Chapter 272: Friends that stick together

''You know the mind-set of rich people? They don't marry for love. It is more like an obligation, fulfilling the demands of the older generation and a way to gain more power. What Brenda said is right. If she knows, as Brenda suspects and is keeping quiet then it means that she knows that in the end, whatever fling Chloe has with her boss, she would never become his wife''

''So, she doesn't care about Chloe's secret affection and she doesn't care about the man's loyalty or not because she knows she is the one getting married to him in the first place'' Jenny now understood the situation and made her conclusion from what Kristine said.

''Chloe, you are dreading a dangerous path and you are going to get hurt. It is better to stop yourself before it gets out of control'' Brenda told Chloe who was now quiet.

''You have to quit that job, before your boss finds out that you like him and before he even finds out that the person he kissed that night wasn't his fiancée but you'' Kristine said decisively.

A tear fell from her face and she bit lips regrettably, she knew more than anyone else the consequences of her actions and she knew she was at a dead end.

''I'm sorry guys. I know it's wrong, but I don't know how to top myself. I think I love him already'' she busted into tears and the girls stood up and went behind her. They pulled her up and gave her a group hug.

''Silly girl, it is alright. You haven't gone far, and there is still time for you to make a return'' Brenda patted her back.

''I am so disappointed in myself right now. It's like I never learn from my mistakes''

''We are here for you''

…..

Later that day, they all went to do some weekend shopping since they had nothing much going on. They were going to buy some fresh ingredients from the local market. They all wore their group blue round necks t-shirts that had the writings 'together forever' written on the front and paired with jean pants and went out. They planned to make a feast and enjoy it together.

As they chatted and entered into the local market, they saw a fish stall close by and went to it, ''look, that is crayfish'' Jenny sounded excited. She loved to eat seafood so anytime she saw seafood, she would go crazy over it.

''Let's pick a crayfish for Jenny, lobster for Chloe and Kristine and then, tilapia for me'' Brenda also said, her voice sounding excited.

While Jenny and Kristine were shopping, Kristine noticed that Chloe was absentminded and she touched her hand and squeezed it gently making her turn to look at her.

''Is okay. Everything will be fine'' Kristine assured her and Chloe nodded. Their friendship was the kind that was rare and she cherished it a lot. She felt bad about not living up to their expectations but she also knew very well that none of them were perfect and they didn't require her to be perfect.

Their acceptance even after pointing out her mistakes, brought warmth to her heart. She felt happy and lucky that she had them to depend on when things got hard for her and it wasn't just her alone. They all felt that way. They all felt happy that they had each other to lean on to when things got hard. They could just be themselves and even in their worse moments; they would still accept each other the same way.

Kristine saw a fishcake stall ahead of them and turned to Chloe, ''let's go and get some of that'' she said to her.

''En'' Chloe smiled and they walked over holding hands, leaving Jenny and Brenda to buy the fish. When they left, Brenda turned to look at them and asked Jenny.

''Jenny, was I too hard on Chloe? Do you think she will be okay?'' it was clear that she was worried about her friend. Even though she was the blunt one among them, and they knew her character so well, she still worried that they would misunderstand her good intentions. Brenda knew they were all not perfect, but she been the oldest and after going through something so disgraceful a few years back, she didn't want any of them to face the same problem. That time was the hardest for her and if they weren't there for her, she didn't know how her life would have turned out.

''Don't worry too much. Chloe will be fine. She is stronger than we think. I just hope that she makes the right decision and be able to turn back early enough to not get hurt''

They often advised each other, but the final decision was always left in their individual selves to make. They couldn't force their thoughts on each other no matter how much they loved and cared for each other.

After buying the fish and putting them into a plastic takeaway provided by the fish seller, they paid and went to join Kristine and Chloe.

''This taste so good'' Kristine hummed and they laughed.

''Let me try that too'' Brenda said and Chloe picked one with her stick and placed it in her mouth and she moaned.

''This why I don't like to see you eat in public'' Jenny said after noticing the gazes of the people on them after Brenda moaned loudly.

''Let's buy some and eat later on'' Kristine removed a few bills from her bag and gave to the women adding, ''use the balance to package some for us to take away''

''Yes, Miss'' the woman was happy because they were her first customers since she came out and they bought quite a lot.

After taking the fishcakes from the woman, the ladies turned to go and saw two ladies walking towards them. Chloe was the first to stop after she recognised the ladies as the mother of her boss and the fiancée of her boss.

The two also saw her and the fiancée sized Chloe up from her head to her toe and snickered before holding her mother in law's hand and stopped in front of them.

''Chloe, you are here?'' the elder woman said upon seeing Chloe.

''Mrs. Clover hi, Miss Daniels, hi'' Chloe greeted them.

''How are you doing?'' Mrs. Clover, her boss' mother asked and looked at the others beside her, ''are these your friends?''

''Yes, Madam. They are my friends''

''I could tell at a glance. You are all wearing the same outfits'' Miss Daniels said and turned to her mother in law adding, ''mom, Chloe has been taking good care of Arnold so well. Isn't that right, Chloe?'' she asked meaningfully with a smile.

''Oh, look over there. I have to check the fish out'' Mrs. Clover said at the same time and went over leaving her daughter in law with them.

''What do you mean by that?'' Chloe asked, stuttering.

''I think you know exactly what I mean, Chloe'' Amanda said and looked at the others, ''does your friends know that you are sleeping with your boss?''

''I find your accusations offensive. I haven't slept with my boss, so watch what you say'' Chloe retorted back but her voice was gently and soft, she didn't have the usual confidence that she always spoke with.

''Really? So that night, you only kissed him?'' Amanda chuckled and crossed her arms around her chest in a smug matter as she continued, ''do you know why I didn't say anything that day even though I wanted to rip you apart? It was because Arnold thought I was the one he kissed and you and I am going to keep it that way''

''I think you've said enough'' Brenda held her hand at that moment and stepped forward.

''That's right, I think I've said enough, but I suggest you keep your friend in check least she brings herself into trouble she won't be able to get out from. I have a lot of connections and it is very easy for me to ruin the life of a mere secretary with a bachelor's certificate''

''Our friend might be in the wrong but it doesn't mean we are going to watch you talk about her like that. You have connections? I think you have forgotten that your family aren't the only influential family in this city. If you dare to ruin my friend's career, trust me I will haunt you down and ruin not only your life but your so called marriage''

''Who are you?'' Amanda asked Kristine and chuckled sarcastically.

''I am Kristine Amanfo, the Amanfo family from T-Town and my brother in law is a lawyer working for the Agyeman family'' Kristine replied proudly. She felt a rush of joy within her when she said the distorted face of Amanda. In times like these, she was glad her family's name came in handy.

''Right, did I also tell you that I work in the construction industry? I am extremely good with mixtures. You should know how to park your car well before it gets stuck with concrete''

''Oh, I am also good with knives. I hope your tires are authentic enough to withstand my knife. And I am saying that seriously'' Jenny added and smirked.

Amanda's face turned ashen under the glares of the three ladies. She stepped back furiously saying, ''I will get you

fired from your work''

''I have my resignation letter ready. The only thing stopping me is because it is a weekend. I am leaving the work''

''Let's go, my babies'' Brenda said and they nodded before walking away with her, leaving Amanda alone.

She felt ridiculous as she stared at them. Mrs. Clover turned and called out to her and she went over.