18 The date

Chloe and Brian met for their 8 pm reservation. Chloe was wearing a long, off the shoulder, royal blue, mermaid style dress with a lace floral design. When Brian watched her step out of the car, he felt several things at once. He was a very lucky man. That dress was made for her, and how badly he wanted to take it off.

Chloe spotted Brian; he was wearing a matching royal blue tuxedo with a long black tie. When she saw him, she blushed knowing he was there just for her. "Wow. You look...I don't think they have invented a word for you yet." Chloe was at a loss for words. He was very dashing in his outfit. "I pale in comparison to you my angel. The only thing more beautiful than that dress is you." Brian laid his hand on her waist gave her a proper public kiss and escorted her inside.

Inside, was quiet and empty. "Honey, why is the place empty?" "Well, I know you don't like it when I throw money around but I wanted our first date to be special, so I bought out the place for the night." "I guess I could let this one slide. After all, it came from your heart." Chloe and Brian sat eating dinner and enjoying each others company. Brian never thought he would feel this way about anyone. They were having a wonderful time when Chloe received a phone call from Sam. She looked at Brian apologetically "I'm sorry, it may be important." Brian nodded to let her know it was ok while she answered. "Hey, this better be life or death." "Chloe you need to get to the hospital fast. Phillip showed up. He got into an argument with Sally saying it was her fault you left him and wouldn't come back. He beat the shit out of her. She's pretty bad. I had to call the police and an ambulance. He left before they got here." Chloe's face turned a sickly pale color. Brian grew worried about seeing this. "Baby, what happened?" "I've got to go. I'm sorry this was lovely, but I have to leave. Sally is in the hospital." With that, she left for the hospital.

Brian was furious, not at Chloe he understood her position. He just knew Phillip had something to do with everything. "Ryan, find Phillip I don't care where he is. Find him. Bring him to me. Put him in the cellar. I'll deal with him when I get back. I want to be there with her." Ryan knew what he wanted. He hadn't seen this side of Brian since before he acquired his empire. "Boss, are you sure? What if she finds out?" "Relax, I won't kill him..... yet."

....

At the hospital, Chloe rushed into the E.R. and told the receptionist that she needed Sally. After the receptionist looked into her computer, she gave Chloe a sorrowful look. "I'm sorry ma'am. She's in surgery. She had some internal bleeding. I don't know much more information. If you have a seat when the doctor is done, I'll send him over." Chloe took a seat, struck with panic and fear, she wasn't sure what the hell happened. So she dialed Phillip's number. She got his voicemail and was infuriated. "Right now Sally is in surgery. You better hope she makes it out alive. I will find a way to make you pay for this. Beating me is one thing but to beat on a pregnant woman. What the hell is wrong with you?"

At this time Brian had walked up behind her and heard her. He stopped in his tracks. Pain struck his chest when he heard that this idiot actually dared to put his hands on his angel. A fire of rage surged through him. He wanted to kill Phillip now. He wanted to erase all knowledge of Phillip. However, calming himself down he remembered why he was here. Tapping Chloe on her shoulder, "Silly girl, you didn't ask me to come with you." He gave her an affectionate kiss and with sad eyes looked at her. Seeing Brian made her relax a little. Although, Chloe was hoping he hadn't heard what she said and tried to ignore the fact that he just might have.

"Yet, here you are. You would follow me to hell and back wouldn't you?" "Yes, ma'am I would. I would fight every battle you ever needed and stand victorious calling your name." With a few words, Chloe knew she was in love with this man. She wanted to tell him. No, she wanted to shout it to everyone. But, the only thing that kept her silent was the fear of being hurt, used, played, and thrown away. She knew in her heart he was not like Phillip, but her head had other opinions. Until she could get them on the same page, she wouldn't dare say how she felt. "You, my good sir, are one smooth talker." Chloe deflected her feelings. Brian was a little hurt knowing what she did and why she did it. However, he couldn't show it to her. He knew her reasons, and until she overcame them, he wouldn't push the issue. "What happened to Sally?" Chloe explained to Brian in as much detail as she could without telling him that Phillip had hit her before.