I sat there with my hands on my lap, looking as professional as possible, but I checked out. Instead, my brain drifted to the fact I agreed to see Chase outside of work. Even though it was with other people, it was a risk. But the strange thing was, I was looking forward to it.
“OK, Maryellen?” Gage asked.
“I’m sorry, sir, could you repeat that?”
His stern look surprised me, but then I realized my mistake.
“Gage, could you repeat that, please?”
He gestured toward his brother, who had wandered to the windows and I hadn’t noticed. Chase was upset. He wouldn’t look at either of us.
“Would you go with him and help get the reports completed that should have been done already? And then would you schedule the interviews so they all take place by the middle of next week? He obviously needs an assistant sooner than I thought.”
As I stood, Chase finally looked my way. His distraught expression made me wish I had paid more attention to what they had spoken about. I offered him a small smile, hoping it would help, but all he did was storm out of the office.
Gage’s attention was focused on his computer screen rather than his brother. He was used to Chase’s antics here at the office, and I believe he was truly done dealing with them, and him.
“Of course, Gage. I’ll get him back on track. And I’ll cc you on the reply emails for the interviews and add them to the calendar once they’re scheduled.”
Gage looked up, and his face softened.
“Thank you, Maryellen. You’re a lifesaver.”
I swiftly left my boss and went straight to the elevator. It wouldn’t surprise me if Chase wasn’t in his office when I got there with how angry he seemed. As I stepped on his floor, the chords of his guitar drifted down the hall.
I tapped on his door and peeked inside, but he had his headphones on. As I approached, he saw me but kept playing the song on his guitar. He seemed to be doing this increasingly while at work. I sat in the chair across from him and listened.
It was beautiful.
The song was unfamiliar, definitely not a mainstream one from the radio. And not the one he played for me the other day. The melody was slow with low notes, making it sound almost haunting. His eyes had connected with mine as he continuedplaying. Then he took his fingers from the chords, removed his headphones, and tossed them to the floor.
“Have you been sent here to babysit me?” he asked.
I ignored his comment, though I heard the pain in his words.
“That song was beautiful, Chase. What was it?”
He strummed the strings on his guitar a few times. The sounds he was able to put together with a few quick movements were amazing. When he was done, he gently placed his guitar on the floor by his feet.
“You wouldn’t have heard it before because I wrote it,” he said.
I was stunned.
“You wrote it?”
He leaned forward with his elbows resting against his knees. His hands came together, his fingers peaked.
“Why does that seem to surprise you?” His hazel eyes peered from under a lowered brow as a wicked smile transformed his face. “What, you don’t think I’m capable?”
“I never said that.” I stood and rushed to his side.
His head bent back as he looked up at me, those eyes of his now completely forlorn. Because of that, and without thinking, I knelt at his side and took his hands in mine.
I was going against all my own rules. My emotions were driving my actions, and I wasn’t considering any possible consequences.
It didn’t matter. He was what mattered right now.
“Chase, I’m sorry if that offended you. I know you’re upset with how things went just now, but don’t let that affect us.”
