Shades of Chase (English Version)

Chapter 5

"Hello..." I said.

"Tanya! What happened? Where did you go after the art exhibition?"

I bit my lower lip, feeling ashamed of leaving the place without even saying goodbye. She might think that I don't feel grateful that she let me and my masterpiece be part of her exhibition but it's never going to be the case.

"Sorry, Michelle. S-Something came up."

I heard her sigh over the line. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm really sorry."

"No, it's alright. I'm just worried to you. Thought something bad happened. Anyway, your painting... I think I already know who that man is."

I swallowed, my saliva suddenly feels thick. I think I know where this conversation is heading.

"Chase Saavedra, Tanya. He approached me earlier to ask me who owns that painting. That's why he seems familiar. He's the man in your dreams, right? I mean, literally speaking... it's Chase?"

"Yeah. Pretty much. You're right, Michelle."

"And you said that you don't know him—"

"That's true. I really do not have any idea of him until a while ago. He just so happen to show up in my dreams, every time. Imagine my shock when I saw him in person... alive, and... real... I was dumbfounded."

Michelle was silent over the line for the past seconds until she finally decided to break it.

"Wow. I, uh... I can't believe that really happens in reality. But anyhow, he asked me about you. I told him where you live and I'm sorry about that. I know it's not my right to tell about your private details."

I nodded and scratched my brows with a small smile on my lips.

"That's fine."

As if I have a choice. It's done.

"And I also gave him your number. He also asked for it because he wanted to talk to you about the painting. I hope it's okay, Tanya."

I released a deep sigh. I don't understand why she had to give him even my personal number? And why would Chase asked for it in the first place? If it's about the painting, I believe we have come to an agreement already about that earlier. I even told him that I'll give it to him for free.

Oh, yeah right. I changed my mind about that. I'll accept whatever amount he will give me in exchange of that painting because we will be using it for Reil, so we could support him and his needs.

"No worries at all. T-Thanks again, Michelle."

"I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy. To make it up with you, I want to invite you over coffee tomorrow afternoon? I hope you could come."

I grimaced. "I'm not sure. I still have to help Mama in the market—"

"After your work then. I can wait!" she giggled.

Honestly, I'm just really making up excuses for her, and it's really not my mom I'm worried but Azriel. No one would look after him and I cannot just drag him with me wherever I go. But then again, since Michelle said that she would wait for me until my mom finished from the market, then I might be able to drop by.

"My treat, Tanya. It's my way of thanking you for participating my art exhibition." she added in the middle of my silence.

I sighed under my breath. "Alright. Just inform me where we'll meet."

"Great!"

The next day when afternoon came, I told my mom that I will be leaving earlier as she is almost done anyway. She agreed and said that she would take care of Reil. Good thing the coffee shop Michelle told me was just near so I can always take off if necessary.

After minutes of traveling, I was already entering the glass door of the shop. The wind chimes made a clinking sound as the aromatic smell of coffee lingered in my nose. I saw Michelle sitting at one corner, waving at me. I waved back and smiled at her, too.

She immediately stood up and kissed me on the cheek. Her vanilla scent perfume smells like marshmallow. I somehow got conscious about my smell, I did not even bother putting any cologne. I showered so I don't think I stink but probably not as good as she smells.

"I'm sorry I took a while..." I said while sitting down.

"No, it's fine. I'm just really a little early. Anyhow, thank you for accepting my invitation."

"It's nothing. Why would I reject your invitation? We were schoolmates then and I've known you for too long."

My smile disappeared. I looked down slightly embarrassed at myself. Sometimes I can't help feeling sad at the fact that I wasn't able to finish my studies. It's really my insecurity.

"Don't be sad, Tanya. You can still continue your study anytime. There is no age limit on education, especially those who really wants to achieve their dreams."

I looked at her with determination. "I will continue my studies. I just need to strive harder and save for my fees."

She nodded her head and smiled. "Ready to order? Don't be shy. You can order anything you want."

I nodded once before she finally handed me the menu. Even if we are close before, I can't help but feel shy towards her. She's on the high level. She's an elite and belongs to a wealthy family. Unlike me. She's just really generous that I couldn't say no to her whims.

When I stopped studying, I lost my communication with her. Last I heard was she left to go abroad.

Before I could even tell her what I want, I noticed a familiar built of a man standing in front of me. When I looked at him, I saw it was Rich.

He looks surprised when he saw me. So am I. Then I remembered he's Michelle's boyfriend. It's just that I didn't think I would see him here. I thought it would be just Michelle and I.

"You're just in time, babe. We're just about to order our food. What do you want?" Michelle asked him.

Rich's eyes are still focused on me when Michelle asked him. I was the one who avoided his eyes first and just looked at the menu instead.

"Just black coffee..."

I cleared my throat and just picked one of the frappe in the list.

"I'll have one Dark Mocha please." I said before looking back on the menu.

I can feel an immense stare darted to me so I averted my direction to where it was only to find it was Rich. He's still looking at me while Mich is busy on her menu board.

"Just that? How about some pasta?" she asked.

"I'm good with that, thanks."

I tried to look somewhere, at the entrance of the coffee shop to be exact. I immediately sat straight when I saw Chase enter the store. He's looking straight ahead while hands inside the pocket of his black slacks.

Wait, why is he here? What is he doing here?

Silly. This is public place, Tanya.

Another man followed him, but he's not the same company he was with the other day. They're about to walk across us when Michelle's voice played in my ears.

"Chase!" she called out.

My heart raced when Chase and his friend both glanced at our way. I had to muster the strength to look away from him because I feel the familiar tension by his mere presence. I accidentally glanced at Rich and our eyes met. He raised his brow at my reaction. I just smiled at him.

"Come and join us!" she said. "Is it okay if I invited them, babe?"

"No worries," said Rich.

I had to swallow hard as my heart continues to beat wildly. Why does she even have to call him and asked to join us? She said it would be just the two of us but we ended up having coffee alongside with these men.

"Is it fine?" That familiar voice from Chase made my chest feel tight. I then felt goosebumps on my body.

"Of course. No problem! It's just the three of us anyway." Michelle said.

The only vacant seat was the one next to me, which leaves him no choice. So when I saw a hand hold the chair, I sighed.

"Would you mind me sitting beside you?"

I ascended my gaze to look at him for I know that I'm the one who he's asking that question. And as soon as our eyes locked with each other, my insides tremble.

I nodded. "I-It's fine..."

He pulled the chair and sat the beside me while the other man sat at the center. After Chase settled himself on the chair beside me, he slightly leaned over me that made me hold my breath for a while.

"Breathe, baby..." he whispered huskily on my ear that only the two of us can hear. "I'm not going to eat you."