Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 32

-Sofia-

'How do I even respond to that?'

Do I tell him it's okay and what he said was the right thing to do when, in reality, I couldn't forget about it? Do I go with pretending things hadn't changed when they did? Before I could decide what course to take, Chase. beat me to it.

"You're overthinking," he said, spinning me around. "I want to take back everything I said." Rough fingers skated on my oily face. He twirled the wayward locks of my hair that escaped my bun, tucking them behind my ears. I got lost in his deep blue eyes as they settled on mine. He smiled sweetly, not his signature arrogant smirk, but the soft, genuine smile that could melt my heart. I haven't seen that in so long. I'd capture that and save it on my phone if I could.

I miss him.

I miss this side of him.

"Let me make up for it?" he murmured.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. "What do I say to that? And why does he keep apologizing for what he said and not what he did? What does that mean?'

All these questions left my throat dry. I licked my lips. Chase's eyes dropped to my mouth. His eyes dilated. I watched with longing brewing in my core as he pulled his lower lip between his teeth. The taste of his lips, its softness, still lingered in mine even when days had already gone by. I want to experience it again.

Still holding my face, his fingers weaved into my hair. I bit the insides of my cheeks as he massaged the base of my neck.

Sweat formed on my spine. I'm pretty sure it's not because of the humidity in my apartment but the heat from Chase's hold and the hot flame licking the walls of my core.

"Stop that." His voice dropped an octave lower.

"Stop what?" I whispered, surprised at how hoarse my voice came out.

"Stop looking at me like you're begging to be kissed, Sofia," he muttered, skating his thumb over my lip.

My mouth hung open. Is it that obvious?

"I'm trying to apologize, not to fuck things up..." he paused, tugging my lower lip. "And f**k, I want to."

His sinful mouth charged my dopamine levels to rise. I was one second away from telling him to do as he pleased, but my phone rang.

Chase closed his eyes, dropping his hand. "Answer that, he instructed, sounding like the confident CEO of Montiero Holdings. I stood there, chewing my lip, stiff as a pole. "Now, Sofia."

Blinking, I rounded the breakfast bar and answered the phone without checking the ID. "Hello?" I cleared my throat, repeating my breathy answer. "Hello?"

I set the bouquet on the counter, eyes following Chase as he walked into the living room. He tucked his hands in his pocket, scanning the mess on the coffee table.

"Hey." It was Andre.

I turned from Chase and munched my thumb.

"Hey, Andre." I don't know why I felt the need to lower my voice. It's not like Chase and I are together, but a nagging feeling in my belly made me do it.

"Will it be okay if there's a slight change of plans later?" he murmured over the gusting wind. He must be on the beach.

"What changed?" my brows creased.

Movie and dinner, that was the plan. I was hesitant to go on a date with him. He'd hinted at my promised friendly date every time we exchanged messages, I thought he was only flirting, kidding around, but when he brought me flowers in the office, I realized he was serious, so I took the risk. However, I made sure he knew where I was in this setup. I don't plan to venture into a serious relationship for a while and a friendly date to unwind is all I want. I want to focus on myself and on my work.

Andre chuckled, hesitating. "Well, it's still movie and dinner, but we will have it at my place." I paused. My mind was on fast forward. Of course. Andre was a guy, and he'd want to have more after dinner. "Hey... it's not what you think... Uhm," he chuckled nervously. "Ana and Mich knew about our date and prepared a romantic dinner at my place. I swear I won't ask for more, Sofia-"

"Okay," I cut him off, fidgeting. Andre had been an absolute gentleman to me. That's my only reason for still going with this.

He sighed, relieved. "I really want to make a good impression, but my sister got over-excited when she learned I asked you out."

I giggled. "That's so like Ana."

Andre groaned. "You have no idea. I've been sweating cold here. I am really looking forward to getting to know you better, Sofia."

"Me too, Andre," I smiled, biting my thumb. "See you later?"

"See you later, Sofia."

Ending the call, I sighed and turned, meeting narrowed, dark blue eyes.

"Who's Andre?" Chase asked, dragging the stool under the breakfast bar.Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. He reached over and grabbed my lunch. The fork scraped with the plate, making my teeth ground as he stabbed the pasta, rolling it. His jaw was set as he chewed my food.

I rolled my eyes and got myself another plate of food. Chase's presence made me forget that I haven't eaten anything solid since I woke up. A plate of pasta at hand, plonked back on my chair and ate silently.

"Sofia... Who's Andre?" Chase repeated pointedly.

"A friend," I said curtly.

"You're going out with him? Is this the same guy that brought you flowers in the office?" Chase sounded like a jealous boyfriend. It made my tummy twist oddly.

"How did you know about that?" I frowned. Does he have someone watching me?

He huffed. "It's my building. It's my company. Of course, know tons of shit happening in it."

'Why was he mad?' I'd like to think he's affected by the idea of me going out with another man, but what reasons does he have? Besides, he has no claim on me. I can do whatever I want with my life!

I tipped my chin defiantly, meeting his glare. "Then you know I am going out on a date with him, yes?"

"No."

Dammit! I gave him too much information. "Ahm, okay."

"No, you are not going out with him."

I paused. "What?"

"Do you even know him that well to go out with him?" he pressed, eyes slanting. He took another forkful of the pasta.

My brows pointed to the ceiling. "Isn't that the purpose of a date? To get to know each other better?"

Chase reached over again, grabbing my orange juice. "Not in my book

I chortled, shaking my head, and kept eating. There was no use in fighting words with his twisted thoughts. I was reminded of how he and my siblings barricaded me against potential suitors back in high school. They used this same tactic, exploiting the negative side of going out with horny teenage boys.

-I am not that girl anymore, and he is not that Chase anymore. We are different, older, and wiser, and I can protect myself.

I kept silent and ate my food. Chase did the same. There was a zapping in the air as I washed the dishes. I could feel his eyes boring holes in my back. It was a challenge ignoring it through the mundane task of cleaning the kitchen.

"Aren't you going to leave?" I asked when I was done, moving to the living room, tidying up the papers and magazine. I was grateful that he didn't comment on seeing his face scattered on the coffee table.

"Nope," he said, and made himself comfortable on the couch. He lifted his boots on the table, reached for the remote, and turned on the TV.

"Fine," I groaned, leaving him to lounge in my bath. I planned on relaxing the entire afternoon, and I did, ignoring Chase owning my apartment as if he lived here with me.

Dressed in my white summer dress, I walked out of my room and waited for Andre to pick me up. Chase still refused to leave and made himself at home. He had already removed his shoes, grabbed snacks from the fridge, and emptied the carton of orange juice.

I plonked beside him. He was watching a local action movie.

There was still time before Andre arrived, so I decided to use it wisely. "I never got to ask...." I reached inside. the bag of chips Chase was holding. "How come you're a Montiero now? There was

no information about. that online, and I hated asking Mich about your personal life."

Chase faced me. "I'll answer all your questions later," he said confidently.

My brows creased. "I'm going out with Andre."

"No.

"What, no? You are not the boss of me."

"No, he's not coming," he said, dumping a handful of chips in his mouth.

As if he could see the future, Andre was indeed a no-show.