(Silly Scene 20) Chloe's Retirement [End]

I sit at my desk with a grim look on my face as my fingers drum impatiently on the desk's polished oak surface. The steady tock, tock, tock, of an tall antique grandfather clock is the only sound in the room. My eyes are focused on the big door across the room.

Tap, tap, tap. A small knock at the door.

"Come in."

The door opens a couple of feet and a visibly nervous Chloe sticks her head in the room. "Hey baby." She says with a fearful smile.

"Don't baby me. You know why you're here."

Her face drops and you see real fear in her big magnified brown eyes. "Grim...I..."

"Don't call me that." I snap. She knew damn well why she was here. This wasn't a social call, this was business.

She flinches at my sharp words. "Yes sir."

"Get in here. Close the door behind you."

She steps in and shuts the door behind her back. She is in her usual ensemble of a dark skirt, white collared shirt, and of course her thick glasses. She seemed hesitant to approach the desk.

I point to a spot just in front of my desk. As a moment's pause Chloe hurries forward and stands front and center. Her fingers play nervously together in front of her.

She stammers to muster a defense before I can even start. "It's only been a d..."

"Stop." I hold up my hand. "What did you promise me? If I let you have that Dear Chloe chapter, what did you promise?"

She swallows hard and takes a short shuddering breath. "That...it would be the best chapter ever."

"Was it the best chapter ever?"

She bows her head and stares at the floor and whispers. "I tried my best."

"Was it the best chapter ever?" I ask again with rising annoyance. "Did you keep your promise?"

Her shoulders slump in defeat. She lets out a long breath of air. "No sir."

"These Silly Scenes consistently under perform. I've given you A LOT of leeway on these chapters, haven't I?"

She nods. "Yes sir. You have. Thank you sir."

"I'm sorry Chloe, but they just aren't pulling their weight. I mean...you gave these guys a blow job and barely cracked double digits!"

She glances your direction with guilty eyes. "Maybe I didn't do it how they liked. If you give me another..."

I wave her to shut up. "I'm putting the Silly Scenes to an end. I won't be needing your help with these anymore. You understand?"

She stands silently, her bottom lip pouting out and trembling. She very slowly nods.

"And I think I'll give you some time off in the story threads as well. There isn't much going on right now that we'll be needing you for."

She closes her eyes, tears sparkling at the corners. Her entire posture shrinks even more as she nods once more. "Yes sir." She says in a tiny, barely perceptible voice. "I...tried."

My hard expression softens as I see Chloe so ****. Thankfully the unpleasant business was done. I stand and walk around the desk.

"Come here." I say as I reach out to embrace her.

She turns into me buries her face in my chest.