For a few days, I take a leave of absence. I don't answer any of Mum's gazillion calls nor do I try to contact Ed because I know that it's over. But I just can't face the truth. That's how I ended up cooping at home just staring off into space.

But today, I have to get back to work so that Raymond won't sack me or anything. I mean, life goes on right? That's what everyone says.

As I step into the office, Zoe's eyes bulge out and she screams, "Chloe! You're back!" She rushes forward to hug me.

"Yea, I'm back." I can't help but smile at Zoe's infectious mood. "Has anything changed?"

"Nah, Raymond didn't get sacked," Zoe chuckles. "Have you been well? I was so worried after you had to spend such a long time at the hospital!"

"Yea," I hesitate. "Everything's fine." I know it's bad to lie to Zoe but I will break down infront of her if I have to tell her that I'm pregnant and I've ended things with Ed. I just can't.

I stalk towards my desk and I burrow myself in work. Every now and then, I try to peep into Ed's office for no good reason but the windows are tinted black so I can't see anything actually.

"Babe."

I look up to find Marilyn staring at me with a strange expression.

"Yea?"

"I have something to tell you." Marilyn looks...nervous, completely unlike her usual confident self.

"What?" I say warily. "Has something happened?"

"You were gone for a long time so I didn't manage to break the news to you." She breathed in as if preparing herself. "Derek and I are married," she says it in a rush.

HUH? Marilyn. Derek. Marilyn. Derek. Impossible.

"You're kidding me right?" I ask incredulously. "Derek's not your Mr Right."

"I love him, Chloe." Marilyn flicks her hair. "It was a pretty simple fair. We just got hitched in Vegas and it was awesome because it was totally fuss-free."

"Right," I say before going back to sketching a design for an apartment.

"By the way, are things between Ed and you fine?" she asks concernedly.

I freeze like a rabbit. Did Ed tell her? Or does the entire company know?

"Why?" I ask warily. "Have you heard some news?"

"No." Marilyn rolls her eyes. "Just that he has been spending the past few nights in the office. Everyone reckons it's because he's going all workaholic over the new client but I thought maybe you might know something."

"I don't know, I'm sorry," I say curtly and resume my sketch.

As Marilyn walks away, I lift up my head and stare at Ed's office. As much as I hate it, I still love him and I just can't forget his image, his presence and his face. Most of all, I'm worried that he's taking the breakup too seriously. What if he does something foolish?

Going against logic, I make my way to his office and I knock hesitantly on the door. No one answers but I step in anyway.

The moment I close the door, I gasp.

There are crumpled coffee cups and crushed paper all over the place. I turn my head to find Ed sleeping on the couch.

Why...Why does he have to do this? Why does seeing him like this pain me so much? I'm supposed to forget him, for goodness sake.

"Ed?" I say softly but he doesn't respond.

I make my way to his side and my heart constricts at the sight of him. He has a stubble and even I can tell he hasn't washed up or shaved for a couple of days. There are pale dark shadows underneath his eyes, as if he had survived on nothing but coffee after working long nights.

Why does he have to torture himself like this?

Seeing him so vulnerable, I...I want to touch him but I can't.

"Chloe, don't go," he murmurs.

For a moment, I freeze, thinking that he had woken up but his eyelids are closed. He must have been sleep-talking.

"Please, Chloe, I love you so much. Don't leave me," he says softly.

"I know," I say miserably but of course, he doesn't hear whatever I say.

"I know my mum treated you badly," he continues murmuring. "But I promise that I will protect you. Why don't you believe me?"

"Because you crave for your mother's acceptance to the point you ignore that she's a bitch," I mutter loudly to no one in particuliar.

Suddenly, he groans and his eyes pop open. I watch as he stretches his arms and I back away slowly.

I have to get out of here. Now.

Ed rubs his eyes and suddenly, his eyes focus on me.

"Chloe?" He seems shocked. He tumbles out of the sofa and reaches out for me. "Chloe?" he says again.

"I'm sorry that I intruded on your privacy," I gasp and bolt out of the door.

I dash across room, narrowly avoiding knocking into Derek. He curses as I sprint past him.

"Chloe! Wait!" I hear Ed shout. I can hear his footsteps. I miss him terribly but I don't want to face him. It was a complete mistake to spy on him. Why the hell did I do that?

I hurry towards the stairs and Ed follows suit. I'm almost out of breath but I can't stop. I can't. But I know I have to stop running somehow. Ed will catch up with me sooner or later. He trains at the gym at least once a week. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.

The moment I reach the sidewalk outside of the building, I'm already out of breath. I can't keep running like this. I need to man up and talk to him face-to-face.

As Ed sprints towards me, he grabs me by the shoulders and spins me so that I face him.

Any words I had planned beforehand disappeared the moment I stare into his warm, blazing brown eyes.

"Don't go, Chloe, I was wrong," Ed says softly. "I shouldn't have been so rash. I was a complete idiot."

"Shut up," I say harshly. "I'm the idiot here. I....I...I didn't have the courage to face your mum. I'm a coward."

"I know, I know." He hugs me tightly. "Do you know how much I have suffered for the past few days? I keep thinking about you. I was so scared that I had been possessed."

"Me too," I murmur.

"Will you forgive me?" Ed asks quietly.

"Duh."

We stay like this for a moment until a smooth, piercing voice sounds out.

"My, my, what a teary little reunion we have here."

Ed pulls away from me instantly but he keeps his arm around my back protectively.

"Hannah," he hisses. "What are you doing here?"

I stare at Hannah Jupiter, who seemed to have magically sprouted out from nowhere. She doesn't too look good. Her blonde hair is dishevelled and some of her clothes are torn. According to a local tabloid, she had been thrown out by her dad.

"I'm here to payback everything you've done to me," she retorts. "Jack, come out now."

I watch disbelievingly as Jack emerge out from a black van, holding a gun in his hands.

"What the sh-" I begin. I'm loss for words.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Ed asks, sounding as horrified as I am.

"Like what Hannah said," Jack shrugs. There's a malignant glint in his eyes. "I intend to take back everything that I've lost." He strokes his gun fondly and I stiffen.

"Get into the van," Hannah says flatly.

"No." Ed glares back.

"Jack," Hannah says lazily.

Without a word, Jack swings the gun and points at me. Instinctively, I place my hands around my stomach, as if the act would protect my baby.

Hannah's eyes zero in on me. "You're pregnant?" she says incredulously.

"Yes, she is," Ed snaps. "Will you let us go now?"

"On the contrary," Hannah cackles. "The game will be more fun, wouldn't it? Now, get into the van. If not, Jack's going to shoot your pretty little mistress."

"Ed..." I say helplessly.

"Let's do what she says," he answers in that scary, monotonous voice of his.

Shit. We're trapped.