novelxo Chapter 163
Chapter 163
On the other side of the house, Chloe stepped back into her room, a storm of emotions swirling inside her. She hadn't explained anything to Connor because there wasn't a clear way to explain it. How could she say that she had been violated without her knowledge? She still had no idea who had done it.
The memory had once plunged her into deep depression, and it took her a long time to claw her way out. She had finally managed to crumple that awful memory into a ball and bury it in the depths of her heart, pretending it had never happened. So, she didn't want to talk about it. She certainly didn't want anyone peeking into her deepest, darkest secret.
The next morning, Connor emerged from his room just as Chloe was coming down the stairs.
"Morning, darling," Chloe greeted him, trying to sound cheerful.
"Morning," Connor replied, the tension between them unspoken but palpable.
They had breakfast together, then went their separate ways to work. On the surface, everything was normal, but they both knew that the more they pretended nothing was wrong, the deeper the rift between them grew.
At the TV station, Chloe and the cameraman, Kyle, headed to the Paradise Resort site. Today, she needed to conduct an interview and gather raw footage for a long-term feature on the resort's construction progress. Paradise Resort was nestled in the most remote suburbs of Riverbrook, surrounded by picturesque mountains and rivers. It took them a good two hours to drive to the project office.
The executive manager greeted them upon arrival. "Miss Chloe, our project director is currently presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony, but he'll be available for your interview afterward."
"Perfect. Let's go take a look and snap some photos while we're at it," Chloe suggested.
They were led to the ceremony site,
where the project's director was
giving an opening speech. Chloe was shocked to see Lucas here. She hadn't expected Moncada International to put Lucas in charge of such a significant project Standing on a makeshift podium, microphone in hand, Lucas looked every bit the part in his crisp white shirt, suit and tie, and black trousers. He exuded confidence and charm.
Seeing him took Chloe back to their college days. During their first year, Lucas had suddenly asked her for a favor, "Chloe, can you buy me a suit this afternoon?"
"Why?" she had asked, puzzled.
"Tomorrow is the graduation ball, and I want to wear a suit to dance with you."
"Why don't you go buy it yourself?"
"It's different if you give it to me. It'll be my first suit, and it should be special."
In the end, Chloe picked out a suit for him, complete with a blue tie. Lucas had been so proud wearing it that he kept asking if he looked cool as they danced. Those youthful days seemed so far away now, yet sometimes they felt like just yesterday.
Chloe wasn't nostalgic, just
reflective. Even if they hadn't been lovers, they had been each other's most important friends for the first twenty years of their lives. How they had ended up here was a mystery. Time, she realized, is both a magical and a cruel thing.
In a daze, she noticed Lucas had finished his speech. The unveiling and toast ceremonies followed quickly, more for show than
substance. The executive manager, Gavin, hurried onto the stage and whispered something to Lucas Then, Lucas looked over at Chloe. Their eyes locked. Though only a short distance apart, it felt as if mountains and rivers lay between them. Lucas quickly descended from the podium and made his way to Chloe.