Five
1191 Words
Chapter Five
“Excuse me.” A man dressed in black muttered as he brushed past me, our coats nearly touching.
“Sorry,” I whispered distractedly, barely registering him.
Walking towards my front porch after close of work, my thoughts kept circling to last night. I hadn’t heard from Chase all day, and he had scheduled dinner tonight. He probably caught cold feet after realizing I wasn’t worth the effort.
The thought was meant to comfort me, to remind me I was free and last night meant nothing, but for some reason it left me hollow and oddly disappointed.
I told myself I’d watch a movie with Max, drown the irritation of being stood up before the meeting even happened. But then I saw it, a basket on my doorstep. Roses and peonies, lush and fragrant, their petals spilling over the rim. My breath caught. A note perched on top.
“I hope you like the dress. See you at eight.”
My heart skipped. Beneath the flowers was a box. Smiling despite myself, I hurried inside. The house was dark. Unusual for Max, who was rarely out late. His cologne lingered faintly in the living room.
Shoes off, door locked, I bounded upstairs with the package. The roses were crimson, bold and unmistakable. The peonies soft, layered, whispering of rekindled love. I lifted the box, and a black sequin dress slipped out, shimmering even in the dim light. A jewelry case followed — inside, a delicate pendant of two interlocking circles, one smooth, one textured. Expensive, far beyond anything I could afford.
Moments later, I was fresh—faced and sliding into the dress. It hugged my figure in a daring way, strapless, sequins catching the light. I felt beautiful without effort. Holding up the pendant against my skin, it matched perfectly, a detail that made my breath hitch.
At my vanity, I applied makeup for the first time in months. The outfit demanded more, and I gave it. Mascara wand in hand, I widened my eyes for the finishing touch when the front door closed downstairs. Guilt pricked me. Was this too much? Should I wipe it all off?
Just as I concluded it was too much effort and reached for the wipes. My phone buzzed. Making me abandon the wipes to glance over. “See you in 30.”
“Oh my! It was already 7:30pm”
I brushed my hair quickly, dark waves cascading down.
Staring at my flawless reflection, the lovely dress draped across the bed, I hesitated. Should I have thought this through? Accepting a dress from Chase felt wrong. But indulging myself just this once felt right. It wasn’t about Chase but me, besides it was a gift. The courteous thing was to accept it.
Matching earrings in place, I hurriedly grabbed a purse, my heels threatening to trip me. The door to my room opened.
I turned in surprise, to see Max look up from his phone.
His eyes widening before he masked it. A bored expression replaced his fair features.
“I heard noises from your bedroom. Wondered if you were alright. You didn’t mention you were going out.”
“It just happened,” I said weakly.
“You, fully dressed with makeup plastered on, just happened, right! It’s him”
“Max it’s not what you think. He pleaded. It’s just this time.”
My phone chose that moment to ring loudly. I couldn’t be more mortified. Max’s gaze swept across my room to the roses, then to me; taking me in from head to toe.
“Right. you’re outside?… okay I’m coming out.”
I met Max’s eyes, but he avoided mine. “Your Icecream’s downstairs. Should I wait up for you?
“You got my favorite flavor?” I asked softly.
“Forget I said that, I’ll put it away.” he muttered as he walked off.
The car ride with Chase was silent until he finally spoke. “You look beautiful tonight.”
Blue lights glowed against the leather interior. Making me catch fragments of his handsome features covered in the darkness, my heart stuttered. “Thank you.” I whispered
Guilt at Max’s reaction had lingered, but slowly eased off. Chase said nothing more until we arrived.
He offered his hand, as he led me into a stunning building. The elevator carried us to the rooftop restaurant, the city lights stretching endlessly like stars beneath us.
The waiter returned with our order, but neither of us touched the food. Chase’s gaze pinned me.
“You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Lisa.”
“You don’t look bad yourself.”
He chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Quite the backhanded compliment.”
His cropped black hair fell just above his eyes, his brown gaze threatening to pull me in.
“I never imagined you in a tuxedo.”
“Me neither. My old man always wanted it. Turns out it isn’t bad.”
“Do you like the look?”
I felt a blush creep up “Black is your color”
He smirked “I would say same for you.”
I fiddled with my glass, too nervous to eat. “The view from up here is great.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
He raised his glass. “A toast to my good fortune. We should enjoy dinner while it’s still warm”
Dinner was fillet mignon, truffle mashed potatoes, & asparagus. It tasted savory & rich.
The wine, the meal, the strong appeal of the man seated across from me. It felt unreal, like stepping into someone else’s life. I fed my eyes as much as I did my stomach.
Soft jazz played in the background, fluorescent lights casting a warm glow. Chase leaned backwards, a confident smile splayed across his lips.
“Tell me, Lisa. Are you seeing anyone?”
“My private life is not your concern, Chase.”
“Well, I’m interested. I want to be part of it.”
Carefully placing the wine glass in its position. I swallowed, his eyes burning into mine.
He brushed my hand across the table, the touch electric, sending waves through my body.
“I don’t believe in unfinished stories. And ours isn’t finished.”
My breath caught. The rooftop faded, the city lights blurring. His eyes searched my face, my gaze dropping to his lips.
“I know you feel it. This connection, and unexplored passion burning through us. We shouldn’t throw it away.”
“I don’t feel anything.”
“Don’t lie to yourself.”
“Why did you disappear?” he pressed.
“Because I didn’t trust myself around you.” I heard myself say.
His smile was faint, but it wasn’t amusement. It was something darker.
“Yet here you are. Wearing a dress and jewelry I picked out. Sitting across from me.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Lisa,” his voice a whisper that caressed my name. “It means everything.”
He leaned forward, eyes glinting. “I want to show you something. You’ll love it.”
- Writer
