Songs Unsung - Book One

Chapter Nineteen

Dedicated to ZoeyBognot - For adding the story to her Library :)

After showering and spraying more of the delicious perfume on my skin, I made my way to the rack of clothes Chase had provided me with the last time I was at his home.

I chose a white, tight fitting pant suit, red low cut top and red stiletto heel to wear for my day at the office. I matched it with a bright red lip before making my way into the kitchen.

"Wooot woo!" chimed Candice as I emerged in the kitchen. "And with no help from me!" she joked in a round a bout way of giving me a compliment. I blushed and thanked her for her comment, noticing Chase sitting at the island bench, looking in my direction without saying a word.

"Well, this is awkward" I thought to myself as I took a piece of buttered toast from the bench and started eating it without making eye contact with him.

"I won't be at work long" I said to Candice "I just have to get a few things done before Black Ice's debut tomorrow night".

Black Ice was the newly found name of the band I had been working with tirelessly over the past months. Chase's friend was the guitarist and they had finally hit the jackpot in receiving the opportunity to showcase their work at a large red carpet event in Berverly Hills on Saturday night.

"I need to be there tomorrow night to show them support" I continued saying to Candice "I'll understand if you're not comfortable enough to attend" my face softened as I inspected her face for a reaction.

"I wouldn't miss it!!" she exclaimed "Plus, it's a red carpet event so the place will be tight with security"

"You're right, security will be tight so we should be able to make a good night of it!" I said with a smile as I started walking from the room. "I have to get out of here but I'll see you this afternoon?" my eyes were on Candice, trying not to look in Chase's direction.

"I'll be here!" she smiled.

"I've called Leonard" said Chase, in a quiet tone "He's waiting out the front for you".

"It's okay" I replied, "I'll call a cab".

Chase immediately stood from his seat and walked to where I was standing. Looking down at me he breathed "Leonard is waiting for you. He's yours for the day. Just do what I ask please Annabelle."

Without another thought I rolled my eyes and looked toward Candice for comfort. She sat looking surprised at the display that played out before her. I could tell she was curious and itching to talk to me and find out what was behind his reaction.

"I guess I'll be riding with Leonard" I scoffed before turning on my heel and making my way to the foyer. Chase followed me to the entrance and took my hand, turning me around to face him.

"What is wrong with you this morning?" has asked as his eyes fell hard upon my face.

"What was wrong with you last night?" I snapped back at him in reply.

His eyes pressed down as a look of shame fell over his face. "It wasn't anything you had done" he said as his brow creased in the center of his forehead "I.. just don't want to rush anything with you" he said as he continued to look down. "You're not like the others and if I kept kissing you, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself. You're more special to me than that."

A wave of emotion rushed through my body as I watched him pour his heart out in front of me. I lifted his chin with my hand to force him to look me in the eyes. "You're amazing, you know that?" I asked, looking deeply into his eyes with a soft expression painted over my face.

His face turned into a smile instantly as he replied "No, you're amazing".

I cupped his face with my hands as I kissed him softly on the cheek before stepping backwards to take him in one last time before I made my way out of the front entrance. Before stepping into the car I turned to him as I said "and I NEVER want to know about the 'others'" giving a slight giggle.

_________________

I made a coffee before sitting comfortably at my desk for the day.

"Annabelle, come in here please" Franca's voice called loudly from the intercom. As I stood from my desk an eerie feeling of familiarity fell over me. Sympathetic eyes fell upon me from each cubical as I walked toward Franca's office. With nervousness, I felt like I was walking on death row as each step brought me closer to the lion's den.

Franca's office door was open allowing me to step inside once she ushered me to take a seat across from her, after closing the door behind me.

"Would you care to explain this?" she asked as she handed me the morning's newspaper. On the cover was a photo of Chase holding my chin as we looked into each other's eyes. The headline read "Scarlett's Heartbreak as Mystery Woman steals Chase Thomas' Heart". A look of shock fell over my face and I instantly felt ill.

"I won't have this unprofessional conduct from my employees Annabelle!" Franca hissed "This is an utter disgrace!" I sat frozen, unable to move. "If we lose the Chase Thomas brand from your stupidity, I'll make sure you never work again!" Franca spat in disgust.

I took a deep breath as I stood from my seat, looking down at Franca.

"Firstly, you will never speak to me like that again. Secondly, Chase is a human being not a brand thank you Franca! You seem to think that our clients are toy monkeys and you can pull on their tail to make them spit out coins for you to bask in!" I was furious as I continued, not stopping to even take a breath "I will be supporting Black Ice tomorrow night with or without your support. For now, you can take this as my resignation!"

I turned to make my way out of her office as she sat with a look of shock on her face. As I opened the office door I exclaimed "And, if you lose Chase Thomas - the human being, it will be from YOUR actions. Not mine!". I slammed the door behind me and walked back toward my desk to pack my things.

Silence filled the office as I walked down the hallway, past each cubicle as all eyes fell on me. One by one, people started to stand at attention in a standing ovation type alignment. I could only presume this was their way of showing appreciation to the one person who stood up to Franca, without allowing her the knowledge of it taking place (in utter fear of her wrath if she were to find out).

I let a large smile creep across my face as I nodded in appreciation before collecting my things and making my way out of the building.

"Now What?" I thought to myself as I took my phone to call Leonard.