Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 13

~Sofia-

We arrived at a jam-packed Astria, a bar on the long stretch of Rio de Janeiro's well-renowned beachside.

Ana, Mich's girlfriend, was an equally stunning woman with platinum blond hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a well-figure body. She had fine features and perfectly tanned skin. Through the drive, I learned they enjoy playing beach volleyball, and both loved to surf. This explains their athletic body, but they had enough curves to distinguish them from being boyish.

Eyes instantly found them as soon as they entered the arch entrance of the bar. I was a mere mundane behind these two gorgeous women.

Anna walked with me arm in arm while Mich led us to the bar fully occupied tables decked Astria's first level. The bar across the entrance had a large shelf behind it containing various liquors lit up with blue lights. All the bar stools were occupied. Mich weaved her way into the middle and called one of the six people behind the bar. He smiled at Mich, recognizing her. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. A Portuguese song floated through the air, forcing Mich and the guy in a black shirt with Astria plastered on his left chest to speak closer.

"Are you okay?" Ana asked. Leaning closer to me.

"Yeah. This place is jam-packed!" I commented with an equally louder voice.

"Yep. Andre is good with business," she said. "He got that from our dad "They're upstairs," Mich returned, leading the way to the wide stair on the right side of the bar.

The second level was far different from the first floor. The upbeat music continued to float in the air. A bar was situated in one corner. Couches and smaller tables furnished the space. The glass walls were open, allowing the ocean breeze to sweep the curtains, providing a beachy vibe along with the crashing waves. No wonder this place is a hit. Even the lighting, a mix of blue, yellow, and warm white, was meticulously planned for a cozy and homey vibe.

We made our way to the bar. The bartenders were as busy as the guys from below, but one guy, in particular, stood out.

Tousled bronze curls, about six feet or so with an athletic body flashed a warm smile in our direction. The resemblance between him and Ana points out that he is Andre, the brother who owned the bar.

After the proper introduction, Andre led us to a corner balcony table. Overhead were little fairy lights, merging with the stray sky above.

"You work with Mich?" Andre asked, serving us the first round of our drinks. We started off with a glass of martini. Andre joined us with a beer bottle.

"Not really," I said, glad that Andre sat with us because Ana and Mich were already lost in their conversation. Seeing Mich cuddly with Ana made me blush, especially when they started kissing, as if we didn't exist.

"I have all night," Andre teased, nudging my shoulder.

I giggled, playing with the olives in my gla*s. "Uhm... I'm her boss' new publicist."

"Montiero?" he asked, taking a small pull of his beer.

I hummed a yes, taking a sip of my drink. "You know him?"

Andre huffed, leaning back in his seat, spreading an arm behind my chair. His hands ghosted my shoulder. "Who doesn't."

Was that annoyance in his voice?

I peered at him. "The heartless playboy-billionaire," he murmured. He had a smile on his lips, but his tone had underlying displeasure.

"Is it true?"

"Why are you asking me? You working for him already answered that question, yeah?"

"I guess." I shrugged. "I didn't even know he was my client until yesterday."

"Now we are getting somewhere," he chuckled.

"What?"

"You look like the type."

"What type?"

"The type of girl who's looking for an escape."

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Nah." He took the last sip of his beer, setting the bottle on the table. Standing up, he offered his hand. "Let's go."

"What?" Confused, I hesitated.

Andre tipped his head towards Mich and Ana. I instantly got the message. They were getting touchy. Mich had her hand on Ana's legs, and Ana was already tugging on Mich's hair. "Come on. It's only gonna get worse."

I finished my martini and accepted Andre's offered hand.

Andre took me to a footpath far enough from the loud music of the beachside bars and clubs. Palm trees lined each side of the street, along with benches occupied by pairs and groups enjoying the warm night. The warm summer heat and cool breeze of the night haggling. "Let me guess. Heartbreak?" Andre was keen on finding out my story.

I wasn't really hiding my reason for running away from home, but I was not ready to spill my gut on someone I had just met. Andre seemed cool, but I must be careful with people I share the intimate parts of my life with. "Kind of." Andre chuckled, shoving his hand in his pocket.

"What?" I asked.

We finally found an empty bench. We sat side by side, facing the ocean.

"Mich warned me you are not the typical girl who'd fall for my charm."

I shook my head. "The kissing was part of their plan, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Andre confirmed. "Those two are keen on finding me a girlfriend." I peered at him, a sad smile on his lips. "You are not the only one with a story, Sofia."

My first impression of him had been proven wrong. I took Andre as the playboy type. He had the looks and owned a place where he could easily find someone to spend the night with.

"I have all night," I said, using his words, nudging his shoulder too.

He laughed, masking the loneliness in his brown eyes. "I've been single for three years. My ex cheated on me, and it turns out the guy she replaced me with wasn't serious about her. He dumped her after two weeks of them fooling around." This story is typical, but that doesn't make it better, especially when you are an affected party. "She tried to get back with you?"

"She did." Andre looked into the distance, the stars making the water sparkle in the night. "I was supposed to propose to her before she cheated on me. I was ready to have a family, settle down and love her until death do us part. I tried to look past what she did, but I couldn't trust her any longer. We argued every day. It was tiring. I was the one who broke things off with her for good."

Although he's narrating a story from the past, his tone makes it sound fresh, as if things only happened yesterday. Will this be my future? I gave every bit of my heart to Kyle and built my future around him. Now I' am lost without him. I don't know where to start or where to find the strength to move forward.

A scmber silence stretched between Andre and me. He was deep in thoughts. Clearly, telling his story took a chunk of courage. "My fiance cheated on me," I said, cutting the silence. Andre glanced at me. "He got another girl pregnant, and yesterday, I found out that they're getting married in a month's time." "That's f*cked up."

I sighed. "It is."

"

I told him the bits and pieces of my story from the moment I found out about the conversation on

Kyle's phone to Jessica's assumption that Kyle would look for me.

It was nice to share my story with someone who understands my situation.

"Does this mean I get to have a second date?" Andre asked. He ended up driving me back to the penthouse. Ana and Mich were already gone when we came back to the bar.

"Was that a date?" I asked, stepping into the lift, pressing my floor number. Andre was a total gentleman and insisted on walking up to my door.

"A friendly date," he said. "But I can take you out on a romantic one if you'd say yes."

I smiled at him, grateful for the offer. "I want to focus on myself, Andre. Everything is still fresh, and I don't want to give you the wrong impression that-"

"Sofia, I get it," he cut me off as the lift reached its destination.

"A friendly date, then?" Andre pressed when we reached my door.

I groped for the key card on my bag. "Sure, that kind of date I can accept," I said, standing before the open door.

Andre leaned forward, pressing a kiss on my cheeks. "I'll call you."

Stunned, I could only hum a yes and watch him walk to the elevator. He waved at me as the door closed. I shook my head, stepping inside the penthouse. Switching the lights on, I screamed when I saw a figure sitting on the single couch. "Chase," I pressed a hand on my chest.

"Who the f*ck was that?"