Suddenly, I Am Rich

Mara hesitated for a moment when she heard Chloe’s trembling voice. Her gaze flew to Gray, then to Chloe, who was clinging to him. Her chest tightened at that sight, but she chose to be silent.

For a whole minute, the three of them just stayed frozen in their own place. Mara was looking at them, Gray was holding Chloe in his arms, and Chloe was crying.

Then, Mara silently sighed. Without saying anything, she walked closer to them to excuse herself. She didn’t want to look at the scene further. Also, she didn’t think she could focus on work with Chloe in there.

”Hey, Gray, I’ll give you two some privacy,” she said softly.

Gray glanced at her and gave a small nod of gratitude.

Mara also just nodded before turning around. She walked out the door and gently closed it. Just like that, the room became more intimate for Gray and Chloe.

Chloe’s sobs grew heavier the moment they were alone. Her grip on Gray tightened. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as if she were only getting her strength from Gray.

As she cried further, her breathing turned uneven and broken. Her body slowly started shaking too from the overwhelming emotions she was feeling.

At that sight, Gray felt more worried for Chloe. It was his first time seeing Chloe like this. She looked as if the world had turned upside down for her.

”Hey Chloe,” he slowly murmured in a soft voice. His one hand rested firmly on her back, while the other one was brushing gently through her hair. ”It’s okay... It’s okay. Take your time.”

But Chloe only shook her head against his chest. Her cries deepened the more she cried.

”Chloe,” Gray tried again, his voice lower this time. ”What really happened? Why are you crying like this?”

However, Chloe didn’t answer. Instead, she just gasped softly, her shoulders trembling harder as if the question itself pushed her emotions to the edge.

With it, Gray realized that Chloe wouldn’t say anything with her height of emotion. His jaw tightened as worry settled deep in his chest.

Whatever had happened, it was surely bad. He could only name a few that may be the reason for it, but he was also unsure of it.

”It’s alright,” he said quietly, almost a whisper now. ”You don’t have to say it yet. Just breathe and calm down.”

Slowly, very slowly, Chloe’s sobs began to lessen.

Her breathing was still uneven, but it no longer broke apart with every inhale. The shaking in her shoulders also eased. She stayed closer to Gray, but her grip loosened on his shirt.

Gray stayed still the entire time.

He did not rush her. He also did not speak again. He simply kept his arms around her.

After a while, Chloe pulled back just enough to wipe her face with the sleeve of her coat. Her eyes were swollen and red. She sniffed quietly, embarrassed, then lowered her gaze.

Gray tilted his head slightly to catch her eyes.

”Are you ready to talk now?” he asked gently.

Chloe hesitated but eventually nodded.

Gray gave her a soft smile. It was reassuring. After that, he did not say anything else. He just waited for her to start opening up.

With the silence, Chloe anxiously swallowed. Her fingers twisted together at her side as if she were gathering the courage to say the words out loud.

”Gray...” she said, her voice a little hoarse. She took another breath. ”This is bad.”

Gray’s expression did not change. He just looked at her and smiled.

”My father,” she continued, her voice rising despite herself, ”he got a new girl.”

”...”

’Oh shit.’ Gray’s heart immediately skipped.

His hand tightened slightly at his side before he forced himself to relax.

’I can’t let Chloe know that I already knew about it...”

”A new girl?” Gray just raised his brow and asked.

Chloe nodded and laughed weakly, but there was no humor in it. Her eyes filled again in anger and irritation.

”And she’s the same age as me!” Chloe said, her voice cracking. ”The same age, Gray! How does that even make sense?”

Gray’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Chloe clenched her fists. ”He brought her to the office today. Right now. Just an hour ago. He brought her as if it were nothing! Like it wasn’t even embarrassing!” Her voice shook with anger and humiliation.

”And now? Everyone already saw them together!” She looked up at Gray, her eyes burning with disbelief.

”It’s a shame,” she said with fury. ”It’s humiliating! I don’t even know how I’m supposed to face anyone anymore.”

Gray let out a slow breath through his nose.

”What did your dad say about it?” he asked quietly.

Chloe’s in disbelief laugh came louder this time.

”That’s the worst part!” she snapped. Her hands clenched tighter at her sides. ”That’s what makes it even more infuriating, Gray.”

She looked away, her lips trembling.

”He told me to act nice,” she said, each word heavy. ”To treat her properly. Like she’s some important guest I should be polite to.” Her voice rose despite herself. ”Can you believe that? Act nice. Like this is normal?”

Chloe shook her head hard.

”It’s bullshit, Gray! Absolute bullshit.” She dragged a hand down her face, frustration pouring out of her in waves.

”And you know what else?” she continued, her voice shaking again. ”My sister was fine with it. Completely fine!” She laughed bitterly. ”I found out she knew about it for a month. A whole month. Back when my dad had just started seeing her.”

Her shoulders trembled as the words spilled out.

”They all knew...” Chloe whispered. ”And no one thought to tell me...”

She looked at Gray then, her eyes was starting to get teary once again. Behind that, her anger was obvious.

”I felt so betrayed,” she said. ”By my own family.” Her fists clenched again, her long nails biting into her palms.

”It’s disgusting,” Chloe added, her voice low and shaking. ”Both of them. Acting like this is just... acceptable. Like I’m the one being dramatic for not being okay with it.”

She swallowed hard, blinking back more tears.

”I don’t even recognize them anymore. They’re just disgusting.”