Four
1037 Words
Chapter Four
The meeting was over, but my pulse hadn’t slowed. I sat frozen in my chair long after the lawyers had filed out, my pen still clutched in my hand. Mrs. Debrowsky’s voice snapped me back. “Lisa, good work today. You kept your composure. That’s what we expect from our interns.”
I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “Thank you, ma’am.”
She gave me a curt nod and swept out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I lingered a moment longer, staring at the empty chairs, the untouched coffee cups, the faint echo of Chase's voice still ringing in my ears.
By the time I left the office, the sky was already dark. The city lights flickered against the cold air. My steps carried me home, though my mind was still trapped in that meeting room.
Max was sprawled on the couch when I walked in, a bar of chocolate in his hand. He looked up, his blue eyes narrowing. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I dropped my bag by the door. “Maybe I have.”
He sat up, curiosity sparking. “What happened?”
I hesitated, chewing my lip. “Big client came in today. I had to sit in.”
“And?”
I swallowed hard. “It was Chase.”
Max froze, the chocolate halfway to his mouth. “Wait. Chase? As in… garden Chase? The one you never shut up about?
I glared. “Just one time Max, one time, I didn’t talk about him that much.”
“You did,” he said flatly.
“So he’s back? What’s he like now?”
I sank into the chair opposite him. “Different. Completely different. He’s… powerful. Confident. He’s inherited his grandfather’s company, Belmond Corp.
Max whistled low. “Wow. And he saw you?”
I nodded. “He knew. He recognized me.”
Max leaned back, shaking his head. “This is insane. I didn’t know Chase was the heir to Belmond Corp. He never showed his face since he took over. His grandfather was a great man. Their tech sector is leading the charts by the way. FYI, what are the odds that you get to meet Chase again in this lifetime?”
I buried my face in my hands. “I don’t know what to do.”
Max leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Well, you can’t just sit there and panic. What exactly happened in that meeting? Did he talk to you?”
I lifted my head slowly, “Yes. He asked who I was”
Max’s brows shot up. “That’s nothing, Lisa.”
I shook my head. “It felt like everything. The way he looked at me like he knew exactly who I was and wanted me to know he hadn’t forgotten.”
“He told Mrs. Debrowsky he wanted me on his case. Everyone in the room looked shocked.”
Max rubbed the back of his neck, his tone shifting from playful to serious. “Look, Lisa… I’m not saying you should run from him, but don’t get swept up too fast either. People like Chase; powerful, confident, used to getting what they want…they can pull you into their world before you even realize it.”
I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. “So you think I should stay away?”
He hesitated, chewing the inside of his cheek. “I think you should protect yourself. You’ve worked hard to build your own life. Don’t let someone from your past decide who you are now. Especially someone who’s… complicated.”
I frowned. “Complicated?”
Max shrugged, “He’s got rivals, impending lawsuit maybe, a whole empire to run. That’s a lot of baggage. And you… you deserve peace, Lisa. Not chaos.”
I leaned back, sighing. “You’re right. But it’s not that simple. I’m only interning, bringing this up with Mrs Debrowsky when he’s a big client…” I trailed off, unable to finish.
Max’s jaw tightened, but he forced a small smile. “I get it. Just… promise me you’ll think with your head as much as your heart. Don’t let nostalgia blind you.”
The ceiling loomed above me, my thoughts spun in circles. I turned on my side, pulling the blanket tighter.
Chase’s face lingered in my mind, sleep refused to come.
Then my phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number glowed on the screen
“Are you awake?”
I stared at it, before I could decide whether to reply, the phone lit up again, this time with a call.
My thumb hovered. Every instinct screamed to ignore it. But curiosity won. I pressed accept.
“Lisa.”
The voice was unmistakable. Smooth, threaded with familiarity.
“Chase? How—how do you have my number?”
“Naturally, it was provided to me. I requested you be kept on my case. That includes access.”
“That’s… not exactly professional.”
A low chuckle. “Professional? Lisa, I’m Chase Belmond. This night call is my right. You owe me that much. Don’t start pretending otherwise.”
“Mr. Belmond—”
“Don’t,” he cut in sharply. “Don’t call me that. I’m Chase to you”
Silence stretched.
Finally, he spoke again, “What happened? That year we last met. Why did you disappear?”
“That was years ago,” I said carefully. “We were different people then.”
“I remember it exactly. I want to see you. In private.”
“Calling me at this hour isn’t appropriate. I’m an intern. You’re a client. This isn’t how it works.”
“Meet me tomorrow night. Just us.”
Max’s warning echoed in my mind “Don’t let nostalgia blind you.” But Chase’s voice carried a feeling I couldn’t shake.
“I’ll think about it”
“That’s not enough,” he replied, firm. “I want your answer now.”
I closed my eyes, torn. “Fine. Tomorrow night. But only to talk.”
A pause, then his voice softened. “That’s all I ask.”
The line went dead, leaving me in silence.
- Writer
