Chapter 8: A Growing Suspicion.

Yet, in contrast to all this hue and cry, Chloe was sometimes able to hear a word or two. She heard words like “deal,” “payment,” and “time’s up.” Her worry began to grow, and she then swallowed bitterly, suspecting that something might be wrong with Liam. She proceeded to inch closer and to actually hear what was being said. Whether it was the fear that was building up in her heart or the fact that she was trying to come up with a plan, she could only listen to him with increasing numbness and apprehension. She firmly pressed her ears to the corner of the wall, shivers running down her spine as the pounding of her heart against her chest was mixed with the barely comprehensible murmurings of the unknown dialogue. Every second, the fear in the atmosphere seemed to comprehend and gradually chase her like a curtain of fog. However, Chloe decided not to stay weird with the fear. That didn't stop her; she held on, only seeking the truth about Liam and what she could do to make it better. Inching closer to them with every step, the numerous pieces in place began shifting, exposing a grave game of deception that was hunting down both. As Chloe was coming closer, she noted the wrinkled brow of Liam and his fist clenches, which indicated that he was under stress and the rising tension. As calm as Kane was, he was mocking Chloe's fear with his voice. It was full of power, and his words were sharp, sending chills into Chloe’s body and soul. Whatever deal they are going to settle will involve debate. But Chloe didn't attempt to go away from there because of the dilemma she faced. So, she was unwavering through the hard times with Liam just to show the depth of her unconditional love for him. She almost closed her ears and tuned them out, but suddenly her mind was full of dangerous possibilities, every single one of them beyond the scope of imagination. were The exact moment Kane's look pattern deviated suddenly, he gazed straight at Chloe with the intensity that made her blood run cold. For a moment, she felt frozen and exposed under his penetrating stare, as if he was able to act as a demystifier and could see through her. With ample time on their hands and eyes locked with the other, for a while time seemed to have stopped, and a struggle of wills started, and both battled each other silently. Chloe quietly exhaled one breath, but quickly another was caught because, like that, Kane had refocused his attention back on Liam. Once again, she moved on with her head held high, adamant to stitch together the torn edges of their conversation, a burning flame now burning brighter than ever. By the end of the talk, Chloe's heart was about to burst with joy and concern, making her feel numb. She felt how the path Liam was going to choose would then cross many more paths, not only his but hers too. And then, with a sudden change of heart, Liam looked at her, and his expression was almost filled with apology and determination. "Chloe, I need you to trust me," he added, his voice hinting at the least bit of a whisper and sounding very determined. At this moment, Chloe couldn’t be sure. But underneath that deep uncertainty of his relationship was her fierce, unyielding loyalty. "I do," she responded. However, her voice was steady and calm, and nothing showed the chaos inside her. "No matter how tough the struggle we face, I will always stay by your side." In this moment, he held the tension, despite his awkwardness, when he gripped her palm. He was firm, as he fulfilled the role of a friend, and this mutual understanding was super allegorical. One alone, they were ill-equipped to endure the vagueness of the time, but as one, they had a firmness and trust in each other that surpassed the unsettled environment surrounding them. It was turning out to be a horror movie, thought Chloe as she pushed her way against the crowd that was surrounding Liam and the bunch of men who were gathered together. She pretended as if she were not in real panic, but her heart was really beating the way as hell. The flickering of the club’s dim lights created discreet shadows around their faces, which later bounced up the walls, creating a creepy atmosphere. "Liam, we don’t have time to waste. You know the cruciality of our mission,” barked Kane firmly, his lips moving silently and his gaze concentrated on the symphony of lights aspanning the music venue, almost as if he could touch it with his eyes. Chloe immediately felt sick in the stomach as his words conveyed great intensity. Liam's jaw was clenched, and his eyes were darting here and there, requiring a mixture of striking defiance and bitter resignation. Sighing intensely, he hesitantly noted that he required more time, his voice full of tension. "I can't rush this." Despite being a calm and collected individual, there was a sudden look of anger animating his face; his patience was diminishing. "Time is a gift that we are unable to afford. Only, Liamy, do your job or you will face undesirable consequences." Chloe’s heart pounded against her ribcage as she leaned forward and overheard their conversation. A bleak feeling of fear enveloped her like thick clouds. Whatever the silly games Liam had played, it was clear that the situation was becoming more and more desperate with every passing day. Although fear really tried to keep her away, Chloe, however, resolutely refused to let it freeze her. With a straightening of her shoulders, Grace was ready to face whatever was ahead of her with that trademarked fierce resolve of hers. She might just have walked into trouble, but it would be counterproductive to be headed by fear and act as she sees appropriate. She was by his side whenever he needed her, his strength of their love forever strong to weather through life, whatever the circumstances. With a deep breath, a look of fear appeared on Chloe’s face. However, little by little, she was able to shake it off and continue moving, with Liam being her guide. "Everything okay?" she broke in upon, her words tasting of concern yet decisive. Liam's eyes beamed a light of both surprise and fear as he faced her but! Chloe saw the tint of vulnerability in her eyes for a moment before it became a mask of a resolve. "Don`t worry, Chloe. Everything`s alright," he told me, as an attempt to appear confident in what he was doing; however, he exposed the fear that he was trying to hide. But Chloe wasn't convinced. You could cut the air with a knife, and she could tell that Liam was holding something back. She did not order him to reveal his secrets, but at the same time, she would not simply stand back and watch his happiness being stolen right in front of her eyes. Just as she completed her sentence, Kane's voice interjected like a blade of a sharp knife. "Who here, Liam?" he said uneasily as he stared at Chloe and back with distrust. Liam's hands curled along Chloe's arm to express his expectation for caution. "She's nothing," he answered curtly, his tone not admitting offurther discussion. Yet Chloe was determined to stop her with ease. In Liam's eyes there was a warning, but she did not heed his advice and squared her shoulders and looked at Kane straight in the eyes. "My name is Chloe", - she answered, her voice staying calm although the adrenaline rushed through her system. And by no means I'm a nobody. I'm here to defend and stand up against those bullies. A thinly hidden resentment flashed in Kane's eyes as he looked out at Chloe with a sneer. "Geez, you have endeavoured," he commented in an ironic voice. "And you'd better keeps your nose out of ours." Shocked as she was by Kane's words, Chloe was sure she would not walk away from the fight. She strolled right into a dangerous place, but she wasn't willing to let fear control her destiny. Liam felt to need her and she would be always there for him, no matter what. With the suspense rising in the air, Chloe prepared herself to handle whatever was going to happen now. She might not have all the solutions, but she was set to unveil the trut, and discover the uncertain world that Liam had to stay within. However, unlike the hunter seekin a proof, she was a detective whose only purpose was to decide whether the victim was worthy of a llifes existence or not.