Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 58

-Sofia-

"What?" Panic rose from the pit of my belly.

I just arrived at Montiero Holdings, still bouncing on my heels, only to be greeted by Mich's news about Chase. She handed over her phone and let me read through Chase's instructions.

"And he didn't tell you why?" I pressed, passing her phone back.

I knew something was up with him last night. He was different, but I was too drunk in his touch and kisses to ask or care about anything.

"No. I sent him three emails asking why and got no response," Mich sighed, her shoulders slouching. "Hel gave instructions but didn't give me the reason. How can I cancel all those guestings and events we planned?!" she hissed. "He's never done this before. What could possibly be wrong with him? Even if he's sick, he still shows up in meetings."

"Morning, girls," Rafael stepped out of the lift, looking fresh and radiating off with gleeful energy. "What's up with those gloomy faces?" He paused beside me, draping an arm over my shoulder.

Mich and I locked eyes. She nodded at me to ask the question. "When was the last time you saw Chase?" "Hm, this morning. He asked me to pick up a few documents."

"Is he okay?" Mich asked. Even though she was ranting just a second ago about Chase's unclear instructions, she was still worried about him.

Rafael sighed. "Not really. He's been sick since we got back from Fortaleza. After grabbing the Sao Paulo contract, I'll fetch Dr. Santiago."

"Dr. Santiago?" The concern in Mich's voice made the hair on the back of my neck rose. She noticed this and explained. "He's the Montiero family doctor, and this is the first time Chase asked for him."

"I think he's coming down with chickenpox," Rafael butted in.

My shoulders went stiff. "Chickenpox? Are you sure?"

If Chase caught chickenpox, then there's a huge chance that I caught it too.

"I'm not sure yet. Red rashes... big ones... appeared on his skin this morning, but I'm no expert." Rafael squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. 'Does he know that Chase went to see me last night?" "That's why I need to fetch the expert. "

I stood there frozen as Rafael went to Chase's office.

"Are you okay?" Mich asked, turning her attention to her computer. Her royal blue-painted fingernails hit the keyboard.

I swallowed and ran my fingers through my hair. "Uhm, yeah."

She paused and stared at me. "Coz you look a little pale. Chickenpox..." she grumbled. "I'm gonna have a lot of letters to write and send. Hey Rafael," she called Rafael as he exited Chase's office, a thick pile of folders at hand. "Yeah?"

"Can you tell me if it's chickenpox?" she asked. "I need good reasons to clear the boss' schedule like he asked "

Rafael nodded. "Sure, but let's hope it's not." He made a funny face that had Mich and me giggling

All morning, I looked anxiously at my skin for any red spots and blisters, continuously checking my temperature. I feel okay, but what Rafael said alarmed me.Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. Chickenpox was a contagious infection and should not be taken lightly.

At lunchtime, I checked in with Mich to see if Chase really caught chickenpox. When she confirmed it, I immediately reasoned that I wasn't feeling well so I could exit the office.

To avoid suspicion, I went to a clinic nearby Montiero Holdings instead of seeing the company doctor. I told Dr. Reyes that I had been intimate with someone who caught chickenpox. She said I don't bear the signs and

advised me to see her again if the symptoms started to show.

For good measure, I rested the entire weekend. I didn't even meet Derek for his lunch invite on Sunday. I tried contacting Chase, asked him how he was, but I still got no response.

A box of chocolate cake rested on my lap, side by side with my gift for Chase. It was Wednesday, Chase's birthday.

It took me a lot of consideration before calling a cab. I didn't even know if he was in the cabin. The directions I gave the cab driver were solely based on my memory.

It was midday when the cab pulled over in front of the cabin.

The fresh morning breeze brought back memories of my last time here. After paying the driver, I slipped out carefully, holding the cake and Chase's gift. Glancing at the garage, my brows furrowed. A red mustang was parked beside Harley. 'Did he have visitors?'

I don't remember Rafael owning a car like that.

I shrugged. At least Chase was here.

I put on a smile, knocked on the door, and waited patiently. I bit my lip. Footsteps echoed from the other side, and my smile widened. I was too anxious to see Chase again that I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. But it wasn't Chase who opened the door, not even Rafael.

It was Carlota.

Her eyes widened, clearly as surprised as I was, but she recovered first.

"Hey, Sofia," she beamed, eyeing the cake box and the gift I was holding. Whenever I see her, she's either dressed for a party or headed for a date night. Today, she was sporting an oversized shirt that ended in the middle of her legs. 'Was she even wearing anything under that shirt?' Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She looked domesticated, yet still sophisticated. She wore that shirt like it was a steal from a magazine cover. "I'll... I'll just get Chase-" "Who's at the door-" my eyes flitted from eyeing Carlota's unusual get-up to Chase.

He looks fine. More than fine, actually. His sweatpants hung low on his hips, and his hair was still damp as if he just got out of the shower.

Apart from the light purple spots on his face and bare upper body, I don't see any trace of chickenpox. 'Maybe I didn't get the memo?' The symptoms of chickenpox might have changed. It's either that or the chickenpox news was a hoax.

It was easier to believe the former, really.

"Sofia..." Chase blinked. My name tumbling out of his mouth roused me from my stunned state.

My throat was tight, but I forced myself to speak. "Hey. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just came by to give you. these." I'd like to pat myself on the shoulder for not choking and handed the cake box and gift to Carlota.

Chase headed for the door.

My feet moved on their own accord. I turned and descended the steps two at a time, realizing I didn't have at car. Tears clouded my sight, but my determination to get away from here as fast as possible was stronger. I would go back to the city on foot if needed. "Hey, wait," Chase grabbed my arm and spun me to face him. "It's not what you think."

- blinked up at him, trying to hide my tears, but to no avail. Hot liquid dampened my cheeks as stared at

him, shaking my head.

"Chickenpox, huh?" I wiped my cheeks harshly, glanced over his shoulder. Carlota lowered her eyes and headed inside. "Is this it? Why you haven't answered any of my messages and calls?"

His face hardened, lips pressed on a hardline but said nothing. I nodded at myself.

"You got nothing to say?" I pushed at his chest. "Just fucking admit it. You played me just like all the girls before me."

"That's not true," he said through clenched jaws.

I laughed bitterly. "I'm so stupid. It's not like we are together officially, right?" saying that out loud was like stabbing myself with a serrated knife.

He dropped his hand. I felt devastatingly cold without his touch. He looked me straight in the eyes. They were so blue. So cold and beautiful. "No. We are not."

A sob slipped past my lips. "......" I really don't know how to respond to that. So I just turned and set one foot in front of the other. I had to keep moving or I'd break down.

Chase didn't stop me this time, I didn't know how long I walked. It was hot, and my feet were already aching when Rafael's car stopped on the road.