Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 25

-Sofia-

"So, tell me about your plan for this gorgeous billionaire," Georgia states, dabbing my cheeks with her brush.

She came early this morning, and after a short nap, I took her to a restaurant down the street for lunch. I used to grab dinner when I was too lazy to cook.

We are getting ready for the party, accompanied by an open bottle of champagne on the vanity table and a bowl of cut fruits. I reached for a grape, tossing it in my mouth, and answered her. "He is dedicated and really good at making Montiero Holdings prosper. I'd highlight that, and this charity is the first step." Georgia hummed, sipping her champagne. "And?"

"He's a true ladies' man, Georgia. Girls were practically falling in his lap or dropping their panties," I said. Our laughter bounced on the walk-in closet's thick wood and glass walls. "But his life mostly revolves around the company. I think the best approach is trading his bad boy persona."

Georgia took a tube from her makeup kit, reached for the concealer brush, and started dabbing underneath my eyes. My freckles began to fade. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"Well, I had help from the IT department and created social media accounts for him, and you know what? He ama sed millions of followers overnight!" I exclaimed, still overwhelmed by Chase's popularity. "We need to get his fans involved in his cause. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. He has a soft spot for the homeless and orphans, and the public has no idea about it. Fundraisers, charities, outreach programs... I'll talk this over with Mich, if his schedule would permit it once a month, twice if possible."

"And you think he's down for that?"

gave her a rough idea of how Chase is towards his work and career, omitting my history with him. "I don't see why he won't be. He's keen on changing his image to keep his title as CEO."

Georgia pulled a pallet from her bag and spread a stash containing different kinds of brush on the table. She eyed them, brown eyes narrowing as if choosing a brush needed her concentration. "What about the women?"

"I told him he needs to keep his affairs private, take them out of the country if he must, at least until we rehabilitate his image."

She reached for her champagne, took a sip, and motioned for me to close my eyes. Her hands were feather-light, sailing across my eyelids. "What about a serious girlfriend?"

I blinked, moving back a bit. Her brush almost sp*ked my eyeballs. "What?" My voice hitched.

"Serious girlfriend," she parroted. "If he finds a girl he'd date regularly, it will help his image too."

"Oh." That hasn't crossed my mind.

"People love the story of a bad boy changing because he fell in love. It's rarely true, but who knows? Maybe your billionaire could be a true bad boy book friend everyone reads in those romantic novels."

I reached for my drink and took two large gulps, choking on it.

"Are you okay?" Georgia handed me a bunch of tissues.

I wiped the side of my mouth, mumbling a yes. Why did the idea of Chase having a serious girlfriend wring my insides unpleasantly?

Sighing, I settled back in my seat and let her do her magic. "I haven't thought of that, but I will add that to my proposal."

"What about the ex-publicist? Do you have a contingency plan?" I gave her a background about Janelle Ortiz, or what I knew about her as of the moment.

"I asked Rafael to hire a private investigator." I don't need to explain why I leaned on such drastic action. People like Janelle are a threat to my client, and our client is our priority. And we need an ace of our own if worse comes to worst. Rafael understood the situation.

"Good," Georgia approved. "You did well on your own, Sofia. I'm proud of you." The brush paused from coasting my eyelids.

It was the first compliment I got from Georgia, at least in private. She commended our work in front of the team, boosting our morale, but this sounded too intimate... too genuine. My eyes fluttered open, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

A ghost of a smile smeared her lips, reaching her eyes. I smiled back. "Thank you."

We finished doing our hair and makeup while Georgia updated me on what I had missed back home. Half a bottle of champagne and an empty bowl of cut fruits later, we were ready to put on our dresses.

I frowned at Georgia when the doorbell buzzed.

Not one but two delivery guys stood side by side in the hallway, each holding a huge rectangular box tied intricately with huge ribbons.

After signing, I set the boxes on the coffee table, eyeing them with creased brows. Wrapped in an emerald green side slit sequin gown, Georgia stepped out to the living room, securing her chandelier earrings. "You ordered dresses?"

My eyes snapped at her, shaking my head no. I opened the gray box first, and Georgia was right.

Inside was a gray sequin dress, sleeveless, with an A-line skirt reaching down my ankles. It comes with three-inch silver strappy heels. On the rose gold box was a short-sleeved red dress that looked classy and elegant in silk, a midi dress accompanied by black stilettos.

Both dresses and shoes were my sizes.

"Wow," Georgia whistled, running her hand over the gray dress. "This is f*cking gorgeous. Who sent you these?"

I stared at the dresses, wondering who could have sent them. I couldn't afford one of these without compromising my weekly budget, much less two with matching shoes.

"No idea," I admitted. There was no card and no return address on the box. "And I already have a dress," I said and put the red dress first back in the box.

"Ah... ah," Georgia slapped my hand.

"Awl What was that for?"

"Don't you get it, Sofia? You have a secret admirer, two... I stand corrected, and I think they'll be at the ball." Shivers spread all over my skin. A name popped into my head, but I quashed the idea quickly. Kyle wouldn't go to these lengths, would he? He isn't even associated with Chase's line of business.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, biting my lip, still bothered by these dresses. Let's say one came from Kyle. Who was the second sender? Maybe Rafael? I will ask him later. But which one is from who?

My phone pinged from the bedroom. I dashed inside, plucking the device from the charger as fast as lightning. It was a message from Chase.

Chase: Got the dress?

My breath caught in my throat as I reread his message, blinking as if I was reading it wrong.

My fingers hovered over the letters, typing. Why did you send me a dress?'

I deleted it. Which one did you send?' I gnawed my lip. Asking him which dress he gave me is not an option. He'd known that another pair came, and it's not wise to ask that from a man, even if we are not dating, so I replied a short, 'Yes. It's beautiful. Thank you,' and hit send.

I plonked on the bed, my butt bouncing on the soft mattress.

"Sh*t!" I cursed out loud. I have yet to tell Chase about Kyle's calls. If- and my gut is telling me that the other dress is from Kyle - Chase learned I didn't ab*de by our deal, I'd be in trouble, big time.