It took Chloe some time to recover strength and leave Starbucks.
Chloe returned to the office building and went up the elevator. Diamond's words occupied her mind the entire time, keeping her quiet.
She was a spineless, wishy-washy woman who would eventually return to her abuser, Diamond said.
While it was still hurtful, Diamond might have a point. Because even now, she was still thinking about giving herself back to Vincent because she was afraid that he would lash out at Vernon, hurting and possibly ruining Vernon's future just because he tried to shield her.
She planned to leave because she thought that would redirect Vincent's focus back to her, clearing Vernon of all suspicions, thus Vernon could continue his life as a successful young man without an old lady like her pestering around.
"But what's the point of all this if there is no escape from Vincent? All I did was just ruin someone's life…." Chloe lamented.
Ding.
The elevator door slid open as it reached the top floor. Chloe could see Diamond busy with her report on the secretary's desk.
She gave Chloe a quick look before returning to her work indifferently.
Chloe lowered her head and silently passed Diamond to the pantry. Honestly, she didn't want to come here because she felt she was unwelcome by Diamond.
But it was still her job to prepare lunch for Vernon.
Thus, she put everything in a tray and went to Vernon's office.
She knocked a few times before Vernon told her to come in.
Vernon was sitting on the sofa, eagerly waiting for his lunch because he had been starving this whole time!
"Damn, it smells good," Vernon commented as Chloe served the food in front of him. "Where's your food?" he asked.
"Ah, I already ate it with Diamond outside," Chloe replied with a lie. It was still in her lunch bag. She just didn't feel like eating right now.
"Are you sure?" Vernon squinted suspiciously. He still had to make sure that Chloe ate her food.
"Mhm, just eat yours first, I'll leave now," Chloe said.
"Wait, sit here with me, I want to tell you something," Vernon ordered, forcing Chloe to stay.
…
Chloe reluctantly sat beside Vernon and watched the young man eat the food she cooked with relish as if it was the best lunch he had ever had.
'Ah, it makes me feel good to see him eating so well…' Chloe thought, trying to grasp any self-comfort.
Vernon slumped on the sofa after having his lunch. He drank his banana juice while staring at Chloe before commenting, "What's wrong?"
"Huh?"
"You look troubled, Chloe."
"I—I'm not," Chloe quickly fixed her face, ensuring she didn't slip up in front of Vernon.
…
"Just tell me, seriously," Vernon confronted. "Seeing you looking so troubled distresses me as well."
…
"Chloe?"
Of course, Chloe couldn't say that she planned to leave Vernon after she got her first salary. But she had other things in mind she could talk to right now.
"Vernon, about Mackie's celebration, what do you want to do?"
"Ah, I'm thinking about emptying a mall for a night, and allow Mackie to take anything she wants there. It'll be good to spoil her a little, right?"
Chloe's body visibly stiffened when she heard how excessive that sounded.
Vernon might have the money to spoil Mackie rotten, but Chloe wanted to teach Mackie the meaning of money and how she needed to be watchful of the money she spent.
After all, her father would never buy her something super expensive…
"I—I know that you have the money, Vernon," Chloe said. "But I don't think it's wise to give something like that to Mackie."
"Huh? Why not?" Vernon frowned. "I thought it's already a small celebration, I don't know what's smaller than that."
Besides, Mackie was a daughter of a billionaire. She should be getting her own private jet by the age of seven.
In fact, Vernon got a sports car for a birthday present when he was seven, which he never used. First, he couldn't drive at that age, and second, all he wanted was a goddamn skateboard!
'And Chloe was the one who bought me a skateboard,' Vernon reminisced.
"Um… I want to teach Mackie some humility. Vincent has never given her anything lavish, so I don't want to set up too many expectations on her…." Chloe said weakly.
Vernon went quiet for a few seconds, "He never gave her something lavish? Did he buy her some expensive toys at least?"
"No…" Chloe said. "But please don't buy her something that is too expensive. I want to teach her the meaning of earning and saving money!"
"Ugh, fine," Vernon was about to say that he would buy her a villa as a gift at least. But Chloe's pleading eyes made him weak, and he couldn't help agreeing.
Though he already had an idea of a gift, "I won't buy her lavish stuff. But I will still give her something as part of the celebration, alright?"
"O—Okay, thanks, Vernon…."
"By the way, did Diamond tell you about the two bodyguards that will blend with the people during the autumn festival?" Vernon asked, and Chloe nodded in response.
"Well, it will be one man and woman, so one can be guarding you outside, and one can follow you around, acting as one of the student's guardians," Vernon informed. "Don't worry, Chloe. I promise to keep you safe. I will never forgive myself if something happens to you."
Vernon stared at her with a gaze full of earnestness. As if he bet his pride on this.
He truly wanted to protect Chloe from all harm, even if it meant he had to waste his life.
'Vernon dedicates his life to protect me. He even went as far as scheming against his own Big brother…' Chloe thought. 'And what did I give him? Why am I thinking about running away when Vernon doesn't even hesitate to throw his life for me….'
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om