-Sofia-
“Hey.” He stopped a foot away and raked a hand through his blond locks, shoving both in his jeans pocket.
“Hey,” I replied, my voice strained. I kept my eyes trained on the darkness dotted by the city lights in the distance and wiped my cheeks.
Chase sighed. Silence coasted between us. For once, Lfeel like he doesn’t know what to say. Since I saw him again, he has shown me how assertive he is and how he can handle every situation and turn them in his favor. Right now, it’s like we’re both threading on shallow waters, wondering how deep the water bed would be on our next step.
“I’m sorry… for ruining dinner,” I said, struggling to utter each word. The lump in my throat, caused by this mess in my head and mixed emotions in my chest, makes respiring hard.
“I could hardly call that dinner,” he admitted, chuckling. “But I remember we used to have dinner outs like this, without the scotch and the dance, just the two of us.”
I remember. All the memories I’ve pushed on the back of my head resurface every time we are together. It’s messing with my head. I don’t need that right now.
“Chase…” I swallowed the ball of emotions clogging my throat and faced him.
He looked down at me, the lights from The Den casting a shadow on half his face.
“Can we keep our relationship professional?” I shifted from one foot to another, my heart hammering
in my chest. I observe Chase’s expression, that passive look that’s becoming familiar each time we see each other. How could he mask his expression like that?Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free. “I… I don’t want to remember the past. My mind is already chaotic enough with my break up with Kyle, and everything just gets to me so easily.”
I hate admitting that my emotions have this power over me, but I had to set things straight before things got worse. Knowing myself, it will get worse.
I bit my lip. The kiss we had flashed in my head again. His touch, the way he made me feel. I rubbed my arms, suddenly feeling cold despite the humid air.
“I just want to focus on work. Also, I want to find a new place. Just to avoid issues because of your history with Janelle.”
His eyes twitched. That was the first reaction I got since I started rambling.
“We have a lot to talk about….” I said, looking the other way, “but we better do it in the office.” Chase kept his silence and faced the panoramic view of Rio at night. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.” My eyes snapped at him, surprised that he didn’t argue at all and grateful at the same time .
Knock Knock Knock.
My head snapped from the seating chart Megan, one of the marketing assistants, sent to my email overnight.
“It’s 7 a.m. Your call time is at nine,” Rafael entered my office with a huge grin, eyeing the scattered invitations and programs on my desk. “Actually, you are not obliged to work for a certain hour like regular employees,” he strode to my desk, plonked on the leather seat in front, and reached for my cup of warm coffee, taking a sip.
I smiled. Delighted to see his familiar, friendly face. He has accompanied Chase to Italy for a convention since Monday. I missed his familiar face and witty banter.
“It’s nice to see you too,” I said, leaning back in my seat, loving the comfy chair as the days go by.
He set my coffee down, grimacing as he hummed. Standing up, he went to the pantry and grabbed himself a cup. “Seriously, Sofia. What time did you come in? You know you are not getting extra pay for coming early, right?”
“I know. I woke up early.” More like I haven’t slept at all. Kyle called again last night. I blocked his number, but he managed to get through to the front desk of the building, and his call was redirected to me.
I ended it with his first mumble of my name and hung up the phone.
“What’s your excuse?”
He shrugged. “I missed my boss’s cute publicist.”
“Ha ha,” I indulged in his mockery. “I miss you too. How was the convention?” I inquired, even though I already knew bits and pieces of what had happened.
Chase kept his end of the deal, sending me the names of the girls he had to dine and drink with for work purposes. Sometimes he’d send me pictures of them as a group. He had been with Rafael the entire time, he said. Maybe he was keeping his bedroom affairs a secret, despite that, I appreciate his updates.
“Boring,” he removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie. “Lots of boring speeches about how great their company was, the usual.”
My eyes sl*nted, “how about the girls? Didn’t you have a fun time?”
He shook his head. “I actually thought I would have a fun time in Italy, but my boss stayed in his hotel room. He’s like a changed man.”
I hummed, nodding. So Chase was telling the truth then.
“How’s your work going? How do you plan to put a halo above the devil’s head?”
His words pulled my lips to a wide smile. “It’s going well. My boss will be here tomorrow, and I’ll discuss my plan with her.”
Georgia will be attending the charity event on behalf of Lewis. She was ecstatic to come to Rio, and when she saw the penthouse over a video call, her eyes lit up like the fourth of July. Also, she promised to loan me a dress for the event, which slashed shopping for dresses on my long to-do list.
Rafael hummed, nodding as he scanned the seating chart. “So it’s safe to assume you don’t have a date tomorrow night?”
My eyes widen at the sudden shift in our conversation. “What?”
“It says here,” he pointed at the table where I’d be sitting with Mich, Ana, Georgia, and other girls from the marketing department I’d been working with these last few days. “That you are coming alone.”
“I’ll be coming in with Georgia,” I stated.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at seven,” Rafael said, as though he didn’t hear me.
“Wait. I’m with Georgia.” I stood up, running after him, but he was already out of my office, taking a cup of coffee with him.