Blurred Lines Book 1: Chase

3|See for yourself

The sun is not up yet. I glanced left to right on the empty street, shifting from one foot to another. This is the last place I'd see myself after breaking my engagement off.

Drawing in a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell to Georgia's place. The silence of this neighborhood was sullen, and her footsteps as she approached the door were like a drum roll to the plot twist of my story.

"This better be a life and death-" her sleep-laced voice halted as she took in my appearance. "What the hell happened to you, Sofia?"

"Oh." I glanced down at Kyle's shirt and joggers. They swallow my small frame like a blanket. My hair was a tangled mess, no less, and my face was no better. "Can I come in?"

Without missing a beat, she stepped aside and allowed me in.

She led me to the kitchen. I sat on the stool by the breakfast bar while Georgia busied herself on the coffee machine. As the machine purred gently, she faced me and crossed her arms. "You are here for a reason."

I sighed. Georgia is the last person I'd confide in about my problems. We are not friends. She doesn't like me for a reason I still can't figure out, but she holds my ticket out of this town. "I want the client in Rio."

Her perfectly shaped brows twitched. It was so small I barely missed it. The coffee machine beeped. Each second, as she filled two cups of coffee, dragged slowly.

She offered me a cup, taking the chair across from mine. She sipped her coffee slowly, peering at me over her cup. "Convince me to give it to you."

On the way here, I had already perfected the story I would give her, but I didn't think lying to Georgia would get me anywhere, so I told her the truth.

"I know you hate me, but I really need to get away from here," I added when she kept silent. I'd like to give myself a pat on the shoulder to not cry in front of my boss.

"I don't 'hate' you," she said, her voice gentle and careful.

"You don't like me," I pressed.

"Yes, I don't," she chuckled, tucking her fiery red hair behind her ears.

I let out a breath, ready to make my case, but she surprised me again by saying, "you got the job."

"Yeah?" I asked, bewildered. "Uhm, thank you." I kept my composure when deep inside, I was celebrating this small victory.

Georgia nodded, sipping her coffee.

"One question," I said, hoping this won't affect her decision. "Why?"

"Because I see myself in you, Sofia."

~~

I had never been a light traveler. Packing my necessities in two hours was a record-breaking success in my lifetime.

Throughout the drive to the airport, Georgia's words played like a song out of tune in my head. I didn't press on what she meant by it. She volunteered to cover for me in the office and why the sudden change of plans. I didn't ask why she was so willing to help me. She had her reasons, and I had mine. As long as I get to get away from here, I don't mind what hidden agenda Georgia has.

The sun was already up when I reached the airport. Georgia promised our company driver, Efraim, would meet me there with my plane ticket and client files. I have no idea how she'll get me a flight on short notice, but I have to trust her.

With his bald head and beer belly, Efraim wasn't hard to spot in the crowd, even though he was three inches shorter than me. Holding a manila envelope in one hand, he waved and offered a huge grin.

"Ms. G said you're leaving?" he asked, passing the envelope.

"For business," I said, avoiding a longer conversation with Efraim. "Georgia got me a flight?" I asked, looking for a plane ticket inside the envelope, brows furrowing when I found none.

"She didn't," Efraim answered, chuckling.

"What?" panic rose from the pit of my belly.

I don't expect Kyle to come after me, but I'd like to avoid any confrontation with him if I could. If he changed his mind, he had the resources to know where to find me.

"She got you a private jet."

"What?" I repeated my question in a whisper.

~~

Bewildered, I sat on the flush gray leather seat, taking in the palatial interior of Mr. Montiero's private jet. In front of me was a glass table and another set of 2 chairs. Wedge on the other side of the plane was a comfy-looking long couch. It appears to be softer than the bed I sleep in every night.

"Miss Collins, would you like tea, coffee, water?" a very attractive, groomed, blond young woman, smiled pleasantly. She wore the sharpest charcoal suit jacket and white shirt I had ever seen.

"A glass of water, thank you," I said, suddenly feeling thirsty.

She looked thoughtful for a while, taking my appearance in. Thinking I'd be flying on an economy flight, I dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. I'm beginning to wish I didn't wear my sneakers and put a little makeup on my puffy cheeks and eyes.

"May I also offer you breakfast, Miss Collins? It is a long flight to Rio," she said, a gentle smile on her lips.

I considered her offer, glancing at the couch behind her. Eyes taking in the stunning white, gray, and black accentuated interior of the jet and the clear blue sky through the window as we flew above the clouds, I lowered my voice and asked, "would it be okay if I sleep on that couch?"

She glanced at the couch and back at me. "The cabin is much more comfortable for a rest," she said.

My eyes probably lit up like a New Year's Eve at her words.

~~

I was rejuvenated when we landed in Rio. The private jet had its own bathroom, complete with a shower and tub, which I wish to enjoy if there was a repeat of this experience.

A car was already waiting for me on the tarmac.

'Just how rich is this client?' I haven't opened the files since Efraim handed it to me. I don't even know what job they'd require me to do.

"Where to Miss?" The driver in a black and white suit surprised me.

"Excuse me?" I asked, meeting his eyes through the rearview mirror.

His brown eyes watched me carefully before he said, "to the office or the penthouse."

"Penthouse?" I parroted, baffled.

"Uh, yes?" he tilted his head to the side. "You'd be staying at one of Mr. Montiero's penthouses."

"Damn," I murmured, catching myself too late.

The driver chuckled, his eyes crinkling on the side. "I gathered you haven't read his file yet?"

I only noticed then that he had a perfect American accent even though he had those sexy, deep Brazilian eyes and sharp jaws. His dark curly hair was neatly brushed back, yet a few strands mischievously fell on his forehead.

Cheeks reddening, I shook my head.

Throwing an arm on the back of the passenger seat, he faced me. His smile was bedazzling.

"Let me give you a brief background about the boss. The ones before you didn't even last a week. They studied his behavior for months, pitched big plans, and promised the board they could change his image." He chuckled, turning to start the car. The gentle hum of the engine brought me back to reality.

Since he already knew my secret of coming here unprepared, I dared ask. "What image do I need to change, exactly?"

The man chuckled. "See for yourself."