OBSESSION

TWO

Bethany froze, her gaze locked on the man standing in front of her, his familiar green eyes glinting with a hint of bemusement. She hadn't expected to run into him here, not after the awkward encounter earlier. For a heartbeat, she couldn't think of a single thing to say, her mind blank under his steady gaze. It was Logan who broke the silence.

"I'm Logan. Logan Chase," he said, extending his hand with a polite, confident nod.

She hesitated for a split second before reaching out, feeling the cool, firm grip of his handshake. "Hi," she managed, trying not to sound too breathless.

As she released his hand, her eyes lingered on him, drinking in the details she hadn't quite noticed earlier. He was dressed in a smoke-grey suit that somehow looked both effortless and meticulously tailored, with a navy-blue tie adding a hint of color. Logan wore it with an easy, relaxed confidence that only accentuated his already striking presence.

"Bethany!" Teagan's bright, cheerful voice called from the doorway, breaking the moment. Bethany turned to see her friend beaming with wide eyes, clearly as captivated by Logan's presence as she had been.

"Mr. Chase! I didn't realize you were already here," Teagan said, quickly recovering from her initial surprise. "Please, let us show you to the conference room."

Logan smiled warmly, falling in step beside Teagan, who led him down the corridor. Bethany trailed a few steps behind, feeling slightly out of place yet oddly curious as she watched the interactions.

The conference room was at the heart of the office, its glass walls giving a full view of the surrounding workspace. Inside, a long, dark oak table stretched across the center, surrounded by sleek office chairs with polished chrome arms.

Ryan and Marcus were seated at the head of the table, both looking every bit the part of senior partners. Logan chose a seat eight chairs down, settling in with a calm, unhurried confidence. Bethany and Teagan took the two remaining seats next to Ryan, who quickly stood up to greet Logan.

"Mr. Chase, it's a pleasure to have you here," Ryan began, his voice carrying a practiced authority as Marcus nodded along, a shy smile on his face.

"The pleasure's mine," Logan replied smoothly, his handshake with each of them noticeably more robust than the one he'd shared with Bethany.

As everyone settled in, Bethany found her gaze drifting back to Logan. The meeting was background noise, voices muffled as she studied his profile. He had that rare quality that made him stand out—a blend of presence and poise that suggested he was entirely comfortable wherever he went.

"Just to clarify," Logan's voice cut through her thoughts, "working with me won't mean working directly with Chase Realty." He paused, his tone matter-of-fact but tinged with something that felt personal. "I've started my own venture, Legacy Realty, to step away from my father's path."

There was a beat of silence, a shared look between Ryan and Marcus that hinted at their surprise. Bethany felt it too—a curiosity about what that shift meant for the firm. Ryan, however, quickly recovered, giving a nod of acknowledgment.

"Of course. It's still an honor. We've put together a dedicated team for you—people who will work closely to bring your vision to life," Ryan said, projecting his usual confidence.

The mention of a specific team made Bethany glance around the table, her curiosity piqued. Large clients typically received a dedicated team, allowing them to develop a consistent vision without constantly having to re-explain it.

She wondered if she'd be part of this team, though she doubted it. She was still green, still figuring her way in the world of interior design. She had the education and the passion, but no real-world experience.

A new question nagged at her, one she couldn't quite shake: What kind of client would Logan Chase be?

As she studied his profile, her thoughts drifted, imagining what it would be like to work directly under someone with such intensity and vision. She knew, however, that she'd likely be dealing with smaller projects, learning from a distance. But still... her curiosity about him lingered.

"Your portfolio is extensive," Logan was saying, his tone appreciative but sharp. "I've noticed you tend to focus on corporate design over personal clientele."

Ryan nodded, handing Logan a folder with a practiced ease. "True, though we've worked with a number of individual clients as well," he replied smoothly. "We've established ourselves with retainer clients, providing them with an ongoing vision."

Logan opened the folder, flipping through the pages as Ryan continued. "We have nothing but stellar reviews, and we ensure every client is—"

"I'm not looking for satisfaction," Logan interrupted, his voice taking on a more intense edge. "I want them to be..." He paused, seeming to search for the right word, his expression contemplative as he closed the folder.

"I want clients to be so captivated that the moment they see a space, it stays with them. I want it to haunt them, to be the place they can't stop thinking about whenever they consider buying."

He stopped, but Bethany couldn't hold back. "Obsessed," she murmured softly, the word slipping out before she could think to hold it back.

Logan's head turned toward her, his gaze locking onto hers with a flash of something like approval. Around them, she felt Ryan and Marcus tense slightly, but she pushed forward, knowing that she'd already stepped in.

"You want spaces that are unforgettable," she continued, her voice gaining confidence. "People look at dozens of houses, each blending into the next. But you want each property to stand out so strongly that no matter how many they see, yoursis the one they can't shake."

Logan's lips curved into a slow smile. "Exactly. Bethany, isn't it?" He inclined his head toward her. "We've met already, haven't we?"

She felt her cheeks warm, though she kept her tone steady. "Yes, Mr. Chase. In the break room earlier, with Teagan."

Teagan gave a quick, awkward wave, and Logan turned his attention back to the partners. "That's exactly what I'm after: obsession."

Ryan nodded quickly. "Of course, Mr. Chase. Our priority will be making your properties stand out above all others."

As the meeting continued, Bethany's eyes remained on Logan, though she forced herself to focus on the discussion at hand. There was something undeniably magnetic about him, something that went beyond his looks.

He had a smile that could disarm anyone, a confidence that filled the room, and a way of speaking that made his goals feel not just achievable but inevitable.

Each time Ryan or Marcus tried to shift the conversation, Logan brought them back with a quiet authority that commanded attention.

An hour and a half later, the meeting wrapped up, and Bethany rose with the others, though her mind was still spinning with everything she'd seen and heard. She had never met someone quite like him—someone who was both direct and elusive, unyielding yet charming.

As everyone filtered out, Teagan joined her, nudging her as she caught her dazed expression. "See you tonight?" she asked, her tone bright.

Bethany nodded, though her thoughts were still on Logan. The day flew by in a flurry of tasks and checklists, confirming appointments, liaising with contractors, and keeping up with her to-do list. Despite herself, her mind kept drifting back to the enigmatic Mr. Chase.

The evening's dinner gathering was held at Anna's, a cozy, upscale restaurant with an intimate setting perfect for the team to unwind.

Bethany was introduced to Sierra, a confident designer who carried an effortless charm. Sierra flashed a welcoming smile as they exchanged pleasantries, but Bethany sensed a sharp curiosity behind her friendly demeanor.

"So, have you ever worked with clients before?" Sierra asked, her tone light but inquisitive.

"No, but during school, we worked with local clients on a few projects," Bethany replied, meeting her gaze evenly.

Sierra raised her brows, seemingly impressed. "Where did you study?"

"Virginia Tech," Bethany replied, watching a flicker of surprise cross the faces of the table's other occupants.

The rest of the dinner buzzed with conversation, small talk easing the group into laughter and shared stories. Teagan sat close by, leaning in occasionally to whisper playful comments, her vibrant energy helping to lighten the atmosphere.

When dinner ended, Teagan tugged on Bethany's arm, suggesting they go to AA, a bar a few blocks away. Laughing, Bethany agreed, and they strolled through the dimly lit streets, the city's nightlife slowly waking around them. The bar itself stood apart from its neighbors, its red neon sign casting a soft glow over the sidewalk.

Inside, the ambiance was lively but not overcrowded. Teagan immediately ordered margaritas, and they took their seats at the bar, Teagan chatting animatedly as Bethany glanced around.

"Why not shots?" Bethany asked, accepting her drink.

"I'm a lightweight!" Teagan laughed, her cheeks flushed. "Besides, we're still semi-professional here, right?"

Bethany chuckled, raising her glass. "Here's to Richy Rich, the new client keeping us on our toes."

"Bethany," Teagan said, her tone shifting slightly. "You know he's interested, right?"

Bethany looked at her, scoffing lightly. "I'm not playing into the whole unattainable thing."

Before she could elaborate, a familiar voice interrupted. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Bethany turned, heart skipping as Logan approached, a faint smile on his lips. Dressed more casually now, with his suit jacket discarded, he looked effortlessly handsome, the dim light accentuating his chiseled features.

"Oh! Logan—Mr. Chase!" Bethany stammered, flustered.

"Logan's fine," he said, taking a seat beside her. "Mind if I join you?"

Bethany could only nod as Teagan grinned widely. The conversation flowed easily as Logan ordered a drink for himself and offered to cover their tab. As they talked, he turned to Bethany with a look of genuine interest.

"You seem to understand my vision better than anyone else I've met here," he said. "I'd like to discuss it further. How about dinner on Friday?"

Bethany blinked, caught off-guard by his directness. "As in... a date?"

"Exactly," Logan replied, his gaze holding hers.

She hesitated, feeling the intensity of his attention, her heart racing. "I'm afraid that's not possible. You're a client, and I'm here to work."

A glint of admiration shone in his eyes. "Understood. But if you change your mind, the offer stands."

With a parting nod and a promise to see her in the office, Logan slipped away, leaving Bethany with a head full of questions and a heart pounding in her chest. As Teagan returned, Bethany could only shake her head, knowing she'd been irrevocably captivated.