The Swearing Contract

A Terrible Mistake

I did a bad thing. A really really really bad thing. 

Fück. 

I was going to go to prison for murder. I'm going to end up as someone's bîtch and I'm going to have to worry about soap for the rest of my life. 

When did I ever think this was a good idea? 

"Calvin Klein if you make it out of this I'm going to kiss your butt forever!" Not literally, but I was going to suck up big time. He already hated me, now I know he's going to despise me with all his being.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!" I kept mumbling this under my breath to Chase. Please don't die. Please don't die.

^^^

Earlier: 

After meeting with the chef, I reserved a time in the kitchen to work on my special concoction for chase. I enlisted Genevieve to help me, and she gladly accepted the task. 

Shortly before I was needed to go to the kitchen, Chase surprisingly called me into his office. "You wanted to talk to me?" I asked him calmly as I entered the intimidating space. It smelled like him in here. 

Gross. 

I tried to ignore the pleasant smell of sandalwood and cinnamon. "Yes. I wanted to apologize for my earlier actions." 

"And what actions would that be?" I ask purely for the sake of wonderment; was he seriously sorry? 

"For yelling at you."

"And?" I pushed further. He sighed, before answering with, "And being quite rude to you." 

"And?" I actually didn't need this much apologizing, I was just torturing him, because I'll be getting my true payback later. "And I'm truly sorry for treating you poorly. That's all." 

For once I see he's being civil with me. So, I decide to make the most of it. "So whatcha doing?" I ask curiously peeking over his desk to see the papers he's filling out. 

"Nothing that concerns you, of course." I pouted my lip out, and huffed angrily. And for some reason, he sighs in defeat. 

Woah. Did hell just freeze over? 

"Fine. It's just payroll deductions. But I usually do more... Interesting things than this, honest." I roll my eyes, a smile effortlessly finding its way to my mouth, "oh ok Calvin Klein, let's just say I believe you." For a moment he just studied me. 

It unnerved me. 

"Why do you call me that?" 

"Call you what?" Playing coy, I was. "My nickname." He urged further. 

"What ever do you mean Chase?" 

"Molly, why do you call me Calvin Klein?" Growing tired of feigning innocence, I just decided to let him suffer twice as much. At least, that's what I was going to do initially. 

But honestly thinking about it? 

"I don't know. It just seems... Fitting to your demeanor." I mean, I guess. I really only initially started it to get under his skin, but now it was just a habit. A habit I found cute. 

His nickname was cute. Oh my gosh. Did I just call my nickname for Chase cute? 

Is there a full moon today? 

"Would you rather me call you CK?" Now thinking about it, Calvin Klein was closely related to Chase Kelvin. Wow. Props to me. He rolled his eyes, "no." 

"Did you create boxer briefs in this business of yours?" 

"No." 

"What about perfume?" 

"Molly. I'm not Calvin Klein." It was worth a try. He tried to play that he was mad, but a smirk played on his lips, and I just notice, mine as well. 

I checked my watch, coming back to reality, "I was actually going to make you a surprise apology thingy, and I'm about to be late. Genevieve is going to kill me." He chuckled humorously at my frazzled state, "don't worry. Genevieve is a kind soul." 

I waved him goodbye as I exited his office. I'm now having regrets. But I quickly remind myself it'll be painless and he'll probably even laugh at the silly gesture. Right? 

Even if he is being nice to me now, what changed? And why? 

It also doesn't change the fact that he was totally rude to me before. 

^^^

I met Genevieve in the kitchen to get started with my recipe. It was just a steak, since it's basically the only thing I'm actually good at making. 

When I was little, before I had to live with my aunt and uncle and before my life fell apart, my mom taught me to make steak. Mainly for dad. 

He was sick when I was young, cancer. As cliché as it sounds, it made him happy to receive a nice dinner from his wife and child. I never really though about how life would be without him, because he'd always promised me he'd be okay. 

Turned out, he was telling the truth. Testicular cancer wasn't that hard to get rid of for him, just chopped them right off. This had no effect on me, other than the face it completely grossed me out. 

But a week later, mom was in a car accident and I didn't really think it mattered if dad's lack of balls were embarrassing. Initially, the doctor's, they thought it was mom's kidneys. 

They were so sure that her kidneys were failing. They ran tests after tests, and had her put in the intensive care unit. 

Turns out, she died from internal bleeding. The doctors were so focused on her kidneys, they didn't even check for another source. 

I guess, as a guy with no wife, no balls, and only one responsibility left in the world, he thought it best to make up an excuse that he was too stressed to take care of that responsibility, and left. 

Hence me going to my aunt and uncle's in which they weren't too friendly people, and my life was ruined. 

Anyway, there's a point to this; mom taught me to cook steak, I made it for dad all the time before he left and ruined my life. There. 

I guess that's why I like Genevieve so well, she reminds me so much of mom. She's kind, tends to hum when she cooks, and knows just how to make the perfect cookies. 

No really, they were to die for. 

"You ready?" I didn't even notice that the food had been done for awhile now. "Uh, yeah." I smiled evilly as I took the perfect looking dish, sprinkled some paprika on it, and started towards the stairs. 

I knocked on his office doors, expecting him to yell at me like he usually does, but instead, a blonde woman opened the door. A very beautiful blonde woman. 

You know, I had my doubts. I had so many doubts. 

But nope! I'm positive Chase totally deserves this! Why would I even feel bad in the first place? 

A harmless joke after he's been so mean to me, hooking up with poor girls, leading them on! No, he more than deserves this. 

And this wasn't even that bad of a joke! Adding an herb he has a distaste for? Please. I could've done a lot worse. 

But I might lose my money if I played too hard a prank on him. 

The blonde lady smiles at me, ushering me in as if she expected me. So I strode up to Calvin Klein's desk, and gently laid the plate down. 

He was so immersed I his work that he didn't even notice I had entered the room. The blonde left the room when Chase ushered her out, and he pulled a seat up next to his. 

He patted the chair for me to sit down, and I almost felt like a small child. That pissed me off. Don't call me like a dog! 

I sit down anyway, and ignore the annoying flutters that erupts in my stomach. 

"This looks delicious, Molly. Thank you." I shrugged my shoulders, and leaned on the desk beside him. I watched him intently as he cut the steak. 

"Sorry." I said. I hadn't planned on saying that, but it turns out that it did happen, and I guess in a way I'm apologizing for what I'm about to do to him. So. Yeah. 

"Molly I'd already forgiving you earlier. It was honestly my fault. Everything. I just- I don't know how to say what I want to tell you."

It's easy you speak with your mouth, "is it because of a girl?" He chuckled humorlessly, "yes. As a matter of fact it is about a girl. She looks so much like you Molly, that I thought you were her when I first saw you. And it hurts every time I look at you." 

My eyes widened. Oh Chase. That's horrible! I wonder who this mystery girl is, and how she hurt him. I can't imagine a girl hurting Chase, mainly from his rough exterior. 

I realized something, Chase is a big teddy bear. He just doesn't want to get hurt again. Like me.

I almost cry, because he's about to eat the steak, and it's all my fault. Crap! 

He lifts the fork to his lips, so I try to make conversation, but I can't very well take he steak away, wait, why am I worrying? He'll take a bite and say he doesn't like like it. 

It's not like he's going to go Ike Turner on me. 

I watch as he takes a bite of the steak, and am thoroughly relieved, "this is delicious, Moll-" at first I thought he just choked on the piece and I was prepared to do CPR. But then I realized wasn't choking on the steak. 

"Chase? What's wrong?" I ask in a panic now, I honestly don't know what's wrong, is he joking right now? Wait, of course he's not joking i***t! 

Ok, ok, think! 

I only skit realize he's been trying to say something the whole time I'm panicking, "what did you put on the steak?" I just realized. 

HOLY FÛCK! Chase is allergic to paprika! It's all my fault oh my gosh. 

911. Right, I'll call the emergency services! Wait I don't know where a phone is! 

"Chase where is a f-frilly frilly phone at?" He managed to look confused, but realized I was covering up a cuss, and pointed to the desk. I looked at the desk, but didn't see anything on it, "Jesus, Chase! Where is the da- dilly phone?" I'm really starting to panic, because he looks like he's fighting to stay conscious. 

"On counter. Maybe?" He managed to spit out. "MAYBE? Chase, I can't count on a maybe!" He really picked a day to misplace his phone. I could imagine a complete stranger walking by, hearing the situation, and wondering what in the hell was going on. 

"CHASE! It's not on the counter!" I look over and see he's completely passed out on the floor. 

"Chase! Hey! CK! You better stay with me dammit!" Not even caring about the contract anymore, I let one slip. Damn. I was super determined to not let that happen. I was frantically moving papers around and shoving knick-knacks off his desk, when finally. 

Finally. Thank you God! I'm so relieved when I punch in the numbers and tell the authorities about the situation. "Ok, ma'am stay calm and tell me the address." Said the kind voice on the other line. 

"It's-" oh s**t. I didn't know the damn address! I run over to chase, and try smacking his face. "Chase, Chase, wake up! Sweetie, wake up!" I said as gently as I could, "hmm?" He mumbled. 

"What is the address ma'am?" I was too intent on getting the address out of Chase that I didn't even pay attention to the lady on the other line, "ma'am?" 

"Hold on!" I yell into the phone, "Chase, what is the address?" Why has no one in this mansion heard us? 

I'm not good at these situations! 

"9021 Wayward Way." Really? I should've guessed we were in the most rich neighborhood in the area. I quickly relayed the address to the lady before smacking Chase a couple more times. 

It has to be a good thing he's still awake right?

Crap I messed up. 

I did a bad thing. A really really really bad thing. It's all my fault! Why did I come up with this stupid idea? 

Fück. 

I was going to go to prison for murder. I'm going to end up as someone's bîtch and I'm going to have to worry about soap for the rest of my life. 

When did I ever think this was a good idea?  

I was holding Chase in the floor, rocking back and forth. 

"Calvin Klein if you make it out of this I'm going to kiss your butt forever!" Not literally, but I was going to suck up big time. He already hated me, now I know he's going to despise me with all his being.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!" I kept mumbling this under my breath to Chase. Please don't die. Please don't die!

^^^

"It's alright you didn't know." But something in my face made him give me a double take. "Well..."  I really had no clue he was allergic to paprika, but it was still my idea to play a prank on him, and the chef hadn't finished telling me something important in the kitchen before I left in a frenzy. I rush to clear up the misconception of me trying to kill him, I had no idea it would hurt him this much I just wanted to get back at him a little. Kind of like how they do in books on w*****d, but. I failed.

"I mean, I didn't mean to kill you. But I knew you didn't like paprika." He the surprised me by... Laughing? 

He laughed so much he had to wipe the tears from his eyes. 

Ok... 

"You know? You're crazy. I had my doubts. But no. You're literally batshit crazy." I figured I'd test the water, see how much trouble I was actually in. Honestly, before he ate my concoction we had been getting along fairly well for once. I just hope I didn't throw that down the drain with the accidental almost murder thing. 

"So... You're not mad?" I asked almost too hopefully. 

"Oh no. I'm totally pissed." His expression turned serious, and I knew he meant it. "So I'll?" I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to say. "You'll leave?" He offered, although it was more of a demand. 

And I totally understand. For the first time, my actions actually registered in my brain as something completely wrong. I almost killed Chase. And as much as he dislikes me, I actually find that I care for him. Surprisingly.

I went to walk out, but before I did I had to get the fact that I was honestly sorry off of my chest. "Chase?" 

He was already looking at a business file his employees had sent to him first thing this morning, he sighed, but turned to face me anyway, "yes Molly?" 

"I-" I hesitated, did I really want to open my insecurities to Chase? I'd never even told Toby about what has happened to me. My past. 

I wasn't going to tell him. I made that deduction, but I was going to give him enough to know I meant my apology. 

That can't hurt anything. "I've been hurt in the past. A lot. And, as much as this kills my ego, I wouldn't ever intentionally harm anyone. I may have this tough act going on, but I wasn't always like this. I have to be like this now. But I do mean it when I say I'm sorry. I would never try to hurt you, even if you are infuriating at times." Toward the end, I see him smirk. But I also didn't miss the surprise in his eyes from my revelation. 

Playfulness is in his eyes as he looks at me, "apology accepted Molly. Now, go." Although he wanted me to go, I can tell he didn't mean it in a harsh way to get rid of me. 

Dare I say we're making progress? 

Once again, I turn before I leave, "can I go visit Toby?" He nodded his head, his eyes not leaving the paper he was reading. "Honestly I don't care what you do as long as you go. I'm busy." 

I sigh, but for some reason my smile wouldn't leave my face. So I had to force it. 

I can't get too close.

I'll only get hurt again. 

^^^

"So. Let me get this straight, you accidentally poisoned the guy we met in this restaurant  the other day?" 

"Yep." Well I wouldn't call it poisoning, he was just allergic to the herb I added into my cookie. He almost looked disappointed in me. "It was supposed to be a prank!" I reply defensively. But even I know my I should apologize again. 

"Pranking gets you nowhere Molly. Did you apologize?" I wanted to say; of course I did dip-weed. But I merely shook my head. 

He seemed to visibly relax before me. As much as I hated him scolding me, I missed it. Honestly, Toby is the only  person I've ever allowed myself to get close to. And it was sad when we didn't see each other in awhile. 

Toby took on the role of my older brother. I sure needed one when I first came to this city. 

And although Chase is kind of a jerk, he has a sweet side to him. Well. He did. And now it looks like I've ruined that too. 

Gosh, I'm so stupid.