My stalker

7

Chase had just left, leaving me alone on my bed. I sighed, feeling a bit restless. I was thirsty, so I went to the kitchen for a glass of water. As I took a sip, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Liz. Short and to the point: *"We're at Anna's. It happened..."*

I sighed again. Of course. "Chase?" I called out, hearing his footsteps approaching.

"Ma'am?" he responded, his brows furrowed.

"I need to go to Anna's. She and her boyfriend broke up," I explained, heading back to my room to change. I threw on some black pants but left the hoodie on. Chase handed me my jacket as I passed him on the way to the door. He didn't ask any questions, just followed as I gave him the address.

We pulled up quickly to Anna's place. Molly's car was already parked outside. As I got out, Molly did the same, holding a basket of sweets in her arms.

"I knew it," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Who didn't?" I replied, and we shared a knowing chuckle.

We knocked on the door, and Liz opened it with a whisper, "I can't anymore."

Before we could respond, Anna's voice echoed from inside. "I *heard* that!" she shouted.

I peeked inside and saw her sitting on the floor, not even bothering with the couch. Her mascara was smeared all over her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked a mess. We'd told her a thousand times about all the red flags her boyfriend was showing, but she didn't listen.

As we stepped inside, Anna stormed toward the door. I glanced back and saw Chase standing by the entrance, quietly observing the scene.

"No boys allowed," Anna snapped at him, glaring.

Chase, completely unfazed, stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Good thing I'm a man," he replied with a calm smirk.

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. Anna, defeated, went back to sit on the floor, still wiping her tears. "He was so sweet. I can't believe he'd do something like this," she cried, hugging her knees.

Leaning against the wall, Chase just watched quietly.

Liz was less sympathetic. "How many times did we warn you?"

"Twenty?" Molly guessed, not entirely sure.

Ashly, Anna's roommate, walked in from the kitchen. "Try twenty thousand," she corrected, rolling her eyes.

Liz pulled a face, clearly disgusted. "Even his name was a red flag," she muttered.

We all laughed. "Daniel!" we said in unison, teasingly, except for Anna, who sat there pouting. Even Chase cracked a smile at that.

"I'd understand if his name was something like Loreandro or Sandjego," Ashly added with a dramatic flair. "But Daniel? Come on, it's the name of a nerd!"

"Just because you're obsessed with Italian guys," I teased, and the others chimed in agreement.

Anna, still trying to defend him, sniffled. "His name wasn't the problem. He *looked* good."

"Yeah, and cheated on you with that pretty face," Ashly shot back, which sent Anna into another round of sobbing.

Just then, Chase's phone rang. He glanced at it before answering, "Daniele?"

Anna's eyes went wide, and before anyone could react, she rushed up to Chase. He stared at her, confused.

Anna's jaw dropped. We all realized at the same moment what was going on.

Chase, still on the phone, narrowed his eyes. "Daniele, I'll call you back," he said slowly before hanging up.

Anna shoved him toward the spot she'd been sitting. "Explain. How do you know *Daniele*?"

Chase looked at me for clarity, still unsure what she meant. "Ma'am, I don't think the Daniele I know is the same as yours."

Molly, always the instigator, grinned. "Let's find out. Describe him."

Chase hesitated for a moment, then gave in. "He's a bartender. Around 21 years old."

Liz gasped. "Oh my God, it's him!"

The rest of the night turned into a full-on roast of Daniel—er, *Daniele*. Apparently, Chase knew him from the club but had no idea he was such a jerk. We spent hours badmouthing him, laughing, and consoling Anna, who gradually stopped crying. Everyone else planned to sleep over at Anna and Ashly's, but I decided to head home with Chase.

As we got into the car, I glanced over at him, noticing how tired he looked. "You seem exhausted," I said with a chuckle.

He gave me a sideways glance and then turned back to the road. "I learned something tonight," he said, sounding oddly reflective.

Curious, I leaned in a little. "What's that?"

He smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Forget it."

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. Typical Chase, keeping me guessing.

———
Enjoy.