Private Finished New Chapters in Our Lives

Malara had an office, now! Chloe was amazed, walking through the office building, seeing all of Malara's new underlings. She knew Malara had been a sexy god of space-conquest for centuries, and leadership skills probably came with that. Even so, she still couldn't imagine Malara as a CEO - it ran against so much of what Chloe knew and believed about Malara. Even now, as Malara's new empire lay before her, Chloe was having trouble believing it. She seemed so much more responsible, now.

A secretary led Chloe to Malara's office. She had a secretary now!

Malara was finishing up her work for the day, and then they would be able to go hang out. They had a lot to talk about.

"I'm impressed with it! You have so many minions now!"

She moved in for the hug. Her only complaint was the ponytail. Malara had one of the best heads of hair on the island. Seeing it tied back felt like watching a crime in progress. She was absolutely torn on whether or not to mention it.

"Displaying some weapons on the wall could be a cool touch," she suggested with a smirk. "So nobody forgets you're a sexy goddess of conquest. How have the first few days been?" She had no idea what Malara's leadership style would be like. Hopefully nobody was jumping ship in a vote of no confidence. She could imagine things going that poorly. But at the same time, she could imagine them going extraordinarily well. Malara used to command armies, after all.

Chloe was dressed casually. Her skirt ended a few inches above her knees, and the style of blouse she was wearing left her shoulders exposed. She laughed a little at being picked up.

"I couldn't do work when I was sick, but I think I'm caught up now. Most of the other college students with Toskada will probably need extensions on... well, everything." She shrugged. "So I have a lot more time than I would, otherwise."

She felt like she understood the look Malara was giving her. Her mouth bent into a mischievous grin. "Do you want me to intern here? Help you keep your energy up for all-nighters at work?" Chloe knew exactly where Malara's energy came from, and Malara knew that Chloe knew.

Chloe had been offering that in jest, but she was secretly disappointed. There was a lot of space under that desk, after all. Nobody would ever have to know she was down there.But she wasn't disappointed for long. A celebration with Pandora and Malara sounded like a lot of fun, too. "That'd be awesome."

Malara looked a lot more... correct, in a casual outfit with her hair down. Or, when it was fiery, she supposed 'up' would be a better descriptor.

"Why not a bit of both? I could eat, but I also kinda want to see what you're up to here."

Chloe had a few things she needed to get off her chest to Malara, and getting food would be a great time for that. She didn't feel like anyone else would understand. But she was also scared of her feelings, and scared of what it would mean to give them voice. The longer she put it off, the longer she could live in a world where these feelings were only private, sheltered thoughts and not volatile words, ready to blow up in her face.

Her fear spiked. Of course Malara would have been able to tell. Chloe kept forgetting how good Malara was at that.

"It's..."

She swallowed. Her back was against the wall. She had to say it. She looked around, making sure nobody was around who would hear. Malara would only barely be able to hear her.

"It's just. I don't think I... that I want to do the things my dad wants me to do with my life." She laughed at herself. "When I put it that way it doesn't sound like a big deal."

She was afraid for her life. She was afraid for her daughter's life. She was even afraid of going home now - her father would somehow know that she said this, that she was thinking of escaping. He would do something to make sure she never got the chance. He was capable of that.

Chloe trembled.