Chapter 7

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As the evening set in, Chase and his friends settled into one of the five luxury bars in Spain, the atmosphere buzzing with energy. The dim lighting and smooth music created a perfect backdrop for their conversation. Chase leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink as he considered the question.

"So what happened?" Charles asked, leaning forward with an eager expression. The curiosity in his voice was unmistakable, and the others turned their attention to Chase, waiting for his response.

Chase took a deep breath, the memory of last night still vivid in his mind. "It was... intense," he began, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I met this incredible woman. We clicked right away."

"Clicked how?" Lance pressed, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Details, man!"

Chase chuckled, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "We spent the night together. It was spontaneous, and honestly, I didn't expect it to feel that way. She's... unforgettable."

Collin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "But you didn't even get her name?"

"Yeah," Chase admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. It's just one of those things. We were lost in the moment."

"Dude, you've got to find her," Charles insisted, his tone serious. "You can't just let that go."

Chase nodded, feeling the weight of his friends' encouragement. "I know. It's just... complicated now that I'm back here. I'm not sure how to track her down."

"Maybe start by reaching out to some local contacts," Lance suggested. "If she's in the area, you might get lucky."

As the conversation continued, Chase felt a flicker of hope. The night had been a whirlwind, but the connection he felt lingered, making him consider taking that extra step to see if it could turn into something more.

Chase took a sip of his drink, the coolness of it contrasting with the warmth of the memories flooding his mind. "I just keep thinking about her," he admitted, his voice slightly quieter. "Her laugh, the way she looked at me—it felt different. I don't want to just forget it."

"Then don't!" Collin urged, leaning in. "You've got to chase this down. You have the means; use them. You could hire someone to help find her."

"Or go back to the villa," Charles added, a playful grin on his face. "You know, just to check if she's still around."

Lance laughed, shaking his head. "Classic move. But seriously, what if she's not even in Spain anymore? You'd be chasing shadows."

Chase sighed, running a hand over his face. "I know. It feels reckless, but it's also exciting. What if I don't take the chance and regret it?"

The group fell into a thoughtful silence, each of them reflecting on their own experiences with unexpected connections. Finally, Collin broke the silence. "Look, if you really feel something there, you owe it to yourself to explore it. Just think about what you'd want if the roles were reversed."

Chase nodded, the encouragement from his friends bolstering his resolve. "She's mine"

"Just make sure you don't come off too desperate," Lance teased, raising his glass in mock toast. "We want you to be smooth about it."

Chase laughed, the tension easing as they all raised their drinks. "Here's to being smooth and not letting great moments slip away!"

As they clinked glasses, the energy in the bar felt electric, and for the first time since returning to New York, Chase felt a renewed sense of purpose. The night had been unforgettable, but now, it seemed like it could be the beginning of something even more significant. He was determined to find her, no matter what it took.

Chase received a call from his father, who was in Moscow, Russia. "Your mom and I made it back to Russia, and she's safe now, still recovering from her minor injuries," his dad said, relief flooding through Chase.

"Can you put Mom on the phone? I want to talk to her," Chase replied.

"Hey, Chase!" his mom exclaimed, her excitement evident.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm doing much better now. Someone helped me and took me to the hospital," she answered.

Chase's curiosity piqued. "Do you know who brought you to the hospital?" he inquired.

"No, I don't. When I woke up, the nurse told me that the people who helped had already left, but I still remember her face," she said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Chase's heart raced. "Her face?" he echoed, a mixture of surprise and intrigue swirling inside him. "You mean it was a woman?"

"Yeah, she was very kind," his mom said, her voice softening. "She stayed with me until the nurses arrived. I wish I could tell you more, but everything was a blur."

Chase felt a strange connection form between the stories of his mother's rescue and his own recent experience in Spain. "Maybe you could sketch her face or describe her to me," he suggested, an idea forming in his mind. "It might help."

"I might try that," she replied, a hint of a smile in her voice. "But I have to say, I'm just grateful someone was there when I needed help."

"Me too, Mom. I'm really thankful," Chase said, feeling the warmth of their conversation. "I've been thinking a lot about unexpected connections lately. It seems they can come in all forms."

"I know what you mean," she replied, a knowing tone in her voice. "Sometimes, those moments shape us in ways we don't expect. Just remember to appreciate them."

Chase nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I will. I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Chase. Now go take care of yourself, okay?" she said, her concern evident.

"I will. Talk soon!" He hung up, feeling both lighter and contemplative. The connection between his mother's experience and his own lingered in his mind. Maybe it was a reminder that kindness and support often come from unexpected places, and perhaps he needed to embrace that possibility in his own life, especially regarding the woman he couldn't forget.

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