Much Bigger Than Imagined

The last couple of days had been much harder than he expected. The very next morning after the Easter dinner his faux grandmother informed him he would not be getting the cellphone he desired. "What?!" Chloe snapped at the old woman across from the breakfast table. "I did everything you said. We had a deal!"

"If you will recall, I said if you behaved yourself. And you failed."

"I didn't do anything."

“You were consistently rude to my guests and do you not think I saw you running around the ballroom?”

“I was starving!”

“Yes, and then you spat food into a dear friend’s hand.”

“It was shrimp.” He shouted as if that were a justification she should accept.

“A young lady does not spit food, let alone in anyone’s hand. The very idea!” Beatrice scoffed. Still managing to keep herself composed.

“Whatever.” Chloe groaned, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

“You should consider yourself lucky I do not punish you further.”

“Yeah? Well you’re not my mom or dad.” Chloe knew he sounded like any whiny teen but he was angry and annoyed after doing everything right and Beatrice decided not to keep up her end of the bargain.

Beatrice paused, “I may not be but I am your grandmother, and you are in my house. While you are here I expect to be treated with respect.” Chloe bit back his retort, there was no point in arguing with the old bat, he wouldn’t be here long and he had enough money in his bag to get a burner. “Is that understood?”

“Yeah.” He rolled his eyes.

“Answer me properly.”

“Yes…grandmother.” He sneered.

“Better.” She said as Sheffield entered the room with a breakfast plate for Beatrice and Mark. “Now, I suggest you lose that nasty look on your face and your attitude before you miss out on lunch as well.”

“What?” Chloe watched as Sheffield sat plates before the pair, passing over him. “Sheff, really?” Sheffield frowned and looked despondently at the floor. The anger flared up in Chloe again, and he did his best to contain what he could, “Fine. If I’m not eating, then there’s no reason for me to sit here with you people.”

Chloe slammed his hands on the table, pushing his chair back as he stood. Even the supposed wretches and criminals at least wouldn’t deny a child food. “Good idea, Chloe. You should get ready for church.”

“Church?!” He spun around, immediately regretting it in his heels and having to catch himself on the wall.

“Easter service starts in an hour and we cannot have you walking around in your loungewear.” Her face was neutral as usual but her tone was dismissive.

“And if I don’t go?”

“Then you will stay here.”

“Fine with me.”

“And you will not be permitted to leave the grounds until next Sunday. Unless you still do not feel up to going.” She sipped at her coffee, never breaking eye contact with Chloe.

“This is bullshit!” Chloe snapped back angrily. He wasn’t against religion, he didn’t particularly believe in any of them but he didn’t like being pushed around.

Beatrice stood, placing her cup down on the saucer. “I have had enough of your gutter talk!” She stormed over to Chloe snatching his arm in her boney hand. Her face finally showed the anger she had felt building all morning.

“Let me go, you old bat!”

“I told you,” She seethed as she dragged Chloe out of the room, “you will show respect and if your father won’t teach it to you I will.”

Chloe struggled against the older woman but she was stronger than anyone her age had a right to be. She held his arm up enough to **** him to walk on his toes, making him lucky to not trip in his heels as she pulled him along into the downstairs bathroom. “What the fuck do you think you’re-Aah!” He screamed, feeling his shoulder twist painfully backwards. With the same quick hands she displayed the night before Beatrice shoved a small bar of soap into his open mouth.

Chloe immediately tried to spit the bar out of his mouth and found him halted by Beatrice holding her hand firm over his mouth.

“I tried to treat you like an adult but since you refuse to act like one I will treat you as a child.” Chloe tried to pull his face away, but Beatrice’s grip was too tight. “I will not be disrespected in my own home. That means you do not shout at people, you do not swear, and you will treat me with respect is that understood young lady?” She growled.

Chloe growled back and tried and failed to swing at Beatrice. Still on the tips of his toes, even if he had been more experienced he would have found it difficult to punch the old woman. As it was she simply let go of Chloe’s arm and he stumbled back. Again, with a quickness he didn’t expect, Beatrice caught his hand and pulled him forward, preventing him from falling down. Immediately he spit the bar of soap into the sink. “I do not believe in physical ****, but if you ever raise a hand to me again I will quickly embrace the concept and retrieve a switch from the gardens. Is that understood?”

“F-f-”–he spat the excess soap into the sink with a deep cough–“Yes!”

“Good.” Her voice softened while she watched Chloe fill his mouth with water from the sink. “I want you to remember this incident any time you think about disrespecting me. Your father. Or my guests.” He nodded, coughing and spitting the new layers of bubbles in his mouth. “Is that understood?”

Chloe spat once more. “Yes.”

“Yes ma’am.” She corrected.

He growled. He knew six guys who could beat the old woman and even burn her damn house down. But they were back in California and they were men that would have no problem selling him out in a second for some leeway with the feds. “Yes ma’am.”

“That’s better. Now. In addition to not getting you a phone you can consider yourself grounded.”

“Yeah-yes ma’am.” He corrected himself, seeing the rage flare up in her eyes once again.

“I expect you to be ready for church in twenty minutes.”

“I thought I was grounded.” He immediately regretted it as he caught a withering stare from Beatrice.

“You are grounded for your foul language and attitude, and the fact you tried to strike me. All of that amounts to one week. If you choose to stay home I have no problem adding an additional week to your punishment. Does that answer your question?”

“...yes ma’am.”

“Good. I expect you to be in the foyer in twenty minutes.” Her final order given, she left Chloe alone in the bathroom to continue washing her mouth out.

Later Chloe sat between Beatrice and Sheffield, while Mark had found Zoe at the front entrance and of course he sat with her. Not that Chloe could blame him, if he had been given the choice he would have abandoned Mark to his mother as well. Chloe frowned and pulled at his dress uncomfortably. Sheffield had helped him pick out an appropriate dress since he had little knowledge and no time. He had in the end picked out a denim sundress, with a thin brown belt pulling in his already thin waist, and a chunky knitted cardigan sweater to keep his bare shoulders covered and thankfully warm in the cold church.

Beatrice followed along in an old beat up leather bible with the preacher as he read from his own. While she read, she did not notice Sheffield passing slices of apples to Chloe. Normally he would have refused, but he was hungry enough that even the apple tasted like a succulent treat. By the end of the service he had eaten two apples worth of slices. While it did not eliminate his hunger entirely it helped stave off starvation allowing him to at least think clearer. He wouldn’t tell him, but Chloe was relieved to have someone who was actually on his side. Mark wasn’t, he just wouldn’t rat him out, for now. Of course, that could change for better or worse. Watching how often Zoe found an excuse to bump him with her shoulder he had an idea on how to control which side of the coin he’d fall.

After service, Mark and Zoe were discussing their plans for the following week. “Yeah, I have to talk with the board about our fourth of July picnic, which is a much bigger hassle than you would expect.”

“Really?” Mark smiled, “You would think picnics would be simple. A checker blanket, a basket with some sandwiches…ants.” Chloe rolled his eyes, but Zoe laughed at his lame attempt at humor. An awkward silence fell between the two as they walked Zoe to her car. Chloe frowned, hating that Beatrice insisted he still wear heels while Zoe got to wear flats. The older woman claimed he still needed the practice. “Well…this is me.” She said as she stood beside her BMW, “Thank you both again for walking me to my car.”

“It was our pleasure.” Mark smiled, answering for both of them. Again another awkward silence fell between the two. ‘God ask her out already!’ Chloe thought loudly, unknowingly echoing Zoe’s similar sentiment. “It was really great to see you again.” He finally said, offering his hand.

“Oh.” She gently shook his hand, “It was great to see you too.” She smiled but Chloe noted the look of disappointment behind her eyes clearly unnoticed by Mark. “And it was wonderful to see you again.” Zoe offered her hand to what she thought was Mark’s daughter.

Chloe smiled, though he hated what he knew he had to do. “It was, like, fabulous to see you again too!” Chloe cheered as he hugged the woman. Of course this part he did like, their height difference was just perfect enough that he got to press his face against her breasts. Something he knew from experience would get his ass kicked any other time. “I wish you didn’t have to go!” He whined, looking up at the woman.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m sure you haven’t seen the last of me.” She hoped.

“I just loved hearing about your work.”

“You did?” She thought for a moment, she didn’t think the young girl cared for her, but last night she was stressed over the wild events that occurred and Mark said she had a rough morning, so perhaps she was wrong. “Would you like to do what I do one day?”

“Yeah!” He lied with a smile. “Daddy,” He asked, turning towards Mark, “can she come have lunch with us?” He hoped Mark at least picked up on the obvious look in his eyes, telling him to say yes!

Mark missed the look, he was too taken aback by Chloe calling him Daddy. He knew Chloe was Sam, a man, but his girlish mannerisms and voice had even him fooled in that moment. It was like knowing how a magician does his tricks but still somehow feeling the amazement and wonder as he vanished on stage only to be replaced by a flock of doves. Mark smiled, “If it’s not any trouble, I know I’d love to have you-for lunch.” He looked up to her with a hopeful smile.

“It would be no trouble at all.” She smiled, “I just have to go home and change, but that should take me no time at all.”

“Awesome!” Chloe cheered. ‘And the Oscar goes to…’ He smiled. He hated being Chloe, but he loved this part of any job.

Beatrice was none too pleased to not be consulted on who was invited to her home, but she was happy to see her son spending time with the right kind of people. Chloe was unhappy that he had inadvertently delayed his own lunch. Beatrice insisted they wait until all guests were in attendance and his pleas to Sheffield went unheeded. “Young miss,” He started while stirring a pot of something he called mascarpone, “it is good manners to wait for your guests to arrive before you begin eating.”

“Tch.” Chloe sucked air through his teeth, “I thought you were helping me, man.”

“I am, young miss. It is important that you understand what it takes to be a lady of status if you wish for success in the future.”

“Ugh. This sucks.” he groaned.

“Chloe, you should watch your language. It is not proper.”

“The old lady isn’t around.”

Sheffield sighed, and went back to cooking lunch, “Be that as it may, it is better to practice good manners even if she is not here. Lest you slip up and she washes your mouth out with soap again.”

Chloe grimaced at the soapy taste that still lingered in his mouth, “Good point.” He frowned and turned to leave.

“Miss Chloe,” Sheffield took a bottle of voss water out of the fridge and handed it to Chloe, “drinking this should stave off your hunger for a little while longer.”

Chloe looked at the cold bottle of water, “You know what else helps hunger? Food.” He rolled his eyes, leaving with the water in hand.

Thirty minutes later, the family sat around the breakfast table eating seared walnut crusted tuna

Chloe was excited at first to hear about the rich meal they’d be eating for what he thought to be a simple lunch, but then every meal he had eaten in the manor had been much better than any meal he had eaten even when he and Jared splurged after a job and went out for a steak dinner. The one thing he hated was that, despite the delicious food, it was always served in such tiny proportions. At first he thought it was just part of Beatrice’s punishment against Mark for leaving but even Beatrice’s meals were just as small. And Zoe didn’t react surprised at all when they were served. Beatrice reminded Chloe with a simple clearing of her throat to eat properly and not gobble the food up like he wanted to. Somehow he managed to slowly eat the miniscule proportions, savoring every bite as if it could be his last. He sipped at his water with a single squeeze of lemon and stared longingly at the glasses of wine the “adults” were drinking.

When Zoe finally showed up she declared she had brought a bottle of 93’ sauvignon blanc to apologize for her lateness. “Ooh, that looks good. Pour me a glass, Sheff.” Chloe had said as he poured Beatrice her glass first.

Beatrice chuckled and the other two joined in, “You are much too young.” She smiled, but she held fire in her eyes, “Perhaps on new years you can toast with us. If you can stay up that late.” Chloe frowned. The look Beatrice gave him caused him to sit up straighter in his seat and **** a smile back on his face.

“She means no harm.” Zoe smiled at the young girl. “When I was her age, I used to sneak sips of rum out of my father’s decanter.” Zoe giggled and Mark laughed with her.

“In high school I stole vodka out of the liquor cabinet for this party my friends and I were going to.” Mark smiled seeing his story of teenage rebellion impressed Zoe.

“You did what?” Beatrice glared.

“It was twenty years ago, mother. Besides, I replaced it before you guys even noticed the bottle was full of water.”

“How did you replace it?”

“I…I had a fake ID.”

“Really?!” Chloe arched a brow in surprise. He always considered Mark so straight-laced.

“I must say I am shocked, Mark. I thought I raised you better.”

‘You didn’t raise me at all!’ He held his tongue, letting his anger wash over him as he smirked, “Rebellion is part of being a teenager.”

“I’ll remember that. Daddy.” Chloe chuckled. Mark and Zoe laughed along as Zoe teased him about Chloe’s upcoming rebellion. Beatrice was not amused at the thought of her granddaughter following the same path as her son.

The conversation continued with mostly Mark and Zoe talking about old times, and catching up on everything beyond third grade. Zoe smiled at Chloe whom she caught staring at her once again. She paused for a moment, remembering that Chloe had said she wanted to know more about her and her work and so far Zoe had only given Mark her attention. “Chloe,” She said sweetly, “forgive me. You said you wanted to talk about my charity work?”

“You did?” Mark asked, having completely forgotten Chloe’s lie.

“Is this true, Chloe?” Beatrice asked, giving the young girl a curious look.

Chloe nodded, “I, like, yeah-yes ma’am.” He covered his mouth with his napkin, still tasting the flecks of soap between his teeth.

Beatrice smiled, ‘Maybe there is hope for this girl after all.’ “That is wonderful, dear.”

Chloe smiled back nervously as she studied Beatrice’s face. Her warm smile appeared to be genuine. Zoe waited a moment, enjoying the sweet moment between grandmother and granddaughter before she spoke again, “Now, what is it you wanted to know, sweetie?”

Chloe turned her attention back to Zoe. He hadn’t actually been interested, having only said that to play Mark’s wingman, but it wasn’t beyond him that gathering millionaires into the same room as a thief wasn’t a terrible idea. “Just…,like, how do you do it? Do you just call up some rich guy and say ‘Hey wanna gimme some money and I’ll throw you a party?’” The warmth in Beatrice’s smile washed away.

Zoe chuckled, “Not exactly, but close.” Chloe reminded her of a lot of girls she knew in high school. Sweet and well meaning but also simple and naive. “It helps to have a cause first, then we have a list of past donors who have given to similar causes before and we contact them.”

“Oh.” Chloe paused, if he could get that list he could certainly put it to good use, but he knew he needed to focus on one job, still it never hurt to have multiple options. “I…I guess I don’t get it. How do you know they’ll give you money though?” He made sure to scrunch up his face in thought as he pretended to **** himself to look as though he was trying to grasp rocket science. The pout, he thought, was a good touch.

Zoe frowned, reaching across the table she held the confused girl’s hand. Chloe stared at the table shamefully. It was not an overly difficult concept to understand but Chloe looked to be having trouble anyway. The only way she could think to explain it further would be to go into more detail, which she feared would only confuse the girl more, “Hey. I have an idea, would you like to come to my work?”

“Really?

“Yeah. It’s a little complicated to explain in words, but if you see it in action I think you’ll understand.”

“...cause I’m dumb?” Chloe pouted until he felt an arm wrap around his shoulder.

“You’re not dumb.” Mark said gently, pulling Chloe into his chest.

Chloe looked up at the taller man pretending to be his father. If they were alone he would punch him in the dick, or at least give him a dirty look, but since they were in front of Zoe and Beatrice he had to play along. “Everyone at school said so,” he pouted.

“I told you, sweetheart, they’re just jealous of everything else you’ve got.”

“What?” His voice broke for a second, which he disguised as **** back tears, what was Mark doing? ‘Playing a doting dad is one thing but-’

“For one, you’re the sweetest girl I know. And the prettiest.” Chloe caught the quick glance Mark had given to Zoe and quickly understood.

He was still annoyed but he wasn’t too mad about the guy shooting his shot. He just had terrible timing. “Y-you think so?”

“I know so.” he said softly.

“What about Zoe?”

Mark blanched for a second giving Zoe the opportunity to cut in, “I have no problem being second to you in any beauty pageant.” she smiled.

“Yeah? But you’re still, like, so totally smart. Much smarter than me.”

Zoe frowned, squeezing Chloe’s hand, “Look, some people learn differently than others. Would you like to come to my office? Let me prove it to you, you’re not dumb?”

Chloe shrugged, “I guess. I don’t want to be in the way.”

“You wouldn’t be in the way at all. We’ll set something up for later this week, okay?”

“Okay.” Chloe said softly with a gentle nod. Mark once again pulled Chloe in closer, now rubbing his pretend daughter’s shoulder to comfort her.

"Chloe," Zoe started, "I wanted to say, I just love your name. It is so pretty and fits you perfectly."

Chloe blushed, "What? No way. Your's is so much better.”

Zoe shook her head, “Not at all. I hate it. My grandmother insisted on the name. Zoe is short for Zoiya.”

“Was her name Zoiya?”

“No!” Zoe laughed sharply, “It wasn’t. But she is from the old country.”

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“Traditions are very important.” Beatrice added, sipping at her wine.

“That’s true.” Zoe added with a half hearted nod like she had done for her grandmother for years, “But, I guess my grandmother thought it might bring me good luck in life.”

“...how?” Chloe asked, actually confused now.

“Zoiya, or Zorya, is the goddess of light.”

“But…that’s cool. You’re named after a goddess.” Chloe giggled lightly. It was fairly interesting but Chloe as he had presented her was more enthusiastic about such things than he would have been.

Zoe smiled, responding with a similar giggle, “Well, if you think it’s cool, maybe you’re right. What about you? What does your name mean?”

“I never thought about it. It’s not like I picked it.” He said quickly. Mark squeezed Chloe’s shoulder.

“I know, but I can’t help but be curious. Name origins are fascinating, and it really shows what your parents were thinking about at the time.” Zoe looked to Mark with her continuous smile. Sheffield stiffened in the corner as he watched with his trademark blank expression.

“I didn’t name her.” Mark let slip, his mind working in overdrive trying to come up with an explanation that wouldn’t ruin his chances or expose Sam. Sheffield took a small step forward, about to interrupt, but Zoe made her assumption before Sheffield could speak.

“Her mother did.”

“Yes.” He nodded, elongating the word as the lie fell into place in his mind. “Her mother always said, Chloe was her favorite name. Because it was so beautiful.” Sheffield went unnoticed by everyone but Chloe as he walked out of the room without breaking his stride and returned with dessert.

After pretending to let himself be cheered up by Mark, the conversation slowly moved on to other subjects. However, the downside of pretending to be a sad daddy’s girl was Chloe had no good excuse to break away from Mark until Zoe and Mark decided to go for a walk around the garden an hour later. One bright spot of Zoe staying so late was it did at least give Chloe an excuse to not have to walk around in heels too much. Of course, this also meant he had to be a pleasant host to Zoe. And be a witness to Mark’s terrible attempts at flirting.

Later that night before bed Mark knocked on Chloe’s door with a big smile on his face. “Hey.” He said quietly, closing the door behind him. Not having waited for Chloe to answer.

“Hey.” Chloe loosened his grip around his flat exposed chest and continued changing into the “night things” Beatrice and Sheffield insisted a proper girl wear. “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.” He lied.

“Never play poker, man.”

“Don’t you mean, daddy?” He smirked.

Chloe threw one of the dozens of frilly pillows from his bed at Mark’s face. Which he caught inches before his face. “Hey, I was trying to help you.”

“You were.” He smiled even brighter, “You did.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, the ‘I’m dumb’ bit, that was genuis.”

“Glad I could help.” He slipped on the long nightie, pulling the extensions free of the gown like sleepwear. “You close the deal?”

“We’re going out Friday.”

“Great.” He smiled and sat on the bed, rubbing his ankle as he freed it from the heel. “Is there more?”

“Huh. Oh. Yeah. Were you serious about going to her work? Cause…we can always make up an excuse if you wanted to get out of it.”

Chloe pretended to think, “Nah. I don’t mind giving you a few brownie points with her. I’ll go, listen to some boring charity stuff and just tell her it’s not for me.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah…it’s the least I could do really…after….”

Mark furrowed his brow, he hadn’t forgotten what Sam had done but being in good spirits as he was today it was easy to forget Chloe was Sam. Especially as he continued to speak in his falsetto. “Yeah. Now if you could just get me a job we’ll be square.” He said only half jokingly.

“I’ll make a few calls.” He joked back.

“Alright, I’ll see ya.”

“See ya.” Chloe shook his head before flopping back onto his extremely soft bed.

Monday morning Chloe found himself out of another delicious breakfast when he walked barefoot to the breakfast table. “Where are your shoes, young lady?” Beatrice demanded.

“Huh…oh I forgot.”

“You simply cannot come to the breakfast table dressed like some hillbilly.” She spoke harshly.

“I forgot. It’s not that big a deal.”

“It most certainly is.” Her tone took on a familiar edge that had Chloe tasting soap on his tongue already.

“Alright, I’ll go get them on.”

“See that you do. We will discuss your schedule for today once you are dressed appropriately.”

Chloe shook his head but left, clenching his jaw as he walked away. ‘Old bat.’ He thought angrily.

When he returned he wore his heels where he was informed that he missed breakfast. “Because you took so long to get dressed.” Beatrice answered the unasked question. Looking to Sheffield, who hung his head, Chloe knew he wouldn’t be getting any breakfast. “Whatever.” He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.

“As for your schedule-”

“Pops and I were going to go to the bank today.” Chloe said quickly, sipping at the green tea Sheffield poured for him.

“It is improper to interrupt someone when they are speaking. Secondly, do you not remember? You are grounded.”

“You were serious about that?!” He shouted.

“I am always serious.”

“I’ve noticed.” He slumped back into his chair.

“As I was saying, today on top of your usual exercise we shall train your mind as well.”

“What?”

“...Beginning with memory skills.” She sighed, “Chloe. What have we discussed?”

“Pardon.” He rolled his eyes.

“Exactly. Now, there is no time like the present so I suggest we begin.” Chloe looked to Mark who only shrugged as the old woman led Chloe back upstairs.

To start with, Beatrice insisted on lacing Chloe’s corset up even tighter. She brushed off any cries of “I can’t breathe!” as tertiary, reminding the feminized man that he said the same thing when they first put on the corset and he breathed just fine now. After being put into another dress his thighs were tied together with a belt once more. “This again?”

“Yes. You keep insisting on running around in your heels and that is simply not proper for a young lady.”

“What about if there’s a fire?” He snapped, sounding more annoyed than he meant to but he was angry and knew better than to resort to his usual method of expressing that anger with a string of curse words. He could swear he still tasted that bar of soap.

Beatrice shook her head at the sarcastic child. “If there’s a fire then you can run all you wish.” She sighed and finished cinching the belt.

The next two days were much like his first week, only more intense. He now had to walk three miles around the grounds in his heels. It would have been almost bearable if it weren’t for the belt and worse of all his tighter corset. He had to fight for each breath, between that and his lack of breakfast it was not surprising he felt his vision fading more than once into his second and third mile. At least Sheffield would meet him at every lap with an ice cold glass of water. By the third mile Chloe had forgotten about his hunger as his thoughts were focused now on his full bladder.

Of course having worked up quite a sweat Beatrice insisted Chloe take a bath before meeting her in his room. The bathroom was the only area of the house she allowed him freedom from the belt. The moment he stepped out Beatrice would meet him at the door to re-tie the belt around his thighs. Monday he was told that he was allowed one mistake. “This morning you forgot your shoes. That is your one and only strike from now on.” Beatrice stated flatly, “If you are not properly dressed for breakfast you will not eat until you return dressed appropriately. This includes your shoes and your makeup. And keep in mind, breakfast is at 7:30, and ends at eight.”

“What if I take too long with my makeup?”

“Then you will not eat until lunch. The same rules apply at lunch as well. You will of course bathe for lunch, and if you are not proper by one o’clock then you will not eat until dinner.”

“....there are easier ways to kill people.”

Beatrice’s eyes flashed their anger but her face remained flat, “I am not trying to kill you. Nothing in life is free. If you wish to eat, you must earn it. These are my terms and you can accept them.”

“...or?” he asked after waiting nearly a minute for her to continue.

“Pardon?”

“I can accept them or…?”

“This is not an ultimatum. You can accept them. Now, wash your face off and try again. You’ve smudged your lipstick.” Chloe sighed and grabbed a wipe.

The sun hung in the sky over a dense forest of trees as far as the eyes could see. The mountains in the distance reached for the sun pulling its light into a gentle river that shined like gold at its peak. The river carved a path through rock and stone in the valley beneath it until it came to a high hill where it bent around the rising land mass. Atop the hill sat a large mansion, it cared nothing for the river or the forest beneath or the sun above it or the golden river. It stood, as it had for fifty years, in a clearing of several acreages of land. The back wall of the bottom floor was made of glass, allowing for the occupants to enjoy the stunning view. Which they hardly ever did unless it was to impress guests.

Guests like Chloe, who stared out the large glass window and awed at the beautiful scenery. “Wow.” He whispered.

“Simply beautiful.” William stood at Chloe’s side.

“It really is.” Chloe missed big cities, but even he could appreciate nature from time to time.

“I wasn’t talking about the view.”

Chloe **** himself to not roll his eyes, he needed the little jerk to be good and buttered up, “You are too much.” He smiled and **** out a girlish giggle, dying a little inside as he did so. William was an idiot, but it was much better to be annoyed by an idiot than to go through the same hell of the last two days. William looked back at his grandmother who sat in the lounge with Beatrice as they chatted. “Chloe,” he said softly so only she could hear as he leaned closer to her, “would you like to accompany me to the stables?”

Chloe took a small step back and looked at Beatrice. The old woman was talking to Delilah with a smile on her face, as if she hadn’t threatened Chloe with a childish punishment if he wasn’t on his best behavior just ten minutes prior to their arrival. “I would love to.” He lied, suppressing an eye roll as William offered him his arm.

The pair walked to the stables, passing through the garden along the way. “So, I take it you’re not, like, scarred or deformed after the ball?” Chloe asked now that they were alone.

William laughed, “Thankfully no. My grandmother has a tendency to overreact.”

“I could tell. I mean, she did call the cops.”

William nodded, stopping in front of a rose bush. “Are you okay? I know that must have been harrowing for you.”

“I’m not some delicate little flower.” Although, the fact everyone thought he was, was the only reason he didn’t have to speak to the police.

“I can tell.” He smiled up at her. Chloe wore a white sleeveless scoop neck dress with a yellow mosaic that wrapped around the entirety of the dress. She also wore brown wedge sandals with a similar white mosaic pattern as her dress. She dressed as if she were any average future socialite but she certainly didn’t act like one. William smiled as he plucked a yellow flower from the small pond. Shaking it dry he stood up to face Chloe. “I still want to know if you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“I know you’re not like a flower. The most beautiful flower on earth doesn’t compare to you.” He placed the yellow lotus in her hand.

‘Gag unto me with a spoon!’ Chloe couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Oh my god.” He laughed. “That is so corny!” The boy took a step back, running his hand through the back of his hair, “No. No.” Chloe said as his laughter slowly died down, “I don’t mean it like that.” William **** a small smile to his face as he waited for another blow, “I meant…come on. It was corny. Nice, but corny.”

The boy smiled then chuckled softly, “I guess it is.” Soon they were both laughing about it again. “You wanted to see the stables, right?”

“Depends," he said as he tucked the flower in his hair behind his ear, "you’re not going to compare me to a horse are you?”

“Perish the thought,” He smirked, “They’re much better looking.” Chloe gave William a shove with a little smile as he followed. He was once again grateful for his quick thinking. He needed something from William and he would hardly do him any favors if the girl he liked had so blatantly spurned him. No. Chloe had to continue to play up the fact William may have a chance with him. 'God he's so corny.' he thought. It was always so embarrassing when someone called him beautiful.

This wasn't the first time someone had called him beautiful, though it was mostly women who had given him such a compliment, he had his eyes and delicate facial features to thank for that, he would smile and nod in agreement with them though it was just to get them into bed or get something else out of them he needed.

In truth this wasn't even the first time another man had given him such a compliment, but he had actually been sixteen at the time and the man was much older. He never liked when anyone called him beautiful, but still he had to smile and play along to get what he needed.

The stables were truly impressive. Over two dozen stalls each containing a thoroughbred, if William’s claims were to be believed, and Chloe didn’t care enough to question them. “This is Walt.” William said as he gave the brown and white horse a pat on his long snout.

“...Hello, Walt.” Chloe waved awkwardly.

“You okay?”

“Of course.” He lied. Chloe had never seen a horse in person before. Pictures and movies really didn’t do their massive sizes justice. He was used to men being taller than him, and some women even, but the fact was this animal towered over even William. “You’re not afraid of horses are you?”

“What? No. Pfft.”

“Cause, I thought you had said you loved horses before.”

“Yeah. Of course. I’m a girl, so of course I love horses.” Chloe rambled.

“Then come say, hi.” William held out his hand.

“I already did.” He said quickly.

“That’s not how you say hello to a horse. Come here.” He said it gently but with an air of command to his voice like his father taught him was the best way to deal with women and horses. He was right. Chloe frowned but stepped a little closer and slowly reached out her hand. “It’s okay,” he said, “he’s not gonna bite.”

Chloe ripped his hand away quickly from the giant beast’s mouth, “They bite?!”

“What? No. Not usually.”

“But they do bite?” Chloe stepped back, pulling his arms in to his chest.

“Only if you upset them, and not very hard. Just a little nip.”

Chloe’s eyes widened as he took another step back, “I think that’s enough horse trivia for one day.” William frowned and took a half step towards Chloe, hoping to calm her down. Thinking William was going to make him touch the monster anyway he took a larger step back, bumping into a stall door and immediately hearing a devilish growl.

Chloe jumped with an ear piercing scream when another horse stuck its head out of the stall and snorted at the sudden noise. William quickly caught her before she fell. “You’re okay.” He said as he pulled her out of the stable. “You just scared her.”

“I scared her?!” Chloe yelled as his heart pounded in his chest like a drummer on crack. William couldn’t help himself and started laughing. “It’s not funny!” Chloe panted heavily. “I thought it was gonna rip my throat out!” His panting soon turned into laughter as he realized how ridiculous he was being and joined William.

Afterwards William took Chloe's hand and brought him back to the garden and sat the feminized boy on a small stone bench, hoping to calm him down. “Feeling better?”

“Yeah,” he shook his head, “that was pretty stupid of me.” He chuckled.

“You’re not the first girl I’ve met that was afraid of horses. I wish you told me, I wouldn’t have taken you to the stables.” He chuckled as he sat beside her.

“I didn’t know!” Chloe snapped. “Well, I mean, I don’t think I am. I think I just got a little freaked out.”

“Sure. We can try again some other time.”

“Sounds great.” Chloe **** a smile to his face, bunching the hem of his dress in his hand. “I need to ask you for a favor.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you scream like a little girl.”

Chloe glared at William who just laughed, “Not that. I need to ask you about Spencer.”

“Who?”

“The waiter?”

“Oh. I didn’t know his name.”

‘No surprise.’ “Yeah. But anyway, like you said you’re okay and I know the cops have already been called, but you can, like, call them off. Right?”

“I could, I guess, but he’s already been arrested.”

“What?!” Chloe gasped.

“Yeah. They picked him up a couple of miles from your place.”

“You…you can just drop the charges and he’ll be out.”

“Again. I could, but why would I help the guy who assaulted me?"

“He didn’t, it was an accident.”

“So he claims.” He rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, innocent people claim to be innocent all the time.”

“Innocent people don’t run.” William said through clenched teeth.

“Sometimes they do!” Chloe yelled. Immediately he calmed himself, he only hoped to use Spencer as a connection. There was no reason for him to actually get heated over some dumb kid."Fine. What do you want?" Chloe sighed, crossing his arms over his chest after he stood, his breasts fillers now even more prominent thanks to this and the corset.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” He allowed the frown to creep across his face, “You do something for me, I’ll, like, do something for you. I guess.” Chloe braced himself, picturing the disgusting acts a teenage boy would come up with for payment from a teenage girl. ‘Spencer isn’t worth even this much.’ He told himself angrily.

"You did say we would dance again."

Chloe paused, examining William, "That's it?"

"That's it."

“Okay.” He grumbled but held out his hand for William anyway. “Come on.”

William smiled, “While I love your eagerness I had a more appropriate time and place in mind.” William stood, taking Chloe’s hand and pulling her close to him, “Friday night, I’ll take you somewhere we can dance.”

“And until then Spencer rots in jail.”

“I’ll talk to my father and he’ll be out at end of day.”

“Really.” He said disbelievingly.

“I’m a man of my word.”

“So you say.” Chloe rolled his eyes. “But I really have no guarantee you’ll actually do it. No. No. It would be better if we go ahead and get this over with.” No one was a man of their word. Mark kept his secret because he was getting money at the end and he was afraid of him. Sheffield only didn’t rat him out because he wanted a cut. Jared only protected Sam because he had made himself useful and when he became a liability he was thrown aside.

William frowned, “If we go ahead and dance, how do you know I will actually hold up my end of the deal?”

“You’re not going too?”

“No, I am. What I’m saying is, either way you have to trust me and my way you’ll get a nice dinner out of the deal.”

“And what’s to keep me in line? Are you gonna threaten to throw him back in jail?”

William took a step back, his grandmother said they would be a good couple and he should get to know the girl better but she seemed almost pathologically distrusting. There were many rumors circling her, but none would explain why she would react this way. Even if his grandmother wanted him to be nice to her was a bleeding heart truly worth the frustration? He thought about something his grandfather had told him years ago. “How about this,” he said, taking a step back and taking out his cellphone.

“What are you doing?”

He held up a finger as someone on the other end picked up the phone, “Officer Winslow please.” A few seconds later a gruff man answered the phone, “Hello officer Winslow, how’s Eddie?” He agreed with whatever the officer was saying on the other end, “That’s wonderful news. Real quick, and I hate to do this”–he lied, he loved doing this–“ it seems you have a good friend of mine in one of your cells.” He nodded along with the gruff voice again, “Mhm, Spencer is his name.” He eyed Chloe for confirmation. Chloe nodded slowly. “Yes, that's him. He’s a good friend and, well you know how my grandmother can be…mhm. ****?!” William laughed loudly, “Heavens no, it was a small misunderstanding with some soup.” William laughed, “Yes indeed she has a tendency to do that.” The gruff voice got louder for a moment as he yelled about his jail not being a hotel for rich kids, “I completely understand, I will explain this to grandmother, but..you know how she is.” There was an audible sigh on the other end of the phone, “In ten minutes? Fantastic. Thank you so much. And hey, you should bring Eddie by sometime. I know Chestnut misses him. Okay, have a good day sir.” He chuckled as he hung up the phone. His smile quickly faded into something more serious as he returned his attention to Chloe, “Your friend will be out in ten minutes.”

“What? Just like that?”

“Just like that.” He smiled. “Now, I’ll pick you up at eight on friday.”

“But…you have no way of knowing if I’ll hold up my end.”

“I do. I trust you.” He lied. He didn’t entirely trust her, he barely knew her, but his grandfather had once told him the best way to get someone to trust you was to show you trusted them. He frowned as he looked at her hands, “Aw, you dropped your flower.”

“I think your horse ate it.” Chloe frowned in confusion, not for the lost flower, but he couldn’t understand how someone so clearly well educated could be so stupid.

William chuckled, tucking a strand of her hair out of the way, “I’ll see if I can find it, later.”

“Thanks.” He faked a smile and allowed himself to be led back to the mansion with the others.