Chloe told them the truth

Bonnie was in the restaurant muttered to herself during lunch, "Stephen doesn't love me after all. He moved on so quickly, and I'm still single. Maybe it's time I accept Charles's proposal. I feel like he's the only one who truly loves me, and I need to be with someone who accepts me for who I am. And, I think...I think I'm starting to have feelings for him. He's so cute and caring, unlike that stupid idiot, Stephen. I promise you, Stephen, you'll regret this. Mark my words. Besides," she continued, a sly smile creeping onto her face, "Charles is rich. His father is one of the seven richest men in the state. Dating him would be like swimming in money. It feels so good just to think about it."

Mark entered, greeting, "Hello, beautiful."

Bonnie jumped, startled. "Hey! You scared me."

"Sorry," Mark apologized. "I didn't mean to."

"It's fine," Bonnie replied. "What do you want?"

"Stop pretending, Bonnie. You know what I want."

"I don't understand," she feigned ignorance.

Mark's voice hardened. "You think I don't recognize you?

"How do you even know my name?

So, you invade my privacy and then spout nonsense?" Bonnie retorted, her boldness a thin veil over her fear.

"If you've forgotten, I'm the guy you hooked up with three months ago—the one whose gold watch you stole. Now, where is it?"

Bonnie stammered, "Umm… I sold it. Please, don't be offended," she pleaded, her voice cracking.

"You sold it?" Mark's anger flared. "Where's the money?"

"Umm… I… I used it to pay my school fees," Bonnie confessed, her eyes darting around nervously.

"Your parents can't pay your fees? And they have the nerve to send you to this school?" Mark scoffed.

"My parents are bankrupt," Bonnie explained, tears welling up. "They don't have any money. That day… it was the first time I'd ever slept with a man for money… and stole anything. I'm so sorry."

Mark's anger softened, replaced by pity. "I… I didn't know all of that," he said. You should have told me. I would have been easier on you. Just forget about the watch. Take care of yourself." He turned and left.

Bonnie exhaled, relief washing over her. "I almost got exposed," she whispered to herself. "If Charles finds out I slept with Mark… he'll never come near me again. I have to stop this… now." She turned and walked away, a new resolve hardening her expression.

On his way to their usual tree, Tyler bumped into Maddie, his crush. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Tyler stammered.

"It's fine, I'm alright," Maddie replied.

Tyler looked at her. "Oh, Maddie, it's you! It's been a while."

"Yeah," Maddie said. "I thought you'd changed schools."

"No, why would I change schools when my beautiful angel is here?" Tyler replied, smiling.

"And who is your beautiful angel?" Maddie asked, a smile playing on her lips.

"Of course, it's you," Tyler declared. "You occupy my heart day and night."

"Tyler, you're crazy," Maddie said, still smiling.

"Yes, I'm crazy about you, Maddie. I'm madly in love with you," Tyler confessed. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Maddie's smile widened. Tyler took her hand.

"Maddie, I love you," he said. It's okay if you don't feel the same way, but I truly love you, and I want you to be my life. I promise I'll do everything possible to make you love me back. Please, Maddie."

Maddie was quiet for a moment. "Okay," she finally said. But give me some time to think about it, okay?"

"Sure, sure!" Tyler beamed. "I'll give you all the time you need. But please, call me if you need anything."

"Okay," Maddie replied, and then she left.

"Yes! Yes! Woo! I did it! I did it!" Tyler exclaimed, breaking into a little dance as he continued walking.

Tyler reached the tree where Stephen and Chloe were waiting for him. Stephen, noticing Tyler's cheerful demeanor, asked, "Man, what's up?"

"Nothing," Tyler replied, trying to suppress his grin.

"But you seem so happy and mysterious. What happened?" Stephen persisted.

"Okay, you got me," Tyler admitted, smiling. "I just saw Maddie."

"Wow, that's good news!" Stephen exclaimed. "So, what happened?"

"I asked her out," Tyler said, beaming.

"That's great!" Chloe chimed in. "So, what did she say?"

"Umm… she said she'd think about it," Tyler replied, his smile slightly less bright.

"Wow, that's great! My friend might soon be taken!" Chloe teased.

"You can say that again," Tyler agreed.

"Man, I'm so happy for you," Stephen said.

"Thanks, man," Tyler replied. "I hope she says yes."

"Look, no one, I mean no one, has the right to turn my friend down," Chloe declared.

"You're so funny," Tyler chuckled.

"Alright, guys, back to business," Stephen said, changing the subject. "What did you guys find?"

"Umm… I heard a rumor that Bonnie was with a guy yesterday, but it wasn't anything like dating. It was more like… she hooked up with him and stole his gold watch. But, you know, I don't really believe rumors," Tyler said.

"Hmm… any idea of who the guy was?" Stephen asked?

"Umm… they said his name is Mark, and he's a friend of Alexander's," Tyler replied.

"Wait, you mean the Alexander, my friend?" Chloe asked.

"I'm not completely sure," Tyler admitted. "There are a lot of people named Alexander, so I don't really know."

"Okay, but we only know one Alexander," Stephen pointed out. "Why don't we ask him if he knows any guy called Mark?"

"Don't worry, I'll ask him," Chloe volunteered.

"This is really becoming serious," Stephen said, a frown creasing his brow.

"Calm down, Stephen," Chloe reassured him. "You can't just believe that. It's just a rumor."

"It's okay," Stephen sighed. "I just pray it is just a rumor."

"Has anyone seen Charles?" Tyler asked, shifting the conversation again.

"No," Stephen replied. "I haven't seen him for days."

"Me neither," Chloe replied.

"I think we're suspecting the wrong person," Tyler said.

"Why do you think so?" Chloe asked.

"Because no one has seen Charles close to Bonnie," Tyler explained. "I think she just did what she did because she doesn't love Stephen anymore, or perhaps she's tired of the relationship. She's probably just saying those things to make us think someone is behind it."

"I totally agree with you," Stephen said, "because there's no rumor that Charles has been seen with Bonnie."

"So, what should we do?" Chloe asked.

"I think we should forget about it and move on," Stephen replied.

"So, is that a good idea?" Chloe questioned.

"Do you have any suggestions?" Stephen countered.

"Umm...no, not really," Chloe admitted.

"It's time for me to move on and forget about Bonnie," Stephen declared.

"It's okay, man. You tried your best, so I wish you good luck," Tyler said, smiling.

"Thanks, man," Stephen replied.

"You're always welcome," Tyler said.

"So, what should we do now?" Chloe asked.

"Let's start a new beginning," Stephen suggested. "Me, you, Tyler, and Charles—we'll party tonight to celebrate."

Chloe, burdened by a secret, said, "I have to tell you the truth."

Both Stephen and Tyler looked at her, surprised.

"What truth are you talking about?" Stephen asked.

"Tyler, Stephen, I'm so sorry for keeping this hidden for so long," Chloe began. "But before we start this new beginning, I have to be honest."

"What are you saying, Chloe?" Tyler asked.

"Charles is the..." Chloe trailed off, pausing for a moment before continuing, "Charles is responsible for everything that has been happening."

"Wait, what?" Stephen exclaimed.

Chloe then brings out the recordings and videos. After watching and listening to them, Stephen turned to Chloe, a look of disbelief on his face.

"You've had these all this time?" he asked.

"I wanted to tell you," Chloe explained, "but you said you trusted your friends so much, and I didn't want to betray that trust. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

"It's okay," Stephen said. "I understand. You don't have to be sorry. The truth was right in front of me, but I was too blind to see it. Thank God you opened my eyes today. I knew Charles secretly liked Bonnie, so it doesn't surprise me."

"But why would Charles do such a thing?" Tyler asked.

"Who knows?" Stephen replied. "You can see the reason he did it. He can go ahead and date her; I don't care anymore. If Bonnie loved me, she wouldn't have believed the rubbish Charles said."

"Guys, I'm so sorry," Chloe said.

"It's okay, Chloe," Stephen said. "Cheers to the new beginning for me, you, and Tyler!"

"Alex was working in his factory when Mark arrived. "Hey, man," Mark greeted.

"Oh, Mark! Where have you been?" Alex asked.

"I just came from seeing that girl I told you about," Mark replied.

"Which girl?" Alex asked.

"The girl who stole my watch," Mark clarified.

"Oh, you mean that thief," Alex said. "So, what happened? Did she deny it?"

"No, she didn't," Mark said. "She claimed she's never done anything like that before."

"Then why did she do it?" Alex asked.

"She said her parents are bankrupt, and she had no choice. She even claimed she's never been with anyone because of money before," Mark explained.

"And you believe her?" Alex asked incredulously.

"Of course," Mark replied. "I mean, you should have seen her."

"It's okay," Alex said. "So, what did you say about the watch?"

"I told her to forget about it," Mark replied.

"Okay, what's her name, by the way?" Alex asked.

"Why do you want to know her name?" Mark countered.

"Nothing," Alex said. "I was just curious. What were you thinking?"

"Hmm, nothing," Mark replied. "Let's just forget that we ever met. I don't know her, and she doesn't know me."

"It's okay," Alex said. "Do what you think is right."

"So, what's up? How are things going with you and that swimmer?" Mark asked.

"Nothing much," Alex replied. "As you know, we're just friends, but I'm planning to tell her how I really feel about her soon. I hope she feels the same way about me."

"Oh man, you're truly in love," Mark chuckled.

"You can say that again," Alex agreed.

"Okay, I'm heading to my club now. We have a meeting today. I'll let you get back to work," Mark said.

"Alright, buddy," Alex replied.

Mark left.