Chloe (Chardonnay Series Book 1)

by Hollye Davis

  Jody came waltzing up with Jeff. Chloe smiled and said, “See he really does exist!” Edwin shot her a strange look but she and Jody just laughed.

  Jody then leaned down to her “Who are the others?”

  Tensing slightly, Chloe answered, “Just friends crashing the party.”

  “Wow, they’re really wow.” Jody laughed nervously. She had no idea.

  “You know the whole place is talking about you. They recognize you but no one else. Of course they wouldn’t know they don’t even go here.” Jody said, always ready for the latest gossip.

  “You look like you are on fire with all your sparkles. You outshine everyone. I’m jealous.” but Jody smiled sweetly.

  “You look beautiful, Jody, and Jeff is a very handsome man.”

  “Yes he is, isn’t he?” Jody answered dreamily. It looks like love was in the air.

  When the music started Edwin pulled her up to dance. All the others followed saying, “Finally.” It was great when the song they had previously practiced their moves played. All the girls in their group got in a line and started the steps. At the appropriate time the boys joined in. It was exhilarating. The whole dance floor had cleared to watch them. As usual when Edwin swung her around she put her head back and laughed. She loved letting go, it was like flying.

  Edwin whispered, “These damn masks, I want to kiss you so badly right now. Your laugh drives me crazy!” She laughed again, this time wickedly. Edwin was good for the most part. His hands did wander a little bit, but otherwise he behaved. When the song changed to a slower tempo, Edwin became anxious.

  She knew how he felt. She wanted to kiss him, too, but the masks would make it awkward at best. The next thing she knew Chloe was being dragged into a small corner that was very dark. He pulled his mask up and started kissing her. She was sliding down the wall when he pulled away, pulling his mask down quickly. She looked at him questionably when she noticed a teacher standing nearby saying “You need to return to your table please.” Oh…that was embarrassing. Chloe giggled and he just smiled at me.

  “When you turn 18, you’ll never have to worry about that again,” he whispered in her ear. She wondered what turning 18 had anything to do with it. She would still be in school with a couple months left until she graduated.

  A little bit later Christine and Sandra came up to them.

  “Where’s the little bitch?” Christine asked.

  Chloe knew instantly who they were referring to. She pointed her out.

  They both simultaneously said, “Figures.”

  “Come on Chloe, you won’t want to miss this.”

  Chloe looked at Edwin questionably but he waved her on.

  Walking between Sandra and Christine was surreal. They were movie stars, beautiful, poised, rich. Chloe was none of those things. It didn’t help that every eye followed them as they walked. They slowly made their way over to the “popular” section. All of Chloe’s insecurities pounded through her. She didn’t feel like being harassed tonight. It was a perfect night and she didn’t want it ruined. Christine had a cup of red punch in her hand and she began swinging around as if she was drunk. Before Chloe knew it, Christine bumped into Britney dumping the punch right down her dress. Christine, the very excellent actress, looked so dismayed, “Oh my GOD, did I do that?” Then she busted out laughing. Britney went ballistic and tried to slap Christine but Sandra was too quick. She grabbed her wrist and said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. She knows some pretty powerful lawyers who will sue you and your parents until they are bled dry.” Britney looked at them appalled. She twirled around obviously looking for something to throw back at Christine but Penelope materialized out of nowhere. “No, I don’t think you want to do that, either. See these are designer dresses that if you ruin, you’ll be sued. They are like a car, insured and expensive, however if they can put the neglect on someone else, the insurance company will go after you and your parents.”

  God her friends were so cool and brilliant. She had no idea if that was true or not but all that mattered was neither did Britney.

  Britney sat there like a dumb broken Barbie doll with punch down her gown. She sputtered out, “WHO the hell are you? I don’t remember seeing you go to this school”

  “We’re friends of Chloe’s. If you ever so much as look at her, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” Christine said.

  With that they all turned, walking back to the table.

  When a slow dance started Edwin and Chloe went out to the dance floor. They were trying hard to behave when Christoph stopped them.

  “We’ve got to go,” Christoph said as he looked around.

  “Why?” Edwin asked.

  “Someone has reported that they don’t know us and that we have crashed the party. Before things get out of hand we need to leave.”

  Chloe nodded. She was done anyway. They gathered everyone up and left. Chloe waved at Britney on the way out. She was looking smugly and her suspicions proved correct. She was the snitch.

  They decided to go to the club that they had gone to before. Sandra switched masks with her so her face would be more disguised. They danced until the early morning and made their way back home at daybreak.

  Prom would be something I would remember forever and it seemed life was perfect. But sometimes when the sea is calm, it is because the biggest tsunami of all is about to swallow us all whole.

  Chloe’s Diary

  Chapter 21

  The End, or is it the beginning?

  The weekend was uneventful and peaceful. Edwin had to work so she stayed home reading and what amounted to a whole lot of nothing. She was still pretty exhausted from the excitement of prom night.

  When Monday rolled around she didn’t want to go to school. She had to remind herself that it was not much longer until she would be through with it all. Only a

  month until spring break and her 18th birthday was just around the corner. She kissed her very sleepy Edwin and met Cole and Kim outside. She had made arrangements with Cole the night before when she knew Edwin had a late night. Kim chatted excitedly about prom and how cool it was all the way to school.

  Jeff walked them to their classes and her mind wandered. Her woolgathering continued way into fourth period. She was having a particularly good daydream about Edwin when it was interrupted by a knock on the classroom door. A person presented the teacher with a note. With the prom and Britney, Chloe held her breath. When the teacher looked at her, Chloe’s stomach began to feel sick.

  “You’re needed in the office.”

  Oh God what now? She thought miserably. They probably found out about her friends crashing the prom and once again she was going to get in trouble. Great, can’t she just get a break around here? The girl next to her snickered. Chloe had quite the reputation around here. She supposed that she should be happy that she hadn’t disappeared in this school, but there was such a thing as too much exposure. She got up and walked out into the hall and down the long corridors when she noticed Christoph standing next to her locker. Her heart started to pound.

  Chloe ran, “Edwin?”

  “He’s fine, Chloe.” Then he cleared his throat and said, “We messed up, I’m sorry.”

  Her heart pounded harder and her stomach began to hurt.

  “What do you mean?”

  “The guy who made those invites, he leaked it to the press. Well more like Victoria leaked it to the press. She can be quite vindictive. We were able to get here before they arrived, but they are coming and they know about you.”

  “Who?” She asked confused.

  “The press, the paparazzi, you name it, everyone knows.”

  Oh, no. her heart sank. It’s done. It’s out. She was looking down at her feet. Maybe this will be okay. After all they were going to get married sometime, the press would know then. She just thought they had time.

  “I’m sorry, Chloe,” Christoph said.

  “Where’s Edwin?” She asked.

  “At the front office talking
to the Vice Principal and Principal about you and what was going to happen. The least we could do is be here to support you. We’re all here. Sandra and the girls are finding a bathroom to prepare you to meet the press. Duke is with Edwin and we brought others.”

  “Others?”

  He sighed and scratched his head. “Bodyguards.” Oh…they weren’t messing around. Unfortunately the bell rang and she looked up at Christoph in horror. He said “It’s okay. We’re going to deal. This is for you, Chloe. We want to be here for you.”

  When the first people came out of their classrooms no one really reacted and she relaxed a bit. But it only took one person to recognize or think they recognized Christoph and that was it. It started with “Hey aren’t you…” and then the girls started to scream. Two guys dressed in suits materialized out of nowhere keeping the screaming girls and curious guys out of the way. Teachers began poking their heads out of the classrooms to see what the ruckus was. Christoph pulled her closer as they waited for Edwin and Duke to come down the hallway. She knew once they did, it would be pandemonium. People eyed her crazily and looking at Christoph. He had his arm around her waist.

  She heard more of a commotion down the hall and she looked to see crowds pooling and girls screaming. She looked up at Christoph and he just shook his head.

  “It’s Edwin, girls just scream with him. It’s tiring really.” She laughed at him because girls were freaking out around him too.

  Someone was parting the crowds and she could see Edwin and Duke walking her direction. Girls were fainting, it was ridiculous. It was so crazy all around her, the only thing she could do was concentrate on Edwin, who looked so serious. When he spotted her, he searched her face. She figured he was trying to figure out if she was doing okay. She gave him a small smile and he looked relieved.

  When he reached her he touched her face and said, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m now that you’re here,” She said letting the love shine in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Chloe.”

  “I know. It’s okay. It had to come out eventually,” She said sadly.

  Everyone had gone quiet in the hall but she barely noticed. Duke and Christoph were chatting ignoring the crowds. She reached up to touch Edwin’s face. He looked so serious and sad. He leaned down and kissed her as he always did. It was a moment of mourning for them but the collective gasp woke her up to the reality of where she was. She looked around to see stunned faces staring at her and Edwin. She looked up at him and he held her tighter.

  Another wave of excitement hit down the hall and she knew that had to be more of her famous friends coming. Sandra, Penelope, and Christine, absolutely beautiful as always, came waltzing up through the parted crowds, “Hey, Chloe, we’re sorry,” they gave her a hug.

  “Come on, we brought some stuff for you to wear for the press and all,” Sandra said.

  “Okay,” but before she could start moving she heard Kim fighting her way up to the front of the crowd. When she finally emerged she looked at her and Edwin with friends and she said, “Oh crap, it’s true. They did find out!” Chloe nodded and hugged Kim, “It’ll be all right.” Christoph took Kim’s hand and they all started to walk toward the bathroom. However, about halfway there Christine stopped and looked at Britney. She didn’t even know she was in the crowds. She was one of the many trying to get a glance at her friends.

  Christine smiled and said, “How’s that prom dress? Did you get the stain out?” Britney turned white and looked at her with Edwin. Edwin looked at her and said, “I would like you to be the first to know that Chloe and I will be married soon.” The crowd went crazy then. It was like a roar of conversation. She guessed it was pretty exciting stuff. The crowds were privy to something the press didn’t even know yet.

  They walked a little more when Chloe noticed Jennifer, the mega Chardonnay fan. Chloe did owe her for giving her the idea about Britney’s audition. Chloe stopped in front of her and Edwin looked at her oddly.

  “Jennifer, how good to see you,” She said.

  Jennifer stood there speechless. She noticed she was carrying a Chardonnay notebook with Edwin’s picture. She asked, “May I see your notebook.” Jennifer handed it over. Chloe turned to Edwin “Jennifer is the one who gave me the idea about the audition. Would you mind signing her notebook?” He smiled. At least 10 girls sighed. He signed Jennifer’s notebook. Chloe said, “Thanks for being nice to me.”

  Wide-eyed Jennifer said, “You were serious about being in love with him then?”

  Chloe nodded and they continued down to the bathroom.

  As usual Chloe was completely overwhelmed with all the primping that the girls subjected her to but afterward she looked magnificent. Chloe walked out to find Edwin leaning up against the wall. Classes had started but getting the kids to class had proved to be a difficult task. The teachers who had successfully gotten the kids in the door hadn’t been successful in containing them. Every door in the hallway was crammed pack full of people trying to see out. It was actually a humorous sight but her nerves weren’t allowing her to enjoy it.

  Edwin pulled her to him and kissed her again. He told her she wouldn’t have to say anything that Christoph, as usual, was going to be the spokesperson. She was beyond relieved. She had a history of saying the wrong things and this way she can’t mess up. He explained they were going to try to keep to the truth as much as possible and that he was going to announce their engagement. She was a little taken by how fast this was happening, but he said it was better to get it all out than to let the press run with assumptions. She could understand that logic, but she was still apprehensive.

  When they emerged from the school, Chloe was stunned by the massive amount of people crowding around with cameras. It was surreal. She stood outside like a toy, as they snapped so many pictures, she was blinded. Questions and more questions were asked in rapid fire. She didn’t know what to do, but thankfully Edwin held on to her firmly and told her to smile. So she smiled even though she didn’t feel like smiling. Some of the questions were so bazaar she couldn’t help but look up at Edwin questioningly. He would just shake his head telling her that this was normal. One theme that they kept asking about was a love triangle between Victoria and her. She rolled her eyes at that one. When will they let Victoria go? She was off the show now and no longer acquainted with Chardonnay or Edwin.

  What felt like an eternity they finally made their way to the limo where she immediately crawled into Edwin’s lap and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with this. This was a significant part of Edwin and she knew she would have to deal if they were going to keep their relationship strong. Chloe swallowed, to make their marriage work. Marriage to someone this popular was never something she thought of for her future.

  Press, a.k.a.the slithery snakes of humanity, would not leave us alone. What was once private, is now public. Everything was out of control. I didn’t want Edwin to know, but I hated it. I hated every second of it and I didn’t know what to do about it.

  Chloe’s diary

  Chapter 22

  The unexpected

  The next few weeks were tough. The harassment started again, but not like at school. She was not to be ostracized but overly coveted. She didn’t like that either! She wanted to be normal and now it was never going to happen. Edwin did his best to help her out but it was tough. She was moody and unreasonable. She would lock herself in her room when she got home from school. Edwin was worried. Aunt was worried. She knew she was being overly emotional but she couldn’t change it. Chloe didn’t realize how much Edwin or Aunt worried until one night when he was holding her in her arms.

  “Chloe, I’ll quit the show, I’ll do whatever it takes for this to work between us.” It was then she realized what a brat she was. She was not going to let a little inconvenience cause problems between them or his career.

  “Oh Edwin, no. It’s not that. I don’t know what it is, I cry over everything. I’m not myself, I feel different. At school I start
ed crying because I left my pen in another class. I’m sorry. Really, I’ll work it out.” He still seemed worried but she was tired and went to sleep.

  After weeks went by the press died down. She was glad. She just wanted to get through school. One afternoon when Edwin came to pick her up, as he always did. Britney walked toward Edwin.

  “You asshole, you ruined my chances on that show!” Britney screamed.

  He said, “It’s all coming together isn’t it? You’re beginning to figure out why you haven’t been able to get a single job since you started harassing Chloe.”

  Chloe didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. Britney’s phone began to ring and Edwin said, “Oh you better get that, I imagine it’s your agent dumping you.” Britney looked up at him surprised.

  “I hope you learned your lesson Britney. What you did to Chloe was sadistic. She didn’t deserve any of it. But you deserve all of what has happened to you.”

  Once in the car, Edwin explained that he had put in a few phone calls and found out who her agent was. Her agent was informed all about Britney and her “problems.” Not to mention that producers know each other and Britney’s reputation has been spread throughout the industry. Once again, Chloe felt a tinge of guilt but knowing that if they hadn’t done something about Britney, should would have morphed into something worse than she already was. Maybe she won’t be so quick to hurt other people. Maybe she will become a nicer person. Chloe snorted at that. Hardly, but it was nice to dream.

  As soon as they arrived home, Chloe was feeling very sick and she ran to the bathroom. Edwin was pacing when she got out.

  “I knew it was too much. Your stomachaches are back aren’t they?”

  Chloe wouldn’t look at him and wouldn’t lie to him.

  “Come on, we are going to the hospital.”

  “No! The media will go crazy if we go.”

  “I don’t care, I’m not going to have you die on me, Chloe,” His voice broke.

  “I think I would know if I was in the danger of that Edwin,” She waved him off.