Episode 4
2049 Words
The grand hotel which was located in Houston, was beautifully decorated and filled with influential people, who came to honor the Harry company's charity gala.
At the heart of the event stood Chase, effortlessly commanding attention as he mingled with influential figures, his tailored suit a sign to his impeccable style. He exchanged pleasantries and discussed business ventures, but his mind was elsewhere.
Tonight wasn’t just about raising money for his foundation. It was about her.
Chase’s assistant approached him with a clipboard. “Mr. Harry, everything is running smoothly. The press will cover your speech in twenty minutes.”
“Good,” Chase replied, his tone cool and composed. “Has she arrived yet?”
The assistant hesitated. “Not yet, sir.”
Chase nodded, his expression unreadable as he scanned the room. He had sent her the invitation personally, ensuring it would reach her. He had successful planned the night and hope it turned out as he had perfectly planned it.
She was going to be his.....
*************
Outside the hotel, Olivia stepped out of her Lamborghini, her hands smoothing the fabric of her evening gown. The dress—a stunning emerald-green material that hugged her curves and brought out the gold flecks in her eyes—wasn’t one she would have chosen for herself. Emma had insisted, practically forcing her to do a video call and choosed the gown for her.
“Trust me, babe” Emma had said. “If you’re going to face Chase Harry, you need to look like the queen you are.”
Now, standing at the entrance of the grand hotel Olivia wasn’t so sure. Her heart pounded as she handed her invitation to the attendant and stepped inside, the lavish surroundings breathtaking.
She hadn’t planned to come. When the invitation arrived, she had tossed it aside, telling herself she wanted nothing to do with Chase or his world. But curiosity—and a lingering sense of unfinished business—had gripped her.
As she entered the ballroom, heads turned. Conversations paused, and a few whispers went through the crowd. Olivia Smith, the ex-wife of Chase Harry, had returned.
Then she remembered, she was out of her hidden inn and was now out at her past. Almost everyone present, were at their wedding. So of course they will remember her.
Her eyes scanned the room, and then she saw him. Chase stood near the stage, his back to her, his broad shoulders and confident unmistakable.
He turned as if sensing her presence, and their eyes met across the room. For a moment, everything else faded—the crowd, the music, the glitz and glamour. It was just the two of them.
Chase excused himself from the group he was speaking with and made his way toward her, his stride purposeful.
“You came,” he said, stopping in front of her. His voice was low, almost relieved, and his piercing blue eyes held hers with an intensity that made her stomach flutter.
Olivia straightened her shoulders, refusing to let him see the effect he still had on her. “It’s for charity,” she replied, her tone cool. “I thought it was important.”
His lips curved into a faint smile. “It is...”
Before she could respond, a reporter approached, microphone in hand. “Mr. Harry, would you mind sharing a few words about tonight’s event? And Mrs. Harry—”
Olivia stiffened at the title, her cheeks flushing. “I’m not—”
“Excuse us,” Chase interrupted smoothly, placing a hand on the small of her back and moving her away from the reporter.
When they were out of earshot, Olivia glared at him. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“You didn’t look like you wanted to talk,” he said, his tone unapologetic.
Olivia sighed, her defenses wavering. “What do you want, Chase? Why did you invite me? I told you yesterday, we are just partners''
He hesitated for a moment, his gaze softening. “ I just thought, it was important to bring....”
Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her emotions. “You’re two years too late for that,” she said, turning to walk away.
Chase caught her hand, his touch gentle but firm. “Olivia, please. Just one conversation. That’s all I’m asking.”
**************
Olivia and Chase sat at a corner table, the tension between them palpable even amidst the lively gala. Damien Cole, Chase's friend had forced them to sit together. He use to be very fond of Olivia and she had agreed for his sake.
After minutes of teasing and gisting, Damien began, “What? I’m just saying it’s refreshing to see you two together again.” He smirked and signalled a waiter. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we lighten the mood a bit?”
Olivia raised an eyebrow. “And how do you propose we do that?” She knew him very well, he was the reason, she and Chase mostly go out or talk together.
“A classic drinking game,” Damien declared, clapping his hands. “We all need it. Come on, loosen up, Olivia. You’ve been looking way too serious all night.”
Olivia opened her mouth to decline, but Damien was already ordering shots of tequila. Chase pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily.
“Damien, this is not the time—”
“It’s always the time for fun,” Damien interrupted. “What’s the harm? Just a couple of questions, a couple of drinks. Unless, of course, you’re both too scared?”
That did it. Olivia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Fine. Let’s play. What are the rules?”
Damien grinned like a child on Christmas morning. “Simple. I’ll ask a question. If you’ve done it, you drink. If you haven’t, you don’t.”
The waiter returned with a tray of shots, and the game began.
****************
The questions started harmlessly.
“Never have I ever skipped out on a meeting to sleep in.”
Both Chase and Olivia drank.
“Never have I ever drunk-dialed an ex.”
Olivia rolled her eyes and took a sip. Chase smirked and followed suit, earning a round of laughter from Damien.
As the drinks flowed, the questions grew bolder.
“Never have I ever kissed someone I didn’t love.”
Olivia hesitated but didn’t drink. Chase, however, reached for his shot, his expression unreadable. Olivia noticed but said nothing, though her chest tightened.
“Never have I ever regretted letting someone go,” Damien said, his tone suddenly more serious.
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Then, slowly, Chase picked up his shot and drank. Olivia’s breath hitched, her eyes meeting his over the rim of the glass.
She reached for her own drink and downed it, the burn of the tequila nothing compared to the emotions swirling inside her.
By the time the game wound down, both Chase and Olivia were visibly tipsy. Damien had excused himself, leaving the two alone at the table. The once-crisp tension between them had softened into something raw and unfiltered.
“You think you have it all figured out, don’t you?” Olivia said as she leaned forward. “Always so confident, so…perfect.”
Chase laughed bitterly. “Perfect? Olivia, if I were perfect, I wouldn’t have lost you.”
She blinked, his words cutting through the haze of alcohol. “You didn’t lose me, Chase. You pushed me away. Every time I tried to reach you, to make things work, you shut me out.”
“And you think it was easy for me?” he shot back, his voice rising. “You think I wanted to push you away? I was drowning in responsibilities, in expectations. I didn’t know how to be what you needed.”
Olivia shook her head, tears blurring her eyes. “All I ever needed was you, Chase. Not the CEO, not you mother's child,not the Harry name—just you.”
He reached across the table, his hand covering hers. “And I was too blind to see that. I knew you were here and for two years, I kept secretly keeping my eyes on you. But I couldn't take it anymore, that's why I had to sign your company''
They sat there, the weight of their shared pain and unspoken truths settling between them.
“I hated you for so long,” Olivia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I hated myself more for still loving you.”
************
The heavy silence between them was filled with years of pain, regret, and unspoken longing. Olivia’s hazel eyes brimmed with unshed tears as Chase’s hand lingered over hers, his touch igniting something she thought she’d buried long ago.
The alcohol coursing through their veins only amplified their emotions, lowering the barriers they had so carefully constructed over the years.
“Why, Chase?” Olivia whispered, her voice trembling. “Why are you doing this now? Why did you invite me tonight?”
Chase’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. “Because I couldn’t stay away anymore. I’ve tried, Olivia. God knows I’ve tried, but I can’t stop thinking about you—about us. It’s always been you.”
Her breath hitched, and before she could respond, Chase stood and pulled her to her feet. The sudden closeness stole her air, her chest brushing against his as his intense blue eyes bore into hers.
“You don’t know how much I’ve missed you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Your laugh, your stubbornness, the way you looked at me like I was more than just a man with a name and a fortune. You saw me, Olivia. And I ruined it.”
Olivia’s hands trembled as she pressed them against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “You did,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “You broke me, Chase. But damn it, I never stopped loving you.”
That was all it took.
Chase’s lips crashed against hers, the kiss desperate and raw. It wasn’t gentle or careful—it was years of pent-up passion and regret spilling over, consuming them both. Olivia clung to him, her fingers tangling in his hair as she gave in to the emotions she’d tried so hard to suppress.
They stumbled backward, Chase guiding her toward the nearest private space. The gala faded, the music and laughter a distant hum as they disappeared into a quiet lounge off the main ballroom.
************
The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of a single lamp casting shadows across the furniture. Chase backed Olivia against the wall, his hands roaming her curves as their lips moved.
“Tell me to stop,” he breathed, his forehead pressed against hers. “If this isn’t what you want, tell me now.”
Olivia cupped his face, her thumb brushing over the rough stubble on his jaw. “I’ve wanted this for so long, Chase. Don’t stop.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. Chase lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the leather sofa. Their kisses deepened, growing hungrier with each passing moment.
Clothes fell away in a blur of urgency, each piece discarded without thought. Chase’s hands traced every inch of her skin, rediscovering the woman who had haunted his dreams. Olivia’s nails raked across his back, pulling him closer, desperate to feel him against her.
When their bodies finally joined, it was as though time itself had stopped. Their movements were a symphony of passion and longing, their breaths mingling as they lost themselves in each other.
**************
Olivia woke up to the familiar singing of birds, through the window. She yearned as her body ached in pain.
She couldn't remember a single thing that happened last night; only that they had played a drinking game. She tried to remember as she looked around the room, then suddenly her eyes landed on someone she will never wish it was.
''Chase....'' She shouted in horror, has she pulled the blanket over her naked body.
What has she done?
- Writer
