The Chase

Chapter 2 Numbers

As I pulled in to the parking lot, I remembered I have the Call report that’s due this week. I don’t have time to be questioning my life choices right now. I️ am the VP of the accounting department at a Credit Union. Most people think it sounds boring but I️ really enjoy it. I️ love to problem solve

I badged into the building.

“Good Morning Sarah!” I said to the department manager.

“Morning Blake!” she smiled.

“Sarah, I’ll be working on the report most of the day today. So if you could handle any team questions, unless it’s absolutely something you need me for, that would be great.”

“You got it.” She said with a smile.

I closed my office door. Signed on my computer. Checked my calendar and started working on my report.

I looked out the window.. “Wow! It’s dark already? What time is it? Oh geez, it’s 5:00pm already. I feel like I just got here.” I thought to myself. “It’s okay, I’m almost done. I’ve just got to power through.”

*knock* *knock*

I looked up and gestured for Sarah to come in.

“Are you staying late again tonight?”

I looked down at the time. “Yeah, I’m just finishing up. I’m almost done.” I sighed.

“Well don’t stay too late.” She said with a worried smile.

“Don’t worry about me Sarah! Go home and enjoy your evening. See you tomorrow.” I said looking back at the work on my desk.

She shut the door.

I walked out to my car around 6:00pm. “Gosh my brain is fried. I think I’ll go for a run when I get home.” I love running. I used to run in college, I was pretty decent, not like Olympic status or anything. I️ just love the power I️ feel when I️ run, like nothing bad can get me.

I️ pulled up to the house.

Ernie came running to the door. He started jumping up on my legs, wiggling his adorable little bum, while he danced around my feet. Ernie is my all black 2 year old pug and the absolute light of my life.

“Hi my good boy!” I️ said smiling down. “Did you have a good day?” I said as I bent down to pet him. I scooped him up in my arms like an infant child. “My little baby. I️ missed you!” I said as I kissed his soft and now slobbery cheek.

I set Ernie down and started taking off my heels. “Hey, how was work?” I️ yelled as I️ took off my shoes, still smiling at Ernie who was now licking my hand incessantly.

Alex is a chemical technician and works in a lab. He’s is a stereotypical science major. He’s tall, thin, and extremely book smart but when it comes to the real world, a little naive. He’s socially awkward but in a sweet way. He has light brown hair, brown eyes, light colored skin, wears glasses, and has an adorable smile.

“Fine. How about you?” he said as he entered the living room.

“Good. Finished my report, so that’s something! I️ think I’m gonna get changed and go for a run, just to clear my head.” I️ said as I️ walked toward the bedroom.

“Would you mind cooking dinner before you go? I’m starving and I’ve been thinking about your Orzo Pesto Alfredo all day.” He asked as he followed me into the room.

I️ rolled my eyes “Alex, can’t you heat up some left overs? It’s been a long day and I️ don’t feel like cooking.” I️ said.

He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Please babe” he whispered in my ear.

“Ugh fine!” I️ said throwing his arms off me annoyed.

“Thanks” he said as he left the room.

After I️ finished up dinner. I️ was putting on my tennis shoes about to go for my run.

*knock* *knock*

“Oh that’s probably Cleo! Alex, will you get the door?” I️ called out.

Alex opened the door.

“Alex, still in the same outfit I️ last saw you in.” Cleo said as she came through the door.

“Is Blake finally making you do your own laundry?” She said sarcastically, while batting her big blue eyes at him.

“Hi Cleo! It’s good to see you too.” He said back to her with a tinge of annoyance in his tone.

Cleo was one of those girls, you avoided fighting with. She may have only been 5’2 on a good day but she had a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Alex was well aware and luckily didn’t push it. I️ came out of the room with my cream skirt she wanted to borrow.

“Here you go sis!” I️ said as I️ handed her the skirt.

“Thank you! Have I️ mentioned you’re the best sister in the world?” She said smiling at me as she tossed her long dark brown curly hair to the side.

“Not since the last time you wanted something.” I️ rolled my eyes.

“Well you are.” She said as she hugged me.

“Please don’t ruin it, I️ love that skirt.” I️ said as she was heading toward the door.

She fake gasped. “Ugh! I️ would never! It offends me that you think I️ would do such a thing.”

“Be safe, tonight Cleo.” I️ shook my head and smiled.

“Well I️ better be. You’d kill me again if I was murdered in your skirt.” Mocking me as she slipped out the door.

“What’s her deal lately?” Alex asked. “Every time she comes over, she has a little comment or jab to throw at me.”

“That’s just Cleo, Alex. You know that, try not to take it personally.” I️ said reassuring him. “I’ll be back in a little.” I️ said as I headed towards the door.

“It’s pretty late for a run, isn’t it?” He said as I️ opened the door.

“Well if you’re so concerned for my safety. You could always come with to protect me?” I️ said with a smirk.

“That’s okay. Just be careful, alright?” He said as we walked back to the office.

“Of course, babe.” I️ said as I️ shut the door.

On my run I️ was thinking about Cleo’s comments towards Alex. Did she not like him? I️ wonder why? I️ mean, I️ know it’s bothered her in the past how much I️ do for him. She previously thought he took advantage of me but I️ didn’t realize that she still felt that way. Maybe I️ should talk to her, clear the air. Like it or not, they are in each others lives, so they need to deal.

As I️ was running I️ felt the stresses from the day start to fall. The air was chilly as it hit my face and hands. I️ could feel my face turning red. “Just a little further” I️ pushed myself. “Almost there.” I️ reached my second mile. I️ looked at my watch to check my time. “17min 13sec, damn.” My goal has been to get back to running a mile in 8 for the last year but I️ never seem to get under 8.5. I️ took a deep breath.

My watch rang. “Hey Mom” I️ said as I️ started to walk in a circle, catching my breath before the jog home.

“Hey sweetie! Have you heard from Cleo?” She asked.

“Yeah, I️ just saw her a bit ago.” I said catching my breath still. “She came over to borrow my skirt. Why?” I️ asked as I️ took a deep breath in.

“Oh! I️ just haven’t heard from her. She blocked me.” She said with a light hearted tone.

“Again?” I let out a little snicker. “What did you do?” I️ said knowingly.

“I️ was just asking her about her future.” She replied defensively.

“Mmhm?” I responded, knowing she was leaving out some details.

“I️ really liked that Brandon guy. So I️ was asking how that was going.”

“Uh huh. Knowing she had broken up with him.” I️ added.

“Yeah. And th- then I️ asked if she was ever going to settle down.” She trailed off the last words quietly.

“Mom! She’s only 24! She still has plenty of time. Also, that’s not how Cleo is and you know it.”

“I️ know! I️ know! But I’m a Mom and I️ worry!” She snapped at me. “Speaking of.. You sound out of breath. Are you okay?”

“Yeah” I️ said as I️ stretched out. “Just going for a run.”

“At this time of night? By yourself?” She barked.

I️ rolled my eyes. “It’s not even that late Mom!” I️ said sounding like an annoyed teenager.

“It’s almost 9pm! The world is dangerous. You can’t be running by yourself at night. Have I️ taught you nothing? You have always been so reckless! I️ thought I️ raised you to be more cautious.” She said in her classic nagging tone. “Blake?” She shouted when I️ didn’t respond.

“Mom, don’t make me block you as well.” I️ replied.

“Blake! You wouldn’t dare!” She said in her angry voice.

“Gotta go! Love you Mom!” I️ said as I️ abruptly ended the call.

“Uhhh” I️ sighed.

I️ began my jog home, not bothering myself with the speed of my stride this time. When I️ got back to the house, Ernie was sitting by the door waiting for my return. I️ scooped him up and carried him to the bedroom. I️ set him down on the bed. Alex was already asleep. He was probably tired since he didn’t get much sleep last night.

I️ went into the bathroom, took a quick shower to rinse off the sweat from my run. I️ brushed my teeth, slipped into my jammies, and climbed into bed as quietly as I️ could. Ernie came wobbling over to me and plopped his little body down right by my side. He nuzzled his small head on my chest.

“Good night buddy.” I️ whispered as I️ kissed his little head.

*giggling*

“Scarlett make this one float!” The little blonde girl shouted as she broke off a pink tulip from the garden.

“Okay, Blake but you have to be quiet.” The little brunette girl said as she grabbed the tulip.

She opened her small palm and the flower began to float. Higher and higher. My perspective shifted and I️ could see down at the 2 little girls, playing in the woods. Then all the sudden a shadow came from behind the blonde, with glowing green eyes.

“Look out Blake!” Scarlett yelled.

*buzz* *buzz*

I️ turned my phone alarm off. Was that a dream or a memory from childhood with Scarlett? I️ questioned. It was so vivid. No, I️ don’t remember that, I️ shook my head. It was just an odd dream.

Alex and Ernie were still fast asleep. I️ climbed out of bed super quietly. I️ walked into the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. I️ was enjoying my coffee while scrolling through i********:, when I️ heard little steps behind me.

I️ turned around and saw Ernie doing his morning stretches.

“Big stretch” I️ said with a smile.

I️ opened the back door for him to go potty. Then I️ fed the slobbery prince some breakfast. Just as Ernie was finishing up his breakfast and I️ my cup of coffee. Alex came out from the room yawning.

“Oh good your up.” I said. “I️ had something’s I️ wanted to discuss with you before I️ leave for the weekend.”

“Did you make me some coffee?” He said while yawning.

“It’s on the counter.” I️ looked to where it was.

“Thank you.” He said as he grabbed the mug off the counter. “So, what do you need to discuss?”

“I️ just want to make sure you have everything with Ernie taken care of while I’m away.” I️ said as I️ looked at the sweet boy who was now curled up on his favorite chair.

“Yeah. I️ got it, no need to worry. I️ can handle the little guy.” He said reassuringly.

“Okay, you’ll call if you have any questions?” I️ asked.

“Yes, I️ will call but there won’t be any questions babe. I’ve lived with him as long as you have. I️ got this.” He said smiling.

“Okay, thank you again.” I said as I️ came over and kissed his cheek.

“No problem.” He said as he rubbed my back.

“Well, I’m going to get ready for work. I’m just going to drive straight from work, so don’t wait up.” I️ said.

“Oh before you leave, would you mind washing my whites?” He asked. “My lab coats are dirty.” He added.

“Umm sure, I’ll do that now.” I said.

I️ went to the room and grabbed his whites from the laundry basket. At least he puts his clothes in the basket, I thought. I️ pulled out the laundry, carried it into the laundry room, and started the load.

“Alex, I’m not going to have time to put them away before I️ leave for work. So you’ll need to get them from the dryer when their done, okay?” I️ yelled from the laundry room.

“Alright.” He said.

I️ got myself ready for work and began packing my bag for the weekend trip. Just when I️ was about done, I️ heard the front door open. Right on time, I️ thought.

“Oh what a good boy!” I️ heard Cleo say in her baby voice.

When I️ came out of the bedroom, Cleo was on the coach cuddling Ernie.

“Did you have fun last night?” I️ asked.

“I️ guess. Amber was really annoying.” She said.

Amber is Cleo’s best friend. Well, sort of.

“That’s too bad. I️ talked to Mom last night, she said you blocked her.” I️ commented.

“Well, when she stops being annoying, I’ll unblock her.” She said matter of factly.

“You can’t just block Mom, every time she annoys you Cleo. You know it worries her.” I️ tried to reason.

“Uhhh Blake! You’re supposed to be on my side.” She snapped.

“I️ am on your side. I️ told her she shouldn’t have brought up Brandon.” I️ said sitting beside her. “The blocking is what I️ don’t agree with. What if there’s an emergency?” I️ said.

“That’s why I️ have you!” she said as she put her arm around me.

“Fine, you win.” I️ said getting up from the couch. “Will you at least consider unblocking her while I’m away?” I️ asked.

“I’ll consider it. But one mention about me and any boy.. Blocked!” She said.

“Fair enough” I️ said as I️ grabbed my skirt and placed it in my suit case.

As I️ headed out the door, I️ stopped. “Would you mind checking in on Ernie while I’m gone?” I️ asked.

“Ohhh, you don’t trust your fiancé with such a big responsibility?” She said in a baby voice as she picked up Ernie in her arms.

I️ rolled me eyes. “Cleo, please?” I️ asked.

“Yeah, fine I’ll check in on him and make sure Dr. Useless is feeding him.” She said

“Cleo?! What’s your deal with Alex? I️ thought you liked him.” I️ said.

“He’s fine. He’s just so incapable of doing literally anything.” She exaggerated her words as if she was exhausted by the thought of him. “I️ mean, if you were going to live with some one so needy. Why couldn’t I️ move in?” She said.

“Will you please be nice to him while I’m away?” I️ pleaded.

She stared me down with her big blue eyes completely emotionless.

“Civil? At least be civil.” I️ compromised.

“Fine” she said shaking her head and throwing her hands in the air as she headed out the door.

I️ put my suitcase in the car. I️ came back in and said goodbye to Ernie and Alex. Alex had jumped in the shower, while I️ was loading the car.

“Well, I️ guess I’ll just say goodbye to you my little handsome boy! Be a good boy for Mommy!” I️ said as kissed him.

I️ hopped in the car and left for work.

When I️ got to work, I️ said hi to Sarah. She followed me into my office.

“You should take off a little early today?! How long is the drive?” She asked.

“It’s just 2 and a half hours, nothing major. I’ll be fine.” I️ said back to her.

“You’ve stayed late all week. Plus, that 2 and a half hour drive is going to turn into a 3 and a half hour drive with 5 o’clock traffic.” She added.

“That’s true. I️ guess it wouldn’t hurt to leave a little early today.”

“Exactly! Enjoy your weekend away, I️ got it here!” she assured me.

“Okay, thank you Sarah!” I️ said.

Before I️ knew it, it was almost noon.

Alex texted me

Alex: Hey you didn’t switch the laundry to the dryer before you left. My clothes smell like mildew.

Me: Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry babe! I️ was just thinking about leaving for the weekend and I totally forgot.

Alex: It’s okay but I️ really do need them washed. Any chance you can come home and do it, before you leave?

Me: Well I️ was kind of hoping to beat traffic, I was going to leave work early. Would you be able to just run it again? I’ll walk you through it, if you need.

Alex: It’s fine..

Alex: I’ll just figure it out, I️ guess.

Me: Sorry again Alex!

He didn’t respond. I don’t want to spend the weekend worrying about him being upset. Maybe Cleo wouldn’t mind running over to the house and re washing the load? I’ll text her and ask.

Me: Hey sis! Can you do me favor?

Cleo: Depends.. I’m feeling gracious today, so maybe.

Me: Well I left a load of laundry in the washer and I was wondering if you would re run it and switch it.

Cleo: Why were you doing a load of laundry before your trip?

Me: …

Cleo: Oh hell no! I said I would be civil. I draw the line at being the backup maid though.

Me: It’s for me Cleo!

Me: Cleo?

Me: Hello? *undelivered*

Ugh! She did not just block me? Fine, I’ll just pop over to the house on my lunch and re run the load myself.

On my lunch I️ went back to the house and re washed the clothes and then switched them over to the dryer, before leaving. I️ gave Ernie some extra lovings and I️ ended up forgetting my blow dryer this morning, so it all worked out. I️ sent a message to Alex.

Me: Hey, I️ came home on my lunch and re ran that load and switched it over to the dryer.

Alex: You’re the best!

Alex: You didn’t happen to make me dinner for the nights your gone as well, did you?

Alex: Jk! Drive safe and I’ll see you when you get back.

Me: Haha hilarious! Love you.

When I️ got back to the office, I️ noticed the mound of invoices I️ had on my desk were gone. I️ looked over at Sarah’s office, across the hall, and she smiled to let me know she had taken care of them. Alright, just a zoom meeting left then. We had our meeting with our CEO to discuss reports and go over the numbers in comparison to last quarter.

After the meeting, I️ packed up my things. I️ walked out of the office and told the team I️ was leaving early but if they needed me, they could reach me on my cell. They all rolled their eyes.

“We’re not going to call you while you’re driving!” Sarah said laughing at me.

“Well just know I’m available if something comes up. Have a good weekend” I️ said as I️ walked out of the department.

I️ got in my car and sent a message to Scarlett!

Me: Hey! I️ got off work early so I’m on my way.

Scarlett: Ahhh!! I’m so excited! Can’t wait to see you!

Me: Me too!

I️ pushed the start button, turned on my favorite murder mystery podcast, and began my drive.