One Man Band System

"Click,"

After heading upstairs, Eric unlocked his room, shut the door behind him, and kicked off his shoes. He tossed his backpack onto a chair before walking over to the window, pulling the curtains aside to take in the city view from high above. He watched the bustling streets, the distant skyscrapers, pedestrians strolling along the sidewalks, and a few people grabbing food from food trucks—life went on normally without pause, completely indifferent to the tangled mess and pounding headache in his mind.

Eric stepped back and sat on the edge of his mattress when suddenly, "knock," a tap sounded at his door.

"Who is it?" he asked.

Standing up, he walked to the door, peeked out, and pulled it open to find Chloe standing on the other side.

"Um... can I come in?" Chloe asked.

Eric didn’t answer out loud, but he stepped aside and opened the door wide to let her in. Chloe stepped inside. Eric shut the door behind her, walked in, and saw that Chloe had already taken a seat on the edge of his bed. Eric sat down right beside her.

"Why did you come over?" Eric asked.

"Here,"

Chloe held out her smartphone, showing him a news update from Bryan stating that Paul had been rushed to the hospital after suffering a sudden, severe heart attack. He was currently undergoing emergency treatment, though the doctors seemed pessimistic about his chances. Eric handed the phone back to Chloe, who stared at him in silence.

"How do you feel hearing this news?" Eric asked.

"I don’t know... I want to feel satisfied. I want to say ’good riddance’ and ’serves him right,’ but for some reason, all I feel is exhausted," Chloe answered.

"Hmmm... yeah... I understand that feeling," Eric replied.

"Yep... I know, and right now, we’re in the same boat. You’re exhausted from your brother’s antics too, aren’t you? Plus Emma being mad at you," Chloe replied.

"Yeah... pretty much. Even though Aunt Miranda explained everything, still... I don’t really feel anything... except tired," Eric replied.

Chloe took Eric’s hand and slid over right up against him. Both of them remained silent, not saying a word. Then Chloe turned her head to look at Eric.

"Emma... is still crying, but I’m sure she’ll be okay," Chloe said.

"Of course... hearing massive news like that straight from her own mother’s mouth... it’s obvious she’d be shaken up... I’d feel the exact same way if I were in her shoes," Eric replied.

"I know and I get it... because right now, I’m feeling the same way too," Chloe said.

"The court’s decision on that case is still a long way off, right?" Eric asked.

"Looks like it. We probably won’t hear anything until next month," Chloe answered.

"Well, at least there’s progress, and even if Paul doesn’t make it, Mason and his son are still around—they’re just as guilty as Paul," Eric replied.

"They’re facing their own charges, but Paul’s son is definitely in big trouble," Chloe replied.

Silence fell between them once again. Still holding hands, they just stared straight ahead. The room grew quiet. Chloe turned to look at Eric beside her, occasionally opening her mouth as if to say something, only to change her mind and return her gaze to the front.

"Ding,"

Eric’s smartphone chimed. He pulled out his phone, his eyes widening as messages from both Trinity and Anthony came in at the exact same time. They informed him that the contracts would be ready for signing next week, as Katie and Mike were currently conducting the final review. Once signed, operations could kick off immediately since the infrastructure was already fully in place. Chloe leaned her head over to read along.

"Thank goodness there’s good news today," Chloe said.

"Yeah, true. Not everything is terrible today," Eric replied while typing back.

Then a text from Caleb came through since he had received the same update, followed by Katie confirming that everything had been reviewed with an okay result. The agreement was officially ready to be signed by both parties, with only the timing left to be scheduled. A faint smile touched Eric’s lips, feeling a bit relieved that his business affairs remained completely unaffected by his brother’s situation and the chaos surrounding them.

Yet just as Eric felt a slight sense of relief, a new message popped up, this time from Norman. Eric opened it, his eyes going wide as he stood up instantly. Chloe stood up right beside him.

"What’s wrong?" Chloe asked.

Eric didn’t answer verbally; instead, he handed his smartphone to Chloe so she could read it herself. Chloe’s eyes went just as wide. Norman reported that an hour ago, Blake had died in prison following a brawl. Blake was the key link connecting the police to Tony Malini, as he was the first person to leak that name to law enforcement.

Right after, a follow-up text from Norman arrived, stating that Melissa had already been informed of the incident and was doing okay.

"That guy deserved to die... but yeah... hearing about it still leaves a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth," Eric said.

"I get it. So what are you going to do?" Chloe replied.

"Nothing, it’s just annoying. I literally just got good news and was thinking about setting up a date to sign the partnership deal... then bad news comes crashing in instead. It’s frustrating," Eric answered in irritation, sitting back down.

"Oh... that... well, that’s just life," Chloe replied, taking a seat beside him.

"Are you fine staying here?" Eric asked, turning to look at Chloe.

"I’m fine. Why, do you want to be alone?" Chloe asked.

"No... actually, I’m glad you’re here. I need someone to talk to, too," Eric answered.

"Oh... no need to worry, I don’t have anything to do anyway. Besides, Emma asked to be left alone and the others are chatting with Tania and Ruby, so yeah... I’m staying right here," Chloe replied.

"About that famous artist named Wesley being Emma’s brother... did you know?" Eric asked.

"Hmm... the confirmation only came earlier when Emma brought it up," Chloe answered.

"Confirmation? Meaning back when we ran into him while hiking, you already suspected it?" Eric asked, turning to look at Chloe.

"Not just me, Monica and Laura suspected it too," Chloe answered.

"Hmm... I thought I was the only one who figured it out, but turns out you guys did too," Eric replied.

"Yeah... pretty much, but Emma’s real issue is that her mom talked to you and told you first... she feels her mom was being unfair since she’s her daughter and should have known before you... plus she feels bad for taking it all out on you, which is why she asked us to leave her alone for a bit," Chloe said.

"Huh... she feels bad about it?" Eric asked, taken aback.

"Yeah... she said you were just keeping a promise to her mom not to say anything, so you’re not in the wrong... her mom is," Chloe answered.

"Still... I feel terrible about it. I honestly wanted to tell her, but yeah... because of that promise to her mom, I just couldn’t," Eric replied, lowering his head.

Chloe leaned in close until she was right up against him. She took Eric’s hand, then turned her head to look at his profile.

"That’s exactly why she feels remorseful for blowing up at you, so just leave her be for a bit and let her cool off first," Chloe said.

"I get it. Thanks, Chloe," Eric replied, turning to look at Chloe with a gentle smile.

Chloe smiled, and then their faces drew closer as they kissed. Chloe shifted, wrapping her arms around Eric’s neck, while Eric turned to pull her by the waist. They then reclined onto the bed, breaking the kiss while keeping their hands locked together.

"Feeling any better?" Chloe asked, reaching up to gently run her fingers through Eric’s hair.

"Better than before... well... I finally let out all my frustration on my dad earlier. Even though I feel a bit guilty, what I said was true, so... I don’t think I need to apologize or take back my words just to spare his feelings," Eric said.

"Yeah... in fact, if you take them back, your dad will miss the point entirely. But it’s alright, letting out what’s on your mind once in a while is fine, even if it happens unconsciously," Chloe replied.

"Thanks for staying here with me so I’m not stuck in my head," Eric replied.

"You’re welcome... um... let me," Chloe said.

Chloe moved closer to hold Eric tight, and they kissed once more. Naturally, one kiss led to another, escalating into something far more passionate. Meanwhile, in another room, Monica, Priya, Heidi, and Laura were chatting with Ruby and Tania when they suddenly turned to glance at one another, a sudden wave of goosebumps creeping over them.

"Uh... where on earth is Chloe? What’s taking her so long? She said she’d only be gone for a second," they all thought simultaneously, each in their own head.

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