them today. Because Diamond looked so nervous, Vernon's voice sounded nervous when he answered just now.
'Did they do something in private? Maybe Diamond and Vernon are… nah, I don't think that's even possible, knowing how low Diamond's opinion towards Vernon…' Chloe thought.
But she still had to confirm.
After all, it would be a joyful occasion if her little Vernon and best friend dated for real.
Chloe would be their first supporter!
Chloe entered the office and saw Vernon sitting on his chair with his back straightened. He looked so nervous, which had never happened before.
Usually, he'd either slump on the sofa or lift his legs and rest them on the desk while calling someone on the phone.
"Vernon?"
"Y—Yes, Big sis—" Vernon realized his mistake and fixed it immediately. "Yes, Chloe."
Chloe got even more confused by his nervousness. Usually, when Vernon was guilty of something when he was a kid, he would call her Big sis and sit straight on a chair.
He would listen to every scolding that Chloe gave him. He wouldn't cry. Instead, he would look sad and feel guilty for the whole day.
Chloe put Vernon's lunch bag on the table and walked towards Vernon.
Vernon's breath stiffened instantly. He clenched his armrest, afraid that Chloe might've heard about what he was planning and would be mad at him.
Vernon knew it was unnatural for him, a powerful CEO from the Gray family with great physical prowess and above 190 centimeters in height, to be intimidated by a petite sweet lady like Chloe.
But he truly feared Chloe right now.
To be scolded and hear his Big sis Chloe say, 'I'm disappointed in you, Vernon,' was a childhood nightmare he didn't want to repeat.
Chloe noticed the nervousness immediately. He walked around the desk and stood beside Vernon, who was bound to his boss's chair.
"Vernon, are you okay? You look too nervous," Chloe asked. She gently put her hand on his shoulder, and Vernon jolted instantly.
"Wha—" Chloe took a step back out of reflex. "Vernon, did something happen while I was out?"
Chloe didn't want to assume. But the way Vernon jolted like he was about to get caught for doing a severe crime worried her so much.
"N—Nothing, Big sis!" Vernon replied quickly. But he dodged Chloe's eyes.
'Ah, he still keeps his old habit when he's trying to hide something. He'll try to dodge my eyes as much as he can, because he will eventually burst out crying when our eyes meet,' Chloe thought.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm sure!" Vernon replied. "N—Now, go sit on the sofa, or somewhere not too close to me!"
'Oh, it's so obvious,' Chloe thought. 'But I don't want to embarrass him. So…'
Chloe returned to the sofa and sat there, staring at Vernon, who was still sitting on his executive chair while doing his best to dodge her eyes.
"Well, um… Diamond said you want to meet me. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Ah, before that… did you and Diamond have a… you know… affair?"
Vernon's eyes widened instantly. She glared at Chloe as if he had just been slandered and replied, "Why would I have an affair with Diamond? That's gross!"
"That's not nice…."
"I don't care if it's nice or not! Ugh, fuck, thinking about it seriously weirded me out!" Vernon was truly disgusted by the idea. Because he never actually saw Diamond as a potential partner.
He saw her as a work partner as she was competent and a quick thinker.
"If it's not about that. Then what makes you look so nervous?" Chloe wondered.
"I—" Vernon paused for a second. He was trying to find a good lie so Chloe would question no more. "I— I'm thinking about surprising you with something…."
"Me?!" Chloe's doe eyes were staring at Vernon with sparkle. She tried to hold her excitement, but Vernon could see that Chloe was happy with the idea of surprise.
"Y—You shouldn't do something for me. It's too much of a hassle, and you're very busy too…." Chloe said.
She tried to reject Vernon's idea, but she was so happy inside that she wanted to jump and dance around right now.
It had been ten years since she got a good surprise from someone. For the past ten years, Vincent only surprised her by fucking a random woman each time she caught him cheating, and he looked so proud of it.
Vernon saw how happy Chloe looked, and he went along with it. This would also coincide with his agenda, as he had been planning to buy her something as gift and also compensation for snapping at her many times before.
"It's not a hassle, Chloe! I've prepared the surprise, so you better expect something good this evening!"
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