Beverly Hills has indeed become Chloe's refuge from all the pain she endured as Mrs. Leonel Grisham. However, now she feels so comfortable there with all the conditions. The weather in Beverly Hills is cold and very different from the weather in New York City. She always feels relaxed and refreshed, although she often shivers from the cold at night. But she likes it; the beautiful widow has gotten used to everything there.
As the evening approached, the cafe was relatively quiet. Chloe sat near the entrance, enjoying her hot tea at her favorite table. Sometimes Tia would come to help, even though Chloe had told her not to. It's not that she didn't want Tia to go to the cafe. Tia had helped her a lot at home. She couldn't bear to let Tia work here as well. She was only accompanied by Peni, who often watched the cash register.
She was lucky to have people who were so loyal to her. They supported her even though she had let go of many luxuries that Chloe had once experienced. Here, she struggled on her own to make a living. Also to support the people around her. It felt warm then; the sunlight entered her cafe and touched her face. Chloe didn't move away; instead, she enjoyed the light that made her face shine.
Chloe turned on her phone and opened the gallery to see the pictures of her together with Agatha and Robby from last night. Earlier this morning, she received a message from her mother-in-law saying that she and her husband had arrived safely.
Chloe smiled happily; her index finger continued to swipe the screen, looking at all the pictures of herself with Agatha alternately. Her hand stopped when her phone screen showed a photo of herself with Darren, looking affectionate and intimate.
She took a long breath. "You're good-looking and successful. Why should you be stuck with someone like me who still can't forget my past? I'm happy, Darren; could you stay with me? But I feel sorry for you and guilty that you must wait for me without certainty." The beautiful widow spoke in her heart while looking at the street before her cafe.
The traffic around the cafe was quite heavy. The honking horns provided the soundtrack for the evening. Occasionally, curses could be heard from impatient drivers facing the traffic jam. Everything was visible through the large window of the cafe that Chloe managed.
A loud sigh could be heard, indicating the immense guilt she carried. "It's my fault, Darren. I'm the one who can't move on. After Leonel's affair, I had to meet that jerk, Josh. It feels like the pain in my heart is still accumulating."
Chloe's heartache was not just about Leonel's affair with Ester but also Josh's evil deeds, supported by Ester.
"I'm like this, not because I still love or hope to be with Leonel again. I can't trust marriage yet. I'm afraid that after getting married, Darren will change." Chloe bowed her head, her hair falling beautifully.
"It's my fault. Sometimes I'm sure that Darren is different, that he's not like Leonel or the frightening Josh. But when I'm alone like this, why does that fear return?"
Still looking down, Chloe was startled by a hand touching her shoulder.
Chloe lifted her head, looked up, and saw who the owner of that hand was.
"Darren?"
Chloe was surprised because Darren had come to visit her at that time. She felt it wasn't time for him to finish work, so she glanced at her watch. "It's not lunchtime nor time to go home. How come you're here already?" Chloe tried to normalize her surprise. She didn't want Darren to hear her ramblings about her feelings that she always managed to hide.
Darren, on the other hand, casually showed a smile that made him look charming. The man then sat before Chloe, gazing at the woman he liked with a smile that didn't fade. "What were you thinking that made you bow like that?"
The glow of happiness was reflected on Darren's face. Instead of answering Chloe's question, he asked a question that annoyed her slightly.
Chloe took a long breath. "I was asking, Darren. At least answer my question first. Instead, you're asking me back," she pouted.
Darren chuckled at Chloe's reaction. "Just relax. You seem tense, like we're going to war."
"I'm serious, Darren. I don't like it when you often leave work just because of me. We can meet when you're done with your work. Don't push it like this; I might feel uncomfortable and not want to see you again if you can't be told." Chloe was genuinely annoyed, thinking Darren was playing around during work hours.
Darren remained calm as if he wasn't guilty at all. Suppressing a smile, he looked at Chloe with narrowed eyes. "Why are you so angry? I came here to bring good news for you."
Frowning, Chloe asked, "What good news? I won't forgive you if you're playing around. Or worse, if you lie to me." The lips of the beautiful widow pursed, showing her sweet annoyance. Seeing that, Darren felt a strong desire to touch those sweet lips.
"Um... how about we make a bet?"
Darren's words made Chloe furrow her brows even deeper. Seeing Chloe's adorable expression, Darren became more enthusiastic about teasing her. "I don't want to lie, Chloe. What's the point of lying?"
Chloe was still annoyed because Darren seemed to be just playing around. Without answering, she remained silent, her heavy breathing audible. It was because she was feeling irritated.
Darren gave up; now, he no longer looked relaxed. Sitting up straight, he put both hands on the table. His eyes locked onto Chloe's eyes, and his facial expression seemed genuinely serious. "I don't know what you're thinking that made you bow like that. But I came here, really wanting to give you good news."
"No need to beat around the bush; just get straight to the point." Chloe continued to pout.
Darren smiled again, but it seemed lighter and not like he was playing around. He seemed to be buying time without speaking immediately because he wanted to surprise his beloved.
"Darren?" called Chloe, who was no longer patient and immersed in curiosity.
"My job transfer request has been approved."
Those words Darren uttered shortly after Chloe called him. Chloe's eyes widened as if she couldn't believe what she heard.
Was what Darren said true? If it was, she was fortunate.
After the impromptu visit from Agatha and Robby, she felt a little lost. Adrianna also returned to New York City, leaving only Peni and Tia by her side. Darren's presence in Beverly Hills was helpful, but she realized that his presence was only temporary.
If Darren could indeed work in Beverly Hills, he would stay there, accompanying and helping her and helping develop the cafe and heal the wounds in her heart that had not fully recovered.
Big news brought immense joy, leaving Chloe speechless with surprise.
But was this pleasing news? Chloe suddenly felt doubt creeping in, causing her to hesitate.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll take care of my job transfer. I won't need to travel back and forth if I miss you. I can see you anytime and spend more time together." Darren spoke again, trying to reassure Chloe, who seemed unsure.
The news Darren brought felt like a dream, and Chloe was afraid that she would be disappointed later if she unthinkingly believed it. "You're not lying, right?" she asked to confirm.
Darren nodded. "Do I look like the type of person who enjoys lying? Or is there a badge on my face that says I'm a liar?" He teased Chloe with his jokes.
Although it sounded dry, Darren's jokes made Chloe laugh. Now Chloe truly believed that Darren would work in Beverly Hills. Regardless of the location of his practice, as long as they were in the same city, it was much better than living in different cities.
Chloe now appeared enthusiastic, a sweet smile blooming on her beautiful face. "You said the job transfer request wasn't easy? You must have worked hard to make your wish come true."
Darren nodded. "Yes, it wasn't easy. I was still uncertain this morning, afraid my request would be rejected. But this afternoon, I received the news that my transfer request was approved. I checked it, got the confirmation, and came here immediately."
Indeed, a few hours ago, Darren's reaction wasn't much different from Chloe's now. He was also shocked and even flustered, doing things that were unnecessary and exhausting himself. After confirming that he could indeed transfer his practice to Beverly Hills, Darren immediately went to the cafe to meet Chloe and inform her.
Chloe now understood why Darren came with such a happy expression. Even when she was upset, Darren responded with a calm attitude.
"Are you happy?" Chloe asked, with a deeper meaning. She knew that the job transfer request was solely for her. Darren's efforts to win her heart were not taken lightly; he did everything with utmost dedication.
Darren pursed his lips, prolonging the moment before answering Chloe's question.
"Happy? I don't know," Darren's response sounded ambiguous.
"I just want to warn you," Darren's gaze focused directly on Chloe's eyes, making her feel awkward. "If you intend to get close to another man, it's better to abandon them now. Because I won't allow you to get close to another man." Darren's words were spoken with a somber tone. Through the eye contact between them, Chloe could sense the sincerity Darren possessed.
If it were any other woman who heard those words, she would undoubtedly throw herself at Darren without any hesitation. But this Chloe was the one listening. Her doubt grew even more substantial.
"When have I ever been close to another man? Have you ever seen it?" Chloe tried to divert her thoughts.
Darren shrugged. "That's because I wasn't here. That's why, from now on, you have to be careful because I will visit you often. Anytime. No matter what time it is. If you get close to another man, I can kick him out so he won't find you again."
Chloe burst into laughter again at Darren's words. "Possessive."
"You need to be treated like that, Sa. I'm not ready to lose you."
Chloe fell silent.
Darren himself wanted to say something he had been holding back. "I want to tell you that with my transfer here, I want us to be much closer. So that you can be sure that I can be a good husband to you, but, Chloe, I know you won't want to discuss marriage. For the chance to be your husband, I will wait for you. Waiting is not easy, but for me, Chloe, it doesn't matter. I will wait for you and stand by your side until the time comes," Darren said in his heart while gazing intensely at the woman before him.
Chloe stopped laughing, moistening her lips, which were starting to feel dry, and then nodded. "Alright. Kick anyone who wants to play around with me. But if you're the one playing around with me, I'll be the one to kick you out of my life."
Darren smiled widely and nodded. "Do whatever you want. But just that only my woman can do that to me." With confidence, Darren wanted to convey that only Chloe was allowed and capable of treating him like that.