Chapter 18 Friends?

• Zoella POV
• Zavion transferred the money to me the very next morning after our chat two days prior, and I was still in disbelief that I had three days left before departing from the Gutierrez mansion. My fondness for that place wasn't solely due to its luxurious comforts; it stirred something deep within me, a sense of familiarity that I couldn't quite grasp, as if I had experienced it all before. A broad smile spread across my face as I inhaled deeply, sensing that today was going to be a great day. Upon arriving at the hospital, I took care of Chloe's bills in full, leaving me once again financially strained, but the joy of keeping my promise to her filled me with happiness, especially now that she was recovering well.
• When I got home, I knocked on the door, but there was no response; perhaps Chloe was napping, and since she still didn’t have a phone, I decided to use my spare key to let myself in. The room was shrouded in darkness, which was unusual for Chloe, as she preferred light. A wave of concern washed over me as I flicked on the light switch, only to find the room empty. Panic set in momentarily, and I feared the worst—had she been taken? Just then, I heard her laughter, and relief flooded over me, but it quickly turned to dread when I recognized a man's laugh accompanying hers. It dawned on me that Izzy had been right; Chloe was the girl she spotted at the mall, and that laugh belonged to Alex. It became clear that Chloe had been seeing Alex behind my back, and as they entered the room, I instinctively crouched under the bed, listening as she slurred, "I was sure I locked the door earlier."