Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 11

-Sofia-

Rafael picked me up from the penthouse. No, it wasn't Chase's 'plan.

His choice of vehicle is a motorcycle. He calls it a ride, I call it a death trap.

Since Miles got into motorcycle racing, I promised never to ride one again, even if my life depended on it. I saw how Miles got into an accident because of that. Watched his recovery from the hospital back into racing again. He's an adrenaline junkie, and we grew accustomed to his kind of fun activities, but that doesn't lessen my anxiety every time he rides.

In the parking lot, Chase and I got into another argument. He wanted me to ride with him, and I didn't. He doesn't tolerate disobedience It's his exact words, and I didn't like being told what to do.

His level of difficulty increased as he aged, but I learned to say no as well. His attitude and my stubbornness ruined our morning mood.

"He is in the mood," Rafael said once Chase stepped out of the elevator.

We trailed behind the CEO. I hummed a yes. "I didn't know he sleeps in that penthouse as well." I lowered my voice, not wanting anyone to know that my client and I had spent the night in one place. It's a red flag that I aim to discuss with Chase in his office.

"He did?" Rafael halted and faced me.

I glanced behind him. Michelle, the floor secretary, was busy stabbing the keyboard with her purple fingernails.

nodded at Rafael. "You sound surprised."

"Because I am," he continued ambling towards Chase's office.

"Why?"

Rafael shrugged. He didn't answer and opened the door for me. Chase was already behind his desk, nose buried in a document. His leather jacket now hangs on the back of his chair. Without taking his eyes off the paper, he pressed the intercom.

"Yes, Mr. Montiero," a woman's voice sailed through the air.

"Michelle, please hand me the Fortaleza file."

"Right away, sir."

It's like Chase shifted into this domineering CEO once he set foot in this building. He doesn't smile. That conversation with Michelle was his longest one yet.

Not a minute passed by, Michelle walked inside the office and handed Chase a black folder with the Montiero Holdings logo.

"Please give Ms. Collins a tour and show her to her office," Chase said without looking at me. "Give her my schedule, anything she needs."

"Yes, Sir," Michelle said, her confidence never waivers.

Rafael squeezed my shoulder. Catching on, I was surprised to see Chase in this light.

"He's not always like this," Rafael whispered, ensuring Chase didn't hear him.

I nodded as Michelle approached.

"Let me give you a tour, Ms. Collins," she smiled pleasantly.

i smiled back. "Lead the way." I glanced back at Chase, but he was too engrossed in reading his file to see me

walk out.

The scope of Montiero Holdings' building, abundant in room and space and decorated with a modern interior, is exceedingly impressive.

Michelle, or Mich as she insisted, was pleasant company. She has worked for Chase since he joined the

company five years ago. She was with him as he climbed the ladder from the managerial position given to him by his father.

It was another piece of the puzzle in Chase's new life.

Back then, all I knew was that his father was out of the picture, which also explains why he is a Montiero now and not a Clark. Throughout the tour, I must have listed ten or so personal questions I wanted to ask Chase. "What's in Fortaleza?"

"You caught on to that, huh?" Mich smiled, pausing by the end of the stairs. We are on our way to 'my office' and our tour's conclusion.

Mich is bordering her early thirties with dark curls, a nice voluptuous body, and perfectly tanned skin. I wonder if she and Chase had a romantic relationship. Not that I am judging her or anything, just curious. "He's different from yesterday," I reasoned, concealing that I knew Chase from way back.

"We're purchasing agricultural land in Fortaleza. Mr. Montiero plans on having his own plantation. A first in the history of Montiero Holdings."

"Wow," I breathe out. Mich held the door open for me. Cool air from the air conditioning system blasted my warm skin from the tour.

"Yep," she nodded, walking beside me. Our heels clanked against the tiled floor. "But it's just a plan for now." "And you're telling me?"

She hummed, greeting two employees as we passed by in the hallway. "I have instructions for full disclosure of his ongoing and upcoming plans and schedule."

Mich halted by a wooden door. She punched in codes on the lock, and the door beeped and released with an obedient hiss.

"This is your office," she said, waiting for me to go inside.

The office is way too big for one person. Like Chase's office, the table with a desktop was in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. The view is stunning. Towering buildings sat erect in the city of Rio, and the magnificent view of the distant water and mountain ranges painted the glass walls.

"No way," I whispered, glancing at the couch, coffee table, and mini pantry on the side. I even have my own bathroom.

This was way better than my cubicle at LBPR. I love my job, but this was beyond what I deserved.

"Is there no smaller office for me, Mich? This is too much," I protested.

Mich shook her head and headed to the pantry. She came back with two glasses of water.

"I think Boss fancies you," she said. There was no hint of intrigue in her tone. She was just stating her observation.

I accepted the water and took a sip, leaning my butt against the table. "Fancies," I echoed, "what do you mean?"

She shook her head, panic evident in her eyes. "Not in a weird way, Sofia. I mean, the previous publicists didn't even have access to a tour before you. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. They were offered lodging, but they only stayed there for five days max. No office and definitely no late-night call to get everything ready for you. I think he's really keen on working with you."

"What is not weird about that? I am getting special treatment. Don't you think that's strange?"

"Er..." she hesitated, looking anywhere but at me.

"What?" I pressed.

"With Boss? Yes," she shook her head. "It's uncommon for him to like a person the way he does with you. With his previous publicists, he took them out to dinner and brought them to a private place... you know, 'to get to know them." She made an air quote. My eyes widened. Her revelation is unexpected.

'Nope. Not really!

"You have to know this, yeah?" she persuades. "Jenelle, the last publicist, had been bugging me for a meeting with him again, or she'd go out in public. She claims to have evidence that Boss forced her into having s*x with him. As his new publicist, she'd be a problem you'd need to solve from now on."