Page 57 of Chase

“Yeah,” I reply, feeling pleasantly surprised by the fact. “I mean, I thought I’d be stressing out about it, but at the moment, I’m ok…I think.”

He offers me a mischievous smile before pulling me up so I am sitting in front of him, face to face. I am gifted with the softest of kisses at the same time as he reaches his arms around to hold me close.

“Don’t overthink it, Iz,” he whispers, “just know I’m over the moon to be waking up to you this morning.”

“Ok. Now, go,” I order, pecking his cheek before pushing at his chest. “I’ve gotta go and meet Will anyway.”

As he waves sheepishly from the door, I smile and collapse back onto the pillows with a contented sigh.

“Don’t overthink it, Izzy, happy thoughts;this-is-okthoughts.”

_____

Izzy

“Morning, Miss Chase,” my new security says with a perky voice and a no-nonsense attitude. “What are the plans today?”

“Well, for starters, don’t call me Miss Chase. I have real issues with authority,” I admit to the ex-army bodyguard. “I don’t give it and I don’t take it, so just call me Izzy or Iz…please.”

“Sure thing, I’m Mel,” she says, offering her hand out for mine. I shake, knowing I like her already. And when she gives Stella a good long stroke of her golden fur, as well as lots of silly baby voice talk, calling her beautiful and lovely, I like her even more.

“I’m meeting a client for a walk today and then I have a few clients in London. You will have to keep your distance, I don’t want to scare them off,” I tell her with a wince, hoping she doesn’t take offence. Luckily, she simply smiles and nods. “Theo says he’ll be back by five, so that will be all, I guess.”

Not long after and we’re driving along country roads with Mel chattering on about her ex-army days and how she’s been working hard to build up her business with her brother. I choose to remain tight lipped over my family, because who wouldn’t, given the way they treat me.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking but have you ever taken self-defence classes?” Mel asks out of the blue.

“What?” I reply, the question snapping me out of my own thoughts.

“Well, Mr Chase – Theo - briefed me about your situation and the man who’s been hurting you.” I smile over the fact she chooses not to refer to this man being my brother. It’s hard to admit that out loud; my own brother wants to hurt me. Instead, I nod my answer, to which she smiles a little in pity for me. “And, well, I guess I think everyone should know a little bit about how to defend themselves.”

“No, I must confess I haven’t,” I reply with a blush of embarrassment. “I suppose that should have been one of the first things I should have done when he started hurting me, but I never even thought about it.”

“Sometimes when you’re so down and out over a situation, you can’t see the wood for the trees,” she says, smiling genuinely. “But I can help you if you like? If you can spare me some time now and then, I can easily show you some moves to defend yourself.”

“Yeah, I would love that,” I reply, “definitely. I’ll go through my diary with you and sort out some time. Thanks, Mel.”

We arrive at the carpark a little late but it’s ok because it’s empty. Will must be running late too, so I let Stella out and she toddles off into the bushes to smell everything in her path, her tail wagging every now and then when she finds something interesting. Ten minutes or so pass by, and still no Will. He’s never been late before, so I pull out my phone to see if he’s messaged me, but there’s nothing. A feeling of unease spreads over me so I try and give him a call, but it goes straight to voicemail.

“Maybe he’s stuck in traffic,” I mutter with hope in my voice. “Let’s walk Stella around the short walk and then come back. He’ll see my car is here, he knows it.”

Mel nods, frowning because she obviously senses my anxiety. We proceed to pace quickly around the gravelly paths together. She glances at me every now and then, offering me a reassuring smile while talking about whatever she can think of to try and take my mind off things.

When we get back to the carpark, he’s still not there. He should have been here half an hour ago and I know he wouldn’t justnotturn up without letting me know somehow. With no other ideas, I take out my phone and call Penny.

“Hiya, have you heard form Will at all?” I ask anxiously.

“Hi,” she yawns, “nope, nothing. Let me ask Jaime though.” I hear muffled talking in the background as I look at my watch again. Shit, I’m going to have to leave soon. “No, he hasn’t either. Why, what’s up?”

“He should have met me nearly an hour ago. I’ve got to get to London. Would you mind asking around his friends or family? I’m worried.”

“Sure, hun, we’ll call about and get back to you,” she says calmly. “I’m sure it’s nothing. You know he likes the old wacky backy.”

“That doesn’t reassure me, trust me,” I sigh. “Just call me the moment you hear something…and get out of bed! It’s nearly eleven!”

“Jealous!” she giggles, and I try to laugh with her, but I’m too worried for it to sound genuine.

“Seeya,” I say before hanging up and heading to the car to reluctantly drive away.

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