Unplanned- Uncharted Routes

Chapter Seven

Chase parked in front of an Italian restaurant not far from work, this time in a completely different car; a Bentley. Exactly how many of these does he own or need?

"Hope you don't mind Italian" he said as they got out of the car. Chivalry apparently had a stroke today or something because unlike on a previous occasion, today she had to let herself out. By the time they got to the entrance Chase's "men" were present.

"Where did they come from?" Aly asked confused. "I'm certain I didn't see their black SUV behind us"

"Grey one parked three cars to the left of my car" He replied without even looking back.

Aly looked where he said and there it was, the Grey 'twin' to the black SUV the security were in the other day.

"Safety measures, I'll explain another time" He added as one of the guards held the door open.

"Welcome to Linducci's" a middle aged man with an Italian accent greeted us"

"Stefano, how's it going?" Chase asked as they shook hands.

The man said something in Italian, followed by a fluent response from Chase after which they both burst into laughter. Aly stood and watched them as clueless as ever.

"So what's the occasion? Haven't seen you in a while" Stefano commented looking in Aly's direction.

"Well Stef, im treating my newest member of staff here to the most delicious Italian cuisine she's ever had in her life, this is Miss Alyssa Laurence, my new PA" Chase answered.

"She is quite a lovely little lady, I'm Stefano Linducci, welcome to my little 'piece of back home' Cara" He smiled as they shook hands.

"Thank you" Aly smiled back.

Stefano led the pair to their table where they began browsing the menus presented to them "Lasagne" was the first and quickest meal she could recognize so she played it safe and settled with that and a cranberry cocktail drink.

"The usual for me" Said Chase as Stefano got ready to take the orders.

Stefano was now focusing his attention on Aly, "I'll have the lasagne and a cranberry cocktail"

"Coming up" He smiled and left.

"So, Ms Laurence, enlighten me some more... tell me about you" Said Chase as he placed his phone down on the table, turning his full attention to Aly who was busy taking in the beautiful decor around her.

Her breath got caught in her chest as the words left his mouth. She never liked scenarios like this, they always felt like an interrogation.

With a deep breath she decided to just get this over with.

"Well... I'm 22 turning 23 in August. I just left Montgomery where I got my diploma in business. I live alone, not much of an out going person and I... Work for you"

He smirked at the ending.

"You just told me everything I could have told you. I asked for enlightenment not a refresher. So let's do this again" Details Alyssa, give me details, Who was that bastard? Area you dating? Is he good in bed? Does he make you happy?

Aly sighed at his persistence, what's the big deal? He knows the basics and that should be the most important part of it. Once again, she took a deep breath.

"I turn 23 August 15, I have a diploma in business and I live between my apartment and with my friend Amanda, you met her at the cafe" Aly's face reddened at the mention of Chase and Mandy's meeting. "I'm not really comfortable talking about my childhood... Sorry"

Chase said nothing, he looked away quickly then back at her then finally spoke.

"If that's what you prefer"

Aly was relieved when she saw Stefano approaching with their meals. He set them down then left after telling them to let him know if they needed anything.

To her surprise, Chase and Aly were having the exact meal. She thought he would have gotten something 'fancier' but apparently he had simple tastes.

"Excellent choice...the rest of the day is yours free if you tell me this isn't the best lasagne you've ever tasted"

Aly couldn't have been more thankful for a change of topic.

"Be careful of your dealings Mr Callaghan" She teased playing along hoping to continue this lightened mood.

The aroma was enchanting, lifting her first forkful, Aly moaned appreciatively as her tastebuds went to 'food heaven', holy food porn, this was more than good, with just the perfect amount of sauce combined with the divine seasonings and herbs in the mince filling that was tucked between pasta shells that were the right texture held together with a delectable blend of melted cheese in it's savory golden glory, this lasagne could only be described by a word coined solely for its description. When she finally came down from her delightful high and opened her eyes, Aly saw an amused Chase staring at her.

Chase sucked in a deep breath when he saw her expression, he wondered if that was how she looked in the throes of ecstasy, damn she was tempting.

"Ok so I'm gonna need you to arrange every single document in the building in alphabetical order according to dates" He was laughing for the second time in less than an hour. "I'm joking about the files, I told you it was good.

However, I will need you to accompany me to an event next weekend as I need a 'plus one' according to the invitation so I added you to the list as my 'date'.

The way he told her she was accompanying him instead of asking her if she was available and would like to go with him though.

"You did that before we even discussed it. What if I had plans? Why don't you take Blondie with you? Why do I have to be there?" Aly was starting to feel annoyed now.

"Simple, you'd have to cancel your plans, my PA which you are should be available at all times hence why you have to be there. It's not a date, so relax, I don't do relationships plus I don't date my staff members. That girl was getting attached so I ended things with her. Now let's hurry up with lunch so we can get back to the office". He replied quite casually as if she had simply asked for the time then went back to his food.

Aly wasn't sure why but those words stung; or rather stabbed her in her chest. It shouldn't bother her to hear him say he doesn't date staff or do relationships, in fact she should be relieved but that was far from what she was feeling.

Shaking the thoughts off, she started eating again though the food lost its appeal; Chase on the other hand was unbothered as he showed his appreciation for the chef's skills and that's how she should be too, after all, it's not like she stood a chance next to the women Chase was often seen with so she had to get it together and soon.