CHAPTER 7 – New Beginnings
It was still the morning, he had thought, he should go to work to at least keep himself distracted. He reaches his desk and on the corner of his small cork board there was a picture of him and Allie back in Christmas. They looked happy and lovely together. He looked up at the picture and he smiled.
A few moments later his dad calls him in his office. "Son, I'd like you to meet your new partner for the Giraud account. This is Ms. Valerie Atkins." His dad said. "Yeah, I'm quite familiar of your work, Ms. Atkins. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said. "She'll be working with you hand in hand with what Mr. Giraud wants for his 2M dollar home he's investing. Don't disappoint, I'll leave you two to it. Goodbye." His dad said.
Chase smiled at his dad and he went to the conference room with Valerie. They discussed all the details and the budgeting, and he couldn't help noticing how beautiful she was. "Can I just pause for a while and say something?" Chase said going off topic. "What?" she asked.
"I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are." He blurted out. "Oh please, you're too kind." She said. "What'd you think about New York? I take it you're new to this city." He said. "I've been around." She teased. "Really? Let me take you out sometime, show you around?" he asked. "Smooth move, city boy. But I've got plans tonight." She said.
"Cali girl fit in the city well, I take it?" He teased. "You could say that, come find me later city boy." She said as she winked at him and left the room. That day he started to have hope again, and wasn't afraid to put himself out there without anything holding him back again.
Chase and Valerie started seeing each other for a couple of weeks, just as friends at first but then they were in the dating stage. At first they were secretly dating to avoid the disturbance in their profession but it blossomed into a very lovely relationship, one where Chase truly enjoys himself.
But no one knew.
The company was turning ten years old and it was the perfect way for Chase to reveal to the world that he was dating Valerie.
Before the party as Chase begins to prepare for the event, Chase took a shower, brushed his teeth, put on cologne, brushed up his hair and shaved his 5'oclock shadow as he usually does. He donned a blue suit and black inner long sleeves, khaki brown leather shoes and no ties, which was odd.
As he goes out of his room, he sees his roommate alone for the first time. It hurt whenever he sees her with Brett and she made it clear to him that she was happy. But lately, Allie has been observing Chase, how happy and glowing he has become.
Though they stopped talking after that day when he confessed his love for her. They just cut off all communication even though they're still roommates. When Allie sees Chase all dolled up for his event, she was reminded of the person she once fell in love with and maybe still is.
"Wow. You look... amazing!" Allie said as she nuzzled into the couch with a ponytail and put on her glasses and pj's and her book. "Thanks." He said in a plain tone and walked to the door. "Wait!" Allie cried out. "I'm gonna be late, Allie." He replied. "I have to tell you somethi... This has got to be the longest conversation we've had since that day. I really am sorry, Chase." She said softly. Chase didn't say a word, and he looked at her and faintly smiled.
As he went out he heard Allie cry, for some mysterious reason. Just in time as the elevator arrived, he hesitated to go in, but once he'd realize its best to just probably leave her alone, he had somewhat moved on despite his feelings and the need to be with her.
Moments later, he picked up Valerie and headed to the office rooftop for the party. They arrived together, with her on his arm. She was the most beautiful woman there. She wore her hair down with some lazy curls, light "natural" make up, and nude pink lipstick. She also wore a turquoise cocktail dress with glitter and sparkles paired it with beige stiletto heels.
"Chase, always fashionably late. Ahhh, Valerie always so stunning. Hope you two have fun tonight!" His dad approached and gave a few words. "So when should we tell them?" Valerie asked. "I'm guessing my dad already knows. Let's go over to them." Chase said, and so the two of them approached Charles and Cassidy (his mom and dad).
"Mom, Dad, this is Valerie Atkins the girl I've been seeing." Chase said. "Ah! My suspicions were correct indeed." Charles joked. "It's pleasure to meet you Mrs. Everett." Valerie said. "You too. Uhm, Chase I'd like to speak to you in private." Cassidy said. "Sure, mom. Val, I'll be right back, okay?" Chase said. Valerie nodded and continued on mingling with her colleagues.
As Cassidy and Chase make their way to a quieter place, near the railings, they start to talk. "Sweetie, I didn't know you had a girlfriend." His mom opened the topic. "Yeah, we've been secretly dating for a few months so as to not hinder our work." Chase replied. "I thought you and Allie had something going on?" She said.
Chase sarcastically laughs, "I thought I did, but to my surprise I was too late, mother." He said. "I see. It seems as though you're happy but not truly. That girl seems nice but I was rooting for Allie, my dear. But nevertheless you chose Valerie, and no matter what, your my son and I support you." She said. Chase was silent for a while; he looked at Valerie and took in the words his mom had told him.
He thought about it hard and finally replied, "Thank you mom. That means a lot." He said. "I better go join your father; you know how he gets when he's lonely at a party." she replied. "Sure, mom." He said and smiled and continued to look into the skyline.
Then suddenly, John Holland, his private investigator called him. "John, it took you a couple of months to get back to me. This better be good." Chase said. "I'm sorry I took so long. I made sure I didn't miss anything." John replied. "Okay spill the details." Chase said.
"Allison Paige Bennett has been known to have evaded her taxes dating back to 2011. She has a debt of 560,000 US Dollars." John said. "What?!" Chase was shocked. John went on, "She has a brother living in London and she's providing for his tuition and living situation. Her mother had leukemia and died." John added. "I already know that. What else?" Chase asked.
"Her biological and deadbeat father is actually living in Florida who is quite successful there as an engineer. But he changed his name from Lucas Oscar Bennett to John Jacob Anderson. He has a new wife now and a young daughter and son. It took me a while to find him that's why I went radio silent on you." John said.
Chase's eyes widen and he was speechless, he couldn't say anything.
"Oh and your mother struck a deal with her. Your mother dined at one of the restaurants she worked in. She talked to her about her food and really liked her. She said she'd help Allie make her name in the food industry and gave her a great recommendation. That's how she got the papers signed and was permitted to live with you. Let's just say, she thought you could change her." John informed.
"My mother?!" He asked. "Yes." John answered. "Do you still want me to get information?" John asked. "Yes. This time, I want you to show me everything you've found out." Chase said angrily and then dropped the call.
Then he heard a familiar voice approaching him. "You look happy." She said. He turned around and smiled forcefully. "I am happy, Carls." He lied. She smiled and gave him a hug. He took a good long look of his sister and said, "You look stunning as always."
The two of them laughed, drank some champagne and just had a good time. "So, you and Valerie, huh?" She said. "Yeah, what do you think? She's pretty amazing, right?" He gushed. "Yeah you say that. Dad told me she's cool." She said. "Really? Dad told you she's cool? She is, and I like her a lot." He said. "Yeah?" She asked. "Yeah." He assured and then smiles. "What about Allie?" She asked. "What about her?" He said. "She's here." She said.
And in utter shock, he turns his head and he sees Allie in a gold long gown and high heels entering the party. One thing he noticed, Brett wasn't in her arms. After a while he sees dad welcoming her and escorting her to the bar.
He then looks at his sister, "Why is she here? What is she doing here? Who invited her? How did she even find out about this party?" He asked in a concerned tone. "That's an awful lot of questions you're asking me." Carlie joked. "Ahhh whatever." He whined. "I better go and find my boyfriend." She said.
Then Chase spots her mom and grabs her arm and pulls her to the side to talk to her.
"Mother, you have some explaining to do." Chase said angrily. "About what?" Cassidy asked. "Don't play dumb with me. I know you made Allie live with me." He said now sounding ballistic. "I did no such thing!" Cassidy defended herself. "Oh shut up, mom! I know you gave her great recommendations and helped her by telling your rich friends about her in exchange to let her live with me, your own son!" Chase said angrily.
Cassidy shook her head, "I did give her a great recommendation. But what was I supposed to do when I learned that she was homeless?!" She said. "Oh I don't know, mom. She's a complete stranger and you just let her use you like that?!" Chase retorted. "No. I did not. I saw talent and drive in her. And since I was worried you're gonna go crazy again, I told her to live with you. In exchange she cook you breakfast, dinner and clean up after you." Cassidy said.
"Clean up after me?! What am I, a teenager?! I know how to take care of myself mom. I just can't believe you'd hire someone to make me fall in love again." Chase slipped up.
Cassidy smiled, "I did not hire her, I am not paying her but at least you finally admit that you love her..." She said. Chase rolled his eyes, "Mom, please don't interfere with my life. It's already as messy as it is." He said. "I'm sorry." Cassidy said then Chase walked away.
After a while Valerie saw Chase leaning on the railing and looking at the skyline. She slowly approached him and hugged him from behind and they slowly sway to the rhythm of the music. Their faces both cheek to cheek, he held her hand steady as it lay on his stomach and he could feel her heart beat.
"I missed you tonight." Valerie said. "I missed you too." Chase replied. "Why weren't you with me the whole night?" She asked innocently. "I just wanted you to shine and enjoy the party." He said as he smiled.
He then turned to face her, "You should go have fun; I'll catch up with you later, okay?" He added and then kissed her forehead. "Are you sure?" she asked and looked into his eyes. "Yes I'm sure. Now go have fun out there." He said and then kissed her lips then she walked away disappearing in the crowd.
Chase grabs another glass of champagne and then turned around to look at the skyline, once again. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the loneliness. While Allie ordered some cocktails at the bar, she looked at Chase from afar.
A few minutes later, she slowly approached him. "Hi." She said in a plain tone. He turns to face her, "Hey." He said. "Didn't expect you'd be here." He added. "Well, I gotta thank your mom for that matter." She said. "My mom, huh?" He said sarcastically.
"How have you been?" She asked sensing uneasiness. "I'm great. How about you?" He asked. "I'm good. Are you dating anyone?" She asked. "As a matter of fact, I am." He replied. "Who is she?" She asked. "Her name's Valerie Atkins, she's the girl in that turquoise dress." He said and smiled at Allie. "That's cute and I already know. I was just making sure." She said.
"How do you know her?" He asked.
"She's Brett's fiancée." She said, ignoring how he would react.
He laughs so hard, "Are you stoned or something?" He said. "I'm serious." She said. Slowly, as she tells him this information, his smile began to disappear. When she finished, he didn't even look at her. He drank his champagne and walked away from her.
A few moments after, Valerie took the stage and grabbed the microphone. "Excuse me, everyone! I would like to have your attention for a while. I have two huge announcements for all of you tonight. First of all, I'm proud to say that working for a great man, Mr. Charles Everett is an honor. And second of all, I'm currently off the market and couldn't be happier to be Chase Everett's girlfriend." She said. Everyone cheered and as the spotlight was lit on Chase, he gave her a disappointing look and walked towards the stage.
Chase grabs the mic, "Well, the cats out of the bag folks. But there's just a small error in your statement there, sweetie." Chase paused. "First of all, I'm still single. Second, let's all raise a glass to Valerie Atkins who is engaged to be married to my roommate's boyfriend, Brett." He said with burning passion and then walked out of the stage.
"Surprised?" Chase asked Valerie and she froze up. "Well, so was I." He said and shook his head.
He then left the party shortly.
*Bryce Dallas Howard plays Valerie Atkins and Chris Lowell plays Brett
I'm so sorry I took so long in posting this! I hope you'll love it! Is Valerie really Brett's fiancee? Is Allie lying? Is Chase mad? What could happen next? Sound off, comment, follow, and tell me what you think! ;)