The rest of the week flew by. Chase avoided Christine as much as possible. Christine spoke when spoken to, not daring to meet his penetrating gaze. She noticed some of the employees staring when she passed by, conversations suddenly silent.
Let them talk. I have nothing to hide.
Even Mason avoided the office. Which definitely was for the best. She hadn't seen him since he noticed Chase carrying her to the elevator. Just thinking about it had her face heat up. No, she must banish Chase from her mind. He humiliated her and treated his father like crap in front of her. It did not sit well with her at all. She adored her father, even though he put them through agony. It was unthinkable for her to treat a family member with so much contempt as she had seen. But she still felt sorry for him when Mr. Ward hit him. She could feel that slap in her deepest being. Then there was the thing with Mason. Maybe she should ask Mason about it, because she certainly wasn't going to talk to Chase anytime soon.
She gave a start when her cell phone rang. Then she beamed."Charlie!"
"Hey ja best bud! Long time no hear."
"Oh, Charlie I've missed you. Are you back from the UK?" Christine's voice shook. Her friend had been away far too long.
"Yup and I'm eager to see you, Chrissie. I'm in the mood to paaartyyy!"
"You're always in the mood." Christine laughed.
* * *Chase stood in the doorway, unashamedly listening in on the conversation. Christine talking animatedly and laughing brought him out of the office to see. Her laughter, bell like, made him wishing she would laugh more. Instead she never even smiled at him.Who is this Charlie? A boyfriend? Probably. And why the hell does that bother me?
"Yes, of course. Club Deja Vu? No, I've never been." Christine giggled.
Chase frowned. He knew the place. People go there to hook up. He had a date rape case a few months back involving that club. His left eye started to twitch.
"No, no, I'll meet you there." she said.
Chase scoffed. Boyfriend Charlie doesn't know where she lives.
Well, maybe a night out is just what I need.
He snickered to himself and went back into his office to finish his opening statement for Monday's court appearance.
* * *
The music pumped, vibrating through bodies, strobe lighting gave off hues of purple, blue and scarlet. A dance floor filled with gyrating bodies giving off pheromones filled the atmosphere. The place almost burst out of the seams with people, laughing, drinking, dancing."My boss is an ass! He is delusional, bipolar even!" Christine took a large gulp of her Long Island Ice Tea. Her best friend Charlie patted her shoulder to calm her. As soon as Christine saw Charlie, she'd burst into tears. How she had missed her bubbly friend.
Christine hated she felt so vulnerable. She still couldn't believe Chase Ward would think so little of her to accuse her of such despicable behaviour.
"Sounds like he is jealous." Charlie mused.
Christine gave a bitter laugh. "Jealous of what? He hardly speaks to me. He never compliments my work and damn I try so hard. But no, nothing is good enough. I think he hates me. I don't understand it. I've never done anything to him." Not too mention he is so attractive, damn him. If only he wasn't my employer and if only he wasn't such a complete douche...
Charlie and Christine had been friends for a life time. Even before the accident. They went to ballet classes together. Those were happy times. But then the accident happened and she couldn't fathom how she would've gotten through those tough times if it hadn't been for Charlie. She was her rock.
"Yeah? Chrissie, you still have a lot to learn about men, my love."
Christine gave her friend a shove. "Oh, and you are the expert, Oh Wise and Powerful One?"
Charlie giggled and pushed her tawny hair out of her eyes. "Don't look now, but there are two hot hunks coming over."
"I don't have strength for this." she groaned. Charlie slapped her lightly on the arm.
"Don't be such a killjoy, Chrissie." she spoke in Christine's ear. "You need the distraction. God knows, I need the distraction..."
That's Charlie for you, always game. Christine looked up at the approaching guys. Not bad though. And then she saw him. At the opposite side of the bar, half hidden in a booth, Chase Ward stared right at her.
Sonofabitch. Was he stalking me?
"Hey!" Charlie swung her around to face her. "What the fuck, Chrissie? You look like you're about to puke? Did you take your meds with the booze?'
I can't believe it. What the hell does he think he's doing? Maybe I should go over there and ask him. We're not at the office now, I can do what I damn well please.
"Chris! Christine Morrison, answer me!" Charlie shouted above the roaring music.
"What?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, Mom I'm fine." She offered a wan smile, but could see Charlie wasn't convinced.
Before Charlie could reply the two guys introduced themselves. They asked them what their poison was. Christine was adamant not to give Chase Ward the satisfaction of ruining her Friday night. So she turned to the one dark haired guy and asked for another Long Island Ice Tea.
"Wow, you certainly like it strong," said he, scanning her whole body.
He liked what he saw. The guy was good-looking as well, in a rough bad boy way. Charlie liked the bad boys. Christine could see the appeal - dressed in ripped jeans and T-shirts clinging to well muscled tattooed bodies. They were definitely eye candy.
"Like she likes her men," Charlie giggled.
Christine frowned at Charlie. She didn't need help flirting, thank you very much.
They joked around and the guys kept offering to buy them drinks. Usually Christine wouldn't drink this much, but she could feel Chase watching her and it made her want to throw caution to the wind and get plastered. She flirted with the dark haired guy whose name was Mark or Mike, not important.
They danced to Ed Sheeran's 'Bad Habits" and his hands were all over her butt. Normally she would say something. This time she left it. She could feel him getting all exited, he tried kissing her but she turned her head. Chase wasn't there anymore. Good.
Maybe I was being paranoid and he had a date or something.
"I need to go to the ladies." She excused herself from the grabby guy.
"Hurry back now, hear?" he called after her.
* * *
What the hell was I thinking? Coming here to this club when I overheard she was coming here tonight. To meet Charlie... I must be out of my frigging mind. Or maybe I'm just a bit drunk; after all I did finish almost half a bottle of Scotch this afternoon. This place has a bad reputation. What the hell was she thinking coming here? I mean this was a club where you come to pick up loose women. I didn't figure her for that kind of girl.He glared at the short brunette that came with her. She looked a bit easy. If he had a Dollar for every date rape case they got in...
Goddamn! The guy was holding onto her ass like it's about to fall off. I have to get out of here before I do something stupid.
Stumbling through the dancing mob, ignoring the glances and advances thrown his way, he made his way to the exit.I could have picked up any one of the single girls here tonight, but no, I just have eyes for Christine. This is bullshit. She's probably going to end up in one of those assholes' bed tonight and I will be going home. Alone.
At the door he turned around to take one more look.
"Fuck this!"
He went outside. The fresh air hit him like a fist and he staggered back, clutching at a nearby lamp post. Nausea threatened to overwhelm him. Chase sat down on the side walk, head between his knees to let the feeling pass.
Damn. Did I really drink that much?
"Oh, c'mon Chrissie. Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud."
Chase's attention perked up. He prayed they didn't notice him sitting there. He dared not get up.
"Yeah, Babe let's go have some fun." a man's voice.
"No, I'm sorry I had way to much too drink. I just want to go home and sleep it off. You guys go ahead." Chase recognized Christine's voice and she sounded drunk.
"I can take you home?" the man said.
"No, I'll just take a cab -"
"Aww, no way. My car's just around the corner." the man insisted.
Chase felt the haze leave him. He straightened up. The guy held Christine's arm and she was trying to get free of his grasp, but Chase noted that she could hardly stand on her feet. Chase sized the man up. He was muscled and almost a head shorter than him. The other guy looked tough, covered in tattoos. Chase thought he could at least take one of them in his current state.
"She said no. Did you get that?"
"Who the fuck are you?" Muscle man demanded.
"Mr. Ward?" Christine squinted at him.
"Is that your boss?" the brunette asked, "Wow! He's hot." The brunette looked him up and down, clutching the other tattooed guy's arm.
Tattooed guy scowled at her.
"Morrison, come. I'll take you home." he held out his hand for her to take.
"No fucking way, Bro! She's coming with us." Muscle man yanked her to his side. She stumbled against him.
"Let. Her. Go." Chase felt his patience slipping. He stepped closer to them.
"It's okay, Mark - Mike? I'll go with him." Christine sighed.
"It's Jake." the man said, clearly irritated. "Fine!" He shoved her forward into Chase's arms.
"Are you sure, Chrissie?" the brunette asked.
Christine nodded. "Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow, Charlie."
The trio left leaving Chase standing with Christine holding onto him. He steadied her against his chest.
"Jesus, Christine, how much did you have?"
"Don't know. Just tired."
He lifted her chin. In the dim light of the street lamp her face looked soft and vulnerable. It took all of his willpower not to kiss her.
* * *All the way to his apartment in Soho he cursed himself for his impulsiveness. What the hell was he thinking?
She's going to think he stalked her, which he kind of did. Okay I did. But I saved her, didn't I? It had to count for something.Who knows what muscle man would have done to her in the state she was in? He would never forgive himself if something happened to her. Irritated he slammed his hand on the steering. What if she went to his Dad and complained about him? Especially after what happened on Monday. He still wasn't talking to his father. He would fire him at worst.
"Fuckfuckfuck... I am so royally fucked then."
He wouldn't make partner. And all this just because of his stupid attraction to Christine. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree now, does it Chase?
Christine was still asleep when they arrived at his house. He carried her to his bedroom and deposited her on his bed. She mumbled something, hugged a pillow to her body and turned on her side. Chase slipped off her shoes, admiring her well toned calves. She was so beautiful.
How women could wear these torture objects is beyond him. Although he conceded it's a turn on. But sex was the last thing he needed to have on his mind. A cold shower would help solve the problem. Nah, too tired. He hadn't slept in two days. Just going to lay down for a few minutes. He fell down on the bed next to Christine and passed out cold.
Christine woke up with a dull, throbbing headache and a cotton mouth. Did she really drink so much last night? She couldn't remember exactly what happened last night. Everything is but a faded blur. She didn't want to get up, but needed the bathroom. Slowly she sat up. Where the hell am I? This isn't my bedroom. "Oh no, no,no!" Horrified Christine scuttled away from the person lying next to her. Her back touched the headboard. She clutched a pillow to her chest. Lying next to her, without a shirt on was - Chase fucking Ward. Christine wanted to die. What did they do? How on earth did she get here? He was fast asleep lying on his back. He still had his pants and shoes on. Okay, that's a good sign. Men don't usually wear pants and shoes when they have sex. She groaned, holding her head in both hands. The metal band playing in her brain was getting louder and she wished she could make it stop. Chase's stormy grey eyes stared back at her. She
The week sped by. Between court appearances and appointments Chase and Christine kept it professional between them. Mason kept his distance still. Chase buried himself in his work, trying not to think about the upcoming trip. I lied to her. I looked her straight in the face and I lied. There's no need for her to come with me, but I want her with me. Heaven help me, I am becoming a lunatic. His Dad was going to have a lot to say about him taking Christine with. Or not. He was currently too involved with the twins' latest fuck up. He couldn't help smiling. Couldn't have been better timing. I am just glad he didn't involve me like he usually does. Maybe he was still upset about their last altercation.The old man can still deliver a punch though. I thought my nose was broken.But Chase didn't feel the need to apologize. He still hasn't completely forgiven him for what he had done to their family. Especially to his mother. She
Christine checked her makeup in the mirror. She didn't want to make it look like she put in too much effort. But she wanted to look good. Satisfied she brushed her long blonde hair until it shone. Her blue off the shoulder dress matched her eyes. She wondered what Chase was doing. He seemed pretty upset she was going on a date with Mason. She scoffed at the sudden image of him following them in his red Ferrari. What a sight it would be. She remembered the beastly look on his face when he told whats-his-face to let her go outside the Clud Deja Vu. Like Charlie said, he was hot. Damn him. But Mason was just as attractive.Maybe she should sleep with Mason. Would it get Chase out of her head? Besides, he is unobtainable. Yeah, she should give it a go. It's not like Mason would be difficult to sway. He's been after her since day one. Her buzzer sounded and for a fleeting heart fluttering moment she thought it would be Chase."Hey, gorgeous, I'm waiting outsid
"Morrison! Hurry up for God's sake! Our flight's boarding.""Yes, just a minute, Mr. Ward!"Ugh! That insufferable man! God, I am shaking!Christine steadied herself against the basin. The Xanax she took before leaving the apartment doesn't seem to be adequate. The drive here was nerve wracking to say the least. Morning traffic in the city always made her anxiety hyper. She popped a Valium and dry swallowed it. If this didn't work, she won't be able to keep it together.A lady walking out of the toilet gave her an enquiring look. She pretended to fix her hair."If you're not out of that restroom in five seconds I am coming in! I'm sure you're pretty enough.""Oh, for goodness' sake." She quickly checked her face in the mirror. It was white as the wall. Her eyes were huge dark orbs staring back at her. Not that he would notice her anxiety. Of course not, the world revolved around Chase Ward. Walking out of the ladies' restroom
Alexander Ward collapsed boneless on the floor of his study. Erica heard the thump and came running."Alex. Oh goodness! Are you alright?" She rushed over to her husband. Her hands flew to his pallid face, turning him to look into his eyes.He stared at her, not registering. The only thought running through his mind; my son, my son. Erica shook him."I'm calling Dr. Frey. Can you talk to me?" Erica sat on her knees beside him on the parquet floor. She rubbed his cold hands between her own. "Honey?"Alexander caught her hands, pulling her to his chest. "The jet crashed somewhere in the Atlantic." he spoke just above a whisper.Erica frowned. "What?""They don't expect any survivors."Erica shoved him away from her. "What are you saying?" She shook her head, not believing what she heard."They think our son might be dead." His face crumpled. Alexander's body shook with racking sobs.Erica watched in shock as her husband fe
"Help! Can anyone hear us?" Christine shouted, her hands cupping her mouth. Only the birds in the palm trees flew up in response. She turned to stare at the waves gently lapping at the shore. No sign of any other survivors. Christine sat on the sandy beach, hugging her knees to her body. Chase walked over to her and sat beside her. "You okay?" he asked. She nodded. "I guess." He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. She placed her head on his shoulder. He wished he could kiss her and tell her everything would be okay, but there were no guarantees. "We need to keep it together, Christine." Gently he drew her face towards him, "No panicking, okay. If you feel anxious I've got your meds." He handed her the Ziploc bag which he kept inside his jacket. She took if from him, her brow lifted. "I don't know what to say." She gave him a tear filled smile. "I'll be fine." She reached up to touch the side of his face. The cu
She watched as Chase made a lean-to. He abandoned his shirt and Christine couldn't help admiring his sweat slicked body while he worked. To her utter amazement she discovered he had a tattoo of an eagle on his back. It seemed to be flying as his back muscles moved."If you're done eye fucking me, could you please gather some of those palm leaves?" he said, mildly.Christine's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe her ears. "I did not - Ugh. I can't believe you just said that." She stomped off to get what he asked.He chuckled to himself. "Aww, c'mon I literally felt your eyes on me, Christine."She threw the leaves and branches at him. "Oh, shut up. I admired your tattoo. Wouldn't have figured you for someone who would like tats." She fanned herself with one of the leaves, cursing internally her ability to blush so easily. Why the hell must he be so damn hot? Gods, an eagle of all things. She shrugged, actually she gets the meaning. Legal Eagle.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ward, but I am not going to put your lives and that of my crew in danger. We'll have to wait until the weather clears." Alexander wanted to hit something, anything. Or anybody. Damn this fickle weather. Damn everything. Erica touched his arm, trying to calm him. "Alright, Jack." he growled. "I'll give it two more days. After that I don't give a shit. If you don't take us I'll find someone else who will. It's been almost a week. Time is running out." Jack Nolan nodded. "I understand your frustration, Mr. Ward. As soon as the storm passes we'll ship out." "Thank you, Jack. This has been so hard for all of us." Erica said, "The authorities don't seem to care as it is a private plane and not that many lives at stake. At least it feels that way for us." Richard and Claire Morrison stood in the captain's quarters looking crestfallen and tired. Richard had his arm around his wife's shoulders. Her face looked bloated from crying. Alexa